Erica M- A Story of Transition

CN: Were you a long-term or short-term transitioner, and why?
C: I would say I was long transitioner, I wasn’t ready to cut it all off just yet. I stopped getting relaxers in ’05 but then I became an iron freak in ’06. I had faithfully transitioned for a year and a half and finally in August of ’08, I got so fed up with all my stringy damaged ends, I had my mom ( she was worse than me about long hair) and brother cut it off.

CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
C: I didn’t do the BC because I had transitioned for so long. I did my own “Chop” on August 23, 2008. I was extremely excited. I told my mom and brother to cut everything that didn’t curl up regardless of how I looked. Once they finished it was to my ears and I loved it. I felt complete for the first time, like everything was in order and balanced.

CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
C: At first my mom was nervous because it was so short but once it was dry everyone loved it. My mom said I was her little curly girl again. I had been doing so much research and felt like I had so much support just from sites like yours that when I decided to do it, I was confident. I think that played a lot into the way others viewed my hair. I was confident and it made them feel good about it too.

CN: What was your transition routine?
C: During my transition, I washed my hair once a week with V05 Moisture Conditioner and didn’t use shampoo. I would deep condition with Yes to Carrots, RenPure’s My Pretty Hair is Parched, or Tresemme Curl Conditioner. After I washed my hair, I would put it into a pineapple and let it air dry . The style would last for a week, and that was the style that I stuck to for most of my transition period. I also used jojoba oil and olive oil in between washes.

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
C: WnG was my favorite hairstyle to do when I was transitioning. I loved how big my hair would get as the days passed. I LOVE BIG HAIR!!!

CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
C: I started using Apple Cider Vinegar which helped with itchiness and dandruff and just recently I started researching natural products like flax seed gel. I love it,
1.) It leaves my hair moisturized 2.) My curls are defined 3.) Its affordable 4. )Its customizable! <— Can you tell I love flax seeds!

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
C: I decided to go natural because I always wanted to be natural, I was just too brainwashed to actually do it! I went natural because I wanted to and it made me feel good!!

I have to say going natural has been one of the best things that I decided to do. The natural hair community is beautiful and supportive and it puts a huge smile on my face everyday. To know that my daughter will be surrounded by all this awesomeness makes me want to jump out my skin!!! I love all you ladies, thanks Nikki and I hope I can encourage someone to go natural!

Conditioners
Alberto VO5 Moisture Milks Moisturizing
Yes to carrots and cucumbers
Aubrey organics honeysuckle rose

Shampoos
apple cider vinegar
Kinky-Curly Come Clean Moisturizing Shampoo
Lavender Garden Pure Earth Hair Wash

Leave ins
Sunsilk Captivating Curls 24/7 Creme with Aloe-E,( they discontinued it , I almost had a curl attack lol)
Flaxseed Gel
Shea Butter

As far as my routine goes, I start my style off as a WnG and as the days pass I change my style.
The WnG lasts for about a week and then I go straight into my curly fro (the first picture). That usually lasts 2 days and then I wash my hair with Terrescentials Lavendar gardan Pure Earth Hair Wash and I a deep treatment with the Yes to Carrots (this is magic for my hair- thanks Nikki). After I wash it out, I immediately put the flaxseed gel in my hair when it is soaking wet and I do two strand twists (Hair Crush Method). It seems like all of my styles last a week in a half and I moisturize in between with shea butter. As of right now I’m keeping it really basic because I haven’t found any staple products, but once I do, I will be sure to update you, hopefully though youtube lol!

I really want to get into making my own products because when I first started I always wanted to buy ready made products but now that I’ve done my research and watched other youtubers like Naptural85, 1ballerina, and arcamp83, I’m super excited to do it!!

Relaxed hair in high school
Crunchy and in denial

Curls today!
Curly Mommy!