CN: How long have you been natural?
This second time around, I have been natural for 2 years and 2.5 months.
CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
Do you want me to talk about the first time I went natural or the second, lol? Well the first time, I was a long term transitioner- 1 year and 4 months starting in October 2002. I stayed natural until 2008, then I relaxed again. (What was I thinking?) No sooner than I relaxed, I knew I was going to go back natural. This transition was short term…5 months!
CN: What is your current regimen?
*My current regimen is going under a minor tweak- I currently wash my hair twice weekly, but I am going to reduce this to once a week, just to see if my problem area (my crown) will catch up to the other sections of hair.*
Wash/Condition:
I wash my hair with Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Oil Shampoo and Conditioner. I comb my hair when it’s drenched and full of conditioner. Depending on how I feel, I section my hair in 5 parts and detangle. When I am just lazy, I only detangle in 3 parts. I rinse out the conditioner with warm or cool water.
Style:
I use Kinky Curly’s Knot Today once I finish washing my hair. I like this because I tend to wash my hair at night and this product is not oily or heavy and it provides my hair with what it needs. I can easily comb my hair with this product in it. If I am sleepy and just cannot wait to go to sleep, I don’t airdry but rather sit under my ConairPro standing dryer for 10-15 minutes.
In the next morning I have to ‘gwease’ my scalp, so I use Nature’s Blessing Pomade. I apply it to the tips of my fingers and massage my scalp with it. On my hair strands, I use My Asha’s Heavenly Hair Pudding to combat dryness.
CN: How do you maintain Length? Moisture?
In the morning when my hair’s dry, I can ‘unstiffen’ it with either the spritzing of water or my herbal tea mix. I then use the My Asha’s Heavenly Hair Pudding to help with sealing moisture in my hair.
CN: Night time routine?
However my hair’s styled that day is how my hair will be for bed. Of course, if my hair’s pinned up during the day, I will remove them from my hair. I sleep with both a satin pillowcase and bonnet.
CN: What would you tell a new natural, or transitioning diva?
Have fun!!! Don’t compare your hair and your hair’s abilities to others around you. Someone else may be able to splash water and an oil on their hair and ends up creating a wonderful style, but you may have to do more steps for that same style, and this is okay! Frustration is a part of the natural/transitioning process, but don’t allow the frustration to turn into fury for your hair.
CN: What’s the best thing about being naturally glamorous?
The best thing about being naturally glamorous is that people gravitate to me due to my natural hair and I try to use this as an opportunity to educate them on natural hair. With this comes some other unwanted experiences, though, ie, good hair vs bad hair comments, those who want to touch my hair without asking, etc, but I have learned to nip these incidences in the bud really quick, lol! I get a lot of ‘well, you have a different hair texture than I do’ comments and when these arise, I am able to direct these ladies to women who have natural hair textures similar to them.
CN: Anything else you want to add?
Stay humble during your natural quest because you’ll never know if you will have another strong urge to relax. It can be very embarrassing to be a natural hair advocate for a while only to resort back to relaxing- believe me, I know from experience! Check out my ‘youtubie’ channel!
beautiful hair. can't believe how it has grown out after relaxing. You had so much hair.
love love love love and did I say love your hair!
OMG…I dropped my teeth when I saw the first time you went natural. You relaxed alll dat??? Wow. Beautiful hair. Glad to have you back in the fold!
your hair is GORGEOUS!!!!!!
I have natural hair, however, I have not yet tried these fun and natural styles (twist-out, braid-out, etc.) however, these natural glams are very inspiring to me! I love her hair so much!!!
Girl I love your hair.
I've always admired her hair, I remember when she relaxed too. I admire how she retained length and maintained healthy hair!
Beautiful Hair!
WHAT?! Damn, that's some beautiful hair!
Thanks so much for the compliments, ladies
Just gaw-geous!
beautiful hair!
Umm….New Hair Crush!!!!!
Simply beautiful!!! Man!
Bea- U-tiful hair!!
TheUncommonBeauty.blogspot.com
My new hair idol…im speechless!
I have always loved ChakaKhanian's hair!!! Her you tube channel is very informative as well. The statements made regarding comparing your hair to others were profound. We each have a journey to follow, however it is wonderful sharing and learning from others. Thank you for featuring her Nikki. ChakaKhanian KUTGW!!! 🙂
Thats bublnbrnsuga! Why did she change her name? Most of us knew she relaxed then chopped again & never had an isssue w/it.
Jaw dropping.
Im going to put a hat on and just hang my head.
My tresses bow down.
WOW Gorgeous!!!!!!
Disregard the hairstyle question. LOL! I just watched the tutorial on your YouTube channel!
JUST Beautiful!
I love the updo with the twists! Is is just two strand twists pulled into a french roll? Lovely =) Thanks so much for sharing your journey.
Her hair is awesome! Love it
Love your hair. Im inspired
Holy cheese and crackers, why would you ever relax those glorious tresses. That is the hair some women dream about. At least I do!
Your hair is gorgeous and you are so pretty!
"Frustration is a part of the natural/transitioning process, but don't allow the frustration to turn into fury for your hair".
That is soooo true. Lord knows I have done that many times before.
Gorgeous hair.
Her hair is soooo gorgeous and I love that her regime is simple. Her advice that you shouldn't compare your hair is soooo important because comparing only leads to frustration and also to unsatisfaction with your hair.
Beautiful hair!