Hi Nikki,
I was looking at some pictures recently of my hair journey and realized just how far I and my hair have come! I made the decision to go natural after finally coming to grips that the relaxers that I was getting every 6 weeks were severely breaking off my hair. When I started this journey, my hair in the nape of my head looked as though it had been fade cut, even though clippers had been nowhere near my head.
I started my transition in June 2010 and big chopped in December 2011. I transitioned with a full sew in weave so I wouldn’t have to deal with the two textures. I stalked your website every day imagining the day that I would be able to try the fabulous styles I saw here. This March was 18 months post last relaxer! I am so thankful to finally have a head full (even in the back!) of healthy hair! I’m loving and enjoying this journey.
My current regimen:
Wash every 7 – 10 days with a sulfate free shampoo, finger detangle with a rinse out conditioner, apply a leave in, seal with an oil and apply a styler for twists for a twist out. I wear my hair out 2 weeks a month usually in a twist out and then 2 weeks in a protective style (either a bun or a style with Marley hair).

My nightly routine:
If I’m wearing a twist out, I retwist my hair each night graduating to fewer and chunkier twists by the end of the week. I moisturize every 3rd day by spraying my hair with my aloe vera juice, glycerin & rose water mixture, and sealing with an oil. I always sleep with a satin bonnet.
Current Products:
Shampoos: Elasta QP Conditioning Creme Shampoo, Curls Curl Cleansing Creme
Rinse Out Conditioners: Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisturizing Conditioner, Herbal Essences Hello Hydration
Deep Conditioners: Curl Junkie Curl Rehab, Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose, Butters N Bars Original Conditioning Hair Masque
Leave In Conditioners: Giovanni Direct Moisture Leave In, Koils by Nature Moisturizing Shealoe Leave In
Sealants: Coconut Oil, Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade, Koils by Nature Nourishing Hair & Body Butter
Stylers: Koils by Nature Herbal Soothing Peppermint Gel, EcoStyler Gel
Moisturizer: Homemade Aloe Vera Juice, Vegetable Glycerin & Rose Water Mixture
After a year I am still a daily reader of your blog. I was so inspired by you sharing your story, that I started a blog to document not only my natural hair journey, but of all the other journeys that I embark on. I can be found at www.naturallynita.blogspot.com. Thanks for all you do!




wow, your hair looks awesome! I love the style with the added marley hair.
Deinitely an inspiration! Your hair looks fabulous!
wow your hair looks so healthy now
yes. ma'am. you look fabulous.
Thank you @Naturally Nita for answering 🙂
Wow, your hair looks great
BEAUTIFUL!!!!
What a brave and inspiring story! Your hair looks great!
lookin good girl… id love to see a tut vid on the marley hair style (hint hint) i love it!
Beautiful!
Keep up the good work!!
Your hair is beautiful and your journey is inspirational.
No lye – that nape was terrifying but I'm so glad you're back in great hair health!
I also had constant nape breakage whether permed, pressed or in extensions as it is straight/wavy and very soft and neither me nor my hair dressers were knowledgeable about it for decades, smh.
You look amazing and your routine sounds great and I'll be sure to follow your blog!
Great results..Go Team Natural!
Thanks you guys for all the positive comments!
@Bobby I will post a picture of my nape tonight on my blog. It's grown back in!
@ Anon 5:28 I got them at the NC Natural Hairshow in Raleigh last year.
What an awesome and inspirational story.
Congrats on your growth Nita! That twist out is FIERCE girl!
Way to grow Nita!!!
Same problem when i had my relaxer except it was my edges, not my nape. But they're actually starting to grow back i'm so happy i thought i had traumatized them beyond repair, but no, they're back!
I hope she shares where she got those feather earrings from 🙂
Her hair looks great–she went natural for the exact same reason that I did, I had long hair, but the hair on my nape had broken off to be a couple of inches due to the relaxer.
In some ways, it was a blessing in disguise, b/c if my relaxed hair hadn't started breaking, I would have never experienced the wonderful world of natural hair.
Keep up the good work and GO GIRL!
Get it girl! 🙂
I'm so happy for you!!! Keep up the good work gorgeous! This post will be an inspiration for many and I want to thank you for sharing your story with us!!! Bravo! (in my Ledisi(sp?) voice)
Great job sis! You hair looks good and I aint gonna lie I would love to see a picture of your nape, now -)