A Mighty Long Way- Nita’s Stroll Down Memory Lane

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).

(Marley hair protective style)

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!

Big Chop!

Twist-out fro

Braid-out

twist-out