My name is Sarita Campbell. I’m a 23 year old Marketing Consultant from Georgia. I currently work at AT&T. My hair journey has been so amazing! It’s one of the best decisions that I’ve made!
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Were you a slow transitioner or a Big Chopper & why?
My natural hair journey is very interesting. I have actually been natural since 2008 but I did not realize it for two years. I’ve always been into weave and trying different hairstyles. I would consider my self a hair fanatic, especially when it comes to big full hair! When I began college in 2008, I use to wear nothing but box braids, and I would just wash and re-braid my hair. I did this process for about 2 years so when I finally began to wear my real hair out I was a little confused because I would go outdoors and it would frizz or curl up, lol so I had this theory that if you wear braids or weave for a long time your real hair turns curly after a while. As a result of not knowing how to work with my real hair I started investing in sew-in/ hair extensions. In 2010 I made the mistake and got a partial hair installation. I called it a mistake because I have a flat iron addiction so I was always straightening it multiple times throughout the day, and not using any protective products at all. Soon after my hair got extremely thin, and when I took out my weave my edges had so much damage that I knew that I would have to cut it regardless. A friend asked me if I thought about going natural and chemical free for a while. I had no idea what she was talking about so I researched natural hair and came upon this website. I felt like I’d entered a whole new world. I learned so much about African American hair and etc. I didn’t even know that all African American women are not born with straight hair. After doing research on May 16, 2010 I decided to do the Big Chop. I’m always down for trying new things, so I wasn’t scared when I cut it off. I felt like it’s just hair so it will always grow back. I left about two inches on the top, but everything else was gone.
Had you always embraced your texture?
A few weeks after I did the BC I was having a hard time with products and finding the right hairstyles. I wasn’t used to wearing my natural hair out for long periods of time, so it was definitely a learning experience. My first year of being natural taught me so much about my character.
How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? How did they react to the new you? What was your response to them?
I can honestly say that for the most part, my family and friends were very supportive, especially my sister. My family has always stated that as long as I’m happy with the decisions that I make, then they will always support me. My mom only asked that I just keep up my hair since it is natural lol. I actually cut my hair off first and then told them that I was going natural.
Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.)
I have a mixture of three different hair textures. The back of my hair is wavy, the middle is really coarse and the front is I believe fine.
What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? favorite products! Deets!
My favorite products to use are the Crème of Nature Argan oil line, Organics, and Jamaican Black Castor Oil. These are my signature products and every once in a while, I’ll test out other products from different hair lines. As for hair I style it every day. The dry twist out is my favorite hairstyle to wear especially using Argan oil to smooth my edges.
How do you maintain your hair at night?
To maintain my hair at night I either wear it in a pineapple, or I plait it into individual sections and cover it with a satin bonnet
How do you maintain healthy length?
I wear a lot of protective styles to maintain length especially during the summertime. One of my favorite protective styles is crochet braids. It’s a great protective style especially for hair edges. I also do a lot of weekly co-washing and bi-weekly deep conditioning. About once a month I’ll deep condition with henna and placenta as well.
What’s the best thing about being curly and why did you choose to go natural?
The main reason I chose to go natural is because of heat damage, plus I was curious to see my hair in its natural state, and so far I L-O-V-E it. It fits my personality so much. I can honestly say that as a natural head my hair is very unpredictable, so I’ve learned to just go with the flow. I LOVE how crazy and big it can get! If I had to give any advice to current transitioners or new naturals I would tell them to make sure that going natural is something that you want to do for yourself, not for others; because if you’re doing it because it’s the latest trend you’ll feel uncomfortable and as a result people around will be able to tell because you’ll look uncomfortable and the hair will be wearing you instead of you wearing the hair. Also, don’t get discouraged, there is always going to be someone who is always going to have something negative to say but it’s up to you to turn that negative comment into a positive.
Where can folks find you on the web?
Facebook: Sarita Campbell
instagram: RitaRitaBoBita3
tumblr: saritaelaine.tumblr.com
