I am Cierra Lee- college graduate, freelance makeup artist and inspiring entrepreneur. I love hair and makeup. I love hair and makeup. Did I mention that I love hair and makeup?! I’m loving my natural hair journey. I’m still learning and it’s still growing.
How long have you been natural?
I’ve been all natural since mid 2010. I was relaxed since 3. I colored my hair 2012 after a friend passed. It may seem trivial but I was like why keep myself from anything I want. Life is too short. At that time I was afraid color would damage it. (It did, lol)
What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
Tyra Banks motivated me! I had already began to question “the NEED to relax” on my own in college. Then I watched her show about “Good Hair” and it hurt and angered me at the imagery that we were feeding our young girls and us as women about hair type and skin color. I asked myself, “What’s wrong with the hair that grows directly from my scalp?” I big chopped 9 or 10 months later. I heard that I would experience breakage from trying to handle both textures so chop, chop. And I’m impatient 🙂
How would you describe your hair?
My hair is coily. I have thin strands but my texture has most people fooled. I’m almost bra strap length. It’s porous so it takes color easily.
What do you love most about your hair?
I love my hair’s softness. It’s like cotton candy. The pink kind. Shrinkage is my friend 80% of the time.
What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
My journey has also been about self discovery so it’s been positive. I cried when I big chopped because I didn’t see myself as beautiful. I looked like a boy! But I had a friend grab me some Shea butter (cause I wasn’t leaving the house) and threw some twists in and have been fly ever since! I like that it eliminated superficial guys. Moisture retention is a b*tch but I have a little regimen now.
What are some of your favorite hairstyles?
I love Bantu knot outs. They are soft and sexy compared to braid outs and twists. I do updos 90% of the time though. Now I’m obsessed with buns cause I actually have enough hair. Ninja buns to be exact. The bigger the bun the better, baby.
What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
When I first told people I was going natural, most were opposed. You know the usual negative comments. I didn’t entertain it. My grandparents don’t like it as much. I thought they would relate more.
What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I wash every other week and cowash every other week with Dr. Bonners Peppermint Soap and Giovanni 50/50 balanced conditioner. I seal with grapeseed oil. In the summer I’ll switch to coconut oil. I stretch after washing with large, loose Bantu knots and either wear a Bantu knot out the next day or go straight into my bun for the week. Either way it ends up in a bun 🙂 I try other styles here and there. I use the Matrix professional color line. Mostly non-ammonia.
What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
I love K is for Kinky website, and on YouTube: whoissugar, amandag, lovemegz, iknowlee, bronzeqt, mstanish, haircrush, I could go on forever.
Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
One of friends went natural in high school. She was like a pioneer lol but relaxed one day in college. I supported her but her reasoning puzzled me. She said it was a lot of work but added that her hair just wasn’t nice as others; that black hair isn’t as nice. (I’m paraphrasing) I said but you’re Christian. We are wonderfully made. So you can’t think our hair is like this by mistake. Ladies, it’s not a mistake. You must learn hair and when you do you’ll love the texture, versatility and manageability. Yes, manageability.
Where can people find you for more information?
Instagram @thebeautyshockk
