Tell me about yourself!
Sexy Wife. Half-sleep Mom. Government Employee By Day. BlackHairInformation and Embrace Magazine Writer. Awesome Optimist. Hidden Singer. Love/Hate Poet. Gospel Lyricist. Quirky Videographer. Nappy Hair Advocate. Loving Life!
How would you describe your hair?
Thick hair! My hair is 4a or coily with normal porosity and bouncy with a sistah-gurl demeanor. I do call my hair a “she” and I talk to “her.” My hair does not get dry, but she and the humidity are forever enemies…POOF!
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Did you transition or big chop? What was your journey like?
Rewind back to July 2011 when I was in my last year in college; my hair was relaxed, caramel-blonde colored, and extremely damaged. I didn’t have much money to get my hair done, so my hair grew out without me knowing that I was becoming a naturalista. Once I realized I had two textures on my head, but I did not have the courage to big chop and my family was surely against me cutting my hair. So from April ’12 to Oct ’12, I transitioned – while trimming my hair every month. My hair was neck length at the time, so it was a short transitional phase. Then in October ‘12, I cut the last few bits off. I will be two years natural October 2014!
Any advice about transitioning?
I did a lot of protective styling and braids. When my actual hair was out, I would do roller sets and faux hawks. It is tough working with two different textures. So if you are planning on transitioning, try your best to handle both by being patient and gentle. Trim your relaxed ends every month and you will have your long-awaited natural hair in no time.
What do you love most about your hair?
I love the free and liberating feeling my natural gives me. I do not have a strict schedule that I need to keep up with, just my own simple regimen. I love that my hair is so versatile (bunny tail, afro, twists, flat ironed, etc.). I can really do anything with my hair! I love to learn about my hair and how to care for her, and not just go to anyone else. When I succeed at a style, I am so happy that it was me who pulled that artwork off! Since the beginning of my natural hair journey, I’d embrace my hair!
What is your current hair regimen (including fav products)?
I love Shea moisture products! I use Shea Moisture Curl and Shine shampoo and conditioner, Eco Styler Olive Oil, Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Masque, and Shea Moisture Smoothie. Once month I use Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo and ApHogee 2 Minute Reconstructor. I do use my own refreshing mist: 1/2 water, 1/2 Aloe Vera Juice, 1 tsp castor oil, 1 tsp vegetable glycerin, and 5 drops of lavender essential oil.
What are your favorite natural styles?
I love the bunny tail, faux hawks, and twist outs. My specialty is the flat twists up do. Of all of my fav style, I have mastered them to the point that I do variations of each as well.
What are people’s reactions to your hair?
When I was transitioning, my family begged me to relax or do something different to my hair. But since I was far away in college at the time, there was nothing they could do about it. Ha-ha! When I had a TWA, my family really did not agree with my hair, except my sisters (were natural, but hair was always in braids). When my hair started growing out, my family began to support me and love the styles I would do with my hair. Their support did not matter much, but I did inform them of how my hair became healthier, thicker, and more bountiful.
On the flip side during my transition, I had met my boyfriend (who is now my husband). He loved me no matter what kind of hair I had. This was confirmed by his statement when I trimmed the last pieces of my relaxed hair, “I support you in your natural hair journey.” That was all I needed to hear and to this day he loves my natural. He actually has HIMHS (hand in MY hair syndrome).
What has been the most positive memory of your hair journey?
When I first started my hair journey in July 2011, I started my Hair Diary. Reading back on those moments, I had emotions of being misplaced and absent. There were many entries with sadness, because my hair was so damaged. In the entries of April 2012, I had emotions of new beginnings and wanting to get to know my hair. There were lots of delighted tones and happy faces. Then reading the entries in October 2012, the entire tone change! I was fierce, excited, and determined to not only grow but maintain the health of my hair. Ever since then I have kept my diary full of styling pictures of roses and duds, product reviews, and what to try next time. I still update my diary every 2 weeks.
What was the biggest regret you ever made with your hair?
There was a moment in the beginning of my hair journey when I got a partial STRAIGHT sew-in. You guessed it…I relaxed my edges. I had the style for 7-8 weeks, but the imprint of the relaxed edges was still there. So I cut the entire nape and hair around my ears and cut my crown to three inches of hair. It took about 6 months for my hair to grow back natural again. This was the worst decision I have ever made for my hair…all for a style! I decided that I was never, ever, ever going to make that decision again. During the duration of the crown being relaxed, it was very different because my styles were limited to protective styling and not out styles. But as my hair grew, it got easy to cut those suckers off.
Who are your curl crushes?
Of course I can’t get enough of the natural hair celebs: Janelle Monae, Ya Ya DaCosta, and Tracee Ellis and Diana Ross. I can also stay up all night watching a few YouTube natural hair favs: Naptural 85, Ms VaughnTV, Alicia James, Mahogany Curls, The Chic Natural, and Beauty By Lee.
What goals would you like to reach with your hair?
Now that my hair is back to being healthy, I desire waist length hair. I am already between SL and APL with being 2 years natural. So I maybe I’ll reach my goal within 2 or 3 years.
Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
Wherever you are at in your hair journey, love yourself continuously. Do this for you and only you. Yes, learn to care for your own hair and stay on the path for healthy hair; but priority is to keep a positive attitude about yourself and your tresses.
Where can folks find you on the web?
I have my own site:desiremynatural.blogspot.com. This blog entails information about keeping a hair diary, roses and dud styles, being a kitchenista, trouble with partials, shower drains, natural hair history and more! I can also be found onIG: natural.desire and Twitter: naturaldesiree
