On the Couch with Danielle- “I decided to see how long I could go without a relaxer.”

Tell us about yourself and your hair journey.
My name’s Danielle Stewart, newly Danielle Jackson from NYC. My blogging name is Dani-DK.com and that comes from nick names that my friends and family have called me over the years.


How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?
I’ve been natural for 4 years and prior to 2010 I’d been relaxing since I was 12 years old. Embracing my curls came as a decision I made after experiencing a lot of breakage from coloring and relaxing my hair too frequently.

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What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper & why?
I decided to go natural after several fights with the toxic mixture of relaxer and permanent color. Envision black rinse to light brown back to black then to red all within one year. After a while my hair gave up and started falling out. In a last ditch effort, I cut it into a bob but didn’t learn my lesson and did the coloring thing again – same results. I was the girl who told her self that she could never go natural as it was too much work and I had too much hair. I decided one day to try and see how long I could go without a relaxer (with the assistance of weekly blow outs at the salon that is).

A year into the transition I asked my stylist (who didn’t speak fluent English) to show me what length my natural hair was versus the relaxed hair. My response “ok.” Her action…snip snip. I’ve been natural ever since and have never looked back except for the color that I now have.

How would you describe your hair?
My hair is all over the place. I really can’t believe that anyone’s hair is really one type since the world is such a melting pot. To be honest I couldn’t tell you if I’m 4A, 4B or Z – don’t judge me. But to get specific, my front curls are loose and the back are tight but have a great pattern. Now the middle —that’s tough zone. No one wants to go there.

What do you love most about your hair?
What I love most not only about my hair but natural hair in general is the versatility. From straight to curly to stretched curls to tension blow drying, my look is never the same. It’s a God given blessing that we all have. I really do appreciate the natural movement. It’s time that we see more than what others think we should look like. Whether you weave or wear wigs if what’s under that style is natural, that’s one step closer to having less breakage or damage.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
The most memorable is all the love that I receive and inspiration that I can provide others. I love having random conversations with people in the street or in store about their journey – it’s all different but the same too. It’s commitment no matter how you slice and dice it. One day, I want to cut it off the next I’m shaking it and being crazy with it. It’s life.

What are some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos’?
I’m actually trying to figure out how get the right protective style for the winter. During transitioning I wore turbans where I could and did a lot of bantu knots and flat twists.

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural’? Any memorable reactions from family or others?
It’s all love! I get very warm receptions every time my hairs out – big and bad.

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
Shampoo – Cantuu, Conditioner – Tresemme Naturals, Leave-in – As I Am, Oil – Grape Seed Oiil

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
I don’t stalk YouTube as much any more but when I did I watched Naptural85 and Fushion of Cultures.

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
Create your own journey. Always be open to hearing about another’s journey because there is always room for learning. But most importantly, do it for yourself and time it for when you can be most dedicated!

Where can people find you for more information?
You can find my blog at www.dani-dk.com and me on instagram @msdanidk