Mandy is a natural that I truly admire. I watched her learn and grow on the hairboards. And believe you me, this lady has turned into a style master! Congrats on your first year natural, Mandy and thanks for sharing with us!! Click here to view her fotki for more pictures and great styles!
Why Did I go natural?
In 2007 I started having a lot of breakage in the back.
I went to see a stylist who told me just how bad the breakage had gotten, I was so discouraged and a week after that I BCed. I was so excited and anxious at the same time.
The first few months were a struggle, I am not even gonna lie! I spent hours contemplating what to do.
What Have I learned during my first year?
1.Do not compare my hair progress to anyone else’s hair progress.Everyone’s hair is different and Health comes before length. Healthy hair will grow!
2.keep it simple- you don’t have to be a hair scientist or a mixologist to have beautiful hair. All the complicated stuff that people do is only because that is their choice. Things do not have to be complicated
3. Learning to set realistic goals-Under achieving is very discouraging, so set small goals that you can actually achieve and feel encouraged by.
4. Accessorizing is key for me. I buy good accessories that help me feel good about my hair.
5. Rollersetting is the best- Yes, it is possible and it really has helped me when I want to do something more with my hair. Most of my styles are created after a rollerset
6. Having hair buddies has been very very helpful-If you need to vent about your frustrations, you need someone that will hear you, encourage you and support you or even challenge you in a non-judgmental way.
7. Use your imagination-I have these images in my mind of long beautiful napps that are as soft as butter and fluffy on one day and a beautiful twist out another day, a shrunken fro another day 
. well thats the versatility of natural hair, so when I think of that, I can not imagine messing with it. Picture what your hair will look like in 6 months, in one year etc!
8. Give yourself time- When I was struggling, I told myself I would do whatever it takes to make it to one year and then decide what to do at that point. That was the best hair decision I have ever made. By the time one year rolled around, I was loving my hair, no body could tell me nothing!!!
9. Consult with people that have your hair type. 3c hair is not the same as 4b hair and they have different needs
10. Fotki stalking is not a bad thing as long as it is used for inspiration and advise from people with similar hair.
What Do I love about My hair?
- The texture-It is so unique and I just love the look on people’s faces when they see my coils
- The Versatility- This is what has kept me doing. WOW!! the number of things I can do with my hair, it is just simply amazing. I have so much fun with my natural hair
- My natural hair responds- When I care for it, it shows! Well cared for hair grows and looks healthy
- My natural hair is strong- Too much manipulation is not good, but with MY natural hair I have more leeway because it does not break as easily.
The beginning
3-5 months later
6-8 months
9-11 months
12 months:
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I really want to know how to do the style in the first picture of 9-11 months and the twist-y thing in 12 months.
She has beautiful hair!
I’ve been following Mandy through LHCF and I love how creative she is!! she has been a good inspiration for me as I reach my one year mark (since last relaxer)and find myself ’stuck’ with not knowing what to do with this hair!
Beautiful hair.
Great interview – her styles are cute
)
Beautiful hair and great styles!
That’s some serious hair growth!
Very nice HEALTHY hair, you are sooo creative.
Her is beautiful. I am at her the begining of her stage right now… But seing her hair wow.
How did she keep it up? As I am seeing/finding mine really dry out.
Thanks.