L. Nicole, thanks for being a part of both of my blogs…to improve your hair and body are such big goals, but we can do it! I loved reading your story, it’s very inspiring. You are tres chic with your natural hair!!
Kcurly,
I am a part of your challenge on runninginafatsuit, so I thought I would share my natural hair story with you as well. I had previously been natural 2003-2005. I relaxed my hair in 2005 because I was going to NYC and thought a perm would be easier to deal with during the trip in August when it was beyond hot. I regretted it every day after that. So, for two years I did the perm thing. I had my last relaxer in November 2007. This time I had not planned to go natural, it just sort of happened. I had my hair braided in January 2008, right when it was time to touch-up my relaxer. I took the braids out in late February and realized I had a lot of breakage. At the spur of a moment I called a co-worker that was previously a stylist. She was hesitant and tried to talk me out of it, but I left her house with a BIG CHOP!! I only had about two months of new growth, so it was really short.
My co-workers the next day were stunned. Everyone was starring and they had lots of questions. I work in higher education so it’s not uncommon to see natural hair styles througout the campus, but I don’t believe it was something they saw me doing. Most that worked there when I started natural in the past had moved on. My grandmother was not pleased. She thinks everyone should always have a perm and there is no changing her thoughts on it.
I can’t really explain what happened that I felt the need to do it so abruptly but I felt like such a load had been lifted with the cut. For a while I just wore my hair as is with leave-in conditioner on it. May 2008 I had comb twists done. These lasted about 4 weeks, so it was very convenient. September 2008 I started to wear two-strand twists. May 2009 I had my hair flat-ironed for the first time and I could not believe the length.
I am still researching and trying products but I do enjoy Miss Jessie’s shampoo and conditioners. I also use the Curly Meringue on my twist-outs. I wear twist-outs about 85% of the time. Carol’s Daughter’s Healthy Hair Butter is also something I use on a regular basis. I learned about banding from your blog so it’s been added to my options as of late. I purchased a Denman brush this past weekend and it worked fabulously with the banding. That is until it rained. I struggle with the humidity I face living on the Mississippi River. My greatest challenge is the amount of shrinkage I have to deal with. I am not comfortable with my hair as is, so I always have to do something to get the length and looseness I desire. That makes being natural a real chore.
Attached are pics of me w/ perm, comb twists, afro and straightened.
Uzuri, it sounds like you’ve learned a lot of lessons on your journey, some of them painful. Thank you for sharing them with us, so we can be aware. You are simply gorgeous with a TWA! A relaxer would not be worth of your beauty
So, my name is Uzuri and I have been natural since 4.14.2009. for many years I have had battles with my hair in regards to length and health because of damage done by my own hands. It was between that and just questioning why its almost mandated black women must straighten their hair for appeal and/or acceptance also triggered my Big Chop. But I still continued my weaves and relaxers, determined to damage my own beauty by chasing a beauty I would never be able to attain. Until the morning 04.14.2010, I called out of work, washed my hair and began snipping with craft scissors, lol. All the damage, all the pain fell to the floor of my room – and it felt good!
I grew my hair out for eight months, and discovered many things, for example my texture is 4b and 3c in the middle [weird, rite – lol] and that how you take care of yourself affects your hair health and growth. But in the midst of that time I had also become a product junkie and color fiend. Between all the regimens I’d Googled or Youtubed and my own “knowledge” I’d began to damage my hair yet again! And once more on 01.07.2010 I cut my hair in my bathroom and went to the barber to get it professionally cut the following day.
With this recommitment to my hair, I will now I stick to what I know! some of my fav products are Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Liquid Soap, Olive Oil products [neutralizing shampoo and deep conditioner] and Tea Tree Oil. When my hair grows I will continue to use KCCC. Attached are some pics =)
I’ve been browsing your site for the past 4 months and love what your are doing. Let me tell you about my natural journey.
I BC on December 13, 1993. My hair was perfectly healthy. I’m currently 37 years old and have had a perm for 3 years of my life and a curl for 2 years. So, I guess one could say that I have been natural for 32 years, however I have only warn my hair in it’s natural state as follows. Birth to about 8 then my mother started pressing my hair every 2 weeks. After I BC(ed) I wore my hair in it’s natural state from 1993 until 2002. During that time I was in college and starting my professional career. Let me start with college. I attended Grambling State University and let me say I was the talk of the school since my hair was past my shoulders and thick and then I BC(ed) to about 2 inches.
The only compliments I got were from the Afro centric brother’s who Loved my boldness and my hair. My boyfriend at the time actually cut my hair. I woke up one morning gave him a call and asked him to finish what I had started. So he gave me a really nice curvy fro. From 1995 – 1996 I wore my hair in braided styles, which was all my own hair. At my graduation I wore my hair in a braided bun.
I graduated with a B.A. in Sociology. I interned at a Residential Treatment Facility. Much like my experience at Grambling I was the topic of conversation because of my hair. After graduating I worked as a Job Coach for Disabled adults, still rocking various versions of pulled back twist. I then worked as a Retirement Relationship manager in Corporate America wearing my hair in twist. Let me just say those were difficult times. The company I worked for moved to Minneapolis and me being a true Floridian could not even phantom living in a cold state.
I then started interviewing for positions as a Math teacher. I got interviews but no jobs. My husband recommended that I press my hair because; he knew how I felt about perms. Let me just say the first time I pressed my hair and interviewed I got the job. So from 2002 – 2009 my hair was pressed.
I would press my hair from late July until the first week of June the remained of the summer I would have my sister braid my hair. In 2007 I started interviewing for District Administrative positions after I obtained my Master’s in Educational Leadership, which meant since I could be called into an interview at the drop of a dime I felt as if I could no longer wear my hair in the natural state in the summer, because history had shown me the results if I did. Well in August 2008, I obtained a District level position that was 12 months and then obtained a District level Administrative position in December 2008.
Then I looked in the mirror. The differnce was I washed my hair in May because; I was playing with my 5 year old on Disney’s Private Island and got my pressed hair wet. So, I figured I would just wash it and twist it up. Yeah right!! my hair was 16 inches long and only 2 inches reverted back. Let me just say I did not enjoy the rest of my cruise. So I went online…paying the ridiculous fee to email at sea. I emailed my hairdresser about my hair and how upset I was about the condition of my hair. When I returned back to Florida, I called her and she said your hair is just trained. I didn’t have a clue about heat damage.
I then started doing my research and found your website. So June and July 2009, I tried to assist my hair in rehabilitating. So July 5, 2009. I grabbed a pair of scissors and just cut all hair that would not revert out. I tried braid out but didn’t like the results although my husband did. I wore braid outs from August to September 2009. In October I started getting my hair professionally coiled. I love the look and for the job I have it’s very professional, you know we naturals have to represent.
I plan on wearing my hair in Coils until the Spring. It’s my winter protective style. My daughter and I just watched your wet twist video. I tried in on my daughter and she loved it.
I’m still in the learning stages of wearing my hair natural. My hair is about 6 inches now. I’d like to do my own hair but haven’t had any success. Any suggestions?
I’m going to work on my hair during winter break. I want to be a natural who does her own hair.
Zionderu, thanks so much for this email. I love it for several reasons. First, I love to hear of natural women who have been major presences in the corporate, education, medical, and business worlds. I know that there are plenty of relaxed women in those positions as well, but it just seems that a larger portion of natural ladies experience career success.
Second, your story is a cautionary tale to those who use heat regularly. It’s very easy to become addicted to heat for whatever reason, but remember that there is always the potential for damage.
Third, I’m so happy that you’ve settled into coils. I absolutely love them and think they are perfect for the length that you’re at. You are totally able to do coils on your own hair at home. Practice makes perfect! Get on youtube and view tutorials to help! Here is my own coil tutorial if you haven’t seen it.
Stretched styles like twists outs and braid outs can be pinned back into updos if you’re feeling that you need a more “conservative” look. Rollersets, bantu knot outs, banding, and more are all at your fingertips.
It may take sometime to get the technique down (there was many a bad hair day for me!) but it will come with time. Keep reading, keep experimenting! Bravo to you for trying!
Tianna, I love it that you are a professional lady out there showing that natural hair can have many faces…from fun to upscale and executive. Thank you for sharing your story and fab hair!
KCurly,
I have finally curved out some time to share! So, I have been perming my hair for as long as I can remember. I remember the days of getting burned by the hot comb and the days of getting scalp sores from the perm. I also remember staring at my friends in college in disbelief as they cut off their hair and rocked their twas. I vowed that I would die with a perm in my hair.
Let me back up a bit. My cousin was my hairdresser since I was maybe 13 and she surely did have “growing hands” but I could never retain length (I also had rude dandruff that would never leave). I would have period of long and thick hair followed by periods of short and thin hair. I began transitioning during my second year of law school partly because I was pregnant with my son and did not want any chemicals to seep into my brain and affect his (I know) and also because my cousin was now over 100 miles away from me and I did not trust anyone else giving me a perm.
Anyway, I found a stylist in PA who pressed hair really well (I always got the “bone-straight) and I loved her especially because she got perm results with no chemicals. So, I assumed that my hair was strong because it was perm-free and it could withstand some color and highlights. Wrong. Just call me “Patches”. What was amazing was that the portions of missing hair that began growing back were soft, manageable and, dare I say it, CURLY!
So I cut it all off one day. Hated it. Started treating it and taking care of it and it grew, grew, grew. I was amazed and about 75% in love. Yet and still, I opted to wear wigs to work. Too afraid to show myself au natural at my whiteshoe law firm. I counted the number of natural attorneys at my job and could barely get to 5. I conformed. Until this past Monday when I decided to do away with the wigs (esp. since my fiance hid my “go to” wig- he does stuff like this all the time which is so very annoying lol). I wore my curly fro and I am never looking back.
My hair is in the most healthy condition it has ever been. No breakage. No damage. No dandruff. And, I am finally able to retain length. I love it! I am at 100% love now. No one can tell me anything (not even my momma who is dying to put a relaxer in my hair)! Phew. That’s my hair story and I am sticking to it!
Oh and I have also included a pic of me in all of my curly glory!
Thank you for the wonderful email, HerBrina! You look simply radiant! Keep recruiting those potential naturals!! Here’s her blog if you’d like to keep up with her: www.singlesassyandsaved.blogspot.com
Hey My Natural Sister!
First I would like to say that I love your blog and your hair!!!!! I have been debating for a long time whether or not I should send you pictures of my natural hair but something told me that I might be an inspiration for someone else to go natural. So I am sending you some pictures of my journey till now, you can pick the ones that you like.
Little background of why I went natural… I live in a place where the closest hair shop for black women is like 45min to 1 hour away and when I finally found someone I liked doing my hair, she moved to a totally different state. When this happened I was already tired of driving back and forth to get my hair done and I have been thinking about going natural for years but just didn’t know where to start. So I started doing research, watching youtube videos and just decided to do the big chop. I did my big chop on Feb. 12, 2009 and have been in love with my hair ever since.
The funny part about my big chop is that I did not tell my family (they live 12hrs away) because I knew that they would flip out. But that did not stop me from putting pics up on my blog. My real close friend seen my hair and told her mom that I cut all my hair off, so her mom told my mother the next time she seen her lol, it was quite funny receiving a phone call from my mother asking me what type of hairstyle I was wearing. Till this day my mother is still trying to convince me to put a relaxer in my head but no I am never going back!!!!!! Now I am trying to recruit everyone I see to go natural, I have brought 2 people to the good side since I have been natural!
We all love those natural hair tees! Here is a lady with some big beautiful hair that also makes some beautiful tees…about big beautiful hair! Thanks so much, Chime, for letting us see your hair and your great designs. You can visit Chime’s online store here. Not only does she have natural hair shirts, but also sorority and Obama related items.
She also has a fotki with a ton of inspirational hair pictures.
I just love to see you natural ladies getting out there and being businesswomen. Keep it up!!
The Lady:
Kcurly: When did you go natural and what inspired you to do so?
Chime: I started transitioning in October 2006. I decided to go natural when one of my professors made me question why we as African Americans chose to conform to the Eurpoean standards of beauty.
Kcurly: Have you faced opposition from your peers and/or family about your hair? If so, what has been your method of handling it?
Chime: Oh yes! I just kept my goal in mind and I knew that they did not fully understand my decision. I recognized that their mindsets were the same as mine when I was addicted to the creamy crack so it was my job to educate them so they could understand why I decided to go natural.
Kcurly: What is your current regimen to keep your tresses healthy?
Chime:
~I wash my hair once a week.
~I co-wash with Aubrey’s Honey Suckle Rose conditioner. I used to shampoo my hair with Aubrey’s Island Naturals and Honey Suckle Rose shampoo every 2 months but they both made my hair feel stiff so I stopped using them. I’m still looking for a great all natural shampoo.
~I don’t wash my hair in braids anymore. I wash my hair in four sections. One section at a time. It doesn’t tangle as much this way.
~After co-washing, I spray my hair with a Vegetable Glycerin and water mix, Giovanni’s leave-in conditioner, and I seal it with Coconut Oil.
~I only comb my hair after I wash it and it is still wet.
~I deep condition my hair weekly with Aubrey’s Glycogen Protein Conditioner. Most of the time I wear three plastic caps with a stocking cap to bed for an overnight conditioning. I usually do this on Fridays and rinse my hair when I wake up and then I’ll twist it. If I don’t have time to do an overnight conditioning or I’m out of the Glycogen Protein Conditioner, I’ll use the Honey Suckle Rose and wear a plastic cap for an hour or however much time I have to spare.
~I twist my hair after I wash it. I wear twists about 75% of the time. I wear my hair “out” to church or when I want to go out and look FIERCE! lol
~I use coconut oil on the ends of my hair daily. Some people don’t use oil or grease but I do. It works for me. I grew up using oil in my hair and it grew to be waist length until I got that awful perm.
~I only use all natural products or products that are at least 98% natural. I order mostly from iherb.com.
Kcurly: What do you love most about your hair?
Chime: The volume! I love big hair! It is unique and I love being outside of the box. A lot of women don’t rock their natural hair so you definitely stand out in a crowd!
KCurly: What has been the hardest part of your natural hair journey?
Chime: Transitioning. I transitioned for over 2 years and it was difficult managing the two textures for so long.
Kcurly: What advice do you have for the newly natural ladies?
Chime: Educate yourself as much as possible on how to care for your hair. Visit natural hair websites, blogs, and watch youtube videos to get tips. It will make your hair journey much easier.
The “bidness”:
Kcurly: What prompted you to start your own online business?
Chime: I have always wanted to design graphic tees for natural women so when I discovered cafepress I jumped at the opportunity!
Kcurly: What kind of items do you have available at “Sunkissed”?
Chime: Graphic tees with cute sayings about natural hair, tote bags, and baby bibs. More products coming soon!
Kcurly: What is your favorite t-shirt design and why?
Chime: I can’t just choose one! I love them all for different reasons!
Kcurly: What plans do you have for your company in the future?
Chime: Growth! I definitely want to become a completely independent company and cut out the middle man.
Kcurly: Is there anything else you’d like my readers to know about “Sunkissed”?
Chime: If you are proud of your natural hair and you want an original design to express your love for your hair, you will love the site! It’s all about embracing our Black beauty!
Karen, thanks for sharing your story with us! You are so right about young girls and their hair. I am glad that yours are going to grow up with such a good example of how beautiful natural hair can be, both straight and in its natural state! Ya’ll are all beautiful!
I just happened upon your [...]
S.H. thanks for the pictures!! Congrats on hitting one year of being natural and congrats on that gorgeous hair!! I loved reading about your natural experience!
Hey Lady,
So I LOVE the blog! I check it daily and as soon as I realized our hair type was so similar I immediately learned to rely on your product reviews. If you [...]
I remember Gina from my early days of being a natural (haha, I’m still in the early days, no?) and consider her to be one of my “BC buddies” Not only is she rocking a beautiful head of hair, but she always has such a lovely smile! Check her out!
During Winter 2007, I [...]
SA, an great writer and one of my first regular readers, has agreed to share her story with us for this series! This girl has some beautiful hair! Check her out at her blog, The Monotonous Life.
Why did you go natural?
I gotta tell you guys, I think I’m the one person that went [...]
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 [...]
Suburbanbushbabe (henceforth referred to as SBB) was gracious enough to grant me an interview about her transition to gray hair. SBB, already a lady in possession of a beautiful natural head of hair, is one of many helpful members of Curltalk and always ready with a good word of advice.
As someone who plans to embrace [...]
If I haven’t said it enough times, my one year anniversary of the BC is coming up at the end of this month. In addition to having the giveaway, I’m also going to feature a few other naturals who are also celebrating their one year!
Here’s my first. Thank you Lei*Lei for sharing your story and [...]
“Sweet Pea” is a good friend of mine in real life who really aided me in the decision to “go natural”.
Before she made the decision to go natural, I always just played around with the idea without doing anything about it. When she announced her decision to stop relaxing, it gave me the courage to [...]
Thanks for reading! Remember that our hair is a gift and that it can blossom and grow if we take good care of it. If you have questions, want to share your story, or just want to say hi, please email me at kcurly@newlynatural.com
Are you trying to lose weight and be healthy?
Me too! Join me at my new fitness blog: www.runninginafatsuit.com/blog. It's not just for runners!
