“We are the yearlings”

Now, LaTia, you know you are looking too cute with that hair! Go girl! I love it and congrats on your first year! You can see LaTia’s Newly Natural story here. 

Hey KCurly,

Its LaTia once again! I know its the yearling post but its more like a year-and-4month-ling post! Lol! This year and some change has been wonderful. I’ve had my ups and downs but more ups with my hair and that’s with anyone; relaxed or natural. More people have asked me if my hair is actually mine than when I was relaxed. This lady asked me where did I get my hair from because she’s been looking for it! Lol I was flattered and tickled all at the same time.

Big Chop

Why did you decide to go natural?

I decided to go natural because I wanted big hair and the frugalista in me said we couldn’t afford to pay for it so we’re gonna grow it ourselves! It was nothing spiritual or discovering myself or the effect of a bad perm. My hair was actually thriving and growing really well when I decided to make the change.

How long did you transition?

I transitioned for 9 months from June 2009 to March 6, 2010

February Fro!

What are your go-to styles currently?

I love love LOVE a chunky twist out! After a couple nights of re-twisting it gives me the “Bigness” I crave! Also the puff. Especially when I pick it out and have it nice and round, makes me feel like I’m wearing a crown.

What are your favorite products?

Right now for moisture I’m using the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, the Hair Milk, and Hold and Shine Mist, not all at the same time but they are in heavy rotation. For deep conditioning I use their deep treatment mask with olive oil or Oyin Handmade honey hemp conditioner. Co-washing I use either Herbal Essence hello hydration, Aussie Moist, or some Garnier Fructis I picked up, pretty much which ever is cheap. Except for V05, my hair does not like that. Sealers: EVOO, coconut, or castor oils. Am I doing the most?

Curly Fro

What are some important things you’ve learned over the last year?

My hair needs to be sprayed with water and moisturized every couple of days. As long as I co-wash my hair doesn’t have to be shampooed but once a month, and to tuck my hair away when I get frustrated because that leads to thoughts of cutting. I prefer my hair in its natural state. Straight hair just isn’t me anymore. Its a good way to get your ends trimmed thoroughly but as for the aesthetic I don’t like it.

Does your hair look like you thought it would at the one year mark?

I honestly thought my hair would be longer at the year mark but I still love it! Looking back at pictures reminds of where I’ve come from and makes me more appreciative of where I am now. Everyone’s hair grows differently and has its own issues so accepting that and enjoying where you are is the best thing you can do for yourself and your hair.

Twists

Advice for newly natural ladies.

Its been said before but this truly is a journey of learning your hair ALLLL over again. If you have questions or concerns ask someone. That’s how I found out about co-washing and it saved me from dryness. Read and watch different blogs and youtube channels. They not only give you tips, tricks, and styles, but also inspiration to keep going. But the best advice I could give is to accept what comes out of your scalp and love it. I know I do

Thanks KCurly for this blog! This is the 1st one I found on my quest to understanding what to do with my new found hair. You’re a blessing to many and keep up the good work!

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Stacy, I really enjoyed your story. I think your reflection are typical of a lot of the ladies who want to go natural. You were hesitant, yet excited, and finally jumped in! Go girl! Your hair is magnificent and your look fab! Thanks for sharing and congrats on your first year!

Girls night out

My first year has been pretty awesome!

Going natural was something that I thought about years ago but I did not have courage to try it. Due to breakage and unhealthy hair from perms and applying too much heat, I finally decided that going natural would be healthier for my hair. In May of last year I talked about it with my hairdresser and she suggested I continue getting relaxers over the summer and start my natural transition in the winter.

After I thought about it, I decided why wait?! I was so excited to start my natural hair journey that I didn’t want to wait until fall. My only regret was that I ended up getting the perm instead of going with my first mind. That May 2010 I received my last relaxer.

Wig worn while transitioning

Over the next two months I transitioned with a wig. I did my own hair care as well. I only told my boyfriend and a couple of close friends in case I decided to chicken out at the last minute. All were very supportive and encouraging. I attended a natural hair care book signing event at Sankofa Cafe. I got tips from the book Thank God I’m Natural by Chris-Tia E. Donaldson, which was really helpful. I also watched some youtube videos to get an idea of what to expect.

On July 8, 2010, I did the Big Chop at Bubbles Salon and I never looked back! The stylist left some of the permed hair for length, and she cut the rest off when I went in for a trim. Two weeks later I surprised my family with my new look. They had mixed reactions about it but later they grew to love it (or at least tolerate it!).

My current “go to style” is wash and go. For my cousin’s wedding, I had flat twists in the back and two strand twists in the front. I’ve tried some different products, but I haven’t found anything I love, which is something I’m hoping will change in the future. Today I tried my first co-wash, which has left my hair feeling very soft. I also use olive oil and honey to deep condition before I shampoo.

I have learned to embrace my natural self! When I first went natural, I got some negative feedback from a few people; however most of my loved ones were supportive. It has helped me to embrace my natural self regardless of what other people think.

Two strand twist out

Flat twists and two strand twists May 2011

Overall I’ve gotten a lot of positive attention and feedback from my natural hair styles. I look forward to learning more about which products are the best for my hair and trying new styles.

As far as my 1 year expectations, I thought my hair would be longer. Actually it is, but it shrinks a lot! My advice for the newly natural is to be patient with your hair and yourself. Don’t let other people’s expectations affect your own. Be true to yourself. Don’t be afraid to try something new and different. Enjoy the journey!

One year after the BC

Stacy

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Tina was featured as a Newly Natural last year. See her story here.

Tina, last year...

What a difference a year makes! She was beyond cute with her TWA and is still rocking those beautiful, growing tresses!

My favorite (most frequently-used) products are currently Kinky Curly Knot Today (and their curling custard if I’m doing a wash & go style) and I love the whipped shea butter from Koils by Nature for twist-outs.

Twistout 6 months ago

Blowout

Thanks for sharing your progress! I know you will be such an inspiration to ladies out there just starting their journey.

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Ashley, thanks so much for sharing your one year naturalversary with us! Your hair has certainly flourished by leaps and bounds. It makes you,  already a striking young lady, even more striking! Congrats and happy hair growing!

You can check out more of Ashley on her YouTube channel.

Why did you decide to go natural?

I got my first perm when I was 6 so I never really had much of a say in my hair texture. I used to envy all the girls with curly hair and said that I would go natural but in high school I didnt have enough patience to let it grow out and wasnt brave enough to cut it off. Then the same story in college; plus I had a boyfriend that cringed if I got too much trimmed. So a year ago after 6mos of transitioning a friend of mine with locs (she’s 6yrs natural) suggested I just cut it…best advice ever.

How long did you transition?

6 long months of constant flat ironing to keep the hair blended. It was just too much upkeep and stress on my already fragile hair.

What are you go-to styles currently?

I love love love afros so I usually do 2 strand twists during the week and pick out the twists for my weekend look. I went from being “the girl with the long ponytail” to being “the lady with the fro”…It makes me chuckle.

What are your Favorite products?

I love the Black Vanilla Herbal Shampoo from Carol’s Daughter and I deep condition with the Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie. I love how soft and manageable the coconut oil from Organic Root Stimulator leaves my hair. I usually twist with a honey beeswax and shea butter combo.

What are some important things you’ve learned over the last year?

Not to care so much about what everyone else thinks and says. The decision to go natural was my decision to have healthy hair. Also, I was surprised how many men appreciate women with natural hair.

Does your hair look like you thought it would at the one year mark? There are days when I wish it were longer but then I look at the pics from last February and it reminds me of how far I have come. My goal when I first bc’d was to make it 6mos…I knew that if i could make it that long without trying to slap a perm on it that I would make it.

Advice for newly natural ladies.

Hydration hydration hydration! Use the internet as a tool for success. There is so much information out there whether you want help on styles, hair care, or just want to see how others are doing on their journey just explore it. If you are someone that is on the cusp about whether to take that leap or not….just do it…it will be one of the most liberating experiences of your life!

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Thanks for sharing with us GG! Congrats on your one year of being natural. You are so right about working with your hair instead of against it. And your hair is gawjess because of it! Good luck on your goal of waist length hair (you are braver than me!) and please let us know when you reach that goal. See more of GG online:

Stretched Wash N Go

The Decision

After the birth of my second child, I started toying with the idea of going natural.  I’d put my hair through a lot over the years, and it was no longer the thick, long healthy hair that I had as a child.  I was concerned that it would never be like that again as it seemed to be getting thinner and thinner. With two kids, I didn’t know if I could manage my hair in its natural state.  Finally, the determining factor was my desire for change.  I was going through a lot of emotional changes at the time, and I wanted focus all that energy into something positive.  Being a visual person, I wanted to see the self-discovery that I was experiencing in a tangible way.

Protective Styling

The Fascination

As my new growth got longer and longer, I fell in love with it.  It was wavy, shiny and thick.  It had so much more personality than my relaxed hair.  I felt as if I’d been hiding one of the most unique things about me.  I knew that no matter what the outcome of the journey, I was glad that I’d decided to do it.  I continued to wear my hair straight and use the same products I’d always used.  I started noticing that I could go longer without washing it. Mostly, I’d wash my hair every two weeks followed by a blow out, flat iron, then pin curls or a wrap.  I would get hefty trims every now and then to gradually cut out the relaxer.

Twistout

The Frustration

At the time, I was not tapped into the online natural hair community.  I was transitioning by wearing my hair straight as I always had.  This worked well enough in the winter, but in the summer, I struggled.  It took me awhile to stop working against my hair and to use styles that catered to both textures.  There were plenty of days where I tried to wear my hair straight and ended up embarrassed, looking crazy rocking basically an afro with straight ends.  I began wearing more buns and ponytails.  I experienced a great deal of breakage in the crown area of my hair.  That is wear my hair is the dryest and frizziest.

Pony

The Discovery

My last relaxer was spring of 2006, and I was finally relaxer-free by the summer of 2009.  When the relaxed ends were finally cut off, my hair became way more manageable.  It was right around then that I found all of the natural haircare blogs and forums online.  My eyes were opened to everything from cowashing, single strand knots, natural hair products and moisture/protein balance.  It took awhile for the information overload to wear off!  I learned that everything doesn’t work for everyone.  I stopped putting so much heat in my hair and started experimenting with braid outs and wash ‘n go’s. I significantly reduced the frequency of shampooing my hair and stopped using products with mineral oil.  I was inspired by all of the hair eye candy that I discovered online.

Length Check September

The Love

Over time, I started to understand my hair – its likes/dislikes, its needs and its limitations.  Most importantly, I learned that my hair is full of surprises and contradictions just like me.  It’s an extension of my personality and I love it for its volume and versatility.  I don’t feel that I’ve even scratched the surface of all that I will learn from this adventure.  At first, I preferred braid outs on my hair, but over time I gradually came to prefer the increased volume that I got from twist outs.  Most recently, I’ve decided to bun my hair 99% of the time for the next 6 months as I grow my way to waist length hair.

Braidout

The Journey

I’m currently on a journey to reach waist-length hair by December 2011.  I’ve never achieved this before, and I want prove to myself that I can not only achieve it but I can also maintain it through love and discipline.  I believe that the principles required to grow healthy hair can be carried over into all aspects of life.  Through my hair journey, I’m learning to be more authentic, disciplined and invested in my other personal goals.  Success is all about being true to myself and believing in myself!

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