Here’s a story from a long term transitioner with a gawjess mane of hair! Thanks for sharing your journey Napturally Obsessed! See more of her on Fotki and YouTube!
How long have you been natural? How long did you transition?
I have been 100% natural for two years and six months. My last relaxer was June 2008. I transitioned for 24 months, cutting off the remaining relaxed ends June 2010.
What have been your biggest obstacles to overcome?
My biggest obstacle was shrinkage. I transitioned for so long because I’ve always been used to length, but little did I know that my hair would shrink 75% of its stretched length; therefore, I set and accomplished a length goal, by wearing protective styles 90% of my first two years natural.
What are your favorite styles to wear?
My hair does best in a stretched state, so I’m not a wash n go kind of girl. My “go to” style is a twist-out. I wear a lot of twist-out variations and buns. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with rod sets.
What are your favorite products?
My favorite product is Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa. It is a rinse-out conditioner, but I use it as a co-wash, leave-in, and styler. Another product I love is raw Shea butter. I infuse it with natural oils to seal my hair and oil my scalp, and I also use it as a body moisturizer.
Any advice for the newly natural ladies out there?
To the transitioners and newly natural sistahs, go natural for the right reasons, not hoping to have someone’s texture; be patient and practice healthy hair practices and you will retain length beyond your imagination. I did.
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I wouldn’t call you necessarily “wrong”, just that your reasoning does not apply to me.I do understand where you’re coming from because I was of the same mind when I first considered going natural.
