Naturally Fierce Feature: Christelle

My name is Christelle, I was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I now live in Texas!! I am half Congolese(Hutu) on my fathers side and half Rwandan(Tutsi) on my mothers side. I’m currently a high school senior and I’ll start college this fall. My official hair journey started in the summer of 2012 when I chopped my remaining permed ends off.

How long have you been natural?
I have been natural up till the age of 16 when I had my first and last perm. I loved my hair straight but I hated the fact that my hair was flat. After that last perm I transitioned, and last summer I chopped my permed ends off.

What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
I decided to transition because I wanted my hair to be healthy and strong again. My motivation for transitioning was myself. I wanted to go back to my natural hair state.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey?
The most memorable part of my journey has been the compliments I receive from people in all different walks of life. Just the other day a Caucasian women walked up to me at the mall and said, “your hair is really beautiful, I wish I had your hair texture!” She surprised me with her comment, which inspired me to love my hair texture and not wish for it to be any other way. My hair journey as far as the transition has been easy but maintaing the hair and buying products that work for my texture has been difficult. I managed to find products that truly work for me by trail and error.

What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos?’
My favorite transitioning hair style is the fro-hawk, a puff ball, and a twist out after I straighten my hair!! Everyone loves my hair in that style. My current dos’ is a wash and go, which you can never go wrong by.

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural.’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
People around me really love my natural hair. Whenever I straighten it people literally beg for me to go back to the curls. My mother at first wanted me to go back to perming my hair, but now she’s all for natural hair! My aunts and cousins love my hair as it is and encourage me to maintain it.

How is dating while natural?
As far as dating while I’m natural, my significant other loves my hair natural, he doesn’t mind my hair and enjoys when I do a completely new hairstyle.

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?

A normal hair regimen for me would start in the shower. I first apply Mixed Chicks or Olive Oil Shampoo to wash all the products from the previous day out of my hair. Then I apply Olive Oil Conditioner so I can detangle my hair. Once I rinse the conditioner out of my hair, I shake my head several times till my hair is not dripping wet but still damp. I’ll then apply Mixed Chicks leave-in conditioner throughout my hair. Wait a few minutes and add Murray’s CocoSoft conditioner which adds shine and makes my curls pop. Sometimes I just don’t shampoo my hair and instead skip to conditioning it in the shower.
What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
My favorite YouTube Natural Hair gurus are Longhairdontcare2011 and FusionofCultures.
Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
To the readers my advice for going natural is change your lifestyle for the better, love the skin you’re in and the hair on your head.
Where can people find you for more information?
My Instagram is @christellcraze and my kik is @crazed feel free to ask me questions.


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