Naturally Fierce Feature: Brittani

May 30, 2013

My name is Brittani Lee. I am 22 yrs old and I am from Austin, Texas. I am the oldest of 5 (3 girls 2 boys). I am a Business Marketing student at Huston-Tillotson University (HTU) but my heart belongs to menswear (fashion). My hair and I are best friends. I named her Lola. I love taking care of my hair but I do not let it define my beauty.

How long have you been natural?
I have been natural for 6 yrs; I have been on my healthy hair journey since 2010.

What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
I was an athlete in high school so I used to have my hair in micro braids. One day I was taking my hair down, I think it was about sophomore year; I noticed the 2 different textures and I did not know what to do. I had never seen my hair that way, I didn’t even know what I was doing. I went to a family friend and he cut all of my straight ends off. I just thought the straight hair was damaged. It wasn’t until about a year and a half later that I realized that I had big chopped and I was suddenly “natural”. I hadn’t had a huge support system. There was no one on YT at that time, no blogs, no tee shirts, no tutorials, no nothing. I had to figure it all out on my own. I went to the library and checked out the only two books that were on African American hair and used what I learned from there to sustain my hair as well as I could.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey?
The most memorable part of my journey was installing my first set of mini twist (2009). I have two younger sisters so I have been doing hair my entire life but there was something about being able to do my own hair that gave me a sense of pride.

What are some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles?
The puff and I have been kicking it hard over the years. I remember my first puff right before a Wednesday night church service. I was so happy to have my hair out of my face and it was super duper cute. My #1 go to style is mini twist. It takes me about two days to install but I love the process. It allows me to see the progression that my hair is made “up close and personal”. I also love wash and go’s, twist outs.

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
My mom is my rock. When I was about 8 or 9 yrs old, she came home completely bald. She wore her hair short up until I was about 13 or 14. I loved that my mom was bald. Others we’re not as nice to me. I was raised in predominately white neighborhoods and schools. I never once had a problem with any one at all. The kids thought my hair was so cool and unique. When I was 16 my mom got married and we moved. I was now in a predominately black high school. I was so scared and so nervous because my experiences with other African American children at the time was not good. I got teased for “talking white” and my hair didn’t make things better. My hair is extremely curly and it caused problems. I still don’t really understand why. Girls accused me of thinking I was better than them so I had no girl friends. In my Junior year, I was sitting in my English class and this boy behind me grabbed my hair and cut it. He said “not so pretty now huh”.

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I have my hair in protective styles 98% of the time. On wash day I use tressemme naturals shampoo and conditioner. I wash my hair about once a month sometimes twice depending on the amount of product I have used in that month. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Marguerite’s Magic by Carol’s Daughter as well as As I Am Coconut Cowash Cleansing Conditioner. I live by Eco Styler gel, I use all of the colors. I don’t use very many store bought products because I have not found anything that works but I am open to try new products. I whip my own pure (ivory) Shea Butter and it acts as my moisturizer/styler as well as my nail care.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
I love KinkyKurlyQueen , Naptural85, MahoganyCurls, and FusionofCultures. Kkq and N85 are the reason why I am so addicted to mini twist. I still watch their old mini twist video just for fun. FOC an MC have helped me learn how to do amazing twist outs and super quick and easy wash and gos. These ladies all have different textures and I have all of their textures on my head. My hair is like a cornucopia of textures and these women have helped me learn to love and embrace my hair for who “she” is.

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
Never ever obsess over what you do not have. Always embrace your hair as yours.

Where can people find you for more information?
I am on Instagram: curly_birdsnest22. For business, or just general questions, my email is BrittaniDLee@gmail.com