Naturally Fierce Feature: Kelsey

My name is Kelsey. I am originally from the Bronx, NY but I grew up in Atlanta, GA. I always tell people that I grew up in the south but I was raised by New Yorkers so I’m far from a southern girl lol.

How long have you been natural?

I have been natural for three years and 3 months now.

What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper & why?

I decided to return to natural because I had a ton of heat damage. I only got perms about twice a year but I straightened my hair so much! I was obsessed with it being bone straight. I remember one day tuning into season 5 of America’s Next Top Model and seeing Bre Scullark’s huge curly hair. I fell in love with natural hair at that point. A little while later I saw actress and singer, Teyana Taylor’s huge curly fro and at that point I had grown tired for straightening my hair so I decided that I was going to start fresh with my hair. My last relaxer was in September of 2009 and I did my big chop in February of 2010. So I transitioned for about 5 months but not really on purpose. During that time a wore a lot of buns but it was never my intent to chop all of my hair off until I was just fed up with the two different textures. I decided to big chop because I just wanted one texture of hair and I didn’t have the patience to try and deal with two for very long.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?!

The most memorable part of my journey was my BC (big chop) and all of the different reactions I got. My mom was so upset with me that she barely talked to me for two weeks. Everyone else loved it! It was big for me because I was the girl who hated getting trims. I think overall my journey has been easy. I don’t put nearly as much work into my hair as I did when I was relaxed.

What are some of your favorite hairstyles?
I pretty much stick to 2 hair styles which are wash and go’s and buns. I’m not very good at all of the fabulous hairstyles that I always see. I think its mostly because my hair laughs at bobby pins lol

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?

I have experienced many things since being natural. Mostly I get questions like “ Are you mixed?”, “what are you mixed with?” “is that all your hair?” I guess being a chocolate girl with bug curly hair throws some people off for some reason. I’ve noticed that a lot of people correlate race with hair when they actually not correlation at all. Then I get the “can I touch it?” I’ve even had a couple of scalp check which was really weird for me.

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?

My hair regime is pretty basic. I shampoo whenever I feel like my hair need it, usually twice a month. I deep condition my hair at least once a week alternating between Rapunzel’s Protein DeepConditioner and The Mane Choice GreenTea and Carrot Deep Conditioning Mask. I co wash my hair about every two to three days using the Giovanni Tea Tree conditioner.. I style my hair by raking my styler (either Mixed Chicks or Kinky Curly Knot Today) through my hair in four sections. I then seal my ends with 100% coconut oil. After applying my product I let my hair air dry until its about 90% dry then I diffuse the rest dry for more volume.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, YouTuber’s, or blogs?

I‘m a big youtuber. My favorite youtuber is Shameless Maya for more than just her hair. That’s not even the original reason that I started watching her channel. Her message is powerful and something that everyone can relate to. If you haven’t heard of her check her out. My favorite blog is Around the Way Curls. I love everything about Shanti and Antoinette!

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?

A couple of inspirational words I can say is to always follow your dreams no matter how big they are and never listen to the nay sayers. Have faith and always trust your gut. I strongly believe that my intuition is strongest way of communicating with me. I never once has steered me wrong unlike the opinions of others. Know that if you can think it you can do it. Anything in the is world can happen. Don’t live in a box! Live your life like no box exists. Like a good friend of mine said “Do what you fear and fear with disappear”. Regret nothing. Laugh often. Be kind to everyone and do everything in love.