Hi, My names Kadijah Poston. I’m a 20 year old college student just finishing up my sophomore year. I’m in school studying apparel design because fashion has always been a passion of mine. I’m from North Carolina and I’ve lived here all my life. I’m that country girl that has big dreams of living in the city. Every since I was little I always had long relaxed hair. Getting a relaxer was the norm and I was always ready for the beginning of a new school year because I’d always get that “creamy crack” a few days before school and have my hair blowing in the wind. I was gone with the wind fabulous! I never really took care of my hair up until my sophmore year in high school. I discovered Megz (Ulovemegz) and Tracey (KISSseventyseven) on youtube and became inspired by their hair growth. And for the next two years I was on a healthy hair journey. I was able to grow my hair from shoulder length to bra strap length. On October 21, 2012, my 19th birthday, I was browsing youtube for hours and became very interesting in natural hair. I began wondering what my natural texture was like and started contemplating my transition to natural hair. And here I am now one year and 8 months into my transition!
How long have you been natural?
I am still a transitioner and as I just stated above I have been transitioning for one year and 8 months.
What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
I was motivated by curiosity at first and then I became inspired by many natural hair women on youtube. Plus I was beginning a new stage in my life. I was just starting my freshman year in college and I wanted to try something different. I decided to be a long term transitioner because I don’t think I could rock the TWA as well as some other women. I’ve never had hair above my shoulders and I wasn’t comfortable making that kind of decision.
How would you describe your hair?
My hair is wild, my hair is frizzy, my hair is big, my hair is strong, my hair is history, my hair is black, my hair is kinky, my hair is nappy, my hair is bouncy, my hair is texture, my hair is soft, my hair is me.
What do you love most about your hair?
I love the versatility of my hair. I can achieve so many different styles with my transitioning hair and I know I’ve be about to acheive even more once my relaxed ends are gone. I also love how my hair grows and gets bigger as the days go on.
What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
The most memorable part thus far is seeing my hair go from a wavy braidout that hangs pass by shoulders to a big, frizzy fro braidout. My journey was kind of difficult in the beginning. The first 6 months are the worst. I thought about relaxing my hair a few times when detangling became a problem but I stuck it out and I’m glad I did. Now that I know alot more about my natural hair, its easy to manage both the natural and relaxed ends.
What are some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles?
My all time favorite transitioning style as been the braid out. I’ve been doing this style since I began my transition. As I gained more natural hair I started to add a perm rod to my ends to make the look more uniform and now my favorite is the braid and curl. I also love doing buns when I don’t have time to set a style or if a style doesn’t turn out right. Other favorites are 3 strand twist, perm rod sets, roller sets, flexi rod sets and a new favorite the old braidout to perm rod set.
What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
Since I’ve been transitioning I’ve gotten all types of reactions. In the beginning my mom would always tell me I needed to get a relaxer but she has come to understand me and my hair. I always use to get compliments when I had long, relaxed hair and I was known as the girl with the long hair at school. But now that I’m transitioning I have been getting double the compliments. And it kind of surprised me that alot of guys love my fro. So many people come up to my now saying “Yessssss, hair!” “Omg, i love your hair!” “Is that all your hair?” And I’ve even been asked “What kind of hair is that?” thinking that my fro was a weave fro lol.
What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I co-wash & deep condition my hair twice a week *I try to do it every Sunday and Thursday night* I like to co-wash with Tresemme Naturals Conditioner, Aussie Moist Conditioner or Aunt Jackie’s In Control Moisturizing and Softening Conditioner and I deep condition with any deep conditioner I have at the moment. I like to deep condition before I co-wash my hair. It’s just alot easier for me to do and I deep condition for and hour. I detangle with my tangle teezer when i’m in the shower.
– shampoo wash my hair every two weeks and I’m currently using Organix Kukui Oil as my shampoo
– I do protein treatments whenever I feel like I need one
– braidouts are usually my hairstyle choice for the week. I use Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La Defining Curl Custard or Curls Creme Brule as my curly styler of choice.
– olive and coconut oil are my favorite oils and I ways have one or the other on hand. I usually use them when I am taking down a braidout set
– when I do use a leave-in I like to use Cantu Shea Butter or Herbal Essence Split In Protector
What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
I don’t really browse alot of natural hair websites and blogs, I’m more of a youtuber. My favorite natural hair youtubers are naturalneiicey (Neicey), Taren Guy, haircrush (Chime), naptural85 (whitney), Alyssa Forever (Alyssa) Summer Kellsey and Glamtwinz334 (Kendra & Kelsey)
Anything else you would like to share?
I just want to let all of the young girls and other women that are transitioners to know that patience is key. Your hair is not going to magically grow overnight and you wake up to a huge, thick curly fro the next day. It takes time and work. Don’t neglect your hair. Love it for what it is and don’t try to compare it to anyone else’s. LEAVE HEAT ALONE as much as possible. But don’t be afraid of it. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different products and try different transitioning styles. And most of all DON’T GIVE UP when the journey gets tough, if you really want the beautiful tresses you were born with you’ll get through it. You can always do braid extensions if its to hard to manage 🙂
How can we reach you for more information?
If you want to keep up with me and my journey you can follow me on instagram @killinxinxpeace .
I also have a youtube channel where I express my passion for fashion and love for my transitioning hair through videos at www.youtube.com/Ohhdeeee .
