1. Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey.
My name is Courtneye Drake, but I go by Court. I’m 22 years old. I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland.
2. How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?
This year will make five years that I have been natural! Unfortunately, I haven’t always embraced my curl,s but now I love them so much and rock them shamelessly everyday.
3. What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
I didn’t even plan to go natural. I didn’t even know that my hair was curly. I’d been getting perms since I was about 4 years old. I’d always assumed that my hair was too unmanageable and that I needed perms. That ended when I got a perm for senior prom. My scalp was not based so the perm ended up burning my scalp to the point where I had painful sores everywhere. After that day, I never got a perm again. My sister told me that my hair would get just as straight as I liked without any chemicals, so I found myself transitioning. I was too much of a punk to cut all my hair off so I just wore a bun for about a year and a half until my hair grew out. I cut my hair to shoulder length and slowly removed the remaining permed ends as time went on. If I could go back I would definitely big chop though!
4. How would you describe your hair?
My hair is thick and it has a mind of its own! Some days we’re the best of friends and other days we are each other’s worst enemy, but I wouldn’t trade her for the world. I have a few different textures. I’ve noticed that the left side of my hair looks and acts so much differently than the right side. It can be annoying at times, but I’ve learned to embrace it.
5. What do you love most about your hair?
I love the length and how big it gets!
6. What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
My journey has been both difficult and easy. There have been moments when I have looked at my hair in complete awe and then there have been moments where I have cried and wanted to rip every single strand of hair out of my head! Detangling isn’t always fun, styling can be too time consuming, and searching for the right products for each season has been quite frustrating. Even through all of that, thank God for YouTube and natural hair blogs. I can honestly say that without the help of other wonder naturalistas, I would probably be rocking a bald head right now.
7. What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos’?
When I transitioned, I wore my hair in a bun on top of my head every single day. Although it was boring, it was cute and manageable so I have no regrets. Today, my go to hairstyles are a wash and go and my topknot.
8. What have your experiences been as a ‘natural’? Any memorable reactions from family or others?
My experiences as a natural weren’t always full of sunshine and daisies. My reactions from family, friends, and even complete strangers were both positive and negative. I’ve been told my hair was beautiful. I’ve gotten numerous compliments, but I’ve also gotten countless amounts of funny looks. I’ve even been made fun of and told that I needed to straighten my hair. Others have said that it was “too much”. I’m so sensitive; sometimes people’s negativity got to me and made me feel bad about my hair, but I quickly got over that! Now I could give a crap about what people think about my curls. I love them and that’s all that matters.
9. What is your hair regimen?
I wash my hair once a week using Shea Moisture Curl & Shine shampoo. I clarify once a month with Kinky Curly Come Clean. I deep condition with Alikay Naturals Honey and Sage Deep Conditioner. My favorite leave-in is Kinky Curly Knot Today. My stylers of choice are Camille Rose Naturals Moisture Milk and Curl Maker. I do not cowash anymore.
10. What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
I love Naturalneiicey, Taren Guy, MahoganyCurls, HeyFranHey and so many more! I can list them for days.
11. Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
If you are considering going natural please do it! If you are already transitioning or natural, keep pushing and never look back. This journey is so rewarding. Your hair is uniquely yours and it should be embraced!
12. Where can people find you for more information?
IG: @Courtneye.d
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