Naturally Fierce Feature: Breanna

 Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey. (Name, where you’re from, etc)

My name is Breanna and I’m originally from Baltimore, MD, 21 years old and a student attending Rutgers University. In May of 2013 I made the decision to adapt a natural lifestyle. I first started with the inside, really focusing on taking better care of my body by starting a work out regime and deciding to adapt a vegetarian lifestyle. After adjusting to the new lifestyle by March of 2014 I was ready to go natural in regards to my makeup and beauty regime, which resulted in letting go of the ‘creamy crack’.

How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?

I consider myself natural from the day of my big chop, which was in late October of 2014.

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

From March to October of 2014 I transitioned, but in May of 2014 I colored my hair which resulted in color damage so I then took a vow to go completely heat free for a year.  I did protective styles for the majority of my transiting period. I was unhappy with the rate that my hair was growing so I then decided to big chop in October. Big chopping was by far my best decision; my hair has grown tremendously and remained extremely healthy.

How would you describe your hair?

Texture wise my hair is a mix of type 4 hair. My hair is extremely thick and it is low in porosity, which has resulted in me adapting the LOC method when it comes to my regular regime.

What do you love most about your hair?
It’s certainly been a process to learn how to love and accept my hair through out my natural hair journey, but I do fall in love with it more and more everyday. My favorite thing about my hair currently would be the color, I worked hard to get it to this shade.

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 would be my big chop; I’ve never felt something so empowering before. I would say that my journey has been fairly easy; I think the protective styling and no heat really allowed my hair to strengthen. I’ve found that working with damaged hair is often more difficult.

What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos?

For me it was bantu knots and protective styling while I transitioned, but my transition period wasn’t long. I honestly found transitioning doing more harm than good to my hair.
What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?

A method that has worked well for me would be the LOC method 1. Leave In Conditioner 2. Oil 3. Hair Cream/Butter This method works best right after a co-wash. It rarely takes me long to decide if I like a product or not so everything that is listed below I would definitely recommend purchasing:

Leave – In: Giovanni leave in/Cream of Nature strength & shine leave in

Oils: Coconut oil/Jamaican black Castro oil/ Almond oil

Creams/Butters: Cream of Nature curling butter / Shea moisture hair milk

9 Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?

Have patients. It may be hard in the beginning to find confidence in yourself or adjust to the natural hair lifestyle, but continue to remind yourself that in time you’ll see that results you’re looking for. My most important advice would be to never compare your journey to anyone else’s, be willing to learn things along they way and have fun with it!

Where can people find you for more information?

Feel free to follow me on Instagram @believebre_ and subscribe to my lifestyle blog

whereshebegins.blogspot.com where I discuss topics from natural hair care, tech tips, beauty reviews, travel tips, vegetarian lifestyle and much more!