Naturally Fierce Feature: Bijee

My name is Bijee (pronounced Bee-Gee) but I also go by “B.” I was born, raised, and still reside in Cleveland, Ohio but my family and I are itching to get down south. I also reside at The Reflections of a Good Woman, in my little corner of the interweb, where I blog about life as a woman – wife, mother, friend, and all things woman, and the struggle to be better at all of them.  I am an analyst by day and a blogger by any chance I can get at the computer (or my phone).

How long have you been natural? I am approaching my three year curlyversary soon (for this time around).  This is my third or fourth time going natural (I lost track), but it’s also the longest time I have lasted and I have actually found the ability to not get discouraged and fully embrace every part of my journey.

What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioned or a Big Chopper & why?  I have BC’d three times and I think I transitioned twice.  Transitioning absolutely DID NOT work for me.  I couldn’t work with having two different textures of hair the first time and the second time was right before my wedding. I got discouraged and didn’t know what to do with my hair for the big day and permed it the day before. That led me to my BC that began this three year journey.

When I first BC’d it was 2007 and I just wanted a fresh start with everything.  I decided to cut my hair and see my face and what I really looked like (internally and externally).  One of my close friends said she was getting a cut so I accompanied her and walked out with a cut too.  I loved it short.  It really turned me into a different kind of girl.  I began paying more attention to my accessory choices, my eyebrows and even what I wore.  I felt sexy, young (well I was young), and confident!

As winter came I let it grow and boy did it grow!  I graduated from college and began looking for a job and I felt like I was being judged by my hair.  Like they didn’t know what to make of me.  My insecurities got the best of me and I ended up in the chair with the creamy crack penetrating my scalp yet again.  I felt so defeated.

I kept it straight for a short time and then I began to transition as my haircut grew out.  I had a plan.  I was going to transition and just straighten it until my wedding day (cause he had put a ring on it) and then I was gonna cut off the straight hair and rock my natural on my honeymoon!

I was so ready…. I had purchased this 500 dollar wig for my wedding day to not have to deal with my hair and I was gonna chop the day after.

The wig came. I hated it. I didn’t know what to do with my hair – AGAIN and I reverted right back to the creamy crack.  Defeated again.

So after my nuptials and the beautiful day, we went on our honeymoon and most of the time my hair was in a bun. With the straightness came more maintenance than I was willing to upkeep being in and out of the water day in and day out.

I begged my hubby to support me through another BC and that it would be my last one.  He gave in and I made a beeline for the barber shop.  And I was true to my word.

Now at almost three years later I have went through so many hairstyles and stages and I love my natural hair (and hubby does too) – I am never going back to the CREAMY CRACK.

I just recently was asked by one of my friends to chop all of my hair off yet AGAIN.  Which I have to admit was hard cause I had just gotten it to the longest it had ever been in its natural state and I was so ready to wear it BIG.  But I chopped it again, and for a good cause which I don’t regret.  You can read about that whole journey here.

Any memorable reactions from family or others? When I first went natural the first time.  The reactions were mixed.  A lot of my family HATED my hair cut and as it grew I would hear stuff like “so what you gone do with that stuff?”  My hubby and I started dating not long after I faded it.  We had been friends for years and he loved me no matter what new and crazy thing I was doing with my hair so I found comfort and strength in that.

At this point, I love what the natural hair community has become and the paths I have crossed on the journey.  I can’t tell you how many times I have seen a natural and start talking products and styling in the middle of a store aisle.  When I see another natural I just want to hug em!

How would you describe your hair?

I swear every time I cut my hair it is different in how the texture acts.  Right now it seems to be frizzy if I do nothing to it but curly with the right products.  When it grows out it is THICK – like a muscle!

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?

Because I have seen people with heat damage I tend to stay as far away from heat as possible.  I don’t even blow dry.  I typically wash and go and add mousse right now with it short but when it was longer I would wash before bed and plat it to dry, or twist it to wear and then evolve into a twist out…. I really like the AS I AM curl defining jelly to coil my hair in its shorter state.  I like to make my own crème for twisting made ofshea butter a little olive oil (or whatever oil I have on deck) and a little eco styler gel;  all blended up it makes for a very nice twist out that remains moisturized for DAYS!! For winter washing, when my scalp is dry and feels like it needs therapy I found that I love Perfect Results for Naturals Detangling Shampoo, Kinky Curls Peppermint Co-Wash (love the tingle) and Haute Textures Tea Tree Conditioner with Peppermint (double tingle – oooh la la).

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?

I have found that you really just have to find the love in every stage you are at.  It is beautiful no matter what stage you are at.  Don’t miss out on the stage you are in trying to get to the next. This is my truth I have to remind myself in life and in my hair journey. Be blessed!

Where can people find you for more information? I can be found at: www.womansreflection.com, Facebook, Twitter , and Instagram