Naturally Fierce Feature: Nichole

My name is Nichole and I’m currently in the DFW area of Texas, but will be in Houston starting in June. I’m excited to go out there and discover the natural scene. They have a pretty big natural hair show in December so I’m excited for that. I was born in Los Angeles, but I was raised in Colorado. When I moved to Colorado, I moved before my mom with some Hispanic family friends. My mom didn’t want them to jack up my hair so she put a Just for Me relaxer in. I was six at the time and from then on stuck with relaxers. I rarely went to a shop to get it done because the town I grew up in was predominantly white. Although I was an every six-weeker relaxer girl my hair was long and I never had any issues until I moved to Texas. Then my final relaxer was put on by a family friend and it seemed fine at first, but my hair started breaking off in the front. I had to get it cut into a bob from about arm pit length to even it out.

How long have you been natural?
My last relaxer was in January 2009 and I big chopped in May 2009.

What motivated you to transition to natural?
The last relaxer I got had severely broken off my hair in the front so when I thought I was due for a relaxer I decided to go to a professional. I asked a girl at work for a recommendation since I was still fairly new to my city. The beautician said she wasn’t going to relax my hair and for me to avoid heat. She lightly pressed my edges, added a few hair pieces on the sides and sent me on my merry way lol. Then one day I asked my mom what I should do and she said “why don’t you go natural, you have pretty natural hair.” I didn’t know anything about being natural and didn’t know anyone that had natural hair. I big chopped because I had no idea what to do with the two textures without heat. I googled natural hair, heard about something called big chop, then got dressed and went to get my hair cut off.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
I would say the beginning, I had never had short hair and I had no idea what I was doing with it. Some black women I knew said they didn’t like curly hair and that straight hair is better. Most people liked it though. I found tightlycurly.com the day after I big chopped and never visited another blog until about 6 months ago lol! Also when I got my hair colored and highlighted, then a few months later I got a devacut. It seemed to transform my hair and I wasn’t as bored with it. I think it’s been both, but definitely more easy than hard.

 What were some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles?
My transitioning style was using a headband and when I went out I wore a wig. Once I big chopped I was a wash and go girl. I also like twist and curls, frohawks, and bantu knot outs.

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
Most of it has been positive. You can meet complete strangers and instantly have conversation topics talking about hair. I would say the reaction that sticks out the most is a reaction I got from a co worker. She said she didn’t like curly hair at all and straight hair was better. I think when she saw my hair grow longer than hers, her opinion changed. Then several more coworkers went natural within the next couple years. That same co worker transitioned and is now natural and her hair is longer and thicker than ever before since it wouldn’t grow past her shoulders. I just giggle to myself when I think about it.

How is dating since going natural?
The more and more women going natural, the more I feel that black men are open to the idea. For many of us we grow up thinking that straight long hair is beautiful, but I feel like that is changing. It takes incredible confidence to rock your natural hair and confidence is often the most important thing you put on each day. The funny thing is, I get approached by more men outside my race than anything now that my hair is natural, they love it!!

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
Well my regimen until October of 2012 was wetting my hair everyday and using either tressemme naturals conditioner or herbal essence conditioners as a leave-in in the shower, then air dry. I would co wash once a week with suave naturals, so simple. I would see natural hair products pop up, but I was like I do my hair too much to pay that much for a product lol! Thanks to Instagram and YouTube my hair has taken on new life. Now I’ve learned so much and experiment with new products. I knew nothing about multiple day hair, stylers, oils, etc. I’m like a new natural so I am constantly switching and trying new products. But as a wash and go girl I love the volume and look using a diffuser gives me. My fave conditioners are Aussie moist and Herbal Essence Hello Hydration.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, YouTuber’s, or blogs?
Google is my favorite natural hair website. I usually hear about something and google it and look at several blogs that have articles about what I’m looking for. Youtubers: MahoganyKnots, MelsharyA, teaundra, spicyeve, naptural85.

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
Don’t compare your hair to others. We all get hair envy (me included), but you have to embrace and love your own hair. The natural hair community is absolutely amazing, supportive and uplifting. Don’t try to fight with your hair, HAVE FUN and do what you please!!

Where can people find you for more information?
Instagram: @nikkibcurly (always on there)
Twitter: @nikkibcurly
YouTube: will be nikkibcurly, going to start making videos very soon
Keek: @nikkibcurly

 

What do non-naturals say to you about your hair? I hear “I could never go natural!” alot. Leave comments below.

Thank you Nichole. You and your curls are beautiful! I have also changed a few minds about ‘natural hair.’


Comments

  1. says

    Your hair is gorgeous! But I just had to comment after I read your bitty about google. Thank you lawd, I’m not the only one. Lol, google is my favourite natural hair resource, hands down!!! : D

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