Naturally Fierce Feature: Candace

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

​-I have been natural (post big chop) since October 23, 2011. I transitioned for 8 months prior to doing my own big chop. I recently got bored with my hair about a year and half ago and did a semi-big chop, cutting my hair off into a tampered cut. I didn’t start embracing my curls until I made the decision to go to natural. I was addicted to creamy crack and had been getting relaxers ever since the age of 6.

3. What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioneror a Big Chopper& why?

​-I hit a point in my life where I started to recognize who I was becoming and wanted to be the realest version of myself I could be. How more real could I be embracing the hair that god blessed me with? Once I decided I was going natural, I immediately started treating my hair as if it was natural by using lots of water and conditioner. I didn’t know a lot about natural hair, so I choose to transition because it would give me time to educate myself. I transitioned for about 8 months wearing styles from sew-in’s, box braids, to wigs. I finally got to a point where the two textures where too much. I grabbed my scissors, clipped the rest of my relaxer off, and I haven’t looked back since.

4. How would you describe your hair?

​-My hair is a mix of 4b/4c hair. It is very, very, very thick. The inside portion of my crown is where my 4/c hair is located, which is the thickest part of my hair! The outer side, and edges of my hair is where the 4/b is located with very tight, yet loose ringlets.

5. What do you love most about your hair?

​-I love the versatility of my hair. If I want a tight defined curls, I can go to a wash-n-go. If I want loose wild hair, I can do a twist out. I can even blow my hair out and wear it in a wrap.

6. What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy, difficult, or both?!

​-I know it may sound corny, but my natural hair has taught me how to love and accept the person that I am. At first the transition was difficult because of friends and family making comments such as, “who are you supposed to be mother earth now?” or “your hair won’t ever be curly like that.” Once I was able to accept the texture of my hair and who I was, I was the happiest I’ve ever been in life. MY journey was about appreciating the person I was, hair and all. But now, friends and family rely on me for tips to transition or what they can do for this style.

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

​- My go-to style while transitioning were sew-ins. It gave me the opportunity to treat my natural hair and protect it while it grew. I also loved the convenience of wearing wigs.

8. What have your experiences been as a ‘natural’? Any memorable reactions from family or others?

​-Some of my best moments have been interactions at work. I work in hospitality, so I come in contact with tons of people from all over the world on a daily basis. People absolutely love my hair. A lot of people can’t believe it’s my natural hair, and often ask to touch it. I’ve even gotten some comparison to Whitney Houston in the 80’s.