My hair journey was definitely very random. Before going natural, my hair had been relaxed since the age of 6. Therefore, getting relaxers was all I ever knew. “Pssht, natural?? Um, What’s that?”
How long have you been natural?
It will be 15 months on July 21, 2013. I big chopped after a 4 month “transition” on April 21, 2012.
What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
I had no idea there was a such thing as going natural or being natural, so in the beginning of 2012 when I realized there was such a thing, I was like “Whaatt?!” and immediately started considering transitioning to natural. My transition only lasted 4 months. When I big chopped I only had about an inch of hair because I was growing out a short cut. I decided to go ahead and big chop so soon instead of long-term transitioning because my hair started to look HORRIBLE!
How would you describe your hair?
My hair is very thick, kinky, fragile, and stubborn. As my hair has grown out my curl pattern has loosened quite a bit… I do not use the hair typing system much, as I feel that it is it does not cover all hair types — mine is surely not on there. I do think it is safe to say, however, that I am in the 4’s!
What do you love most about your hair?
I definitely love the thickness of my hair as well as the darkness of it’s color. My hair looks really healthy!
What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
BREAKAGE!! I have gone through several bouts of breakage — definitely not fun! All the experimentation and craziness I was doing to my hair trying to figure things out really took a toll on my hair. My journey has definitely been a roller coaster! In the beginning, my hair was very easy to manage… wash it, moisturize it, fro it, BAM…done! However, I did suffer from a lot of dryness, which as my hair got longer, really started to make it difficult to manage. I then started getting tons of single strand knots and breakage, so I decided to protective style my hair with flat twists under wigs and bandanas. Unfortunately, by doing so, I never really learned how to style my hair as it was mostly always put up. Even today, I still struggle with styling my hair because of the thickness and the odd growth pattern. If I wear my hair out twists outs is my go to style. Luckily, I can happily say though, I no longer suffer from dryness and managing my hair has become A LOT easier!
What were some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles?
I did not have transitioning hairstyles. I simply twisted up my hair (the best I could) wore wigs and that is about it. I was only working with hair that look liked this:
What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
Oh man! When I first considered going natural and when I first went natural the support was just NOT there. My grandmother, mom, and anie didn’t quite understand the point of me going natural and my anie in specific, would always comment about how dry my hair looked. As my hair started to grow out, my family started to fall in love with my hair and now all three of them are natural. As far as guys go…they hated it! Many commented on how ugly I looked and questioned my reasoning behind “going bald” — as they called it.
Now that my hair is longer, people love it and always compliment on how “nice” it looks, even guys — go figure!
What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
My regimen is basically built around protective styling. I choose to protective style 95% of the time because my ultimate goal right now is length retention, especially since I lose so much hair my first year. Plus, I don’t mind having my hair put away. My regimen does change from now and then because I get very impulsive and come up with “bright” ideas when it comes to my hair, but I can give you my current regimen.
I try to keep my protective style in for 2-6 weeks depending on what the protective style is. My go to protective style is flat twists worn under a wig or bandana because it lasts the longest.
To keep my twists moisturized I use what I call “moisture mists.” In one of my moisture mists I use just water and castor oil (2:1) and in the other I use water, a leave-in conditioner, grapeseed oil, and castor oil (everything is eyeballed). I use these mists about 3x a day regardless of the protective style (not both at the same time…one or the other)!
When it is time to wash I MUST shampoo as my hair is dirty by the time 2-6 weeks has passed. My favorite shampoo is Shea Moisture Curl and Shine Shampoo. As of lately though, I have been dabbling in shampoo bars!
Sometimes, before I shampoo I will pre-poo with Coconut oil, but it really depends on what my time is looking like, if I am pressed for time, then I skip this step.
Before washing my hair though I always put my hair in medium sized twists. I will NOT wash my hair without it being in twists. That it just asking for headaches, tangles, breakage, and other disasters!
After shampooing my hair, I will either condition and then deep condition or go straight to deep conditioning…which method I choose depends on 1) how long my style has been in 2) the kind of time I have.
I don’t have a favorite conditioner right now, but my favorite deep conditioners are TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask and Bask Cacao Bark Deep Conditioning Hair Treat.
I typically deep condition anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours. When I deep condition I will either use my Hair Therapy Wrap (25 mins), My Heutiful Steamer (20 mins), or just simply 2 shower caps (45 mins – 2 hours). (Whatever I am in the mood for and what time permits)
When it is time to rinse, I rinse with luke warm water at first, but then as a final rinse I turn my water to a cold temperature (cold water rinse).
I then (if I remember) spray my Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Reconstructurizer into my hair and sit with two shower caps under my Hair Therapy Wrap.
I then go in with the L.O.C. Method (Liquid/Leave-in, Oil, Cream), finger detangle, and then re-twist my hair. My favorite combination at this time is: Leave-In: Karen’s Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia Leave-in Conditioner; Oil: Castor Oi or Africa’s Best Ultimate Herbal Oill; Cream: EDEN Bodyworks Coconut Shea Pudding Soufflé or Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie.
The next day, after my hair has dried, I will take out the twists and flat twist my hair.
Every 5-6 weeks, I will do a Bentonite Clay Treatment and/or a Protein Treatment (Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor or a Homemade concoction {1 egg, conditioner of choice, olive oil, and honey})
My regimen may sound complicated, but in short I wash my hair in twists, shampoo, deep condition, do the L.O.C method, finger detangle, and re-twist my hair. The next day I flat twist my hair and that’s about it. I will admit that my wash day does take a really long time so I usually make sure my schedule is free the day that I am washing my hair (typically Saturday)
What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
YouTubers: OctoberChocolate, Ananijosie, 11mjsmommy, Rayann410, Marquita83, Fabulousbeautyqueen, NaturalMe4C, DiscoveringNaturals (in no particular order) and many, many others!
I do not typically look at blogs as I prefer watching videos in my free time.
Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
I have a FREE book called “Simply in Control: Your Personal Guide to Natural Hair,” which was basically written to help those considering going natural or those who are already natural, but are struggling with their hair. It can be downloaded at naturallybemo.blogspot.com
Also, the most important thing about this journey is to be confident. Even when you feel or know you look a hot mess, don’t let others know that. People love to eat away at your insecurities.
Where can people find you for more information?
YouTube| Youtube.com/naturallybemo
