Naturally Fierce Feature: Brandy

My name is Brandi McNealy and I’m originally from a very small town in north Florida but I currently reside in Tallahassee, Florida (Go Noles!).

I have been natural since November 2012.

My intent was to be a long term transitioner. My last relaxer was in November 2012 and that was my THIRD TIME attempting to go natural. The mistake I made the previous two times was trying to manage the two textures but still having a relaxer mentality. After awhile, I would revert back to the relaxer. In May 2013, I was over the two textures. I called one of my sorority sisters who has been natural for a few years and said “I want you to cut the relaxer out of my hair. I can’t take it anymore.” She was all too happy to oblige. I was a little shocked at first. I was so ready to get rid of the two textures, I am not sure I really thought it through. Since I transitioned for a few months, I had enough hair to get a set of braids until it grew out to a length I was comfortable with. Looking back, I probably should have just cut it off and started from scratch.

A little bit crazy. It is tight and kinky in the middle, looser in the front and coily in the back. It’s like me…all over the place!

The versatility. One day I can wear it straight and the next it’s full of curls. I struggled with curly envy at first but then I had to realize my hair is beautiful because it’s mine.

The most memorable part was definitely my big chop. I posted a picture on Instagram and a lot of my guy friends were horrified. My girl friends on the hand were empowering. It’s definitely been a journey.

I wore a lot of braids, Senegalese twists and sew- ins.

My family was pretty shocked. I’ve always had a lot of hair and a bad a** wrap for years (if I do say so myself). My hair had been relaxed since the sixth grade. It was a big shock. They’ve come to like it however….well except for my grandmother. She still asks me when am I going to “do something to my hair.”

I co-wash about twice a week. And I wash once every two weeks. I suffer from pretty bad dandruff so I wash more than most probably do. I am still learning the ropes with my hair and trying products out. However, I am in love with Camillle Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter. I use that for my twist outs. I also co-wash with Trader Joe’s Nourishing Spa Conditioner. When I wash my hair, I use Miss Jessie’s Super Slip Sudsy Shampoo. And my oil is usually coconut oil or EVOO. I’m still working on a steady routine but most of what I do centers around those products.

CurlyNikki, MahoganyCurls, Global Couture, and Mo Knows Hair

Love your hair but do what’s best for you and your situation. My nine-year- old daughter has been natural all of her life. I was teaching her to embrace her hair and its beauty but at the same time I was putting a relaxer in mine. Kind of a do as I say not as I do parenting technique. I decided that this time I would stick with it so that she would not only embrace her hair but love that her mommy looks just like her now. She tells me that all the time too. 😉