My name is Caressa I was born in the West Indies, true Island girl at heart, I am very free spirited person. When I decided to start my natural hair journey I knew nothing about my hair at its natural state. I got my first relaxer at age 12, and at age 19 I decided that I wanted to go on this journey just because I was curious to see my hair in its natural state without all the chemicals.
I have now been natural for a year and 5 months and loving every minute of it.
What motivated you to transition?
I did not big chop, I actually transitioned for about a year. I just really needed a change, and was just really curious about my hair before all the chemicals. I did research and I saw how harmful those chemicals can be to my body and that’s when I decided that I wanted nothing else to do with relaxers.
My hair is liberating just like I am. It does whatever it wants to do most of the time and I learn new things about my hair everyday.
I love that my hair is unpredictable, and its apart of me and most of all I love the versatility. It is truly amazing.
The most memorable part of my journey I would have to say would be cutting the remainder of my relaxed ends off. That day I was a wreck. I was sad at first because I was going from something that I knew most of my life to something that I remembered nothing about, but once I cut my hair I felt free.
I honestly did not wear my own hair while I was transitioning. I did not like how my hair looked so I wore braids, weaves. Here are some pictures of my transitioning days.
When I first decided to go natural I did not get a good reaction from some people. People told me that I looked better with straight hair and the input form people were always very negative, which made me really insecure when it came to my hair, but then I started to tell myself that this is how God made me and it shouldn’t have been changed or altered in the first place.
I wash my hair every sunday, except the times where I am wearing a protective style (mini twists or a weave) I don’t usually use shampoo unless I am trying new products. I Cowash, deep condition. I pre poo every other wash day, and I also include a protein treatment when i feel like my hair needs one. My protein treatments usually consist of the things that I have in my kitchen. I moisturize my hair daily no matter what style I am rocking. Moisture is the key. I love shea moisture, their products helped me a lot when I was transitioning. I also cannot do without Jamaican black castor oil, and coconut oil.
What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
My favorite natural hair websites includes, http://bglhgallery.com/, and my favorite YouTuber’s includes, DaneaeKelly, Naptural85, Kulchicbeauty, shekiarenea, and jouelzy. I really love everyone on YouTube. Those ladies are amazing and has helped me a lot and is still helping.
Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
For those of you that want to transition, but your not sure you can do it, I was there too. One of my favorite quotes is “Courage is the power to let go of the familiar” because it took real courage to let go of something that I knew most of my life and I am glad I did.
You guys can keep up with me on Youtube: Naturally Westindian, Facebook: Naturally Westindian Instagram: @caressatearla http://bglhgallery.com/: caressatearla
