Naturally Fierce Feature: Crystal

My name is Crystal Grant and I’m a 33yr old mom to a 10yr old little boy, who has the mind of a 15yr old:-). I’ve been a nurse for 11yrs and I love what I do. I live in the Atlanta area but I’m originally from SC. Moved here 7 years ago and I really enjoy it. Well…..I became natural by default I would say. It started with my weave(sew in) addiction in 2008.

How long have you been natural?

In 2008 got a sew in and I liked it some much that I kept them in until November 2011. During this time I never had a perm put back in my hair. I went every 3 months to the same stylist, who was/ is a huge natural hair/antiperm stylist. During that time she deep conditioned fan trimmed my hair every 3 months. It was November 2011 that I consider the start of when I went completely natural. So I’ve been natural for 1year and 7 months:-)

What motivated you to go natural? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper & why?

I transitioned into natural by keeping a sew in from 2008 to 2011. Going natural wasn’t a goal I had in mind honestly I owe I to my stylist for refusing to put a perm back in my hair. I’m soooo glad she put her foot down;-). Here is a picture of my natural hair flat ironed the day the sew in got removed for good.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey?
I would say the last 6 months has been the most memorable part of my journey because with in the last 6 months I’ve really educated taken the time to truly learn how to properly care for my hair and I’m loving the results alot better. The journey initially wasn’t an easy one at all. At first I was to scared to even wash my own hair at home so I went to a different stylist (who didn’t specialize in natural hair) but she was awesome at doing flexi rods and let her do my hair for about 3 months. Bad mistake, she was pulling all of my hair out because she didn’t know how to properly comb or wash natural hair and the products she used were harsh on my hair to:-(

What are some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles?
My favorite styles would be twist outs. My first time doing my own twist out (pre education) was in March 2012 seems longer than that through.

Any memorable reactions from family or others?
In think my most memorable reactions came when I got my hair colored red. I get a lot of compliments on my color.

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?

My hair regimen is I moisturize daily using pure 100% coconut oil and Shea moisures curl enhancing smoothie. Once a week (on Sundays) I massage my scalp for about 15mins using Vitamin E oil and I wash or co wash my hair once month using Pantene naturals co wash(doesn’t strip my color and I can actually figure comb through my hair that’s how soft it leaves my hair).

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, YouTuber’s, or blogs?

Naturallycurly.com (has a lot of resourceful info on products), I’ve learned a lot from IG from users/bloggers (curlyqutee, naturalhairdoescare and naturalhairmojo). I love watching (etcblogmag) on YouTube, she taught me how to flat twist:-) and 101ladyt on you tube taught me a lot about hair care:-)

How’s the dating seen?

There are a ton of men black and white that love women with natural hair. I get approached more now than I ever did when I had a perm or sew in. Just something to think about;-)

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?

I want the readers to know that natural hair/ your hair WILL grow. Just give your hair a little attention and patience. Educate yourself on how to care for it. There is all kinds of resources out there to help you, that’s how I finally learned. And when you see all these pictures of naturals with big, fluffy beautiful hair don’t get discouraged, please! Be ready to embrace your hair with where it is. Even on a “bad hair” day there’s always a fix for it (use clips,bows, bobby pins etc..) to hide parts of your hair that don’t come out how you want it to;-). Remember no matter the length, texture or color of your hair, all natural hair is beautiful:-)

Where can people find you for more information?

Well, I’ve never done anything like this before but ill be glad to offer any advice or encouragement:-) I can be reached at crystalgrant97@yahoo.com or follow me on Instagram at msclassy4you.