Naturally Fierce Feature: Danielle

May 1, 2013

My name is Dani, short for Danielle! I’m 21 years old and I live in the big apple, NYC! I remember some while back telling my friends who were transitioning/ already natural that I couldn’t do that and they would try to persuade me but I couldn’t imagine how I would wear my hair. However, before I knew it I was stretching my perms only getting two a year and well here I am now.

How long have you been natural?
Lets just say I’m a baby to this! It has been exactly one month and four days since I have been completely natural! woohoo!!! I never got a perm until 16 years old, my mother was pretty adamant about not getting me one but I somehow won her over and now I had to go back to her so she could have her ‘I told you so’ moment lol.

What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper & why?
I always admired curly hair so I would get my permed hair braided and pull it out a lot, for that crimped look. Being away from home for college I didn’t really have time to always go get my hair done, so that’s when I started stretching my perms. My friends had me watching YouTube videos, looking on hairlista.com and such and I guess somehow I figured why not? I transitioned for 17 months and a year my goal was to reach two years but I was going away for spring break, I was over braids and the straight ends, so I went home one day and told my mom to cut my hair. I’m surprised I didn’t cry, I think in the moment I really realized its hair and it will grow back. I used to be so sad when I got like three inches of my hair cut, but my big chop was about 12inches and I took it like a champ!

What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos?’
Some of my favorite transitioning hairstyles was twistouts up until like 10 months, after that my hair wasn’t blending very well. I got braids for the first time in my life during my transition and they were cool, but I would miss my hair too much. Another go to style for me was a good ol’ faithful high bun! I recently realized my hair could actually go in a puff, after my big chop despite everyone saying it could go up I didn’t believe them, I was just so stuck on it being short that I didn’t try until, I got hot one night threw my head over and what do ya know? It was in a puff! I was ecstatic I wore my hair in a puff for like three days straight lol

Any memorable reactions from family or others since going natural?
I have had so much great feedback, I never expected this at all, strangers, friends everyone! One friend said “ I just love it like this I never want it to grow!” (I popped my biotin right then and there! Lol). One week I felt like I couldn’t win, when my hair was straight and long people didn’t think it was all mine, now its short and curly and some people still think its not mine, like hello!!! Overall, my experiences have been nothing but motivating, I know I made the right decision.

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
– hmm at this point I only shampoo like once a month I can feel when my hair needs shampoo other than that I co-wash twice a week for the most part. I just kinda go off the vibe of my hair. Currently in love with Organix Coconut Milk conditioner, I also use Tresseme naturals and herbal essences hello hydration. Just recently my friend gave me a clarifying/cleansing conditioner from vo5, which is amazing! If I am twisting I either use Shea butter, Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie or my Giovanni’s direct weightless leave in conditioner, then seal my ends with whichever oil I choose that night. I have coconut oil, olive oil, castor oil and a herbal oil. For deep conditioning I use Aubrey Organics Gpb conditioner and I love Carol’s daughter monoi conditioning repair mask as well but it doesn’t last long enough for the price. I always sleep with my satin bonnet and satin pillowcase, they make me lazy though so some night I just go to bed then in the morning spray my hair with water fluff and go!

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, YouTuber’s, or blogs?
Youtubers- Haircrush, Naptural85, fusion of cultures –Leila and a few others that I cant remember their names and don’t wanna mess it up.
Blogs- Curlynikki and now Global couture 🙂 (Shoutots always welcome lol)

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
Do what makes you comfortable, you have got to wear your hair, love your hair, rock it out! If I can you can too!

Where can people find you for more information? 
Instagram- @danighrams
Twitter- @itsdeegee

Thank you for this feature!