Naturally Fierce Feature: Jennifer

My name is Jennifer and I am a grad student in Montgomery, Alabama, pursuing my degree in marriage and family counseling. I was natural and had my hair straightened up until I went off to undergrad in 2003. My aunt straightened my hair for me back home and it was hard to travel back there to get her to do it, so I relaxed my hair. When I say my aunt straightened my hair, I mean OLD SCHOOL straightened……..comb on the stove and grease popping your scalp straightened! I loved my relaxed hair a lot at first because it stayed straight longer. But slowly my BSL hair got shorter and shorter and I eventually had a bob by the end.

How long have you been natural?

My last perm was in August of 2011. I big chopped on December 23, 2011.

What motivated you to transition to natural?

My hair was just so thin and lifeless. I was also at a point where I was in a deteriorating relationship that I was holding on to and it was affecting how I felt about myself. I wanted and needed a change, something drastic. I watched tons of YouTube videos and heard women talk about how this “natural hair journey” changed them for the better. Honestly , I thought it was a ton of crap when I was watching their videos. I mean they just cut their hair right? How could that have such a profound effect on a person? At the very least I knew that it would be a shocking change for me and I needed that. So at about 1 in the morning, I wet my hair, got my shears, and cut off all my hair myself!

What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?!

I would say people’s reactions. I had talked about doing this for months and I don’t think anyone thought I would go through with it lol. I cried when I first chopped it off. I thought I was going to look like a guy. Learning to love my hair has never been a problem, loving how I look with the hair was.

What were some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles?

The only transitioning style I used was bantu knot outs! It was the easiest way for me to get the natural look that I wanted. At the time of my transition, I didn’t know how to flat twist or anything. So I felt like my only option was the bantu knots and I redid them every night, which got old quickly!

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural?’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?

My family likes my hair for the most part. My mother hates my color though! I get questions or compliments on my hair daily. Literally, daily. It was a bit overwhelming at first as I usually just blend in with the crowd. I definitely stand out now! I have lengthy conversations with complete strangers about hair now. It’s really cool, most of the time. I’ve been approached in the bathroom before, which was odd J. I haven’t had too many people be against my natural hair. Most of the negative comments are about my hair color, but that won’t be changing anytime soon!

How is dating since going natural?

I have never been approached by more white men than I have since going natural! I’m not sure what is it that they love so much about it, but it seems to be intriguing to them. I’ve never been against dating outside my race, but I haven’t been asked out by many. That has changed drastically! I do get approached more now by neo-soul type black men, which also wasn’t happening before going natural. But even with all this new attention, I’m still single lol

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?

I wash my hair once a week on Sundays. I usually cowash with As I am Coconut Cowash unless I’m redoing my color. That’s the only time I will use a shampoo on my hair. The shampoo I use during that process is Loreal EverPure for color treated hair. After cowashing my hair, I use my Giovanni Direct Leave In conditioner. I then do a wash and go using Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Olive Oil Eco Styler Gel. I diffuse my hair to prevent some of the shrinkage and get more volume. I redo my rinse every six weeks using Manic Panic’s Vampire Red. My hair in the front was bleached prior to using the rinse. I redo my roots with bleach every 12 weeks or so. I used the Manic Panic bleaching kit to bleach my hair. I pineapple my hair at night and sleep on satin sheets and pillow cases. I don’t do anything else to my hair until Sunday unless I’m heading to an event where I need to be fabulous J. I recently started using the Dark & Lovely Au Naturale Creme Curl Glaze for my wash and gos and I love it!

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

I spend WAY too much time on YouTube! I love naptural85, Alicia James, colouredbeautiful, glamfun, and so many more!!! And of course I’m on Curly Nikki everyday!

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?

We are beautiful. Period. And no matter how you wear your hair, you are still beautiful. I struggled back and forth with chopping off my hair because I was afraid my face wasn’t good enough to be exposed like that. I’ve learned that everything about me is beautiful, and I should show it to the world. You should too J

Where can people find you for more information?

Instagram: @mizzgin03

Twitter: @poetic_soul84

Youtube: Natural JENeration

Thank you, I love the red hair! Are you more bold and daring since going natural? I would have never considered red hair before but now I’m obsessed.

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