Please take the time to post your natural hair journey!
Get started by answering as many or as few of the following questions:
1. Why did you want to go natural?
2. When did you have your first perm?
3. When did you have your last perm?
4. Is this your first try at transitioning?
5. How long did/will you transition?
6. What is/was your biggest challenge during transitioning?
7. Are you/did you to BC? When?
8. What styles are you wearing?
9. What products do you like the most?
10. Are you happy with the change?
So Nappy 
1. I didn’t necessarily want to, I just took so long between perms and my hair was short so eventually I was like wth lets do this!
2. I permed my hair on a moodswing whim when I was around 14.
3. Last perm probably June of 2008.
4. My first attempt at transitioning…It is successful!
5. Well because my hair was short, by the time I intentionally began transitioning, it was about three months. That is before I cut off the remaining straightened ends.
6. The first six months I had no idea what to do with my hair!
7. My BC really wasnt much of a big deal with short hair and all.
8. The slick back hair band do…lol see my blog + twist outs+ plait outs+ the frohawk
9. My glycowater! see my blog on that and definitely HerbalEssences conditioner (the one in the purple bottle).
10. I am estatic! I’ve always contended that I would never have permed if I had understood how to manage my natural mane.
p.s. these are some really great questions, I can’t resist using a few for my polls.
1. Why did you want to go natural?
My relaxed hair was always healthy and long, but I had a few people do my hair, and it began to thin around the edges. I moved around a lot, and I could not go to the same trusted hair dresser, so I decided to begin to do my own hair. Once I learned how my relaxed hair behaved, I felt more confident that I could transition. I did not want to take the risk of going to a hair dresser that would make that one mistake and I end up with several unsightly bald spots! “Ain’t happening!” I said. I had also wondered why I needed a perm. I wanted one so bad as a child, but as I went through high school, I began to wonder why people of other nationalities did not make such drastic changes to their hair texture…almost permanent changes! So why did I? Let it grow like it’s supposed to…damn! (What I also said:) )
2. When did you have your first perm?
I think I was about 10 or 12 years old
3. When did you have your last perm?
November 2008
4. Is this your first try at transitioning?
No. I tried in college, but I did not have the time and patience to keep it going
5. How long did/will you transition?
I did it for 10 months
6. What is/was your biggest challenge during transitioning?
At first, there were no hair challenges. I did my own hair most of the time to save money, and it was fine. My styles lasted, and I was CUTE! Then during the last few months, my new growth had taken over my head! YAY!… but not so cute or easy to manage! I had two different textures on my head, that were about the same length, so that was hard to deal with; I new it was time for the Big Chop!
But, in the beginning, the challenge was family acceptance! My mother was against my transition, because she thought that people would frown at me in society, but I think she is coming around. And I love her for that!
7. Are you/did you to BC? When?
Yes; Sept 25, 2009
8. What styles are you wearing?
Afro, 2-strand twist, twist-out, braid extensions, cornrows, flat twists
9. What products do you like the most?
Giovanni, coconut oil, shea butter, Water!
10. Are you happy with the change?
YES! I have never been more proud of such an accomplishment. I encourage every black woman who has a relaxer to give this a try…it is only hair. That is what I had to keep telling myself. And even after my BC, I did not want to go back. I did not cry. I did not regret! It will take others time to accept my choice, but I did this for myself, and when I have daughters…for them too!
For me making the transition over to all natural products came with time. I gradually noticed how well my skin responded to products that didn’t possess tons of chemicals, so I made the commitment to do my best to avoid non-all natural products. As a result, the skin along my temples and forehead seize to suffer from “hair grease” irritation and even my eczema began to clear up. But that came from drinking plenty of water, watching my eating habits and most importantly, fragrance and dye free washing detergent. I love the lifestyle and everything it represents and I recommend natural products over chemically synthetic ones. The one issue that I do have being a man of color who opts for an organic existence is the lack of product variety. I have to be extremely proactive when looking for legitimate natural products that agree with my skin’s PH balance. I simply wish I would have discovered this way of life sooner.
1. Why did you want to go natural?
I hate getting a relaxer. I hate the entire process: going to the shop, sitting around waiting, getting the relaxer put in, sitting under the dryer. Ugh, I just hate wasting an entire day getting my hair done by some who may or may not know what they’re doing. I hate having to sign a waiver to get my hair relaxed. If I have to sign a waiver, it can’t possibly be good for me.
2. When did you have your first perm?
I don’t remember. I think I was about 2, maybe 4. Really way to young either way.
3. When did you have your last perm?
About 6 months ago.
4. Is this your first try at transitioning?
Yes.
5. How long did/will you transition?
I’d like to go a year, but I’ll probably go longer. I want to have some length before I BC. I have a really large misshapen head.
6. What is/was your biggest challenge during transitioning?
I have no idea what my true texture is. No idea. So finding what works and doesn’t work is very difficult. Its like trying to bake a cake without any instructions. I know tI know what I need, but I don’t know exactly how to put it together.
7. Are you/did you to BC? When?
I’ll BC when I get to a length I’m happy with. Probably jawbone length.
8. What styles are you wearing?
Bantu knot outs are an easy style, when I’m trying to look cute. I’m really not trying to be stylish right now, I’m focusing more on strengthening my hair. So I mostly just pull it back.
9. What products do you like the most?
Coconut Oil! My hair loves that stuff!
10. Are you happy with the change?
Its a work in progress. I’m not happy dealing with two textures. But I know that I have to suffer for rewards later. Some days, I’m happier than others. When I touch my new growth and I feel those little coils, I’m very very happy.
Wow! Nicole! This is a great response. you have a positive take on the entire process; slow, and steady with challenges as well as uplifting breakthroughs. i love your comment at the end about how you love the little coils! I love mine too!
1. I went natural because I was tired of damaging my hair with relaxers. My hair was constantly breaking and getting thinner with each relaxer touch-up.
2. First perm-age 11
3. Last perm-October 2008
4. I transitoned twice. The first time was in 1998, the second time in 2008.
5. I transitioned for one year the first time. The second time I transitioned with loc extensions and cut the extensions as my natural locs grew. I did this for 14 months until all the extensions were gone.
6. The first transition was hard because of the difference in texture between my natural vs. relaxed hair. Second transition was easier because of the extensions.
7. Never did the BC
8. I have natural locs now that are about 6-7 inches long and growing.
9. I like coconut oil and oil sheen sprays.
10. Love my locs! Will never relax again!
GREAT Comments Sheri! Thank you for your input!
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1. Why did you want to go natural?
I didn’t see the point of the perm anymore. my hair had changed colour from black to dark brown, me edges were shorter than the rest of my hair (i used to have theses really long edges). my hair was hard, brittle,weak and i got tired of the whole thing
2. When did you have your first perm?
when i was a kid, at 6 and at 10,my mom grew them out for me.the one i remember was when i was 19
3. When did you have your last perm?
December 21 2009
4. Is this your first try at transitioning
i have never really transitioned (i dont count the times when i was a kid), that would have been my first time), but i have been a stretcher of relaxers
5. How long did/will you transition?
5months
6. What is/was your biggest challenge during transitioning?
dealing with the two textures
7. Are you/did you to BC? When?
yes i did – 30th May 2010
8. What styles are you wearing?
Twists and twist outs, braids with extensions
9. What products do you like the most?
EVOO,EVCO and lots of VO5 conditioner
10. Are you happy with the change?
LOVE IT! my hair is now CBL, and a serious attention grabber
Naomi!
Thanks so much for taking the time to write about your journey to natural hair life! What is CBL?
Sorry, collarbone Length
ok. That is great!