Growing up, I really only remember having relaxed hair. This is because when I was about 6 years old, my mom had my hair relaxed. She explained to me that my head of hair was so thick and full that she would have combs break in it while she tried to do my hair. After several sessions like these, which at times would lead to tears, she made the decision to make my hair more maneagable. This is when relaxers entered the scene.
So we’ll just say right now that I’m one of those types of people who seek to change things ALL THE TIME, so throughout the years, my hair became one of them. When I entered highschool, I started chopping off my hair (which had been mid-back) and coloring it from reddish brown to nearly blonde (yikes..i know!) . Take that multiplied by 100 and that was my hair story throughout college. My hair was truly taking a beating but it didn’t really start to show until this past school year as I started graduate school. My ends were breaking off badly and it was actually my mom and my sisters that gave me the inspiration for my next hair move.
See, my mom and sisters had gone completely natural within the past year and definitely had the healthy,shiny hair to prove. So in Fall 09 I decided I would also hop on the bandwagon. My first major mistake though was not really getting all the information I needed to be successful in this journey, so my first transition ended in getting another relaxer after 4 months : ( Second major mistake…making a decision about my hair because of frustration. Immediately after relaxing my hair, I regretted my decision and had to remind myself that sometimes the best things in life take hard work and patience.
See, my mom and sisters had gone completely natural within the past year and definitely had the healthy,shiny hair to prove. So in Fall 09 I decided I would also hop on the bandwagon. My first major mistake though was not really getting all the information I needed to be successful in this journey, so my first transition ended in getting another relaxer after 4 months : ( Second major mistake…making a decision about my hair because of frustration. Immediately after relaxing my hair, I regretted my decision and had to remind myself that sometimes the best things in life take hard work and patience.
This time, I was prepared to do things the right way. I started to talk to some of my friends who were natural and also started watching COUNTLESS videos on YouTube of girls who had taken the journey before me. This then led to me blogs dedicated to natural hair ladies, that provided valuable tips and advice. I now am EXCITED about this journey that I’m on and am learning new ways to take care of my hair every day.
I’ve created this blog to help me document my journey, to share what I’ve learned and also what has been working for me in order to inspire or help someone else on who is on the wonderful journey of…
GOING AU NATURALE : )
Mae 
Pics on my "About Me" page at earthstonemagic.com.
I was wondering has anyone in your blog tried the MyHoneyChild hair product line. The line is a 100% organic hair line. Im pretty much unsure about the the Buttery Soy and I also heard lost of great comments from her website about it. But what do you guys know of the Buttery Soy? The ingredients are:Soy Butter,Soy Nut Oil, Raw Honey, Coconut oil,Vitamin A , Vitamin E, Butter essence oil and purified water. Here is a pic of the product: 
Just an update:
I did my BC on July 22, 2009 and am LOVING IT!!!!
I first saw your videos on youtube and your hair cut is soo beautiful. I am going through the exact same thing except no bc. I cant wait to see how we both progress through out the journey!
I'm growing my hair out before i cut off the relaxed ends but I love your blog and I'll definitely be keeping up with it for sure!
I have been growing my hiar for 3 and a half months now and getting tired. I am ready for the BC. I even have a day set which is my 4 month mark. I cannot wait.
Living in Dallas doesn't help at all so i will keep coming back here for encouragement and tips.
I learned about yoru blog through Facebook when I watched the video for 'good hair' coming out by Chris Rock. Although I grew up with friends of other races (yes, I'm white), I never had any who relaxed there hair. But many moves to different states later I am in the south now. The ladies here do everything and anything to their hair, I'm always in awe of the beautiful styles – but I was shocked to learn how much they go through to get it: relaxesr, weaves, hair pieces. Women will always want a new style, and I think they all look lovely. Thanks for a informative site and fun videos about your on going journey.
I transitioned only for about 3 1/2 months. I'm not sure it was really considered a transition because around the end, I was wearign a wig. I finally grew tired of the relaxed ends and chopped it all off down to the natural this past Friday night. My brother came over and tightened up my TWA for me since he's a barber and I'm loving it. I'm already experimenting with products. Can't wait till I have the money this weekend to pick up a couple more things to show my 'curl'. I was worried about the feedback I'd get, but most seem to love it. I have a couple of friends who are natural with locs, and they've been with me every step of the way.
Started Wearing a TWA May 1st 2009 after a May Day Festival…. and I love it!!! So easy, So Free, So Me
Pics on my "About Me" page at earthstonemagic.com.
I love your story Mae. I actually have the total opposite story. I grew up with totally natural hair until after college. I was an athlete with a college track scholarship who alwatys had nappy hair ( in my opinion) so I decided that upon becoming an adult I wanted to have nice straight hair. For a few years I just bought an FHI iron and kept my hair straight but still natural. The only thing is that I stopped working out because I did not want to sweat out my hair.if my hair sweated out I would have to put more heat in it to straighten it.
After I became more and more unhappy about the changes I was seeing in my body I decided I had to first fix my hair problem. So I got a relaxer which I immediately regretted. My hair still got wet when I worked out and I still had to put heat on once I washed it. I was frustrated so I cut my hair but I kept perming it for a year until my hair strayed breaking. Then I started transitioning and after 7 months of frustration premed my hair again. I went to a natural stylist who gave me good info after all of the headache. She told me that she didn't understand why I even put a relaxer in my hair because she loves my texture. Needless to say she recommended that I wear a full head sew in to get me over the year hump of transitioning. So far I love it and I have now been transitioning for 6 months. I plan to keep wearing sew ins until this time next year then I'll do my "big chop".
I did my big chop 1 hour ago and I have to say I like it….didn't think I would but I do
I transitioned for 6 months and I just had enough
Congrats! @PunkinLPN
I have been transitioning since September and as of last month I have decided to go completely "heat free". My goal is to make it to April or May and then do my BC. I am more excited than scared of getting my hair chopped off thanks to you and all of wonderful natural hair ladies on YouTube. I absolutely love your videos and blog and look foward to what you will come up with this year
I did the big chop today. I'm wearing a hat and my husband has no idea. I've been wearing wigs for a while now and have a true TWA! It's been about 6-8 weeks since my last perm. I'm getting it shaped up tomorrow but I'm excited and ready. This will be my second time going natural and I'm not going back! I'm 30, it's 2010, and it's a new season!
You ladies are so inspirational. I've been thinking about going natural for about a year. I've been relaxing my hair every 5-6 weeks for the past 26 years!!! My mother couldn't wait to slap one on me at the age of 4. BUT…I had my last relaxer in November! After getting a quarter sized bald spot in my head in September from a relaxer that was too strong, I swore I would never relax again and then I did it again. UGH! I was so mad at myself. I'm not sure how long I'll stretch before the BC. I'm just trying to learn now and take it one day at a time.
Mae – love your site and your videos! You are absolutely stunning with your natural! Gone Girl!
I did my BC in Jan 09 after my hair fell out from an illness. Your videos,blogs and recommendations to other blogs/videos have been wonderful to help me learn to care for my beautiful mane of natural hair. Thanks and your hair gets more beautiful each time I see a new video. Godspeed Mae!
Hey Nicole,
This is Tracey from Seabrook. Duane's wife. So awesome to follow your blog. It is right on time as I'm transitioning to natural hair. I haven't had my hair relaxed since July 2009 and I'm debating on whether or not to do the big chop. I've been going to a dominican salon and they are fabulous but just wonder if I'm prolonging the obvious – the big chop.
Hi NikkiMae, I just have 2 tell u my story. One year ago, on Feb 15,2009. I really wanted to be natural, not just in my hair but my life. What do u mean by that u say…Well, I went and learned how 2 become a vegan, how 2 recycle and so much more. So, by June 15,09 I was 4mons into my transition. However, I week later, I went and relaxed my hair. So, I gave myself a 2nd go. This time I transitioned for about another 4mons. Again, I went and relaxed my hair. I was like…ok… I'll try One More Time. And I did! I went and did another 4mons again. On Feb 15,10. I went to the salon and cut off the relaxed ends. I just loved it. I stared @ myself for hrs in the salon. Now here's where my story is different then others. My family and friends hated my hair. They made fun of me and criticized me so badly for one whole day, that I immediately went and relaxed my hair. After I did, I looked at my self in the mirror and cried for hrs. I couldn't believe that after all that hard work and just the most beautiful hair in the world. I told my husband that he hurt me and he listened. He told me that he will cut all my hair off for me if that's what I want. I told him that I will in 3weeks…the day b4 my B-Day. In a few weeks I'll have a TWA. I can't wait!!!!!!!! So, Girls please hear my story and support all ladies who r going natural. Bcuz it can be a scary place 2 b sum times when ur all alone.
Girl, you are just as cute as you can be. I was singing along to a song you played on the bass. You are so talented and I am encouraged by how you use your talents…or…that you use them! It encourages me to do whatever I know how to do.
Hello everyone. I did my bc on March 9, 2010 and I had my last relaxer in Sept. of 09. I was trying to grow out my relaxer for a year and then do the bc. I just woke up that morning and decided that I was tired of taking care of relaxed hair and my natural hair. I was ready to be FREE. After the stylist cut my relaxed ends off and shaped up my TWA, she let me look in the mirror, and I felt so good. My twelve year old daughter was also with me for my big change and she loved it. I have had a relaxed hair all my life as long as I remember and I wish that I would have done this five years ago but was scared of the reactions of other people. Yes, I had very long hair but it was relaxed and not me. It was time for me to love what GOD gave me because we are beautiful.
Hello Mae,
What a wonderful time to find your blog. I just watched a segment of Tyra Banks that made me cry and I blogged about here
http://www.homeofficemommy.com/1/post/2010/04/tyra-talks-about-being-black-and-beautifiul.html
Now finding your site has me ready to talk to my image consultant about going natural. Not sure what this is about so I'll keep looking for more of your thoughts. Thanks so much!
Believe well!
Adelaide Zindler
http://www.HomeOfficeMommy.com
hey, Im loving the blog so far. I'm considering going natural at this moment…my hair kinda hasnt grown past a certain point in a while so I think going natural will change that!
Hello Mae,
I was wondering has anyone in your blog tried the MyHoneyChild hair product line. The line is a 100% organic hair line. Im pretty much unsure about the the Buttery Soy and I also heard lost of great comments from her website about it. But what do you guys know of the Buttery Soy? The ingredients are:Soy Butter,Soy Nut Oil, Raw Honey, Coconut oil,Vitamin A , Vitamin E, Butter essence oil and purified water. Here is a pic of the product: http://www.myhoneychild.com/inc/sdetail/211
This Nappiswetpea84 from youtube. I love hair and how far its grown.
Happy growings,
Pierta aka (nappiswetpea84)
Stumbled on your blog today and all I can say is WOW!! I'v been toying with the idea of going natural for a while but always chickened out cos I felt it would cost too much…financially and time wise. I'm a gradute student and never seem to have time for myself!
Thanks for showing me it can be done:)
Cheers
hi.. someone just told me about your blog and i have to say i absolutely love it.. i just started transitioning, my last relaxer was February 28th… i have really long hair but i'm not ready for a BC yet… does anyone have a salon recommendations for natural hair/transition in Brooklyn, NY?
thanks
You're an inspiration! I'm almost two years fully natural and have relied on weaves to get me through the transition. I'm on a journey to grow my natural, afro textured hair to mid back length! I love your blog and will follow your journey closely.
Thank You for sharing your natural hair journey! After 20 years of relaxing my hair I decided to go natural. In Feb. 2009 when it came time for my next relaxer touch up and seeing my new growth I began to wonder what my true hair texture was like. The new growth seemed to be kind of wavy. Since I really couldn't afford to get my relaxer touched up I started doing research online about how to transition to natural. I've had shoulder length hair most of my life so the thought of doing the BIG CHOP scared me. I decided I would transition for a year thinking that by that time I'd have a good amount of hair before I made to "cut". Needless to say it was quite a struggle. After 11 months I couldn't fight with the two textures anymore. I finally cut off my relaxed ends. I did my big chop in Jan. of this year! When I washed my natural hair for the 1st time I had no idea that I'm a CURLY girl!! It was funny to watch the spiral, cork screw curls that emerged when the water hit my hair! I've only straightened my hair a couple of times since I've been completely natural and it seems harder to maintain straightened hair than it is when it's curly. I love getting up and spraying my homemade spritzes in my hair and leaving out. I feel like you about wanting to use more organic and natural things in all aspects of your life. Since going natural I try to buy all natural hair and body products. I've even decided to go GREEN by recycling when I can as well as using green cleaning products at home! I must say I love the Natural Community I've found on the internet. You guys inspite so many women and the info you provide us with is so valuable. Thank again!
your story if very inspiring and it shows women that ANYONE can go natural and having healthy, easy to manage natural hair is achievable. Thank you for everything you've contributed to the Natural hair community Mae!
i love watching ur natural videos, it gas inspried me to take care of my hair and let it grow natural!
Hi! I just stumbled across your videos on youtube and that was incredibly helpful. I started transitioning to natural about 2 months ago and have been doing a lot of research because my hair was dry because I dance a lot so perspiration was my enemy! Thanks for posting these-it gave me some ideas so we will see how this goes! Thanks a ton!
I have been transitioning for about 5 months now and I'm totally frustrated. It's difficult to find a style that we "weather" the southern humidity so by the end of the day, I have a 'fro buried under permed hair. I'm not ready for the BC yet but one issue I am having is that the front of my hair is totally straight. Like a new perm. I have no idea what's going on but it doesn't match the texture of the rest of my head. Any tips or suggestions on what to do about this?
I just did my bc chop July 17, 2010. I must say I am trying to get used to my new look and I really do like it. Since my hair is natural I am really learning how to love my hair and used the products that best bring my hair to its peek. The YOUTUBE Family has been a huge support team for me and I am very grateful for that. Once again thank you! I"m loving it.
I want to tell you my story.i used to have natural straight but then puberty hit me and my change to curly hair.i was excited i got curly hair.i am an arab and living in south east asia is kind of hard because most people have straight hair.when i was 14 year old i straightened my hair.when i was 15 i was tired having straight hair and wanted to go natural.when i had my big bc i was happy and also afraid that i was not going to feed in in school.my biggest nightmare came true i was laugh and being watched by everyone in school . however i think i being more me than ever before and i am happy to have big curly hair
When I began my transition back in August of 2003, I had no information about being natural. There was no Youtube as far as I know of, no Facebook, so I just had to improvise. For six years I have been natural but have made mistakes of using harsh permanent hair color(bleach, red, blond). I have had no permanent dye in my hair for two years now, and now I know that if I want to color my hair I should use a rinse or henna. In the past 6 months through Facebook and Youtube, I have received so much info about natural oils, terms, and styles that have known nothing about my entire natural journey. I would always just wear my hair in one big puff, or blow it out and wear a low puff, curly afro, or occasionally straighten it, and that was it for my styles. Youtube has opened an entire vault for me and far as versatile hair styles. Women now who are interested in going natural have so much information and tutorials that I didn't have when I started, so I believe they should take advantage of that;0
Hello,
I have recently decided to go natural. I have had used relaxers since i was 7 years old and now I'm at the point of giving the relaxers up. I told my family that i am going natural and some of them said ok and some didn't believe me. Hair is hair to me and I'm willing to go through this process cause i forgot how my natural hair is and i would like to discover it again. All of these different stories or journeys to getting natural hair has really incourage me to go through with this process.
Well I did the BC on May 1st 2010 and I like it. I still had some perm in the front. I did a slight butchering to my hair last friday, 7/23/10 so that i could use kinky-curly. I love the way that curls my hair. my hair seems almost straight sortof when I use that. I had a curly perm before and when I use K-C it is almost reminiscent of that. I am wondering now why I had that stupid perm for ALL those years. Today I am just showing the waves w/a headband, but wow, I have pretty nice hair, why was I hiding it?
Today, in just a few hours I am going for my Big Chop!!
Transitioned now for 4 months, and I feel completely ready for the new beginning!
Wish me luck!!
Keeli
I watched most of your videos and its jus so inspiring
ive had weaves, cornrows you name it and to top it all off with endless counts of relaxers I vowed to myself I would never relax my hair ever again because I didnt like the fact that chemicals where in my hair however I was pursuaded in short
I want to do the BC ive been thinking about it lately and Ive noticed the texture of my hair is gone :S
Just want to let you women know natural is so HOT! I have daughters and I have seen my girls play with dolls throughtout the years and develop what could be perceived as unhealthy hair image desires. Recently I reconnected with someone who has locks and my daughters went wild over the fact that a African American woman can have long natural hair that looked good. They now want locks because a woman powerfully demonstrated natural beauty in an uncompromising manner. Wow I just got a chill thinking about how HOT she LOOKS!!! LOL
I got my last relaxer January 23, 2010. I then decided to try the natural journey again. My first attempt was in 2008, but I chickened out due to lack of information on how to transition. Fast forward to this year, and I completed the big chop on August 1, 2010. I refused to let anyone else do it because of my love/hate relationship with my hair for over 4 decades. I had been transitioning with braids since May. I am currently wearing kinky twists until I get a few more inches of growth. I felt so liberated cutting my hair. Even my husban thinks its sexy. He wants me to cut it off more. I am not that liberated though. The whole time I was cutting my hair off, I heard India.Arie's song "I Am Not My Hair". I look forward to my journey and am thankful for the wealth of information on products and styles to keep me looking good.