Chicas, meet Alysa, who is currently transitioning!
I have been transitioning since May 2009.
What prompted you to make the change?
I have two girlfriends of mine that started making the transition about a year ago and my sister that transitioned for a year. They all told me about their hair breaking off because of using all types of chemicals on it to make their hair "not nappy;" They began to embrace their natural hair and take care of it too. I was inspired by them, but so afraid of letting go of what I have known for the last 17 years I've had relaxers. I had to decide for myself what it meant to me to began my transition. I re-connected back to when I was a little girl, before the creamy-crack hit my hair. I was so happy and loved my curls! I want that feeling back. I want to reclaim my hair and not let society dictate to me how I should show off my beauty!
Did you have any stereotypes about natural hair or those with natural hair beforehand?
Yes, I did.
If so, what were some of them and has your viewpoint
changed?
Some of them were that women with natural hair did not take care of their hair, that all women's hair would grow looking exactly alike, and that there were no diverse styles. And YES! My viewpoint dramatically changed after watching tons of youtube videos, seeing what my friends and sister did to their natural hair.
Do you feel that anything changed in your life (i.e. Boost in confidence) when you started transitioning?
Do you feel that anything changed in your life (i.e. Boost in confidence) when you started transitioning?
Girl YES! I immediately felt more in control, more confident in my choices more willing to put myself out there and take risks, and especially when people would make comments about how beautiful my hair was/is (I'm still transitioning and sometimes I wear my hair straight, but it's super thick at the roots) I would tell them "Thanks, but guess what! I'm transitioning to natural hair." And no matter their reaction.... good, bad, or even down right ugly.... I did not care. I just enlightened them on something they didn't know or maybe have been curious about.
How are you caring for your hair during your transition process (styles...products you used, etc.) ?
Well, first I used youtube to see what other naturals were using on their hair, talked to my girls to see and actually feel the products in my hair, and went through my own stash to see what I had. Thank goodness my mom is a chemist because she explained to me all those ingredients that are not good at all for our hair, whether we are natural or relaxed. I got cornrows from one of my natural friends a month & 3 weeks out from my last perm, let me tell you.... My hair grew so much! I really had to start finding products that would work with my transitioning hair so I would not get a lot of breakage. I have been using a mixture of shea butter, cocoa butter, deep conditioners, less heat on my hair, flat twists & braid outs, and I plan on getting kinky twists in mid October:)
What do you love most about transitioning?
I love that I am doing something for myself that is bigger than my hair. What I mean by that is basically everything I have said. Making my own choices about how I want to look and feel. But, what I love most is the self-confidence I have!
I would tell them to do research before they decide going natural and to make sure that they meditate on what it would mean to them to go natural. I also would tell them that they are going to learn a lot about themselves through the process, meet tons of great people, and have support all during the transition:)
Any sites where we can keep up with your journey: YouTube, fotki album, any other picture sharing site...etc.
Yes:) absolutely! honeyeddiva.blogspot.com, www.youtube.com/alize2685, and through facebook (Alysa Jasmin Harkness)
Note: To ladies who are transitioning, Alysa shared some great info so take notes!
Thanks Alysa : )
