MEET CHRYSTINA!
I started transitioning in September of 2008. I finally did my BC in May 2009, and I HATED it. I looked in the mirror and couldn't believe I had chopped all of my hair off. Although my permed hair was fried, dried and tried, I wanted to hold onto it for a little while longer. So after the BC, I quickly dropped some braids in that joint and then kept on putting in the weaves until I decided that it was time to show the world my true self. I decided to rock my natural tresses on September 5, 2009. I wanted to test it out at our family Labor Day BBQ and I got rave reviews! LOL. My aunts were shocked at what I had done, but they like the "curliness" and my cousins all said they like how I looked. I must admit, that gave me a bit of a confidence boost, so I decided to wear it from there on out, and the first day back to school, people I didnt even know were complimenting me on my hair! I then wished I would have done it sooner!
Did you have any stereotypes about natural hair or those with natural hair beforehand? If so, what were some of them and has your viewpoint changed?
I thought natural hair would be too puffy and/or nappy and hard to manage. A friend of mine even told me to not do it because she hated the experience of dry, nappy and tangled hair. I contemplated going back to the creamy crack, until one day, someone suggested Natural Chica's Fan Page to me on Facebook. That's when my eyes were opened to the true beauty of natural hair and even found out a million and one ways to take care of my hair. I went to the store the next night and bought a few items (shea butter, aloe gel, a few (Essential Oils) EO's and castile soap) and prepared myself to show the world what God had given me. After more researching and reading, I found out that natural hair is easier to manage than permed hair, and also lighter on my pockets because I didn't have to worry about going to a hairdresser twice a month and purchasing expensive weaves to sew in.
The worse thing I've heard though is that natural hair is ugly and makes a person less attractive (I heard this from my own mother). She ranted about the purpose of a perm and reason it was invented and so on and so forth. If I explain her reasoning, I would be writing you a dissertation! LOL. But lets just say that she is now my biggest natural haired fan!!!
The worse thing I've heard though is that natural hair is ugly and makes a person less attractive (I heard this from my own mother). She ranted about the purpose of a perm and reason it was invented and so on and so forth. If I explain her reasoning, I would be writing you a dissertation! LOL. But lets just say that she is now my biggest natural haired fan!!!
Do you feel that anything changed in your life (i.e. Boost in confidence) when you became all natural/started transitioning?
Oh my!!! My confidence has grown tremendously in these last two weeks! I can imaigne myself later on through the years. I've even gotten a few glances from a few prospective men...LOL. But seriously, I feel like people see what they get when they look at me: a woman who is comfortable with herself.
If you went through/going through a transition process, how did you care for your hair during that process (styles...products you used, etc.) ?
While I transitioned, I kept in braids and weaves and co-washed whenever I remembered. I didnt know much about hairstyles, and those were the most convenient for me at the time.
What do you love most about being natural/transitioning?
I have too much that I love!! I love not running in the rain for fear of ruining my freshly permed and/or styled hair. I love that even if I am having a bad hair day, I am the only one who knows it, I love the money that stays on pocket because I am not handing it over to hairdressers or beauty supply owners, I love my unique look with my unique kinks!! Theres' too much and I am getting excited just thinking about them all.
What words would you leave with someone who is thinking about going natural?
I would tell them to just do it. The only person holding yourself back from this experience is yourself. Dont worry about what people may (or may not) say about your decision because in the long run, they will be content with whatever decision you made...they have no choice. Give yourself the gift that God gave you, and show the world your natural beauty!
Any sites where we can keep up with your journey: YouTube, fotki album, any other picture sharing site...etc.
I am blogging at naturallyfreenaturallyme.blogspot.com. It is not a hair journey, per se, but somewhere where I can document how I am feeling that day. It may be about love one day, natural hair the next with a few pics as to how I am rocking my fro for the day. I am also going to start putting up a few poems I have written throughout the years. So visit me today and FOLLOW!
