Two Years Natural

So its official I’ve been natural for two whole years. It feel like yesterday when I just decided to transition and grow my relaxed hair out. Sometimes the transition was tough, especially on those days when the roller set just didn’t look super cute or when I flattened my hair while sleeping on it. As much as I love my hair to look good, I will not sacrifice my rest for it!

My big chop after nine months of transitioning.

I also went through a traumatic, bout of seborrheic dermatitis last year that resulted in hair loss in the front of my head because I tried to treat it myself. The good news on that front is that my hair is resilient and is not holding any grudges. ;-) It’s growing back and I can’t even tell where the loss happened, except for the shorter hairs.

Today - two years of curliness, rocking a stretched twistout.

Now I’m looking forward to many years of natural glory and springy curls with personality. I guess what I’ve learned so far is that you have to take care of yourself, pay attention to the needs of your body and hair and most of all be proud of everything that makes you unique.

Where are you at in your journey? What has it been like for you?

 

Blessings and Curls,

B-Curlie

 

 

 

Featured Curlie - Bridget

Name:
Bridget, but better known as simply Bee :) from '83 To Infinity

Hometown:
London, ON (shout out to my fellow UWO Mustangs!)

First year of curlieness:
After transitioning for a year, I finally started rocking my curls in August 2008.

Bee when she was relaxed

Why I went curlie:
I had been lucky all my life to have a healthy head of hair. I started begging for a relaxer when I didn't understand why my hair wasn't like my classmates', and Mom finally obliged me when I was 12. In the 10+ years that followed, I thought my hair was indestructible. Through routine relaxers and indulging in different hair colours, I took great care of my hair and it seemed to flourish...until one day when I realized that my hair was breaking off and not growing back. I remember looking at one woman's pitiful, scraped-back, thin ponytail...and realized my hair looked JUST LIKE THAT. I ended up looking back at photos of my thick, healthy natural hair and started investigating how I could get back to that. 

Bee after her big chop

Regime and products: When I first started wearing my hair naturally, I tried almost any and every product under the sun..name the brand and I tried it. For my hair and lifestyle, I've now found that simpler is better. 

Bee in all her curly glory

I co-wash/detangle about every two weeks with Herbal Essences Hello Hydration, then usually set my hair in 10-20 twists using a mix of shea butter and jojoba oil. I either leave them in for a few days, or undo them once dry. For a leave-in or to refresh my curls, I use a bit of water and either my Hello Hydration or coconut oil. When I feel my hair needs it (I'm terrible at forced schedules), I deep condition with Elasta QP's DPR-11, and mix it with honey, EVOO, and jojoba oil.

Right now, I'm addicted to Oyin Handmade's Burnt Sugar Pomade, which I use or everything from twisting, to slicking down edges, to smoothing my hair when pulling it into a bun. I try other products here and there, but I'm trying to keep it simple these days :)


The best part of being curlie for me is:
The versatility! All I knew of my natural hair before was the plaits my mom would put in them, and the single braids I would get done for a treat every now and then. Had I known what my hair was capable of then, I probably never would have relaxed. Wet sets, dry sets, Bantu knots, twists, braids, flat irons...everything gives me a different look, and my hair is the healthiest it's ever been!

My Hair Journey ... so far

So I’ve finally gotten my act together and gathered a few pics of my transition to present day living in happy curly land to show you guys.

Looking at these pics really made me see how far I’ve really come and it makes me feel proud that I stuck it out. Tell me what you think.