How would you best describe your hair?
Naturally Coily
What is your hair type?
3c / 4a
What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?
I didn’t get to experience textured hair growing up. My mother relaxed my hair at a very young age and that is the way it always was. I was always told I had long beautiful hair, so that’s the way I thought it was suppose to be. I had no clue of what “Natural” or “Textured” hair was until about 6-7 years ago.
What made you decide to embrace your naturally coily hair?
Word of mouth. Coming from Waco and moving to Houston is what truly inspired me. Not many people in Waco were natural, and in Houston it seemed like every other black woman was natural. I decided to spread out my relaxers to once every 4-6 months since they were so damaging and people began to ask if I was natural, and were suggesting for me to go natural. After much research I decided to transition to natural. Best decision I ever made!
How have your family, friends and co-workers reacted? What was your response to them?
I would say it was 50/50. Those who were knowledgeable of the natural process thought it was great. Those who were not familiar were curious or did not like it. My response was to trust the process, once my natural hair began to grow I inspired so many family and friends including my mom and sister.
How did you transition to wearing your natural texture?
I wore sew-ins mostly until I felt comfortable styling my transitioned hair with products that worked for me.
What is your current hair regimen?
My hair regimen is to wash and deep condition on the weekends and wear my braid out for the week. On the first day my braidout is super defined, but as the week goes by my hair gains more volume which I love!!! I use [Camille Rose Styling Cream](https://shop.naturallycurly.com/camille-rose-naturals-aloe-whipped-butter-gel-8-oz/”> for my braidout and use SheaMoisture products to shampoo, condition and deep condition.
Are there any techniques or methods that have made a big impact on the way your hair looks?
On the ends of my braids I made sure to finger twirl a little more than an inch of unbraided hair or I use rods on the ends of my braids. The key to long lasting braidouts or twistouts is leave-in conditioner. I use Giovanni direct leave-in conditioner.
Any advice you’d like to give other women who may be in the transition phase or need some encouragement in their hair journey?
DO NOT GIVE UP!!! When you have come to a point where you want to give up think about the results you will have with your hair. And do not transition for too long, once your natural is at least 5-6 inches long I say cut the relaxed hair off and begin your true natural hair journey.
What’s your hair story? Share your story with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.
