Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself...

My name is Vanisia
Where are you from: Originally from Warner Robins, Ga...I have been in Gainesville, Fl since undergrad, about 8 years now
What you do: I am a dentist, graduated from dental school last year :-) I have been married for almost a year! (May 30th will be one year )
How long you've been natural: My last relaxer was April 8, 2010...so I am a baby I plan on a long transition because I am so use to having long hair. I have to have a pony tail as a default, lol
Fav products: None yet, right now i am trying out organix coconut shampoo and conditioner as well as cantu shea butter leave in conditioner. So far, so good, but I am sure I will be trying out many more products in the months to come
Online Album: no, I dont feel like I have enough new growth to start one, but maybe I should start taking pictures now

Hey, I'm Danielle
I've been stuck in Clinton maryland for about 8 years now
and im a soon to be senior in highschool!! and still struggling to find a major...Ive been natural since 6th or 7th grade maybe?? so about 5years and the only consistent product would be 100% raw shea butter mixed with olive oil
that online album is a work in progess =)

My name's Mel, this is my second time transitioning. I tried two years ago, went 7 months, flipped out, relaxed it, and then ended up cutting most of it off in January anyway. So after over a year of relaxing every 4 months, I finally had my last relaxer in March. This time I'm better prepared and very serious. I'm ending my freshman year in art school now, and I'm planning on transferring to another school in Nova Scotia after this upcoming, 2010-11 school year, at which point I plan on BC'ing. Hopefully I'll have enough length by then to make it not so traumatic... I've been cutting away at my hair since march, since I've got about an inch of new growth (I think I've probably cut off two or three inches actually, haha) I'm just really excited to have some healthy, natural hair! I'm so tired of being a hair hypocrite; eating natural and organic things but feeling compelled to put terrible things on my hair, as if it was a loophole. But enough babbling, on to the vitals.

Where are you from: I'm from Silver Spring, MD, but I go to school in Beverly, MA
What you do: full time art student and hair enthusiast
How long you've been natural: I've been transitioning since March of this year
Fav products: right now I only use unrefined shea butter, cold pressed jojoba oil, and organic root stimulator replenishing packs

Where are you from:Washington D.C. but I live with my fam in Columbia, MD.

What you do: inbetween jobs at the moment, dream job: 7th grade Science teacher. Joining the USAF in a couple of months.

How long you've been natural: was natural for about 22 years, cut and creamy cracked it for one year and i honestly missed how my hair was before, so instead of waiting for it to grow and transition, i just did my big cut TODAY [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] . and i'm loving it. im so happy to be natural again.

Fav products: right now, i dont have any. But I do use coconut oil on my hair to keep my scalp for being dry. lol

Hi - I'm Elan and I'm 26 years old from Maryland. I am a Hampton University Alumni and a University of Maryland grad student. Currently I am a graphic designer for the federal government. I got my last relaxer a few weeks ago so I am very new to the game. I'm here to learn all that I can
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Whewww!! I finally made it here [*ah hemm* tiashauntee and NaturalNixon ]!

Where are you from: Originally from SC but live in Raleigh
What you do: Administrator in local government and writer
How long you've been natural: 1 year 4 months
Fav products: SoftSheen Carson Breakthrough Shampoo, Cantu Shea Butter products, Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gel, raw shea butter, CON leave-in conditioners, peppermint/olive/sweet almond oils
Online Album: Fotki link is in siggy

VonAngel wrote:Whewww!! I finally made it here [*ah hemm* tiashauntee and NaturalNixon [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]]!

Where are you from: Originally from SC but live in Raleigh
What you do: Administrator in local government and writer
How long you've been natural: 1 year 4 months
Fav products: SoftSheen Carson Breakthrough Shampoo, Cantu Shea Butter products, Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gel, raw shea butter, CON leave-in conditioners, peppermint/olive/sweet almond oils
Online Album: Fotki link is in siggy

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] YAY VON IS HERE!!!

Name: Martine
Hair
Type: I think I have 4a/4b texture.
Hometown: originally from Haiti but reside in Brooklyn, NY
Occupation:
I just received my Master and I'm hunting for jobs
How long you've been natural:
I have been natural for about 9 months. My last relaxer was in September 2009 and I shaved my head in October 2009.
Fav products: I'm experimenting. In other words, I'm a product junkie. However, I prefer all natural hair products.

4 main reasons why I decided to go natural:
1) maintaining my relaxed hair was getting too expensive
2) scalp was becoming sensitive due to overprocessing
3) got tired of people constantly asking me if it were my hair or if i were mixed
4) wanted to embrace my blackness and always wanted a big fro.

That's more than 4 reasons but oh well...

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Were are you from: St. Louis

What you do: Paralegal

How long you've been natural: BCd 6/10/09; 1 year anniversary coming soon [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Fav products: Beauty By Donna Marie's Lock, Twist & Curl Pudding and the MiraCurl Curling Gelly; EVOO, EVCO and honey

Name: Shanika
Where are you from: I was born in CT and I still live in CT, but I spent a fair amount of my childhood in Jamaica with my grandmother. So I do consider myself Jamaican and American. That black gold and green runs in my veins!
What you do: Registered Nurse
How long you've been natural: 1 year and 4 months and loving EVERY moment. Yes, the moments of frustration too because they're experiences that facilitate learning.
Hair Type: 4a in the front, 4b in the middle and back
Fav products: WATER, Darcy's Botanicals Daily Leave In Conditioner, Oyin Whipped Pudding, EVCO, homemade black soap shampoo, my raw Shea butter mixture, Henna.
Why I went natural:
1. I was tired of the perm burn
2. I got tired of going to the hairdresser all the time
3. I wanted to embrace and fully accept the way God made me.

HI I'm Duchess aka Vee... just wanted to say hello to everyone... I've been kind of a lurker for a while and decided to go ahead and join. YOu ladies here are the inspiration I needed to go on and do my big chop back in February.

I am a 27 year old army brat currently living in the DC metro area and I'm a freelance writer. My last relaxer was in March 2008 and I transitioned for nearly two years before doing the big chop.

I haven't yet found my holy grail products except I know that may hair LOVES olive oil & sweet almond oil mixed together when i do a hot oil treament and shea butter to seal moisture. I do need to find a great deep conditioner so if anyone has any suggestions.... :-) I'm all ears/eyes!!!

I look forward to chatting with you ladies! See you around the forum!

Hi, I am Stacey. I'm from Delaware. I haven't been much on the natural hair boards lately because I've been in grad school. I have recently graduated with an MFA in painting. But, while I was off doing that, I have loved reading nikki's articles in passing. So, I decided to come see what the forum was about.

I have been natural since around October 1999 when I did my first BC down to two inches of new growth. I did another back in 2007 after using a lot of heat on some decent length. I think I only chopped it down to between five and six inches that time. But I have been laying off the heat for styling purposes and I think my fine hair likes it that way. Since I haven't really done a lot of lurking in two years, I don't know what the best practices are for hair anymore. But, while in school I did find that my hair likes alba leave-leave in conditioner (actually it loves this stuff!), earthly delights conditioner, earthly delights hair growth stimulator pomade (not really a stimulator per se, but it's a great sealer and good for shine), and henna for covering the little flecks I see coming up and as a natural strengthener.

My album probably needs to be updated by now, lol!

http://picasaweb.google.com/thenattyblog
http://www.thenattyblog.blogspot.com

Hello ladies my name is Natalie and I am from Barbados. I have been natural for about 9mths now.. I work at a Paediatric Office and I love it.
my fav products right now are Cantu shea butter daily moisturiser, shea butter and hello hydration (simply love the smell)

I've never seen so many natural beauties in my life! Around here, it's pretty much a contest to see who can fit the most weave and other stuff in their hair!!

Anywho, my name is GiGi. I'm 21, and I live in Toledo, Ohio. I'm originally from Cleveland, OH {relocated for school}. I'll be graduating with my BA in Psychology this Fall. I work as a Sales Associate at Torrid {shout out to my plus-sized & curvy beauties!} and I've been transitioning for almost a year now. I have a little less than an inch of relaxed hair left, though. I decided to go natural after 1) looking at some old pics and finding one of me at age 5, pre-relaxer and 2) realizing that I was sweeping an unhealthy amount of hair up from my bathroom floor every other day! I never had the guts to BC, and I pretty much wear roller sets faithfully, but I am very interested in learning more about my hair, and how to take care of it and bring out it's natural beauty! So far, my favorite products have been the Pantene R&N shampoo and conditioner, and Motions foam wrap/set lotion...but now that I've found this site, my eyes are opened to new products. Today I treated myself to some new goodies...so I'm anxious to get home from work t try them out!

Hola ladies!! Welcome!! Have fun here!! Don't forget to check out the Meet Up Thread for you area!!

Hi ladies! I have been a lurker for a while and have finally decided to post. I am quite new to this, but I am very inspired by ya'll, so...here goes.

I am from Atlanta (Decatur), but live in Montgomery, AL, and I am an Accountant. I was first relaxed at age 8 (I thought 5, but my mom just recently told me it was 8 ) My last relaxer was April 19, 2010. My daughter is 3 and it has been an enjoyable experience to learn to care for her hair. That is the main reason that I have decided to go natural. (BTW...I am a hair freak!!) I have had a couple people tell me recently that I missed my calling, because all I talk about is hair, and how to care for it, etc. Maybe one day I will pursue that! WHO KNOWS! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] I plan to be a long term transitioner. Hopefully I can last long enough for my hair to reach shoulder length, which is where it is now. My favorite products (from doing my daughter's hair) are unrefined shea butter, olive oil, water. They seem to work on my hair too! I also tried the HEHH as a deep conditioner mixed with shea butter and evoo, and it worked wonders!

I look forward to learning new things from ya'll! THANKS! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Where are you from: I'm originally from Alabama, but I've been living in Texas for the past two years.

What you do: I'm a future student.

How long you've been natural: For a week. I transitioned for 5 months before getting annoyed and then on a whim, I just chopped it off. I wasn't so happy about it at first. But I completely love it now.

Fav products: Right now I don't have a favorite product, I'm currently searching for good staples on my college girl budget.

Online Album: I don't have one. :O

Name: Ashley
Where are you from: Born in Dominica(nature isle not republic) spent most of my life in TX but i still rep D/ca
What
you do: I'm a wife and student
How long you've been
natural: I've been transitioning since March
Hair Type: i think i will be a 4a/4b girl
Fav products: EVOO, EVCO, Shea Butter Glycrine
Why
I went natural:
1. I was never the one that like the perm game
2. I usually kept my hair in braids or ponys so i only permed every 5-6mths i finally realized that i dont even need one lol
3. I wanted to actually get a chance to see my "real hair" i got a perm at 5 and have no memories or pics of my natural hair

Hi Ladies! I've been lurking around close to a year now but never actually joined or posted. So I'm a newbie..

Name: Aneatra
Where are you from: I'm from Philly but I've been living in Baltimore County MD for the last 10 years
What do you do: I'm a Registered Nurse working with adults with Leukemia/Lymphoma and Bone Marrow Transplants
How long you've been nautral: I BC on 5/9/2010 - so a few weeks! (the day I took my profile pic!)
Hair Type: Not really sure. Mostly 4A (I guess) with a little 3C on top.
Fav Product: I don't really have any yet. My hair loves, loves, LOVES oils - Fig, Shea Butter, Olive. I also like Garnier Frutis Triple Nutrient Spray (smells nice, moisturizes nice), Miss Jessie's Baby ButterCreme for my little curlie q and Curly Pudding for me (both rather pricey - looking for alternatives).
Why I went Natural: I had my daughter in Feb 2008 and didn't perm my hair the entire time I was pregnant. When she was 8 weeks old I permed my hair again because it was unmanagable with a newborn. I immediately regretted it. I transitioned for about 1 year before I cut the dead hair off. Other reasons:
1. I grew tired of having to perm my hair every 4 weeks if I wanted to run a comb through it.
2. I hate hair salons ( in there ALL DAY smelling burning hair)
3. I love managing my daughter's curlie head and figured I could do the same.
4. I saw pictures of myself as a child and I had beautiful thick long natural hair - I want that again. My mom says she regrets putting a perm in my head @ 11.

Name: Tiara
Where are you from: Baltimore, Md now living in PG Co
What
you do: Recently Unemployed
How long you've been
natural: I got my last perm in April 06. I transitioned for almost a year. Now I'm 4 years in and couldn't be happier.
Hair Type: I'm not 100% sure but I'd say a 4b
Fav products: EVOO, Afiya Products, Curls Clarifying Shampoo, ACV Co wash,
Why
I went natural:
1. I just wanted to know what my hair texture was like with out perms. I figured if I didn't like it I could always just get a perm no biggie. Since I didn't BC 'just getting a perm' wasn't that simple because I had invested so much time into the transitioning process. One night I got my ls to cut the perm out and I've been enjoying it ever since.

I admit, I've been lurking. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] lol I've been watching & enjoying the videos and reading blog entries here for quite a while and finally decided to join the forum.
Where are you from: Brooklyn NY, grew up in Fayetteville, NC now residing in South Jersey, near Trenton
What you do: I'm a mommy, a cosmetologist, and an amateur photographer
How long you've been natural: I havent had a relaxer since the end of 08 (around September)...but had braids in since...so I'm just now getting used to actually doing more with my natural hair than hiding under braids [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Fav products: Organic Olive Oil Products are my favorite. I use all their products on my three girls and myself
Online Album: I dont have one but plan to start one soon

I have been lurking for a few days....So finally...HI LADIES!
Where
are you from: Chicagoland-Moving from Chicago to a south suburb in a few days
What you do: Recently unemployed from a large software development company I wear a lot of hats..I design websites, I have a model management company here in Chicago, I started my own magazine, and I will be shooting models when I set up in my new place
How
long you've been natural: I have been natural since about December, I was wearing wigs, then got cornrows last month and now I am TWA-ing it
Fav
products: Virgin Olive Oil, NuGro..but since I am really new to wanting to be natural, I'm in a testing stage
Online
Album: I dont have one yet...But I'll be blogging soon

Hey Ladies!
Where are you from: I'm from Orange, NJ, now residing in Toronto, Canada.
What do you do?: Currently I am a Pharmacological Assistant in the Systemic Clinical Drug Treatment Program at a major Cancer Center here in Ontario (say that 5 times fast..lol)
How Long have you been natural? I have just celebrated my one year nappiversary on June 5. I stumpled upon my naturalness. After a perm gone wrong in January 2009, i was DONE. I cut my hair off straight ceasar syle, I was rocking some SERIOUS waves.. MUCH to my husband's chagrin. I was never afraid of short hair. It's all about attitude and I freaked it.
FAV Products: Aussie Moist Conditioner, 100% Aloe Vera Gel, Pure Coconut Oil, EVoo, Afroveda totally twisted Ginger and PUR whipped hair gelly. I love Afroveda. Their stuff is The Bomb dot com.

Where are you from: Ferriday, La (very small town in northeastern L'siana)
What you do: I am a recent college grad (geaux (LSU) tigers!)...headed to grad school
How long you've been natural: since April 2, 2010--transitioned 7 months before then
Fav products: So far...HEHH, EVOO, & Pantene Relaxed & Natural Breakage Defense Deep Conditioning Mask
Online Album: http://public.fotki.com/hopefulcurls/