Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself...

Hello everyone! I've submitted a few articles to the blog, but I haven't really been active here on the forum so I thought I'd introduce myself.

Where are you from: I'm a Cali girl, born & raised, but I currently reside in Memphis
What you do: Stay at home/ homeschool mom
How long you've been natural: 5 years
Fav products: 100% Coconut Oil, Black Soap & ORS Lock and Twist Gel
Online Album: www.natural-ness.com, My Journey Through the Lengths

Hello ladies!

Where are you from: Beaufort, SC but I live in the Charleston area of SC now.
What you do: Government contractor
How long you've been natural: Last relaxer August 3, 2010. Big Chop: January 17, 2011
Fav products: Design Essentials Natural line/Kinky Curly

Welcome Ladies to the most amazing community!! You will have so much fun!!!

The Raw Twinkie wrote:Welcome Ladies to the most amazing community!! You will have so much fun!!!

Thank you! I'm enjoying myself so far!

Hello Ladies!

Wow, I have seen some beautiful hair on this site...I love it, so inspiring!! I am newly natural and new to CN.

Beaumont, Texas (between Houston and Louisiana), lived in Nashville, TN, Jacksonville, FL, and Houston...now married and back home.

Teacher/Volleyball Coach

Last relaxer: July 2010...BC'd Sept 17, 2010 (most exhilirating, impulsive moment of my life...I had a Jada from Set it off, Angela from Waiting to Exhale moment...grabbed the scissors and just started cutting as close to the scalp as I could)

I'M FREE!!!

DAMN.......now what?? Quick weave...thas right, covered it up an hour later!!

I haven't been natural long enough to have any favorites...so many suggestions out there. My new obsession is YouTube and CN! I'm trying hard not to run out and buy everything I hear about, but how else do I discover what works!! Ahhhh! Who knew going natural would be this hard???

I am on NATURAL HAIR RESEARCH, BOOK, FORUM, VIDEO OVERLOAD...HELP!!! I need an intervention...my name is Kristi, and I'm an addict!!


My BC...my hair is growing so fast, but I have not figured out what works yet.
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Hello Ladies,

I am Webbnflow and I am NEW to this Natural world. I BC'd to a TWA on November 15, 2010 (see, I remember the date even) from 1 1/2 yrs of sew-in extensions. I started wearing the extensions because I had hired a personal trainer to help me lose weight and I was NOT about to waste my money, canceling my workout sessions b/c I had just gotten my hair relaxed or styled. I was also have weird breakage in my crown that I just could not figure out, so the sew-in allowed me some time to let that issue work itself out without having to see it everyday. SO, while I did lose 37 pounds one year later (yay me!), I also got totally addicted to the sew-ins. After I gave myself a deadline of November 2010 to get rid of the sew-ins and transition to natural hair.

Let me also mention that I have two young daughters (6 and 7 yrs old) and we live in a suburb of Dallas, TX. I was getting TIRED of my girls coming home and asking me to fix their hair like Riley's and Kaitlyn's. I couldn't really argue the merits of loving their natural hair, while they looked at Mommy who was swinging some 14 inch Indian Remy herself. What was I thinking????

On the day that I was to rid myself of the sew-in, I decided to take it out myself. No problem with taking each piece out. The problem occurred when I, feeling free from the sew-in, thought I should unbraid my hair and immediately jump in the shower, shampoo in hand. I could almost hear my hair matting up the moment that the drops of water hit my head. I was in shock. I panicked. I cried.

The next day I went to the hairdresser (in a cap, mind you) and I explained the situation to my very patient hairdresser. She tried to make sense of my heap and suggested that I go back to a sew-in until, my damaged and uneven hair could grow enough to get a relaxed, short hairstyle. I took a deep breath and I heard myself say, "Just cut it all off." I couldn't believe that those words came out of my mouth, but I really felt that it was time to walk away from my dependence on relaxers and extensions and just really figure out what my natural hair was like (esp. after having and keeping my hair relaxed since the age of 12).

I loved the cut! The thing that won me over was that my hairdresser insisted that I add color to my TWA. We chose a light auburn-brown color and it looked amazing. I had her cut it again 2 months later (I loved the wash and go routine), but I THINK that I am ready to let it grow. I am NERVOUS though....I have bought so many products in the past 2 months. So far, I'm happy with DevaCurl NoPoo and ONE Conditioner, Heaven in Hair Deep Conditioner (once a week). I use Kinky Kurly Knot Today leave-in conditioner and Uncle Funky Daughter's Curl Stimulator Gel every day. At night, I sleep in a satin bonnet an I have been alternating between Bee Mine Deja's Hair Milk, and AfroVeda Hibuscus Hair Infusion Oil. Still looking for something to maintain the moisture all day.

I don't regret the cut at all. I am simply redefining my beautiful.

Where are you from: San Diego, CA

What you do: Student

How long you've been natural: I'm transitioning: 6 months post relaxer and hoping to big chop this week! I've been in weaves the whole way and now that I've taken my last weave out I just can't deal with the two texture wreck on my head .It's a lot better since I've taken the time to give my hair some TLC out of the weaves, but I haven't been able to get any transition styles to work so far (unless a slicked back ponytail + headband counts as a style??) and I'd rather have a short and curly pixie than this shoulder-length mess. Plus, I've been obssessed with the few curly-qs I've secretly "freed" in discrete locations around my head . Hahaha the bottom line is: I'm dying to b/c. The only kicker is that just before I decided to go natural I cut my hair into a bob, then got it permed; If only I had skipped the perm and used that as a mini big chop.

Fav products: Suave Naturals Conditioners, Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque, Eco Styler Gel Krystal Clear, Coconut Milk, EVOO. I haven't experimented much, but I'm trying not to become a product junkie, and I'm perfectly content with the way my hair is reacting to these products

Online Album: Coming soon...

*Where are you from: Ocala, Fla but live in Hollywood, Fla. I'm a Flawda Gal, born and raised, and played sports in the Flawda Sun so you would think my hair would be used to it after 25 years of it but NOOOOOOOO....

*What you do: School Crossing Guard, freelance hair stylist, poet, singer, and soon-to-be student

*How long you've been natural: unofficial for 8, official for 6 but feels like its been all my life. As a child, my hair always did what it wanted to do and sometimes with a lil help from yours truly. I could remember having a jerry curl for about 3 years of my life, as i think, everyone has had at least once. But the bag would NEVER stay on at night, my pillowcases were always wet, and i sweated way too much to ever have kept it so i switched to a perm. MAN! I would get perms and it would look great for about a week at the most, then it just would do whatever! So i would get a perm every now and then and have it braided all the times in between. LOL EVERYONE knew me for my micros, cornrows, and braids. Once in a while i would go without the braids and just have it blown out. Once I got to college in 2003, I just went natural but didnt do the BC. It wasn't until around 2005 that i cut about 2 inches off and started the natural journey. A year and a half ago i began to date a man with locks, Trini, and just meeting his family has me really wanting to take more care of my hair. All his uncles, except for one i haven't met yet, has locks and most of his aunts as well. They have already tried to influence me to lock my hair and for a while i was considering it seriously. But even when i have my micros or braids, i start to miss my afro. So i've come to the decision that an afro is for me....but i never really REALLY took care of my hair properly, i always Always had in braids/ micros. So now I'm really making and conscious effort to care for my hair and myself!

*Fav products: EVOO, Care Free Curls, Mane n Tail, Garnier Fructis any!

*Online Album: its in the works....

Ya kno, it's refreshing to have natural help at a click away ...as one of my best friends is natural but she lives in GA.

Hello!

Where are you from: Oxon Hill, MD
What you do: Administrative Assistant (Legal)
How long you've been natural: 1 year Anniversary is on April 16th, 2011
Fav products: Aubrey Organics conditioner, Jojoba oil
Online Album: Member of Natural Sunshine

Love your smiles, your hair, your tips, and your energy. Nice to meet you all!

Hello ladies.

I've been a lurker here and on various hair sites for years, but am joining here because it seems friendlier than other sites.


Where are you from: Pennsylvania

How long have you been natural?: I did my BC down to a 2 inch TWA in March of 2008. So almost 3 years.

Favorite products: I'll have to get back to you on that one.

Happy to "meet" you all and I'm looking forward to being a part of the community(when I have free time lol).

Greetings my Fellow Natural Beauties!

I am a newbie to the forum but have been a follower of CN.com for awhile.


Where are you from: E. St. Louis, Ill but currently reside in Waverly, IA
What you do: Photojournalist/Freelance Photographer
How long you've been natural: 5 years
Fav products: TO NAME A FEW: Carol's Daughter HairMilk, Carol's Daughter Lisa's Hair Elixir, Just For Me Hair Milk Shampoo/Conditionor, Just For Me Curl Smoother Creme

Where are you from: Chicago but have been living in Bacoli, Italy for the past 12 years and am currently in Kabul
What you do: Journalist
How long you've been natural: relaxer free- 7 years, natural- 9 months
Fav products: Henna, coconut oil, MHC coconut hair milk, Shea butter, YTC

Hey everyone! I've been lurking on this site ever since I decided to go natural, looking for tips and suggestions, and now I'm finally joining the community!

Where are you from: Washington, DC

What do you do: Administrative Asst.

How long have you been natural: Last relaxer was December 2010, BC'd on February 26, 2011

Fav products: Still kinda new, but so far my hair is responding well to Herbal Essences Hello Hydration, Organix sulfate-free shampoo/conditioner in Shea Butter and Coconut Milk, Kinky-Curly Knot Today and my own castor oil/coconut oil mix. For a moisturizer, I'm currently using Hollywood Beauty Olive Oil Creme. So far, so good. We'll see.

Hello Everyone, I just joined about 15 minutes ago so I don't have a pic up just yet!

Where are you from: I'm from Bronx, NY and now reside in Greenville, NC (not far from Raleigh, NC)

What you do: By day I work in Hospital Administration but, all day long I am the owner of an online boutique offering handmade jewelry. I LOVE accessories and I'm probably my number one customer, lol!

How long have you been natural: I have been natural for 3 years, however, I would only wear my hair curly every now and then. For the past almost month I have been wearing my hair curly everyday and I LOVE it. I discovered during Fro Fashion Week that I have 3b/3c hair and I'm still just experimenting with all of my lovely curls!

Fav Products: I'm still learning what my favorite products are, however, I like Shampure by Aveda, Naturally Me's All Over Butter, Castor Oil, and Curls (Milkshake).

I'm glad to be here and look forward to getting to know everyone.

Blessings!
MoniLovesCurls

I'm glad I finally decided to join. The other message boards I'm apart of are becoming too negative, I like this environment.


Where are you from: Connecticut
What you do: Student
How long you've been natural: 5 years
Fav products: The Body Shop's Rainforest Moisture Shampoo/conditioner, Carols Daughter Tui line, Eco Styler

Hi Everyone!

Where are you from: I'm from California
What you do: I'm a flash developer and a full time web host
How long you've been natural: I have been natural for about 2 1/2 years
Fav products: Shea butter, Mizani shampoo and conditioner ,and Motions Marula Natural therapy Hair & Scalp Oil

I'm looking into switching to some more natural products but I do not know which will work best for my hair yet

I'm looking forward to see what I can learn from everyone!

Whoa! Been here for months and never formally introduced myself! Been hanging out in the Transitioners area

Where are you from: Maryland born and raised

What you do: I write for the govt! and NO, we're not spying on you haha

How long you've been natural: in my mind? Since October. But I'll be fully natural sometime near the end of 2011.

Fav products: EVOO, Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner, Coconut Milk Conditioner, and Dandrene Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (I have seborrheic dermatitis)

Online Album: I don't have one yet, but I'm (somewhat) blogging my transitioning journey. check it out in my siggy.

I'm 26 and finally got the balls to go natural. lol I'm excited and scared at the same time, but I'm more psyched about finally having HEALTHY hair! Since I'm too busy to deal with the frustration of two different textures, I'm planning on weaving and wigging until the end of the year, and then we'll see where I'm at as far as a big chop.

I LOVE this site/forum....i've learned so much already. Looking forward to sharing with you all!

Where are you from: Atlanta
What do you do: I work in Human Resources for a Manufacturing company.
How long have you been natural?: I have been Natural for 1 year and 7 months
Favorite products: Long aid activator gel, and Kinky curly curling Custard
Website:facebook

Hello Ladies!!

I am very new to this page and even "newer" to my hair journey. It's been roughly a year and a half since my last relaxer but I've been wearing micro braids. Never did I set out to be natural; I just decided or should I say my scalp decided it'd had enough. I'd never had any problems with my hair until my second child (so cute, but curse him!) and it's been two weeks since taking my braids out for good. I could not bear the pain any longer. I do not have a pic yet mostly because I don't take them but for you guys I will try! (Stay Tuned!) This has got to be the hardest thing I've ever done because I was never that girl who stayed in the mirror. I'm LOW maintenance and I'd like to stay that way. This journey is not just for my hair, but for my daughter's hair as well (beautifully natural and I am LOST with how to maintain it properly). Either way, these past two weeks were full of screams and tears BUT today I found HATS!!! Wish me luck! I need lots of it!!

Born and raised in Philly, but currently reside in Durham, NC and I am a wife, mother and student here in the Triangle.

I'm so new to natural that I just started using the term and therefore have no favorite products yet. (Although my bank account feels I should make a decision - NOW!!!) Learning tons from CurlyNikki.com!!! No online albums - on Facebook but mostly the kids because I don't take pics!

Love this page and looking forward to learning from the beautiful and natural women on this page!!

Ta-Ta (for now)

Hi Bee7 Welcome!

Where are you from?: I was born in Washington DC and live in Fort Bragg NC now with hubby and DD.

What do you do?: I work from home in Direct Sales and Internet Marketing for Churches and hopefully other non profits in the future.

How long have you been natural?: I've been natural for 2 years and one month.

Favorite products: Water, a home made shea/cocoa butter/jojoba oil/castor oil/grapeseed oil blend, 2 home made oil blends - one with peppermint and one without, L'Oreal's Sulfate free moisture line (green container), Neutrogena split end mender, L'Oreal's ceramide dry hair product (LOVE IT!! MY HAIR IS SOOOO STRONG!!)

I am just so happy to be here. This seems like a site where the women are kind and want to help one another. Thanks for creating this, Nikki!

My name is Shelisa,
I did the BC less than a month ago. I transition for 5 months. I love it.
I use shae butter mixed with castor oil and carol's daughter mind conditioner and shampoo.
I am in the miltary from Georgia but I am on an assignment in DC. Ready to move ASAP!.
I love this site
and can't get enuff of my natural hair.!

Hello everyone,

My name is Devan and I am really excited to join this forum.

Where are you from?:I live currently in the DC Metropolitan area.

What do you do?: I am a Database Adminstrator for a large environmental non-profit.

How long have you been natural?:I've been transitioning for a year and three months now with only about 2-3 inches left on on the left side (I know, but it's just my hair cut). I am planning to cut the rest of my relaxed hair off in May, around my wedding anniversary.

Favorite products:Audrey Organics hair products, Shea Moisture hair products, jojoba oil, coconut oil, Ojon Moisturizing Shampoo, Curl Pomade, EVOO, Kinky Curl Knot Today just to name a few.

I am really enjoying this process and there has been alot of trail and error, but it's been worth it. I'm blessed to have the support of love ones during my transition and to find forums like this of people that are going or have gone through the same process.