Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself...

I don't know about you guys, but I'm enjoying seeing your faces (and putting faces to screen names, lol)! You are all so gorgeous...and hair is just RIDIC!

Let's use this as the welcome thread!

Where are you from: St. Louis, MO but currently reside in Raleigh
What you do: Psychotherapist and full-time blogger!
How long you've been natural: my lifetime
Fav products: DevaCare One, Devacurl Set it Free, Shea butter, Henna, Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine
Online Album: curlynikki.com

Thanks in advance chicas!

Hey!!!!

i from Belize, but lived in Los Angeles, Raleigh (Go Leesvile!!!!), Italy, Miami and Orlando! I am a chemist, pursing my Msc in Biotechnology/Regulatory Affairs
I have been natural till around 16-ish, begged my parents for a perm, permed till i was 20-ish, and have been natural every since!! I am still trying to find a routine that suits me...as of right now, fav products are pure aloe vera gel from the leaf, 100% unrefined shea butter, EVCO, CArol's Daugther Tui Shampoo and Conditioner (although, I am looking to replace the conditioner with something more natural), Carol's Daugther Loc Butter

No real online album unless you count the pics on my facebook

Your hair is AMAZING! Have you submitted a story??

Thank you so much for the compliment!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't submitted a story yet...

Hello Natural Sisters!

I'm originally from New Jersey, currently living in California. I have been natural 3 1/2 years now and won't ever go back [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] ! I work in the legal field providing technology for attorneys. I am currently in school completing my Bachelor's Degree and will continue to get my graduate degree. I don't have an online album and some of my favorite products is Pantene Curls & Relaxed & Natural line, Miss Jessie's Products and lately Bantu Shea Butter moisturizer.

I look forward to connecting and sharing information on natural hair.

Where are you from: Birmingham, AL, but have lived in ATL & Charlotte, ATL again and back home to get married - 5.22.09 [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
What you do: Instructional Designer = design Training Curriculum, Training manuals, job aids, online courses, etc
How long you've been natural: February 25, 2006 was my last relaxer
Fav products: Kinky Curly Knot Today and Curling Custard, Aussie Moist, Shea butter, Coconut Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine, HETT & I just indulged in MissJessie's but haven't tried it yet
Online Album: none as of yet, but I was featured on CurlyNikki Journey to Natural on 9/2/09 and on yesterday for Show and Tell Fierce Fridays

Hey ladies!
Where are you from: Originally from Haiti. Grew up in south Florida ( Hollywood/ Ft. Lauderdale). I now live in Hartford, CT
What you do: I'm a medical student (ready to be done with this torture) and I dabble in being in a wife every once in a while.
How long you've been natural: my last relaxer was Nov 2008, I BC'd July 2009... So I'm about 3 months in ( being completely natural)
Fav products: Since I'm a newby, I don't really have any staples yet. During the summer, I did wash n go's with V05, veggie glycerin, and fantasia olive gel. Now that it's colder, I'm double strand twisting with EVOO, coconut oil, Garnier Fructis Sleek n Shine (anti-frizz serum)...depending on my mood. I'm still looking for a good leave in, shampoo, and conditioner.
Online Album: I've sorta just been keeping track of my successful results in a Facebook album. I dunno if you guys can see it. I don't mind sharing though, If it works it's https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2840518&id=2025367&l=51c9c35ff6

Hello ladies,

first my stylist always fussed at me and said I didn't need a perm, but I had to be like the masses and demanded my touch ups! LOL! Love you Gilda. Whenever she did a curl set my curls would last FOREVER!! My natural state was talking to me. Now my hair has been all lengths as long as it looked good I was for it. I have never had a desire or need for a weave.

Last year I was diagnosed with cancer and after the mortality issues I thought about my hair. That is how I broke the news to my stylist..."cut it off, I don't want it to fall out" suprisingly she refused. She said we will cross that bridge when we must. Thank God I didn't have to...but all things unfold as they should and embracing my natural hair was in my face again. Everytime it was time for a touch up, my stylist was ill, so I would just do a twist set. We went 3 months and I said ok enough. I DO NOT need a perm. I was introduced to the beautiful sistas on Youtube and my journey started. I BC'd on August 22, 2009 and haven't looked back yet!

Where are you from: New Jersey..born and raised and still here
What you do: Call Center Manager for Verizon
How long you've been natural: 2 months and 2 days! Yeah me!!!
Fav products: oh Gawd!! I am still experimenting..can you say product junky! hahahahahaaaaaa
Online Album: I have pics on facebook...but I have included some of the many hair styles

Hello, I'm Olivia.

Where are you from: Ottawa, ON CANADA
What you do: Full-time university student(Major in Women's Studies & minor in Human Rights) then I'll be going into Teacher's College, part-time cosmetologist (I love beauty), blogger
How long you've been natural: All 19 years (my entire life)
Fav products: Henna, Blended Beauty, Miss Jessie's, Giovanni
Online Album: fotki.com/weekendluxury

Hey Ladies,

Where are you from: Detroit, MI but I currently live in a small city outside of Detroit
What you do: Journalist, but I am looking to possibly teach as well
How long you've been natural: My whole life, but I have been experimenting with my curls for about a year. I was the press and curl queen!
Fav products: I am still experimenting, but so far 100% Shea Butter and Lustrasilk Shea butter Cholesterol are my go to products
Online Album: Just Facebook

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Hello Everyone! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Where are you from: Raleigh, NC

What you do: I'm a Pediatric Nurse

How long have you been natural: 9 months and counting

Fav Products: HE, Afroveda Curly Custard, Komaza Coconut Hair Pudding, Ohm Sweet Hair Pudding, Giovanni Direct Leave In, Castor Oil

Online Album: www.fotki.com/naturalnurse04

Welcome lovelies!

We've got quite the group of professionals

Ummm, Ms. NaturalNurse04, have we met? I see you live in Raleigh.

Hi Ladies!

My screen name is Serenity23. I'm from Louisiana, but moved to Charlotte, NC 2.5 yrs ago for work. I work in the insurance industry and I'm also in grad school working on an MBA.

My last relaxer was January 2009 and I big chopped, June 25th. Tomorrow makes 4 mos natural! I have three must have products, but that has been changing as I learn more about my hair. Right now, I probably couldn't live w/out Herbal Essence conditioners and Carol's Daughter Hair Milk. I've recently incorporated Organix Shea Butter conditioner as a leavin along with applying a mixture of coconut oil and olive oil. I mainly do two strand twist outs and wash n go's!

I have a "Natural Hair" album on facebook, but also have a fotki at http://public.fotki.com/Serenity23/

Nice to meet you all!

Hi Ladies!!

Where are you from: Lafayette, LA but living in Princeton, NJ
What you do: Ph.D. Student
How long you've been natural: since January 2007
Fav products: HairVeda: Whipped Gelly, Whipped Clouds, Almond Glaze; Yes to Carrots Conditioner
Online Album: fotki.com/nobelle

It is so nice meeting you ladies...all different lengths and product knowledge!! Awesome!!

My name is Ruby Danielle and I have been natural for over 3 years. I work for a government agency and like to read, write and peruse the internet in my free time. I love Herbal Essencse Totally Twisted, unrefined shea butter, Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner...I love this website as I have received lots of tips and information on how to care for my locks from you wonderful ladies...I am excited about going back to Whole Foods and picking up some coconut oil~thanks again to curlynikki.com and your wonderful posts!!!

this awesome!!! love meeting you guys!!!!

Hi everyone! I am transitioning and seeing all my beautiful natural sistas is so empowering. If I am every doubting my choice to go natural I just go through all the fotkis and blogs I can find and my confidence comes right back, so thank you all!

Name: Leigh (people call me Chris, and CJ too)
Hair Type: 4a/4b. To explain, the front of my head and a few spots on the top are REALLY tightly curled like a pen spring, and the rest of the curls have the width of a pen. I have very thick hair, while being tender headed at the same time. (my mother has sung me the Kookaburra song countless times lol)
Hometown: Columbia, MD
Current Residence: I go to school in Richmond, VA
Occupation: poor college student
How long you've been natural: I am in the process of transitioning. I was natural until I was 14 and permed for 4 years. Now I am transitioning and my final perm was on July 18, 2009.
Fav products: HE Hello Hydration, Aussie Moist, Aphogee Leave-in conditioner, Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum, Cantu Shea Butter and Leave-in Conditioner, South of France Shea Butter soap bar.
Website: naturaleighc.blogspot.com [url=naturaleighc.blogspot.com]naturaleighc.blogspot.com[/url] .
members.fotki.com/pwatem/[url=members.fotki.com/pwatem/]members.fotki.com/pwatem/[/url]

I decided to transition because I naturally sweat a lot and sweat and perms do not mix. I'm surprised I didn't choose to go natural when I had practice 6 days a week in high school and would sweat out my perm constantly. I did perms myself for a while in my first year of college and I'm just sick of the scabs, sores and breakage. I've always wanted big fluffy soft hair and now I feel like I can achieve that without a wig or weave. Now with all these sites for support and knowledge of natural black hair I am more confident than ever that I can have healthy long hair without chemicals.

My name is Kenya also known as "Key" in the CN.Com world I am from Dayton, Ohio. I am currently employed as a paralegal and will be applying to law school in the next few weeks. I just had my 1 year anniversary of being natural!!! As far as products I had to trash my whole stash. My products weren't really working for me. Thanks to CN, I have just added DevaCare One and Totally Twisted to my new collection thanks Nik [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.], well those are the only two products in my collection now Lol. I am looking foward to learning more information on keeping my hair happy and healthy.

Hello [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] My name is Stacy and I live in High Point, North Carolina. I am a Special Education Teacher and I have my BA in Special Education. I had my last relaxer on February 15, 2008 and did my BC on October 11, 2008. I recently celebrated my One Year Nattyversary on October 11, 2009 [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Go Me! I absolutely LOVE my natural hair and I'm very happy with my decision to stop using chemicals on my hair.[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

@SDO, I love your hair in all of those styles. You look stunning in the avatar.

@Ayanna, congrats on your 1 year anniversary! You look awesome and truly happy!

@RNC, your avatar pic is GORGEOUS! I love your color and definition. Tell me more of this Stretch Glass...I've heard of it before (good things), and my PJ is curious

@Key, congrats to you too! I'm happy you're digging my holy grail products! Your hair

@Serenity, I recognize that pic [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] How are ya?!

@Nobelle, gorgeous! What is Whipped Clouds?

@ALatina, I'm loving your avatar and can't wait to see more of your pics.

Thank you. I [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] color-I [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] gray! Stretch Growth Creme is a leave-in conditioner/moisturizer and Glass is a curling creme. Big Bad D is the creator of the product line. The products are pricey but a little goes a long way-less is more. Glass comes in yummy flavors, my favorite is cake batter.

Off the subject, even though I have been natural for quite some time, the terminology is new to me. Would you please be so kind as to create a forum for the terms used when referring to natural hair. I had to go to the urban dictionary last night because I did not know what TWA meant. SMH . Whats funny is that I have been doing things for years that I did not know had a name. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Please, keep up the good work. I am really digging this community.