Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself...

Hi there everyone! My names Samiah (Sa-ME-yah), I'm 19 years old(20 in September, yay) and am currently transitioning with box braids :] I plan on taking them out in August and am reaaaallly leaning towards BCing! This site is great, very informative and I'm so very glad I found it.

Where are you from: Atlanta, Georgia
What you do: I'm currently a student
Online Album: http://public.fotki.com/Samiah90/

Where are you from: NJ, but currently reside in Philly.
What you do: Logistics for the Department of Defense
How long you've been natural: I just started I havent had a perm since 2007
Im trying to expierement with what works well on my hair but its becoming expensive . [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
I have a 1 year old daughter and her hair is a dry mess as so is mine and my husband says how are you going to deal with her hair if you cant manage your own.
I need help.
I have long hair and its a mess.
Ive tried so far, Mixed Chicks (I brought product samples), Miss Jessies baby butter creme for my daughter (way expensive) Suave Almond and Shea conditiner as a co-wash, frutis for damaged hair, qp-11 deep conditioner , cantu shea dair dressing, etc
I also go to the gym 4 days a week and thats not helping.
Im getting braids soon so I can keep my hands out this mess.

Name: Mie Ling [pronounced My Ling]
Where are you from: Philadelphia, Pa. but currently reside in Raleigh, NC
What you do: Telecommunications
How long you've been natural: from conception
Fav products: I co-wash every 3-4 days in the summer with V05 smoothie,[once a week in winter] clarify with Apple Cider Vinegar to stabilize my hair's PH balance, periodically I shampoo with Farouk Biosilk Hydrating, Deep condition with a plain yogurt, clove oil, coconut oil and Taliah Waajid/Black Earth mixture . Use Motions as a leave in conditioner. Moisturizing retention a dab of coconut oil and shea butter. If I flat iron, I use Silk Elements as a thermal protectant
Online Album: None at this time.

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Hello Everyone,

I've spent so many hours at work on CN when I should have been working. LOL! I'm happy about this natural hair journey. I'm looking forward to growth. I knew there was good stuff underneath my perm, but now that I know more about products and working with my natural curls, I am head over heels in love with my natural hair.

Where are you from: CA native. Now live in Chula Vista CA, just outside of San Diego. I grew up in San Diego

What to you do: I'm a managment analyst for the City of San Diego

How long you've been natural: Last relaxer was December 2009. I BC'd on March 31, 2010. I BC'd twice before, but this time it's for keeps. I know so much more, and online support is really helpful.

Products:
Trader Joe's Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner
Paul Mitchell "The Conditioner" Leave In
100% Pure Aloe Vera Gel
Shea Butter
Shea Oil

Where are you from: Clinton, MD

What you do: Web Developer

How long you've been natural: I was natural until my senior year in high school when I snuck and got a perm. SMH If I knew then what I know now (oh creamy crack)! I went through an array of styles. I was experiencing lots of shedding and breakage due to coloring last year. I wore my hair in a very short pixie cut for about 4 years and was trying to grow it back. I had no issues when I decided to go back to the way things were and BC in Feb 2010 to less than an inch of hair and rock a fade! I'm glad to be back on this journey!

Fav products: Aussie Moist conditioner, Shea Moisture products, Giovanni Direct Leave In, Castor/Coconut Oil.

Hi, everyone!(I promise my name isn't rude!). I'm celebrating 6 months of my 3rd-time's-the-charm attempt at being natural. I want it to be for life this time. . A natural friend of mine told me about CN a couple weeks ago when I started making videos, so I stopped by a couple days ago. CN will be a daily trip for me now because I loooooooooooove it! So a bit about me:

Where are you from: Originally from Kingston, JA, lived in DC for 24 years, with short stints in Poughkeepsie, NY and Madison, WI. I now live in Birmingham, UK.

What you do: Educational consultant for museums, blogging, making videos, dreaming
How long you've been natural: '79-'87, '95-'05, '10-present
Fav products: Still experimenting this time around. There's a whole world beyond gel it seems

Online Album: don't have one yet, but I made a little video retrospective of my hair (last 5 years): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_MduJz5j2w

I'm looking forward to learning and sharing with you ladies (and any men) out there!

Hi! My name is Aneika and I can tell I'm one of the babies on this forum. (: I'm sixteen and I'm going to be a senior this school year (SUPER EXCITED).
Where are you from: East Orange, New Jersey

What you do: Student
How long you've been
natural: Was natural up until twelve when I convinced myself I'd look more beautiful with a perm. Before my sixteenth birthday, (May 25!) I decided to start transitioning.
Fav products: I don't have many products yet (I'm cheap, okay?!), but I'll be a product junkie soon enough.
Online
Album: None as of yet.

Hello my name is Tamara I am originally from Washington, D.C. currently residing in the Sunshine state. I am a full-time student, mother and housewife. My natural process is an interesting one, this is my second time going natural. My first natural process wan in May 2008 where i started with a low cut and texturizer to completely natural. I then begin locking my hair. I maintained locs for about a year and 2 mos and when i moved t this little town in fl, decided to take them down since there aren't any natural salons near here. So i bottle of conditioner and 8 hrs later my locs were out and i had large fro that i didint know what to do with so i went with the relaxer due to the heat and being prego at the time, all that hair was too much for me, lol. So i dealt with the perm for a couple month until it started breaking and i cut it again. Long story short, i am back natural again, i have been natural for 5 mos now and i plan to stay that way. Right now i use organic root stimulator Olive oil products on my hair but i am considering going to Hydrotherma Natural products, i have heard some good reviews about it. Happy to meet you all!

Hi, everyone!

My name is Liz. I'm from Virginia Beach, VA, and I relocated to New Jersey at the beginning of this year. I go to school full-time for Psychology, and I recently landed a job in customer service (yay!). I've been natural for two years after relaxing my hair since the age of five. My hair is 4a/4b, and I love it! I'll never relax my hair again.

Main products:
Burt's Bee's body wash (as shampoo)
Oyin's Honey Hemp conditioner
Castor oil
Komaza Care's shea lotion

I wear it loose now, but I look forward to locing one day!

Hey Everybody!

I just found this site and it is absolutely wonderful!
Tidbits on me: I from Little Rock, AR and currently I reside in Harlem, NY. I produce commercials for ESPN. I can give some sport advice on the side *wink*
My hair story is...I've been natural for 10 years. I went to college at Howard and when I got there I wasn't going to let a local beautician in my head. I'm a southern girl that got perms from her grandmother. Started getting cornrows and then decided I was over a perm. Been doing the natural thing since. I don't straighten my hair more than twice a year (either in extreme cold or to get a cut) And I didn't get a chemical in my head until I got color during a makeover on Tyra Banks. (They gave me a natural style for the show too!)
My Fav products, Hmm... God's will because I honestly let my hair run free. But Carol's Daughter lock butter is my boo of the month.
Online Album: n/a

I'm excited to try some different things. I do my own hair and if anybody's in New York that wants to teach me some new styles (or maybe learn some) I'm game.

Name: Felicia But most call me Cia for short
Where are you from: Bloomfield CT (the natural population is close to none here lol)

What you do: Full Time Student and Double Major

How long you've been natural: 2 Months
Fav
products: I co wash everyday because I love the water with a mixture of Hello Hydration and Cantu Conditioner. I also love EVOO and Glycerin.
I love trying new things but this is because i am a product junkie
Online Album: None as of now

Hi everyone,

I big chopped yesterday and I have been lurking this site for 2 or 3 days now ;-)

Where are you from: French from France ;-)
What you do: freelancer in the pharma industry
How long you've been natural: 24 hours, my last relaxer was in mid May 2010
Fav products: ORS hair mayonnaise, Motions deep conditionner, Keracare leave-in, Wave nouveau moisturizer (but this may change)

Where are you from: Dallas, TX. I am currently finishing my last semester in college at the University of Houston! = )
What you do: I am a full time student and soon to be educator.
How long you've been natural: This is my second time going natural. The first time I was natural for about 4 years but unfortunately I permed it. = ( It has now been 9 months since my BC!!!
Fav products: Extra virgin olive oil, shea butter. These are the two products I live by!

Hello,

I'm new! I'm transitioning at the moment!
Very excited! However, I'm so clueless as to what to do, When to chop of my relaxed ends and what products to use.
I started my HHJ in feb '10 and discovered my curls for the first time as I began to stretch my relaxers to once every 12 weeks.
When it came to getting my one earlier this month I had been wrestling with myself the week prior to it and I decided not to relax anymore...and I SUDDENLY HAD PEACE WITH MYSELF!

Please help me figure out a new regime.
Here is my current one!

Old Regimen:
Shampoo once a week (Saturday) : CRÈME OF NATURE Professional Detangling Conditioning Shampoo-Extra Body
Co-Wash once a week (Tues/Wed): Herbal Essences Beautiful Ends Conditioner
Deep Condition once a Week (Saturday) :Silk Elements Mega Cholesterol
Conditioning Treatment mixed with either Jojoba + Rosemary oil or on its
own.
Protein treatment once a week: Apoghee 2 min reconstructor
Leave ins: Aphogee Pro-Vitamin Conditioner
Lemongrass & Rosemary Leave-In Creme Conditioner for Dehydrated Hair
Moisturise & Seal daily : Africa Best Kids Organics Shea Butter Hair Lotion,
Creme of Nature Daily Breakage Relief made with Red Clover and Aloe,ORS
Olive Oil Moisturizing Lotion, SCURL.
Sealants: Jojoba + Rosemary oil , Coconut Oil.

Looking forward to learning from you all!

I'm from Jersey
I'm a teacher
I've been natural for two years but have been wearing my hair out (no braids, wigs, weaves) since April 2010
Fav products are pure aloe vera, jane carter solution leave in, shea butter, Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose condish, lavender and rose oil
Just cut off 2 inches of single strand knots and split ends. I've learned that pampering my hair is worth it and I won't neglect Lola (yes, I named my hair ) when she retains length.
I'm hoping I can get to the root of my breakage problem. I do everything right and still have the same issue. Hopefully this will be a fresh start.

Real name: Unique
Where I'm from: Originally Hot Springs, Ar; moved to Ga at the age of 10
What do I do: Full-time student (major: Early Childhood Ed minor: Psychology); Air Force spouse and veteran
How long have I been natural: My last relaxer was July 7, 2010. I am transitioning at this point. I am excited and scared at the same time. I think I was between the age 8-10 when I started getting my hair relaxed. Up until that point, I was getting a press and curl. When I was getting it pressed and curled my hair was probably bra strap length. I was glad to start getting my hair relaxed because I am tender-headed but now I'd rather get it a press and curl. I'm excited about finding out what my natural hair will look like.

ciacia wrote:Hi everyone,

I big chopped yesterday and I have been lurking this site for 2 or 3 days now ;-)

Where are you from: French from France ;-)
What you do: freelancer in the pharma industry
How long you've been natural: 24 hours, my last relaxer was in mid May 2010
Fav products: ORS hair mayonnaise, Motions deep conditionner, Keracare leave-in, Wave nouveau moisturizer (but this may change)

Love the AVI - Your BC is beautifull!

Hi! I'm Micki. I'm from St. Louis. I am a project manager. I have been natural for 2.5 days. I got my first relaxer when I was 8-9 years old.

The process for halting relaxing actually entered my head in 2007. I went to the dermatologist convinced that I had some sort of alopecia 'cause I was losing hair at an alarming rate. He (a white man) said, "I see it all of the time with my black clients. You need to stop relaxing your hair." I thought, "What does he know?"

Then I started going to my current stylist about 2 years ago. He suggested that I go natural from day one. I received my last relaxer in February of this year. I big chopped on the 18th and here I am.

Favorite products - I am experimenting...But so far I have been using Hello Hydration conditioner and EcoStyler Olive Oil gel. I received good results with the two.

My mother is a product junkie. So, I just use her stuff.

Where are you from: Maryland's Eastern Shore
What you do: Receptionist
How long you've been natural: since 7/29/10
Fav products: IC Fantasia gel, Shea butter, Castor oil, Elasta QP Mango Butter, Hollywood Oils, curl activators
On line Album: in progress

I'm still in the learning process. I want to maintain my mane without spending much mullah! lol I decided to chop the perm due a baaad process! The 'professional' left the perm on toooo long, didn't rinse properly and I had bald spots! I vowed that when I get enough NG I'm chopping off the past and moving on! I won't look back!

The Curly Nikki site is like no other- every natural resource you need is right here.

Thanks Nikki!

Where are you from: Chesapeake, VA but I currently live in Charlotte, NC

What you do: Clinical therapist for adolescent sex offenders

How long you've been natural: I’m not exactly sure but my last relaxer was October 2005.....I never BC’d.....I wore my hair flat ironed for the most part, let the relaxer grow out, and trimmed the ends off

Fav products: Whew!! I’m still learning what my hair likes.....MJ’s styling creams, TJ’s Tea Tree Tingle shampoo and conditioner, Shea Moisture (just started using about 2 weeks ago), coconut oil....tea tree oil.....sweet almond oil.....grapeseed oil....., OH!! And I’m really interested in Ori Organics but I MUST use all of the products I have before I order it

Online Album: None

Name: Nikita

Where are you from: Clinton, MD (DC metro area)

What you do: Operations Research Analyst/PhD Student

How long you've been natural: June 2009

Fav products: I'm still trying new products and trying to find the right mix. So far it's IC Fantasia Gel, Ecostyler Olive Oil gel, Herbal Essense Hydrating shampoo, Aussie conditioner, Aussie hair insurance leave-in conditioner, Africa's Best Instant Oil Moisturizer with Shea Butter

Online Album: Will be working on it soon....

I'm glad to have finally signed up! Hello everyone!

Hi everyone,

My name is Valarie
Where are you from: Born St. Thomas USVI, lived St. Johns Antigua and moved to the US in 2001/
What you do: Business Support Lead I/ Business Management/Administration Student.
How long have you been natural: Since Around 1996 So most of my life!
Fav Products: Proclaim Shampoo/conditioner/moist.. cream/leave in conditioner/coconut scalp conditioner (grease), Eco Styler Gel (newest addition)

This is also my frist BLOG i ever signed up for so help me out! I'm an island girl!

Hey ladies

My name is Kez (kerry), im 27, im from the South of England, a town called Portsmouth.
I have nauturally Afro hair, from Birth almost! I dont know where it came from, as far as we know, our family is entirely 'White' and no-known other colours/races, Perhaps the Irish bloodline contributed a little, though not sure would cover the extent of my hair!

Ok, so growing up, I had a proper little (well not little) Afro, and come the age of about 10/11+ I hated it, i got teased so much for it as it is/was just so unusual to see a little white girl with an Afro, that was Blonde too! So i cut my hair from elbow length to above shoulders which clearly made it worse and bigger - no one really understood how to manage my hair, I even used to perm it once i was in my early teens to get a more easy to manage and defined curl! Then, I had it relaxed by an African lady who I assumed could do a good, but didnt my hair almost died, so i let it recover then had it permed again - NOT GOOD - since then i occasionly use a normal perm and quickly comb/smooth it through hair to take some curl out, which now over the years has encouraged my hair to grow wavy not so ,uch curly, which til reading this site today - didnt realise just how upset i was about it!
I havent done this for mth's now though and sharnt - im going on holiday tomorrow too so will,be au-naturelle!
Infact, I wonder if anyone can please advise me, for the Braids to Braid out stage, do I have to sleep in it and like a Video i see from MotTopHaven, should I do on dry hair using oil/creams.....and could i just leave in for few hrs with some heat?

Many thanks.

Look forward to getting to know some of you :-)

Kisses and Curls from me here in Portsmouth, England :-) xxxxx

Hello everyone,

I'm Natasha
Where are you from: Chicago, IL
What do you do: I'm a full-time mother
How long have you been natural: I have been natural for just about all my life minus a brief moment at 14 where I relaxed once. But I never relaxed again after that one time. My oldest daughter has been natural all of her 10yrs, and my youngest would have been natural all of her 6yrs but her granny decided 2yrs ago to relax her hair when she was there for the summer but she has been natural again from that time own.
My fav products: I love Mixed Chicks clarifying shampoo and their deep conditioner, and I only use extra virgin olive oil in our hair to moisturize.

I have a very low maintenance routine for our hair I find that the less I put in our hair the better it acts.

Looking forward to getting know you all.