I just bc'd my daughter yesterday. She is 14, and she was like mommy don't worry it is my decision. This what I want for my hair at this point. We had been transitioning for about 10 months. Last texturizer 08/2013. Now the whole family is natural.
I went natural months ago, and it feels so good without having perms and hair weave, but what I've noticed since transitioning society see you in a different light. I've noticed my own kind making negative comments about my hair, and people stare as if you are from another planet. Men don't approach me as much---- though they claim to dislike black women wearing hair weave. In the corporate world people say its unprofessional because it looks as if we don't comb our hair and so forth. I dont care how society feels, but there is an awkward difference in how you are treated in society with your natural hair. With all the negativity being thrown my way, it almost makes you feel like maybe I should just perm my hair or wear hair weave to be comfortable and accepted. I refuse. I tend to listen to Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey and other Civil Rights leaders to keep my mind strong and not be ashame of who I am. To be proud of my natural beauty and to teach my children.
Wow that's sad to hear, whenever I'm feeling down I listen to Indie Arie "I am not my hair". If we weren't suppose to be born with this type of hair then it is it growing out of our heads. How can someone not like what comes naturally out of a person. That's one thing I'll never understand.
+IslandGirl Uchiha Hey, well actually I did the best i could with the natural and unfortunately it didn't work out for me. Its a long story, but I'll give bits and pieces of it. First and foremost was that after being natural for a while i started to feel non-feminine. I just didn't feel as soft and pretty as i did with the straight hair after-a while. It was like something was missing from my life and I couldn't put my finger on it. I continued to get the stares from people of all races especially my own kind. I struggled every morning trying to spray water and other conditioners to soften the hair. During the winter months, it was extremely difficult cause of the cold weather with wet hair. I caught a few coughs here and there. I just got tired of living my life as if I were punishing myself. I decided after the big struggle and misery of being natural to just return to what i know. I'd rather have straight hair and happy than to have natural coarse hair and miserable. Peace!
+IslandGirl Uchiha I coldheartly agree. Us ladies need to feel beautiful inside and out. Lawd knows I was so glad to return to reality. "The ole me" or some may call it the slave me... Whatever! lol
After watching over approximately 25 transitioning from relaxed to natural videos, you have just reassured me that it's OK to transition for as long as I want before I do my "big chop". I so appreciated this video, again thank you so much...Your curls are beautiful.
This is the smartest transition to natural hair that I have ever seen!! Congratulations on a job well done!! It is very frustrating to work with two different textures (relaxed and natural) but that frustration is excellent practice for building the patience required to work with natural hair. Your method is so much more attractive, feminine and graceful AND it proves that a transition to natural hair can be done without chopping off all of the hair on your head. And for that, I THANK YOU!!
Congrats on your 'transitional big chop'! I transitioned for 15 months and cut my relaxed ends on Nov. 4th. I wanted to originally do 24 months, but decided I was ready to embrace my natural coils:) Keep making helpful and inspirational videos! I like your positive attitude and it is so true that the encouragement from family and friends make the difference in how one feels about their journey to natural hair. HHGJ!
Congrats on your "transitioning big chop." I transitioned for 1 year and recently did my "transitioning big chop" on 10-5-2013. It is such a free feeling when all the relaxed ends are gone and your natural hair is set free. We have similar texture hair so I will definitely look to your channel for inspiration. Thanks for sharing!!
I am really grateful that you shared your "Big Chop" experience with all of us viewers. As I watched your video I couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom and relief from your experience. I have yet to reach the point in my transition where I feel comfortable to cut but your video is motivation. Your all natural hair looks amazing. Thanks again for sharing.
You hair looks really good. It took me 2.5 years to FULLY transition, W/O the BIG chop, and I had my ends trimmed by my beautician every two months. I wore a lot of roller wraps, soft blow outs and a weave every six months or so. My hair is very healthy and I LOVE it...
Awesome!! I love hearing success stories from others who did a long term transition. Many people still seem to think that you have to do the Big Chop in order to end up with a healthy head of hair.
So..... I just love your video. After one year of trying to transition... I relaxed my hair! I couldn't take it any more lol. Currently, I haven't had a relaxer in 5 months and I think I wanna try it again! I can't see myself with a little fro... So ill probably transition for two years or so! Thanks for sharing your hair is beautiful!
OMG! You are brave... I'm actually thinking about transitioning but I am so SCARED. I've been relaxing my hair every since I can remember. I want to transition so badly but I'm scared of my own texture and cutting off the relaxed ends. anyways congratulations!
Congrats on your BC . When i first started it only took me a couple of mths to do my BC, but everyone has their own time to do it but u feel so liberated when u do . I'm now 3 yrs natural and i love it . And your hair is beautiful!
Hi I am a new subbie. It is good to see someone else that has done a long transition. I am currently at the end of a two year transition and will be cutting off the remaining relaxed ends.
You look so beautiful. My last perm was in March 2014 and I have just been wearing braids. Transitioning is hard and I have to watch these videos to stay motivated because I just feel pressure from work to perm my hair and also just it being more manageable. Thanks again for the video!
CONGRATS DOLL!!! Your hair is gorgeous!!! Im 20 months in my transition and I have loved the journey so far but Im so ready to be completely natural. I cut about 6 inches off the back cuz it was horrible once I straightened it but now Im ready to cut the rest to make it all natural!! Lets see how long I can go.. My 2 years will be June and hopefully by then Ill be 100% natural like you.
Morning Naturally Motivated Lady Thanx a bunch, it wasn't too bad but now I'm getting that itch to trim these ends off.. The only thing is I kno my go to bun won't be the same.. Lol
congrats sweetie! love the fro! i just ended my 21 month transition. i was so happy to get rid of the straight, scraggly ends. i look back on my relaxed hair like "wow. my relaxed hair looked so unnatural & gross" there's nothing normal about people from african decent having bone straight hair! looks crazy! they say never say never but i'm never relaxing my hair again!
Thank you for sharing this! This was sssoooo encouraging! And you look absolutely adoreable with your natural hair! I am in the beginning transition stage. I can't wait to see what my natural hair looks like!!!
Thanks for letting me see that. I'm 18 months post-relaxer. My hair is springy like yours. I haven't cut off the relaxer ends yet. I'm just letting my relaxed hair come out on its own for now. November 2014 will make 24 months. I'm excited! Thanks for the encouraging video! Your hair is gorgeous.
AHHHHH you cracked me up....MY FIRST LITTLE TWIST!! LOL...too cute:) I am 6 months transitioning and i am more than convinced am going natural. Thanks for the video:)
I'm 26 months post, bc'ing this weekend. Talk about hair twins! I've never seen anyone with our texture transition for so long, probably b/c it's so difficult - but possible! Happy to finally get rid of these 7" stringy ends & gain more styling options. Thanks for the vid!
I am hella late. Congrats you look so happy made me smile. I am 5 months post with a tentative BC date of Dec 2014. I love your Afro. I cant wait for mine. Thank you for sharing
I had the same reactions you did when I cut my 4c hair after 24 months of transitioning. Had to cut more than you did though due to heat damage. Congrats!
Omg!!!! Congrats on your big chop! Your hair is actually pretty long for 23 months. I hope when I make it to 24 months and finally do my chop it will be about that length. I am currently 17 months post relaxer and counting! Again congrats girl it looks really good..keep up the good work! Hhj
I'm so so so motivated to big chop. Your hair is lovely! Congratulations!!!!! Hitting 17 months post relaxer now. Going to try to hold out til 20 months although I did just cut bangs and that left me wanting to do the rest o_O
I'm 4 months post today!!!! I'm sooo excited to hit 24 months!! aaahhhh!!! Inspiration !! It looks soo good on you ! i am afraid of shrinkage when i cut it off lol...okay more like terrified lol
Love this. It fits you really good and you look are beautiful. Happy for you and your transition. I'm at the beginning of mine.. Oh boy pray for me.!! Lol
I want to transition for 2 years as well and I'm on month 12 It's been an off and on struggle, and I'm getting more frustrated with my straightened ends. Did you find your hair more easy to deal with in the later months or harder?
To be honest, it was difficult the entire time. Some long term transitioners say it was easier for them in the later months, but for me, it was just as challenging in the last few months as it was in the beginning (because my relaxed ends would tangle so badly). I used low manipulation styles like braids to help me keep my sanity, lol.
Its month 4-5 for me and I'm already sick of the two textures. The first two months were a breeze. However, my hair is already thick but the new growth is extremely thick and kinky and is growing too fast for me to handle (3/4 - 1 inch a month). I'm just going to do the big chop in a few weeks.
I'm so late my your excitement is awesome. I'm sl after 10 months post bc. And the shrinkage... the struggle, lol. But freedom and versatility is amazing
Wow, congratulations on your beautiful mane :+) Your hair looks just like mine....except mine seems to have stopped growing!!! I big chopped in 2012 with about an inch of hair and today is my 2 year nappy-versary. I keep my hair in twists 90% of the time. Unfortunately my twists look exactly the same as they did 9 months ago. I'm at a loss now as this is so frustrating.
Hey girl i really like your video a lot , i watch this video everyday since i saw it and your hair look an amazing looking wow , Because if you i gonna be natural. Thanks for this videox
Congrats! You look amazing. I wish I were where you are now in my transition. It's only been 4 months now, and I'm already at my wits end with my REALLY 4C hair. What is your hair type?
Thanks! I know what you mean, lol. I was also dealing with a 4c hair texture with straight, relaxed ends. It was definitely not easy, but it was well worth it in the end. Maybe try some protective or low manipulation styles to help you through the tough times. I would braid mine up (with just my own hair) whenever I got tired of dealing with the 2 textures.
Just finished braiding my hair. Fortunately my work doesn't prevent me from wearing scarves and hats, so I've purchased several of each, and plan to wear them for as long as I can stand the two textures. Hopefully by then I'll have at least 12 inches. Stay Happy & Nappy! :-)
Month 3, transition Ohhhh Lord this is truly not for the faint of heart. Someone please share detangling secrets to help strengthen both strands. Thanks.
I feel you but what helps me the most is when I deep condition and seal with an oil then put a plastic cap on and sit under a hooded dryer for twenty minutes. . It melts and soften the hair to make it easier to dangle with your fingers first and a wide tooth comb after
Wow, really awesome! Thats a lot of shrinkage- but it's still pretty long. My scalp just cant take anymore perms, so i recently decided to go natural. Scared out of my mind! But this is encouraging. What would u say is was the most difficult part of the transition?
Okay so I just stumble on your video. Well done on retaining your length, your hair is beautiful. I am curious to know what type of hair you have? I think mine is 4C.
Thanks for sharing one of the best post so far. I'm only 2.5 months into my transition and seeing your results only confirm how rewarding the end result can be. I wear my hair short and would like to transition at mininum 2 years....challenge is staying away from heat - any suggestions on how to handle during this short period?
So do I where braids for awhile while I let the new growth come in? Did your hair break when you took the braids down each time? Last, How long did you wear the braids to get all that new growth? I'm full of questions but please answer these 3 for me, okay. Thanks hun!
