Curlicious Diva- Chioma

1. Why did you decide to go natural?

      

I got tired of straight hair. The last two years of me being natural, I very rarely wore my hair straight. I always had it in some braid/twist out style. My first attempt at going natural was in '06. I was in my second year at uni and had just discovered hair boards. I lasted all of 3 months before I gave up. My next attempt was the following summer, it played out pretty much the same with me relaxing by the end of summer. Finally, in summer '08 I made a firm decision and got my final relaxer on October 26. I made a promise to myself to BC if I ever felt like relaxing and that was just what I did!

Relaxed

2. What was the experience like? Did you transition? Was there any opposition? Support?

I transitoned for 8 months, I had initially intended on 12-18 months. It was pretty much stress free as I wore braids for the duration. After my first attempt at kinky twists, I had more curly hair than straight hair and the tangles were KILLER! I got tired of attempting to detangle so I grabbed my shears :O I headed straight out the house after my BC...lol...I was so chuffed with myself. I got called a nubian queen..hilarious! 

Transitioning

4 days post BC

3. How long have you been natural?

I've been natural just over 6 months now. 

4. How has being natural changed your outlook on life?

It hasn't really changed me much. I've always believed that it's just hair so this is just another experience in my life. Having said that, I have no desire to relax my hair ever again. I attempted to straighten it a while back and gave up half way through..I was NOT feeling my hair at all.

5. What’s a typical hair day like for you? What are your go to styles?

Wash and go's all day everyday! If I can't do a wash and go, I'm all about a puff...hehe...I'm too lazy to twist my hair mostly because it takes so long and doesn't last a long time on my hair.

4 months

6. What are 3 products you can’t live without?

•       Castor oil
•       Herbal Essence Hello Hydration conditioner
•       CHI Silk infusion leave-in conditioner.

7. Do you have a goal length that you’re aspiring to?

Nope. My hair is growing at a steady rate and I'm very pleased.

8. What treatments have you tried, colours etc.?

I would usually do a light protein reconstructor once every 4-8 months because I'm trying to use up some Joico stuff I've had for a while. Other than that, I don't do much to it. I deep condition when I remember to.

I tried henna over the summer. My hair turned out really dry and my curl pattern loosened some :( It took about 2 weeks of daily co-washing to get my hair back to where it needed to be. 

9. Have you got any advice for prospective naturals?

Do it! Make sure you know why you're doing this and have a plan! Seriously, if I had not promised myself that I'd cut before I relax I don't know that I would have gone through with it. There is a ton of natural hair resources on the web for transitioners that you should take advantage of...watch as many youtube videos as you can, find a hair board, read blogs, whatever! Just stay in tune with your hair and what it needs and ENJOY the process, even when you're going through a rough patch. Good luck!

10.  Do you have a website or space where ppl can find you?

I live on twitter...lol...http://twitter.com/c_u_o

11. Anything else you'd like to add?

     

Thanks ladies for having me on here :) I love love love the blog! 

6 months natural