My last relaxer was July 14, 2007. I am in transition and right now just waiting on new growth to start coming in. I plan to transition for about 9 months or until April 2008, then I am going to do the BC. A relaxer is all I have known since I was about 9 yrs old, so this is all so new to me. I need all the support I can get. My friends and family think I am crazy but I have wanted to do this for a while, and now is the time!

I did it! I BC'd on 11/19/2007. I havent been able to add pics because my PC needed to be fixed. Im back on my game now and will be taking pics monthly to assess my progress! I feel great!

This is month two. I am going to try and update this every month on the 19th which was my BC date. Im so anxious for my hair to grow more. Im slowly growing bored of the TWA! I think I've finally found a product that I like...Kinky-curly curling custard and the Knot today leave in conditioner. I wash my hair with Creme of Nature, maybe once a week and clarify with Nexxus Aloe Rid like once every 2-3 weeks. I also use Carols Daughter Healthy Hair Butter daily, to add sheen or Miss Jessies baby buttercreme. I think I am out of the "Product Junkie" stage for right now, because I am satisfied. I have been co-washing my TWA at least every other day because I feel it looks better when its refreshed. I have now dyed my hair back black. The red was too hard to maintain.

This is my month 3. Anyway, I do see growth!! I have picked it out once and was able to wear a band across it. I dont co-wash as much maybe once or twice a week. I still use Kinky curly curling custard and miss jessies baby buttercreme. Ive also bought some Oyins shine and define and whipped pudding. As well as Qhemets heavy cream. I have yet to try them though.
**MoRe MoNtH 3 PiCs To CoMe***

This is month 4! Im still very happy with my natural hair. I am no longer a product junkie. Spending money on stuff that seems to be pretty similar is no fun. Although, I really like the Oyins Shine and Define. It gives me a looser curl than the Kinky Curly curling custard. I think with my hair getting longer, I dont need a product that makes my curls super tight! I tried the Qhemet's Alma & Olive heavy cream, and Im not sure what it really does for my hair at this stage. I may revisit it when my hair is longer. ***What I discovered today is that my hair looks better without all of that product!! I only used Kinky Curly Knot today conditioner and it seemed like my hair was much more curlier.**

Im so happy to be natural. Ok so this is month 5 and my hair is growing. It would probably be longer looking if I picked it out, but I dont. I added a few products that I use sometimes. Ill add more pics once Im allowed more space on here:-).

This is me on month 6. I cant believe that I have made it this far. I am growing bored with the TWA but excited about the growth. There are some random shots before the 19th which is my anniversary date, but I liked them a lot so I wanted to add them. This month Im learning that the hair pick is my friend. It helps combat shrinkage. What I do after I co wash it is, let it dry some and before it gets fully dry I pick it out. That way it doesnt look so short.

Im a teacher so my students can be so harsh. They say things like "your hair is so nappy and why dont you perm it?" Sometimes, I actually begin to think that my hair is ugly, but then I remember why I wanted to be natural in the first place and it is to satisfy me and not them. They dont know any better and can only practice what they are taught. Enjoy!

***Juneteenth***
This month will be very uneventful because I got kinky twists put in today. I am in grad school and taking summer courses and I do not feel like trying to make my hair behave everyday, lol. I will post some pics once I am allowed more space. June 19th makes 7 months!

**I have the same earrings on in all of these pics, lol. They are my favorite, but believe me I do have lots more, LOL!**


So far, so good! Im satisfied with the growth thus far. I took out the kinky twists after a month and I see much more growth and that is because I probably didnt see it or play in it. I have just been wearing a chunky fro until classes are out July 11 and then ill start experimenting more. I cant believe that it has been 8 months, wow. I remember when I couldnt wait for the second month!

BTW, Elasta QP mango butter moisturizer is the bomb for twists. The definition is wonderful. I still love Oyins shine and define, but probably wont be purchasing anymore whipped pudding because Elasta QP works well and its only 4.97 a jar and I dont have to wait 2 weeks for it to get here! I think I like my twists better on dry hair even though wet hair is easier to manage. I guess because on dry hair its stretched out more.

Im so frustrated with my hair right now. Im tired of twists because my arm hurts, Im tired of the short fro, tired of kinky twist and im not going to do micros, so what else is there??? I had even thought about a r.elaxer because I felt like it would be easier. Help! Im at a crucial point.
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OK so I was frustrated, but Im getting over it. I still dont really know what to do with my hair, so I just let it be. Im thinking of a good blow dry....not sure yet?

Ok so this is month 10. I am still so happy with natural hair. I still use Elasta QP mango butter for my twists outs, oyin handmade whipped pudding, oyin shine and define, dove conditioner, creme of nature moisturizing shampoo.
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Update: I pressed my hair. Well I got it pressed at the salon. I didnt like it that much. Dont think ill be doing it again. People at my job who are ignorant to natural hair, were like you look better with it straight. You should perm it. I just smiled and kept on stepping:)

I havent been good with the pics since school is back in session, but I hope to get better!
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These are pics after the press. I like my natural curls MUCH better. Thanks for all the nice compliments, ladies!

I made it one full year today! There were times that I thought I wouldnt make it. I thought I would relapse but Im glad I didnt. Natural hair is amazing. I have never felt so carefree. Stay true, Keep it Nappy!!

This is actually my 1 yr and 1 month album. I have a new folder I started called year 2. On Jan 19, I will start to load new pics for 2009. I am so happy with my hair. It is a struggle sometimes but Ive become more confident in my styling choices and products. I am not a product junkie. I use miss jessies curly pudding on my twists and twist outs. I love it. They really define my hair. I still use Oyins whipped pudding as a moisturizer. I wash with Nexxus weekly and condition with either Silk Elements or Carols daughter tui hair smoothie. I only do my hair once a week. I no longer have time for these daily co-washes lol. Since my hair is longer the styling lasts a bit longer for me. Have a happy New Year.