October 2009:
8 months post chop.
I have been growing my hair for almost 3 years. I got my last relaxer in October 2006. Time really went by fast!
I added a few examples of the cute
printed tees that I design. You can check out more of them and/or make a purchase at www.cafepress.com/naturalgirl Enjoy!

I added a few examples of the cute
printed tees that I design. You can check out more of them and/or make a purchase at www.cafepress.com/naturalgirl Enjoy!

August 2009:
I design graphic tees for natural haired women with cute sayings and graphics of women with afros. Check my tees out at www.cafepress.com/naturalgirl and if you like something make a purchase!:) Make sure you click enlarge then zoom to get a good look at them!
Album: It has been 6 months since my bc. My hair has grown a lot. My comparison pic made me realize how much it has grown. There are pics of my wash-n-go and twist outs. Enjoy!!

purchase!:) Make sure you click enlarge then zoom to get a good look at them!
Album: It has been 6 months since my bc. My hair has grown a lot. My comparison pic made me realize how much it has grown. There are pics of my wash-n-go and twist outs. Enjoy!!

May 2009:
My Hair Regime:
~I wash my hair once a week.
~I co-wash with Aubrey's Honey Suckle Rose conditioner. I used to shampoo my hair with Aubrey's Island Naturals and Honey Suckle Rose shampoo every 2 months but they both made my hair feel stiff so I stopped using them. I'm still looking for a great all natural shampoo.
~I don't wash my hair in braids anymore. I wash my hair in four sections. One section at a time. It doesn't tangle as much this way.
~After co-washing, I spray my hair with a Vegetable Glycerin and water mix, Giovanni's leave-in conditioner, and I seal it with Coconut Oil.
~I only comb my hair after I wash it and it is still wet.
~I deep condition my hair weekly with Aubrey's Glycogen Protein Conditioner. Most of the time I wear three plastic caps with a stocking cap to bed for an overnight conditioning. I usually do this on Fridays and rinse my hair when I wake up and then I'll twist it. If I don't have time to do an overnight conditioning or I'm out of the Glycogen Protein Conditioner, I'll use the Honey Suckle Rose and wear a plastic cap for an hour or however much time I have to spare.
~I twist my hair after I wash it. It dries overnight and I wear a braid out throughout the week. I usually re-twist the top or front at night. Sometimes I don't and I wear a satin cap over it. I am going to try to wear my twists longer. Maybe a week or two at a time to allow my hair to rest.
~I use coconut oil on the ends of my hair daily sometimes twice a day.
~I only use all natural products or products that are at least 98% natural. I order mostly from iherb.com.
Umm..I think that's it. I have used Boundless Tresses Growth Serum as a scalp oil. I don't believe it made my hair grow faster (I really don't think anything can make your hair grow faster...except genetics) but it was a great natural oil for my scalp. It will tarnish your gold and silver jewelry so be careful if you decide to try it. I do want to try Qhemet Biologics Heavy Leave-In Cream and Ojon restorative hair oil. The best advice is to try different products and routines and you will be able to find what works the best for your hair.

~I co-wash with Aubrey's Honey Suckle Rose conditioner. I used to shampoo my hair with Aubrey's Island Naturals and Honey Suckle Rose shampoo every 2 months but they both made my hair feel stiff so I stopped using them. I'm still looking for a great all natural shampoo.
~I don't wash my hair in braids anymore. I wash my hair in four sections. One section at a time. It doesn't tangle as much this way.
~After co-washing, I spray my hair with a Vegetable Glycerin and water mix, Giovanni's leave-in conditioner, and I seal it with Coconut Oil.
~I only comb my hair after I wash it and it is still wet.
~I deep condition my hair weekly with Aubrey's Glycogen Protein Conditioner. Most of the time I wear three plastic caps with a stocking cap to bed for an overnight conditioning. I usually do this on Fridays and rinse my hair when I wake up and then I'll twist it. If I don't have time to do an overnight conditioning or I'm out of the Glycogen Protein Conditioner, I'll use the Honey Suckle Rose and wear a plastic cap for an hour or however much time I have to spare.
~I twist my hair after I wash it. It dries overnight and I wear a braid out throughout the week. I usually re-twist the top or front at night. Sometimes I don't and I wear a satin cap over it. I am going to try to wear my twists longer. Maybe a week or two at a time to allow my hair to rest.
~I use coconut oil on the ends of my hair daily sometimes twice a day.
~I only use all natural products or products that are at least 98% natural. I order mostly from iherb.com.
Umm..I think that's it. I have used Boundless Tresses Growth Serum as a scalp oil. I don't believe it made my hair grow faster (I really don't think anything can make your hair grow faster...except genetics) but it was a great natural oil for my scalp. It will tarnish your gold and silver jewelry so be careful if you decide to try it. I do want to try Qhemet Biologics Heavy Leave-In Cream and Ojon restorative hair oil. The best advice is to try different products and routines and you will be able to find what works the best for your hair.

After 2 years and and 3 1/2 months of transitioning I did the BIG CHOP! At some points the transition was hard and other times it was extremely easy, but thank God the transition chapter is finally over and I am starting a completely new one all natural! Many of these photos were taken immediately after I did my bc. Others were taken the days following.

I decided at the last minute to do the bc. It was at about 5:00 on a week day and I decided it was time.

I always imagined doing the bc on a Friday or Saturday in order to have time to adjust to it and try different styles before I would be judged and bombarded with questions at work. But it didn't work out like that.

For about a week I constantly thought about chopping the permed ends off and the permed ends really started to annoy me. So I just did it and I couldn't be happier!

over and I am starting a completely new one all natural! Many of these photos were taken immediately after I did my bc. Others were taken the days following.

I decided at the last minute to do the bc. It was at about 5:00 on a week day and I decided it was time.

I always imagined doing the bc on a Friday or Saturday in order to have time to adjust to it and try different styles before I would be judged and bombarded with questions at work. But it didn't work out like that.

For about a week I constantly thought about chopping the permed ends off and the permed ends really started to annoy me. So I just did it and I couldn't be happier!

I transitioned from October 2006 to February 2009. (2 years and 3 1/2 months) I decided to post some pics that were taken later on in my transition. I was transitioning for at least a year and a half on these pics. A lot of people ask me how I transitioned for so long...I usually say that I knew how long I wanted my hair to be before I chopped it so I was determined to wait until I achieved my goal. At times it can be daunting, but when you find a style that works for you and an easy routine to maintain you'll be able to stick it out.
Tips for Transitioning:
-Take care of your hair like it was already completely natural.
-Deep condition you hair weekly.
-When you have about 35%-40% new growth, you really shouldn't comb it while it is dry. Only comb you hair when it is wet.
-Curls (roller sets), braidouts, braids (corn rows or kinky twists) are good transition styles.
-Clip your ends every month or two to gradually get rid of your processed ends.
-Oil you scalp every few days.
-Keep your hair moisturized by using a good leave-in conditioner that is water based or a water and vegetable glycerin mix.
-And be patient. I know it may not seem like it but your hair is constantly growing.

on these pics. A lot of people ask me how I transitioned for so long...I usually say that I knew how long I wanted my hair to be before I chopped it so I was determined to wait until I achieved my goal. At times it can be daunting, but when you find a style that works for you and an easy routine to maintain you'll be able to stick it out.
Tips for Transitioning:
-Take care of your hair like it was already completely natural.
-Deep condition you hair weekly.
-When you have about 35%-40% new growth, you really shouldn't comb it while it is dry. Only comb you hair when it is wet.
-Curls (roller sets), braidouts, braids (corn rows or kinky twists) are good transition styles.
-Clip your ends every month or two to gradually get rid of your processed ends.
-Oil you scalp every few days.
-Keep your hair moisturized by using a good leave-in conditioner that is water based or a water and vegetable glycerin mix.
-And be patient. I know it may not seem like it but your hair is constantly growing.

October/November 2007:
I have been growing my hair out for a year. I cut the perm off the ends of the very back of my hair. I got bored and a little sciccor happy...I needed to see how far I had come.

My friends who are natural really inspire me. We all decided to go natural around the same time and it is good to have support because you will hear so much negativity. I hate being the only one still transitioning, but I love to watch their progress.

transitioning, but I love to watch their progress.

These pictures were of me in high school. My hair was past my natural waist.