My Healthy Hair Journey

My Healthy Hair Journey

 

Natural Hair Event

I met the beautiful Africa Miranda at a natural hair event one year ago during the Magic City Classic weekend. She was the host of this event sponsored by Crème of Nature hair products. I attended her event to learn more about natural hair, at this time I was just 6 months transitioning. I was going through those rough stages but I definitely didn't want to turn back to the relaxer-I wanted advice!! Africa told the audience about her hair journey, her struggles during this journey, what products worked for her and what didn't. She talked about protective styles-how long you should wear them before its time to let your natural hair breathe. Africa shared that she tried transitioning to natural hair three different times before she had success. Each time she struggled around the 7 and 8 months. Now she is the face of crème of nature hair products, travels all over the country hosting events. She is a TV personality, southern belle, graduated from Alabama State University, former Miss ASU and a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority inc.

My Healthy Hair Journey

Phases

1. Bob cut

2 &3. Protective styles

4. Twist-out

5. Completely Fro'd-out

6. Currently my natural curls

 

My story:

In February 2014, I decided to get my first real hair cut and I wanted it to be a bob-cut. It was my way of expressing myself, letting go of past hurts/ disappointments and starting something new; Journeying into a new chapter in my life (phase1). Early summer in the same year I got a protective style tree-braids curly fro big hair and I really loved this style. Late that same year I tried faux locs as another protective style for the first time (phase 2&3). I found that getting protective styles in between transitioning helped the process to go by much easier and smoothly. In between protective styles I let my natural hair breathe washed, styled, and trimmed my hair a little at a time over time. At this particular time I wore a twist-out and I was about 6 months into the transition (phase 4). Around the 6-8 month period I struggled I was having it rough because I was now half way natural and half relaxed and I did not want to do the big chop. Thank God my sister is a beautician because she really helped me on those rough hair days. I also got advice from other stylists who are natural for solutions for a rainy day and tips on hair products. Now it's September (phase 5) of 2015 and I am fro'd out!!! Over a full year completely natural and in this photo I am embracing my hair in its natural state proudly with confidence. This picture reminds me of why I began this journey I challenged myself, I wanted to prove to myself that I can start something totally new and out of my comfort zone and stick with the entire process without giving up. It was a small goal that I set for myself to help motivate me towards the BIG goals I am currently still trying to accomplish. It was an extra push that I needed to tell myself to keep going no matter how long it has taken to get there. No matter the obstacles and people telling me to quit, Keep going! Once I had accomplished this goal I felt on top of the world because it meant so much more to me than just a popular trending thing to do. Present Day (phase 6) October 2015- Now nearly 2years fully natural I am loving my curls and I am embracing and owning the fact of wearing my natural hair. Not only that taking care of my hair as it continues to change and grow.