Meet True

I have known True before she knew herself. Our families have been in touch since I was four-years-old. True recently found me on Facebook after years, maybe more than a decade, of being apart. Our families reconnected on Christmas morning. There was a lot of screaming from excitment on the telephone. Once I noticed True’s hair, I had to spotlight her. Check out her hair story below. 

Tell us about yourself.

I’m a 32 year old woman in Wilmington, N.C. originally from Queens, New York.  I am in the process of finishing school with plans also of starting my own business.

Tell us about your hair.

I have short, dark brown dreads that I love.  I’ve had dreads once before and restarted them because of the damage relaxers and coloring combined have done to my hair. My hair is very thick and grows faster. I think it’s healthier when natural.

What inspired you to go natural?

My initial set of locks was inspired by my mother’s friend. I thought her locks were beautiful and I wanted to emulate that same beauty.

Did you transition, are you currently transitioning or did you do the Big Chop? Why did you choose to do your selected method?

I transitioned about the spring time of 2011 and I did the big chop because my hair was already damaged and falling out due to the relaxer.  So I had no choice but to do the big chop.

Was this your first attempt going from permed to natural hair? If not, how many times have you tried? What made you go back to permed hair and what made you decide to go natural again?

Well as I stated above this is not my first attempt at locks and the reason for chopping off the first set was because the job market in this state was not excepting of my bright red locks.  I think had I just cut them and darkened the color it would’ve looked more like braids and it would not have been a problem. The relaxers damaged my hair so it had to be cut.

Have you ever done anything to your hair that you now regret? (Aside from getting a perm if that is what you regret)

I didn’t know that putting bleach in permed hair would cause breakage.  I wouldn’t put bleach in my natural hair but in relaxed hair.  I let a hair dresser do that and my hair just fell out. This ultimately led to my new set of locks.

What is your favorite hairstyle(s)?

I like locks styled in updo’s and or in unique ways.

Which products do you like to use?

Taliah Waajid, Carol’s Daughter, IC hair gloss, Cantu Shea Butter Sheen Spray, and to lock my hair I either use Taliah Waajid lock it up or Jam (hair gel) in combination with Jamaican Lime Locking Gel.  There’s no build up, it doesn’t flake and it lasts at least a month.

What is your hair care ritual? Do you do it yourself or do you go to a salon?

Right now I do it myself. I used to go to the salon but going every month to every other month is costly.  So I learned to do it myself.  I’m in the process of learning how to color my own hair with no bleach and also trying to build up my confidence to style and put my hair in a funky up do.

Where else can we find you on the World Wide Web?  

I’m on Facebook as Blooming Flowers and you can follow me on twitter at @TFLUV.

What do you want Permed to Natural readers to take with them after reading your story?

Natural hair is not for everybody. Do your research if you are contemplating going natural and decide what is acceptable in the field you work.  Tame your mane and look presentable when going through the process because appearance and first impressions matter in this society.  Once you get your flare and your style going stick with it and be proud of your God given natural beauty!

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