Meet Jael!

Tell us about yourself.

Have you ever met a person who smiles for seemingly no reason and yet always appear to be deep in thought? Have you ever met a person who is always looking to help where she can or come up with a solution to someone’s needs so that they can be better off? Have you ever known a person who purposely keeps spare change handy to put quarters in other people’s parking meters? All of these things describe me. I am thinker, laughter, I cry during sad movies and my hubby makes me laugh. My children make smile; I am blessed and I know this full well and I strive to live that way every day. I enjoy who I am. I like my own company. I’m a pretty cool chic. I am a co-founder of a blog about natural hair and my husband and I are getting ready to launch our newest venture Natural Hair Box.

Tell us about your hair.

I have been relaxer free for 6 year now and boy has it been real and it has been fun! My hair is beautiful. I absolutely love it! When I keep it moisturized, it’s soft and airy. My hair LOVES protein. I am currently in Another Personal Challenge for 32 weeks to grow my MBL hair to WSL. I have fine thread like strands but my hair is dense. I have learned to work with my hair and not against it because it will generally win. My hair can be typed as 3c-4ab

What inspired you to go natural?

My daughter inspired me to go natural. I watched her hair morph into lifeless strands from relaxers, no balding spots or sores – just limp, lifeless hair. I made the decision not to relax her hair and to keep it braided. I now know this was the start of her transition. After a year with braids, she started to wear her natural texture and that is when the teasing began.

Kids can be so cruel and the constant teasing from the other kids devastated my daughter. As a parent, one of the hardest realities that come with the job is when your child is hurting. Now comes the time to pick up the pieces. All of the teasing and name-calling was because her hair did not look like their hair – anymore. I constantly told her that she was smart and beautiful, not just beautiful on the outside, but a beautiful person.

I explained, as best I could, that God made us perfect. Our hair is exactly how it is supposed to be. If he wanted us to have straight hair, He would have given it to us. But He didn’t. So be happy with what you have. There I was with long flowing relaxed hair, giving encouragement to my daughter – who was natural with short tightly coiled hair. That did not make me feel good.

As a parent, there are two things that I have to remind myself of: children will usually do as you do and hardly ever do what you say. I feel like I should be the best example for my children – if not me, then who? Now, feeling extremely hypocritical, I came to a pivotal point and a decision needed to be made. Either I stay relaxed and relax her hair again or she stays natural and I transition. Now, with over six years into my natural hair journey, I have no regrets.

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 for 16 months, and then I big chopped. At this point, my natural texture was taking over. It was so luscious, thick and wavy and my relaxed hair was sickly looking in comparison. When I big chopped, it was like I was putting my relaxed hair out of its misery.

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?

No, this was not my first attempt. Actually, this is my second time going natural. Honestly, in 1995 I just didn’t know what to do with my hair. All I knew was water and grease. That’s what my mom did to my hair growing up and that is literally, all I knew.  Also, at the time, I was so styled challenged and could only put my hair in a decent ponytail. That was an all-time low point for my natural hair because I didn’t know how to care for it. Refer to question number three as to why I went natural again.

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

Yes, I regret starting my loc’ing journey in 2009. I thought I was ready for them but I was not. I want to rock locs one day, but I have to be completely satisfied with my loose hair journey first. I missed my hair terribly when I was loc’ing. I definitely hope to loc my hair one day in the future. When I combed out my locs, I had so much breakage, it was unbelievable. That breakage set me back at least a good year and a half of growth.

What is your favorite hairstyle(s)?

My favorite hair style is two stranded twists in a bun or updo.

Which products do you like to use?

Currently, I am using Wen products.

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

Oh, I haven’t been to a salon since 2009, even then it was to get a quick weave for a wedding. Man, that seems so long ago. Currently this is what I do:

• Every night I wear a satin bonnet
• Every week I try to wash my hair with a moisturizing shampoo and condition with a moisturizing conditioner and retwist my hair.
• Every month or so I use a protein conditioner
• Once every 10 weeks or so use ApHogee 2 Step Protein treatment
• Every once in a while, I will do search and destroy missions for splitting ends and fairy knots.

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

• Natural Hair Box (launch early 2013)
• Natural Hair Community
• Twitter: @naturaljael
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturalhaircommunity

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

Teach your children to love the differences in other people; not just with natural hair but in life. Everybody wants to feel accepted and they want to feel that it’s okay to be who they are. It will definitely make parenting a little bit easier.

Seeking To Spotlight a Feature Story

Everyone does not have hair that automatically grows long, healthy and thick once they go natural. Some people have very serious personal issues that span way beyond going natural.

Therefore, Permed to Natural is seeking people with natural hair to spotlight who have or had problems growing their hair due to medical issues or growth defect.

Sharing your story regarding your hair struggles on how you feel/felt, what you did to enhance your length, what steps you are taking/took to make your hair healthy, and how long you have or had hair growth issues, may help someone else deal with or overcome the same problems.

Those willing to share their hair struggles, please feel free to email me in private for more information at ContactMe@permedtonatural.com.

I hope to hear from you soon!

Hair Growth Issues

Everyone does not have hair that automatically grows long, healthy and thick once they go natural. Some people have very serious personal issues that span way beyond going natural.

Therefore, Permed to Natural is seeking people with natural hair to spotlight who have or had problems growing their hair due to medical issues or a growth defect.

Sharing your story regarding your hair struggles on how you feel/felt, what you did to enhance your length, what steps you are taking/took to make your hair healthy, and how long you have or had hair growth issues, may help someone else deal with or overcome the same problems.

Those willing to share their hair struggles, please feel free to email me in private for more information at ContactMe@permedtonatural.com.

I hope to hear from you soon!

Meet Rochelle

Tell us about yourself.

I am 37 years young. I love to shop, read, sew and crochet. I currently teach English to Israeli youth in Southern Israel.

Tell us about your hair.

My hair is my crowning glory although there are times when I just want to cut it all off!

What inspired you to go natural?

I really don’t remember exactly. I do remember being in college and dating this “conscious” brother. I’m sure he influenced me. It was 1996 when I last had a perm. That was 16 years ago. It was kinda the thing to do with the people that I was hanging around.

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

I have always had a lot of hair. I cut it to shoulder length and wore braids for about 2 years. I decided to choose this method because I couldn’t bring myself to cut off all of my hair. I also wore it pressed, for years once it all grew out.

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?

There was only one attempt and I have never looked back.

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

No.

What is your favorite hairstyle(s)?

Small two-strand twists.

Which products do you like to use?

Castor oil, olive oil and even body lotion by Queen Helene. I use Queen Helene’s Cocoa Butter formula that I purchase at Wal-Mart. It makes my hair easier to comb after it is washed.

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

I don’t really have one. I just started getting it done by a friend of mine once a month. That has been working out well. Oh, and, I wash my hair once a month now as well. I used to wash it every week, then every two weeks. I guess as I am getting more mature, and spend less time worrying about my hair, the washing process has dwindled down to once a month.

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

There is life after chemicals – a very long and healthy life!!

Meet Amaka

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Amaka and I am a 24-year-old living in New Mexico. I attend the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy and am pursuing my doctoral degree in Pharmacy. I am the oldest of four children, two brothers and one sister. Although my siblings and I were born and raised in New Mexico, my parents were born and raised in Nigeria, Africa. My dad moved to America to pursue his college degree in pharmacy and my mother in dental hygiene.

Tell us about your hair.

My hair can be a hot mess! It is so kinky, thick, and dense that I can’t even imagine trying to style it every morning. My solution? BRAIDS! I get them done about every two months and don’t have to worry about how much time it will take me to style my real hair or how much pain I will experience just trying to get a comb through it.

What inspired you to go natural?

Many people ask me, “Why don’t you just relax your hair?” I used to relax it religiously every two to three months but I just got so tired of it! The money wasted on relaxers, the pain from the chemical burns, and the stench of it all got to be too much. But the most important reason I stopped is because I questioned myself, why do I need to have my hair as straight as everyone else’s? Why can’t I embrace my real hair and all the different natural styles I can do with it. I was tired of “trying” to have hair like my Caucasian counterparts so I stopped relaxing it and went from permed to natural.

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 three years ago. I did not do the big chop because it takes a long time for my hair to grow and right now I’m trying to grow my natural hair out into a nice afro.

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?

This was my second attempt to go natural. My first attempt failed because I was trying so hard to fit in with everyone else – trying to have “un-nappy” hair. Afterwards I realized I should stop wanting to be like the girls in the magazines and on television. I needed to embrace my natural hair, and because of that revelation, the second time wasn’t even a question.

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

No I don’t regret anything that I’ve done to my hair other than perming it

What is your favorite hairstyle(s)?

By far, my favorite style is braids. I just love how they look (on me HAHA). Next to that I would say twists are pretty neat too. I am a bit naïve when it comes to hairstyles because I live in a city where Black culture is not dominant so I don’t always know what the latest and greatest new hair-do is.

Which products do you like to use?

Since I haven’t had my natural hair out of braids (I’m trying to grow it), I’m not sure what I like. I do like to use hair oils like Africa’s Best for my roots to keep them nice and soft and any oil sheen spray to keep my braids looking fresh and shiny. As far as shampoo and conditioner, I use Pantene Pro-V for Women of Color but I am currently looking for a new shampoo/conditioner.

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

I go to a salon…kind of. I see a lady who is from the Congo who braids my hair for me. But usually I get my braids in back-to-back so I don’t really style my natural hair. I do wrap my braids up every night to keep them from tangling too much.

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

Man, I’m not famous like that! I’m not really on the web. Just Facebook and Twitter.

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

I would like for your readers to know that going natural was a personal decision that I made for myself. I didn’t do it because everybody else was doing it. I did it because it boosted my self-confidence and esteem. I am learning to embrace myself and love every aspect of myself including my crazy natural hair. If people want to judge you for not going natural, don’t pay them any mind because going natural is a personal journey not a social requirement.

Meet Shawna

Tell us about yourself.

I am a driven young woman who loves to be involved. Outside of working at a communications company I volunteer with various organizations within my community. One of them includes, being a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., the New Mexico Divine 9 Council.

Tell us about your hair.

I am not sure exactly what my “hair type” is. I have tight ringlet curls and when picked out my tresses resemble a 70 style afro. My hair loves moisture! If I flat iron my hair, and it is raining outside (even before a drop of rain touches my head), the curls begin to spring into action. My hair does not do well in the dry New Mexico climate without a good leave in conditioner.

What inspired you to go natural?

Two things inspired me to go natural. First, my hair was not growing. Before my first perm, my hair was halfway down my back. After the perm, it would not grow longer than shoulder length. The second thing that inspired me to go natural was my college experience. I was finally around other girls who had hair similar to mine and I saw how healthy theirs was. I decided to stop relaxing it for a while and see how it turned out.

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

I let my hair grow out and trimmed the relaxer out bit by bit. I was by no means bold enough to cut all my hair off, especially since it was already short to begin with. However, if I went with the big chop I would have avoided a strange period of new growth mixed with old relaxer! It wasn’t the prettiest hair time for me. Luckily when my head was finally filled with curls, I was pleased.

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?

My first attempt in going natural was successful. Do I think about getting a perm again? Occasionally. Will I get another perm? Probably not. I keep in mind how damaging relaxers are to hair and how many style options are available for natural hair. Also, a major part of me staying natural is how much hair growth I’ve experience without having a relaxer.

What is your favorite hairstyle(s)?

My favorite hairstyles are braids, twists, and large curly afros. I have yet to try braids on myself but I think they look beautiful. My easiest personal style is just pulling my hair back into a large ponytail creating a crown on ringlets on my head.

Which products do you like to use?

I switch products often as I have yet to find an absolute favorite. Currently, I am using Shea Moisture. So far this product has been okay, but I will be on the hunt for something new once I’m out. I give much credit to my natural friends out there in the kitchen making their own products!

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

I don’t have much of a daily ritual. I wash my hair once a week and wrap it in a bonnet at night. When I have extra time in the evenings I’ll put a leave in conditioner and twist my hair before putting my bonnet on. The only time I go to the salon is to get my ends trimmed about every 6 weeks. With the weather getting colder I will have to soon find a regimen that moisturizes my hair regularly.

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

I find time to tweet and blog every once in a while. I can be found on twitter @shawnabrown10.

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

I say to Permed to Natural readers (who are not natural): Just do it once! At least see what your natural hair texture is like. If you hate the new look, you can always go back. To the natural readers: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles. There are so may for us to choose from!

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!

Meet Shannon

Tell us about yourself.

I work as an executive assistant for a vice president of an engineering firm, and I am a writer by passion. I have published two articles on turn-of-the-century civil rights activist Ida B. Wells and am currently working on a novel. I am also a volunteer on the Marketing Subcommittee for the New Mexico Black History Organizing Committee.

Tell us about your hair.

I am bi-racial, so my hair is a combination of my father’s curl (prone to frizz with big poofiness) and my mother’s fine texture (which means my hair never got “bone straight” even right after using a hair relaxer. Please see the picture below.

What inspired you to go natural?

On three different occasions my hair broke off because of relaxer damage. The third time it happened, I was done with chemical relaxers for good.

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

I did the Big Chop because I knew that was the best way to stimulate growth but mostly because I did not want to deal with my fried thinning ends anymore. A man I had dated at the time was not happy with my new short bob, so I had to tell him that I could do whatever I wanted with my hair. I have never had a man complain about my hair since. Just the opposite—one boyfriend called it “wild and sexy.” That phrase sticks best in my memory!

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?

This was my third and final switch to natural hair. The other times I had tried, I always reverted back to relaxers because I didn’t feel “pretty” with my natural curls. I also lived in Washington State at the time, so the constant moisture wreaked havoc on the “good hair” look. I initially relaxed my hair myself with kits from the drug store, and after two disastrous incidents, I started going to a professional hair beautician. She would just touch up the roots with relaxer, but even that became too hard on my hair and caused it to dry out and shed. That was the last time I relaxed my hair.

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

I also regret getting my hair layered. This cut only looks good with straight hair, and it takes forever to grow out. It was a major pain trying to put my hair in a ponytail at the gym and having all these in-between layers of hair stick out at weird angles.

What is your favorite hairstyle(s)?

I like to wear my hair down and loose, unless I am at the gym or doing chores around the house. Then I put it in a ponytail or bun.

Which products do you like to use?

Right now I am using Alba Botanica Leave-In Conditioner and Hawaiian shampoo, Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk, and Treasured Locks African Argan Elixir. I am experimenting with Giovanni and Beautiful Curls products because my hair changes its mind every year or so about what works well with it.

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

I get a trim every 2 months by Ross Sanchez at Artistic Phases. I rinse my hair with water and condition it after every work out, and shampoo twice a week. I like to do a deep conditioning treatment once a week, although I have been slacking on this lately. I especially need to do the deep conditioning now that winter in the desert is approaching. I massage T.L. Argan Oil into my scalp to prevent it from getting dry and itchy. To set my hair for the day, I apply C.D. Hair Milk.

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

I can be found on Twitter @shannonymoreau, Linked In, and at my blog: http://loisletshearit.wordpress.com

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

My hairdresser that I went to for the Big Chop told me repeatedly that it is so much easier to work with your curls than against them, and she is absolutely right. When I finally accepted and appreciated my natural hair, not only did life become easier—no more hair spray helmets, curling iron burns, fried ends, and weather drama—I also shed the insidious self-loathing that came with hair straightening. Making that final decision to embrace what God has given me was one of the most liberating and self-loving things I ever did.

Meet Shakera

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Shakera Crawley and I love living life to its fullest. I am an extremist who is learning balance (lol). I have a degree in Broadcast Communications, and a certificate in Digital Video Productions. I am now a Filmmaker; I have modeled and acted on stage as well as in training videos. I currently work at Court Youth Center through Public Allies which is a non-profit agency. My goal is to get an after school film program off the ground as well as a high school film festival.

Tell us about your hair.

My hair has a life of its own. I have so many different textures I am truly amazed my head can hold all of them; it goes from no kink to straight-up-nappy-coarse. I didn’t know hair could coil so tightly.

What inspired you to go natural?

My baby brother inspired me. Now, if you want to see a picture perfect fro, his hair… when he walks, it just bounces.

Did you transition, are you currently transitioning or did you do the Big Chop?

I wore my hair in cornrows for about 8 months and then I got my permed hair chopped off. But the stylist that I went to made me look as if I placed my finger in an electric socket (I was not a happy camper). Looking back I think I would have just chopped it off from the get go.

Why did you choose to do your selected method? 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?

This was my first attempt and I have been natural ever since. Two reasons I have not gone back, 1 I did not like the 1st degree burns, 2 My hair was starting to thin around my temple area.

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

No.

What is your favorite hairstyle(s)?

I just like to wear it out, sometimes I will wear it with a headband, or a wrap, but that is it.

Which products do you like to use?

Living in the desert has challenged me, so I am constantly trying things to keep moisture in my hair. My hair likes Pantene Dry to Moisture right now.

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

I do it myself right now but I would love to find someone to manage it for me. I have a hair dryer that I sit under for deep conditioning that I try to do once a month. For years I would allow my hair to dry in plaits and I would only use wide tooth combs and of course a pick. Every night I plait it up; just recently I started brushing it instead of combing. I use a daily moisturizer (before plaiting) if it feels dry. I wash it about every two weeks, in the summer about once a week.

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

You can find me on Face Book, and Linked.

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

Going natural, for me, was the best thing I could have done. I have enjoyed getting in touch with my roots. I use to be scared of my new growth but not anymore. I use to believe that only straight hair was professional and mainstream. There is just so much freedom; I don’t have to conform to an idea of what beauty is. I pray that my sisters who want to take this step do. Don’t let society dictate to you who and what you are suppose to look like and be. If you want to rock the straight blond look go for it, but don’t do it because of an image of beauty. You are beautiful. The bible says we are fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are thy works.

Meet CJ

CJ and I met during our PSOfor AmeriCorps VISTA. Check out her story that reveals how she manages her long thick natural hair.

Tell us about yourself?

My name is CJ. I currently reside in Texas in my hometown of Denison.  I am a mother of one daughter. She is four-years-old.  I’ve been married, divorced, and looking to get married again. My passion is helping children, particularly the ones who need us (positive people). This led me to become a member of AmeriCorps VISTA and work with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization as a community recruiter. I’m a very active person living a healthy lifestyle. I have learned that nothing on earth can steal my peace or joy.  I live each day expecting blessings to overflow!

What inspired me to go natural?

I don’t believe anything in particular did other than the fact that I only got a relaxer every six months, and if I could wait that long without it, then I didn’t needed it. I also met a beautician that believes in healthy hair and she helped with my transition by giving me styling, tips and product selection.

In high school I thought I should be like every other girl and get a “freeze” or “wave” with my hair down in the back. But with my natural curly hair those styles were not going to look like everyone else’s. So in my freshman year I decided to stop getting my hair pressed and got a relaxer. My relaxed years totaled to about six. One day I just decided I wasn’t going to buy another perm. So yes I transitioned and have been chemical free since 1999.

During your transition (no matter how long) which hairstyles worked for you?

The hairstyles that worked for me were ponytails, buns, letting it be free and hanging down, spiral curl sets or I flat ironed it.

What is your favorite hairstyle(s)?

Flat ironed and straight. Most people like the curly hair better.

Which products do you like to use?

Products I like to use are by Aveda. I use other products such as Nexus, Redken, Pantene and Bath and Body Works as a pre-shampoo. 

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

I wash my hair at least every 7 days. I do my own hair and have someone trim my ends when needed.

Why do you think natural hair is popular right now? Do you think it is a fad?

People around me are getting tired of relying on a relaxer for “The Good Look.” They see my hair and know they can do the same. So they start the transition.

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

Just be you and do what makes you comfortable and happy. Personally I don’t wear much make-up and don’t put a lot of product in my hair to make it look a certain way. When people see me, they know, it’s truly me.  I like a soft natural look and I think my hair completes it.