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Kerrie is an awesome new natural, here below she shares her story from the relaxed days to the now natural days. Enjoy.

Hello to all of my natural and transitioning DIVAS out there!! Well…let’s see, I tried going natural twice before I actually succeeded. I suppose that it’s true what they say, “The third time is the charm” J Anywho, the first two times I tried transitioning to natural, I was very uneducated about the process and I thought that all I had to do was keep my hair hot combed/flat ironed the whole time and that was it. WRONG! My hair was steadily breaking and my edges were in bad shape and all the while I was wondering why…after all, I hadn’t been getting a “relaxer”….so why was my hair STILL breaking??? I didn’t know the first thing about “heat damage” and all. However, this last go around I decided to do some research of my own and that’s when I discovered naturallycurly.com, nappturality.com, curlynikki.com, fotki.com, and a host of other informative web sites. I realized that I didn’t know HALF of what I should’ve known about going natural. That is when my journey began. I purchased all of what seemed to be the most highly recommended products for “natural” hair because I wanted to nurture my new growth as it came in.

I transitioned for 6 months. Initially I was going to transition for 2 years but I do my own hair, and the 2 textures started getting on my nerves…so I decided to chop it off for the New Year! I don’t regret it at all :-) I BC’d on December 18, 2009. My initial reaction was, “OhEmGEEEE! ALL of my hair is GONE!!!”…but then I realized that it wasn’t all gone. It just SHRUNK a LOT LOL. One of my friends that didn’t know I was transitioning actually thought that I just up and cut my hair off…she even asked me if I had a “Waiting to Exhale” moment or something LOL. But EVERYONE loves it now! I get SSSOOOO many compliments. This is the ABSOLUTE best decision I have ever made for my hair and I vow never to go BACK…to the “CREAMY CRACK”! ;-)

During my transition to natural, I mostly wore a variation of rod-out styles. For transitioners I recommend twists, braids, rod/roller sets, etc…basically any low to no manipulation hair styles. As far as my regimen goes, I try to keep it simple. I cleanse/wash my hair once a week (sometimes more if I work out really hard and I sweat a lot). I alternate between deep conditioning treatments and protein conditioning treatments once every other week. I ensure that I apply my scalp treatment at least 3 times a week. Right now, I’m wearing twisouts, puffs, or sporting a wash-n-go. Okay, on to the “tons of pix” I was asked to provide LOL:

Relaxed:

The bob with a hint of color…

Wigs & Weaves:

Used as protective styles and just for glam!

Transitioning: Finally decided to get back to natural:

NATURAL:

Big Chop (December 18, 2009):

Post BC (all the way thorough month 4—I can already get a PUFF!!!):

I’m not saying purchase all of these products at one time. These are just some products that I’ve used or that I am currently using and that I think work very well:

• Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner (for detangling)
• Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose Conditioner (for deep conditioning)
• Aubrey Organics GPB (protein balancing conditioner for protein treatments)
• Giovanni Direct Leave-in Conditioner (creamy leave in)
• Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner (detangling or deep treatments)
• Dr. Bronner’s baby mild castile soap (for cleansing)
• Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp Conditioner (deep conditioning or leave-in)
• Infusium 23 leave-in (liquid leave in)
• Kinky Curly Curling Custard (curl definer)
• Kinky Curly Knot Today (leave-in conditioner)
• Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream (moisturizer)
• Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream (moisturizer)
• Essential Oils and Carrier Oil s: Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sweet Almond, Avocado, Jojoba, Grapeseed, Castor, Peppermint, Lavender, Rosemary, and Tea Tree.
• Pure/Organic Honey (I use it in styling concoctions and also in my deep treatments)
• Vegetable Glycerin (I use it in my spray bottle with water for re-wetting and in styling concoctions)
• Arm and Hammer Baking Soda (I use it to clarify/cleanse)
• Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (I use it after I rinse the baking soda out)
• IC Fantasia Gel (for slicking back puffs)
• Eco Styler Gel (for slicking back puffs)

Well there you have it. Newly Natural Kerrie, sharing her world with us. Any newly naturals out there who did the transition/big chop? How was it for you? Share below. We’d love to hear your views.

Stay blessed