Frankie is Naturally Glamorous!

I got to interview Frankie! Do you know how happy I am? :)

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When did you and what made you decide to go natural?
I went natural January 2011. I was away in college and it was hard keeping my hair maintained by myself, only getting it done when I came home for breaks.  I also wanted to have curly hair and hoped that going natural would do the trick.

Did you big chop or transition?
I transitioned for a year and a half, clipping my ends.  I was one of the people who was not so brave to try and big chop.
 
How did you manage your hair while going natural?
At first, I was treating it just like how I treated it while it was relaxed: tight ponytails, flat ironing, and blow drying.  Then, I embraced my hair for what it was and tried twist outs and bantu knot-outs, which eventually gave me great results.

 

When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
My initial reaction to my natural hair was frustration! It was so hard dealing with two textures and I never really know much about styling hair or anything. I was used to ponytails, but after awhile, they were no longer working for me so I knew I had to try something else.

How did your family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
Since I grew my hair out, no one really knew I was natural until i started saying it, or until I started wearing my hair curly.  I have always been complimented on my hair, although there are those comments by people who I believe just don't have the courage to start this journey.

What does this journey mean to you?
It means a lot to me! I finally embrace my hair for what it is.  I also am able to try styles and everything for the first time.  I love reading and watching videos about hair and educating myself.
 
What is your daily regimen (including your night-time routine)?
I really don't have a daily routine, because my schedule is really hectic.  I basically just make sure my hair looks presentable for the day, which might be just wearing a beanie.  Then, at night, I make sure to put on a silk cap.

What are your go-to hairstyles, which is your fav. and how do you achieve it?
I know a minimal amount of hairstyles, so I do not really have go-to's. At the moment, I only know how to do twist outs, wash-no-go's, frohawks, and bantu knot-outs.  Bantus might be my favorite, even though they take me longer to do, but they do produce a very nice style, instead of just wild curls everywhere.  I have been practicing flat-twisting, french rolls, cornrows, pin ups, and pompadours. All of my styles are achieved by first spritzing with water, adding in my castor and coconut oil mix, my leave-in conditioner (basically the L.O.C. method) and either a curly gel or a curl refresher.

How do you deal with hair issues such as: breakage, shrinkage, length retention and moisture?
Since I stopped applying heat to my hair, I really haven't had that much breakage at all.  So, I think no heat has really played a larger factor. I have serious shrinkage and honestly, there's not much I can do about it, so I let it handle itself on its own. For length retention, I just make sure to keep my hair moisturized and massage my scalp sometimes to stimulate growth. For moisture, my spray bottle comes in handy!

What products do you currently use, and how are they working for you?
Right now, I am experimenting with products.  I really loved the Silk Elements Mixed Silk lines, but they were discontinued, so I have been searching for something new.  I just came upon the Pantene Truly Natural line and I plan to see how that goes for now.  I use a little of everything.  I have a box under my counter just for hair stuff lol.

Hand-In-Hair syndrome an issue I have now only that....it's not my hand. Do you have this issue? Do people ask before touching your hair or they just randomly reach out and touch (or grab) it? How does this make you feel? What is your reaction to this?
 (This question made me laugh lol) I have always struggled with everyone wanting to touch my hair.  From when it was relaxed and people used to ask if it was my real hair and they would randomly start searching for tracks, until now, when people want to feel if my hair is soft or not.  I think now, it's more of a peeve because touching my hair can add frizz or completely mess up the style. So, I'll snap, then quickly apologize, and then explain why I do not like people touching my hair lol. I do think it is rude because you don't know where someone's hands have been! I feel like someone can be putting bacteria in my hair!


What have you learned throughout your journey?
Patience is a virtue! Patience for growth, patience when trying a new style, patience while waiting for your hair to dry, patience while detangling!  You must have patience with natural hair.  And for me, my patience has been paying off.

Any advice for those who are considering going natural, are currently transitioning, are newly naturals or "Nana" naturals?
Do not let anyone else's opinions affect you.  If you want to go natural, go ahead and do it.  But make sure it is something you are willing to commit to.  Like I said, you need patience. You have to be willing to learn and willing to spend money to buy stuff.  You have to learn to take care of your hair.  It's like a class course; you have to stay on top of your game to get the results you desire!

Waychaun is Naturally Glamourous

Waychaun of Luvbeinnatural

When did you decide to go natural? Why? 

 I decided to go natural in 2009. I was working out quite a bit and I just couldn't get my relaxers to last. Going natural was the best option for me at that time, and has been one of the best decisions I've ever made! 

Did you big chop or transition? How did you manage your hair while going natural?  

I transitioned for 9 months. I wore my hair in kinky twists, and then a few straw sets. I also did a roller set once. I like that style, and would tried it a few more times, but I did my big chop pretty soon after that.
 

When did you BC?  What was your initial reaction to your natural hair? 

 I did my BC on Nov 17th, 2009. Clearly it was a big deal and still means a lot to me, because I remember the exact date! lol! I was relieved, and I loved my hair. It was a little shorter than I thought it was going to be, but I was ready and I loved my hair so much. My very first style was a twist out, and I was so proud!!
 

How did your family and friends react to the new you?  What was your response to them?  

I had mixed reactions. Some of my family and friends tried talking me out of going natural, and they didn't really like my new short hair cut. But I think it was more of the 'change' itself that they weren't too sure of, not my natural hair. Change can be difficult for lots of people. Once they got used to it, they prefer me now with my natural hair. Other family members and friends have loved my natural hair since the beginning. So I got a mixed reaction for sure! But at the end of the day, I knew what I wanted and it didn't matter what they though. So I continued to 'do me' and they I was happy with that.
 

What does this journey mean to you? 

My journey means a lot of things actually. It's opened up a lot of doors and opportunities that I never even though of, or never even knew I wanted. It's been life changing!! 

What is your daily regimen?  

My daily regimen.... well, that depends on the style I'm wearing. Generally my hair is twisted and pinned up. So if that's the case, after I work out I rinse my hair or co-wash, then apply leave in conditioner and pin it right back up. Maybe put on a headband, and that's about it. Then at night I add leave in conditioner and put on a satin bonnet. If I'm wearing an out style, I'll wake up and untwist my hair with a little coconut oil on my hands. Then style with hair pins or something like that. Before bed, I add leave in conditioner and retwist. Put on the satin bonnet, then goodnight! :0)
 

What products do you currently use, and how are they working for you?  

Right now I use My Honey Child Scalp Cleanser and Creame of Nature Argon Oil Deep conditioner. Those are my favorite right now, and they work great for me! 

What have you learned throughout your journey?  

Patience! lol! That's the number one thing that I have learned. Patience when it comes to my hair growing, when it comes to styles that don't work out, sometimes dealing with the ignorance of others when it comes to natural hair... lots of different things... patience, patience, patience!!
 

Any advice for others on their journey? 

 Basically just to own your journey! It's your journey, make sure you do what is going to make you happy. And embrace it... with patience! lol! It's just like any other goal, it's not always easy, but if it's something you want, I will be worth it!! 

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Check out Waychaun's Youtube channel: Luvbeinnatural

Ashley is Naturally Glamorous!

Ashley of SoSaidAshley

When did you decide to go natural? Why? 

I decided to go natural April 1st (I know, I know. Yes, they did think it was an April Fools joke when I announced it to everyone). I did it for personal and medical reasons. The personal being the fact that I had seen that whole "soda-can-in-relaxer" portion of "Good Hair" and I was just tired of sitting hours with a relaxer on my head, just so it would "lay down for once".

Then, the medical being that I have chronic migraines and I would always stress myself out before getting a relaxer (because, as I mentioned, I often sat with it on for several hours at a time), so, my stressing would give me migraines, and, afterwards, for a few weeks, the chemicals would react badly with my body and cause even worse migraines.

I just finally decided I had enough.

Did you big chop or transition? How did you manage your hair while going natural? 

I transitioned. Well, I'm still transitioning. There was just something about me with short hair that I didn't like; my mother, grandmother and great-grandmother have always looked great with short hair, but, it was short because they kept it that way. 

As for me? I just wasn't comfortable making such a drastic change.

I'm managing my hair being sure to keep the two textures blended - without doing that, breakage is going to happen, for sure.(And, as I said in my first post on my blog, breakage is not something I'm playing with). I like to keep the textures blended by making my relaxed ends more texturized. I've never been able to maintain truly straight hair with chemicals, so, now that I'm transitioning, I'm not even going to bother trying with heat.

When did you BC?  What was your initial reaction to your natural hair? 

In terms of "BC'ing" with transitioning, I haven't officially done so yet. I did cut off a large part of my hair in the back that's purely natural, so, I have a good idea of what my texture looks like, and, from what I can see, I love it. I haven't been hesitant, at all, in typing it (it's easier for me to take care of if I have a general idea of the type and thus some ways I can look up how to care for it), so, I'd say it's about 4b/4c (which I fully believe exists). 

How did your family and friends react to the new you?  What was your response to them?  

They didn't react well. I grew up with "Good Hair Syndrome", so, they were always used to seeing my hair straight - Well, my hair is still, for the most part, straight. They weren't used to seeing all of my new growth and hearing me honestly say that, no, I was not getting a relaxer anymore. And, no, you could not pay for it. I got picked on, from adults and kids alike, friends and family alike, but, they don't understand it, so...

My response was just to tell them it was my head of hair and they didn't have to like it. It wasn't that I couldn't afford a relaxer or that someone said something mean about me getting relaxers - I just didn't feel comfortable getting them anymore and I wasn't going to, whether they liked it or not.

What does this journey mean to you? 

This journey means... A lot to me. I don't want to say something "cliche" like "Oh, this means finally stepping out from the bonds of the societal 'norms' and being myself!", but, I feel like, sort of, that's what it means. This means finally getting to honestly say "I am not my hair" and live like it. I've cut out a large section out of the back of my hair, I'm wearing my new growth and not trying to hide it... This finally means I can get over the whispering of my peers and do what I want to with myself and be confident in it.

What is your daily regimen? 

Unfortunately, I don't have one just yet. Well, my "rough draft" of a regimen is being sure to wet with water and seal with castor oil when I wake up, and put it in a protective style (typically a large, french braid crown, now that I've learned how to do them).

What products do you currently use, and how are they working for you? 

Motions! I know, I know, it's kind of been a hands-off product (it's got 'cones and sulfates, right?), but, it's doing wonders for my hair. In addition to just throwing in some castor oil and EVOO in my spray bottle with my water. It's kind of a running joke on my blog that I'm broke, so, no big, pricey things for me.

What have you learned throughout your journey?

I have learned that people will talk. It's inevitable; and especially since I'm a high school student. My peers don't understand. And, what they don't understand, they fear - it's different. And, what they fear, they hate and make fun. It's a pretty natural response, and, I've learned that anyone not making comments that'll help me improve in my journey or as a person... They just aren't worth listening to.

Any advice for others on their journey?

You have got to have an attitude. That's not suggesting you be rude or cocky; there shouldn't be room in your person for those types of attitudes. But, you can't just go into this just doing it. You've got to have an attitude and a mindset that says "No matter what they say, I'm going to be the bigger person, answer their questions in an educated manner and not go off when they make ignorant comments". Because, they will. You just have to have a strong attitude and be prepared. Not everyone is going to be supportive.