Tell us about yourself.
> My name is Toni; I’m a Syracuse University alum, NYLS law student, and Bronx native. My love for music has influenced me to pursue a career in entertainment law-- hopefully working with musicians *fingers crossed*. I’m completely obsessed with my hair and researching, and buying, products for my hair; I’m a little bit of a geek. Oh, and I’m a recovering sneakerhead (very little emphasis on recovering).
How long have you been natural? What is your hair type? Describe your curls!
> I’ve been natural for a little over a month. I’m pretty sure I have about 2-3 different curl patterns in this curly 'fro of mine. If i had to pick, I’d say i have a mix of 3b and 3C-- at least those are the ones I can identify. My tightest curls are along my hairline, and the curls at the crown of my head are, by far, the most defiant. Because of all my researching, I’ve realized that I have low porosity hair! Being low porosity makes wash days and styling considerably interesting (lol)!
Did you transition or big chop? Why did you take that route?
> I transitioned for a year and 4 months. My last relaxer was just 2 months after I graduated from Syracuse University. After that year and 4 months, I was over it! Long term transitioning is a challenge to say the least! I was too terrified to have short hair. I’ve never had hair shorter than shoulder length, so the thought of shorter hair literally gave me anxiety. I didn’t know what I’d be able to do with it-- and God forbid-- a bad hair day and I couldn’t have a ponytail! I spent the majority of my transitioning time doing flat twist outs. Occasionally, I did some braid-outs and straightening. I tried bantu-knots twice; that was a no-go for me! I even got Senegalese twists over the summer thinking I’d do some protective styling-- they lasted a week!
If you big chopped-- how did you feel?
> I’m not sure if I even did a big chop, but when I finally cut my hair on November 1st, I felt free! As cliché as that sounds, it was literally one of the most liberating things I’ve done in a while. I didn’t care about what anyone thought anymore; I just wanted those disgusting relaxed ends off! I let my older sister, who has zero hair cutting experience, cut my hair for me. We recorded the entire process! I was sooo excited; I kept sticking my hands in my hair when it was over. I did a wash and go right after and took my hair out for a drink!
What was it like when you experienced your natural hair for the first time?
> I can’t lie and say it was easy! When I looked in the mirror the morning after I cut it, I laughed! I got my first relaxer at the age of 6 for my mom’s wedding, so finally seeing my curls was weird. I wasn’t sure what to do with it, so I let the wash and go-- styled by my sister-- rock out for another day or two. I LOVED my hair though. The laughter I experienced was definitely joyous! I still constantly look at the pics of my BC and actually laugh. I still can't believe I did it sometimes.
What are some of your favorite products? (Top 3)
> I live by Aussie Moist as a rinse out conditioner! The slip is insane and it smells tropical-- and I LOVE tropical scents! I also love coconut oil. It’s light enough that I don’t feel like my hair is weighed down by it or that it's building up on my hair. Also, because my hair has low porosity, products tend to just sit on top of my hair. Lastly, I loveee eco styler gel especially the clear one! It defines my curls better than anything I’ve tried yet, but it’s only been a little over a month (lol)! When I first did my wash and gos, they were too crunchy and I couldn’t stand it. I tried scrunching my hair with coconut oil, but it just didn’t do it for me. I tried layering my products-- a layer of coconut oil right under my gel-- and that did the trick! Since trying that, my wash and gos are super soft!
What are your go-to hairstyles?
> Since BC’ing, I’ve retired my flat twists. My go-to is definitely a wash and go! I love seeing my natural curl pattern, so wash and gos work best for me. I did a twist out since BC’ing and didn’t like it until I made it frizzy. It was just a little too perfectly defined for my taste.
How do you feel about your hair today?
> I LOVE my hair!!! I can say, without a doubt, I’ll never put another relaxer in my hair again! I feel like my hair suits my personality better now than before. I’ve become obsessed with myself since BC’ing. Seriously-- the amount of selfies I have on my phone is slightly sickening. A friend of mine actually reminded me that there’s a 'three selfie a week' rule for IG; I highly doubt I follow that. I can’t wait to see how much it grows and how big it gets. I’ve already noticed more growth since November 1st. I think it’s safe to say that I’m obsessed with my curls!
Until next time,
Ashley, xo.
Do you have any questions for Toni about her natural hair? Comment below!
Tell us about yourself.
> I am a Syracuse University Alumna pursuing a career as a Criminalist-- one laboratory position at a time. I love to dance, watch movies (action & horror), paint my nails, do hair, shop and EAT! I just enjoy having a good time with good people.
How long have you been natural? What is your hair type? Describe your curls!
> I have been fully natural for 2 years & 7months, but began the process April 2010 (my last relaxer was for my 20th birthday). My hair type is 4a/4c; my hair is very tightly coiled yet soft. However, the middle of my hair is so thick and tightly coiled that it lacks definite shape while the sides of my head have more defined curls that are springy when pulled.
Did you transition or big chop? Why did you take that route?
> In May of 2011 I did my Big Chop! Prior to, I would just wear braid outs, but running out of patience, I was ready to cut all of the remainder of my relaxed hair off. I thought and found it to be easier to deal with one texture of hair.
On big chopping-- how did you feel?
> After my BC I felt like a new person. I had given myself a new look; however, I was still shy to show it off because it was very different than what I was used to. It was definitely a style I would have to get used to being that it was only my natural hair. I also felt like I had accomplished a goal being that I had been talking about going natural for a long time.
What was it like when you experienced your natural hair for the first time?
> As time went on, I was surprised at how much I began to fall in love with my hair. Not only was it easy to maintain, as far as saving time on doing my hair, the compliments I was getting played a part on it growing on me. But when it came time for me to style my hair differently, I did think "OMG! what did I do?!" because it was so thick, and short, and I thought there was no way I could straighten it as good as it could have been straightened with a relaxer-- glad to know I was wrong.
What are some of your favorite products? (Top 3)
> I love using curling lotions and smoothies especially the Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie. Prior to washing my hair, I apply Taliah Waajid’s The Great Detangler while twisting my hair (I wash my hair while its twisted), and I wash and condition with Crème of Nature’s Shampoo and Conditioner with Argan Oil.
What are your go-to hairstyles?
> I love, love, love wearing Bantu knot outs, regular twist outs and my wash-and-go 'fro! As a protective style, or a style when I know I’m not going to want to do my hair for a long time, I braid my hair in goddess box braids.
How do you feel about your hair today?
> I love my hair! I find it simpler to maintain than if it was relaxed. I am so glad I became natural because my hair is much healthier. I know I can still do as many styles as I want, as well as styles I have done prior to becoming a Naturalista!
Until next time,
Ashley, xo.
Do you have any questions for Christinia about her natural hair? Comment below!
Yes, folks.. I did it again, and by it, I mean I big chopped for the second time and it felt good!
So I had been having these thoughts about a tapered haircut for quite some time and after a conversation with a friend about haircuts via Twitter, and a quick talk with my mom the same night, I decided that I should just do it and be done with it. I had been looking at pictures of tapered cuts, stalking McKenzie Renae's blog and her cute cut, and tweeting every now and then, "I want a tapered cut!". After some research on my bus ride home, I decided that I was going to cut my hair and as soon as possible!
I went to the salon on Friday to discuss the cut and price with my stylist, and I made sure I was the first person at the salon on Saturday.. ready. She used the clippers for most of the cut-- along the back and sides of my head and she used scissors only to even off the tuft of hair that was left to create the shape I wanted. I couldn't really tell if I was liking the cut at first because my hair was combed out and not curly. I kind of started to worry, but I had to wait until it was 100% done before I panicked.
After the cut, she washed my hair with my L'Oreal EverCurl Hydracharge Shampoo. I forgot a conditioner-- I seriously don't know how-- so she went straight for my deep conditioner and applied my Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Mask. She combed it through, I donned a plastic cap, and sat under the dryer for about 15 minutes. Once the timer went off, I had her rinse the deep conditioner out with cold water and headed straight for the chair. While in the chair, she applied my Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-in/Detangler and a little bit of my Miss Jessie's Jelly Soft Curls gel. Then, I sat under the dryer, again, for about 10 minutes. I just wanted to make sure my hair wasn't soaking wet before I headed home.
Once I got home, I snatched my hood off and I headed for the bathroom. I rinsed out the product, reapplied some leave-in and a little more gel and diffused my hair. Now, I was definitely liking it.
I wanted to cut my hair for a while especially because I had always liked the tapered cut look. It was actually the first cut I looked at when I planned to BC. I also got a little tired of my big hair. Yes, I did love it and I was happy that it grew out-- as much as it did, and as fast as it did-- but I wanted something different. I wanted something spicy, and I felt that the tapered cut was the right amount of spice for me. I also missed my super curly coils. I noticed that as my hair grew out, it became less curly and more wavy. I missed my springy curls and I was happy to have them back.
I got a lot of questions about why I cut my hair especially because people couldn't understand why I would do it. I had to do what I felt was right for me. I definitely got asked 'why' a few times, but it is my hair. :)
If you are interested in cutting your hair, do your research! Don't be afraid to look up tons of pictures and take some with you to your stylist. Make adjustments as you feel necessary so that the cut fits your face. And do not be afraid! It's just hair and it will grow back :)
Until next time,
Ashley, xo.
Are you thinking about a tapered cut? Do you have a tapered cut and want to share your experience? Comment below!
Tell us about yourself.
> My name is Marissa, and I am a sophomore at Syracuse University; I am pursuing Music Journalism and Sound Engineering.
You can describe me as a music
enthusiast. I am the Co-Founder of
Underground Founders Productions; check us out at youtube.com/aravetomars!
How long have you been natural? What is your hair type? Describe your curls!
> My mom
never let us get relaxers; we always got texturizers-- the “less harsh”
version. We would get texlaxed every 4-6 months so going natural was very
easy for me. I literally just stopped
getting texlaxed my Junior year of high school, so it has been about 3+ years. I
have THICK hair-- a mixture of curls and waves.
Did you transition or big chop? Why did you take that route?
> I transitioned
because I am not allowed to cut my hair, nor would I want to. My transition was
very easy because my hair would still curl up with texturizers. I have a lot of
hair, so chopping all of it off would be an extreme step for me. I have never cut my
hair more than 3 inches! I think transitioning, instead of big chopping, might be the
reason why I do not have the same curl pattern throughout all of my hair.
**Kanye Shrugs**
What was it like when you experienced your natural hair for the first time?
> The more
my hair would grow out, the bigger my hair would get! I now have GIANT hair
that distracts everyone, but I love it!
What are some of your favorite products? (Top 3)
> I am
honestly the most basic naturalista ever. I use whatever products my sisters
have which is usually coconut oil, argan oil, and Suave Moroccan conditioner.
What are your go-to hairstyles?
> I am all
about the wash and go. I go out with my hair wet and close to my head, and it
gradually turns into a big fro. I like bantu knots because it gives the
illusion that I curled my hair.
How do you feel about your hair today?
> My hair is straightened-- as I'm typing this-- for the second time in 9 months. It feels healthy and
easy to handle, but I can’t wait to go back to my 'fro!
Until next time,
Ashley, xo.
Do you have any questions for Marissa about her natural hair? Comment below!
