Describe yourself in 100 words or less.
I am 25 years old. I am a very loving person and I have a very big heart. I’m very family oriented. I’m very silly, but quiet with people I don’t know. I love to watch movies and to just have fun overall.

What prompted your decision to go natural?
My mom passed away in Aug of 2007 of cancer at age 37. It was really rough for me because we were very, very close, literally best friends. So, not only did I lose a mother, but my BFF as well and, of course, I took it really hard. I didn’t realize the impact it was having on my hair. At the time, I was still getting relaxers, but not every 6 weeks like I normally would. I decided to bleach my hair blonde in March of 2008, kind of like in honor and memory of my mom.  She used to like to dye her hair blonde when it got warmer outside and March 1st is her birthday.  I’ve bleached my hair before with no problem, but never my whole head. Then I decided I “NEEDED” a relaxer 2 weeks later (or so I thought). Well, big mistake. I think with the stress of her passing, combined with the chemicals, it wasn’t a good idea. Sections of my hair fell out and it was shedding really badly.

In May, my husband and I were going to Florida on vacation, so I decided to go and just get it cut into a short style. By this time, the parts that fell out were at a decent length where I could. Of course, she had to relax it for the style. Long story short, I had been doing my research and going on You Tube and, in December of ’08, I decided to stop getting relaxers. It really made no sense, once I thought about it, for me to even get a relaxer. Because, when I got them, my hair would still be curly, but more of a relaxed curl. I was just so used to it and my mom used to do my hair, so I never thought much about it. I never realized how much the relaxer breaks down your hair. My curls now are much more fuller and my hair is a whole lot more healthier than it was then.

Did you transition or big chop? If you transitioned how long?
I transitioned, I would say.  I don’t remember the exact amount of time, but I would say 1 year. I had to cut my hair short while I was still relaxing and decided to go natural about 7 months after that. My hair was already short, so I would just cut off some of the relaxed ends as it grew out.

How do you feel now?
I feel great. I really love my natural hair. I feel like we’ve grown together. It was definitely a learning experience and I don’t plan on ever going back to a relaxer. I’m excited to see where I’ll be in the next couple of years.

What is your current regimen? Go to products?
My current regimen is pre poo overnight with coconut oil and Africa’s Best mixture of oils. The next morning, I wash my hair with Shea Moisture shampoo and Kera Care Hydrating and Detangling shampoo. I then part my hair in 4 sections, apply my conditioner, which right now is Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner, and leave that on for most of the day or no less than 1 hour. After that’s washed out, I part my hair in 2 sections and do about 5 twists on each side with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel and some oil. I put rods on the end of each twist. I usually co-wash once a week and wash with shampoo every 2 weeks depending on how my scalp is. I have a really dry scalp and it’s worse now since it’s winter. I do like to change up my color every so often, so I make sure to keep my hair moisturized.

What are your favorite styles?
My favorite styles right now are twist and curls, braid outs and messy buns. I pretty much like to keep my hair stretched, because it’s easier to maintain and easier to keep moisturized. I do straighten every couple of months just to switch it up. I like the versatility.

What are your hair plans/goals?
My number one goal for now is to reach MBL which I haven’t been since I was little. I also want to see if the front of my hair will even out with the back, which I doubt. The back and middle part of my head grows very fast and my front seems to grow slower.

I want to try Jamaican black castor oil as well as I’ve seen and heard so many great things about it and I’m also hoping it will aid me in growing my hair longer. Also to just be consistent with my regimen, because I have seen a tremendous amount of growth in this past year. I guess, whatever I’m doing, my hair likes it. LOL!

Do you have a hair crush? If so, who and why?
My hair crushes are Tracee Ellis Ross, Jurnee Smollett and Hair Crush on You Tube. They all have beautiful natural hair.

Who is your favorite natural blogger, YouTuber and/or Fotkier and why?
My favorite natural bloggers would be CurlyNikki, AllThatsGold/Cristigold, Taren916 and shortysgs03 and recently added kairox146 and HairCrush. All of them are on YouTube … I love them all!!!

Anything else that you would like to add?
I hope that more people will become more open-minded to natural hair. A lot of people say, “Oh, I couldn’t do that because my hair is nappy and wouldn’t come out like your hair; You have good hair.” I don’t understand that. I think “GOOD HAIR” is healthy hair and I always encourage people to try it and, if anything, you can always go back to getting a relaxer if you don’t like it. So, if you’re thinking about going natural, go on YouTube and the internet and research. You won’t know until you try. It can get frustrating and you must have patience, but the outcome is very worth it.