Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself...

I am from Queens, New york

I am a Surgical Technologist And Jewelry Designer of Cancer Awareness Jewelry

This is my second time around at being natural I was first natural in 2002-2005 when I decided I wanted locs. I then went back to the relaxer from 2005-2008 my last perm was Sept 08 and I did the BC in Oct 10, 08 not much to cut as my hair was already short. I'm 16 months natural

My favorite product right now is Ecostyler Gel with Olive Oil I can get 6-7 day hair using this stuff!! LOOOVE IT!! This avatar is the end of 5 day hair!!!!!!!!!!!! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

When I went back to natural in 08! Me Now!

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The ooooold me never again b/c I loooove being natural!

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Welcome all you lovely ladies! Please remember to check out the Curly Meet Up thread.

I've been lurking around for awhile, finally decided to join and wanted to say hello!

Where are you from: Houston, Texas
What you do: I work in physician support for a hospital system
How long you've been natural: I got a relaxer maybe 3 or 4 times in high school, that was many many years ago!
Fav products: I don't currently have any, but I've seen so many great suggestions around here, you ladies are definately enablers! I bought the Kinky Curly line last week at Whole Foods and I couldn't wait to give it a try. My hair is extremely strange, many different textures, and I've been trying to find something to keep it moisturized, but it's good to know I'm not the only one out there!

Hello my name is Natasha, I live in Chicago, IL. I am a membership representative for the Screen Actors Guild, I am also in my last semester of college. I will be obtaining a degree in Graphic Design.

I have only been natural for eight months, but I love it. I did my BC on June 6, 2009, I just need to learn more about styling and how to properly detangle.

My favorite products so far are Miss Jessie's Curly pudding, Burt Bees Moisture Shampoo, Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Threat Shampoo, Mayonnaise, Shea Butter, and Vitamin E

I am looking for support and help from my other fellow natural lovelies!

Where are you from: Little Rock, AR
What you do: Payroll Coordinator
How long you've been natural: since June 2005
Fav products: I'm trying all kinds of products out at the moment. My favs out of the products I have been using over the past few years are Carols Daughter everything and Mixed Chicks, also KMS Curl Up worked okay for me.
Online Album: None, I'm thinking about starting one

Hello everyone [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Where are you from: I am originally from Nigeria and have been living in Atlanta for very long time....
What you do: A social worker/therapist
How long you've been natural: Did my big chop in 4/2008
Fav products: My ultimate staple products are Kinky Curly Custard, Coconut Hemp, shea butter, kemi oyl, infusium 23, Aubrey Organics GPB, and Qhemet Alma and Olive Cream

Hola, chicas!

Where are you from: Philadelphia, PA (now living in MD)
What you do: Software Test Engineer, Freelance Makeup Artist, Telecom Broker (Yes, I wear many hats!)
How long you've been natural: since Nov. 2008
Fav
products: Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-in
Online Album: I have a Fotki! www.fotki.com/tayah97 (Note: You have to login to view my albums)

Hello Ladies,

Where are you from: Connecticut
What you do: Research Assist; Recent MBA graduate.
How long you've been natural: transitioning for 1 year;
planned BC: June '10
Fav products: Tried and true HH Hello Hydration and Queen Helen Cholesterol. My old 'staples' no longer agree with my competing textures....

Hi Ladies,
Where are you from: MD
What you do: Soon to be *CPA* studying for exam as we speak! Tax Accountant
How long you've been natural: 7 years!
Fav products: AVEDA, I love there stuff along with shea butter, coconut oil and Jane Carter.
Online Album: http://public.fotki.com/LaGina/
Please login to see photos

Hello!

Where are you from: Originally from Rochester, NY. Now living in NYC.
What you do: pediatrician
How long you've been natural: Last relaxer 4/08, BC 5/09
Fav products: I did the BKT twice after my BC (last 8/09). I am letting it wear off now. My hair loves shea butter and coconut oil. Also AOHSR and HE conditioners.

Can't wait to be 100% natural again!

Greetings, all!

Where are you from: Originally from Nevada, now residing in Houston, TX
What you do: Electrical Engineer
How long you've been natural: Transitioned for 1yr, BC - 11/2009
Fav products: Oyin - (Honey Hemp, Burnt Sugar, Whipped Pudding), Coconut Oil, Giovanni
Online album: None yet; I plan to start one soon.

Where are you from: Huntsville, AL
What you do: Secretary at K-8 church school
How long you've been natural: July 09
Fav products: I don't have any favorites yet. I'm brand new at actually trying to take care of my hair the proper way...awaiting 2 shipments of a few products I saw mentioned on this site.
Online album: Not yet, but I should have one so I can track all of the horrible things I've done to my hair. I should be bald. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I've been reading this site for the past few weeks and have learned so, so much. Most nights as I'm reading through posts I'm practically in tears. I'm 36 and it's taken this long for me to feel comfortable with my own hair. I can't believe how shallow I was (think Whoopi Goldberg's "Long, luxurious blonde hair" routine as my goal in life).

I am so very grateful to have found this site and others...I still have so much to learn, but I am happy to finally see the beauty in my natural curls and in other women's hair as well.

As a child I had long, bushy, wiry, wavy hair that my mother could only put in 2 or 3 braids. She only (always) used plain old body lotion to slick my hair down and tame the frizzies. Some older friends put a relaxer in my hair when I was in the 8th grade without my mom's permission. I loved it. I finally had straight hair. And it stayed straight for almost a year as long as I did a roller set. But my hair has never been the same...it's always been dry with split ends. I've been blonde, red-headed, auburn, blue-black, short, long and in between. Last summer I was just tired of fighting with my hair so I went to Ulta and had them cut it all off before my summer vacation. They cut out all of my curls and what was left was awkwardly straight, so I went at it myself with a pair of $5 scissors and looked a mess for most of the fall. It's finally growing back and it's nice and curly and even thick! I always thought my hair was thin! Depending on the location on my head I've got between an inch to an inch and a half of hair.

I came here to learn how to take care of it. I've been washing my hair every single day (um, yes, with shampoo) since the summer. I didn't know it was wrong! I thought Andre (Oprah's hair guru) said it was a myth that black people couldn't wash their hair daily. Anyway, my hair is so, so dry. It only looks "healthy" sopping wet. I've tried so many products, i.e. Tresemme Bouncy Curls (?), that green Olive Oil hair dressing, Palmer's Coconut hair lotion, Luster's Pink Styling Gel, etc. but obviously I'm not doing something right...hair still looks like crapola. I was about to give up, but found this site and the Black Hair Forum. So new products are on the way and we'll see.

All of you (yes, ALL of you...I looked through every single post in this thread and on the entire site) have such beautiful hair and in so many different stages. I know I'll find the support and guidance I need to stick with being natural. I am so proud of myself! If you really knew me, you'd realize what a huge step this is for me. I may never be Halle Berry, but I think I like myself just fine now. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Sorry it's so long!

Welcome All!!! Be sure sure to check out the curly meet up thread!!

Hey, I'm a new comer 2 the site... My name is Danele (dan-yell) and I'm from St. Louis, Missouri. Right now I am a stay at home mama-- the mother of 2 adorable toddlers but n the fall I will b going back 2 school 4 my bachelors n graphic design. I was natural up until the age of 8... I guess my hair had gotten 2 long and thick 4 mama 2 manage so she started out giving me super strength relaxers. Lol. I stuck with the relaxers 4 my adolescense but when I turned 21 and barely had any hair anymore, I chopped all the staright stuff off and started over au naturale! I've had my flat ironing moments throughout the years but I will never go back 2 relaxers again! I love mane and tail 4 conditioner or anything by vo5. I'm looking 2 find new more natural products that work 4 me. I have recently started using coconut oil and I like it a lot. Honestly this site has increased my confidence level when it comes 2 hair. No one I know has hair like me and everyone has the "solution" 4 what I need (I.e. Gel and water) but when I try it, of course it doesn't work... Then my hair breaks off and its all just a big mess! Love u guys and thanks...

I am Shannon. I am originally from Houston, TX, although I now reside outside of DC in Alexandria, VA.

I'm a lawyer at a firm that represents developers of affordable/public housing and public housing authorities.

I began transitioning in Feb. of 2005 and finally cut off my relaxer in 2006. Although I've been natural for a while, I'm completely boring and wear the same one or two styles everyday. I've come to this site to learn about new styles and how to better care for my hair.

Where are you from: Columbus, Ohio
What you do: Volunteer Coordinator, card-maker, and becoming a blogger
How long you've been natural: Completely natural since April 09, and last relaxer was in November 2008
Fav products: Coconut oil, shea butter, ecostyler gel, kinky curly custard and HE totally twisted
Online Album: TBA- working on it now

After lurking for nearly a year, I decided to finally join the community. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]


I did the BC January of 2009 and have been in love with my hair every since.

I'm a writer/party planner from Chicago with a degree in magazine journalism.

My favorite hair product is shea butter and many products from the Oyin Handmade line.

No hair albums to date, though I did a pictorial of my first year natural on my FB page.

I'm a pretty pleasant person and am looking forward to learning more about how to care and style my hair, so look out for me on the boards. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

After lurking for a few months, I decided to join.

I current live in the metro Detroit area.

My last relaxer was Aug 2009. I do not ever want to relax again. This is my second time going natural. Ten years ago, I BC’d in college but did not know how to care for my hair. After a year, I returned to relaxing my hair. This second time around is inspired by health reasons. The goal is to not BC.

I am an engineer and so far it seems that being relaxer free compliments my hard hat.

I am still determining which products work for me. I love Shea butter and coconut oil thus far.

Online Album: www.fotki.com/EatingGood

I am getting frustrated trying to post a pic [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Greetings from the Curl Whisperer!

I have been away for a while dealing with some "life" issues, but I am thrilled to see this community up and running and going strong! NEVER have I seen such beautiful women and beautiful curls!

Where are you from: Pittsburgh, PA, but I grew up in California and currently reside in the St. Petersburg, Florida area
What do you do: Hair stylist, curly hair expert and passionate curl advocate
Favorite products: Depends on the day and my mood (but I have a secret addiction to Suave Naturals Soothing Lavender-Lilac conditioner [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] )
Online Album: www.livecurlylivefree.com

So glad to be here!

Where are you from: Terrell, Tx
What you do: Currently 7th grade Math Teacher
How long you've been natural: Last relaxer was Oct 2009, haven't BC'ed yet patiently waiting til May 2010, I'm getting anxious.
Fav products: None yet, but I am becoming a PJ, I want to try everything mentioned on this site.
Online Album: LOL, my camera phone, I take a pic every month to send to my sister to track my growth.

Where are you from: New Jersey
What you do: Database Admin, Grad Student, Biz Owner, and Mom (I keep busy)
How long you've been natural: This time? two days I BC'ed Friday night but I have gone back and forth from Natural to Relaxed since I was 15.
Fav products: A lot to choose from
Online Album: No online album but I have a blog http://www.projectdanielle.com. I'm writing about rediscovering my sense of style.

Hi!
I am from Lafayette, LA. I am a nursing student and a Mommie. I have just started transitioning so i am very new to this and open to any advice anyone has to offer! I don't really have any fav products because i am still learning but I just started using unrefined shea butter and coconut oil. No online album yet.

Hey natural hair Divas! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

From: Hampton, VA currently living in Alexandria (right outside DC)
What Do I Do: I'm an associate at a large public accounting firm
How Long Have I Been Natural: Let's see...It's been almost a year since my 3rd BC...I went natural for the first time in 99' via long-term transition (relaxed again in 02')...my 2nd BC was in May 07' (relaxed again in June 08'). I'm here to stay this time...seriously!
Fav products: Shea Butta', Organix Cocunut Milk Weightless Mousse, 100% Aloe Vera Gel
Online Album: Not yet :-( Fotki coming soon...

So excited to learn from all you FABULOUS ladies!

Peace & Blessings

Jamie

Where are you from: Went to school in Valdosta, Ga but just moved to Greensboro, NC
What you do: Exercise Physiologist, Will be going back to school soon for my
masters in orthotics and prosthetics
How long you've been natural: Am now transitioning
Fav products: Still learning
Online Album: none