MY TRIP TO THE BRONNER BROTHER'S HAIR SHOW

Here are some of the pictures from the Bronner Brothers hair show.Although there really wasn't a lot of natural hair and products ,it was a good experience .There were so many funky hairstyles their also ,but it goes to show that this show really wasn't about healthy hair practices and just about the next new style.




Mmmmm , he was just some random model





Go Shima !!!




I chased him down for this pic Ha ha






Me in my hotel room

Wendy ~Before and After

How long were you thinking of going natural? What's the story ?

I thought about going natural i.e. Loc my hair from age 16. I am so in love with Bob Marley and rastafarianism and wanted to pledge whole heartedly to the movement,nonetheless it didn't happen then. I was kindly reminded by my mother that not under her roof it would happen:(. I have had chemicals being applied to my hair from age 5..a very long time over 20+ years. My scalp became so irritated, the thought about getting a six weeks perm got me so livid. In 2008 I just could not go on with the lies I was feeding to myself thinking that it was o.k. to continue on the chemical path, so I got up one day and just went to the salon and got my big chop.....and hence I have not looked back.


Was your transition a long or short one?

No transition



We all know how important it is to moisturize our hair while in transition,what products did you use to keep your hair moisturized?


I didn't go through transition nonetheless I have been using deep conditioners......."fortnightly olive oil steaming," optimum hair lotion, olive oil oil sheen etc.


What was your staple hairstyle while in transition?

I have had braids over the summer of 2009..not in transition but wanted to give myself a little less work to do on my vacation. Yeah I kind of cheated a bit with texturizer..don't think that constitute as transition??????


When you decided to Big Chop,how did you feel about your cut? And how did people react to it?

It was a spur of the moment decision in 2008. I actually loved it..freedom, not worrying about going to the salon or getting my hair wet during workout or shower. People were shocked..like "wth"..nonetheless there weren't any negative comments about my decision but a bit of teasing comically about the shape of my head etc.


Did you have any regrets?

None then, now or ever.


What are your long term goals for your hair journey?

To maintain my hair naturally and in a healthy manner,because I don't ever want to go back to using chemicals. For the first time I can feel my natural texture and I am very appreciative of it.

Samara~Before and After

How long were you thinking of going natural? What's the story ?

I didn't do much research at first, but I was really tired of my relaxed hair. It was thinning out and shedding from stress causing it to be different lengths. I had past shoulder length hair on the sides and in the very back center my hair was significantly shorter. My hair was also still recovering from damage of the microbraids I worn years ago! My first decision wasn't really to go natural, but to cut my hair off and try a texturizer instead on the new growth. When that didn't go well, meaning I did not like the results or the amount of product and time it took for maintenance to make my hair look "curly", I just shaved it all off and decided to go completely natural.



Was your transition a long or short one?

I did not have a transitional period.



When you decided to Big Chop,how did you feel about your cut? And how did people react to it?

I was a bit skeptical at first because I wasn't used to my hair being as short as it was. I actually purchased a wig and wore it for my first few months. When I did become comfortable with my hair length, I did get rude comments from people that did not understand natural hair. The one word that stuck out the most was "crackhead". It was very hurtful to say the least. I had a total stranger once yell that out the window at me for no reason while I was walking to work. I then went and got my hair braided at a salon (medium sized braids of coarse), because I was so self conscience about my hair. When I did decide to remove my braids, the insults started again. I was called bald headed by someone and not to forget to include the word "nappy-head" as well. Although my hair was almost shoulder length at the time, the amount of shrinkage made my hair look very short and I was tired of people being rude and making comments about something they didn't understand. I got fed up with the insults, but instead of going back to a relaxer, I decided to correct people on their comments if they were ever said to me directly, which of coarse they weren't.


My husband, however loves my natural hair, and so does my dad and even my mom whom was upset at first when I cut it. My family supports me regarding my decision and that's all that matters to me. As time went on, I have gotten compliments from both men and women whom respect and embrace natural hair. It's really nice to have someone say your hair is beautiful after all the negativity I endured in the past towards my hair choice.


Did you have any regrets?


I have no regrets. Going natural is the best thing I've done for myself in a long time. You'd be amazed at how much damage a relaxer really causes. It can actually damage the hair beneath the scalp making going natural difficult at first, but once you overcome that hurdle, it's smooth sailing!


What are your long term goals for your hair journey?

To have healthy, thick, long hair. My length goal is bra strap length. My health goal is to create a customized regimen for my hair that will work for me to maintain healthy hair that will accumulate length minimizing breakage, shedding, tangles, and knots.

Angel ~Before and After

How long were you thinking of going natural? Whats the story ?


The third time was a charm for me! I had wanted to go natural during my junior year of high school, and every time I attempted, I failed. After going to my friend's prom in May 2009, I decided that I would finally do away with relaxers forever! May 7, 2009, was the last time a relaxer touched my head!


Was your transition a long or short one?

I believe my transition was in the middle. I transitioned for 6 months. I didn't plan on cutting my hair at that mark, but it just happened!On Wednesday November 11Th
I cut my long relaxed hair off while listening to India Aire's song "Strength Courage & Wisdom." I had consulted God before making this huge decision,and he confirmed many of times that it was the right thing.I was born on Wednesday March 11See the similarities between my unplanned big chop and my birth? I felt like this was my rebirth. I am molding into a new woman now, and I refuse to look back!










We all know how important it is to moisturize our hair
while in transition,what products did you use to keep
your hair moisturized?

During my transition, I was a faithful user of cantu shea butter conditioning repair cream. Now that I am natural, my hair hates that stuff! The cantu would leave white stuff in my hair, and no matter how many times I shampooed, it would not come out.
I also used vitamin E oil during my transition.


What was your staple hairstyle while in transition?

I am a young lady who loves switching up her hair on a daily basis. I hate having one style! lol. I wore twist n curls, braid n curls, buns, bantu knot outs, roller sets, etc.


When you decided to Big Chop,how did you feel about your cut? And how did people react to it?


When I big chopped, I cut it so uneven, so I had to go to my pro-relaxer hair stylist to shape it up. She used a small tooth comb and combed through my dry hair! It was the worst experience ever! I was left with a dry little fro. I remember looking in the mirror, being embarrassed in front of all the clients, and thinking to myself..."Did I cut off all my long beautiful hair for this?"
She tried to get me to walk out the salon with the little dry fro, but I put my hood on, and walked out feeling discouraged. I tried not to cry, and hoped that after I "fixed" it, it would look better. I went home and gave myself a deep conditioner, and all of my curls started to POP! I was filled with overwhelming joy, and I told myself that I would love my hair, and display confidence at all times!

Did you have any regrets?

I have no regrets! This has been a learning experience, and it is a journey that continues everyday.

What are your long term goals for your hair journey?

My hair grows pretty fast, so I plan to let it grow to its capacity. I would like my hair to at least reach BSL length unstretched. I plan to love my hair when big, flat, dry, kinky, curly, whatever! I have to have patience, and continue to encourage and motivate other women to go natural, and embrace what God gave them! I did my senior project on the Politics of Black Hair, and I continue to reach out and educate others.

Marcia~Before and After

How long were you thinking of going natural? What's the story?

I actually never considered going natural at the time, in the narrow sense of what I defined as going natural. I didn’t have a plan.

It was 2006 and I did a charity fashion show on December 3rd for Cure Autism Now (C.A.N.). I had my sew in at the time and it had been 4 weeks since my last relaxer and fresh weave(So my last relaxer was approximately November 3, 2006) . Two days before the show I attempted to contact my stylist because I wanted a fresh do before the show. Well, my many failed attempts to contact him turned into me wearing a wig to the show. Unfortunately it was a straight synthetic wig and the look for the show was big curly hair. OMG!!! I had to expose the Indian (I had Indian hair) mess going on under the wig because you know you can’t flat iron synthetic hair!!! To get the look they wanted for the show, they had to do the best they could with what I had going on with my disaster of a weave. Let me tell you, I was not happy about it. They did the best they could with what they were working with.

So for the rest of the week I tried to contact my stylist (he travels a lot) and could not reach him. I didn’t realize at the time that this would be the catalyst for the best thing that ever could have happened for my hair. On that Saturday I decided to stop at the first salon I found and get any random stylist to take out my weave. I paid the stylist $20 to remove my weave. I put on my hat and went to the closest beauty supply store and was reunited with my ponytail. This time the pony was afro textured and more closely resembled my real hair.

So for a year and 2 months I rocked my pony-this was my year of transition. I would just wash it and put setting lotion and gel on my hair, I didn’t relax it because I was feeling my waves. On January 12, 2008 I was in another fashion show for the Trumpet Awards. The models were sent to a salon a day before the show to get our “show hair”. At this point I’d already decided that I wasn’t going to relax my hair anymore ,though I didn’t have a plan for it. I would’ve been wearing the ponytail to this day if I had not done this show. I was so nervous. Remember, I’d been washing my hair and immediately pulling it in the pony so I didn’t have a clue what my hair looked like and I was scared out of my mind! When the stylist was finished, let me tell you-I absolutely could not believe what beautiful strands were flowing out of my scalp! He trimmed my damaged ends and what was left was a full head of silky, bouncy, beautiful hair. I never knew my hair could look like this. In that moment, it took me back to an episode of Oprah from about 15 years ago when a middle aged lady in the audience stood up with a twa and said, “The only way black women will truly be happy with their hair is when they embrace their natural hair.” I have to tell you, I simply didn’t believe her. I thought, as many of us do today, that natural hair means locs, puffs, afros, super short boy cuts, twists, etc. Though those are beautiful natural hair styles, some women just don’t prefer that look and don’t realize there are other natural options. It took me back to a moment in 2002 when a stylist told me that I needed to go natural. I gave her the classic line that I hear every time I try to convince a non-believer, “I don’t have hair like yours.” I simply didn’t believe her.

January 11, 2008 was the first time I had that “wind blowing through your hair” moment and I was happy! I was natural! I was loving it! And now I was a believer! 8-)


Was your transition a long or short one?

It was about 2 years. I did the pony tail for a year and 2 months. After I did the show and took out the ponytail, I didn’t realize that I still had some relaxed ends and had some breakage at my line of demarcation. I’d been getting it flat ironed.


We all know how important it is to moisturize our hair while in transition, what products did you use to keep your hair moisturized?

I am fortunate to have found a natural hair salon that provides hydration treatments-a true God send! A hydrator/steamer looks like a hooded dryer, but instead of dry air coming out, steam comes out to hydrate the hair. Having the high moisture content just breathed life into my hair and after it was trained, kept my hair from reverting back even when it’s extremely humid. I ended up leaving the stylist at the salon and went on a mad search to find my soul mate stylist which I thank God for!!! It took me 7 weeks and 7 stylists before I found her. She is truly a natural hair genius and owns 2, going on 3 natural hair salons. She has a passion for healthy hair like no one I’ve ever known. She has her own hair care line and I use her products.

When you decided to Big Chop, how did you feel about your cut? And how did people react to it?

I didn’t really do a big chop into a twa. I did cut my relaxed ends, but still had some length left. The 1st picture is a picture of my length immediately after I took the ponytail out and wore my own hair out. The 2nd picture is how short I had to cut it because of breakage at the line of demarcation and some messed up hair cuts before finding my current stylist. I wish I would have found her early…I’m sure I wouldn’t have had to cut off so much, but oh well.








What are your long term goals for your hair journey?

I have short term and long term goals.

Long term

My long term growth goal is to grow my hair to mid back length.


My 2010 growth goal is to grow my hair to collarbone length.



Next incremental

I find that it helps to set incremental goals, so my next incremental goal is to grow my hair to chin length. It’s currently at jawline length.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ma5qHD1L1I

I not only make it a point to take care of and nurture my hair on the outside, but it’s important to nurture it from the inside out. I’m making a concerted effort to watch my diet, drink my water, take my vitamins, get my sleep, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWhDIP_7YCc


www.youtube.com/str8tnatural

My Transition Story via YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm3BLJGa6B0



My Transition Story (Same as above) via Fotki
http://journals.fotki.com/str8natural/a-crowns-journey/

Yarie ~Before and After

How long were you thinking of going natural? What's the story ?


I've been natural back and forth, the most recent time was because i wanted to switch my hair styles. I never really had a problem with the texture of my hair,it was more a will to change styles because i was bored with my hair. However, the first time i went natural was in 2004, i completely shaved my head because i wanted to drastically change, i loved it!! but when my hair grew long, i was shut down by the tangles!! i couldn't manage so i switched to another style again. I did this about 5 times and every time i went back to shaving my hair. Last year in May, i decided to stick to one style and I am challenging myself to see how long i can stand without getting bored again. It's been more than 8 months now since I've shaved my head on May 11th 2009, time will tell how long I'm willing to go :)


Was your transition a long or short one?

No transition .



We all know how important it is to moisturize our hair
while in transition,what products did you use to keep
your hair moisturized?

I mainly use shea butter, right now i am in a phase where I am testing mixes : shea butter with oil (almond oil, avocado..)


When you decided to Big Chop,how did you feel about your cut? And how did people react to it?

Well let's say people always think I am crazy for shaving my head everytime but they're used to it. I must admit, the first time i shaved my head was by accident, as i was cutting my hair I accidently ended up cutting chunks out of it .. i just went on and shaved it off. lol;


Did you have any regrets?

No, never :)

What are your long term goals for your hair journey?

I am letting my hair be, my main goal is to keep it healthy.

the after pic : one week after i shaved my head







pic of twist out : early feb

i am currently in tiny twist

Articia~Before and After

How long have you been thinking of going natural? What's the story ?

I had been thinking of going natural for about a year prior to cutting my hair short... before the big chop. A close friend of mine was natural and she tried to talk me into it and I just didn't want to cut all my hair at that time. My hair was coming out in the same spots every few months that's what led me to cut my hair shorter. I realized that my hair grew fast, and it couldn't be that I was always stressed out, everything was going good so that couldn't be the case. After I was in a wedding in June '09 I decided I would stop relaxing my hair. My hair dresser told me that my hair would break off and shed without getting my relaxer... I researched it and learned about transitioning from relaxed to natural and that's where it all began in August 2009!


Was your transition a long or short one?

My transition was short in my opinion, it was suppose to be much longer; I had made the decision to do my BC on April 30, 2010, and I stated my transition in August 2009 But one day (October 23, 2009) I went to the Natural Hair Salon in my area to get a trim, and left with a BC...lol

We all know how important it is to moisturize our hair
while in transition,what products did you use to keep
your hair moisturized?

To be honest all I used on my hair was Cantu Shea Butter Oil Sheen, Blue Magic hair grease, and foam wrap. I started researching Natural Hair in October (when looking into transitioning I only paid a lot of attention to styles not care... big mistake, I was lucky that my natural hair wasn't damaged). I now know that I was using all the wrong products. when I think of it I was trying to treat the relaxed hair not the new natural hair. I know better now, Thank Goodness!

What was your staple hairstyle while in transition? Wet sets/ wash-n-go, braids, and

Roller wraps

When you decided to Big Chop,how did you feel about your cut? And how did people react to it?

Since my BC was a spur of the moment thing ,I was torn... I liked it but I didn't love it, but 7 days later I knew I would never go back to a relaxer; I was in love! My family, friends, and co-workers were shocked... but they all agreed it looked really good on me, and even now with more length people tell me the shorter hair was their favorite.

Did you have any regrets?

NOT AT ALL!

What are your long term goals for your hair journey?

I really just want my hair to grow as long as it wants... I look forward to trying new styles in the upcoming months, and years to come!