www.freethegoddess.com

Hello to all my natural sisters!

I want to first thank JNB for encouraging and helping me along the way.

I want to use this blog to inspire others, and to seek help from others on my journey.

Welcome!!

Thanks SheeTacular_Napps!

Ok, so here is my story!

I have always wanted my hair to be natural. I loved the look of natural hair and I loved the versatility of natural hair. So about 12 yrs ago, I began to grow my relaxer off by wearing braids and weaves, for the first time. Well, I had absolutely no support and I did not know how or what to do with my transitioning hair-so I relaxed it.

Then in 2005, I tried it again. I wore braids until I was tired of my hair getting tangled and knotted together and I did the big chop. Well, still there was no support from anyone around me and I was referred to a stylist who had locs. He suggested a texturizer, and I was like "okay," because again I was not even sure what route to go or what my next step should be.

I wore the texturizer with a short look like Eve when she had the short blond hairdo. I actually liked it! Then I got pregnant , and I started wearing braids because I did not want to deal with my hair while going through so many hormonal changes. Well, when I took the braids down, my hair was a dry,matted, unconditioned mess. So what did I do? I got another relaxer.

Well, after weaves, braids, texturizers, and every style imaginable-I said to myself "let's try it again." This was in 2008, right after Hurricane Ike (all of my CN Houstonians remember that time). So my last relaxer was Sept. 13, 2008. And the only thing different about this time was I had a little support from friends,coworkers,and youtube. At the time, my hair was short, and cut really low at the back. So I started off by wearing hair glued in, and then hair sewn in, and then braided extensions.

In April of 2009, I went to a salon and I had my relaxed ends cut off. I was still skeptical about wearing my short natural hair, so I left the salon with braids. But even then I felt "liberated," because I was relaxer free.

After taking the braids down, and wearing wng's I received lots of strange reactions from people. Some were like, "how long are you gonna wear your hair like that," and others did not say anything, they just kinda looked surprised or even frightened.

The natural community of course, embraced the new me and were very supportive. It took me a long time to find out what products to use, and how to use them-but thanks to everyone on Curlynikki for all the advice and helpful tips.

I will not bore you too much longer, but I hope you enjoyed my story.

I will post pictures later today.

Hey Coilykinks and welcome to Curl Street! I enjoyed your story. I got strange looks from people I new also after my BC also. I look forward to following your journey.

Welcome!! I also enjoyed your story! Can't wait to read more and see pics!!

thanks krazycoils and mstokes!

Here are my pictures:



This is my hair before I cut the relaxed ends off.



This is a back view, of the picture above.


No more relaxer and major shrinkage.


back view


my first coil twists

These are just a few pictures from my 1st year.

Ok, so here I am 1yr and 2 months natural and I am loving it.

I have found products that I cannot do without such as Aussie Moist Conditioner. It is awesome. Super moisturizing and so creamy!

I also love love Kinky Curly Knot Today conditioner. It makes my hair so soft. I have the Qhemet Product line, and but I have not tried it yet, but I have been hearing great things.

For the last 6 months, I have been experimenting with my own hair. Later this month, I have a special engagement to attend at church and I wanted to do something special with my hair. Maybe flat twists and two-strand twists shaped into a mohawk. Well, I cannot achieve this style on my own-so I went to a stylist who works out of her home and she said for my own hair she would charge me $120 because she would have to make them xtra small so it would be full and if I added hair it would be $80. I could always call one of the ladies at Zayd's to see if they have better prices.

So now I am thinking maybe I should keep practicing with my own hair, and use that money for more products.

What do you think?

I go to Zayds for styling. I think there prices would be MUCH better than $120. I referred a friend there and she has TONS of hair. It's even longer and thicker than Chrs or Tia's hair. And they only charged her $80 for a combo set of flat twists and two strands. And when I was going there the most I paid was $65 for anything. Plus, you get the security of being in an actual salon. I would definitely call Zayds. I can give you my stylists name. She is awesome with the creative styles.

BTW, I am soooooo happy you finally got a thread. Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!

CoilyKinks welcome, welcome, welcome. I thought you had a thread. I always enjoy reading your posts in the TWA challenge thread. I enjoyed your story here. So glad you started a thread and look forwardvto reading about your experiences.

hey lady!!! welcome!!!

Thanks JNB. Who is your stylist at Zayds?

And thank u DVa and mrsmackey for stopping by my spot.

Ok-so I showed you my pictures from the beginning.

Now let me show you my progress.

Coil twists




My first curly fro


My wng puff


wng fro


an old twistout puff


These pictures are from six months of being natural. I am definitely making progress, and I owe it all to the beautiful natural women who support one another.

bout TIME u finally made a thread!! geeesh!!

love the story and definitely love the coils, i need to revisit the coils myself. $120 WTFFFF!! does that come wit a lap dance from trey songz?

I'll have to agree with JnB's comment. I went to Zayd's also for my afro kinky twists and believe they will be more reasonable than $120 (and you are not having extensions added). They have a website with a price list of what they charge for their services. I saw Malaika however they are all good.

http://www.zaydsnaturalhairstyles.com/

Thanks curlsunfurled for that info. I used to be a regular client there when I first went natural, but the stylist who helped me no longer works there. I just hate that parking situation.

@Nubie, you are hilarious!


Another reason I decided to go natural and stick with it was because of my daughter. She has very long thick hair, and the products I was using on her hair were loaded with mineral oil and petrolatum-which obviously were no good. Styling her hair was dreadful because of the wrong products and the techniques.

I had to learn that products made for relaxed hair would not work on natural hair, and I was doing damage to her hair. So once I began my research and found out about shea butter and Eo's, I was so excited.

I began to notice her hair growth and also that her hair was not thirsty anymore. lol Her signature style is the mini twists, which lasts her about 2 weeks. She has worn them for the first 6 months of this year, and for the summer I have decided to do banded ponytails or plaits.





Preparing to wash her hair


And here are the banded ponytails:

You've has some good growth since your BC and your daughter's twists are so cute!

I want your daughter's twists!!! Seriously though, her hair looks so nice and healthy. She's a cutie!

Thanks Krazycoils and Dva. I appreciate the compliments

KC-your hair is gorgeous btw!

And DVA thanks for your help with the Qhemet products.

About time!!! LOL!!!

I'm too sleepy to read your thread right now but I will read it tomorrow!!

Good night!

Hey Lynnie! Thanks for dropping by! I love your hair in your avatar.

Ok, I am in the 30day product challenge and I have been using the KCCC since mid May, but I had all these products that I purchased during the Qhemet sale and the box was calling my name. So I had to try them.

Tomorrow night I am going to the Maxwell/Jill Scott concert and I wanted a really cute funky curly do. So I washed my hair Saturday night using the Cleansing Tea(?), and I hated how it left my hair feeling. So I then used my Aussie Moist Condish (I love that stuff). I used a water based leave-in and then I applied the Honey-balm and Root butter cream to twist. Oh my-super moisturizing. I wore my twists to my cousins graduation, and I loved it. I did have alot of shrinkage and my hair is very frizzy. But even so, I love the twists.

Well, Monday night I took some of the twists down and retwisted using the gel. Tonight I will spray with karkady and then again in the morning. I plan to take down the twists for the concert.

Wish me luck!

Ok, I just tried the karkady by qhemet. Is it just me, or does this stuff have an unpleasant odor?

The twists look great! You're getting really good at this.

Thanks for the heads up on the Karkady...you know me and smells... I'll be staying far away lol

Hi CoilyKinks....

I'm so sorry I really thought I stopped by and welcomed you to CS...

Please forgive my tardiness and welcome to the world of knowledge, support and fun!! You are doing well with taking care of your hair, and your daughter's hair is so thick and beautiful!!

Did you make the meet-up Sunday? I hope not to miss another one!!

Looking forward to sharing this natural journey with you!!

Have a great day!!

KNH

KinkyNappyHappy wrote:Hi CoilyKinks....

I'm so sorry I really thought I stopped by and welcomed you to CS...

Please forgive my tardiness and welcome to the world of knowledge, support and fun!! You are doing well with taking care of your hair, and your daughter's hair is so thick and beautiful!!

Did you make the meet-up Sunday? I hope not to miss another one!!

Looking forward to sharing this natural journey with you!!

Have a great day!!

KNH

Thanks KNH!


I did not make the gathering, because I had attend a graduation.

Thanks for stopping by, and you have a great day also!