The TWA

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June 2012, will mark 3 years since I big chopped.  I transitioned for 10 months, trying my best to handle two warring textures.  But, after spending an absurd amount of time removing my transition style (kinky twists) one night; I was forced to throw in the towel.

I steadied trembling fingers, snipped, and watched as the first clumps of hair dropped heavily to the floor.  Did I feel liberated?  Weightless, even?  

 No, not exactly.   

However, I did feel a mixture of panic and excitement.  Feeling unequivocally liberated came days later, after I steeled my nerves, snuck outside to check the mail, and saw that the sky didn’t cave in, nor did anyone flee in horror.  Isn't it understandable though, to step into an unfamiliar realm, and feel vulnerable?  I didn't know much about my real hair texture, but I was determined to learn quickly.  

 

I lurked on several online hair forums like Nappturality, Longhaircareforum, Blackhairmedia and CNappyMeNow.  I stalked followed members on Fotki, like Sera and Mwedzi, and I joined the then budding natural hair community on youtube to drool over RusticBeauty's legendary mane. 

I also looked up different products and modified regimens from other naturals to work with my hair and my lifestyle.   Wash n go's were my style of choice during the first year, and I invested in various hair pieces (beanies, scarves, and head bands) to dress up my twa- teeny weenie afro.  

Year one post BC

The Hair

Newly big chopped

The Players

Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner

Source

Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo

Source

Goody Volume Root Lifter Brush

Source

Eco Styler Gel

Source

H20

Coconut Oil

The Technique

My routine was a combination of two youtubers, Cynthiarf and UrbanDoll330.   

Every 7 to 10 days, I detangled and deep conditioned my hair with Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture conditioner.  Once a month, I would shampoo with Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat shampoo.  Initially, my wash and goes were done with only conditioner and olive oil.  However, I soon found out that allowing my hair to shrink into itself, without a stronger holding product caused tangles.  I soon began to incorporate Eco Styler gel into my routine.  I would "rake" the gel throughout my hair, thus, “freezing” my hair strands in place. 

Then, every morning afterwards, I would spray my hair with an oil and water mix, pop on a shower cap, and prepare for my day.  The heat generated from my scalp, would be trapped by the shower cap, so when the cap was removed, my hair would be extremely soft and the curls would be refreshed.  Every few days, while in the shower, I would quickly douse my hair with water and shake out any excess water and gel. This, progressively, helped to cut down on any crunchiness that the gel might have caused. 

  The natural hair journey is just that- a journey.  

You don't embark on it, as a solid guru.  Granted, there is a wealth of information available today for us to pick through, but even then, the journey is still a personal evolution that an individual must still learn and grow from.  You adopt what works, and discard what doesn't.