Hi Stephanie, why did you choose to go natural?

I chose to go natural for a few main reasons:

1.I had always envisaged myself getting married with natural hair and realised that I’d have to stop perming my hair to accomplish that goal.
2. I genuinely believe that God was telling me to do it and it was something that it was my final step towards accepting my true beauty, both internally and externally.
3. My hair had also pretty much stopped taking to relaxer, so I was literally perming my hair twice a year.

How was the experience of having all your hair shaved off?

The experience was a mixture of excitement, nervousness and peace. I cut my hair myself very randomly and only let two people know I was doing it before I started. I thought it important to ensure that i made the decision for me and no-one else. It’s was so crazy watching my hair fall in the sink.

How long have you been natural for, since your BC?

 
I’ve been natural for a little over two months and I’m really happy with my decision.

How did family & friends react to your decision to go natural?

My parents and brother disliked it and said it would take them a while to get used to it, whilst my family at my church, EOW, loved it and were excited that I finally did it. My friends reactions have been a mixture of negatives and positives but mostly positives. To be honest because I knew why I went natural and what it signified for me I wasn’t heavily affected by their mixture in response.

Have you made any hair-care mistakes in the past?

The only hair-care mistake I made was back in 2009 when I was impatient and used an old Olive Oil Maximum Strength relaxer for my hair. I left it on for too long and it left severe burns at the back of my hair and my front sides. I actually had to shave of the entire back and sides if my hair to hide the bald patches. Let’s just thank God that the whole Rihanna shave was in season!

I know it’s still early days, but do you have a hair regimen or anything you plan on doing to your hair now that you’re starting again?

Regime wise, my hair is very thirsty and loves oils and natural things. So every week I co-wash with Tresemme and the do deep condition using Herbal Essences Conditioner, Honey and Olive Oil. I leave that in for like half a day or more and just rinse out and then use Cocoa nut Oil and Olive Oil mixed with Organics hair moisturising cream and palm roll my hair. The texture of my hair softens and it smells sooo sweet.

Any words of encouragement for those wanting to BC but are afraid?

I made a note of Facebook regarding this and it’s pretty simple. Ladies, if you want to go natural decide why, find your reason and without having too much conversation about it, take yourself for a consultation to a natural hair salon. I say this because it’s easy to get caught up in the buzz of this hair reform that’s sweeping over the UK and then turn around and realise it was never something you really wanted or needed. If your dead set on BCing please do the following, again check reason, don’t talk about it too much, because you’ll find that most people still don’t understand why some women are going natural and finally cut when YOU ARE READY. If you decide to do it then immediately take yourself to the salon or if you’re like me, get a sharp pair of scissors and start your journey. It’s a tense step but trust me, if you accept and believe in your own true beauty then it won’t matter how many compliments and picture likes you get. Remember to love you and Care for Your Hair – whatever state it’s in!

Where’s the best place to find you? (e.g. blog, twitter, youtube) 

 
Find me on twitter via @JustJumi / @SGJPCreative, www.rocksintheocean.tumblr.com / www.sgjp-creative.tumblr.com / Facebook – SGJP Creative