First off let me just say this girl can SAAAAAAANGGG♡!!!
How long have you been natural?
Since September 1, 2010 ♡
What made you want to go natural?
It was something I've always wanted to do, but didn't have enough courage to do. I was natural when I was younger, I had beautiful long hair. Then got a perm.....in the 6th grade.....went natural in the 7th through 8th. Decided for High School to "do it up" get a perm
(Crystal doing "it up" with her relaxed hair)
kept it and all of sudden couldn't take it anymore and started to "transition" in January 2011 kept getting weaves. And made the biggest hair decision of my life and simply woke up one day and said, "I'm going to cut my hair all off" and did it ; ) *Best decision!* My hair is growing at a decent pace.
What made you do the Big Chop opposed to Transitioning?
I did both! Which was the cool part to me, I could've gone longer with the transition BUT My permed hair was already short due to me cutting it all the time in order for it to stay short.
What was you initial reaction?
To be honest I lied and said I liked it, nothing was wrong with the cut. My "stylist" for the day was great with cutting it! I just felt not as pretty. I was simply scared of my face. When wearing weave ALL THE TIME, sometimes your features are held back. Still scared but I was surprised at how pretty I actually was, I was overwhelmed as well. How big my lips were, how awesome my cheek bones were. It was shocking actually. I'm just now getting use to it and it's November! Lol
I'll appreciate the big chop a lot more when my hair is as long as I want it to be Lol *past my shoulders Lord willing*
What advice would you give someone new to the natural scene, that you wish someone would have told you?
I'd say be patient! It's a very humbling experience. You're going to have your "OMG! What the heck was I thinking?" moments. As well as your impatient moments. It happens. Some natural hair chicas told me to stay busy, watch tv series, watch seasons of shows from a month to month basis. Start a blog, find a new time consuming hobby. JUst stay busy the busier you are, you won't be as focused on your hair growing. That advice was pretty REAL and TRUE for me. My hair is very soft and curly and shrivels up into little spiral curls. When I pull them out my hair is pretty long, to have just cut my hair in September! Also work out! Take vitamins! Eat more fruits and vegetables, stay away from products that will dry your hair out! Learn about co-washing! leave in conditioners! Different products that make your hair curly. Do your research and youtube it up!
What is one product you can not live without?
Eco styler Alcohol Free styling Gel [Wegmens 2.99] & Kinky Curly Knot today [Whole Foods 6.99 I believe?], Mixed Chicks leave in conditioner! Pantene Pro-V Daily oil cream moisturizer w/ jojoba oil, coconut oil, and the best thing WATER! That's free ; )
(Wait.... I thought I said 1 product...lol...)
Who would you consider to be you natural inspiration?
WOW! My natural inspiration! Never thought about it...................after I became natural I grew to like Nikki Mae (youtube her), I saw her video of when she got her hair cut and Its been really cool to see her document the process from a month to month basis. She's really cool. It gives us big chop ladies Hope :)
Do you have hair regimen, and if you have one, what is it?
At the very moment nope! But Im trying to come up with one! Lol!
Have you changed from this experience?
I appreciate the face that God gave me just a little more! When I say this, I mean it in the sense that, I could've cut all my hair off and had a HUGE head or something. I could've looked crazy instead EVERYONE likes my hair! Some like it more then me! A lot of people want me to keep it short! But I'm growing it out!
It has also humbled me a tad more as well.
I could've transition a little bit more BUT! I took the brave route and simply cut it all off ; )
I'm very happy with the decision I made! And if I want long hair, I can always get an invisible part sewn in weave #ItsNotAGame *hehe*
