A Transitioning Story

Written by Alaina bee

My name is Alaina, or Alaina bee (because I’m hyper and free like a bee!), and I’m currently transitioning (waaaay long term, now about ten months, and I plan on doing my BC after my spring break in March). I am so excited to be writing here, and sharing the knowledge that I’ve gained in just a few short months from the caring community of beautiful natural women like you. I first decided to go natural for financial reasons – I, as a broke college student, couldn’t afford to spend $60-80 a month on a relaxer, and I was also going away to school in a place where black women and salons and stores that cater to them are few and far in between (beautiful Santa Barbara).

So I kept stretching relaxers until I realized that the excessive amount of hair that I found in the shower was not natural, and certainly not healthy. I was doing so many things wrong, and not properly caring for my hair, and the chemicals that I was putting into my hair to relax it were certainly not helping. I, unwittingly, began to transition, but I still wasn’t deep conditioning or properly moisturizing my hair. It wasn’t until about three months ago that I was turned onto this site by a friend, and my mind was blown! I immediately bought a deep conditioning treatment and conditioner and moisturizer, and well, went on a bit of a rampage (beginning product junkie status!), but three months later in December, I see so much of a difference in my hair. It feels so much healthier and thicker, and I’m so happy with it. I know that being natural is really for me. Now all that is left is to trim off those thin, straight ends that are hanging on for dear life.

I’d like to begin my stint here by briefly talking about the psychological effects of transitioning and well, I like to say “returning” to one’s natural hair. I’m in my second year of college, and I’m still discovering myself – my likes, dislikes, what I want to do with my life, and things like that, and I feel that stumbling upon all these wonderful natural hair care sites such as this one, is a huge part of this process. I’ve always struggled with loving my hair – mainly because I did not know how to take care of it, so it rebelled and broke off, and became depressed, really. I believe that life is a journey to figuring out oneself, and for me, especially since I am so young (nineteen on December 11th!); I know that I have so far to go. Now in the final stretch of my journey to natural hair, I finally feel like I’m finally being true to myself and my hair.

With natural hair I can be my wild self, switching styles up daily, or I can dial it down a bit if I need to be professional, or just desire to look different that day! I am constantly getting compliments on my different styles and it just encourages me to try out more things. I feel that working on my hair is an extension of working on and bettering myself. Do you all feel like that? Learning about me and the things that are good for my body and my life can be challenging, but it’s so fun. I have so much to learn, and college has really taught me to do my research and to learn from others.

I can’t wait to learn from you all, and hello again!

Alaina "Alainabee" Roberts, is a second-year college student at the University of California Santa Barbara. Working towards her B.A. in History, Alaina hopes to go on to write historical articles and historical fiction novels as well freelance. You can find more about Alaina's hobbies, hair journey, and college experience at http://alainabee.tumblr.com. Her home is in the Bay Area, and she enjoys running, reading, and getting As in her History classes.