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Hello my name is Natasha. I was 16 when I transitioned and bc'd. I transitioned from may 09 to dec 09, that was 8 months of craziness. I dealt with the growth pretty well. Over the summer I got braids so it would be easier to manange my hair. After school started I couldnt stand the growth and permed hair. It was all driving me crazy. So the day after christmas I decided to BC, which my mom did it for me, after my bc I immediatly went and got some kinky twists the following day. I kept those in for 2 months and then got some braids.

I know you're probably thinking..you didnt wear your hair out at all.

Surprisingly no I didnt. I just kept it hidden till my 3 month mark. I then got a lace front wig but it started getting hot out and the wigs werent my thing... I finally felt comfortable wearing my hair out. So i went to school the following Monday happy and proud, but as most highschoolers are mean and ignorant...I was laughed at and talked about. I felt good but then I felt hideous. After a month or so my hair truely started changing and doing its own thing. And now I've been 4 months and Im almost 5 months and I love my hair. It isnt the length I would like it but It is growing so fast, that I cant complain.

May 1st I got my hair flat ironed and trimmed...well it looks but lol. and I can see how healthy and pretty it is. I really just wanted to see my hair and how much it grew and oh boy it grew alot. I honestly dont have anything bad to say about my transition or after my bc. I think that things like this are good for us because we learn to love ourselves more and more and we see our inner beauty. I truely love myself now. I dont think im any less than the permed girls with the long hair, only because I used to be one of those girls and I didnt even feel pretty then. I feel that going natural changes your whole mindset and look on life and just being 17, I have learned so much.

This month marks my 1 year for not putting any chemicals on my hair. I will be one yr from my bc in dec and I cant wait. Since this whole change, I have made a youtube page in which I talk about hair and my hair and even though Im young I think I actually help some people. If you enjoy my newly natural story please check out my youtube channel : tasha32793 and my blog :naturallybeautiful93@blogspot.com

Being natural is the best thing God could have done for us women. We truely are beautiful without all the makeup and weave and all the excess stuff we put on ourselves.

Rating: Excellent -- WOW! (10/10)

Product Name: Ouidad Double Detangler
Price Range: $24
Company: Ouidad (http://www.ouidad.com/)
Catch Phrase: The most challenging aspect of curly hair is detangling it. This next generation tool is designed by Ouidad to slide through your curls without the ripping or tugging.

I am in love with this comb. Honestly, the two rows of teeth scared me a bit, but it detangles like a charm. Although it's twenty-four dollars, I think it's worth the price. I had some serious tangles from lack of combing (because of the Alopecia) and this comb took out every last tangle. Has anybody tried it? Share your experiences!

Missed a product review? Click here to view past reviews!

I had been having my hair chemically treated in one way or another since I was ten years old- either Jheri Curls or a relaxer.

I never ever had known my own hair texture, because even before I got the chemicals, my mother would press it with the hot comb. Every Saturday, she would wash my hair, plait it and the next day, Sunday she would call me in from outside (in the summer) or away from my brothers (winter), to the kitchen, turn on her dusties (which was the beginning of my love affair with music, but that’s another story) and get to pressing.

So after a few years with the Curl, I decided I wanted straight long flowing hair, since I was told that the Curl made your hair long. Much to my painful surprise, see, no one told me never ever scratch before you get a relaxer, I found out that it was actually the opposite. I woke up daily for 6 months with my hair on my pillow, which is traumatizing to a 12yr old. My hair was so short I was using baby doll rollers-seriously. And on top of that every 5 weeks I was going through that painful burning process, even though I didn't scratch. This went on for the next 20yrs of my life barring the times I wore braids.

I tried maybe twice to go natural, but gave in because I wanted instant gratification-long luxurious hair. So, in July of 2009 after a really bad perm which left scabs in my scalp for almost a month, I gave up. I simply stopped relaxing.

I wore wigs and braids, and even attempted to straighten it-and ended up with a burned forehead and fingers, not to mention ears. So I just made up my mind that this was the time to do it. I had been going through some emotional changes and getting to know Ebony. I finally realized that my 15yr relationship had breathed its last breath, and I was really on my own. I wasn't afraid, but looking forward to whatever life brought my way. And I simply wanted my outward appearance to reflect my inner self- a Strong, beautiful woman who was going back to the basics in her life.

So Saturday, March 13,2010, much to the amazement of the women in the shop I frequented, amongst the relaxers, marcel curlers and spritz(ugh) I proudly stated that I wanted her to cut off my relaxed hair, which at the time was reaching my shoulders. The elder ladies shook their heads at me, the young women rolled their eyes and claimed how they just cant live without their lace fronts and perms, and how "brave" I was. I agree… I was being brave, because I had no idea how people would perceive me, but I did it anyway. And Hello Ebony!

I love the way I look and feel! People are saying now that I've done it, that gives them the courage to try it as well. I really hope my 15yr old daughter follows suit, but I'm not pressuring her… she has to come into her own just as I have.

I just came back from the dermatologist and he told me that I have Alopecia Areata. I had been losing hair for some time around the crown and I figured just as much. It affects perfectly healthy people and is pretty rare. I was given a few injections in my scalp to help stimulate hair regrowth. I have to go back in four weeks. I'll update again soon.

Your name/username

My name is Laine Diane Lina my username Laine Didi Lina

Where are you from?

Paris, France

How long have you been transitioning?

I have been transitioning since July the 15th

Tell us your hair story. Why did you decide to transition?

I decided to transtion because i had lived all my life without knowing my natural hair texture. My mother who is a chinese/indian mixed woman relaxed my hair early. I was about 3 or 4. She didn't really know how to manage them plus she thought that straight hair was the best (and i think she's still thinking that). It hurts me sometimes when i think about this but i don't blame her. She has grown with this false ideas...So i grew up in relaxing my hair, hidding them under weave or sew-in to be like my cousins. Then this year i knew that I couldn't go through this anymore.

I tried to transition once in january 09 but I relaxed my hair in April. I don't why i did it. Maybe I wasn't ready. Then i tried in July and cut my relaxed hair in October. I woke up and knew that I wanted it so much.

What have you discovered so far in your transitioning journey?

I've learn to use the most natural products i can, drink lot of water: Now i can't even think of drinking soda and have a healthy diet. I've also learn to love me the way i am and not try to be like the girls i'd love to be.

What technique has helped you the most during your transition?

Moisturize a lot to avoid breakage, perpooing and Deep conditioning a lot. Braid outs helped me too.

Your advice to the readers

Euhh well...Be patient! Never forget why you're doing this cause this is the result the most important thing! Never let your goal down!!

Highly Textured & Co. (a merger of the minds between Erthtonez.com and Nappy and the City), will be hosting a St. Louis Natural Hair Forum!

Many women are choosing to wear their hair natural, but need support along their. Whether you have locs, a fro, newly natural, transitioning, have natural children, or are thinking about going natural, this is the place for you!! Here, you will learn about healthy hair tips, styles, and more! This is an event for you to meet women and men with like minds and become support for the people who need it! Are you scared to go natural because of what others will think or because you don't have the support behind your decision? Well come, and hopefully leave inspired to love the natural you!

BE SURE YOU BRING MONEY BECAUSE THERE WILL BE:

• Product Giveaways (from some of our sponsors like Darcy's Botanical's and Chris-Tia Donaldson, author of Thank God I'm Natural)
• Drink specials
• Vendors with great products
• An ALL YOU CAN EAT buffet of scrumptious, authentic West-African Cuisine.

Admission is FREE. Tickets for the buffet is $16 if you purchase online. Purchasing tickets in advance ensures your chair...they will sell out fast!!! If you purchase food tickets online, hold on to your reciept and bring it to redeem your meal. No refunds unless its our fault. Purchase your tickets by visiting Erthtonez (www.erthtonez.com/htc) or www.nappystl.com (and click on the "purchase tickets" banner on the right side).

See you there!