Guess what I did today?

New year (almost), new me, right? Well I guess that was my motto this morning.

I posted a while back about being natural and I have been so for about a year and a half. I used to be really into braid outs and twist outs and then I got lazy as soon as I realized I could wear it in a poof, throw on some headbands and call it a day, but with that I got lazier with hair care and really in the past couple of month haven't taken care of it at all (yikes!).

So I noticed when I straightened it for homecoming in October how damaged my ends were so I promised myself I'd grow it out for 2 months and cut off all the damage when I came home for winter break, which is pretty bold for me.

I have never really worn my hair out in an afro around town or campus and technically I still haven't, but I got it cut today and as I was about to slick it back into my staple poof, I stopped and said "Just F***ing (sorry) Do It Brittany"

I rubbed some oil through my hair, fluffed it out a bit and walked out my house.

It's so comforting, the confidence and freeness I feel, especially at home. On campus there are plenty of girls with natural hair, so it isn't uncommon for people to see others, but here it's different. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about what others would think, but I did this for me, I'm growing my hair out for me and I'm gonna hold my own and stick with this.

2013 is a year of health for me. Healthy mind, body and soul. Healthy relationships, spiritual journeys and changes.

It's gonna be great. Here's to the new me (and the new you as well!)

Success!

So some of you may or may not remember my post about going natural, (if you're curious what I had to say, go here) recently I cut off all of my relaxed ends (well everything, but my bangs) and at first I was scared to no end, but once I realized there was no turning back and that it was just hair, I started to deal.

All my relaxed edges

Wet poodle fro right after my "BC"

So far it has actually been great! I love that when I workout my hair looks the same all over because it is one texture, I love that I can get my hair wet in the shower when I forget to crab my shower cap and it isn't a problem and I really love that I can officially put my hair in a ponytail!

Me and all my ponytail-ed goodness (:

(excuse my looking a hot mess)

I literally stood in awe for a good 5 minutes today when I put my hair up, I was so happy! Why you ask? For multiple reasons:
1. A ponytail/messy bun was my go to hairstyle in high school, it's nice to have that option back
2. My hair is healthy!
3. I actually stuck with it my natural hair journey for an entire year!
4. I don't have to braid it up every night now

I suppose I really wanted to post this in hoping it'd give someone who just BC-ed (big chopped) or some who is going through transitioning hope. Stick with it! It will be worth it, promise! I transitioned for  year and there were times I just wanted to straighten it, but I am so glad I stuck with it! I can't wait for it to grow more!

Going Natural

So this might not apply to anyone that reads this blog, but hopefully it helps someone out there.

I am African American (obvi) and for years we have been flocking to beauty shops, sitting under dryers, paying out the wazoo to get our hair to be bone straight, super long and just down right luxurious because that is what society has told us was beautiful. I am guilty of it too, I remember the summer before my third grade year I begged my mom for a relaxer and she finally gave in.

I remember the day I got it done too, it burned like hell (I'm still not sure why they burn) and I cried, I just wanted it to be over. I had been in that shop for hours, but the finished product was worth it. I couldn't stop playing with my hair and I couldn't stop looking in the mirror. It was so long! My mom had created a monster.

I began getting relaxers regularly and I loved it, I went to a predominately white grade school, middle school and high school and it was honestly so refreshing to look like my white counterparts. It made me feel worthy.

But then I got a job and my mother made me start paying for my own hair and one day when I was sitting under the dryer listening to my beautician complain about why black hair doesn't grow it hit me. I don't have to do this, I don't have to sit here every two weeks and shell out money for hair that is damaged and not at all what I want it to be.


So I went home and immediately started looking up natural hair blogs, I was skeptical at first because I wasn't sure what my family and friends would say, I didn't think they'd understand. At this time I was really learning to love myself for me and how God made me, so I thought why not go back to my roots, my kinky, curly roots.

And that is exactly what I did. May 5 I got my last relaxer. I got braids over the summer so I wouldn't have to deal with my hair at all and then I got all the damage cut off and got it cut into a bob for college.

A week into college and I had to wash it, this wasn't something new to me. What scared me was what I was going to do with it once it was dry. I let friends take care of it for a little while and then I tried my first twist-out and it was...not good.

But I've gotten better and I'm learning to work with the two textures in my hair (the un-relxaed new growth and the relaxed ends). I think in about a year or so I'll do my "big chop" (cut off all my relaxed/processed ends so that only new growth is left) we'll see how long it is. I love it so far and it is so much more versatile.

So why post this story on my fashion blog? Well because going natural is a trend if you will, in the black community. A model choosing to go natural affects who will book her, if she fits a certain look and ultimately if she will get hired for more than just "ethnic" shoots.

All hair is beautiful and what you do with your hair should ultimately be what YOU want, not what others think or like and that's what I had to realize. If you have any questions or want advice about going natural I am always here, just shoot me an email (:

Below are pictures of the three different styles I've been rocking while transitioning to natural hair (the last one features my newest obsession, headbands-expect a post about it!).

Summer 2011

Fall 2011

Winter 2011