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TaraDyan -- 100% Natural Hair! Premium Fotki Member

TaraDyan -- 100% Natural Hair!
In May 2007, I decided to transition back to natural hair and grow out my relaxer. My last relaxer was March 1, 2007. I did my big chop on September 1, 2008 (18 months of transitioning). I never thought about documenting the journey via photos until I saw all of the other Fotkis. So I thought ... hey, this should be fun!

I think it's so fascinating to view other people's hair journeys via Fotki. I love learning how other people handle some of the same hair woes that I have, such as frizz, small pixie knots and dryness. In addition to Fotki, I have also learned a lot from the various hair blogs and sites, especially my girls over at www.longhaircareforum.com. Although I knew a lot about haircare before I even joined that site, the ladies over there have opened my eyes to products and techniques that I would have never even tried before. I'm forever grateful to them for all that I've learned.

And now, here's a list of my main staple of products and my simple regimen:

WASHING AND CONDITIONING:
-- I co-wash every other day using one of the following:
* Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut
* V05 Silky Experiences Conditioners (various kinds)
* Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship
* Trader Joe's Nourish Spa
* Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose
* Aubrey Organics White Camilia
* Aussie Moist

-- I also use my regular conditioners as my leave in

-- I also deep condition once a week with the following:
* Aveda Damage Remedy
* Kenra Moisurizing Conditioner

-- I do protein treatments as needed using one of the following:
* Aubrey Organics GPB Conditioner
* Duo Tex
* MegaTek
* Aphogee 2-Minute Reconstructor
* Jherri Redding Natural Protein

-- I using clarifying shampoo/cleansers as needed:
* Sally's GPV Kock-off Nexxus Aloe Rid Shampoo
* Baking soda and water

DAILY STYLING:
-- When I'm wearing it in a bun:
* I co-wash my hair with one of my conditioners
* Slather on some pure organic coconut oil
* Slather on some EcoStyler gel (the clear one)
* Put it in my bun or up in a clip
-- When I'm wearing it in a wash-n-go:
* I co-wash my hair with one of my conditioners
* I slather on some pure organic coconut oil
* I apply Knot Today and then Kinky Curly Curling Custard
* If I don't have any KT or KCCC, then I'll just use a leave-in and gel
* In either case, I try not to disturb my hair until it dries to prevent frizz

-- Last year, I discovered the joy of Curlformers. They are special curlers that are very effective at pulling your new growth taut and straightening it out ... all while rendering a lovely spiral curl. I plan to use those more often just to switch up my style.

GROWTH AIDS:
-- I used to use Bee Mine Serum last year to help grow in my edges; however, I no longer use that because it started speeding up my hair shedding. Since I have thin, fine hair, extra shedding is a no-no in my book.
-- As such, I no longer use growth aids. They make my hair shed too much.

That's my regimen in a nutshell folks. Super simple, huh?
General Information
Profile:
Personal
Since:
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Gender:
Female gender
Languages:
English
Tags:
Coily Hair, Curly Hair, Transitioning, Natural Hair, Afro-Textured Hair, Black Hair, Kinky Hair, Big Chop, Puff, Curlformers, Protective Styling, Hair Growth
I'm here for:
Photo sharing, Friends, Networking
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My Cities
Current:
Birthplace:
Also lived in:
Background & Lifestyle
Education:
College graduate
Ethnicity:
Black/African descent
Origin:
United States
Friends:
*~* Allandra *~*, Chicoro, mysweetevie, subbrock, Lady Libra, *~Poohbear~*, Bublnbrnsuga, blackhoney112, Beehmyn~~November Updates!~~, kblc06-New Fotki @www.fotki.com/kblc06-02) Updates, Tetbelle , Raven281 updates July 30 in new album, Cheekyfa1 ***June Updates***, Afroqueenshae: CHECK Out: www.afroniquelyyou.com, Serenity326 - 3 yr Nappiversary Updates - 6/11, Curlybear, Adf23....Natural! June 09 update, Memee1978, 711-711 aka cat eyes-update Sep 21st I'm back!, Gr2006/LynnieB, ***Ysheena*** Birthday picsss February 26th!!***, Lavendar2 - On Hiatus....Fotki Closed, Qetesh, beauté naturelle ***One Year Natural***, Angeshrty6 (HIDING my HAIR until JUNE '10), UneekDiva - Who Gon Check Me Boo? LOL, Ladibug, Kiki82, Monie20032007, Urbansoulsista (*8/9/09), MissKreyol, Blessedmomof3* 2 YEARS NATURAL!!, Zhara, Msdimpled1 July updates 09 , MissNorway ***10.08.2009 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY***, Monikerr, MsLaVera's Transition is OVER!!!, LittleGoldenLamb - HAS MOVED!, Lusting4Hair, Caramelhoney01, Kenny23, Chromia ~Transitioning~, ♥LaRizada ♥ New Dec Updates, Discreet, KinkyKurlyQueen** December Updates :-), Queent, Jonesybird, CurliGurli is protective styling, ClarkiesMommy --> Finally!! A few updates!, thenaturalnovice [on hiatus untill i find camera], Ladykpnyc, Raven (updated 3/13/09)
Friend of:
*~* Allandra *~*, carmella25, Nelle- Updated 10/26, mysweetevie, Desiree, ® Peachtree ® October 2009 Updates! , Cat ***ANNIVERSARY UPDATES 12/09/2009***, nurseN98**Jan.09updates**, Afrocurls, *~Poohbear~*, dija23, blackhoney112, Beehmyn~~November Updates!~~, ELIZABETH / diary of an hair addicted, shortycocoa **4 years natural!!!**, Stacey aka Kamii, M.MiamiLady, Lovenatural, VinDieselsWifey, Raven281 updates July 30 in new album, Cheekyfa1 ***June Updates***, Afroqueenshae: CHECK Out: www.afroniquelyyou.com, Curlsrgreat my Youtube channel youtube.com/shay18, Adf23....Natural! June 09 update, Memee1978, EmpressRi ~December Updates!!!, Gr2006/LynnieB, ***Ysheena*** Birthday picsss February 26th!!***, Yekinae. The Knotty Truth! Get it! Thanks Cheleski, PrecociousPoet, Brooklynbornnapps *COLLEGE UPDATES*, TemiLnd - Back to braids for a LONG while., Sweetladee1001 FLAT IRONED HAIR!!! May '09, ProudNapps~Updated 12/26/09 (My First Ponytail!) , beauté naturelle ***One Year Natural***, latingirly112484"HIDING HAIR UNTIL APRIL 2010", Angeshrty6 (HIDING my HAIR until JUNE '10), UneekDiva - Who Gon Check Me Boo? LOL, Ladibug, AAngel *+*11 MONTHS NATURAL*+* Dec UPDATES!!, Kiki82, Monie20032007, MsKinkyKutie, ♥Pelo Panameña♥twitter.com/debzdaceleb), BlondeByDesire, MummysGirl **Transitioning to Natural Hair**, msinnerbeauty, Asabi22, Cocoanaps3 re- twist 11/18/09, ManeVixen, Transitioning Back.., Msdimpled1 July updates 09 , AJanae531 UPDATES 1-29-2008, Desire-moi, MsLaVera's Transition is OVER!!!, Naturallycocoa, LittleGoldenLamb - HAS MOVED!, Lusting4Hair, Caramelhoney01, Kenny23, Cecekingskid, NaturallyKristin ~ minor update 12/31, Trishjohnson1985, Chromia ~Transitioning~, Skittlezbabii, Discreet, Ms. Tracie **(1YR Updates: 09/29/09)**, Ginaloveslanguages84..DECEMBER 4TH UPDATES!!!!!!, iDreamHair, TamikaG, Eringirl- Small September 20, 2009 updates!, Petitmaui *******TRANSITIONING TO NATURAL, Jonesybird, Joykaunda, Boom :: updated 05/24, Sha-babiee [UPDATED 2/18/09] transitioning, ~*~*CurvyCurly~*~* I'M TRANSITIONING!, BeautyFul, KyannaDear, Dezirecsc, ClarkiesMommy --> Finally!! A few updates!, NaturallyNiké I got STRAIGHT *New Comparison Pics, Diana, Thaidreams, thenaturalnovice [on hiatus untill i find camera], 11 months post! Updates 12/9/09, Jazzy =), Tana4eva122, His First Lady New pics 10-09, Ladykpnyc, Inspiired *Updates 20-12-08!!*, ~*~Updated!!! 9/21~*~Georgia-Mami, Weezyfan2008, MOmOvTwO, X0xqUayAx0x, Raven (updated 3/13/09), Spicedream822, ShyVirgoLady * 1 Year & Counting!--->11/11 update*, Philooo, ***BNATURAL08****DEC. UPDATES, Uptown-mami, Iluvbeingacurlygurl, Back2past, KurlyQue , Natural Goddess *Got A New Camera & Updates*, Napptural*Diva, 1 year relaxer free-7 months post BC...Nu Pics, Queenfee, ◦o◦o◦Çõily Мõmma◦o◦o◦, Nikkibee, Wild Curls Raquelle ***Updates***, GrowinLongLocks, My Hair Fetish, Nubian-diva, Giselley81, Helifano[(Nov.2oo9] updates, Steffiejoe, December 21 2009 UPDATES, CoilyLocks, Soulsearcher86, Niik [one year natural!! - updates 10/24!], XxXGoldenXxX, KQT20 (Updates coming soon), Beautifulme1108,October updates*****, JolieNappyHair, SiempreunaPrincesa, Msellie, Anterrell, Learning2LoveMe26, PerfectPeace317, P1tey1, PureRoots, *(FiNaLLy PiCs)*_*MuZiKaLRhaPsoDy, Lilda619, sweet-valentine , NBallaaa is transitioninggggg!, CurlyLea, Nappydoowopp, J.Monet - 6 MONTH TRANSITION UPDATE!!, Shouyien *June Update*, Coilsgalore* More Pics on the Way**, Naturalnoir, Mailcentermy, Caramelgyrl254 >>New Updates!<<, Kowa87 BC'd 12.12.2009!! =], Raven, CurlyDiva is BC'ing January 8th, 2010!, GodGivenCurlz, NappiBarbi, LoveHair87: check out the site http://strandzoffab, naturalTAN, Alois, Smiley19, SoulfulBlackness, Blackbeauty831, MsLizziA **ALL NEW UPDATES FOR NOVEMBER!**, Easy, frizzy, beautiful naturél mademoiselle, Sharinatai, Cheercraz(7 months post bc and updates), I BC'ed 10-16-09 {Pics Are Here!!}, Foufie, Lovely1102 - updated 11/26/09 Happy Thanksgiving!, Destiny5104, Bholmes87 *wishing you a Merry CHRISTmas!!!!*, KemetCandy, Kinkscurlbarbie87, ProjectWLhair, Mzlovely317, TriniBaj, Chinaeye