Dtownjbrown (Updated: May 17th)
*****JANUARY 2008*****

My hair has been chemical-free since March 2006 but I didnt Big Chop until January 2008. I wore kinky twists & box braid extensions during my entire transition, (a little over 20 months) but I didnt retain any "real" length due to poor maintenance. I would wear my extensions for two months, take them down to cut small amounts of the relaxed ends off, press or flat iron it for about two weeks, then put the extensions right back in. It wasnt until December 2007 that I discovered I was 100% natural and decided not to go back to the braid extensions.

Since then, I have been trying to learn how to care for my hair. Thanks to Nappturality and cNappyMeNow I am on my way to accomplishing this task. I only wish I had found them sooner. The first things I learned was that lack of moisture and excessive heat could cause irreparable damage to natural hair....I had been guilty of both of these things for nearly two years (during my entire transitioning period). Although my hair grew like crazy while I wore the braid extensions, I never moisturized except for my monthly deep condtioning (strike one). I dried my hair with a blow dryer at least twice a month (strike two). And worse of all, I pressed my hair with my ceramic flat irons set to highest number on the dial (strike three).

I had decided to transition with braids to avoid the "Big Chop" but when I got my ends trimmed after deciding not to go back to the braids, my ends were so damaged and split that a BC was essentially what I got. All I have to show for nearly two years of being chemical-free is 3 inches of hair. But all is not lost because I'm learning how to care for my "shorter-than-hoped-for" hair in the proper way. For instance, I recently discovered that my hair is protein-sensitive and that I should shy away from collagen, keratin & biotin (things that I used to think my hair needed when it started breaking off). And although my hair is not as long as I thought it would be by now, every itty bitty millimeter of my "current" 3 inches is healthy and that's enough to keep me happy for now.

General Information
Profile:
Personal
Since:
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Gender:
Female gender
Age:
37
Tags:
natural, hair, nappy, 4b, cNapp, african, kinky, coils, afro, twist, puff, braids, cornrow, conditioner
I'm here for:
Photo sharing, Networking
My Cities
Current:
Birthplace:
Also lived in:
Background & Lifestyle
Marital status:
Single
Sexual orientation:
Straight
Smoking:
Non-smoker
Drinking:
Light (social) drinker
Children:
I don't have kids yet
Education:
College graduate
Ethnicity:
Black/African descent
Body type:
Some extra baggage
Height:
Taller than average
Friends:
~JaZiToNeS~.... Update June 21, 2009, LovelyMissYoli, KinkyCoils (Updates 6.2.09), Mrs Sweetness(Few updates), Sera25 (2nd Album):No PW-5 Years Natural!*6-15-09*, CBS, MimiCuteLips , AuNappturale *updated 06/28*, Bai ~~~~Updates August 11, 2008~~~~, BlackPearls, ~*Natural Beauty~*, blkgyrl103 www.soulfulwares.com, moe moe, Olympia-Banzuke, Aijo, Ms-gg Gone but never forgotten Love You Michael!!!, Khameleon2, Honeybunch2k6, Peajai, SupremeBeing, •∞SimpliciDee NaPpy∞• 6/29 Updates!! , Sesamebutterfly, Keonsmommy, Soulsista934 **~Updated June 6th, 2009!!~***, ITsiRc, Ooops I did it again-ok not yet but in a few days!, African-cheetah (6/22 updates), Mwedzi, Neo-soul, 6-Mth PSC in session, NapptuRae1 (Updated Jan. 1st), DaBlackLady *UPDATED: 5/27/2009* PM me for PW, Hervirtue--On Hiatus!!, F2x (Mai UPDATES), Oooop2 (UPDATES MADE 6/16!!!), Unnaturallyhappy: **May Updates are Open! **, Golden *New March '09 Updates* [3/27/09] Enjoy!, Chiliz345, Afropunk, Dreia35 Updates 12/29
Friend of:
~JaZiToNeS~.... Update June 21, 2009, LaTia ****new pics are here****, Mrs Sweetness(Few updates), Desiree, Shawnee, BW1 ~updated ~01-24-09, AuNappturale *updated 06/28*, BlackPearls, Taniseka, Chi is back!! More June updates!, Scarcity21-2 updates 6/28/08, QUEENOFDA706, EmpressRi ~June Updates!!!, Gr2006/LynnieB, EbonyEss, NappyRina * My New Locs! UPDATES 4/2009 *, Brooklynbornnapps *JUNE 23RD BRAIDOUT PICS*, SupremeBeing, Theultra79, Kenyaste, Napp2BFree, Keonsmommy, Soulsista934 **~Updated June 6th, 2009!!~***, Mooks-hair UPDATES flat ironed, ITsiRc, Lil Puffy Kinks, NP's Miss Nicole ~ Updated 10/16, UneekDiva - Deep conditioning is your friend!, Natural n' African-- More Updates!, MsKinkyKutie, Imverisuxcessful, NapturalAndPowerfulSistah, Myzen2(March and some begining 2009 Updates), SexyMama, CL~ June 22 Updates, micheli's ALL folders are open!!, 6-Mth PSC in session, Cocoanaps3 New Pics 6/5, NapptuRae1 (Updated Jan. 1st), Larutan (Updates February 4, 2009), DaBlackLady *UPDATED: 5/27/2009* PM me for PW, ***April and May 2009 Updates*****, ~Bohosweet~ updates, NaPPyfull *** [updated 06/23/09], Account has moved to fotki.com/intro2apatterson!!, Dymondessence **UpDaTeD MARCH.5.2009**, Koley, june update, Chan84 - UPDATE- 6/17/2009 , Belita01, Whitechocolate629, RedFromChi, *LaRizada* June Updates : Miami hair pics :o), Ceecy29~*June 26 updates..R.I.P MJ*~, Neekie2212, Raven Cherokee New Updated Pictures 9 mths. Later, Tizzy, GiGi38- 6/29 Updates, Unnaturallyhappy: **May Updates are Open! **, Mznaturalc, ButtaPecanBrown Girl, Eringirl- updates May 8, 2009, Monazoom, Dreampearl, NowIAmNappy ONE YEAR NAPPIVERSARY 6/20, Toya0517 ****debating if I shd loc****, mymy, Nanao, Bronzybella, Gloria, Semile01, T-Max, Afropunk, Sundayzchild, NaturallyNiké *Check out youtube in videos sectio, ***Honesty*** Update 6/12/09: I finally BC'd, FrAiDeEeCaT, Chi-Girl97 Small updates...June 2009, Nasdaqdiva May/June HENNA TIME! updates!!!!, Nubiankinks, Naturalchampion.......*UPDATED May 30*, Winonahorton, Nana Afua Konadu, ShyVirgoLady ***New June Updates***, Afrobeautiful, Nappyjazz *can't wait to update***, Itsahairthing, Natural Goddess *Got A New Camera & Updates*, Jrzylioness, MissBailey30, Jackybabes24, Hartbroknpoet, Sign Up ILoveMyLocs.Ning.Com, Wolfpack-girl, MeSooKinky, TCAMNAtural youravon.com/tiffanycameron, Chocolate-kinks, HoneyCoil89, SheisBeloved, NaturallySweet09 *has more BC pics from 6/6/09!*, Afriquelachic, Kadiane, Egyptie, Naturallymixedbeauty