For the Long Haul!

For the Long Haul: Chantelly!

This time, I want you ladies to join  me in congratulating a new natural who is gracing our pages! Chantelly! This brave lady shares her surprise decision to go natural right through to final chop! Without much further ado......

Are you natural or transitioning?
I am officially rocking 100% natural hair. I did my BC/Mini chop two days before I reached 15 months post on October 26, 2010. I think my hair type would be considered 4a.

What made you decide to transition and why long-term?
Believe it or not, it all started when I wanted to stretch my relaxer for 6 months. Then I remembered that I had done that when I tried to transition a few years ago. I figured if I could make it so 6 months then I could go for a year, and if I make a year than I might as well go natural. That's how I made my decision to go natural.

How long did you plan to transition for?
I decided on transitioning for 2 years but I was happy with the amount of hair I had at 15 months post.

Click "Read More" for more pics of her gorgeous hair and to find more tips for transitioning!

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Did you have a goal length for ending your transition?
I didn't have any goal length because I started at full SL and would trim away the ends when I felt like it so I was no longer attached to my relaxed ends. My natural hair is just about an inch or two off of where my hair was before I did my BC so it's not so bad.

Any naturals who inspired you during your transition?
I wasn't really inspired by anyone. My biggest help along my transition was my best friend who transitioned with me. She big chopped first but she really helped me get through it.

Day of the big chop

What was your signature transitioning style?
The styles that I did most often while transitioning were buns and bantu knots.

What are your top three hair products and why?
I don't really have a solid top 3 but for right now I will say: Vatika Coconut Oil, ORS Replenishing Conditioner and Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Remoisturizer. I love these 3 products because I consistently received the same results every time I use them.

Any techniques you’ve found invaluable during your transition? Do share!
One or 2 of the most valuable techniques I learned were: MopTopMaven's shampoo method for transitioners/naturals. It really helped to save time detangling;  and 1mts1 on youtube, who shows how she detangles her hair using her fingers; this method is great for detangling bantu knot outs, braidouts and twist outs.

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How did/are your family/friends reacting to your transitioning?
My family didn't really care about the transition to natural. My mom's hair changes like the wind. She's had afros to short cuts to her name in the back of her head. Lol! My dad likes natural hair and my brother just likes to know the hair belongs to you. My friends were interested and I got two of my friends to transition because I shared my knowledge. Overall, everyone was in love with my natural hair.

Any words or wisdom for ladies, who are currently transitioning or thinking of taking that step?
For anyone currently or making the step towards transitioning: YOU WILL NOT KNOW YOUR HAIR TYPE OR WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE UNTIL YOU ARE FULLY NATURAL. Don't go watching videos and comparing hair types and buying curl definers and all that stuff. Your hair will do what it wants to do and you will only be able to fully get to know it when your transition is over. Go natural because you want to and feel you can handle it, not because your 2 month new growth has a slight wave and you think you might have 3c hair.

Well, there you have it folks! A new natural who has inspired many (myself included) to look forward to the fully natural state!