About Me...Hello! My name is Mary and I'm from O’Fallon IL. O’Fallon is a small town near St. Louis. You could actually drive through the whole town in like 7 mins. It’s predominantly Caucasian and growing up, there were plenty of times where I was one of a few African Americans in my class. Even in high school I didn’t know anyone who was openly natural (I say openly because the naturals straightened their hair and didn’t walk around in braid outs or anything). Senior year of high school I happened to know a few girls who were transitioning, but that’s it! There really isn’t any natural hair community at all.

When and why did you decide to go natural?
I was completely ignorant of natural hair. I would see pictures of natural curls and think, “I wish my hair was naturally curly”. I actually thought that when I washed my relaxed hair and didn’t flat iron it, that was my natural hair. So serious! Sad, isn’t it? I don’t remember how I stumbled across sites like CurlyNikki and Fotki, but seeing the pictures of African Americans with curly hair was mind blowing. I had NO idea our hair was curly. I was tired of my relaxed hair, but I wasn’t tired of it being straight. My original plan was to go natural just so I would have thicker straight hair. So Jun 2009, I decided to transition to natural.

What was your family's reaction to your natural hair?
At first my family and friends didn’t believe me. I don’t blame them, because I relaxed probably every few weeks, and straightened my hair twice a week. I was addicted to straight hair. I’m surprised I even had hair now that I think about it. After the first 4-5 months they started to take me seriously and supported the decision. After 13 months and 2 days, on July 23 2010, my boyfriend cut all my relaxed ends off. It was that day that I fell in love with my curls and decided not to straighten them.


Describe your current hair routine.
I will be 8 months natural on March 23 2011! My hair routine is actually simple compared to many naturals. I’m a college student who likes to spend her money on food or books instead of hair products. Maybe when I get a 9 to 5 ill go product crazy, but until then I’ll stick to the basics. At the moment I wash with Suave Almond and Shea Butter Shampoo. I condition with the Suave Almond and Shea Conditioner and detangle with a Tangle Teezer in the shower. After I detangle I put each section into fat twist. If I want to do I braid/twist out, I add Aussie moist conditioner then braid/twist it. If I was to wear my natural curls I put coconut oil on my hair and eco gel. Every morning I fluff with coconut oil and that’s it! Oh, I also deep condition every week with Coconut Oil Formula w/ Vitamin E Deep Conditioning Protein Pack. I’ve tried plenty of hair products and the ones I just describe are all my favorites.
Do you have any hair goals? If so, what steps are you taking to achieve them?
My hair was past bra strap length when it was relaxed, so my first goal is just to get right back to that length natural. My ultimate hair goal is to be between bra strap and waist length. I’m only 5 foot so waist length is just too much hair for me! To achieve this goal, I’m just doing what it tells me to do. If it says I’m dirty, I'll clarify it, if it says I’m dry, I’ll do more oils and deep condition it, if it says my ends are tired, I'll trim and do more protective styles. It’s all about listening to your hair and being consistent with your treatments.

How has being natural changed you?
Being natural has taught be to just love how God has made me and to become more comfortable in my skin. It took a lot for me to find myself attractive when I had a lil fro on my head, but I did it. I actually stopped wearing everyday makeup and eye shadows. I found that I just like the natural color or my skin. My natural hair has just broadened my definition of beautiful.

My top 5 obsessions are...
•Grey's Anatomy
•Styling my hair...I find it quite relaxing
•Photography/Photoshop
•Goldfish
•Music...My current fav song is Repeaterbeater by MEW


Anything else you would like to add...
I have a fotki! It has all the pictures since day 1 of my decision to transition. I love to share photos, hair styles and swap ideas around. Visit my Fotki --> http://members.fotki.com/-PeaceAndNatrility-/about/
Thanks for letting me share my story with others! ♥