How Long Have you been Natural and when did you BC? I have been natural for 2 years and 8 months. My last relaxer was July 2010 and I BC'ed on August 21st 2010. I transitioned for little over a month What are your staple products and hairstyles? Throughout the time I have been natural, there has been a lot of trial and error with products: I have discovered that I am protein sensitive and have low porosity hair! My staple products are: water every day for moisture! SEE ALSO: 4A/4B Natural Hair Journey | Elaine Tresemme naturals moisturizing conditioner (rinse out conditioner) Eden Bodyworks deep conditioner (once a week) Carols daughter healthy hair butter (sealant and styler) Shea moisture raw Shea butter restorative conditioner (moisturizer/styler) Keracare natural textures leave in Coconut oil & extra virgin olive oil As I am coconut co wash weekly for cleansing. My favorite hair styles are mini twists, twists and curl styles and most times I wear a bun. Protective styling is key for length retention in my case, which I have noticed has helped my hair grow a lot over the past year! What is your regimen? I cleanse and deep condition my hair once a week. I use my as I am coconut cowash and rinse out completely. I use extra virgin olive oil and Eden Bodyworks deep conditioner with a heat cap for 30-45 minutes and rinse out. Hot oil treatments and deep conditioning have helped my hair stay strong and shiny. After I deep conditioner or do my hot oil treatments, I style my hair for the week. 5 days out of the week my hair is in a protective style. Bun, mini twists or pinned up. I'm at work most of the week anyways so this saves me time doing my hair. Friday and Saturday I usually wear my hair out, especially if I'm going out with friends or to events. What are your natural hair goals? My natural hair goals are to 1st and foremost have healthy hair. I would like to obtain mid back length hair when straight, by the time I reach year 4 in my hair journey. How do you keep your hair intact overnight? At night, my hair is always in plaits, or twists and wrapped up in a satin bonnet or scarf. I never go to bed without wrapping my hair up! How do you maintain length? Protective styling and low maintenance styling are key to maintaining length. The regimen I have now seems to be working wonderfully. Protective style 5 days out of the week (m-f) then letting my hair down 1-2 days out of the week, (usually on weekends). Wash day is Sunday. Name 1 reason you went natural and why you love being natural? I went natural because I was sick and tired of going to the salon 3-4 times a month. I had a short "Rihanna" styled hair cut before going natural and it was such high maintenance. Even before when my hair was long and relaxed, because it grew so fast I was constantly putting heat on it as well as getting touch ups around my edges. I love being natural because my hair is the healthiest it's ever been, and natural hair is so incredibly beautiful. [gallery link="file" columns="5"]

Want to have your own hair story told on SC? Email me at hairstories@strawberricurls.com to get your own feature!