Coily Encounter..Gathia

Natural of the Week..Gathia

Child of the Most High, Military Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Student and a Natural Woman

Hair:

1.How long have you been natural? 6 months and growing . . . .
2.Did you transition? No  

Also, what was your transitioning process?

My story is a little different than the stories of other naturals.  For the past 16 years, I've worn my hair cut very short and permed (weekly).  With my hair at a short length, the perm made my hair curly. So going natural was quite an easy process for me.  I continued to cut my hair (weekly) but without perming.  Last perm was November-2009, last cut was December-2009
3.Did you have any support going natural? Yes! my family, friends, and co-workers. The idea was a shock because my daughter and most of my friends had only seen my very short hair style. or negative experiences when going natural? None

3B.What was your husband's reaction? He hasn't seen it in person yet only via pictures.  He's currently in Iraq.  He will be home in August for R&R! Yay ME!! He says that he loves the pics and can't wait to see it in person. August will be month 8 for my hair. I'm thinking about wearing a twist out to pick him up from the airport.

4.What is your regimine? I wash with castille soap and condition with keratin conditioner.  I use a shea butter recipe that my hair loves (melt all ingredients on stovetop). Recipe: unrefined shea butter, 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp. jojoba oil, 6-8 drops vitamin E, 1/2 tsp. tea tree oil, 2 tbsp aloe vera gel, tbsp castor oil,  and 2 tbsp. coconut oil.

5.What is your nightly routine? 
I wear a satin cap to sleep.

6.What is your go to style? the fro with a headband.  There's not much I can do right now, but I'm waiting patiently for my dream hair to come . . . a MASSIVE fro.  I'm looking forward to being able to rock a twist out, finger curls, and other beautiful styles.  Although I have big hair dreams, I am totally loving my little fro. She's growing so well.
7. What is the best thing about being natural? The best thing about being natural is that it's my hair.  It's what God blessed me with. I'm so proud of my hair texture, curl pattern, and it's thickness.   



Work related questions.

1.Were you concerned about what your co-workers would think? No
2.How did your co- workers respond to your hair? My co-workers were paying very close attention to the growth.  My positive attitude and excitement for my hair got them excited as well. During your transition?  After your BC?

You work in an elementary school. With that said, I know children will speak honestly and straight from the heart.

3.What did the children say? I work with kindergarten students and the little boys noticed the growth faster than the girls.  Two male students were growing fro's as well.  The little girls got the most excited when I started wearing headbands.  One student said, "Mrs. Lewis I love your hair! It's bigger". She had her hands out on both sides of her head! LOL
4. What was your reaction? I laughed and told her I wanted it even BIGGER, putting my hands even further out on the sides of my head.

5.As your hair continues to grow, will you wear it out more at work or utilize more protective styling methods? Why? I will definately wear it out always because I love it. I will wear defferent styles, but they will all be done with my own hair.

6.What advice do you have for an aspiring natural/transitioner? Research! Research! Research! It's good to have direction and good resources before getting started.  There are several different ways to transition.  Some women are brave enough to start off as short as a boy cut, others are not.  My advice is to look at pictures, read other transition stories, become familiar with YouTube natural hair tutorials, and get to know your hair.  Even with youtube, I watched tutorials of women whose hair texture was closest to mine.  Products that work for one may not work well for all. The natural hair journey is trial and error, but once you find out what your hair likes . . . .it's smooth sailing

Enjoy more photos of Gathia's Journey!