Today I'm excited to share with you one of my favorite naturalistas! I started following Chevanne's blog some time last year, and was amazed by her hair growth so much that I failed to notice she was transitioning then. Well now she's fully natural, and she shares with us her hair journey.
Introduce Yourself.
Hilow! My name is Chevanne Smith but I go by Yulli Blue on the web. I am a Jamaican, Christian, blogger and student.
How long have you been natural?
I've been natural for almost 3 months now.
What's your hair story?
My hair was relaxed in grade five, my mother was always complaining about how hard it was to comb and maintain my hair. The day it was relaxed I was excited; I thought I was going to look like the pretty girls on the Just for Me box. My hair was under-processed but fluffy and huge. I liked it though, it wasn't so much of a pain to comb anymore. After a while my hair started being processed better and I was in between going to the hairdresser to get it done and other times just my mom. In high school I started noticing one side of my head was thinning. I ignored it though. I wasn't until about Grade 10 or 11 that I realized I was going bald in that section. I depressed me so much. I stumbled across hair videos on Youtube and followed ladies like Kiss and Sunshine. I wasn't knowledge of the whole stretching your relaxer process and jumped right into it. I received horrible shedding and breakage. I did some thorough research and tried to nurse my hair back to health before considering another relaxer. As for my alopecia I used tried so many remedies but soon found that essential oils worked the best for me. Transitioning was never apart of the plan ever, but I happened to start liking my hair texture and I just kept "stretching." I transitioned for 3+ years and did my transition chop on January 2, 2014. I started wearing lot of puffs, twist out, braid out and afros and my ends were suffering. I've done about 4 trims including my chop because of splits and rough ends. So I'm back to protective styling like I was before.
How do you feel about your hair?
I have a love-hate relationship with my hair. I love it but sometimes I wish somebody else could do it.
What are some of your favorite products?
I love oils and shea butter. I really like the Vo5 Balancing Conditioner my tangles just melt with that.
Describe your hair regimen
I'm back to doing my hair once a month as it's easier. I combine a shampoo and cowash regime.
1. Prepoo with an oil or my homemade moisturizing molasses prepoo
2. Condition my hair to detangle. Either with the a Vo5 or any cheap condish
3. Shampoo with diluted shampoo and I add tea tree and lavender oil
4. Follow with black soap
5. Cowash (if I have conditioner, if I don't this step is skipped)
6. Cool water shot
7. Moisturized and seal (oil and shea butter mix)
What are your favorite hairstyles?
I love updos, twisted hairstyles and when I'm lazy beanies.
What has been the hardest part of your natural hair journey?
My biggest struggle was the split ends and ragged ends. I was confused at how I kept doing so many trims yet still had them. Sometimes detangling is long and a struggle.
Where can you be found on the web?
Youtube: Yulli Blue
G+: Yulli Blue
What tips/suggestions do you have for other naturals/transitioners?
- Don't stress too much over your hair, it's a process just take it easy.
- Focus on the health of your hair; length will come.
- Do your best to maintain your ends by protective styling, dusting, conditioning or baggying the ends.
- Save money by doing homemade treatments sometimes.
- Join a community so you can get support from fellow naturals or transitioners
- Document your hair journey.
I really do recommend following Chevanne's journey, not only does she have amazing hair tips, she also has pretty great protective styles, and motivational posts!
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