Where do you live?
D: I’m from Texas. I am currently a 4th year college student in DC studying International Affairs and Journalism & Mass Communication.
Why did you go natural?
D: I missed my thickness. I had started perming my hair when I was 12 years old. It started out looking nice and luscious, but overtime it became limp and thin. The main push was when I transferred to a college in DC. It was so difficult to find someone to do my hair. The few salons I would go to always ripped me off and did not do the perm well. That was when I started to hate my dependence on the perm and looked into the possibility of going natural.
My last touch up was March 2010. After it was done, I decided that would be my last perm. I had thought of doing the big chop first, but I did not feel confident that I would like how I would look with really short hair. I transitioned for a year with individual braids. In March 2011 I did the big chop. I became pretty tired of individual braids by that time so I decided to try out the fro first.
In what ways (if any) has going natural affected you?
D: It has added a higher level to my constant evolution. I have more confidence and courage to be myself without holding back or downplaying anything. It has also created a deeper bond between my hair and I. Due to the time and effort it takes to maintain my hair and get used to it, I have a better sense of my hair and myself.
It has also affected my interactions with people. I can’t walk down the block without at least four people saying “rock the fro,” “that is one beautiful bush,” “I love your hair,” or “hey foxy brown.” It took me a while to get used to all this attention, which made me a little self-conscious…but I have learned to embrace it.
I find the reaction to my hair from certain people to be very intriguing. Older black men and women love my hair because it makes them reminisce of the days they had an afro. They comment on how big their bush was and how much they loved it, then they congratulate and encourage me to keep doing what I am doing. I enjoy these encounters because both parties feel good at the end of it. We even start chatting about Afro-Sheen, Angela Davis, and Soul Train, which makes them laugh because they are surprised I know what they are talking about. Encountering my hair seems to transport them to happier times…which really makes my day. On the other hand, some women around my age and older continue to give me a back handed compliment by saying, “I like your hair, is it yours?” When my hair was permed, everyone accused me of wearing a weave or a wig. Now that my hair is natural, they still accuse me of being fake. Can’t win.
Overall, I have gained more respect. Not that I was abused before, but I seem to have to deal with a bit less rubbish now that I am natural.
How would you describe your hair?
D: I have beautiful coils. It is very thick, but also very bouncy and fluffy. It gets tangled easily, so I must braid it at night and carefully comb it. When I fully blow dry my hair, it becomes semi wavy. It is usually cooperative, unless I neglect to moisturize it.
What’s your regimen?
D: I wash it about every two weeks with Wen and Carol’s Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie. I use Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter to oil my scalp because it is very light and smells good. Every morning I use Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Sheen. I braid and moisturize my hair every night with either the Healthy Hair Butter or Wen. I wear it out as an afro and in different up-do styles. I have also started an affair with scarves.
What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
D: I no longer use Organic Root Stimulator Shea Butter Lotion every night: it builds up and makes my hair stick together. I no longer use SoftSheen-Carson Sta-Sof-Fro Hair & Scalp Spray and Conditioner because it makes my ends brittle. I’ve done well with staying away from heat products. When my hair was permed I was guilty of using the straightener too frequently.
What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
D: Moisturizing. My hair seems to have a character of its own… a very vocal character. If I miss a night of moisturizing and braiding my hair, it screams in protest the next morning by not cooperating with anything I try to do.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
D: I added “blogger” to my list of talents this past January. I’m still having a lot of fun with it www.dagnyzenovia.com
Anything else you want to add?
D: As Eartha Kitt once said, “Beauty is not something to be dressed up. The Gods have done that. So keep it simple and let it shine all on its own.” As Michael Jackson once said, “If you enter this world knowing you are loved and leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in-between can be dealt with.” As Under Cover Brother once said, “You touch the fro, and you’s gots ta go.” Just have fun with your natural hair because… as India Arie once said, “I am not my hair.” 🙂
47 Responses
beautiful!
2
Hello, this is a great blog!
Love the outfit in the first pic! Gorgeous hair also!
Hey Dagny! I am following your journey and think it is simply awesome. So happy to read the positive comments from other young sisters and so proud to say that I knew you as a little girl. My daughter is transitioning as well, wearing Senegalese twists this summer and she looks great. I have always wanted to go natural, but my hair is very coarse and I am afraid of what really lies beneath this relaxed hair. I usually go 10 weeks before i touch uo my hair. What advice do you have for older women wanting to go natural. Also, do you notice a difference in your natural texture? Is is the same as when you were a little girl? I remember your hair being more wavy than coily.
Peace and blessings to you and your family. Stay beautiful!
Hi Ms. Brunie. Thank you again. Since you are not fully sure about what “lies beneath,” you probably won’t want to start out with the big chop. A style that allows your hair to grow out a bit more for you to see what it looks like and for others to not see the two textures is key. For some older women, I get the sense that they feel limited in terms of style variety due to age and patience. Cornrows are the simplest to do, but are deemed to be too young by some. Braids take too much time for some, while weaves are too much to maintain for others. I’m not an expert, but if you have the patience, I would recommend individual braids or twists (They don’t have to be tiny or complex). That way, your texture can grow out and you can see it better. There are a few experts I looked to when I was considering the natural journey: Diana Da Costa has a book called Textured Tresses, which I found pretty helpful http://www.dianedacosta.com/main.htm Also, Pam Ferrell has a book called Where Beauty Touches Me – Natural Hair Care & Beauty Book http://www.cornrowsandco.com/company.cfm?companyID=2 Also, Going Natural by Nireille Liong-A-Kong http://going-natural.com/ Lastly, No Lye! by Tulani Kinard. You might find some helpful tips from them. I spent the majority of last summer reading these books – learning transitioning tips, african hair technicalities, and hair care guidelines.
My texture is the same as it was when I was younger. However, I have discovered that my texture is more versatile than I remember. When I was younger, my hair was fully blow-dried and put in cornrows. So the few times I was allowed to wear it out, it had a wavy look. Now, I have found that when my hair is left to air dry, it creates tight coils. When it is left slightly damp, it becomes very fluffy. It is also much shorter now, which is probably the cause for some of this.
I know your daughter looks wonderful with her twists. Just make sure she keeps her hair moisturized to protect it from summer heat. I hope I have been able to help you a little bit. The only advice that worked for me is that I listened to my mother and took it slow by trimming my ends and keeping it braided for an extended time. This is a very important, personal journey that we have to be comfortable with to undertake. Welcome to the Natural Soro Sistas Club!
Absolutely beautiful! I love the perfect fro in pic 3!
Pretty hair! I cant get enough of the scarves either! Those pics make me want to go out splurge on some
Love your hair, love the quotes!
She looks STUNNING!
OH MY GOSH I WANT TO BE AWESOME LIKE YOU!
Seriously.
Love your hair! Those photos are gorgeous and so are you! 🙂
G O R G E O U S
I LOVE YOU!! You are soooo gorgeous (though I know you already knew that)!! Your hair looks gorgeous both ways (I’ve already told you this)!! I love it!! What you said here makes me happy that I never permed my hair…N-A-T-U-R-A-L is the way to go!! It’s good you went natural!! More power to you sis.! Keep on rocking the fro!! Seeeee…there..I commented..happy?? 😛 Love ya!! You look great in all the pics!!! Keep on doing your thing!! ^_*
~D.
Beautiful pictures! 🙂 Also we’re transition buddies! The last time I flat-ironed my hair was last year in March (I have heat damage so I had to grow my hair out). I planned on cutting out my heat damage March of this year, but I was afraid it was too short. i think because of your pictures I’m going to get my hair cut when I go to visit New York this summer. Thanks!
Btw could anyone recommend a salon(I have 4a hair) in New York that is fairly affordable , and that specializes in haircutting/braids?
You photo so well, such a stunning face. Love your fros.
Beautiful!
When my hair was permed, everyone accused me of wearing a weave or a wig.
I definitely know how that is, though I have yet to experience people asking me if my hair is real in its afro-state.
Thank you all so much for the comments. I can’t stop smiling. BGLH is “solid.” Haha, glad you liked the Undercover Brother quote.
Dagny, did you go to Agnes Scott College at some point?
Yes, I went there for my freshmen year of college. Are you a scottie?
Yes. I graduated this year. I went natural during my time at Agnes and I was happy to see many other young women making the same choice around campus. I want to say I had class with you… I remember your name. Anyway, your hair is beautiful!
Your hair is WONDERFUL! It’s just like mine. I love your style as well – your jewellery, scarves, clothes etc. I think I’ve picked up a few ideas for summer.
All these gorgeous creative young women. These profiles make me so very proud.
I am going to get some hats because I have to work them into my style.
Sooooo pretty! I love to see natural ladies represent
So pretty! Her hair is drop dead gorgeous!
Absolutely beautiful pics! Your style is fierce and I can see that you are “doing you” (and doing it well!!). Thanks for the inspiration, Dagny. :o)
Beautiful! Love her hair and the many ways she styles it! People think my hair is a wig as well.
She is soo beautiful. Very exquisite. Love all the photos but her style in the first one is awesome!! The one with the orange headband/headtie is super cute too!
I wouldn’t have thought that her hair would like the way it does, in the picture where it is straight. My hair looks the same as hers in its natural state, but doesn’t look like that when it is straightened. Really beautiful pictures! Loving the hair!
Wow…I am speechless. What a stunner!
I just had to say you are beautiful! You go my sister!
Absolutely Beautiful!!!!
your eyes, hair, all of it just beautiful. Oh and I love the Under Cover Brother quote! I need to watch that movie again.
Undercover Brother is one of my favorite movies of all time…
TEXAS GIRLS REPRESENT!
Loves Loves Loves Loves Loves. She is gaw jus! Love the hat and turban I too. I am a dedicated fro rocker, and I can relate 100% to what she said about the reactions from people. I will be visiting the blog for sure!
She is stunning!
Love the Undercover Brother quote! And you are looking lovely. Your ‘fro is beautiful.
She is really beautiful no matter what hairstyle..but the fro makes her look stunning.
I can see why she gets ‘vintage’ comments. She really reminds me of a young Pam Grier. I am loving the scarf affairs in these pics. Beautiful!
LOVE the hair – I especially love how she incorporated scarves and wraps into her hairstyles. BEAUTIFUL!
Your brows are Fierce!!
Beautiful!!!
All the pics are beautiful, but #3 is just gorgeous! Love the hair 🙂
Love the name Dagny (even though I’ve never been able to finish Atlas Shrugged). Great hair as well! 🙂
And I totally relate re your reasons for going natural. I was long out of college but I too resented having to be dependent on salons and stylists.
OMG, me too! I told my boyfriend that I wanted to consider that name for my first daughter but he said NO! He hates it 🙁 I love the name Dagny but he said if I did it he would name one of our sons Curtis, and I cannot allow that. Lol.
BTW, I finished Atlas Shrugged twice. Loved it. Lot of speeches tho.
She is absolutely gorgeous!