by
Meosha
Introduce yourself!
N: My name is Nelly and I am a Franco-Ivorian young woman who currently lives in Paris.
Why did you make the decision to transition to natural hair?
N: I’ve been transitioning for two years. My mother taught us (my sister and I) how to take care of our natural hair and she refused to straighten my hair until she gave up when I was 14. Relaxed, my hair had always been healthy, with enough volume and length, however in 2012 my hair started to break and lose volume. I must say that I had started to care for it less and using a flat iron did not help. In February 2012, I decided to stop relaxing my hair for 2 years without cutting the ends. The idea was to let my hair grow for a while before making the decision to completely return natural or getting relaxed again. The end of 2 years has arrived, but I’ve already made my decision. I love my natural hair.
How would you describe your texture?
N: I’m not really big on hair typing, but I’d say I’m a combination of 3c curly/coily and 4a. I’d say my strands are fine, but my hair is dense. My hair is rather soft and manageable, but my strands are very dry. They often need to be moisturized and sealed to keep them soft. I also noticed that when I cover my hair it remains hydrated.
Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
N: I always do hairstyles with twists that I keep during the week. I have a lot of hair and not really time for styling when I just spent three hours to wash it. So twists and updos are quick to do and my favorite. I always style them differently to avoid always having the same head of hair. For styling I use coconut oil and Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie.
What does wash day look like for you?
N: I wash my hair once a week. Before washing I detangle my hair with my fingers then with the comb. I then do my prepoo that I keep in overnight. My prepoo can be a mixture of oils, or a mixture of an oil and a mask as desired. I use coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and Jamaican black castor oil. It depends on my mood. The next morning I wash with Garnier Fructis Shampoo (the one with mango). I dry my hair with a cotton t-shirt, apply my leave-in and seal with coconut oil. Finally, I then twist my hair.
Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
N: The evening before going to bed if my hair is not styled I do big twists in order to do a twist out the next day. Or a very high, big bun.
How do you combat shrinkage?
N: I separate my hair in about 4 or 6 parts and let my hair dry a little. After washing my hair, I style it directly before the shrinkage starts.
What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
N: My baby hair in the back of my head is thinner than the rest of my hair and also requires more care. So I moisturize it often.
What are 2 do’s for your texture?
N: Moisturize everyday for softness and shine. Keep hair protected at night so the ends don’t get caught or pulled.
What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
N: Don’t keep my twist out or bantu knot out too long without remoisturizing my hair. Also, do not flat iron hair too often or it will become super dry.
Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
N: Yes, my personal blog where you can find my looks, styles, travels and other things: http://classandwomen.tumblr.com or my street style blog: http://nellybrown.tumblr.com/. You can also find me on my Instagram: http://instagram.com/nellybrownthemuse.
36 Responses
I swear by Jamaican black castor oil
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I swear by jamai
Her skin is absolutely gorgeous/flawless!!! Wonder if her skincare regimen is on her webpage? Love her inventive hairstyles and simple routine as well. Also loving BGLH’s choice to present beautiful natural black women from around the globe!
Gawgus hair!! Gawgus face!!! Let those ends go!!! You’re gonna love your hair styles Sooooo much better.
That’s pretty!! Gone on and take the plunge – let the ends go!!! You won’t even miss them.
What lovely hair you have!
I have no idea how you have managed to transition for practically 2 years! I did 13 months and was itching for the scissors! lol.
I really like your updos. Your hair looks healthy and well taken care of.
Amazing skin! My daughter is the same exact skin color. Sort of cinnamon honey tone. I hate hate being light skin. I wish i was cinnahoney like you! You are an inspiration for me to move to a hot climate! Hair and face is great too!
Thank you so much! we are never satisfied with what we have!
I’m sure you have a beautiful skin color beings that many would die for!
Omg I was going to say the same thing! Your skin is BEAUTIFUL! What do you do/use?? I’m definitely checking out your blog 🙂
Gorgeous ! If Nelly would like to join the ivorian community, we will be very pleased to welcome her at https://www.facebook.com/NappysDeBabi https://www.facebook.com/groups/nappysdebaby/
she’s almost fully natural. Im sure you won’t miss the relaxed ends when they finally come off. i like all your hairstyles. my fav is the chunky twist outs
themanecaptain.blogspot.ca
I transitioned for almost 2 yrs and cut when I only had a few inches of relaxed hair left. You dont have much relaxed left, when do you plan on cutting your ends?
I do not have much relaxed length. I cut a lot of it 6 months ago. The next section is for February 2014. I could finally try the afro lol.
Thank you for all your messages! that’s nice.
For my skin, nothing special. Cleansing with the cleansing oil, washing with washing gel and I apply lotion and then I hydrate with my cream. Occasionally a clay mask and a gentle scrub.
The transition is a period of doubts, but when we think of the result, we can only take the time to come. So be strong.
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I wish I could master the art of twisty updos lol.
Oh well back to practicing.
http://www.kinksandall.com
Love it! Nice to see transistioners highlighted too!
On a sidenote (sorry), am I the only one having trouble with BGLH mobile? I keep getting taken to a silly game app, my phone then freezes for about 10 secs when I try to exit. Happens several times before I can read a post with no interruptions. Sorry to hijack!
AnonSince87,
I have been experiencing the same issue too! It takes me to the App store for some silly games. So annoying!
Guess it’s just us two! Lol
SHEEESH!She’s sooo beautiful and her smile too!
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no you didn’t..
Hair is so beautiful and shiny!
whatshetaughther.blogspot.com
Omg your skin! Do you have a routine/regimen? It’s just flawless
NIce to see a transitioner. Her skin is flawless!
Her hair gives me so much hope! I’m attempting to long term transition (currently 15 months post relaxer) and some days it seems not worth the trouble. There are more styling failures than successes and my relaxed ends are about to give up the ghost. However, it seems that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Go Nelly go! And thanks BLGH for making my week with this post.
PS: Some style tutorials would be nice 🙂
Yes please! Style tutorials! That chunky twist updo!
Aww she is gorg and so are her tresses.
Pretty girl and hair, but time to snip those relaxed ends! Love those updos and that shiiine!
I agree with Rachel. I transitioned for 2.5 years and one day I made a hair appointment to cut the remainder of my relaxed ends. It was great bc it was like all of my hair just “hung” better. My only regret was not doing it sooner. So I understand the hesitation, but after 2 years, you are already there. Go for it!!!
Those updos are MARVELOUS! Go ahead Girl!
Beautiful hair and woman.
OMG! You are absolutely gorgeous face profile and hair!
Also like the twisted French braid style from your second picture.
A true Belle:)
Beautiful!!
Nice updos!
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