Would you please give us a short description of yourself?
My name is Sylvia b.k.a Kismet and I’m 22 years old college student.
What does natural mean to you or should mean to black women?
Natural to means that I’m embracing my roots and am not defined by society’s perception of beauty. By that I mean I don’t believe that I should chemically straighten my hair in order to be accepted, I think my natural hair is beautiful. Natural hair to black women should be a badge of pride, no other race in the world has hair like ours and many try to have hair like us. Many don’t see it that way.
Do you remember when you got your first relaxer or how old you were?
I remember when I had my first Jerri curl, I believe I was about 2 ½ or 3 years old. Then soon after that I received my relaxer.
How long did you have a relaxer?
I had my relaxer until I was 18 years old and I was natural for a year maybe a year and a half. Then I relapsed and relaxed my hair for a year and now am completely natural.
When did you decide to become natural? Why?
I decided to become natural during my senior year of high school. I’ve always had healthy hair but I never maintained it myself I always went to a salon. Every time it was time for touch up I would just love to play with my new growth, it was something that just amazed me. That was when I believed my perception of beauty changed.
How long did you transition or did you do the big chop?
I transitioned for about a month both times I went natural, I couldn’t stand dealing with the shedding and the two textures at once.
What were your perception of beauty before transitioning? After?
My preception of beauty before transitioning was that relaxed and weaves were what was beautiful. I was taught that having natural was unkempt and wasn’t accepted or attractive. No guy I knew never thought that natural hair was beautiful.
Your first immediate thoughts after you cut your hair? The day after? Did you question your decision?
My first immediate thoughts were wow and that’s it, and the next day it was like “this is it”. I didn’t question my decision.
Do you miss anything from your relaxed days?
The only thing I miss from my relaxed days are wash days. They were so much easier and less time consuming.
Do you think you'll ever go back to a relaxer?
No. The first time I went back to relaxers I hated it. It wasn’t me and I felt like I wasn’t being true to myself, but letting others perception of beauty define me.
What is your regime? Do it differ from when you were relaxed? Harder/easier?
Once a month a wash my hair with shampoo (Head and Shoulders) and deep condition (ORS Replenishing Pak) for about thirty to forty five minutes. Before I shampoo I divide my hair in four sections and then braid my hair in sixteen plaits, this helps a lot in my opinion. I usually shampoo in the shower, I take down one plait at a time and shampoo the scalp and let the suds from the shampoo clean my hair and I then braid it back with the shampoo still in. After I have shampooed all the plaits, I rinse the shampoo out while the plaits are still intact. It helps to squeeze the plaits while rinsing to make sure all the shampoo is out. After I’m done I repeat the same process for the deep conditioner the difference is that I detangle with my paddle brush at this stage. I use a regular clear plastic cap (unless I can’t find one then I use a good ole shopping bag )and do other stuff for about 30-45 minutes. I rinse it out the same way as I do the shampoo only this time it’s in a sink. After I shampoo I usually do a protective style such as two strand twist, and since my hair is already section off it’s faster to style my hair. I take each plait and split it into four and then twist it using my Shea butter. It differs a lot from my relaxed days because my stylist did my hair and I now I’m doing everything on my own. It’s not harder or easier because I’ve learned to do it on my own so I’m relying on someone else. I’m confident about my hair now more than ever before
What do you love about your natural hair?
I love that my hair ,it's exactly like me. It’s unique and you can hate it or love it.
Do you feel beautiful?
Yes, and it’s because I feel true to myself.
What's your signature style?
My signature style would have to be my puff.
What do you believe will be next in your journey?
To tell you the truth I don’t know, I just take it as it comes.
What type of attention have you received since you've been natural?
I don’t attract as much attention as I did when I was relaxed. Some people have questions or they’ll just stare for a second.
What type of guys do you attract now?
I attract more older/mature guys now. A lot of younger or guys around my age don’t find my hair attractive.
What's the most common question have you've been asked regarding your hair?
“How did you get your hair like that?”
Do you think you'll ever relax your children's hair?
No, I will never relax their hair. I want them to know that their hair is beautiful exactly how it is.
Do you think more women will make the switch over to natural now that it more accepted in our society?
Yes. I see that natural hair is making it’s way into the mainstream, and it just not the curly/wavy hair either. I’m seeing more twists, braids, and ‘fros on t.v. and this change is very welcomed.
. Anywho the pictures are below
