Introduction

 Hello all,

I would like to formally introduce myself to this blog, my name is Durelene aka Dee, I am 25 years old and live in California. I made the decision to create a blog because I want a site to call my own this website will serve as my personal diary (without the lock on it); here I will share my thoughts and opinions about the things that I am most passionate about; God, natural hair, and fashion. I am open to all opinion as long as they are out of  respect and love. I have high regards for my sistas, we are all queens so lets act and treat each other like it. Negative energy is not welcome so please stay out.

I have been natural for 1 year and 2 months. I decided to go natural because I was tired of my hair controlling my life; I was always broke and the days my hair was not done to my satisfaction I was in bad moods. Last year in march I got my last touch up relaxer in 6 months post relaxer, I knew I had retained a lot of growth so I was excited to see my new length. My excitement was short lived when my beautician said "oh girl you need a trim".
That day I remembered walking out of that shop  extremely sad; I had been 6 months post relaxer and all i had to show for was thin shoulder length hair.  I remembered getting emotional while looking in the rear view mirror and asked myself,  "is this the length your hair will always be?"
  My hair had always been thick so it didn't matter to me that it didn't grow past shoulder length, but when I lost my voluminous hair I knew it was time for a change.That was when I vowed to never get relaxers again. I didn't know how or what I was going to do without relaxers, all i knew was I was done with both relaxers and weaves.

June 08 half sew in weave

Real hair relaxed

Vegas 4th of July 09. Bet you cant spot me and my natural friend

Latonda and I at vegas

Fast forward to July 4th a group of friends and I met up at Vegas where I met the young woman that changed my life, she was beautiful, natural and brown skin. Up until then I had never met a natural who fit her description, I grew up thinking only light skin biracial girls had the right to wear their hair natural. I was fascinated by her hair, beauty and confidence and the fact that she was nice made it easy for me to approach her. I asked her how she got her hair that way and she told me she transitioned for 11 months then Big Chopped. I then asked her if there was another way to go natural without having to cut all my hair off and when she replied no I had mixed emotions; I pondered in disbelief at all of the hard work, spending hard earned money on my hair and I still had to start all over.

Conditioned hair nite b4 BC

Flashback - I had absolutely no idea what my texture looked like, let alone how to treat it, all my life I either wore it in braids, weaves or relaxed.  Unlike many of my fellow sistas whose mothers put relaxer in their hair at a young age to help with managing it, my relaxed hair was a result of a rebellious 10 year old. I was forbidden to get a relaxer, my mother did not support it, but like every little girl I looked up to my oldest sister and wanted hair like hers. So one day when my mother was away I begged my sister to put it in . I knew there was severe punishment  for my defying my mothers rules but I wanted relaxed hair so badly that it didn't matter. My mother and sis were the two who styled my hair growing up and it didn't matter to me what they did since i was oblivious to hair and hair care.

After explaining to Latonda ( my new found natural  friend)   my concerns she advised that i did some research on the web and youtube.  I took her advise and was introduced to a world I never knew existed; what I saw was videos of  beautiful courageous Black women with  different shades, hair textures and length proudly rocking their hair in its natural state; I seen how happy they were and how healthy their hair was. That was went the blindfolded had lifted from my eyes. I knew going natural was for me and could not stand living a lye a day longer so I had my oldest sis put in some kinky twist and began transitioning. I grew anxious after continuously watching videos of  women who were taking the plunge to BC, so three days after my 24th birthday I had my brother (who is also a barber) Cut off my hair; I had been transitioning for just 1 month. My hair was cut down to about 1/2 an inch and the rest is history.

Along with the hair went the burden and insecurities I faced most of my life; It was like the world was lifted off my shoulders. Although I went through an emotional roller coaster having a TWA, I am glad I did it. This journey has striped me of my pride and insecurities and build me up into a strong, confident and proud black woman. Through it all I learned to find my inner beauty. I know everyone goes natural for a different reason, but for me it was more than just cutting my hair off, this decision has drastically altered my life and rebuild a wiser, better me . I look back at the days I was uneducated about my hair and get so upset that I did not inquire and asked questions. I am no longer living in the dark cave. When  I see natural hair I see so much beauty and empowerment. I am forever thankful for this experience. This is why I say natural=freedom; I was freed the day I BCd.

I am here to share the love and passion  for natural hair, life and its Beauty. God did not make any mistakes when He created us and our hair texture and to wear it proudly is telling Him we are thankful  for the BEAUTIFUL image He seen and created in us. I am here to inspire and grow. So lets talk about hair!!
peace&blessing Queens