Why I waited so long to fall in love with my natural hair?! Hi my name is Vernessie from Victorville, Ca. My Journey to going natural started February 6,2006. My decision to go natural stemmed from the fact that I was experiencing personal and per menopausal changes in my life. I started researching in 05' and ran across http://www.naturalfreedomjourney.com/ and http://herspecialhair.com Cherie King websites. I was inspired more so to go completely natural. I look as this as a lifestyle change. I am natural for life, and my only struggle so far is maintaining moisture.

I remember growing up and going through the ritual of having my hair pressed every two weeks. The agony of having to wash, comb out my nappy hair and wait for it to dry and then having it pressed on Saturday mornings. I hated it! I endured this up to the age of 12. Then the next phase was perms, which I wore for years. In 2005 I noticed that my hair was shedding more , I was a braid wearer for many years and I noticed that the synthetic hair was beginning to irritate my scalp from the constant use it itched severely.

I did my Big Chop (but I went completely bald) February of 2006 and have been natural every since. My hair type is a coily-kinky- thick, but soft with wavy pattern, shoulder length. I have been experimenting with products and my favorite is Sta-Sof-Fro comb-out moisturizer, olive oil and, water. After going bald I wore wigs until my hair grew long enough to wear an afro, which I did (I style my own hair). I have styled my hair with cornrows and ponytail hair pieces, but for the past five months I have wore braids and now I am locking my hair.