It’s been over a hot minute since we’ve had a feature, but I’m really glad to be back to it because I’ve introduced to some wonderful natural ladies via the Twitter natural hair community.  One of which I’d like to introduce you to is Veronica, founder of the My Natural Me hair Blog and V’s Cookin it Real foodie Blog.  V and I became acquainted during the Twitter Natural Chat a couple days ago and from that moment its been a napptralpalozza between our tweet streams.

And without further ado, here’s Veronica‘s story.

AM: what made you want to “go natural”?

Veronica: I would also see other natural beauties rock their curls and natural doos with confidence and I wanted to give it a try myself…I really got tired of the same limp look of relaxers. I find that I have much more versatility with natural hair..I could NEVER rock a puff or fro with a lazy relaxer lol.  I also have always been curious to what the real texture of my hair is…I am seeing it a bit now, but I am sure I will do a serious 2nd BC when the time is right!

AM: did you have any trepidations to overcome when making the step?

Veronica: I did! I really was nervous about how my boyfriend would react! He has locs now and I maintain them for him..I know that when I first attempted to go natural, he didn’t like it and I understand why. I didn’t have the confidence in myself to transition all the way and that spoke for itself…now that I am able to style my hair in various ways..he LOVES it!  I also was conscious about the professional world, but I get more compliments now that I am natural than when my hair was relaxed!

AM: How long have you been natural?

Veronica: I’ve been relaxer free for two years and two months. That’s how long I transitioned.  I self BC’d on Dec 29 2009!!!

AM: Wow… You transitioned for two years? How did that work for you?

Veronica: It was a journey and a struggle. When I first decided to go natural I wasn’t used to how my hair reacted.  It was straight in some places and curly in others. I was really afraid of how my kinky hair would look  so I opted for Dominican blowouts to keep me comfortable.  I tried the puffs for a while but it just wasn’t working for me.  I was still using the same products on my hair that I would if I had a relaxer so I really couldn’t manage it.  Therefore back to the straight style I went!  I had convinced myself that my har was still healthy because I didn’t have a relaxer but the heat damage was horrible.

AM: Is that when you decided to BC?

Veronica: I decided to BC when I did my first Mohawk with two strand twists. I was so sick of the straight edges so six days later I cut three inches off all over my head!  And the rest is freedom and history.

AM: How do you feel now about sporting shorter locks?

Veronica: At first I was very hesitant.  I definitely was not used to the shrinkage! I got over that pretty quick thanks to having the support and inspiration from other natural divas out there!

AM: What is your maintenance routine and what products do you swear by?

Veronica: Well now I am doing a twist challenge so it is a bit different. What I usually do is cowash weekly with Herbal Essence’s Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner and seal with my shea butter/tea tree oil/EVCO* mix and style.  Every other week I deep treat with Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner & EVCO with 30mins of heat for penetration.  My staple products are the Herbal Essence’s Hello Hydration and Totally Twisted conditioners, shea butter and EVCO.  I also do a leave- in with the Totally Twisted conditioner after I co-wash and deep treatment.  I haven’t tried alot of produtcts. I am still trying to figure out what my hair likes.

AM: How do you normally wear your hair and what is the twist challenge you mentioned?

Veronica: Right now because it is winter I am wearing protective styles.  I found out through much, much research that that is the way to go in the winter.  This includes twists for the most part.  In the summer I will be rocking the puffs, curly fros and twist outs.  By then I may have done another chop though, so maybe even Wash n Go’s may be in the mix. *lol*

The challenge is with Milan from AGrlCanMac.blogspot.com.  We are are wearing our hair in twists until April 1st with our regular wash and treatment routines in between. I may extend mine til the end of April but we will see. I would love to see how much my hair has grown after the challenge.  I may extend mine til the end of April but we will see. I would love to see how much my hair has grown after the challenge.

AM: When you made your transition were there any resources you found helpful?

Veronica: OMG yes! I stayed on Curly Nikki’s Forum and Natural Sunshine Community was also very helpful!!!  The first blogs I became addicted to were NaturalChica.com and CurlyNikki.com along with AGrlCanMac‘s Blog!

AM: Did they inspire you to start My Naturally Me?

Veronica: They really did, especially Mae from Natural Chica.  I got so inspired from her features and I also wanted to share my story and those of other divas!

AM: What are some of the thing you cover in your Blog?

Veronica: Right now I am just covering natural hair [wearers] and their stories.  I will have a makeup and skin care tutorial coming up soon, as well as a chemist who will become a regular contributor for product reviews and advice.  I am taking suggestions for more of what my followers want to see, so feel free to send them my way!

AM: If you could change one thing about your transitioning process, what would it be?

Veronica: You know that is a good question.. I don’t think I would change anything about my process.  I say this because the struggles that I have had with my natural journey has given me all the confidence and self support that I have right now.  I now have a story for other natural divas who are transitioning or think that there should be a time limit on it.  I waited two years because I wasn’t comfortable with myself.  I did it when the time was right for me.

AM: What’s in your natural future?

Veronica: I believe that my natural future will bring another BC, maybe three to four inches in length all around.  I also am getting into making my own jewelry, cowls and other crafty things.  I have really found “My Natural Me” hence the title of my Blog.

AM: Do you have any advice for others who’d like to go natural?

Veronica: My advice is to do it when the time is right for you. There may be pressure to do it from others or even rebuttals from the nay sayers, but when you make a commitment to do it for yourself, you will be much happier.  Be patient with your hair and your process/progress and utilize other naturals to keep you motivated!

~@~

Veronica’s Progress in Pictures

(click each image to enlarge)

Would you like to hear more from Veronica? You can contact via her Website at www.mynaturalme.blogspot.com.

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Veronica, I thank you so much for allowing me to share your story and sites with my readers.  Much success with the twist challenge and all your other natural endeavours.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

NOTE: All pictures used are property of the individual persons featured, unless otherwise noted.  All right reserved.