Name: Bratania Morris (YouTube Name- NaturalModelB)
Where are you located? I am in Fort Worth Texas, about 30 minutes from Dallas.
How long have you been natural? I have been natural for 10.5 months.
How long did you transition before big chopping? I transitioned for 1 year before I BC’d. The last time that I had a relaxer was April 09.
Why did you decide to go natural? There were a few reasons. Number 1 after I had my son he came out with this head full of beautiful curly hair that I am absolutely in love with! I said to myself, if his hair is like this maybe mine is to. Number 2, my mom had beautiful water wavy hair, and once again I said to myself, maybe my hair is like this to. Number 3, my hair would always grow long, and break off. And number 4, after my mom passed away, I decided that I wanted a fresh start, so I chopped it all off.
How did friends and family react to your decision?
Well I sent out this pic [of all the permed hair in the sink] when I BC’d at like 2am. LOL! So all my friends were thinking I was crazy! One even showed up to my house thinking that I was going to commit suicide, lol! I think a lot of people reacted that way because they didn’t know that I was going natural. People hadn’t seen my hair much, because during my transition I rocked a lot of wigs, or I just bunned my hair.
What is your regimen right now? 1st of all I listen to my hair, and I try to give it what it needs. But on average this is usually my routine, which has changed drastically since my hair has grown out. On Friday or Saturday:
If I feel buildup on my scalp, I use Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo. If I don’t feel buildup, but just want to wash my hair, I co-wash with Herbal Essences Totally Twisted or Suaves Coconut Conditioner. Then I apply more of the same conditioner and let it sit in my head for 5 minutes or so. I detangle, using my Tangle Teezer, with the same conditioner that I co-wash with. Then I Deep Condition my hair with Miss Jessie’s rapid Recovery Treatment or Miss Jessies Super Sweetback Treatment for 30 minutes, with a plastic cap. I alternate between these 2 Deep Conditioners. Sometimes I will melt a teaspoon of Coconut Oil and add it to my DC as well. Then I rinse the DC from my hair and style my hair. I rock 2 styles, either a twistout or a wash and go. Before I do either style, I apply my leave in, I’ve used Kinky curly Knot Today since I’ve been natural, but I started using Mixed Chicks leave in a week ago. Then I apply Curls Milkshake then either EVOO or Coconut Oil. When I do a wash and go, I apply castor oil and Ecostyler gel to each shingled section, and it lasts me all week. When I do a twistout, I use Olive Oil’s Smooth and Hold pudding, Miss Jessies Quick Curls, or Jane Carters Curl Crème.
What would you say to the girl/woman who may be thinking of going natural? DOOOOO IIITTTTT! It will be the best decision that you ever made! It may be tough at 1st, after you BC, if you were use to a head full of hair, but when it grows back, it will be the thickest, prettiest, healthiest, fullest, most diverse hair that you’ve ever had!
