The first time I went natural was 7 years ago. Before that I had relaxer in my hair. And I went to the hairdresser weekly. But my head got over sensitive from blow drying my hair so decided to stop relaxing my hair. I had braid-ins for about one year, until my hair got too long for the extensions and I started twisting my hair. In 2007 I tried wash and go’s for the first time. By that time I just put in products, I thought where good for my hair. By winter 2007 I knew I that was a wrong guess because my hair fall out due to the wrong hair products and me not knowing that wet hair can freeze and break off! I was in shock when I saw what had become off my, once full head of hair !! It was in the worst condition and I thought a texturizer would make it look better. Little did I know.

By summer of 2008 I was in Turkey and I learned the hard way, that salty water and heat can damage your hair to! So I finally did my big chop last year and went completely natural again for the second time.

Name: Bianca Cronie

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Profession: Office Manager and full time mother of a son and a daughter

What was the hardest part of your journey?
I guess the hardest part was having to learn to take care of my hair the hard way!

What did your family, friends and co-workers say regarding your choice to go natural?
My colleges loved it !( I then was the only women of color working at the office). They admired the fact that I had so many curls in my hair. Some of my family members, think that wearing your hair straight is far more representative than wearing your hair natural,

Please share a funny hair anecdote that you will always remember.
On a very windy day a tourist kept making pictures of my hair blowing in the wind. That I just wanted to hide until he left. Another time, lady asked me where I bought my hair (I had my natural hair in twists that day)

What did your journey teach you?
Loving your hair in its natural state is learning to love yourself as you are.

Describe your worse hairdo and your best hairdo and please, PLEASE, include a picture if you can.
I don’t have a worst hairdo’s and that is the beauty off natural hair there is always something to make of your hairstyle. But I don’t do was and go’s that often because my hair is now at that length ! I love, love love my braid outs.

Looking back, has your perception of your hair or black hair in general changed? Please elaborate.
My perception of my own hair is totally changed. When I look at pictures of myself with straight hair I don’t recognize myself. Wearing my hair natural completes me because I am wearing it the way it was given to me. To me black hair in general is pure and powerful, before going natural I never thought of it in that way.

What is your favorite hairstyle?
I am totally in love with my braidouts. It an easy hairstyle and very manageable. love big hair

What’s your life/hair motto?
My life motto : if it doesn’t kill you it will make you stronger.
My hair motto: I have two hair motto’s actually ! BNatural (1) love your hair and it will love you back (2)

Blog/website:http://www.bbeingnatural.blogspot.com/

To support your natural journey check our selection of Natural Hair Products for Black Women