Meet our Tyte members and share their experience with natural hair. Follow them on their journey's through transitioning and making hair raising decisions. If you wish to submit a journey Click Here

Jlove

My natural hair journey began officially in January 2001 after relaxing my
hair for the last time in December 2000. I made the conscious decision to revert back to my natural state. I had started the journey to nappyville
twice before but had gotten scared because I “didn’t know what to do with it”. The growing-out phase of my natural hair journey lasted a little over a year. During that time I wore micro braids and cornrow extensions.

Whilst in Jamaica last year October (2002) I made my natural debut wearing my own hair in rope twist. I cannot explain in words the feelings I felt (and still feel today), by wearing my hair in its natural state. It is complete freedom. I no longer worry about re-growth and breakage, the effects of the weather or having to find money for regular steams and treatments.

After six months of wearing my hair in rope twists I decided to locks my hair. I was becoming tired of having to take out my hair and re-do it, plus the blow drying was causing my hair to get dry and brittle. It is five months into my lock’s journey and my hair is starting to take form. Luckily living in Jamaica I have experts in the art of locks accessible to me at a reasonable price. With all the hair styles I have had in the past never before have I been referred to as “Empress” or “Queen”, it is as though I am now considered to be royalty, just by being in my natural state – it makes you think doesn’t it?

For me the natural hair journey has been one of personal growth and in
particular self-acceptance. It has taken me 26 years to accept myself as God intended, at last I can be true to thyself.