I have been scoping out a lot of natural hair websites and blogs to learn new ways of how to tend to my curly hair. I have been natural all of my life (meaning no perms, relaxers or texturizers), but I never knew about the right products to use in my hair. I used many products throughout my hair journey: grease, creams, gels, pomades, mists, serums, you name it. All of which made my hair extremely dry. In short, my hair felt constantly dry. I also colored my hair and straightened it frequently.

I always dreamed of having long, flowing hair like that of Amel Larrieux. I learned that growing out hair takes a lot of time and patience, even more so when you're not taking care of your hair properly. Having patience with my hair was a virtue that I certainly struggled with. I succumbed to impatience by straightening my hair, getting frequent cuts (usually layers), and dye jobs out of sheer boredom. I was okay with the length and shape of my hair at the time because I wanted a rounder shape with not so much bulk. Recently, I've come to feel the opposite. I want my hair longer (past it's usual shoulder length).

During my junior year of college, I wanted to get honey brown highlights throughout my entire head for a more sun kissed looked. Sounds great on paper. When I came back home for the weekend, I visited a nearby salon for a blow-out and color. All went well until my new color was unveiled revealing not honey brown but corn field yellow! I was totally speechless. I guess the woman thought that I was really feeling it so much that I was at a loss for words. After blow drying my freshly bleached hair straight, my hair was left dry and brittle. I absolutely hated it! I hated it so much that I called up another salon in Brooklyn to have my hair dyed to light brown and blown-out straight again. Thankfully, it turned out much better, but my strands paid the price.

After the next couple of months of straightening and pulling my hair into tight buns, I had a hair epiphany. Why was I doing this to my hair? My social environment, lack of self-esteem and my own lack of knowledge were all factors (more on this later), but one thing I knew for sure was that this behavior had to end.

My routine for many years up until this point was to cleanse with a sulfate-shampoo twice a week, moisturizing and styling with Vitapoint Crème and Eco Styler gel. No wonder my hair was still dying from a lack of moisture...

In 2008, I graduated college and not only was I embarking upon a new chapter in my life, but also was consciously embarking on what a lot of people called a "hair journey."

I started to research curly hair and what was really in my hair products. I found a whole new world opening up to me in regards to natural hair care.

In May of 2009, I had one last defining hair urge. I wanted to get rid of all the color and heat damaged parts of my hair. It was my own version of the "big chop." I had it cut in a round afro-shaped style, which was the complete opposite of my internal goal. But in the end, I knew I had to do it in order for my hair to grow to its fullest potential. Though the cut itself took some getting used to, my curls looked and felt more alive. Thereafter, I really started to pay close attention to how I was treating my hair and what I was putting into it.

My goal is to maximize my hair's length and to bring it to the top of its game. This is my journey and I'm here to share it with you -- so let's get growing!

Lots of curly love!

*Above photos: (top) My hair in 2006 taken in Paris. I had my hair cut in layers while going to school there (big mistake!). It was cut with a razor (similar to the razor used to shape up a beard). My hair was left so stringy and thin. (bottom) My natural hair in 2004. I was far from using the right products for my hair, so it felt constantly dry. I also had some breakage around my edges due to the alcohol based products I was using.

2009: My hair after first henna treatment.

-Sophia