Meet Tricia Robinson, a naturalista who is fab and professional! Follow her hair journey below and be inspired!
Q. Please tell us a little about your natural hair journey?
I have had two journeys. The first was my sophomore year in college. Scalp issues with relaxers made me not want to get them anymore, so I cut my hair off. The journey was short lived. I didn’t like it. It was then I got a “Wave Nouveau” and that was worse. I was so glad when my hair grew out and I was able to get a relaxer. But the love-hate relationship with chemical relaxers continued for years until I turned 30. On September 28, 2006 I went to a walk-in hair cutting salon and told the stylist to chop my hair off. She asked me several times was I sure, and each time my answer was yes. It had been months since my last relaxer, now was the time. I had my doubts. Would people think I looked like a boy; does my head look tiny in comparison to the rest of my body? But the need to be chemical free outweighed my vain thoughts. Ever since I could remember I have had problems taking relaxers. I have scars on my scalp from them. I have had the mildest forms and yet within a minute of the application, my scalp would be on fire. I even had to tell a stylist to wash it out of my hair, as he told me to sit a little longer. I told him that I would have sores and when he washed my hair and looked at my scalp, it was red and irritated. He made no apologies. Needless to say that was the last time I saw him. I will always remember my 30th birthday because that was when I decided to live outside of what certain people deem to be beautiful. This includes my own father who said that I was not going to meet a man. My thought, I had not met one when I was relaxed so I was not going to miss out on anything as a natural! Every day was not easy. But I had the most amazing and supportive friends who always said I looked beautiful and that my natural looked good on me. I stuck it out and I am glad. I am on my 5 th big chop, the last one in January. This time though, it is the most beautiful I have ever felt.
Q. In the corporate world, natural hair can sometimes be shunned upon because of various reasons. Has there ever been a time that you have had to deal with negativity in the workplace regarding your hair? If so, how did you combat it?
I am lucky to work at a university where hair style has never been a huge concern and I have not had any negative responses to how I wear my hair. But I will say that I do conform to certain styles that I think are cooperate friendly, but that is because of my own personal taste. Not every style should be worn to work, and this includes those who have relaxed styles.
Q. What would you say to professional women, or any woman, who wants to step away from chemical processing and embrace their natural tresses?
I hate to be a cliché but just do it. The only way you will know if something will work out is if you go ahead and take a chance. The difference between when I did my chop in college verses today is that there is a wonderful supportive and informative natural hair community available. You have YouTube videos and blogs such as this with advice, pictures and tutorials. If you try it and you realize that it is not for you, then so be it.
Q. Please describe your hair regime?
Right now I have a very simple regime. I shampoo once a week. In between my shampooing I will co-wash (twice a week). I noticed that my scalp does best the more often it comes in contact with water. I try to deep condition with Jamaican Black Castor Oil at least once a month. When I want a soft style I will use Shea Moisture Hair Milk. When I want a more defined curled look I will use Eco Style (any variety) hair gel with a homemade olive oil and a water mixture. That’s it. I am learning that keeping it simple leaves less frustration.
Q. What “rules” of natural hair have you learned throughout your journey?
The only rule I have right now is: Patience, patience, and more patience. I am still learning this and am about to embark on that because I have promised myself that I will not cut my hair for at least a year (trims do not count, lol). Wish me luck!
Looking good Tricia! Thank you for sharing your story with us! If you would like to share your Transition story with us please contact us via email at info@liveitloveitdoit.com. Thank you!
Remember, in all things give thanks. Live…Love…Do!
Q. Please tell us a little about your natural hair journey?
I have had two journeys. The first was my sophomore year in college. Scalp issues with relaxers made me not want to get them anymore, so I cut my hair off. The journey was short lived. I didn’t like it. It was then I got a “Wave Nouveau” and that was worse. I was so glad when my hair grew out and I was able to get a relaxer. But the love-hate relationship with chemical relaxers continued for years until I turned 30. On September 28, 2006 I went to a walk-in hair cutting salon and told the stylist to chop my hair off. She asked me several times was I sure, and each time my answer was yes. It had been months since my last relaxer, now was the time. I had my doubts. Would people think I looked like a boy; does my head look tiny in comparison to the rest of my body? But the need to be chemical free outweighed my vain thoughts. Ever since I could remember I have had problems taking relaxers. I have scars on my scalp from them. I have had the mildest forms and yet within a minute of the application, my scalp would be on fire. I even had to tell a stylist to wash it out of my hair, as he told me to sit a little longer. I told him that I would have sores and when he washed my hair and looked at my scalp, it was red and irritated. He made no apologies. Needless to say that was the last time I saw him. I will always remember my 30th birthday because that was when I decided to live outside of what certain people deem to be beautiful. This includes my own father who said that I was not going to meet a man. My thought, I had not met one when I was relaxed so I was not going to miss out on anything as a natural! Every day was not easy. But I had the most amazing and supportive friends who always said I looked beautiful and that my natural looked good on me. I stuck it out and I am glad. I am on my 5 th big chop, the last one in January. This time though, it is the most beautiful I have ever felt.
Q. In the corporate world, natural hair can sometimes be shunned upon because of various reasons. Has there ever been a time that you have had to deal with negativity in the workplace regarding your hair? If so, how did you combat it?
I am lucky to work at a university where hair style has never been a huge concern and I have not had any negative responses to how I wear my hair. But I will say that I do conform to certain styles that I think are cooperate friendly, but that is because of my own personal taste. Not every style should be worn to work, and this includes those who have relaxed styles.
Q. What would you say to professional women, or any woman, who wants to step away from chemical processing and embrace their natural tresses?
I hate to be a cliché but just do it. The only way you will know if something will work out is if you go ahead and take a chance. The difference between when I did my chop in college verses today is that there is a wonderful supportive and informative natural hair community available. You have YouTube videos and blogs such as this with advice, pictures and tutorials. If you try it and you realize that it is not for you, then so be it.
Q. Please describe your hair regime?
Right now I have a very simple regime. I shampoo once a week. In between my shampooing I will co-wash (twice a week). I noticed that my scalp does best the more often it comes in contact with water. I try to deep condition with Jamaican Black Castor Oil at least once a month. When I want a soft style I will use Shea Moisture Hair Milk. When I want a more defined curled look I will use Eco Style (any variety) hair gel with a homemade olive oil and a water mixture. That’s it. I am learning that keeping it simple leaves less frustration.
Q. What “rules” of natural hair have you learned throughout your journey?
The only rule I have right now is: Patience, patience, and more patience. I am still learning this and am about to embark on that because I have promised myself that I will not cut my hair for at least a year (trims do not count, lol). Wish me luck!
Looking good Tricia! Thank you for sharing your story with us! If you would like to share your Transition story with us please contact us via email at info@liveitloveitdoit.com. Thank you!
Remember, in all things give thanks. Live…Love…Do!