Today's Natural Queen: tocktick

Today I'm pleased to introduce to you a hair buddy and hairoine of mine, tocktick.  We 'met' on a hair board, and I was privileged to see her hair blossom from shortly after her BC to today!  She has some thick, luscious, beautiful type 4 hair.  Be inspired!


- 2 months post BC -

How long have you been natural?  What was your reason for transitioning? [OR if you’ve never chemically altered your hair texture], why have you stayed natural?

My last relaxer was in August 2006 and I big chopped down to about 2 inches in February 2007. I actually put off transitioning for a few years. I tried to go natural at about 15 because my hair was so damaged but didn’t have the support or know-how to do so. Finally in 2006 at 18, I got sick of the continuous damage and just started growing out the relaxer.

Tell us some of your hair journey and how you transitioned.

I wore individual braids for my 6 month transition. I didn’t know about proper hair-care or hair-boards for the most part. I found MoTown Girl, printed off her transitioning guide and pretty much would refer to that religiously. There also happened to be an article from ElleGIRL that featured a story on one of the writer’s transitioning and becoming natural – her journey really resonated with me and for a long time that one article and my MoTown Girl print off was my support network along with my brother.

I’ve now been natural for 4 years and I’m glad my hair has been this was for this long now. I’ve have had my issues along the way but I’m now in a really comfortable stage with my hair.

Does having natural hair hold any special significance for you, or is it ‘not that deep’?

Funnily enough, I think it was deeper to me when I first went natural. It was like my eyes had been opened to the indoctrination that I had been under for years and years. It never dawned on me for such a long time that one could just “go” natural. I thought a relaxer was something that must be done. I never thought I disliked my natural texture because to be honest having had my hair chemically processed since age 6, I had no idea what it was. What I did come to realise is that over time having people say things when doing my hair like, “wow – your hair is past due”, “your hair is so tough, it needs to be relaxed”, “I can’t get a comb though here!” when I had some new-growth and then hearing positives like, “your hair is so soft” etc when it had been straightened meant that I came to associate my “new growth” as something unruly that needed to be treated as opposed to something that I could grow out.



What are your staple styles?  Are there any natural styles you can’t wait to try? What styles (natural or not) do you detest?

Most of the time these days, I can be found in a bun. I like to do variations sometimes – regular bun, high/top-knot ballerina style buns or just a low bun. It sounds a bit lame but getting my hair in a bun was one of my long-term hair goals -  it took me such a long time to finally be able to a decent one because my hair is quite dense. I was pretty ecstatic when I was finally able!

When I want to switch it up or if I’m going out to a party, I usually do a braidout. I used to hate these on me but I love it now! I love the big and bushy look with some defined strands. With twistouts, my hair loses it’s definition and shrinks up quite quickly. With braidouts, although my hair can sometimes lose it’s definition, it only ends up looking thicker and doesn’t shrink up too much.

I think I’ve reached a point with my hair where any styles I’ve wanted to try, I’ve been able to go ahead and do. Of course, some styles don’t pan out quite like I’d imagined sometimes!

As for styles I avoid on me, these are usually twists and braids. I haven’t done either using my own hair for a long time and don’t plan to. Individual braids used to be my go-to protective style but I find even though I actually retain length a bit better, sometimes it does lead to my hair feeling a bit weaker they’re removed and because I’m so caught up in trying to maintain my regimen, they look messy at the root far too quickly. Above all though, I start to miss my own hair super fast and feel a part of my “look” is missing with braids.

- 2 yrs 3 mths post BC -



Is there anything about your natural texture (or a particular stage in your haircare regimen) that you still struggle with? (Please specify your hairtype and thickness)  What product/ technique forever changed your hairstory?

I still struggle with wash-days sometimes. The whole process is quite time-consuming. I don’t brush my hair often (I only finger comb and don’t use regular combs) but when I do I pretty much end up adding another 45-60 mins onto the process – which is already about 30 mins long. I wish there was a speedier way.  If I’m brushing my hair, I like to do it in about 8 sections and then twist each section (washing it in the twists helps my hair not tangle up again).

What are your hair goals?

For my hair to be continue to be healthy and reach its own potential.

Give me

A)    A common misconception about natural hair that you have proved untrue

That it can’t be versatile. It’s very versatile!

B)    A pearl of wisdom to pass onto a transitioner / new natural

When things get tough, just stick with it (and stalk Fotkis)!

Where can we find you online?

www.fotki.com/tocktick

Your ‘tweet’ to naturallovesong readers:

Thank you for featuring me and I hope this was helpful!

- 2 yrs 3 mths post BC -