Khambria
The lovely Khambria was the first runner up in our January Now and Then giveaway. Want to get in on the action? Gear up for the next Now and Then giveaway on February 1.
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KHAMBRIA THEN
Where are you from?
K: I’m from Ft. Lauderdale, FL and I’m currently a senior at the University of Florida (Go Gators! 
What is your hair story?
K: I got my first relaxer at the tender age of 5. My hair broke off like crazy and I didn’t get another relaxer until I was 12. Even though I wore natural hair for those 7 years I never really knew what my natural texture was like because it was always straightened. Before deciding to go natural I was weave queen – I wore just about every style imaginable in every possible color combination. In fact I can’t find one picture of my hair without weave before I cut it into a pixie cut in October 2008 (and even then I glued tracks in the front to get the “Rihanna” look). I got caught in a bad cycle because despite the fact that I was hurting my hair, I loved the compliments that I got on my weaves and I felt I couldn’t wear my damaged hair out even if I wanted to.
It’s funny because when I told my mom I wanted to wear my natural hair again she told me the transition wouldn’t last long because my hair was just “too tough” to make it past a month without a relaxer. She was only half right, because my transition did only last a month before I got scissor happy. I made the decision to transition to natural in July of this past year and I cut most of it off in August, completing the big chop in October.
Damage was definitely a factor in my decision to go back to natural, but after seeing so many beautiful natural women of all textures and tones I asked myself “Why shouldn’t I be able to wear my own hair?” and “it’s too nappy” was no longer a valid excuse. I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback since doing my BC, though I always wonder if certain people just say they like it because they’re to afraid to say how they really feel. People say things to me like “It looks good on you, I guess. I would never want to go natural/cut my hair off though” or ” why don’t you get a texturizer so it can be curly and pretty?” I see how warped people’s mentalities are and how warped mine was just a few short months ago. I was the girl who laughed (yes, laughed) at newly natural women rockin their TWAs, the girl who relaxed every 4 weeks because I was terrified of new growth, the girl who prayed that my hair would stop growing so fast so I could squeeze a couple more weeks out of each relaxer. Now I can’t get enough of natural hair! Everywhere I go I’m urging women to explore and accept their natural textures and a few of my friends have even decided to go natural with me.
You were voted a winner because of the drastic change in your look from relaxed to natural. What do you like about your new look?
K: Most of all I love that it’s all me: I’m no longer hiding behind 14-inch weaves and artificial curls. I love looking in the mirror and seeing the reflection of a black woman who is unashamedly embracing EVERYTHING about how God made her.
The most important change that has happened since going natural is I’ve finally started to love myself. This journey that I’m on is not just about hair – it has been a journey to confidence. I used to have major self-esteem issues not that long ago, to the point where I would cry everyday because I felt like I wasn’t beautiful and couldn’t be because I didn’t fit into society’s definition of beauty. Embracing the hair that God gave me was only the first step: now I can honestly say that I love every flaw, every coil, everything that makes me uniquely me.
To anyone out there who is thinking about going natural, I hope you’ve found some sort of inspiration in my story. And to all the women out there who are natural and fabulous, thank you for inspiring me!
You’re hair is beautiful. I like your natural hair very much and your story is truly inspiring!
Wow, she is very pretty! Is there any way to contact her?
Beautiful story, person & hair!
Her hair looks fabulous and it’s wonderful to see women deciding that they are just as beautiful celebrating the hair in which we were born with. It’s killing them that we are finally re-defining of what we consider as beautiful and mark my words, if they can see a way to make a buck off of us they will try to do so.
We’ve been making a lot of people wealthy off of our perceived insecurities for centuries and it’s time to end this economical suicide. Maintaining our hair doesn’t have to cost a fortune because most of what we need, water and various oils are right in our kitchen cabinets.
Patience, confidence and a big smile are the accessories we should wear everyday and with these three a woman can never go wrong.
Khambria, you’re a beautiful young lady. Your smile and dimples are to
”live” for. Your natural hair is soooo you. Keep on keeping on .You’re to fierce to be stopped. Much love from an ”old” nap [ 50 ].
pretty! She’s rocking the twa.
http://www.iriechic.com
She’s really pretty. Love the first picture.
She is very beautiful, natural hair suits her so much better
Beautiful smile…
OMG! She is gorgeous! I like the look!!!! B-U-tiful
I recently did a big chop and can totally relate to Khambria on the reasons for doing it, the post-chop confidence, everything. Her story was inspires me to move forward in my decision to go natural. Thanks to BGLH for the stories and service you provide for natural newbies like me!
Wow, she is gorgeous! Natural hair really emphasizes her beautiful features; the difference between her relaxed and natural looks is so drastic.
Thanks everyone for your comments!! The support you all show reminds me of why I love not only having natural hair, but the sense of community that it creates
Oh, and @BCU you can find me on twitter.com/Khamtastic or on good old youtube (My hairstory video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhQCZw7BCMU)
Heyyyy Khambria,
It’s Faren, your old co-worker from Kohl’s. Lookin’ good girl!
Khambria, you look absolutely GORGEOUS with your natural hair. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
“I got my first relaxer at the tender age of 5. My hair broke off like crazy and I didn’t get another relaxer until I was 12. Even though I wore natural hair for those 7 years I never really knew what my natural texture was like because it was always straightened.”
Wow…this is me to a tee. Same ages, same experience.
BGLH, thanks again for the Now and Then segments. I have yet to see a woman who didn’t look better and more unique with her natural hair. They and you make me proud to be a black woman!
wow Khambria! you are BEAUTIFUL! hair suits you SO much girl
you’re rockin that TWA girl, GO GATORS!!!
you are beautiful. Rock it
I’m a natural girl at UF too (3rd year).
Nice to see a gator!!!!
love love LOVE your twa. i’ve been transitioning for 7 months and i want to BC so bad but i’m afraid of not looking right b/c i have such a round face….
lol. but again, i love your natural hair. it definitely suits you!
Thank you Dana! I definitely didn’t think a TWA would suit me but I went for it and it worked for me… Don’t be afraid of the BC!(and I have a round face too lol, you’ll look great
She’s a beautiful girl even with the relaxer but the natural look seems to bring out her beauty even more boldly. How cool is that???!!!
Just recently came upon ur pics and everyone is right; ur face is so beautiful and ur natural style frames it so well!!! I just recently did the big chop 3 weeks ago and my lenght is similar to urs in these pics. What was ur regimen at this point in ur pics and what styles did u where when it was this short? I’ve tried flowers and headbands along with just wearing it picked out…..
Thank you Naan and Oto!! Hi Oto, my hair is actually back at this length because I did a second big chop in February… The first time around I really didn’t have solid regimen, but this time I’ve been treating my hair a lot better! (I have a youtube page at KinkyKurlyKham where I talk more about styling and products I use