Lyann’s Journey

My name is Lyann, I’m 20 years old, and a college student from San Juan, Puerto Rico. I have been natural for 2 years, and I love my hair. I do a wash n go and deep condition it twice a week, with coconut oil, avocado and olive oil.

Here in Puerto Rico, despite the fact that we are mixed, natural has been called ugly and bad hair. My mom started perming my hair when I was 6 years old. I had no idea of how my natural hair looked until now. It took me a lot of courage and time to feel comfortable with my own hair. I transitioned, and I used to do twist outs and braid outs. We have a natural hair movement in the island, and I don’t feel alone anymore. People look at me, they want to touch my hair, they even smell it!! I think it is ok, unless they say something racist (and this has happened). People ask me if my hair is real, especially black people, because of the color of my skin. Sometimes I feel lost in the middle, and I just want to have straight hair like most of the girls here, then I remember how blessed I am for having this beautiful heritage in my veins!! I feel free, unique, this is my revolution.