I had my first taste of "going natural" in 1998. I kept it for two years and went back to the creamy crack in 2000 because I was starting a new job and wasn't sure how it would be accepted in the corporate world. I wouldn't say that was a mistake, but after years of styles, (weaves, braids, color, short long), hair breaking, shedding, then growing again, paying for touch ups, treatments, etc - ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH. I saw many of my friends going natural over the past several years and almost ten years after abandoning my natural, I decided to stop perming my hair again. I still wear it straight at this point and am playing around with ideas on what my next steps are after it grows a little more and the perm is cut out. Now don't get me wrong. I will throw some "Human Hair" up in my hair in a heartbeat. :) To give my hair a rest and to "whip my hair back and forth" when i feel like it! Take a look at the stages of my hair over the last year or so as well as the natural styles that I like. Help me decide which will work on me!
May 2009 - Not Natural But Cutting all my Hair off after Breakage!
July / Aug 2009 - Short and Fly
OK Last perm March 2010
Then I got some weave and some braids for the summer and this was Sept 2010.
October 2010 - This is when it got rough! Whew. and I was in Arizona SMH...
So I threw in some weave to get me to Jan 2011
May 2009 - Not Natural But Cutting all my Hair off after Breakage!
Then I weaved it up till Dec 09
Then I got some weave and some braids for the summer and this was Sept 2010.
October 2010 - This is when it got rough! Whew. and I was in Arizona SMH...
So I threw in some weave to get me to Jan 2011
March / April 2011 - - Feeling Good Hair is holding up! However, the humidity is coming out and it is TIME to workout!
Here are some of the Natural Styles I like. Let me know which ones you like!
I believe growing out relaxers is the way to go if you intend on having any sort of length. Shorter styles that require a sleek look is ok because the hair is being cut regularly anyway.
ReplyDeleteI've not had a relaxer for at least two years and as a result my hair is thicker, stronger, and longer (past my shoulders). It' also gives me a sense of pride and freedom from chemicals.
While not having a relaxer helped do this, it was also going in and out of sew ins that was a great contributor to my hair progress.
I also started subscribing to keratin treatments (no formaldehyde formulas). They've proven positive in the realm of smoothing, making styling easier, providing a great shine and awesome strength given that keratin is in our hair and nails anyway.
Whatever you do, make sure your hair is happy and most of all make sure you are happy. The greatest thing of all is that from short naturals to weaves, we have choices. Sorry for the rant, "hair talk" is my favorite subject. :-)
Thanks for the advice. I do plan on getting another sew in really soon just so that I can get some more length. I love all the choices too. I thought about the keratin so will keep it in mind!
ReplyDeleteBecause you were natural before, you can do it again. In order for me to really learn to love my natural hair and figure out what to do with it I lived on Youtube. There are so many great webisodes and tutorials for natural hair styles.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite style during my transition period, and still now that I am all natural, is the braid out. I Co-wash (conditioner wash) my hair with Herbal Essence Hello Hydration and Herbal Essence Totally Twisted. While it is soaking wet I put in Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Leave in conditioner. I then braid hair (about 16-20 nice size braids sealing the ends with BB Supergro w/Vitamin E and Coconut oil.
Take it out in the morning or when it drys and Voila...Beautiful!