I know it's been a long time and I feel bad because really hoped that I would keep up with my blogging so I apologize!
I have about 10 minutes left before I get off work so I just wanted to drop a quick note and update you on my natural hair progress. My hair is growing, but it shrinks so much that it's kind of hard to tell. Still not long enough to put into a ponytail yet (shoot!) but I hope that will come soon!
This past weekend I hopped back on YouTube to find wash and go styles. Now that the weather is getting warmer, I don't have to rely on the twist out as my go-to style. I can go outside with wet hair and not fear catching pneumonia! So I searched for a while to find a style that required products that I already had on-hand.
I found a video (ShelleyBean729) that called for a honey prepoo (I'd never heard of a prepoo!), co-wash and then style with conditioner and castor oil. The result was that my hair was just as curly (if not more curly) than when I use Kinky-Curly! Which is great because the grand total for these products was $0. Again, I used stuff I already had in my kitchen! Of course, Michele (the girl in the video) has a different hair texture than me so my hair turned out nothing like hers but it was cute for what it was!
I definitely recommend that you look Michele up. She has great videos and loves ponytails like me! Can't wait until I can rock a puff. Her YouTube channel has changed so if you're looking for the cowash and go video (3 parts) it is on her old channel. Anyway, time for me to jet. I will try to write more soon...perhaps on my Kinky-Curly experience.
Showing posts with label going natural. Show all posts
Showing posts with label going natural. Show all posts
Monday, April 12, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The Big Chop
Ok, where was I? Oh yeah so I held on to my freestyle braids for as long as I could but finally, in late October it was time to let them go. Right before I had my hair braided, I put it in a ponytail, took a pair of scissors, and cut off about 3-4 inches of hair. I was afraid to take the braids out because I wasn't sure what my wack-job of a haircut would look like.
Once all of the braids were out I called my stylist. I considered going to a natural hair salon but didn't want to be charged an arm and a leg for a haircut. I also thought about going to a local haircutting place that could probably get me in and out quickly, but was afraid there wouldn't be a black stylist. A few years back I went to a beauty school to get my hair flatironed and...let's just say it wasn't a pleasant experience for me or the trembling girl who combed my hair as if it would break.
So anyway, I bravely told my stylist that I was ready for the BC, A.K.A. the Big Chop. The BC is when you cut off all of the relaxed hair so that all you have left is natural hair. Depending on how long you've been growing it out, your natural 'do can be a TWA (teeny-weeny afro) or longer. I was afraid of the TWA. Which is why I began shaking when I hung up the phone. Was I really ready for the BC? Could I rock a TWA? I went straight to YouTube to gather strength from the natural girls I'd been following, thanks to a tip from a member of Nappy Love Houston (more on this wonderful group later). I was resolved - the BC was for me. Now if only I could remain convinced of it for the next few hours. My stylist was going to see where she could work me in becuase it was late notice and a Saturday so I had to sit at home and wait on that call. It finally came around 8:30 that night and she wasn't going to be able to fit me in until Monday.
I'd wasted an entire day and was no closer to anything. I began to lose my nerve. Going natural seemed to not be in the cards. I made a call to my sister to see if she could at least get me looking presentable for church the next day. She threw me some twists up top and a roller set in the back, a perfect transition style. By Monday morning I was still bouncing back and forth on the chop. But once I sat in that chair and saw that I would have a decent amount of hair left, not as teeny of an afro as I expected, I was ok with letting it go. And as I heard those scissors snipping, I wasn't afraid, nor did I cry. I was always so attached to my hair and was known to cry from only getting it trimmed. Taking this step was like growing up, even though I'm married and have kids. It was like I was finally a big girl. (smile) The day was Monday, November 2, 2009.
My sister stopped by on her way from the gym and gave me an approving hug and smile. Her BC was in September 2009 and knowing that we were going through the journey together helped me a lot. After my failed attempt in 2008, I talked about being natural so much that she decided she wanted to do it, too. Once she chopped her hair, I knew there was no turning back. I would have to follow-through because I had someone to whom I was accountable.
I know that was a long story but that's pretty much how I got to where I am today. It's been two months and I haven't once regretted going natural. I was very afraid of how my coworkers and friends would react and it has been interesting but positive. I'll share my insights on that later...I have lots of topics I want to discuss but that's enough for now!
Once all of the braids were out I called my stylist. I considered going to a natural hair salon but didn't want to be charged an arm and a leg for a haircut. I also thought about going to a local haircutting place that could probably get me in and out quickly, but was afraid there wouldn't be a black stylist. A few years back I went to a beauty school to get my hair flatironed and...let's just say it wasn't a pleasant experience for me or the trembling girl who combed my hair as if it would break.
So anyway, I bravely told my stylist that I was ready for the BC, A.K.A. the Big Chop. The BC is when you cut off all of the relaxed hair so that all you have left is natural hair. Depending on how long you've been growing it out, your natural 'do can be a TWA (teeny-weeny afro) or longer. I was afraid of the TWA. Which is why I began shaking when I hung up the phone. Was I really ready for the BC? Could I rock a TWA? I went straight to YouTube to gather strength from the natural girls I'd been following, thanks to a tip from a member of Nappy Love Houston (more on this wonderful group later). I was resolved - the BC was for me. Now if only I could remain convinced of it for the next few hours. My stylist was going to see where she could work me in becuase it was late notice and a Saturday so I had to sit at home and wait on that call. It finally came around 8:30 that night and she wasn't going to be able to fit me in until Monday.
I'd wasted an entire day and was no closer to anything. I began to lose my nerve. Going natural seemed to not be in the cards. I made a call to my sister to see if she could at least get me looking presentable for church the next day. She threw me some twists up top and a roller set in the back, a perfect transition style. By Monday morning I was still bouncing back and forth on the chop. But once I sat in that chair and saw that I would have a decent amount of hair left, not as teeny of an afro as I expected, I was ok with letting it go. And as I heard those scissors snipping, I wasn't afraid, nor did I cry. I was always so attached to my hair and was known to cry from only getting it trimmed. Taking this step was like growing up, even though I'm married and have kids. It was like I was finally a big girl. (smile) The day was Monday, November 2, 2009.
My sister stopped by on her way from the gym and gave me an approving hug and smile. Her BC was in September 2009 and knowing that we were going through the journey together helped me a lot. After my failed attempt in 2008, I talked about being natural so much that she decided she wanted to do it, too. Once she chopped her hair, I knew there was no turning back. I would have to follow-through because I had someone to whom I was accountable.
I know that was a long story but that's pretty much how I got to where I am today. It's been two months and I haven't once regretted going natural. I was very afraid of how my coworkers and friends would react and it has been interesting but positive. I'll share my insights on that later...I have lots of topics I want to discuss but that's enough for now!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Why am I here?
I don't mean that in the theoretical sense as in "Why do we exist?" I'm talking about this blog. Why am I blogging? And better yet, why should you spend your precious time reading what I have to say?
Well, it all started about two years ago when a relative commented on my daughters' "good hair" and questioned where (as in, family lineage) they got it from. Wow, I thought to myself. Is this really what life is all about? Of course not! But it got me to thinking. My daughters are pretty observant and it wouldn't be long before they picked up on things like trips to the beauty shop for relaxers. I absolutely love their grade of hair -- although they are twins, their hair texture is as different as their personalities. I couldn't see myself ever wanting to make them suffer through a relaxer every 6 weeks.
So how would I explain why mommy gets this done to her hair but you don't?
Because I have "bad" hair? No, that's not exactly true.
Because I don't like my hair? Ummm...not so much.
Because it's easier to maintain! Well, not in my opinion. Going to the salon every 6 weeks for a "touch-up" is not how I like spending my spare time.
When I realized I had no answer for the question they would inevitably ask, I realized I had no good reason for perming my hair. (For those who are not of ebony hue, we typically refer to our relaxers as perms. I know, I know. For you a perm makes your hair curly but for us it straightens. Just thought I'd drop some knowledge while I was at it.) It was then that I decided to "go natural." Again, for those who aren't familiar with the terminology, going natural is when you wear your hair free of chemicals like relaxers and texturizers. I know that some women consider themselves natural or semi-natural when they only have a texturizer but to me, that doesn't count. Texturizers are still damaging to your hair!
So I gave it the old college try! Early in 2008 I had what I thought would be my last relaxer. From that point forward I attempted to transition my hair with various styles, mostly braids. It was a straw set in December 2008 that sent me running back to the creamy crack (e.g., relaxer). Let's just say 1-2 inches of new growth + sweat = not a good combination. I went back to my comfort zone but immediately regretted it.
When I shared my story with a friend who had been natural for several years, she told me it was like quitting smoking -- eventually it would be my last one. I laughed but that always stuck with me. So in March 2009 I again gave it the old college try: this would be my last relaxer. I spent the entire summer transitioning my hair with braids and this time decided to cut my hair (which was past my shoulders) as I transitioned. I figured this would keep me from reverting back to the perm. Growing my hair all the way out (it was shoulder length) could take 1-2 years and I didn't have that kind of patience.
Ok, this post is getting longer than I intended! Wanna know how I arrived at being the natural diva I am today? Stay tuned!
Well, it all started about two years ago when a relative commented on my daughters' "good hair" and questioned where (as in, family lineage) they got it from. Wow, I thought to myself. Is this really what life is all about? Of course not! But it got me to thinking. My daughters are pretty observant and it wouldn't be long before they picked up on things like trips to the beauty shop for relaxers. I absolutely love their grade of hair -- although they are twins, their hair texture is as different as their personalities. I couldn't see myself ever wanting to make them suffer through a relaxer every 6 weeks.
So how would I explain why mommy gets this done to her hair but you don't?
Because I have "bad" hair? No, that's not exactly true.
Because I don't like my hair? Ummm...not so much.
Because it's easier to maintain! Well, not in my opinion. Going to the salon every 6 weeks for a "touch-up" is not how I like spending my spare time.
When I realized I had no answer for the question they would inevitably ask, I realized I had no good reason for perming my hair. (For those who are not of ebony hue, we typically refer to our relaxers as perms. I know, I know. For you a perm makes your hair curly but for us it straightens. Just thought I'd drop some knowledge while I was at it.) It was then that I decided to "go natural." Again, for those who aren't familiar with the terminology, going natural is when you wear your hair free of chemicals like relaxers and texturizers. I know that some women consider themselves natural or semi-natural when they only have a texturizer but to me, that doesn't count. Texturizers are still damaging to your hair!
So I gave it the old college try! Early in 2008 I had what I thought would be my last relaxer. From that point forward I attempted to transition my hair with various styles, mostly braids. It was a straw set in December 2008 that sent me running back to the creamy crack (e.g., relaxer). Let's just say 1-2 inches of new growth + sweat = not a good combination. I went back to my comfort zone but immediately regretted it.
When I shared my story with a friend who had been natural for several years, she told me it was like quitting smoking -- eventually it would be my last one. I laughed but that always stuck with me. So in March 2009 I again gave it the old college try: this would be my last relaxer. I spent the entire summer transitioning my hair with braids and this time decided to cut my hair (which was past my shoulders) as I transitioned. I figured this would keep me from reverting back to the perm. Growing my hair all the way out (it was shoulder length) could take 1-2 years and I didn't have that kind of patience.
Ok, this post is getting longer than I intended! Wanna know how I arrived at being the natural diva I am today? Stay tuned!
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