I don't mean to stay on the natural-hair-blogging-bandwagon too long, but I'm answering the formspring questions given me, and they want to know about natural hair :-D. The latest question I've gotten is How long have you been natural, and what are your tips on starting?
I got my last relaxer before my college graduation. So I've been natural a little over 2 years. The biggest tip I can give someone on starting out on their natural hair journey is that it will be hard. There will be times where you feel like you cannot manage your hair. You will be dealing with a texture of hair you've never dealt with before. There will be days where you feel ugly. You will be seeing yourself like you've never seen yourself before. You will miss your relaxer sometimes. You will look at old facebook pictures and wish for the hair you once had. But that will all pass with comfortability and confidence.
That might not be every person's experience, but that was my experience. I am SO happy and SO confident and comfortable in my hair now, and I love it, but this wasn't always so. I had times when I reached out to my natural friends feeling the calling of the "creamy crack." You need support. Just like any other transition in life, a hair transition will be hard and you need supportive people around you.
As I've mentioned before, research the best ways to take care of your newly-natural hair. Be informed about techniques and styling. I've written tips on taking care of your hair but the biggest tip I can give is to understand that a lot of the change in a transition to natural hair is going to be inside. You will be looking at yourself differently, and that can be hard, but in the end it is SO empowering and rewarding.
I have considered going natural. Relaxer is wicked expensive. My issue is, I'm terrible at taking care of my hair now and I worry about how I would fare then. I need to think on this. Thanks for the insight.
ReplyDeleteI'm seriously considering going natural, I'm just tired of spending hours at the salon every week,let alone the expense. I just want a no fuss hair style.
ReplyDelete@CC & Claire I will be honest and say it is a bit more work than relaxed hair daily at first. Once you get into a routine, it is easy to throw together in the morning. But as far as having to go to salons and get relaxers it is definitely cheaper and less run around!
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful post! thanks for answering my question :)
ReplyDeleteHope more women follow your beautiful example!
ReplyDeleteI've gone back and forth with this whole idea...and i have come to the conclusion that i just don't have the time. I like the ability to pull my hair back in a pony tail and call it a day. I know i could make the time but i don't really want to.
ReplyDeleteI feel like one day this will be something that i would really like to do, once i get the chance to really dedicate the time and patience that i would need to do it.