One year ago yesterday on March 13, 2012 I cut off all hair out of frustration when I took my braids down. I was trying to transition my hair, grow out the relaxer while having both textures. It was matted, dry and breaking off every time I touched it. I cut it off, took the scissors like Angela Bassett did in “Waiting To Exhale” and cut my hair off.
One year later, my hair has grown quite a bit and I love what I have discovered about my hair. I have three different textures, loose curls on sides and back, thick at the top with curls, and the middle is one big sponge, with not as much curl definition. I’ve learned to embrace it, take care of it and not stress about it growing. One thing that I’ve noticed about women who decide to wear their hair without chemicals. They are very impatient, they want their hair to be long as some of the videos on YouTube or different natural hair blogs that are out there. It takes patience and you have to be willing to put in the work, maintenance is the key. It will not grow all the way down your back in six months like the girl in this or that picture. We are all different, and you have to approach your hair that way.
When it comes to what products I use, it’s based on what look I want to achieve. If I just want a wash n go, I use Kinky Curly, love that stuff. I co-wash using As I Am Coconut CoWash Conditioner, an oil product and two strand twist with their Twist Defining Cream. I also use Shea Moisture products, that’s my all time favorite staple product. This can be expensive because there are so many companies and different hair products available to naturalistas.
The one thing that really bothers me when I read the different forums and blogs for naturalistas, they forget that wearing our hair natural is a choice and it’s not for everyone. Just like a woman may color her hair, it’s not for everyone. I have chosen to not use any chemicals, including color. I would color my hair every six to eight weeks, faithfully using semi color of course. I didn’t want to see any gray hair, at all. For me, this transition has been about acceptance for who I am, my emotional, physical and spiritual well being. I’ve discovered a lot this year, not all of it I like, but I accept until I make the necessary changes.
I’ve cut my hair off so many times I can’t count. I’ve never been one attached to it because my hair grows very fast. What’s next, henna coloring, new styles and of course probably new products. Who knows, but I’m glad I made this change and stuck with it this time.
Wow, what a transformation! The first picture is when I was trying to transition, doing flexirod sets, then I tried the french braids that were too tight and drove me crazy. The third picture is right after my big chop at the barber shop, the next was showing my different textures. The fifth is my 50th birthday, the last two show afro love. The last picture I took last month. Let’s see what the next year has for my hair. Embrace whatever you do with and have fun with it, I am.
I was not paid for the product endorsement, they were purchased with my own money. One day hopefully, I’ll be able to represent a brand or product!
