"Your hair is sooo pretty, why would you dread it up?" That question has always irked the mess out of me! It kills me just how uneducated black women are about their OWN hair. The fact is, we will pass up the white products to purchase the higher priced black products, which are both made by THE SAME COMPANY. smh! The only difference is they made the bottle brown, and stuck an afro on the front.
Now I've never gone to cosmetology school, but I come from a family of certified hair stylist and kitchen beauticians. I have always been the "go to" person for braids, relaxers, and weaves. But when I decided to go natural Junior year in college, my family was NOT happy. Technically I have what black folks call "good hair." You know the kind that gets cute little curls when wet, and will slick all the way down with just a little bit of hair grease. Not too thick, not too thin, and grows pretty quick. So WHY oh WHY did I lock it? Easy answer: I was tired of trying to keep up with hair fashions. Gels, spritz, curlers, glue, sew ins, wigs, and just about anything the Sally's Beauty Supply had to offer, has been attached to my head.
So here's the truth about going natural. It is not easy. It is not a quick process. Most importantly it is NOT for everyone! Changing how YOU see yourself is the first challenge, before you even start the natural process. Changing our image always takes us out of our comfort zone. Self image is usually the reason why women will cut off all their hair, and then quickly sew it back in. If you can accept that your short afro is just as beautiful as your 22 inch Wendy Williams Wig, then you've passed the hardest step.
The process can take months (sometimes years in my case) to totally go natural. If you're in a hurry, then this process isn't for you. It took years and years of creamy crack, and lace fronts, to damage your hair. It will take just as long to repair it, and grow a natural crown. If you have "good hair" like mine, it can take longer then course hair, so you really have to be patient. I found out quickly that my "good hair" aint good when you're trying to lock! lol
When in doubt, get hair help! It helps to have a great loc'tician (shout out to Franz Che www.naturalcreationsonline.com) to steer you in the right direction. There's a lot of products out there that might work for your friend, but is not right for your hair. Read the back of every bottle. If the first 3 ingredients are water, glycol, and fragrance.. PUT IT BACK! Try to use products that include natural oils. Don't let the price fool you! More expensive does not always equate to "better". All I use 100% Shea butter ($7 for a big tub of it) and Olive Oil ($5 at the grocery store). The most I spend is on shampoo and conditioners (Cantu or Pantene). I use the "white folks" hair dye (Feria #100) which has never damaged my hair (unlike Dark N Lovely ugh). Just remember your hair is like a plant, you have to protect the roots. At night, SATIN CAPS are a must for any woman, natural or relaxed. Your cotton pillow will suck the life (and moisture) right out of your hair!
So there it is, the Natural Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth!
If you have any hair tips, preferred products, or hair questions please share..
Ladae
Another good product for those going natural is Jamaica Mango and Lime Products...
ReplyDeletemy trip going natural has been a real adventure for me.. people think going natural is easier. but think again. there has been many-a-days that i wanted to run to the store and grab the perm box, especially on those bad days. but im still holding strong.. i think i have some of the thickest hair in the world. my friend says that i have 6 strands planted in 1 hole. if i find someone to do my hair, its like they will never do it again. whether i pay them or not..
ReplyDeletebut my hair is alot more stronger and healthier now. so i dont regret a thing.
I couldnt agree with you more. Going natural isnt a process for everyone...you gots to have patience..patience.....and more patience. Oh and great products. Key point: Moisturize x 3. Jamaica Mango and Lime, Organic Root's Olive Oil Mousse...and Black Earth Products (all natural) have been some good choices for me over the years. I have been loc'd now for two years...and I have to admit..I miss my fro and that itch to go back comes and goes. But I love my babies(all 306) of them ;) I could kick myself for not going natural sooner and since I have......I have become an advocate for going Nappy! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is sooo true what you said about beauty care products. The only original line for Black hair is made by Johnson Products.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post. I definitely feel you. I have four different textures of hair on my head and my hair is considered 'good' so it never fully locked. It was so unlocked that I was able to comb it out into a fro once I relocated to Denver after attempting to lock it for a year.
ReplyDeleteI have never been attached to my hair though. When I get tired of it, I go get a bald fade. lol...then let it grow back out and figure out what to do with it as it grows out. I have sported wigs and braids work for me but I don't do weave (it's a naturality complex I have. I know, ass backwards).
I'm now working on going back natural (which I realize I should have stayed that way when I made the decision to go back to relaxed in early 2009). I'm rocking human hair braids right now and, once it's time to remove these, I'm going to get kinky hair braids. I will switch from braids/cornrows and wigs in an attempt to accommodate my appearance in the 'growing out' phase. I don't want to walk around looking like a raggahmuffin.
Natural, for me, brings all of my senses and energies back to their balanced state. It makes me feel more in tune with myself and since I rarely do make-up and everything else about me is simple and natural this is the only step left for me to take. :)
It's cheaper, it's cleaner, and it's naturally and beautifully you...
Im with you on it not being easy. Ive shaved my head completely bald twice (the first time just to cut out the perm and it was butchered anyway, the second because I hated that my hair just seemed to stop growing and it was hot outside lol)
ReplyDeleteIm still working on loving my mini fro but I have been 4 months strong (since my last haircut) without running for the nearest perm box. I don't have that "good hair", so Im learning to love my kinky, super thick slow growing version of good hair, because there is no such thing as bad hair.