source: Afroflower Universe
So I have done away with the pressing comb [for now], packed away all of my curling irons [indefinitely], and decided to try and "embrace the curl". This has definitely been hard, really hard, for the past 20-something years, I have been accustomed to straight hair [at any cost].
I have learned a lot of things along the way, (1) my addiction to wanting to have bone straight hair, with not a single hair out of place stemmed from insecurity. And (2) I wanted to further explore [and did] where this insecurity came from, and if I was denouncing my culture by objecting to show my kinky roots. This hasn't been easy, the truth hurts. Stings. Yet it sets you free.
I will admit, I have yet to showcase my NAKED hair to the world, for I am not sure I have fully accepted it in all it's glory. My vice of needing to keep my hair straight, has now been replaced with finding curl enhancing creams, pomades, and other products to tame what I once deemed as unruly hair. It's funny because I have YET to see what my hair looks like dried with no product in it whatsoever. I think I may test the waters a little bit, and I will definitely post a pic when I do!
source: Black Angels
As I sift through more and more pictures, and shed my stagnant view of beauty, I start to get more of a sense of how beautiful afro-textured hair really is. I have a long way to go, and looking at pics of hair in it's most natural state isn't going to change my actions/attitudes/views about myself overnight. However as long as I know where I am going, I know I will be just fine.
This post is for all my beautiful sisters out there who needed a little bit of natural inspiration today. Enjoy!
source: (of all the pics above) Afroflower Universe
I have to say I love your blog. I just read every post. This is my personal favorite. I love the honesty of it. This is the battle I am currently going through and it is refreshing to know that I am not alone. Keep up the great work. I am a transitioner (18 mos post) and will be trying your braid out method this Friday. Again, I love your blog!
ReplyDelete@Bonni, thank you very much for the support.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely not alone, and congrats on being 18 months post that definitely takes a large amount of diligence!! & That's more than half the battle there.
Thanks for the HAIRSPIRATION! Your blog is lovely, I love it! I never did the BC since I've had my hair braided for the last 15 yrs but I have lots of damage from breakage and lots of neglect & mistreatment. I'm in process of restoring my hair to its healthy beautiful state so that I can begin my loc journey.
ReplyDeletePlease feel free to stop by and visit my blog about my journey. =)
Wow. Your post really hit home. I'm a new natural gal myself, going on 2 years, & I still wear it straight. Matter of fact, I bought a $175 flat iron JUST so that it'd work with my hair & get it as straight as I want.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong, I adore my curly hair... But, I'm a freshman in college, so I can't exactly shell out the kind of dough I want to for the products that would do my hair the most justice. So, I rely on my straightener. Also, this winter weather is KILLING my urge to wear it curly, b/c I have to wet it, & wet hair + chilly winds = a sick & miserable me. :(
Also, I just don't think my hair is long enough/shaped right to wear completely out. I just don't know how to have a wild head, LOL. Whenever I wear it curly, it's pulled back into a puff, even when I do twist outs.
Your blog proved to me that I'm not the only one who wasn't able to jump right from straight hair to immediately rockin' the completely fro'd out look. Even though I've done my BC, there's still more Big Steps I have to take as far as being completely natural is concerned.
Thank you for posting this. I now know that there's support!! :)