Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner
Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Shampoo
Trader Joes Moisturizing Conditioner
Giovanni 50:50 Clarifying Shampoo
Cantu Shea Butter
When did you BC [Big Chop; Cut off relaxed hair]?
I BC'd on Christmas 2008
What are your staple products?
Neem or Brahmi Amla Oil - Pre Shampoo Treatment
Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Shampoo & Conditioner - Shampoo & Conditioner
Trader Joe's Moisturizing Conditioner - Used for co-washing ["washing" your hair with conditioner vs shampoo]
Bentonite Clay and Giovanni 50:50 Clarifying Shampoo - Use to clarify hair
Motions CPR - Used for deep conditioning
Monoi Tiki Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Staple oils
Oyin's Whipped Pudding, Oyin's Shine and Define and Cantu Shea Butter mixed with Extra Virgin Olive Oil -Used for twist outs
100% Shea Butter -Used to seal in moisture after twisting
What is your hair regimen?
I always pre-poo before shampooing and follow with a moisturizing conditioner. For my twist outs, I learned that in order for them to turn out soft and defined, I have to detangle and twist in the shower to completely soak my twists with water and to leave it soaking wet as I twist. I use a t-shirt to dry each section before twisting about 15 medium size twists. Here are the products I use for my twist outs [listed in the order that I use them] I use Monoi Tiki oil, Oyin's Shine and Defined, Oyin's Whipped Pudding, Cantu Shea butter mixed with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and seal my ends with shea butter.
Once my twists are complete, I always sit under a hard hat dryer for at least 20 minutes, I'm not sure why but my twists always come out more defined and softer when I do this. I also retwist every night to maintain my twist outs. In order to give my twist outs a fuller look, I pull apart each twist until I get my desired look.
thank you for this. i am still learning my hair as i type this. i admire your hair too much, lol. a co-worker and i were looking through your blog yesterday and she was like "your hair CAN grow like hers, just be patient." patience is a task. :/ but anyhow, please, keep it up. you inspire. in many ways.
ReplyDeleteI went natural because I was in a position of trying to find myself and I thought what better way to start fresh than by recognizing what God gave me to begin with.
ReplyDeleteLo's hair is beautiful!
p.s. why i went natural ... long story and i already feel like i've typed a lot in the previous comment. anyhow, here goes.
ReplyDeleteall my life, i've had long, flowy, black hair. it's been processed since ... i have NO clue. well, my senior year in high school, i wanted to go natural but did not have enough courage because i was afraid to be looked at differently ... or looked down upon. :/ very insecure.
it wasn't until spring '09, a few friends of mine and myself were congregating, having girl talk. and i brought up the subject, i want to stop relaxing my hair! and we all were in agreeance, we made a vow to NOT relax our hair any longer. from there, i transitioned for about 5 months. woke up in the morning and called my beautician to cut off all of my hair. she supported me.
at this time, i had been establishing my relationship with Christ had been my main focus and i had been realizing how much pride i had taken in my relaxed hair. especially because i was nigerian - after hearing little wayne say "tougher than nigerian hair", receiving positive compliments about my hair blew my head up and made me extremely too proud.
anyhow, after finding my indentity in Christ and actually realizing i am not defined by my hair or how other people look at me, i took the initiative to just say "OFF WITH YOU HAIR!" i couldn't take it anymore! i couldn't take the chemical burns, the typical straight hair styles, or none of it.
also, i met a guy who was from south padre in my freshman english class and he asked me this thought proking question. he said "why is it that all the black girls here have the same straight hair?" he said in south padre, there are no black people there and he's never seen this before. i thought to myself, wow. what makes any black girl different besides skin color if all of our hair is the same way? ... why must i continue doing this to myself.
so, july 25th, 2009 i decided to cut it all off and start new. feel new. and be new. in Christ first. it was so refreshing. i could go on and on and on, but i will stop here because i feel like this is sooo much. lol. forgive me!
have a great day!
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ReplyDeleteI went natural because I was tired of being a slave to the salon every 6 weeks. My mother first permed my hair when I was 5 or 6 and since then, I've always hated the feel of my roots. They just felt so "bad, nappy and unmanageable" compared to my relaxed ends.
ReplyDelete3 years ago I did my first big chop (i did a second BC last month) because I refused to believe that something so natural (i.e. my hair) was something I should fear.
I went natural way back in the 9th grade. My mother wasn't the best at taking care of my relaxed hair so I just grew it out. I wore it natural all through highschool and college. Now I wear mostly wear my hair flat ironed. Your blog makes me want to embrace my natural texture and put down the iron.
ReplyDeleteI began to transition during my freshman year in college. I decided to go natural because I didn't see any reason to remain relaxed. I didn't do anything with my hair and it was breaking off. I BC'd on November 16th 2008 and haven't looked back since
ReplyDeleteWhat a great giveaway! Lo is too cute!
ReplyDeleteThe reason that I went natural was because after a breast cancer diagnosis at age 29, I decided that I no longer wanted to began limiting the chemicals that I put into my body. The relaxer was the easiest one, because I had been toying with going natural before my diagnosis. After losing my hair during chemo, I fully decided to let it grow back the way that God intended. I am now 32 and HEALED (although the doc says I have 2 more years before I am out of the woods so to speak) and my hair is the absolute healthiest that it has ever been! I continue to love and learn my natural hair!
Oh wow! Great giveaway. Well, let's see I have pretty much always been "natural" so to speak because I didn't do relaxers but I have pressed my hair into oblivion. I did try a no lye relaxer once in the 4th grade, and never got it retouched. My hair is super curly and the relaxer didn't seem to work anyway. It still took a miracle from heaven to get my hair straight, and getting it to stay straight throughout the day was a whole different issue... until i found the flat iron. I pretty much fried my hair throughout high school & college pressing and flat ironing every two weeks, then I compounded the damage by dying it. Well, I got to my last year of college with long, fried, thin, and frazzled hair. So I decided I would embrace my curls once more, and alas, they were gone and I was devastated! So I chopped my hair off to my collar bone and resolved to wear it curly again. I do still flat iron my hair on occasion, but for the most part I just wear it natural or in ponytails. I do like the versatility of being able to wear it straight when I want to, but I have grown to love my curls!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Eboni Ife'
The Fashionista Next Door
Hi! I'm new to your blog and I just wanted to come in and show some love!
ReplyDeleteHere's my little story on going natural. I'm a little embarrassed to talk about this, but I'll just go for it. A couple of years ago, I was diagnosed with eczema on my scalp. When I was diagnosed I was still relaxing my hair.
As time went on, I decided my scalp isn't going to get better if I continue to put these chemicals in my hair (and most importantly irritate my scalp), so I decided to go natural.
It was the best decision I've made. I've been natural for 3 years and it's SO much easier to deal with my eczema this way.
Thanks for posting this. Lo, your hair is gorgeous! My hair is a similar texture. Question, how often do you trim? Also, with respect to the oils and butters, how much do you use? I feel like I overdue it because when I touch my hair there is oil frequently on my hands. However, whenever I try to use less, I feel as if my hair is not soft? Any suggestions? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI went natural because I was tired of having severe dandruff and unmanageable hair that would continually break off. I was at the point in my life when change was necessary, and my hair was the last bit of that change. I knew I could grow long and healthy hair, but the constant relaxers were not doing it for me. On top of that I was spending between $140-$250 a month on hair that was beyond repair. I got fed up and that's when I decided to transition. I am ecstatic about my decision, and will never get another relaxer again.
ReplyDeleteFirst I want to say "I love you and Lo's hair"! And the reason I went natural is because I was tired of relaxing my hair and never experiencing healthy hair as well as growth. Since going natural I am experiencing healthy hair as well as growth.
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ReplyDeleteAubrey Organics products are next on my list! I really want to try their protein reconstructer.
ReplyDeleteI've always "stretched" my relaxers about 3 to 4 months. Recently I got the Rihanna haircut. The realization that I would need it really straight to maintain the style and my goal to be healthier resulted in me transtioning to natural hair.
I have been transitioning since October 2009 and this journey has been liberating, but I must admit, at times frustrating!lol Maintaining both my natural (wavy texture) and relax hair is tiring. So I am seriously considering doing the BC at my one year anniversay! That makes me a little scared, not too much though...I have cut my hair numerous times. Loosing length is really not a big deal to me.
ReplyDeleteI have always pretty much been a self-proclaimed hair dresser. I have always done color, relaxing myself. I have always had long, healthy hair. Even before the transition, I was a hugh DEEP CONDITIONER. It was December 2009 when I realized I hadn't had a relaxer in 3 months, and it hit me...If my hair can get straight w/o the relaxer, why do I need the relaxer? Good question...so I decided to lay the chemicals to rest. Now, in my 8th month, I enjoy the freedom and the versatility that comes along w/ being relaxer free. Its not to say that I don't still have my moments but overall, the experience has been an enjoyable one!
Love your hair as well as Lo's!! Discovering your blog has definitely sparked my determination in being 100% natural!
I went natural in graduate school (April 2004). I felt like I didn't really need the relaxer. My hair is very fine and the perm would make it very brittle and weak, but definitely bone-straight. I was encouraged to go natural by a great group of natural friends.
ReplyDeleteHey Nik!
ReplyDeleteHere is my story that I have shared for others to see as well!
“Girl Is You Crazy!!!
That is exactly what I ask myself when I think about how long my natural transition was. You see, my last relaxer was in December 2007. However, my “real” natural journey did not start until two years later. I stopped getting my hair relaxed for a couple of reasons. The main reason was that I had moved to a new place and wasn’t familiar with the salons in the area. I moved to a highly Hispanic populated area in PA and black stylist were not a regular that you saw everyday. I also got tired of doing the kitchen beautician method of relaxing my own hair as I am sure that I over processed the MESS out of it! I always wanted to experiment with being natural, but never had the guts to do it.
While my last relaxer was in December of 2007 I say that my real experience wasn’t until December 2009 because in between I wore my hair in braids and an occasional sew in here and there. The majority of the time though, I had it blown out by my Dominican stylist. OMG did I think I found a treasure with this one. I was amazed at how straight she was able to get my hair without any chemicals. I fooled myself into thinking that my hair was healthier because it wasn’t relaxed. However, later on down the road I would come into contact with this thing called heat damage. Yikes! I did try a period where I wanted to rock my own curls, but it did not turn out well. I was using the same products on my hair a when my hair was relaxed and didn’t do a lot of research on what I should have been using. I started to cut at my own hair trying to get rid of the straight edges so that I could rock a nice puff. This was a disaster! My hair was dry, brittle and felt like a steel wool pad. I tried to get it pressed out by a Black stylist a couple of times, but she didn’t have the patience to work with my hair. Oftentimes she would say to me as I sat in her chair “Girl what are you gonna do with this here hair”. I went to her for the last time when she rushed through my hair, ripped my hair out at the top and them used some curling wax to lay my hair down. It was a horror story in real life time!
I continued to get my hair blown out after this incident. The beginning of December 2009 was the last time that I got my hair blown out by the Dominicans. I was rocking a twist out before this. It wasn’t until I was thinking of a new style for the holiday did I really do the research on how to care for my natural hair. I decided to do a twist out Mohawk on my natural hair for Xmas. While doing some research on the internet, I stumbled across Natural Sunshine on someone’s blog and from there I found Curly Nikki. It was here that I learned about a good regimen and shared my first couple of months with other naturals worldwide. On December 29, 2009, I did a self BC and cut three inched off of my hair and the rest is history!
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ReplyDeleteI went natural for several reasons. Ultimately, it was impossible to achieve the look I was going for with relaxed hair. For example:
ReplyDelete- I love big hair! When my hair was relaxed it was very thin and limp. I could never achieve the right amount of volume or the perfect shape without adding extensions to my hair.
- I love curls! It didn’t make sense to me, to straighten my hair with a relaxer or blow dryer. Just to later, style my hair with curls.
-I always associated healthy hair with length, sheen and density or thickness. My relaxed hair wouldn't grow past my shoulders. My relaxed hair was very fragile. So often, I would comb my relaxed hair and the bathroom sink and floor would be covered with hair. I would literally make it rain when I comb my hair!
- Lastly, seeing the long-term effects of a relaxer really hurt my soul! I was terrified of losing my hair. My relaxed hair was thinning and shedding.
Finally, I decided to listen to my hair and do what was best for ME.A relaxer didn't enhance my hair in anyway. My decision to relax my hair was based on convenience. My relaxed hair was easy to maintain. My decision to go natural was based on doing what was best for my hair or to achieve a healthy head of hair.
On the other hand, everyone hair is different. My sister has relaxed hair, and her hair is healthy by my standards (listed above). Her hair is long (BSL). She has thick hair. I am no natural hair advocate. Transitioning back to natural hair was just the BEST decision for me.
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ReplyDeleteI am GOING natural because I want something that nobody else has....my hair. I want to stand out in the crowd. I want to look like me. I am almost 11 months post and falling in love with these spirals.
ReplyDeleteI went natural because I didn't like how straight hair defined my lifestyle from the burning sensation of relaxers to the addiction of weaves. I wanted to break free from looking like everyone else and wanted other characteristics and physical qualities to define who I AM. It's still a long embarking journey but still spiritual and enticing nonetheless. Society can no longer define my definition of BEAUTY.
ReplyDelete<3 your blog and both you and Lo's hair.
I didn't really make a decision to go natural, I made a decision to stay natural. Growing up, I always had a press and curl or braids. When I graduated high school I got my first (and last) relaxer. I was very disappointed after the relaxer b/c my hair wasn't straight and silky like I expected, in fact I had to press it the next day and I was out $80 of my own money. So, I just never went back to get another, learned how to put in my own extensions and just wore braids. Then in my junior year of college I was introduced to two-strand twists and realized that being natural didn't mean wearing an afro all the time. By that time, the one relaxer had grown out so, I decided to stay natural and haven't looked back since.
ReplyDeleteNote: I realized how much I loved your blog over the weekend, when you were in Chicago and couldn't post. I think I experienced a little withdrawal. LOL
Lo: When you retwist every night, do you add more product? I find that I can only wear a twistout for a couple of days b/c my hair will get dry.
Does Lo have a blog? I love both of your styles!
ReplyDeleteI went natural because I didn't want my future daughter to ever feel the way I did about my hair growing up. I want her to feel beautiful in every way.
ReplyDeleteLove Lo's Hair. I went natural mostly because my mom always told me natural beauty is best. Makeup is used to enhance your natural beauty, and I felt the same about my hair (Plus, I never was a "hair" person, just wasn't good at it). My natural hair is funky, sexy, exudes confidence and looks like no one elses. I feel so FREE!
ReplyDeleteHi! I am transitioning right now (10 months, yay!) I am going natural because I have always loved natural hair! I just didn't realize the beauty of my own kinks & curls. I remember looking at Cree Summer, wishing I had that head of coils; how awesome her hair was...I wanted it on top of my head!!!! But once I noticed myself staring in admiration of naturals I'd run into on the street, I knew this was the choice for me. Natural hair is gorgeous! My relaxed hair was taken care of & I have nothing against relaxers. I just wanted my hair THICKER. And healthier. I am so happy w/this decision & hope one day I can rock an awesome braid out like yours!!!!!!
ReplyDeletenaturaldancer ~ candice
Hi! I went natural after I was inspired by the Tyra Show to go look up natural hair. I had no clue that lots of woman didn't relax there hair. I honestly thought all black woman did. So, when I came across lots of natural hair blogs, I was so inspired and instantly made the decision to go natural. I BCed on christmas 2009!
ReplyDeleteI f*in love ur blog!! i read it every day!! u and LO's...
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to go natural but I wasn't sure if i really wanted to do it.. I really loved going to the salon and getting my hair done! I was in my stylist chair every 2 weeks fathfully! But when i was in school I was away from my salon, broke, and my hair was starting to fall out! and did i menton that i was broke and jobless?.. So i always tell everyone that the main reason why i went natural was because of the recession! The recession gave me something positive! lol! I BCed in October 2009 and thats another story...
Luv Lo's hair, especially when it's pulled up. Looks fierce. I just BC'd on Feb 26th of this year after 10 months of transitioning. Made the decision last Summer to go natural for no apparent reason. The initial thought was to attempt to stretch my touch-ups past the 3 month mark I usually went with. I always wanted to use the Aubrey Organics prods but I don't know where to purchase them. Locations anyone???
ReplyDeleteDisclaimer I have no problem with relaxed hair, I think its beautiful when maintained. I feel that both types of hair (relaxed and natural) take the same amount of dedication and energy to maintain a healthy hair.
ReplyDeleteMy story is short and simple but very meaningful to my life.
I decided to go natural because for many reasons but the main reason, was because I am on a journey to discovering and accepting who I truly am. I wanted to know who I am and created to be. God gave us and made us perfectly as we are, kinks and all. Somehow we have let society determine for us what and how we should wear our hair or rather what is beautiful hair. I decided to make that determination of beauty for myself, and that really helped because when faced with rude comments and such about my hair, It didnt bother me, or make me feel insecure, rather it gave me thicker skin because I embracing who I am kinks and all.... I have been relaxer free since June 2009 and made the Big Chop on the evening of January 1 2010.
I've been natural for about a year and a half. I decided to go natural because I had grown tired of maintaining the perm. My hair is thick. Even when I did perm, I had to flat iron it to get it straight. In two to three weeks, it would start to revert back. Being natural allows me to be versatile and unique. When I BC'd it was so liberating. I think all black women should do it a least once in their life.
ReplyDeleteThis is great.. details regarding Lori's hair care regmine. My blog post today I mention being inspired by her strands and I was glad to realize that I needed to stick to the pre poo method...
ReplyDeleteI went natural because I was tired of relaxer not taking properly.. thin strands, burn scalp n breakage every time I got to near shoulder length. I didnt really start embracing my texture till 2007, an ex told me he hated my press out strands (was still trying to fit in) as i did normally wore afros but my hair was dyed n dry. It was the thing i needed to do as I felt at peace with myself FInally!
I love Lo's hair, and if I could rock my Fluffy Twist Out everyday I would...But the courtroom, aint ready for all that !!!! (LOL) My hair is similar in texture and look as Lo's, except my edges are extremely thinning,( but growin back)
ReplyDeleteI went natural in 2008 because I was being defined bu how I looked, when I always wanted to be different than the crowd.
My hair in its relaxed straight state was getting in the way of my life. I couldn't go swimming with my kids, I couldn't work out without sweating my "doobie" out. I couldn't spend time with my new baby because I spent most saturdays in the hair salon, I had to wrap my hair up before hubby and I got it on (that sucked)....I was tired of it, so I went natural for my own sanity and peace of mind, I learned something new about myself that I never knew existed. And she is now my bestest friend...I love my NAtural Hair
BTW...I love all of those products that Lo uses.
I have a question for Lo....
ReplyDeleteHow often do you use the Bentonite Clay? And how do you use it...
Lo has a gorgeous head of hair and style to match. I went natural because I knew that I wasn't being who I was put on this Earth to be rocking a relaxer. That isn't to put down anyone that gets relaxers because of course I was once there but I love the natural me. I love being able to show my son that his mommy is comfortable and happy being the African woman that she is and he should embrace the African man that he is. Being natural wasn't just about my hair it was about my mind and body as well. I watch what I put in and on both my and my families bodies. :)
ReplyDeleteYay! Give away goodies! I love your hair and have been meaning to try the Aubrey Organics line; however since my master bath counter is currently overpopluated with product I vowed to not spend another dime until I've used up everything.
ReplyDeleteI have been natural for most of my life, however once I was free from my mother's grasp I started to experiment with color and perm in college and my long thick hair has been a memory ever since. My last relaxer was in March of 2010 and I've been doing no-heat styles since then. I'm so excited to regain my natural texture, strength and confidence that comes with it. I even have a mini shrine lol on my bathroom mirror of myself and other naturals to help me along my path. I consider it my women's daily affirmation ;0)and it definitely comes in hand because for the life of me I still can't get my two strand twist to come out right ugghh! lol
www.lipstickmanual.blogspot.com
I went natural because in April of 2009 I choose to relax my own hair, and boy was that a bad idea. My hair feel off in so many places and I was bald on the sides. So I just quit the creamy crack. Then I had so many urges to relax again, but I looked at so many natural hair pictures and that kept me motivated. I'm still transitioning and can't wait to cut my hair after a 2 year transition on April 2010.
ReplyDeleteI went natural (this time) because I over processed my hair and it needed a break. :O
ReplyDeleteI also pre-poo before washing. I've found my hair is healthier and more moisturized.
I went natural because I had grown weary of the hassle it took to be unnatural. It was the easiest thing I had ever done although it took me about 1.5 of talking about it before I took back my natural essence. I emerged from the bathroom a new person on July 4th of all days. That was 8 years ago....
ReplyDeleteI went natural because I couldn't believe my eyes when I went to New York and saw all of that beautiful hair! I had been struggling with my self esteem and something clicked in my head that this would be the cure.
ReplyDeleteOnce natural, my self esteem skyrocketed. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made not only for my head and health...but my spirit as well.
Thank you for this blog. Peace to you sister.
I'm transitioning (7 months into the process) because I realized after about 20 years of relaxing my hair that I have NO CLUE what my natural hair looks like and that's shameful to me! I needed to go through this process because I don't know how I let the perming go on this long but I do know that not knowing my own hair is like not knowing a part of myself and that's unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteLo, I LOVE your hair and I really love that updo!
I`ve always wore my hair natural. I love big hair & the versatility I have with wearing my hair natural.
ReplyDeleteI've always been natural but in college I started wearing weaves. I gave them up last year because I was tired of wasting money and being a slave to fake hair.
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ReplyDeleteI went natural because the relaxer won the battle against my thick long hair. I missed my hair and decided the relaxer wasn't going to beat me. It had to go.
ReplyDeleteI made the decision to go natural after spending countless hours looking at hair blogs and seeing the beauty and versatility of natural hair. I realized that I didn't really know what my natural hair looked like, and maybe my hair could be as full, healthy, and beautiful as the examples I had seen on the blogs...although I wasn't fully convinced until I finally did the BC after 11 months of transitioning. It has been about 4wks since I cut off my relaxer, and I honestly am in LOVE with my natural hair! After years of a limp ponytail, relaxer burns, etc. I never imagined I could feel like this good about my hair.
ReplyDeleteI decided to go natural at a time in my life when I was becoming more self aware, getting to know my true self, and questioning everything. 'Going natural' was a part of this self-discovery.
ReplyDeleteI luv luv luv ur Blog!!!...thanks for sharing Lo's hair regimen...Ive been worndering what she does to it u both r fab and an inspiration 2 me on my transistion journey:)...does Lo have a blog?
ReplyDeleteI decided to go natural really as a challenge 2 my hair stylist...a few of my friends had broken free from the relaxer and I was discusing my interest in goin natural with him and told him that I might let my DEC '09 relaxer b my last one...a few weeks later when I was at the salon a woman asked me if I was natural...My hair stylist went on and on about how my hair was relaxed and I wouldn't dream of having it any other way...I was shocked given our recent convo...and decided that was it no more relaxers 4 me...just 2 prove a point...but now that Ive embraced my healthy hair journey its just that...a journey:)...and im luvin it!!
I went natural mainly due to curiosity. I was ashamed that I didnt know much about my natural hair and almost felt as that was apart of myself that I needed to discover.
ReplyDeleteI finally made the decision to transition when a friend of mine started introducing me to alot of Youtube.com videos with other ladies who were natural and transitioning as well as blogs. I was hooked.
My little sister also has natural hair, little does she know she had a big impact on my decision as well.
I went natural really to piss off the people who told me I will not be beautiful with my natural self...and I have never looked back since!!!
ReplyDeleteIwent natural because after years of not listening to my hair while getting perms, I finally got fed up. I have eczema and still thought it was okay to burn the crap out of my already sensitive scalp. Going natural was of the best decisions I've ever made!
ReplyDeleteI'm am a cross between relazed and natural...I'm texlaxed. I am slightly relazed because I simply want to loosen my curl patten, but never to bone straight. If I didn't do this my hair would become matted, no kidding because I am tenderheaded and it literally hurts to comb my hair in it's natural state :)
ReplyDeleteI went natural because I was tired of my limp, flat, relaxed hair and missed my natural kinks and curls. It was such a great decision!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to try Honeysuckle Rose as a DC. I'm surprised that Lo uses it as just a conditioner. I've heard it's quite heavy.
ReplyDeleteSo I first decided to transition to natural because I was tired of my hair breaking off. My hair would be shoulder length, then look like a bob ... and back and forth consrantly. I never understood why. So I begun to research healthy hair practices for Black hair and came across YouTube, blogs, and hair boards about natural hair. I had just had a horrible break-up, and wanted to re-learn how to love myself ... I wanted to feel beautiful, just by myself and for myself. So I traveled two hours to a Miss Jessie's demonstration in LA, and everything else is history. I'd already been about six months without a perm due to my being away at college without a black hairdresser, and so I decided to transition longer, and four months ago I BC'd :)
My last perm was in May Feb 2004, I mainly went natural because I wanted something different and I was tired of being a slave to the salon and relaxers.
ReplyDeleteI went natural because I finally accepted myself and the kinks on my head. I also couldn't afford to keep paying for damaged hair.
ReplyDeleteI went natural because I've always liked the way natural hair looked, especially after watching throwback episodes of Soul Train and the awesome fros that the men and women wore back then. My last relaxer was on Aug. of 2008 and I BCed in Feb of 2009. I also had thin, boring hair when it was relaxed, but now that I'm natural my hair seems to be thicker and I love hairstyles with volume :)
ReplyDeleteHIYA! I went natural because I was tired of relaxers. I was tired of getting scabs on my scalp, and tired of my hair getting thinner and thinner. It has always been pretty long, but I was tired. I was mostly wearing braid outs anyway (although I didn't realize that's what I was doing, I just liked the style) and finally a light bulb went off- "Just stop relaxing." I assumed I would lock it, began to google stuff, stumbled on natural hair youtube and blogs and the rest is history!
ReplyDeletei have to agree with my hairstylist, i went natural because it was something to do. turns out she was right however i am reaping all the benefits of healthy hair!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a perm in over a year, but my hair was still in bad shape. I had my braider cut it for me last month...all the dead ends are gone. I had always had a thick head of hair with a nice length UNTIL I got hooked on weaves. I was getting glued in weaves as opposed to sew ins because I swore I couldn't commit to a style that long. My hair has paid the price for all that glue:( Then in between weaves, I'd wear wigs... I've been wearing braids now for about 4 or 5 months and despite all the,"girl you aint gon be able to keep up your natural hair or girl, what you wanna do that for?" I'm making the transition. I will not give up or give in before putting my all in to making it happen. I am a firm believer in the fact that everything happens for a reason. I knew that I was going to wear my braids until the end of summer and them just try to do what I could to go fully natural (no braids just my hair) I've been researching and reading up on different products, them I came across your sight and I'm even more sure that this is what I am going to do..you and Lo (which is also my nickname:) are such inspirational young ladies. Please keep up the good work, please!
ReplyDeleteHey Nikola!
ReplyDeleteUmm where do I start? Lol
Well, I'm 17 and 5 months post relaxer. I relaxed my hair in the seventh grade because I was fed up with my hair. I hated the process of doing my hair, but don't get me wrong, I loved Loved LOVEd the results! My family is Nigerian and my mom braids beautifully so lucky me I didn't have too pay much. I saw all these other girls with straight hair and it looked like they didn't have to do much, it looked like they didn't shed a bathful of tears every Sunday in the living room during the football games to the point where their dad threatens to shave 'em bald if I don't take it like a man (ok I went too far, but you get the point right?)! Little did I know that all the reasons I considered benefits were actually downfalls).
So my mom finally caved in one Sunday after church when I was supposed to do my hair and I was able to get a whole comb stuck in my hair. I had to go to church then choir practice with a scarf on. I got the relaxer the same day. Of course my resilient hair didn't take at all. I went to school with a puff thinking my hair was "relaxed"....haha good times! I did a corrective 6 weeks later. It didn't take long to realize my once past APL hair became a thin bob by my 8th grade graduation.
Early 10th grade I found LHCF which tremendously helped my hair and out! I noticed many many beautiful natural hair. Their hair was luscious and versatile and Lord knows I love versatility. I've stretched for 14 months once because I was tired of relaxers and the burning. So I thought why not long-term transition? I love natural hair, it just took me a while to realize that what I once had was beautiful but like all things beautiful, it needed special care. It's funny because as a child people would oooh and aahhh over my hair, touch it, feel it and ask if it was real. At the time I was ready to chop it off and give it to them, but now I've matured enough to realize that I have to become a natural gal. I'm using my long term transition as an oppurtunity to figure my hair out and see what products and techniques will work best with my natural hair.
I hope this isn't overwhelming. Thanks Nikola!!!
i love lo's hair and her style!
ReplyDeletei went natural because i always dreaded getting relaxers. at the point that i decided to go natural i had stopped using heat and was using mostly natural products. i thought to myself, what the heck am i still perming for if i hate it so much?! i may get frustrated with my hair at times, but i never regret going natural
I went natural because my stylist passed away at the young age of 42. I couldn't fine anyone who could do my hair the way she did ( I was spoiled!) So I decided to go natural. It's been about 15 months and I love my natural hair. I love your blog too!
ReplyDeleteI stop relaxing my hair because it didn't feel like me.When my mom started doing them my hair looked nice but it wasn't me. I stopped right after i graduated H.S in 08 and haven't gone back. Even though I am much happier with who I am and my natural hair almost two years later I still have negativity from my family. They still try to feed me the myths about being natural. Most of which aren't even true when experiencing being natural for myself.My feeling is why should have I have to change the way I look to fit the "standards" I just want to be me the way I was meant to be. My only regret is not stopping the relaxer sooner.
ReplyDeleteI went natural because i had just gotten out of rehab and gotten my life on track. I had just accepted myself for the way i was, but then God to me the real me had natural hair (no joke). You see, i am from cameroon, i came to usa 8 years ago. I had natural hair when i came, but my mom relaxed it so i could fit in with the other kids at school because i use to get tease because of my "african" hair, african clothes and african accent. So througout my years in school, i tried to erase my africaness and fit in with the other kids.
ReplyDeleteBut, i am over that, i love everything about my culture and i love the way i am. i transition for 6 months and i cut the relaxer of 2 months ago. I felt so free. My hair is so much healthier and beautiful. But my mom hates it, but i do not care, i am 18 and i can what i want. lol
Lo:
How do you stay so thin?
Your skin is amazing, what is your secret?
I went natural because I was over being a slave to a salon chair. That creamy crack only provided a temporary fix to taming my thick mane. I was always told that my hair was "hard to manage" . So that kept me faithful to the chair and the flat iron. One day I just got fed up and said "Why am I fighting this"..my friends were able to go MONTHS without relaxers and I was JEALOUS! Months?? please after week too my new growth was popping up. So I decided to go natural with the intension of getting locs...right now I am still debating the locs even though I think they are lovely.
ReplyDeleteI went natural because I was absolutely bored with long, straight, red hair. On top of that I was commonly referred to as "shorty with the red hair" (with a question mark at the end). It was time for a change!
ReplyDeleteStart
1. Clarifying Shampoo: Kinky-Curly Come Clean (1x)
2. *Protein Treatment: Aubrey Organics BGA Protein + Cream Rinse OR Hair Veda Moist Con Pro
3. *Deep Conditioner: Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner OR Herbal essence Hello Hydration
4. Conditioner: Kinky-Curly Knot Today (detangle with my hair parted in 4 sections, combing each section with a wet/ dry paddle brush with rubber coated tips, and rinsed completely)
5. Dry my hair with a t-shirt, double strand twist using a small amount of Kinky-Curly Knot Today and finger coil the ends to keep my hair from unraveling
6. *Treat my scalp using my homemade oil mixture for scalp relief (only used every other week, when needed)
7. Seal my ends with HairVeda AvoSoya with E, Hemp & Neem hair oil
Daily
• Shower without a shower cap for direct steam (I don’t take long showers, so it’s a quick burst of moisture)
• Sleeping with a satin bonnet will soon be phased out since my hair is getting too long. I makes my hair entirely too flat. I’m searching for a larger satin bonnet since a satin or silk pillow case isn’t an option because of my skin care products
• Spray hair with Shea Moisture Organic Yucca & Baobab Thickening Shampoo w/ biotin and Bamboo Extract (just a few pumps sprayed from afar)
2nd to 3rd day
Delicately untwist hair with a small amount of Kinky-Curly on my hands. Dry hands can cause frizz…which you may or may not want depending on the hair style or look you’re going for.
4th to 5th day
Start the process over from the starting point
*May not be part of a weekly routine depending on what my hair needs at the time
Thank you for posting Lo's regimen. I love both yours and her hair!
ReplyDeleteI went natural because I was frustrated with not knowing my own hair and how to handle it. When I was relaxed I always left this headache up to my hair dresser. Now 2 years post bc, I'm still learning my hair and this is very exciting to me.
I went natural simply because enough was enough. I originally relaxed because I wanted long flowing straight hair like everyone else at school (this was 5th grade) when 11th grade rolled around, My hair was crawling up my back, thinning, and I HATED getting relaxers! I tried to go natural almost three times (all of which my mother + hair dresser ganged up on me). Finally in my senior year I stopped relaxing and flat ironed. Though it took me three years of natural hair to realize, I am just celebrating my FIRST YEAR of wearing my hair the way it is :) and not flat ironed! I really want to win this because my regimen is still lacking in certain areas (like protein) and I need to get it together!
ReplyDeleteI'm a list person, so I wrote down what I wanted from my hair and what I needed to do to get there and what I was doing wrong! I'm getting a trim TOMORROW and will be starting to gather a STRONG Regimen! So here's to Happy & Healthy Hair :)
Hello everyone!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the compliments! It is so inspiring to read why you all made the decision to go natural, my decision was similar to some of yours that were tired of relying on going to the hair dresser and just plain bored of my relaxed hair. In addition, after seeing so many naturals on LHCF and hearing how liberated they felt after BC, I literally BC as an impulse decision and learned about natural hair in the process of transitioning. The doubts about my decision drove me to continue with my transition because I knew I wasn't doing what was "safe" but instead what was right for me. In the end to say I'm happy with my decision doesn't even begin to explain how thankful I am to be a natural.
@ Cheeky
I only lightly dust my ends as needed, when my ends don't have a natural curl at the end, I lightly dust only the strands that need it opposed to attempting to trim all over. I give myself a "trim" two times a year, or every six months, and only trim as needed up to about 1/2 an inch or an inch. When I first went natural I trimmed all over and earned that was not necessary for my hair, so now I just lightly dust as needed to prevent split ends. In terms of oils, I use all styling products sparingly, about a pea size of all products. I've learned its best to add little product and if needed add just a tad more opposed to adding too much and ending up with crunchy hair(which occurs when there is too much product). With oils, I usually use enough to cover the tips of my fingers, I used to use a lot more and ruined my pillowcases lol. If you use less and don't feel your hair is as soft, you may simply need more products. I use 3 for my twist outs for that reason, when I used one product I had to use a lot to get defined curls, but would get crunchy hair as a result. Using 3 products(in addition to oil) when I twist gives my hair more shine, definition and leaves it soft.
@Christina
Yes I do add product, I either add more Monoi Tiki oil to retwist and again when I take my hair down, or I add a little bit of Oyin's Whipped Pudding to retwist when my twists start to look a little fuzzy. The Whipped Pudding works well for me to retwist without leaving any residue so I can wear my twist outs for about a week before having to completely retwist.
@ Sprikl3s and thestager
Thank you! I do have a blog, hisherschicago.com. There is definitely evidence of growth and playing with hair styles on my blog, I honestly didn't like my hair in many of my older posts because I did not pull apart my twists so my hair resembles pine cones in many pictures. I love my hair now that its a curly afro.
@ Jay
I alternate between the Giovanni Clarifying Shampoo and Bentonite Clay once a month, so I only do each 6 times a year, every other month(to clarify once a month using one or the other). I just pour about 2 caps full of Bentonite Clay in a plastic container and add a little water until it is a thick, moist paste, then completely cover my wet hair with the clay. I cover my head with a plastic cap for about 10-15 minutes then wash. I also use the clay as a facial mask, you can use any leftover clay from your hair mix on your face to give it a fresh glow.
@ Anonymous
I wish I knew how I stayed thin so I could put on about 10 pounds, I've always wanted more curves but came to terms with the fact that just isn't my body type. If I could, I would be about 10 pounds fuller, but everyone in my family is small so that is just unlikely for me anytime soon. I am a huge fan of squats and lunges for definition in my legs, since I can't gain weight I instead focus on definition and have found using leg weights as well as 5-10 pound weights for squats and lunges creates nice definition in your legs and arms.
Great topic Nik, reading these comments remind me of how happy I am to be a natural!
~Lo
Hello everyone!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the compliments! It is so inspiring to read why you all made the decision to go natural, my decision was similar to some of yours that were tired of relying on going to the hair dresser and just plain bored of my relaxed hair. In addition, after seeing so many naturals on LHCF and hearing how liberated they felt after BC, I literally BC as an impulse decision and learned about natural hair in the process of transitioning. The doubts about my decision drove me to continue with my transition because I knew I wasn't doing what was "safe" but instead what was right for me. In the end to say I'm happy with my decision doesn't even begin to explain how thankful I am to be a natural.
@ Cheeky
I only lightly dust my ends as needed, when my ends don't have a natural curl at the end, I lightly dust only the strands that need it opposed to attempting to trim all over. I give myself a "trim" two times a year, or every six months, and only trim as needed up to about 1/2 an inch or an inch. When I first went natural I trimmed all over and earned that was not necessary for my hair, so now I just lightly dust as needed to prevent split ends. In terms of oils, I use all styling products sparingly, about a pea size of all products. I've learned its best to add little product and if needed add just a tad more opposed to adding too much and ending up with crunchy hair(which occurs when there is too much product). With oils, I usually use enough to cover the tips of my fingers, I used to use a lot more and ruined my pillowcases lol. If you use less and don't feel your hair is as soft, you may simply need more products. I use 3 for my twist outs for that reason, when I used one product I had to use a lot to get defined curls, but would get crunchy hair as a result. Using 3 products(in addition to oil) when I twist gives my hair more shine, definition and leaves it soft.
@Christina
Yes I do add product, I either add more Monoi Tiki oil to retwist and again when I take my hair down, or I add a little bit of Oyin's Whipped Pudding to retwist when my twists start to look a little fuzzy. The Whipped Pudding works well for me to retwist without leaving any residue so I can wear my twist outs for about a week before having to completely retwist.
@ Sprikl3s and thestager
Thank you! I do have a blog, hisherschicago.com. There is definitely evidence of growth and playing with hair styles on my blog, I honestly didn't like my hair in many of my older posts because I did not pull apart my twists so my hair resembles pine cones in many pictures. I love my hair now that its a curly afro.
@ Jay
I alternate between the Giovanni Clarifying Shampoo and Bentonite Clay once a month, so I only do each 6 times a year, every other month(to clarify once a month using one or the other). I just pour about 2 caps full of Bentonite Clay in a plastic container and add a little water until it is a thick, moist paste, then completely cover my wet hair with the clay. I cover my head with a plastic cap for about 10-15 minutes then wash. I also use the clay as a facial mask, you can use any leftover clay from your hair mix on your face to give it a fresh glow.
@ Anonymous
I wish I knew how I stayed thin so I could put on about 10 pounds, I've always wanted more curves but came to terms with the fact that just isn't my body type. If I could, I would be about 10 pounds fuller, but everyone in my family is small so that is just unlikely for me anytime soon. I am a huge fan of squats and lunges for definition in my legs, since I can't gain weight I instead focus on definition and have found using leg weights as well as 5-10 pound weights for squats and lunges creates nice definition in your legs and arms.
Great post Nik, these comments make me so happy to be a natural!
~Lo
Monoi oils for all you ladies of color.Your hair will be more healthy,conditioned and shiny,GUARANTEED.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a multi use product you can use it on your body to nourish your skin and make it glow the natural way.
Hey guys,
ReplyDeleteWell, for many years I struggled with self-acceptance, as many of us often do. I was desperate to live life and not just exist, so I was determined to relieve the burden by any means necessary. I tried it all! But in the midst of my doings I wondered how could I ensure I would gain absolute self-love, acceptance, and confidence in its purest form. Especially, since it is easy to get lost in the flood of images and become unaware of our bias. I know it happens easily, so I wanted to guard myself.I tried my best to reinvent myself minding only one opinion, and that was God's opinion of me. Not even my own opinions of myself were credible, because even that was tainted and at times I became my worst enemy. I knew if i were going to make a complete transformation from the inside out, I had to strip myself of all the possible disguises. In other words,anything that would promote second guessing, dependency, or temp me to hide behind... I just got rid of.
The makeup, extensions,straighteners and clothing are only suppose to enhance and diversify your beauty, not create it. So,all those additions had to wait until i was able to distinguish who I was from all glitz and glamour. If it didn't come naturally with my original package then it posed a threat to my goal of achieving BFF status with myself!
So, as I said earlier I had to strip... and for me that meant the heat-damaged hair and the fancy branded clothing.I was unhappy with it all anyway, so I got to the root... literally. I went from a head full of hair down to a quarter of an inch, if that. When I cut it off,immediately a burden was lifted. I let go of all the hurt, pain, disappointment,shame and warped ideologies. As my old strands made its way to the floor, a new me was being born. Though many of those who knew me thought that my decision to take it all off would only exacerbate my insecurities, but regardless I knew I had to face these demons head on, attack them from the root and start fresh. I knew if I could dare to love me despite myself and other opinion, i was sure that the degree of change in which i desired would be attained.I rocked my head until I grew hair, and I did it as best as I could, sometimes with uncertainty but I pushed through.I had to trust that God's opinion of the "oh so fly" me was indeed correct, whether I had long hair, short hair, or in this case hardly no hair.I began to believe that I was of value and me alone was just enough,so when my extremely thick spirals began to grow and pop... there was no debate. From the 2-hour detangling sessions to the twist-out disasters it was all me so I had to love it, like it, and embrace it. So, to make a long story even longer (sorry)I chopped June 2008 and forced myself to rock it 1/4 inch until September 2008 I began to grow it back, soon to be 2 years i am all kinks and happily, in love with my best friend... me!
Thanks Moptop Maven and Lo for the great advise and inspiration... and to all the ladies keep loving on yourself and those coils because you are definitely worth it:)
There are three reasons why I went natural: 1) To be free..I was tired of what society thought Women of color hair should look like. We should be proud that we have such diverse hair lengths, texture and looks. We are unique! 2)My scalp has never felt better being able to nurture the scalp (soil) and to watch it grow in its natural state. 3) Being blessed to feel wonderful that being natural is all me!
ReplyDeleteI went natural because I like big hair!
ReplyDeletei went natural because i got tired of thin, lifeless hair. now my hair is a BEAST that commands attention. gotta love that!
ReplyDeleteyou and LO are beautiful!
I think that you two have become my natural hair idols. Where can I contact Lo? I would love to have permission to post pics on my blog as hairspiration!
ReplyDeleteive always been natural from a child.... but its become more challenging to manage my own hair once your mom stops combing it.. :-(....
ReplyDeletei am going natural because i want to see what my hair actually looks like! i've had a relaxer since i was 9. i want the versatility that being natural offers.
ReplyDeletethank you so much for your website-it is truly helpful & inspirational. i am now at the point where i am experimenting with the two textures, as opposed to just flat-ironing it. it's a work in progress, but your website is extremely helpful & makes me feel like i'm not alone.
I went natural because my straight hair was boring. It wouldn't hold a curl for about a week after relaxing. I was always trying to get more body and really like curly styles. My aunt had a curly perm but I knew I really didn't want that. So I started looking online and did the big chop in 2002. As a relaxed girl I basically just wore my hair in up or straight but now as a natural my hair has unlimited potential and I am never bored.
ReplyDeletei love ur blog. ur hair journey is such an inspiration to me. i love ur fashion sense. i am so genuinely happy that i found your blog. real talk.
ReplyDeletei went natural because my hair was damaged because of the years of getting a relaxer. it didnt matter how well i took care of my hair, it still look was thin and damaged. i also went natural because of i was tired of following society's standards of black beauty and i wanted to set my own standard of black beauty. my standard of black beauty is natural beautiful hair.
questions for lo: i love her fashion sense. where does she shop for her clothes? is she a professional model? she is a very photogenic person?
I went natural because i realized God doesn't make junk. Once I was diagnosed with a chronic illness I really wanted something to reflect the beauty that the illness often robbed.I have fibromyalgia and often i look like exhausted( I don't smile as much because I'm trying to bear with the pain) but my hair tells a different story. I love that. Its like my hair cant tell lies. Its honest and it tells people that i embrace change, life and things that our different. My hair can be different everyday just like me. And that's why I went and now stay natural.
ReplyDeleteWhy do I want to go natural? Simple..because natural hair is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhy I am going natural (transitioning):
ReplyDeleteI am going natural because I want to achieve a healthier and thicker head of hair, and to have more appreciation and self-acceptance for the hair God gave me.
I really admire the versatility that natural hair has... and after seeing so many beautiful hair textures and styles on blogs, and youtube I was determined to see my own natural hair :)
I also want to have easy access to my own hair and scalp, and to wash it and style it whenever I please. I want to be able to go places without worrying about having my hair done, or touched up. Most importantly I do not want to hide my hair behind chemicals or extentions anymore. I don't want to HIDE period. I want to let my hair "be", and grow to its maximum potential. I want to prove to myself and to others that you can be beautiful and sexy with natural hair and that you don't need a 14" remi. I want to stand out and be a unique and sexy natural diva!
lovely post :]
ReplyDeleteI cut my hair on Dec.16,2005, the year i turned 18. Both of my older sisters had gone natural, and I saw how amazingly healthy their hair was compared to its relaxed state. So I followed behind them and did the greatest thing ever... went natural :]
why i went natural AGAIN...
ReplyDeletei was at a time my life when i diagnosed with fibromyalgia and IBS.. there were so many thing that wanted to do in my life again and being natural was one them. thanks to me going natural, it has help me become a healthier person. its just seem lie you get intuned with self.... this was one the best descision i have made in while... sometimes just looking at hair makes me feel better when im having a flareup or bad day to know that i went this tough journey and i can make it through the next one.indeed im not like most 22 yr olds, but i wanted to stand out even more with my hair . and let everyone know that i maybe sick but I CAN STILL BE BEAUTIFUL.. thank you soo much
This is my 3rd and last time going natural. I had my best friend shave off all my hair on July 1st, 2007. I am never going back. ALL Natural hair is BEAUTIFUL. Good Luck to everyone! Davina916
ReplyDeleteLuckily, I've been natural my whole life, because my mom had a relaxer once and she just did -not- like it. So, no chemicals for me.
ReplyDeleteBut for the longest time I really wanted to straighten my hair. I took off a hat and people just said the meanest things. They'd tell me to cut my hair, straighten my hair, tell me my hair was nappy, all of this crap.
The only reason why I started to love my hair, was because of the internet, with blogs like this. I started to think, "Oh hey, maybe my hair ISN'T curly and ugly. Maybe my hair does look nice!"
And now I love my hair! :D
I'm 17, I go to a private high school in the midwest and I'm going to cut the rest of my relaxer off next week. Im doing it partially b/c im going to college next year and its more economical. But its for the black girls at my school that think they are ugly b/c they dont look like the white girls with long blond hair.
ReplyDeleteI transitioned for a year as a junior, and the entire year, the only negative comments I recieved were from black females and some males. All of them telling me I'm embarrassing them (black students) or I look like a "bush baby";they always told me I "needed" a relaxer. And I look and them constantly dying their hair and thinning their edges with weaves and it makes me sad that we, as a people, think the one thing that makes us unique and expresses our heritage probably in the most visible way outside of skin color, is ugly or something to be ashamed of.
Im proud of who I am. My father raised me as a single parent after my mom died and has taught me to never be ashamed of who I am, or where I came from. So I'm 17, 5'7, African-American/Choctaw Indian decent..and soon to be completely natural :) and proud.
I didnt go natural for any deep profound reason. Every woman in my family is natural and I relaxed when I was 14 to learn how to comb and maintain my hair myself. I simply followed my mother's healthy hair practices, relaxed 3 times a year and I realized that I didnt want to pay anyone to chemically straighten my hair when I am great with doing my own hair. So three years ago while in college I decided to grow out my relaxer and I cut off the relaxed ends this past March. I now have hair past my waist and it is thick and healthy as ever. I enjoy my hair both straight and curly, although I prefer my hair in its natural state because it is easier to maintain.
ReplyDeleteBTW I love Lo's hair and style!
I went natural because I wanted to grow my edges out, i thought natural hair was pretty and versatile, and I just wanted to switch my style up. I'm not a natural nazi like I was in the beginning tho. lol
ReplyDeletei went natural to have freedom...and now that i am i realized im not free at all...its more work but i love it :)
ReplyDeleteI went natural because one day I touched my new groth and it felt "alive". There is no other explanation to me other than pure instinct. That was the starting point. I could have never stayed natural without the internet and without the collaboration of all the beautiful women with "ethnic" hair who at some point have decided to share their knowledge with such dedication and spontaneity. I used to live in a place forgotten by the world, in a country where relaxers are sent from the USA and hairdressers don't know how to use them yet, and in a place where being myself required a little more courage than now that I live in a big city. The most important thing in this journey is that I had never considered taking care of myself a pleasure. Now I look forward to it. What was, in the beginning, a strict discipline is now self love. It could have been this way with relaxed hair as well: this has been a casual way for me to learn and understand a new approach towards myself and, consequently, towards life. I see my head like a plant: I give it water and it grows.
ReplyDeleteThere is a poem that I like that has nothing to do with this but... it reminds me of my journey:
-------------------------------
A girl - by Ezra Pound
The tree has entered my hands,
the sap has ascended my arms,
the tree has grown in my breast - downward,
the branches grow out of me, like arms.
Tree you are, moss you are,
you are violets with wind above them.
A child -so high- you are,
and all this is folly to the world.
-------------------------------
Thank you to you and Lori for inspiring me in so many ways, daily.
V
Natural was actually forced on me. lol I was sooo addicted to the creamy crack. I'd gone to my dealer for a fix and she told me no. She said that my hair would be so much healthier if I went natural and she'd never give me another perm. So straightened with the blow dryer and flat iron it was even better than the perm. That was about 4 years ago. 2 years ago I got a texturizer because of the humidity but told myself I wouldn't ever do that again. I've been completely natural since then. I was inspired by you to try the twist outs and I LOVE it. I'm having a problem finding good products so I switch back between twist and iron outs!
ReplyDeleteT Violet
I originally went natural because I wanted to get sisterlocks. After doing the BC, I fell in love with my curls and wanted to experience growing it out loose. I've been natural for a year and a half and am loving it. Later down the line I plan to get locks, but for now, I'm enjoying my curls just the way they are!
ReplyDeleteMy last relaxer was for my high school prom (6 years ago). I wanted to add a couple of pieces in, so the hairdresser I saw told me that in order to blend, I'd have to relax my hair (after being creamy crack free for 6 months prior..yikes). After that, I told myself no more because my hair was so thin. However, I caused my hair alot of heat damage, so in February of this year, I stopped the pressing/flat ironing. My hair was breaking off ridiculously and unhealthy altogether. Enjoying the ups and downs of learning about my hair :)
ReplyDeleteI went natural because while I was away for school i had no one to relax my hair. I only trusted my mother and grandmother with my hair (only been to a real salon twice in my life)It became too troublesome to stretch my relaxer 3-4 months. I let one lady do it and it was a wrap. I cut it low 2 months after and now i can happily say i've been natural for one year :) (bc'd 07/04/2009)
ReplyDeleteI'm going back natural because I'm having too many issues with my relax hair, I know my natural hair was much easier, so I'm going right back to what I know.
ReplyDeleteI love Lo's hair, great regimen.
The reason I went natural....simply put, I moved to a new city and a new college and knowing of my college budget, going to the salon every 4-6 weeks would break the bank, and when I seen this one girl who have beautiful curly hair I was a little envious so I did my research of natural hair and decided I could do that, plus I was curious as to see what my REAL hair looked like. I have been natural since summer of 06, and never looked back I really love that its all my natural chemical free hair and love experimenting with different natural oils and conditioners. I think its a beautiful process for women to see what they really look like and embrace every bit of it, with all the images of what we are forced to believe as beautiful, its a complete confidence boost to know that you accept you just the way you are nappy and all!
ReplyDeleteI went natural because I didn't want to rely on weaves or relaxers to feel pretty. I wanted to explore my own true beauty. Besides I never liked my hair relaxed so I resorted to weaves.So weaves became something I felt I couldn't go without. I decided to big chop Feb. 22nd 2008, not knowing what I was getting myself into. This has been one of the best decisions ever made because I do not have to spend as much time or money on my hair. I have learned how to treat and feel confident with the hair I was given.
ReplyDeleteAnywho...I absolutely adore Lo's hair and style
I went natural because I wanted my hair to be healthy. The relaxed look is all I knew but I grew tired of having my hair break off. Coupled with the expensive relaxers when I moved to Atlanta I felt like it was time for a change. The first time I felt my natural texture while transitioning I fell in love! No turning back ever since!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI decided to go natural AGAIN on August 1, 2009 on my 27th birthday...I was sitting in the hair salon waiting to be my hair (and what turned out to be my last application of relaxer) and I realized I spend too much time waiting for someone to do my time and quite honestly too many Saturdays and too much time...I was natural from 2000 to 2005,so I wasn't worried about how I would look after the BC or what my natural hair would look and feel like...I just needed this change so badly and I guess in a way, I needed a self reassurance that I was not my hair...The one thing I knew that would always look "pretty" would be my hair and everyone loved a pretty-haired woman, regardless of her size, her finances, her education...so cutting my hair kind of put a lot of what I needed to re-adjust in my life to light...it was more than just a pile of 7 inches of straight hair on my bathroom floor...it was years of denial..
ReplyDeleteI BC'ed oct 30th 2009, i had been thinking about it for a while, i felt like i really wasnt being true to myself, i had begun to question a lot of thing i did and relaxing was one of those things i couldn't find an answer for... i just did. That has to stop and besides didnt like straight hair really, i wore my relaxed hair in braids or staw sets... so why not?
ReplyDeleteI was tired of fighting my hair.
ReplyDeleteMy last relaxer was October 2009 and I BC'd on May 28th. I went natural because for the longest it had been on my mind and I had a desire to see my life and hair in its god given state. Plus, I hate relaxers - always burned. I knew there had to be a better way. I am loving my hair and my journey.
ReplyDeleteI was the odd natural girl up until I turned 13. My mother let me make the big relaxer decision. Against the pleas of she and my afrocentric cousin, I went ahead and did it. Thus began a downward spiral into the throes of broken ends, burnt temples, and a love/hate relationship with weaves and all the chaos that comes with them. Eventually I became addicted to braids. My hairdresser gave me an ultimatum: Braids or perms, getting both was causing my hair to break. So I chose braids and went natural again in 2003. I was talked into texturizers by my older brother until I really saw the light last year in May. Now I look back and laugh at the tumultuous affair my hair and I endured. I praise Youtube and blogs like yours for giving me guidance and a thousand and one hair styles so I can never say "I don't know what to do with it!"
ReplyDeleteI just went natural February 13th of this year. I had been researching about it after stumbling upon it (I had no idea it existed after living in L.A. all of my life) in my autodidact phase of learning about race and privilege. At the time I was rocking my usual weavery. I had been wearing weaves for years and hadn't actually permed my hair for....maybe 5 to 7 years. I was neglectful of my hair because it was braided up and underneath a net and fierce weavery so I didn't really care what was going on under there. Fast forward to February 2010. I had spent the past year and a half dedicated to losing weight. I had successfully lost over 100 pounds and after purging all of that it seemed time to purge myself of hair that didn't grown out of my scalp. I had a neat little plan of taking my hair down in 6 months (for growth ) and then taking this natural thing from there. Well, the day before Valentine's day I woke up disgusted with the weave so I took it out-- I still had a Valentine's day dinner to go to the next night but I was determined to get that crap off of my head, lol. I've been rocking it since then and I am in love. I had no idea hair could bring on so much peace and happiness.
ReplyDeleteI went natural on accident/desperation.
ReplyDeleteI was so sick of the condition of my hair. Shedding, breaking, and staying the same length and lack of body. My hair stylist went up on her prices for relaxers, so I just told her to press it (which was the same price as a wash & set). We did that for about 6 months and she suggested I just stay natural. I did not do a BC, I just trimmed off the relaxers until I was completely natural. I have been natural for almost 3 years and it has been the best decision I have made.
P.S.
Love the blog!
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ReplyDeleteI went natural because I needed to remember cornrows and cowrie shells, big bangs and barettes, puffs and pompadours, and the creative energy that lies in my own hands. I needed to tend to my own soil and plant seeds with strong roots.
ReplyDelete@Kawaii93, I'm a Black Choctaw (and Chickasaw) as well! Yay! Nice to see you, girl :)
ReplyDeleteI went natural for the 2nd and final time about a year and a half ago. The first time it was just to change my style. This time it was a combination of being educated on the harsh ingredients of relaxers and what the harm it can do to your body and also because I have always had sensitive skin and scalp and relaxers would always cause scabs to form on my scalp. By the time my scalp would feel healed it was time for another relaxer. As I started researching why certain soaps and lotions irritated my skin I also found info on what relaxers contain. I also read that our skin, which is an organ, has a primary function f absorption along with protection. So your skin absorbs into your blood stream what you put on it. After being enlightened by all that I read I knew I could never go back to subjecting my body to these poisons.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I went natural because I wanted to embrace my hair the way it grows out of my head. A woman's hair is her crown and glory, so this journey has been one of self-love. I love the versatility of being able to wear my hair straight or curly. When I got my first blow-out and people kept asking me who relaxed my hair, I then realized that I can achieve the straight look without all the chemicals that damage my hair. I love, love, love being natural, and I love natural hair inspirations like you!
ReplyDeleteI went natural because I never really like super straight hair. I would get a touch up only around two or three times a year. I learned how to braid and preferred braided styles and eventually I just stopped perming. After a couple of years I had all this hair and started wearing it out. This was around 99 or 2000. There weren't many products on the market and I knew little about how to care for my hair. Eventually I permed. I started this natural journey again after several failed attempts in January 2009 with the help of youtube and blogs like this one. I love natural hair and it's nice to be able to maintain some length instead of the constant breakage from relaxers. To make a long story short I went natural because my hair wasn't happy with a relaxer. I had a lot of growth but I was only replacing the breakage.
ReplyDeleteHi MTM,
ReplyDeleteI initially went natural due to thinning hair around the edges. This was brought on by hormonal changes. I began to do tons of research and realized the danger of the ingredients found in relaxers. This was before the Good Hair movie, etc. I am so happy about my decision!
heyyy Nikole!
ReplyDeleteI am a new member of you blog girl! I have been stocking it for awhile haha but I've joined and I'm excited! your and Lo...uh pure natural beauty!(Im pretty sure that wasn't correct enlgish or grammar haha)
I went natural..well I didn't know why I went exactly why I went natural at the time I actually went natural. I was 16, relaxed hair at APL(don't get too excited..it was slowly thinning out...I'm still not sure why but that's another story), and I had no clue how to fix my hair. I consoled with my cousin, who is natural, and she discouraged me slightly. She said it would get "nappy" really quick, but I still had the idea of going natural in the back of my mind. That summer I knew I wasn't going to relax until school started. By the end of the summer I made my mind up; "NO MORE PERMS FOR ME!" I told my dad; he was like whatever haha. My brother didn't think I would do it. He knows I'm very indecisive. I transitioned for 1 year and 1 day shy of 3 months. BC on JULY 10, 2010 at the age of 18! I have only just recently figured out why I stopped relaxing. I went natural because I wanted to find a way to fix my hair without chemicals. In my heart I knew I had to do it this way; it was the only way.
sorry I rambled a bit...I tend to do that.
I am going Natural because I have always had relaxed hair, and when I was in my 2nd year of college, I went pretty far in-between relaxers while doing a stretch. At first I flat-ironed my hair all the time, because I wasn't used to the texture, but eventually I learned about hairstyles (such as braid-outs), to wear while doing the stretch. And as time went on, I started to want to wear my hair curly more often than I did straight! That's when I decided to turn my stretch into a transition. And I'm currently 10 months into it!
ReplyDeleteI went natural to save money. And it looks better on me.
ReplyDeleteErrrzzz, there’s a lot of personal reasons why I went natural. Let me first say why I went relaxed. Most will say I went relaxed to have hair that’s more manageable. Not myself. I went relaxed because I had a crappy self image of what a black woman’s hair should be. I had Kinky loose and tight Curls, but I wanted them smooth and silky. I decided to nuke my hair and put perm rods in my hair making it look like a dry jerry curl all for that good good, “Good Hair”.
ReplyDeleteNow why did I go Natural. One day I said to myself I don’t want a dry jerry curly anymore I want bone straight, a relaxer on top of my already processed hair! why?, because the Devil told me to! Boyyyyyy let me tell you, when my hair was blown out and I saw my past collar bone hair was neck hair broken off in places I didn’t know I had, I broke down with crocodile tears. I called my boyfriend and auntie in the same day and had the nerve to BLAME THE SALON TECH. Yes Not myself, Them! The next day, my friend’s wedding day mind you, tried to fix my hair the best I could with a half wig and said to myself THIS IS NOT WORTH IT LOOKING LIKE A DARN RAGGAMUFFIN! Ever since then it’s been protective styles, protective styles, and protective styles.
As Mop Top once quoted from another source “Born Original, Refuse to Die a Copy! “ I’ve hit some setbacks but now on the right track, my hair has never looked healthier EVER in my whole life.
Errrzzz, there’s a lot of personal reasons why I went natural. Let me first say why I went relaxed. Most will say I went relaxed to have hair that’s more manageable. Not myself. I went relaxed because I had a crappy self image of what a black woman’s hair should be. I had Kinky loose and tight Curls, but I wanted them smooth and silky. I decided to nuke my hair and put perm rods in my hair making it look like a dry jerry curl all for that good good, “Good Hair”.
ReplyDeleteNow why did I go Natural. One day I said to myself I don’t want a dry jerry curly anymore I want bone straight, a relaxer on top of my already processed hair! why?, because the Devil told me to! Boyyyyyy let me tell you, when my hair was blown out and I saw my past collar bone hair was neck hair broken off in places I didn’t know I had, I broke down with crocodile tears. I called my boyfriend and auntie in the same day and had the nerve to BLAME THE SALON TECH. Yes Not myself, Them! The next day, my friend’s wedding day mind you, tried to fix my hair the best I could with a half wig and said to myself THIS IS NOT WORTH IT LOOKING LIKE A DARN RAGGAMUFFIN! Ever since then it’s been protective styles, protective styles, and protective styles.
As Mop Top once quoted from another source “Born Original, Refuse to Die a Copy! “ I’ve hit some setbacks but now on the right track, my hair has never looked healthier EVER in my whole life.
I kept going through a cycle with my hair. After constant shedding and breaking I would do micro braids for a few months and that always seemed to do the trick. But a few months later I would end up in the same position I was prior to doing the braids. The second to last time I relaxed my hair before going natural, my hair was thick and healthy. But after letting my friend’s cousin curl my hair with one of those curling irons that go in an oven..... I got really bad heat damage! Once again I put micros in for a few months. My last relaxer was done at a Dominican salon. I am convinced that she either didn’t use neutralizing shampoo or didn’t wash the relaxer out properly because right after that my hair was falling out badly and that had never happen before. Since then I decided that I wanted to go natural. I received so much opposition! My college roommate at the time told me that I was going to look like a homeless person and a lion! Despite all the negativity, I went through with it and I am glad that I did!!! My hair is longer than it has ever been in my whole life!
ReplyDeleteyour blog is truly an inspiration. especially the maintenance of your hair and it was one of the first places i was referred to before i decided to make the BC which I did on March 31 of this year. I am in college in a much different climate then my hair was accustomed to. immediately it begin to break off. At this time I chose to educate myself on what my hair needs and wants. I felt that the best way to do this, for me, was to grow it out naturally.
ReplyDeleteI have been natural my whole life save for a few years in my late teens/early twenties when I was relaxed (which I did out of boredom, just to see what it was like). Most of the time, even though I was technically natural, I wore my hair flat ironed or pressed. On occasion I would not have time to straighten and I would wear my hair in a curly puff, which I remember my high school friends really liked. I transitioned without knowing that's what I was doing, and began flat ironing again. My original reason to stop straightening my hair was out of curiosity as to what my hair would look like and what I could get it to do, and to not feel like I HAD to straighten my hair. As I have gotten older and matured, so have my reasons for staying natural. It really began to bother me that straightened hair is considered the norm for Black women. Why? Why did Black, White, Latino, and other people ask me (or ask each other when they thought I was out of earshot), "Why do you/why does she wear her hair "like that"? Like what? The way it naturally grows from my scalp? People need to see examples of Black women who have natural hair, to see that straight hair is not the only acceptable type of hair to have, it is not the GOLD standard of hair types, the one everyone should strive to attain, and from which any deviance prompts quizzical looks and stares, as if to say, why would you choose to wear your hair "like that", i.e. any way other than straight? I'm not White, I'm not Latina, I'm not Asian, I am Black. I think all of us should be able to own and display our beauty as it is, unique to us, and not relative to how closely we can mimic someone else's. If I were to have a daughter, I would want her to grow up in a world that appreciates ALL types of beauty, in all types of women, and if that's what I would want for her, that's what I have to try to create through my own actions. This keeps me on the natural path, despite any frustration I may feel at times.
ReplyDeleteI love Ms. Lori's hair...wish I could wear mine like that all the time. I am 15 and have never had a perm but I don't know the right products for my natural hair to make it more manageable. I used to straighten it all the time but a few years ago I embraced my big, natural hair (my hair has always been pretty long and thick). However, my hair is slightly damaged from heat and I wish to restore it to its former glory and not straighten it for a while. Thanks for the opportunity to win these products, and even if I don't win the giveaway, I will still suggest them to my mom (who went natural last year). Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI almost accidentally went natural because I was the typical broke college student...
ReplyDeleteIn my second year of college, I got weaves to go longer between relaxers, but this one particular time I didn't have anyone to take it out for me but my impatient cousin. I was elated when I discovered my hair had grown from NL to SL beneath the cornrows, but with my cousin's help, I was back to EL in a matter of hours. I cried my eyes out before begging for a touchup...all in a desperate try to make my hair look longer by stretching out my new growth! At least my cousin was smart enough to advise me not to relax my hair right away -- she sent me off to the Dominicans, to whom I had never been, and I got my first blowout. It was quite an experience, and I kept this up for about 8 months without getting that relaxer. Not only was it way cheaper, but I reasoned why use the chemicals if it was clear I didn't need them to get my fine strands straight? However, as time passed, I found myself more and more intrigued by the idea of rocking the curly look -- I had little recollection of my natural texture, even though I did not get my first relaxer until age 11. I fully committed to the idea around that time, and as my pockets shrunk even more I assumed going natural would be a great way to save my money. Little did I imagine my product habit would get so crazy!! I BC'd on June 13, 2008, 12 months after I inadvertently began my transition. Two years later, I proudly rock my WNGs and twistouts.
Its simple. i was tired of the breakage and the torture I was inflictig on my poor hair. I cut of all my relaxed ends on January 20 of this year and I have no regrets.
ReplyDeleteHey Ladies.....
ReplyDeleteYou both have been a huuuuuuge hairspiration for me! I was kinda lost when I began my journey on the natural side in September of 2008. I really didn't follow the traditional approach. I recieved my last creamy crack treatment in July 2008, when I was preparing for my class reunion. As months went by, and I continued to go for my hair appointments, I realized that I kept putting off the "touch-up" every time I went. After about 3-4 more months of the put-off my stylist said "if you have gone this long with out a relaxer without any issues then you might as well stop relaxing all together." So. I did!
Se told me that my hair had been soo cooperative that I probably should have never gotten a relaxer (thanks mom!...lol). I had no control over that decision ......I was 4yrs old with hair so thick Jesus couldn't control! Lol.
Anywho, I have recently started wearing braid-outs after following you guys. My style turns out more like Nik than Lori, but I Love it. I never really went through the BC process because I didn't have the nerve, but I made sure that I went my stylist regularly for a some good hair lovin' in the beginning. Now, I probably go to the salon 2-3 times a year for a good trim.
With all of this said........I would love an opportunity to try out some of your recommended products, because I am still trying to get this right! Lol
Luv Ya Gurls!
~Chitownstyle~
I was in the middle of an extended transition when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, in 2009. She went through treatment, and as a result, lost all of her shoulder length hair. Treatment was successful, but my mother had a hard time dealing with her hair loss. She wore wigs on and off throughout the whole treatment, and in April of last year her hair began to grow in. However, she was still wearing wigs to hide her twa. I constantly encouraged her to let her hair free, and a few months later, she finally did. It was beautiful! My mother is around 50, and she gets so many compliments on the halo of curls that surrounds her glowing face, that I was inspired to unleash my natural beauty as well! I did my final chop in September of 2009, and I am happy to say that my mom is the closest thing I will ever find to a hair twin. My mom, Machelle is strong and beautiful, and she inspires me in every area of my life.
ReplyDeleteHeyy I just wanted to say thank youu (i just subscribed) but ive viewed your vids and blog for some time SO HELPFUL and INSPIRING! anywhoo before i start writing a book.. Ive been transitioning for 7 months now (yay):D. The reason is simple i want to be the woman God made me to be. He doesnt make any mistakes and i realized that i was treating my hair like it was some DEFECT in his creation (and why my hair is beautiful). Im hoping that by being me (just me..all of me) ill inspire others to do the same. Ive grown up christian but ive only now started a deep relationship with christ 7 months ago (thats a whole other amazing story :D )Hes opened my eyes to so many things. Anywhooo thanks again!
ReplyDelete-SherinaMTL
I really like Lo's hair. I have just started my natural journey and in a couple days it will be three months since I have been natural. I decided to go natural because no only was I tired of the damage relaxing did to my hair. But also how much heat damage I got from constant pressing. Now I love being natural.
ReplyDelete-Briana
WOW you have a lot to read! Im not sure if i qualify for this because ive been natural all my life but i'll enter anyway. When I say ive been natural i mean straight presses. Ever since my mom deamed i was old enough to take care of my of my own hair, i got it pressed maybe once a month. Either my mom pressed it or i went to the salon (once or twice a month). Ever since i could remember i always wished i didnt half to be afraid of the rain or that i could got jump in the pool whenever i wanted to. Even more than that i wished i had the same pretty natural hair as other curlies.
ReplyDeleteOne day at the end of softball season i had to was my hair because it was just so dirty after the game. After i washed and conditioned it i said to my self wow if only i could keep this wet look! So over the next 6 months i experimented with different products. This is my sophomore year in high school(im 15) so the pressure is on to impress my peers. I was oh so self concious, i felt so embarrassed of my hair. but as time went on i began to feel more and more comfortable with my hair. After no heat for six months (most of the time i had kinky twist in) i got my hair pressed. After all the research i did, I found that i was very excited with experimenting with my natural hair. So far this journey has made me more comfortable with my self.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1474701470#!/photo.php?pid=1257163&id=1474701470
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1474701470#!/photo.php?pid=1257152&id=1474701470
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58258&id=1474701470&op=6#!/photo.php?pid=1085211&id=1474701470
(I even got bold enough to wear a fro to school lol. Everyone from freshmen to seniors were like wow is that your real hair??? And i proudly answered Yup XD )
The decision to get back to my natural roots was made during my sophomore year of college. I was at (and still am) a time in my life where I was done with conformity and putting others wants before my needs. Plus, I HATED relaxers the smell was horrendous. It was something like rotten eggs and stinky feet. I was fed up and one day in January I went to a natural beauty shop and had her snip away my insecurity (relaxed ends). Its six months post and I feel like a totally different person. I'm more confident and have a carefree yet responsible way of living. Sometimes, it can get a little frustrating and I just want to scream but that is apart of life however, I will NEVER relax again.
ReplyDeleteMy questions for Lo is what steps and techniques did you use to obtain your length from a TWA to a bodacious, bad-ass FRO?
Why I went Natural?
ReplyDeleteIts very simple. My permed hair wasn't growing (or atleast I wasnt seeing the growth). It NEVER retained length. How can hair be 18 years old, yet still be at the same length. Was it stunted? Was it breaking off? Or was I just going crazy? Whatever the reason, I couldn't take it anymore, and Big-chopped May of 2008. (2years ago) and have yet to regret this decision.
I went natural to Be Me:)
ReplyDeleteWhy I went Natural?
ReplyDeleteI didn't actually make a conscience decision to go natural. It kind of snuck up on me. You see, I was the type of girl that hid my hair under weaves, braids and any combination of the two lol. So I had braids for a while and fell upon the facebook group "Natural Hair". I fell in love with all the different hairstyles and then with more research found Nappturality.com, youtube, fotki and many other sites. Little did I know I had already started transitioning! There was no turning back for me. I big chopped nine months later and I am so happy with my decision. Every1 always comments about how natural hair "fits" me... well duh it does because it is ME...the way God intended me to be! I have inspired my mother and sister to go natural also. They look great as well. God was definitley pushing me towards going natural. After taking all the weaves and braids out I noticed some bold spots that looked like the beginning stages of traction alopecia. Well from going natural and taking care of my hair myself the spots are beginning to grow back! I love being natural.
P.S. I love your blog as well as Lo's! Both of you are inspiration to many and I thank you for taking time out to do this blog and for having giveaways!
I went natural because all I knew in life were perms. Everyone I knew had them. They worked for everyone but me and I decided I needed to do something different to help rebuild and reconstruct the damage that the harsh chemicals did to my scalp and hair. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
ReplyDeleteI stopped using heat on my hair because I was tired of the straight look (and all it takes to keep my hair straight), and wanted to embrace my natural curls.
ReplyDelete