You know I was thinking, about natural hair and things and the beauty that goes surrounds natural African American hair, kinky hair, textured hair and curly hair. How over the past decade a new movement has come about of new women wanting to showcase what god them and the true beauty that is them. 
I have been natural on and off since high school, more natural than relaxed but I have always worn my hair in its braided state or w/ something to cover it up and never in its true form until the short period when I was pregnant and decided to get locks.
The whole locks things lasted almost two years until after the birth of my last son, and then I took them out to get my hair relaxed again, because I hated staying to one thing. Having a more eccentric style and the whole straight relaxed thing did not last long either. I love the texture of natural hair the kinks and curls that come with it, I love the spins and waves the knots and all that embellish it.
So that is when after the last time that I had a relaxer and my hair was to my shoulders, I ended up changing hair stylists because I had moved. Somehow when I changed stylists she changed relaxers on me and my hair did not take well to the change. My hair became over pressed and started to break off from the creamy crack. It broke off so much that I decided the hell with that, and decided I am going back natural for good the hell what anyone thinks.
I ended up doing my big chop in late, late April of 2010 and now it is late July of 2010 and I am loving my natural hair with out the stuff on my scalp causing irritation and all that crap .
My hair is healthier, thicker and is growing at rate that I never thought it actually did. It actually grows a little more than a half an inch per month, which is good because that means instead of an average 6 inches per month, I would have about 7 and possibly than some!(I found this out from measuring my hair over a period of four months.)
But that brings me to the question to ask you, how did you feel when you did your big chop, or how are you feeling about going natural?
If you are sitting on the edge, and wondering if it is something that you want to do let me tell you, it is more of mindset change than anything else. Once you are able to get over the stump and realize the true beauty that is you. This comes with research into natural hair care, the history of the negative connotations towards black hair and actually learning how to take care of your hair.
Than you will have understanding, with understanding comes wisdom about your hair and that brings freedom to be what you want to be and who you are.
I love that I have went natural and hope those that are sitting on the bench do the same………
P.S. I would love to hear your comments on the whole going natural situation. Wanna know more about mindset change and the whole history of black hair in America than you read my post by clicking here!
Photo: c0urtesy of fyeahcurls
When I did the big chop, I was excited but nervous, too, because I’d never had short hair. It took me a couples of week to get used to it. That was three years ago, and I haven’t looked back! Even though I have locs now, I still love my natural hair! ♥
I so agree, I just loving being natural now.
I just did the big chop today! I was nervous and got even more nervous when I saw an afro rather than a defined curl (mind you I’ve had relaxers since I was 7 so this is the first time seeing my natural hair), but it’s growing on me. I just think of the women in the seventies and all the people who wish they could get their hair in an afro! I plan to twist it this weekend.
Great for you, it is for sure a learning process. But I am sure you will do just fine. Congratulations!
I just did the big chop today! I was nervous and got even more nervous when I saw an afro rather than a defined curl (mind you I’ve had relaxers since I was 7 so this is the first time seeing my natural hair), but it’s growing on me. I just think of the women in the seventies and all the people who wish they could get their hair in an afro! I plan to twist it this weekend.
Hello- 4/09 as I was due for my relaxer I said no more. In 8/10 I big chopped, unfortunately my hairstylist didn’t think I should so she left some strands, I guess that was her way of saying your forehead is too big for this change so I will help you; which it did not help and so in 9/10 I went to a male barber who was so excited for me that he took it down lower and even cut into the new growth…he said come back when you REALLY want to rock a fierce cut, he actually was very encouraging in that he said wait until the haters see you they won’t be able to stand it or you for being able to be who you are. I never went back for a really short short cute but I did let him line me up a few times and I sent other women his way for their big chops. Eitherway it was the best thing I did because it was me accepting me just how I am and that has been so freeing of a feeling- no longer in bondage being the beautiful creation that I am. Be Blessed!
I am so happy for you that you have been able to take the first step in realizing your true beauty in all facets. Congratulations, I am so excited for you!
My first bc was when I was in the tenth grade (8/02), but I didn’t know how to take care of my natural hair and a few months later I went back to relaxers. I finally gave up relaxers for good 3/10 and have been natural ever since. The first time around I didn’t know what to do or how to care for my natural hair but now as an adult I am more prepared and I know and love my hair.
I’m happy for you!
The beginning of my journey came when I was sitting in my African-American History class in college. It was during black history month and we were instructed to choose a project. From the list, I chose to do mine on African-American hair. I remember that day like it was yesterday because at the time, I didn’t know anything about hair and surely didn’t know why I chose the topic. As I got into my research, I figured that the topic would be interesting but not that interesting. From research, I learned just about everything of the history of our hair and how we (blacks) has viewed our own hair since being in America. I learned a lot about myself from that project. I became more aware of my history and what my ancestors went through. Even though I’ve always had respect for my elders, I had even more and I became aware of the professors (men and women) that walked around campus with their black and gray locs and fros. I became more proud of attending a HBCU. After that, it took me two years to begin transitioning from relaxed to natural hair because I wanted to be ready, mentally to face negativity and misunderstanding. I decided that I would educate people who inquired about my hair just like I did myself. I was at a point in my life where I didn’t care what others thought of me as long as I was happy and satisfied with myself.
When I learned more about myself, I learned that I will never alter who I am or what I stand for for anyone. “Love me as I am” is what I live by. I’ve always wanted to stand out from being the norm and still to this day I love that feeling. During my transitioning period, I decided to loc my hair because of spiritual meaning and somewhat of having a rebellious attitude. 🙂 1/06 was the birth of my locs. They opened my eyes to a lot and took me through a wonderful journey. 6/11 was the birth of my beautiful fro and I am excited to see what lies ahead for me on this trip.
Beautiful, I truly agree with you and could not have said it better.
Before I went natural this go around I thought it over. I was tired of perming my hair, running from water. Of course I also had the flash backs of my past attempts living in a small town with very closed minded people. I was harassed and teased because I was “out of the box”. But after finally just going for it I felt better. I love being a natural 4C girl. don’t get me wrong somedays it gets hard like when I do 2 strand twist and it takes a whole weekend (but my twist outs are killer and stays for at least 5 days) or when you over hear others “why don’t she do something with her hair” But being Natural has made me a much stronger person and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
Yes it is such an empowering feeling, and I am glad you are sticking to your choice. You are doing what many really want to do but are to afraid to do.
Awesome testimonal! Keep it up. :0)
I have been natural for the last year and love it! Though my hair needs a lot of care, attention and dedication I wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel my hair is a reflection of my personality, stubborn and hard to control but beautiful nonetheless.
I recently decided to go natural 03/12 when i went home for spring break. i was in my jr year of college and i had gone through alot of changes that year, the decision to go natural was really the spur of the moment type of thing. I told my mother i wanted to shave my head and she went bonkers and being me I was stubborn and ignored her pleas to go natural a different way. I had my father shave my head (with my mother directing him on how low to cut it.) And when it was done she told me how good it looked, and i have been loving it ever since!!
That’s awesome! I’m glad to hear that, it can be so liberating and inspire others also. Way to go for letting her feel a part of it. Genius!!!
I wish I had an experience as good as the ones I’ve read above. It’s been over a year since I relaxed my hair. About one month after my last relaxer, my hair starting breaking badly. By the time two month had past (since my last relaxer), I had to get a weave just to be able to leave the house. My natural hair kept pulling out of the braids (tracks), so I was getting a new weave every few weeks. I ended up BC’ing about six months after my last relaxer. At first I liked it short and curly but soon I realized that my hair was just unruly. I always had plans to grow my hair back, so I figured I’d just deal with it. Fast forward six months…no matter how regularly I trim my hair, my ends are always so brittle. I have no hair growth to show for the last six months. It’s cold wear live now, so I can’t wash and go. So I’m wearing a weave….again….
I don’t like weaving my hair. Correction: I HATE WEAVING MY HAIR. I wish I never started this natural hair journey. I’ve had nothing but bad hair days ever since. So now I have to get a relaxer and start all over.
I orignally wanted to trasnition for a year or two and not BC, but my hiar fell out too badly. Being a plus size woman with short hair is not a good look (to me or anyone else I know with a pulse). This has been a horrific year and I have zero confidence left. I would not wish my natural hair journey experience on anyone.
I’m so sorry you had to go through this. My hair for the first 6 months also was very brittle and hard to the touch and I thought that would never change. As time went on about a year later and playing with products to see what worked best for my hair type. I began to have better experiences.
I hope you can reconsider and try it again, maybe with out doing tracts and weave, because I feel in the early stages your hair is going through a transition and needs to breathe.
Try wigs only if you have to use something.
Let me know if I can help.
xoxo.
I have been natural going on 3years, but I did not have to worry too much about maintaining it, because I kept it cut so much. But now that I am attempting to grow it back, for the 4b-4c hair type, what hair care products do you recommend? I was watching a few you-tube videos, to look at different hair-styles, and how they are acquired. I heard of , Ms Jessie’s curly pudding, being really good, any suggestions?
I never knew what it was like to not have a relaxer. For as long as I could remember I always had a relaxer and just continued as an adult. My cousin had been on me to go natural and I had to admit I loved her hair and the versatility it looked great on her but I just didn’t want to be bald. Well it was about September 2010 and I was going through a divorce and I felt horrible about myself. I looked in the mirror and I hated the creamy crack hair and the nappy hair growing under it and the fact that I couldn’t afford a perm. I was more frustrated that I didn’t know how to manage my hair between perms ultimately frying my hair by getting too many. I remember I was sitting at home one day wallowing in my own self pity. When I just picked up the scissors and started chopping. I was so scared as I looked in the mirror at the TWA wearing figure in front of me. “Now if someone likes me they will have to like me for me.” I left my hair that day in the trash and haven’t looked back my length isn’t where I thought it would be but it has taken me years to figure out how to care for my 4b hair. Even through the frustration I wouldn’t change a thing. it’s gotten to the point that when I get it straightened just to get it trimmed I hate the straight hair.