In June of 2009. I officially joined the natural hair community! I noticed soon after I moved to Germany in the Summer of 2008 that my hair had started to slowly reject the chemical relaxer that I had been using for over 30 yrs. to straighten my hair. I really think that it had something to do with the water. I may never know what really caused this rejection but, it was probably the best thing that could happen to me and to my hair.
My sister suggested that I begin to wear my hair in it's natural state. The thought of that was absolutely frightening! I hadn't seen my hair in it's natural state since I was 11 or 12 yrs. old. I had no clue about how to care for my hair, or about the styling possibilities. I freaked out, and I continued to relax my hair although I was doing further damage to it.
I flew back to the states in early May 2009 to prepare for my wedding. My hair was still in very poor condition, however I wanted to have my hair nicely styled for my wedding which was at the end of the month. So, I relaxed again. This time to horrifying results! My hair was not straight, it looked gray and washed out and my hair strands were wiry and brittle. On my wedding day, I had to use a ton of gel to get it to lay down on the sides, and I had to add a hair piece for volume. At this point, my hair had had enough!
My husband and I returned to Germany in June and I immediately began researching natural hair. Thank God for Youtube! I found tons of ladies who were wearing their hair natural and, who were posting video tutorials for women like me who were clueless in regards to caring for and styling natural hair. After being inspired by these Youtube gems, I decided to do my big chop! ( The "Big Chop" is cutting or shaving off all chemically treated or damaged hair) My husband wanted me to wait and go to a professional stylist for the hair cut. I however, got inpatient and cut it myself. I did such a hack job, my husband literally rushed me to the neighborhood salon to have the stylist "repair the damage" At this point, I did not cut of all of the relaxer. I cut off the relaxed hair to about 4". Every month I cut off about an inch or so of the relaxed ends as my natural hair grew out. I guess you could say that I transitioned to natural hair for about 6 months.
Going natural was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. I feel more confident, more beautiful and my husband loves my hair. I will never go back to relaxed hair. I love the hair that grows naturally out of my head, every curl, coil and kink!
Relaxed Hair
.jpg)
Two months post Big Chop
(I still have some relaxed ends here)
Four months post Big Chop
(still have some relaxed ends hanging on)
but my TWA-teenie,weenie afro is cute!
December 2009
Six months and all natural!!!!
March 2010
Still growing strong!
If you or someone you know is interested in going natural, check out the Haute Hair Links listed on the left of this blog page. You'll find a wealth of information on these sites. Here is a list of some of my favorite Youtube Naturals to view as well.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment