I have to admit... recently I have been having issues... hair issues... and really big ones. So much so that in 2010 I think I am going to make a BIG Change - I might even have to create a separate blog about my hair journey.
So the issue is this .... I want to make my hair healthy, thick, moisturised and encourage growth and I am thinking about going natural in my quest to get a healthy, luschious mane?
Thank goodness I have the internet (particularly You Tube and hair blogs) because there are tonnes of girls who have had the same issues and are sharing their lessons.
So the issue is this .... I want to make my hair healthy, thick, moisturised and encourage growth and I am thinking about going natural in my quest to get a healthy, luschious mane?
Thank goodness I have the internet (particularly You Tube and hair blogs) because there are tonnes of girls who have had the same issues and are sharing their lessons.
Two of my fave artists with their natural styles- although there is a lot of debate about Erykah as she often wears an afro wig.
(there are tonnes of real people's hair pics I would love to post)
(there are tonnes of real people's hair pics I would love to post)
I have always had relaxed/chemically straightened hair - probrably for the around 15 years or even more maybe. You get totally addicted to the "creamy crack" that you torture your scalp with to have smoother, sleeker, straighter hair but really this is a process where I am putting acid on my scalp and over the last years the chemicals together with the straightening has caused me some serious hair damage. I went to the hairdressers with a bob and wanting a relaxer. I came out with a serious piece of my hair burnt off and even worse I haven't been able to grow it back in fact I think the baldness is spreading.
Some people can keep their healthy whilst maintaining regular chemical straightening but for me that's not the case. Relaxing my hair has caused it to thin out and has stunted it's growth. It is what I have been used to for a long time now, it doesn't even actually look bad it's has just been my style and you kind of get used to your style ... it's safe here in my comfort zone!
It is also what most of us see from images of women in the public eye.. be it in magazines, music movies or politics ... Black women with straight perms/relaxers extensions, lace wigs and straightened locks. I don't know how my work colleagues and even some of my friends and family will take it when they see me transitioning - as some people just aren't used to seeing black hair in it's natural state... I'm not even used to my black hair in it's natural state.
Some people can keep their healthy whilst maintaining regular chemical straightening but for me that's not the case. Relaxing my hair has caused it to thin out and has stunted it's growth. It is what I have been used to for a long time now, it doesn't even actually look bad it's has just been my style and you kind of get used to your style ... it's safe here in my comfort zone!
It is also what most of us see from images of women in the public eye.. be it in magazines, music movies or politics ... Black women with straight perms/relaxers extensions, lace wigs and straightened locks. I don't know how my work colleagues and even some of my friends and family will take it when they see me transitioning - as some people just aren't used to seeing black hair in it's natural state... I'm not even used to my black hair in it's natural state.
Michelle Obama and Beyonce with relaxed straighten styles
I love, love, love natural hair and big fro's, the bigger the hair the better I say although I am not actually sure a big fro just worn out would suit me and I know that I will still straighten my hair from time to time gosh... I am going to have to get used to what suits me all over again.
For me relaxing my hair was more about making it manageable rather than anything else. I just wanted to be able to get up, comb it through (often with my fingers) throw it in a messy pony tail and go. It's funny, I always get so desperate to relax my hair when I get new growth but I never actually like my hair the first few days after it is chemically straightened anyway. It is just sooo sooo straight and I have to spend lots of time trying to poof it up.
For me relaxing my hair was more about making it manageable rather than anything else. I just wanted to be able to get up, comb it through (often with my fingers) throw it in a messy pony tail and go. It's funny, I always get so desperate to relax my hair when I get new growth but I never actually like my hair the first few days after it is chemically straightened anyway. It is just sooo sooo straight and I have to spend lots of time trying to poof it up.
Shingai from The Noisettes with her statement and versatile natural styling
When thinking about going natural I seriously have been thinking whether I will be able to deal with my hair maintenance... I am rubbish with hair care... I can't twist, plait, style or do the basics really but I hope the internet will help me here. My lack of hair skills and knowledge (and the fact that I am a scaredy cat) has definitely put me off doing the big chop - The Big Chop or BC is cutting or shaving your hair so that all of the chemically straightened hair is gone. I just don't think I could handle a tiny weenie cut - my face with my full cheeks will not thank me for it.
Beyonce's lil sis Solange after she did the big chop in Summer. As soon as I get my hair into a healthy state and length I will transition to a natural state by plaiting my hair - It's a shame that plaits don't suit me but I will experiment with different styles as I am sure they will suit me much more than a teenie weenie afro. Plaits and maybe even wigs will be easier as I won't need to give them as much attention. (I hope) My mum transitioned with plaits for a few years and now her hair is thicker and healthier than it has ever been but she does struggle with styling and maintenance so I will try and practice looking after her hair too.
Corrine Bailey Rae with her gorgeous natural locks.
My hair would take forever to get to that length and won't be this texture but she is an inspiration.
Wow I actually started writing this three weeks ago.. How slow was I.
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