It took me a while to get here- to a place where I can honestly say that I love my hair. When I say it took me a while, I have to say that up to mmm… three years ago, that I had a life altering experience that I decided to go as natural as I can… and that- is for reals!
After venturing to a hairstylist who burnt my scalp- leaving me with bald spots, chemically burnt hair, I took my hair back into my own hands…
and I have never looked back!
See, before I had this ever so scarring encounter, I was the queen of the weave, braids, wigs, and all that in between! I loved adding pieces and was actually at a place where I was rocking my hair in a sick bob- which was razor cut by my hairdresser of almost 8 years… I was spoiled.
But it went beyond that… to the day I decided to relax my hair… it was my decision- one that I wish I never did, but due to me being tender-headed… it had to be done.
Living in Hawai’i and Japan did not help At.ALL. Ideals of beauty never were reflecting me, a brown skinned young girl whose hair kinked up when wet, whose hair never flung up like in the commercials- that was my ideal.
It was not until I moved up to the bay area (SF and Oakland), in California that I realized my hair did not need to be weaved, braided, or fried, died, and laid to the side- In my most natural state- my beautiful.
I can go as natural as I can- with the help of a mild texturizer in October, but it is almost gone! (cause I am severely tender- headed even at my 29 years of age!)…
I NOW LOVE MY HAIR.
Keeping it trimmed, conditioned, and moisturized is all I worry about! My latest haircut is a Mohawk of sorts, with my hair trimmed down on the sides, and I keep it trimmed up in the back- thanks to mom’s bf or my brother in law!
With a bi weekly wash and deep condition and weekly conditioner rinses, Kinky Curly Leave in conditioner and Curling Custard Are.My.Life. I am so low maintenance when it comes to my hair. I hate fuss, stress, and primp! After searching the many products and finally finding one that gives my hair shine, definition, and moisture- I am in love.
Maybe I will let it grow out, maybe I will throw in some braids to let my hair grow back to one length, but who knows? I CAN say, for now, I love my hair.
Do You?
I love your hair too, I know I’m not an expert but I never had any curly hair role models either so I kept straightening my hair too.I’ve also wondered How come all the celebs like Tyra, beyonce, ciara etc dont embrace their hair too? I know it’s high maintenance but I think there’s nothing more beautiful and healthy than natural hair.
LOVE YOUR HAIR TOO!!
(I LOVE MY NATURAL HAIR TOO!!)
Viva natural hair! I big chopped 18months ago and couldn’t be happier than now!!!
Thank you darlin! I wish I had more role models who enjoyed wearing their hair in their natural state! I am sooo much happier now with my hair!
Thank you darlin! I am at a great place with it! 🙂
What inspired your big chop? I would love to hear your hair story too!
I went natural a couple of days before my birthday 10 years ago, and I’m planning an anniversary post to talk about my story/hair journey (my birthday’s in a couple of weeks). It’s interesting to hear women talk about what led them to go natural – everyone has a different story! And different natural hair.
i love how you put your own spin on the natural look with an edgy cut. too cute!
You hair looks gorgeous! Congrats on deciding to go natural!
I’m actually on the road to going natural and it’s been about 8 months now. The decision wasn’t because I didn’t love my hair because whether it was hot pressed, relaxed, braided, etc. I tried to take the best care of my hair as I could.
But I made the decision because I wanted to try something new, be different, especially when I’m embarking on a new and exciting chapter in my life!
Great Post!
I went natural around 3 years ago and have never looked back. After my hairdresser nagging me for years saying that I didn’t need a relaxer. Never did weaves or braids just relaxer. Now I still have a choice, I get it blown out every 3months and love my elbow length hair (yes it’s long) when it’s straight but can only manage to keep it for a week then my hair begs to be curly again 🙂 It works for me to be natural and it’s not a bad thing if ladies are not. Colour, extensions etc are about hair choices. I would just say to ladies to make the right ones without ruining your hair.
Good blog and thanks for letting me be able to share my experience.
I love this! Your hair looks fabulous and I love the honesty of this post.
Its when you start to embrace individuality that you will start to feel contented and happy. The same thing goes for me, I have done a lot of hair treatments in the past all in the hopes to achieve that long, straight, silky black hair that has been a pin up for Asian women. But I’ve decided to just stop the madness and embrace my wavy hair.
Wow I love your hair, it looks great in natural state! I love your dress also, it shows you are definetly confident chic 🙂 The honesty you also used was great also, than you, I think we all appreciate your honesty becaue I know sometimes we are not always, especailly with ourselves. xx
X
YvonnaLivianna
Twitter: @YvonnaLivianna
Thanks for your honesty. You and your hair are beautiful. It takes courage to be different and I’m glad that you are at a point where you can be comfortable with what was given to you. I too rock a natural and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Letting others see you as you are will hopefully encourage them to embrace themselves.
It took me some twenty-odd years to figure out that my hair does exactly what it’s SUPPOSED to do, and that we’re both happier if I just let it do what it do. I still get bored/frustrated/lazy when it comes to my hair, but I couldn’t love it more!
On another note, I may have to break out that unused jar of Curling Custard and give it another try…
It has it’s up and downs! I did a blog post about it today so hopefully I’m not alone in what I’m going through!
Thank you! I have had this cut (in many variations for a year and some change!) I really like it! Its so easy! Thanks!
Thank you for sharing! Funnily enough, I ran into an old friend who was like “oh… (in the tone of ewww) how long have you been natural when I came home to visit… SMH… I am at a happy place! LOL
BUT YOUR hair is UBER fierce!!!! I love the color contrast diva! I met you in real life a few times and I have never forgotten your look! You rock it!!!!!
New Chapters are ALWAYS exciting! How do you like it!?!
Thank you soooo much Courtney!!!
Embrace it baby! The more I found that I fought my hair, the more angst it caused me! I just let it be and now loves me back!
Thank you so much for stopping over again!
Thank you boo! Such a special place when you can embrace all of you, even the parts which are not your best assets! I learned to turn them into some of my greatest features by embracing it!!!!
Thank you boo! Such a special place when you can embrace all of you, even the parts which are not your best assets! I learned to turn them into some of my greatest features by embracing it!!!!
Jessiree! Thank you love for the kind words! I love it! The love and the encouragement! Thank you!
Girl!!! I would NOT have it any other way! And that Kinky Curly is the business, but maybe you do not need that HEavy of a product from them! You may find that the leave in conditioner would work the best on its own!?
You’re natural hair is beautiful! Thanks for sharing your story!
After dying my hair for three years, I realized the damage it did to my hair & my bank account with the constant upkeep. And it took forever for the last of the dye to grow out of my hair. Now I don’t even like to straighten it, except for on occasion! Going with your nature is always best!
xx.
Judy
Thank you for stopping by! BTW your blog is pretty hot! I love that last line of yours! Going with your nature is always best!
Chris rock would be proud…
I love this post! I literally said out loud “oooh! she’s posting on her hair! lemme see what she does so I can do that!” haha! your hair is so gorgeous and it’s one of my favorite things about u! After listening to my mom who encouraged me to dye my hair blonde, I too had to make the big chop! When my hairdress told me that that my hair had to be cut down to an inch or two from my scalp, no less than 200 tears burst out of my eyes all at the same time! I still struggle everyday but I’m devoted to going natural…for now…LOL…thank you for this awesome post!
I love this post! I literally said out loud “oooh! she’s posting on her hair! lemme see what she does so I can do that!” haha! your hair is so gorgeous and it’s one of my favorite things about u! After listening to my mom who encouraged me to dye my hair blonde, I too had to make the big chop! When my hairdress told me that that my hair had to be cut down to an inch or two from my scalp, no less than 200 tears burst out of my eyes all at the same time! I still struggle everyday but I’m devoted to going natural…for now…LOL…thank you for this awesome post!
I loved this! Yes I love my hair and it took me a while to love it too. Growing up, straight hair was the type of hair to have and I stayed with a relaxer in it until my junior year in high school when I just got tired of fussing with it and I wanted to embrace my curls and see what they look like free…NOW I love it and I am only just now learning how to take better care of it. My latest fav product is Shea Moisture’s Curl Enhancing Smoothie!
Who is it by or do you make your own??? I just cut like two inches off the top! LOL