The goal of today's post is to simply ask the question. Is there a difference in a black woman going natural, and a bi-racial woman being natural? Please leave a comment and tell me what you think.
You Missed Your Wash Day.. Now What?
Today I want to talk about something that I recently discovered. You ready? I don't NEED to wash my hair every week in order for it to look fabulous! Neither do you. I must admit, I have ididn'twashmyhairaphobia. This has stressed me out for much of my natural hair journey. Let me explain, I fully believe that a good hair care regimen is essential for maximum growth and overall hair health. However, life has a way of disrupting my routines. Then there are those times when I am just to tired to deal with my hair. Here is a simple little technique I use for such times as these.
You will Need
1. 1 Spray bottle (you could also wet your hair in the shower)
2. Leave in conditioner (I use Cream of Nature yellow bottle)
3. Gel ( I use Eco Styler Olive Oil or Amp Pro Olive Oil)
4 1 Soft bristle hair brush
First, you wet you hair lightly. It's important not to soak it because if you're like me, you're running out the house as soon as you're done. Then, you apply leave in conditioner to your entire head. Try to coat your hair meaning not too much or too little. Next, get a nice amount of gel (about a tbsp) put it in your hands. Rub your hands together. Apply the gel to your head. Depending on the length of your hair, you can simply slick up the sides to make a nice bun. The bun is a great protective style and, it's elegant. Or, if your hair is shorter apply the gel all over for the wash and go look. That's it! You can do this as many times as you need to. As I type this post I am on my 3rd week! (I have a lot going on) Just a little side note, you might need to play around with your gel/conditioner combination to find the one that doesn't give you a white film or flakes! Oh, use the brush to slick the sides up for the bun or, you can slick down your baby hair.
My 3 week bun style!
Ladies don't be shy. What do you think?
You will Need
1. 1 Spray bottle (you could also wet your hair in the shower)
2. Leave in conditioner (I use Cream of Nature yellow bottle)
3. Gel ( I use Eco Styler Olive Oil or Amp Pro Olive Oil)
4 1 Soft bristle hair brush
First, you wet you hair lightly. It's important not to soak it because if you're like me, you're running out the house as soon as you're done. Then, you apply leave in conditioner to your entire head. Try to coat your hair meaning not too much or too little. Next, get a nice amount of gel (about a tbsp) put it in your hands. Rub your hands together. Apply the gel to your head. Depending on the length of your hair, you can simply slick up the sides to make a nice bun. The bun is a great protective style and, it's elegant. Or, if your hair is shorter apply the gel all over for the wash and go look. That's it! You can do this as many times as you need to. As I type this post I am on my 3rd week! (I have a lot going on) Just a little side note, you might need to play around with your gel/conditioner combination to find the one that doesn't give you a white film or flakes! Oh, use the brush to slick the sides up for the bun or, you can slick down your baby hair.
Ladies don't be shy. What do you think?
How Time Flies
I can hardly believe it's been almost two years since my decision to go natural. Yes, I have had many ups and downs on my journey but, I KNOW without a doubt that I will never relax my hair again! Here is what my hair looks like after almost two years...
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Ask the Husband of a Natural
In this interview I spoke with my husband about his life now that I'm natural.
What did you think when I first told you I wanted to go natural?
Well, I originally thought that you were going through another phase. I thought if I just wait it out you would eventually get a perm again.
What was your reaction to my BC?
I was angry that you cut all your hair off. You had promised not to ever cut your hair. I thought you looked like a boy. You were still fine though.
What is the worst part of having a natural wife?
At first it was the money; it cost a lot to buy all of the hair supplies. Then it was the time you spent doing your hair. Not to mention the water bill from all the washing it.
What is best part of having a natural wife?
We can do things together that we couldn't do before. Like what? We can go swimming, workout, and dance in the rain lol. Plus, being natural makes you feel good; when you feel good we all feel good!
Why would you pressure me to perm my hair (in the beginning)?
I like straight hair; it's what I was used to.
When did you begin to accept my natural hair?
I guess when it started to grow back. But, I really gained a new perspective when we watched the Chris Rock documentary "Good Hair." That's when I knew it was deeper than the issue of straight v. curly hair.
Any last remarks?
I was kind of a jerk when you went natural but, I love it now! I guess you can say you have re-trained me to appreciate the beauty of curly hair. I love you
Ask a: Natural Teen
In this interview I talked to my 13 year old daughter we'll call her Coco. She has her own blog at www.curlyteens.blogspot.com
1. How hard was it for you to decide on going natural?
It wasn't very hard because my mom is natural. I already knew it would be kind of hard at first.
2. How did your friends react when you cut got the BC?
3. What is the easiet aspect of being natural?
So far it doesn't seem easy at all.
4. What is the hardest part of being natural?
I thought my hair would stay as curly as it is when it's wet. It didn't. My hair got super dry when it dried. The hardest thing was finding products that would keep my hair moisturized. That was kind of fun too!
5. Have you encouraged any of your friends or family to go natural?
Not really because that should be their decision. I would be there for them if they did.
6. How do you feel about yourself now that you are natural?
I feel proud of myself. I know a lot of kids want to fit in by looking the same but I just want to be me.
7. Did you wear your hair out or did you hide it when you first got your BC?
I hid it for like the first 2 and a half months because I wasn't used to seeing myself with really short hair.
Any last remarks....
Nope!
1. How hard was it for you to decide on going natural?
It wasn't very hard because my mom is natural. I already knew it would be kind of hard at first.
2. How did your friends react when you cut got the BC?
The only people who actually saw my hair was my family. I got braids the day after my BC. But, one of my cousins told some of our friends at school. People kept coming up to me asking me if I really cut my hair as short as a boy!
3. What is the easiet aspect of being natural?
So far it doesn't seem easy at all.
4. What is the hardest part of being natural?
I thought my hair would stay as curly as it is when it's wet. It didn't. My hair got super dry when it dried. The hardest thing was finding products that would keep my hair moisturized. That was kind of fun too!
5. Have you encouraged any of your friends or family to go natural?
Not really because that should be their decision. I would be there for them if they did.
6. How do you feel about yourself now that you are natural?
I feel proud of myself. I know a lot of kids want to fit in by looking the same but I just want to be me.
7. Did you wear your hair out or did you hide it when you first got your BC?
I hid it for like the first 2 and a half months because I wasn't used to seeing myself with really short hair.
Any last remarks....
Nope!
Ask Series
I am really interested in the experiences of other naturals. I would also like to know what other people think of natural hair. This series is devoted to my findings.
The High Cost of High End Products
Several months into my natural hair journey my husband commented on something that left me speechless. He said, "Your natural hair cost more than when you had a perm?" Now, it should be noted that my husband is the saver of the family, and he would notice something like that before anyone else would. But, that doesn't take away from his point. I was spending a small fortune on products. I bought everything that promised frizz-free, curl-defining, soft, shiny, hair! Most of the time I was satisfied with my purchases. The problem was, I didn't know how much longer I could remain natural. I was desperate to find a way.
My first breakthrough came when I read A. Dickey's Hair Rules. Through his book I finally understood which products were essential and which were simply not. Slowly, I began buying less expensive products. However, these products delivered the same results. I had arrived! Or so I thought...
My final breakthrough came when I stumbled upon the www.NaturalHairCommunity.com I found tried and true homemade recipes that worked wonderfully. Most of the ingredients I already had in my kitchen. These recipes worked, better than anything I had purchased in the store! (There is a list of homemade product recipes that I have collected and tried under the Recipes Unlimited tab) Another plus is that I know exactly what I am putting in my hair. Finally, my natural is not costing me a fortune, and I am having so much fun making new products.
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