I initially decided to go natural because my relaxed hair was super unhealthy, and getting relaxers every couple months was not helping the cause. It seemed like a great idea to embrace my natural kinks and curls—and it was—but going natural came with a whole new set of responsibilities and problems I wasn’t aware of.
I transitioned a whole 2 years before cutting off my relaxed ends, and at least half of that time was spent in trial and error trying out different products, methods, styles, and regimens. I eventually got the hang of it but the first year was a disaster! Considering the time I started my transition, there wasn’t a ton of resources and tutorials available like there are now, so I had to just go for it.
Now that I’ve been natural for quite a few years, there are tons of things I know now that I wish I could go back and tell my younger self. However, there are 3 major things I wish I knew before transitioning to natural.
Dealing with two textures at the same time is no joke
When I was relaxed, I would throw some grease or oil sheen in my hair, quickly run a flat iron* through it, wrap it up when it was time to go to sleep, and then touch it up once or twice during the week. While I was transitioning and dealing with two textures, all of that changed. Not only did I have to give up my beloved grease and petroleum all together, but I discovered the not-so-wonderful occurrence of shrinkage and curl reversion.
Girl, listen. My hair had curly roots and straight ends and it drove me up the wall. I tried to get my relaxed hair to curl—or at least wave—up like my roots and it looked like a hot mess so I decided to keep my hair oiled and pinned up into a frumpy-looking bun; which also proved to be the epitome of a hot mess.
After 3-4 months of pure struggle dealing with my awkward stage of hair growth, 3 inches of type 4a hair with relaxed ends, I finally had my epiphany: just go get some box braids. By the time my box braids were ready to be taken out, I had researched and mastered some very cute and manageable protective styles.
I just do what works for me and I think I do a pretty good job.
I’m currently in transitioning 14 months right now
This is crochet
Hard work plays off….
You wish you knew it was gonna be hard work just like everything else in your life? You wish you knew it would need love, care & attention just like everybody else in real life? You wish you knew that your hair is your crown and ypu should wear it proudly? You wish you knew that putting that lye in your hair to make it “soft” was a lie? Everybody praises Madam C.J walker but because of her, we walk around here with alopecia & bald patched weaves on our heads. Smh #forgetthat
P.s no i didnt read the article. I never can. Them damn pop ups & ads on the page.