As usual social media, namely Facebook, where all raw emotions collide has brought to light a sector of long term naturals some whom have never had a relaxer expressing concerns that new naturals should not be taking advice from other considerably new naturals who blog and vlog and give advice about transitioning to natural hair, natural hair health and hair care.
In a way it makes complete sense right? You transitioned from your relaxer in 2008 but here is someone else who has had her natural hair her whole life. What makes you the go-to expert?
While there might some long term naturals who are fully capable of giving expert advice there are also some fairly new ones that can do a similar or even better job.
Hair care isn’t some kind of exclusive knowledge club that only certain members are a part of. Provided one is interested enough anyone can have the knowledge. You just need to have the desire to get it, use it and have some results to show for it.
Some bloggers and vloggers have chosen to dedicate a certain number of hours to studying natural hair, for many reasons; ranging from a traumatic experience with a relaxer or personal choice, to seeing it as a great business opportunity.
Whatever the reason for expertise is solely dependent on study, gaining knowledge, practice and results. Learning about your hair is truly your own right and your own responsibility.
The human body is so resilient that if you are breathing then your hair will still grow, retaining the length on the other hand is the problem for many ladies.
With that said even if you never had a relaxer there is no guarantee that your natural hair is healthy if you have no knowledge of how to take care of it. Being natural alone does not guarantee hair health.
If you are a new natural with the need for advice and guidance choosing the right person to seek advice from can be daunting and if you are not careful it can get frustrating.
The first thing you need to do is gain as much knowledge about your situation on your own. This might mean reading as much material as you can find from multiple sources as well as asking for second opinions after first ones.
The cool thing about hair care is that there is always more than one way to skin a cat so for instance what one person might tell you about her hair care regimen might not be the best thing for you, but parts if it might just be relevant and help you in some way.
Renee Garza says
I appreciate ANY and ALL help!! NATURAL BEAUTY!!
Shanelle Brown says
I’m long term never going back.
Angelina Artis Thomas says
8months natural and it feels wonderful….
Ruth Guzman says
Why don’t ppl just worry about their own hair? Stop pushing your personal hair agenda off on others. Telling ppl their not natural if they dye their hair or use certain products. You can’t make sum1 do what u like to do with your hair to theirs. Everyone has their own style and choices. I swear as women we find ANY little thing to bicker with or hate on each other! Now it’s hair?! Really? Grow up!
Felicia Hamilton says
Natural means in it’s natural form. if you dye your hair then it is not in it’s natural form, therefore not natural. IJS!
Marty Naturalista White-Lawal says
I’ve been natural for more than 10 years and don’t get this division stuff.
LaShae' Sierra Howell says
I’ve been natural for 1year and 1 month I know what works for my hair not others. Why have a division in natural hair it’s NATURAL HAIR meaning No one will ever be the same.
Charlene Ammons Davis says
I don’t know who these “Natural Police” think they are!! Mind Ya Business!!!
Chelly Chell says
I don’t understand the theory behind “go natural, embrace your roots, history and culture”.. I went natural because I was perming my hair twice a year and felt that my hair didn’t need to be permed anymore.. It’s been 2 years going on 3. Yes, I want to grow long healthy hair but I’m not a part of any movement.. I’m just me.. Some naturalist are taking the journey way too personal..
Reenie Scarlotti says
True!! Going natural is a personal choice and a healthier one….Wear whatever you like if it works for you
Odessa Vaughn Patton says
WE have to get out of the mindset of seeing ourselves as better because we are/have _____. Our ancestors were purposely manipulated to be divided to prevent us to rise as one in unity. We still use the house slave/field slave reference to judge each other–when they were BOTH slaves. Its just hair. Particles that just grow out, die and fall off every single day.
Monique Bella Donna says
I don’t notice it
Lucie Jura says
Hehe tru
Gilda Adlig says
Absolutely not. I’ll not say how long I’ve been natural but, what I will say there are quite a few maintenance differences between being a straight versus a heat free natural. I had to learn how to care from my hair in its truly natural state. And boy has this been a challenge.
Shelley Washington says
TRUEEEEEEEE
Mary Leverett says
2 years 6 months love the national look no more relaxers for me
Kimberly Medina Courts says
I’m sick of the natural nazis going against relaxed women…..I mean is there anything that black women don’t argue with one another about? It’s about health…..whether relaxed or natural…..do what’s best for YOU!
Aliyah Morrison says
Same for relaxes woman who has always attacked naturals even before natural woman attacked them. Telling us we need to perm our hair , it won’t grow , we look like a man ,and it’s “nappy “or saying you need good hair .
Dede Spencer says
I’ve been natural for 3 months and I love it I see lots of growth in my hair already I know exactly what products work on my hair and I know lots of gorgeous natural hairstyles. To me being natural is using all natural/organic products in my hair. Going natural makes me feel even more beautiful and my hair is a lot longer and surprisingly very manageable and easy to style.
Lashon Jaramillo says
I started going natural by accident..lol. I was being lazy and did not want to perm my hair ( being too busy). I was using the softee clear gel. I figured it was easier to wet my hair, use the gel and clip on a pony tail. one day a strand of my hair touched passt my shoulders. from that point on I kept up with my routine. I did not realize the lenght because, I was putting my hair up all the time.
Anita Brown-Pickens says
Just do you. Taint nobody bizness but mine 🙂
Angie Jackson says
In a time when we could be using our natural hair to bond we always find a way to separate ourselves…. No not the white man but we ourselves. Grow up.
Aliyah says
But the white mam still kills beat us up still white supremacy still exist and they still are on top . They have did anything to destroy black unity and used black coons . The white man is half to blame !
Leondra ImOut Borders says
This pic is backwards …
Kelly Hall says
4 years, spent 3 doing wrong stuff, lol. Im still learning A LOT!
Kelly Hall says
I don’t get the hair nazi attitude either, (im in the process of going red with DYE,lol!) I try to inform when asked and otherwise I just spread da loooovvvee!
Hixie Carr says
11 months now and learning so much.
Keisha McRae Covington says
I’m having some hair loss dealing with two textures of hair but im hanging on. I will not let my natural journey defeat me…. No not this time. Loving my nappy. Just wish it was nappy all over. I never thought the day would come that those words would come out of my mouth.
Deloris D. Nixon says
It sure doesn’t. I’ve been natural for 9 years and didn’t learn anything except what works for my hair to give me a nice style. I’ve learned so much in these last few months from several facebook pages.
Wendy Bray says
At times I want to buy a box of perm off the shelf and straighten it but I am happy its growing
Rhonda Thomas says
I feel you. 🙂
Misha Mustbejelly Tague says
Really new,old, who gives a rat’s ass we all know what it is like to forget to twist your hair at night and then wake up in the morning and say wth am I going to do wit this hair. I don’t care if you’ve been natural all your life or you decided yesterday. Peace, love and coconut grease 🙂 🙂 🙂
Denise Omari says
My whole life and I still don’t know a thing! You learn everyday if you’re open to it!
Jazzy Jae Lewis says
About 2 years now
Olivia R. Johnson says
1 year 2 months LOVE IT!! At first I hated my hair without straightening it, but after going natural I feel so liberated and learned a lot of great things.. my confidence is also through the roof! I didn’t like how I felt I had to look a certain way to be beautiful but this hair is what God gave me and I’ve truly embraced it! It’s a great experience
Andrea Simpson-Jones says
@ Leondra ImOut Borders the pic is not NECESSARILY backwards…it just depends on what judgements or assumptions you are making about the pictures and the women. The first pic could be a woman who has recently transitioned, just cut off her relaxed hair and now doesn’t really know what else to do with it but wear it (happily) in an afro. The second lady looks like she has knowledge of moisturizing, twist-outs, etc and she may not be smiling because the novelty has worn off plus she didn’t realize being natural required so much upkeep – that’s enough to wipe the smile off ya’ face!
Deyana Hopkins says
Yes cause I have been natural for 8yrs and still learning
Peachey Lynn says
I’ve been natural since 2010 and my hair have be so healthy and got longer and longer infill I dyed it red and now all he dye broke off but my new growth is as healthy as ever morrow of my story I found out that me and chemicals period dnt mix imma stick to my normal routine
Peachey Lynn says
And most woman newly natural can’t deal with the shrinkage but hey once u get a blow out u will definitely see the results
Connie Lee-Radford says
“WE” criticize one another about EVERYthing when comes to personal choices…i.e. what we each prefer. Can we just respect another woman’s personal preferences and leave it at…? If a woman wants to rock a relaxer she should be free to do so. I’m natural and have been for some time and wouldn’t dare put down a sista for doing what she wants to do with HER own hair. #PeaceAndLove #EachOneTeachOne
Maybell Lena Killion says
It does NOT dictate how much you know because some people have been natural for years and still don’t know sh*t! I have been natural for 4 yrs and even before I decided to transition, I researched EVERYTHING! I was ready!!!
Malakah Angellia Gladston says
Lol I was natural for almost 2 years before I even knew that I was supposed to use conditioners in my hair or oil for that matter lol
Aliyah Morrison says
I’m a year natural and I already have people asking me for advice on their natural hair . Asking me how do I get my curls or what products I use . It’s amazing because I never experienced this before when I had permed hair .