Natural Hair Journey what to expect
What can I expect in my natural hair journey?
What you can expect from your natural hair journey in 2012 will probably not be the same as someone else's journey due to the fact that peoples reasons for going natural are different.
You will hear many reasons for going natural and deciding to stop relaxing ones hair with chemicals or hair dyes, its just a choice that is more of a lifestyle and for some its a movement of change where woman of color start to realize they have more control over what goes in and on their bodies either with skin care products or hair care products.
Going natural is also a spiritual journey of letting go of self hatred and low self esteem, its about accepting one self in its true beauty without regard to others preconceived views of what beauty is.
- Are all natural hair journeys the same?
My natural hair journey will not be like yours, because of the struggles I may have faced that has shaped me into the person I am today, that is why it is a journey because through it all you will still have ups and downs.
- The wake up call
Now there is a natural process to a natural hair journey, starting with an awareness that something is not right about polluting the body with harmful chemicals,
Then it leads to research, reading about other peoples hair experiences,
Looking through loads of photos or videos of hairstyles and reading about how one has transitioned from a perm or relaxer or looking at pictures of what they used to look like with straight hair.
- Learning about your hair
Next you will start to experiment with your hair first with a little of resistance either continuing to wear a weave, wig or straight hair while you try and grow out the perm without fully committing to a all natural Afro.
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Trying new natural hairstyles
Once you get some growth and length then you try some of the two strand twists hairstyles along with the braid outs and twist outs. Once you get a little braver you decide you want to actually wear a Afro puff.
The length of your hair will determine the type of hairstyle that will work the best, for instance those who get the big chop usually only have a few inches of hair so they usually wear a wash and go and style with a hair gel.
Then the hair will start to grow longer when it is about ear length it will be easier to wear twists and braid outs, some even find they can get 2nd and 3rd day hair without having to re-twist the hair.
Now as the hair gets to the length of the neck, it is easier to put hair in protective hairstyles with braids, two-strand twists and up do hair. It will look best with accessories such as scarfs and hair bands.
Most natural hair girls are experiencing amazing growth past their shoulders and when this happens the products that you found to work really well can now have the opposite effect.
Experienced curly girls suggest switching to organic and products that require less usage, such as aloe vera gel, and essential oils.
As your hair grows from proper care your goal is to maintain and preserve the ends to keep the length you have. Then protective hairstyles for 2012 will have to be your staple to keep the hair healthy.
Natural Hair Journey
The natural process of any hair journey
- First love of your natural curls
Next you will probably decide to put braids in your hair while it grows out and the fascination you experience each time you take the braids down to be redone is the beauty of your natural curl pattern, its nice, its shiny.
Then you continue to visit hair forums and listen to other beautiful natural hair wearers talk about how happy they are that they made the change and what types of reaction they are getting from friends and family.
- Taking the step to the big chop
Then you decide its time for the big chop, you really are not ready but you say what the heck and you go for it.
You have your friend or stylist chop off all the perm and now you are left with a TWA tiny little Afro. Its cute you are surprised at how much you actually like it.
- Trying natural haircare products
So you start trying different natural haircare products from Miss Jessie's, Karen's Body Beautiful, Kinky Curly and follow helpful suggestions from the many advocates of natural hairstyles on YouTube.
Wearing longer natural curls changes curl pattern
- The reaction from others
The response you get at work is mixed, now you finally feel the full affect of being different, standing out and not fitting in, you even face a little criticism from your closest friends, Hey why are so many people opposed to you wearing your hair natural and kinky?. You will go through some soul searching this will test your faith and your belief in yourself.
- Questions to think about
Can you handle the pressure? Will you continue despite the odds against you? How do you feel now that the men who used to find you attractive now have lost interest? Will you just throw up your hands and say forget it and put back on the wig or start straightening your hair again?
- What it all means in the end
See that is how your natural hair journey will be different from others who experience these types of issues and setbacks, some it makes them stronger and more solid in their convictions, for others it causes them to not really want to live so boldly.
Either way however you choose, just know that there is no right or wrong way, or good or bad. Its about how you feel about yourself inside and how you want to share and express that confidence to others.
Like they say "do you", whether straight, kinky, weaved, or not. Its not about HOW you get there, its just about GETTING there! no matter what your journey is.
Comments
roro I am glad u found the info useful, great success to ur natural journey.
Hi,interesting article. I am just getting used to having grey hair. I am of the afro generation, and I loved it. I now have braids. I am thinking of going with a more natural look now that I am no longer out in work force.
thats great, your hair will be healthier and stronger too, it just takes getting used to the shrinkage and the days when your hair wants to do its own style. LOL
The article was great... I've finally decided to go natural. I thought about it for at least two years. I just needed to get over wanting to please everyone else with my looks. I now feel the urge to please myself. And I am loving it........I'm still battling the twa.. So right now I'm doing the curly weaves while my hair is in the growing process..
Thats great latonya, you will be surprised at the versatility you will have with your hair now, and the learning process continues each day. thanks for sharing your experience with us.
I'm really thinking of going natural. I've gone about a month with no relaxer. I'm in the research mode and I want to know how often should natural hair be washed and conditioned? Also I think the reason I've stayed with salons and the straightening process so long is because I have no idea how to braid (at least not cornrow braiding). Are there styling options that either require little braiding or maybe twisting that I could get info on, while my hair is transitioning. What does braid out & twist out mean & how do you do it?
so yeah im 16 and i think...i know i want 2 go natural...one day i was looking @ my new growth and wonder...whats wrong with my hair that i have 2 keep straighting it...i mean my hair grow fast and i know that it could b long if i didnt keep getting perms(cuz perms keep breaking off my hair) i know its goin 2 b hard but i think if i like me ....than others should 2 xp
I'm transitioning and I'm anticipating all of the many stages that are before me. I'm convinced that the journey will be fulfilling and that God has some things to teach me about myself through this process. This website is super helpful. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
T you will be amazed at how your hair shows you things about yourself, such as being able to adjust to all types of situations, it will teach you patience as well as the wonderful skill of openness.
hi i need help finding good products for my hair... plz help
It depends on the texture of your hair hon...But I can say this. Try a shampoo without Sulfate and a conditioner with extra moisture, . Always Deep condition using Heat, , always apply a leave-in (not regular conditioner), use a detangler and let it air dry. Moisturize with water and your choice of oi daily. Always prseve your ends as much as possible.
Most Important: Ph balance- Use products with a Ph of around 4 and 5. Remembr, it's not actually the produt but the way you maintain and contol your mane. Good Luck
I've been natural for a little over a year now, so I still have a lot to learn. I do still have break downs when I'm rushing trying to style my hair in the morning, but become more confident when I see other African-American girls complimenting me on my natural hair. I liked your question "How do you feel now that the men who used to find you attractive now have lost interest?" I like reading stuff like this because it helps me to accept and love my natural hair more. Thank you! :)
I have just started my transition to natural hair from having a perm. I just started doing my research and want to say THANK YOU for your information. I want to know what types of products should I be using to get my hair back healthy? I will be using these products at home because there isn't a stylist where I live that specializes in natural hair care. At the present time I have micro-braids in my hair. Is is good to keep my hair braided or should I just BC and go from there? Also, how do I determine my hair type? I don't know much about hair.
motess, I was the same way after my perm I wondered how I was going to maintain it, because it was a new texture from my straight hair.
Some products that I found to be really good were, coconut oil, aloe vera gel, olive oil, and shea butter.
You do not need to use them all at once but just switch off between them along with a rich creamy leave in conditioner will give you great curl definition.
It is a good idea to start choosing protective hairstyles that will protect your natural hair as you are transitioning so that it will not lead to more breakage.
The website that has a good chart on hair type is at
naturallycurly.com/hair-types
They show what the curl pattern looks like for: Type 2a hair, Type 2b hair, Type 2c hair, Type 3a hair, Type 3b hair, Type 3c hair, Type 4a hair and Type 4b hair.
Just remember that your hair type will change as it starts to grow and as you start to use moisturizing hair products, some say that they actually see their curl pattern getting looser over time.
I have been without a relaxer/perm for two years,utilizing the braids,kinky twists,and the beloved hair scarfs to regain the original texture and beauty of my natural hair,and now with much delight me and my hair are at our happiest,proudly wearing the afro!!!!!!!!!
That is great vergell, it will be fun to come up with new ways to wear your beautiful afro. (smile)
I've been without a perm since June of 2010. I'm really starting to appreciate my natural hair. I just wished that I never touched a perm. Well, lesson learned. Nothing but healthy thick hair in my future.
I know what you mean, it is something to learn so much about our natural hair later in life because it gets me thinking just how much hair actually grows better without the perm in it.
Great article,loads of info for people thinking about converting back to natural hair.
I've been natural for awhile but I do protective measures like braids and two-strand twist.
Thanks for sharing
It can be a challenge to go natural, especially after being straight for so many years. So with the help of natural hair forums and video sharing sites, more woman are seeing some positive results as they grow healthy hair.
Love the article....I transitioned for a year and did the BC Jan 2011....Although my hair grows fast it has grown sooooooo fast since I went natural I love it....With perm the longest my hair ever got when relaxed was a little past my bra and then would break off...I'm confident that it will be waist length in no time....
Happily Nappy :)
KC
It is amazing how much natural hair grows when it is taken care of with the right hair products.
Only reason curly girls hair looks shorter is due to the amount of shrinkage that we get from our hair texture and curl pattern.
I have literally only just made the decision to go natural at this moment as i type this (been debating for a few weeks).
please help! what do i do now?? i see all these wonderful looking natural's....the long journey scares me......will my hair actually grow ? :-(
i relaxed it last like 6weeks ago.
KAcey
It will take time for your natural hair to grow and get the look you want. It will take one day at a time, to learn everything about the natural hair journey.
Ijust had my hair cut almost bald. I had a spot on the top of my head while having a perm that actually gone bald. I said to myself I need to go and see a hair specialist but I had one more thing to try. the first of feb.2011 I decided to have my hair cut almost bald and other words cut perm out. Making this transition I can already see some growing where that spot was bald, still got long way to go. I am so happy to see my hair growing and this is only March 12 2011. I use the leave on conditioner,olive oil, and creme of nature of shampoo. I am enjoying this transition.
Thanks ann
You are proof that our hair does grow and that it is possible to have healthy hair, you will be amazed at how much stronger and fuller your hair will become in several months.
Keep us updated.
OMG! I DID MY BIG CHOP 4WKS AGO! AND I MUST SAY IM STILL TRYING TO GET USED TO IT AND EVERYONE ELSE SEEMS TO LIKE IT! MY HUSBAND IS STILL IN DISBELIEF THAT I REALLY CHOPPED IT OFF (because i didnt tell him i was going to do it) haha BUT I THINK ITS GROWING ON THE BOTH OF US! AND IM ENJOYING IT TO THE FULLEST! WHO CARES WHAT OTHERS THINK N FEEL! ITS MY HAIR AND THATS WHY I CUT IT OFF AND DIDNT TELL ANYONE! LOVING ALL THE INFO IM READING!!! TWA LOVE IT!
WoW, rara
You took a brave first step, you will be amazed at how fast your hair will grow back, so make sure to take pictures of your TWA as often as possible because before you know it you will have a big sexy afro.
Ive been natural for about a year and a half.My hair is really thick and soft,which I love..But I dont thinkI have any type of cul which is what I really look forward too.Really Im wondering does everyone have a real curl pattern &what do you use to maintain it?
I just did the big chop; and very excited. I have a question do I have to wear a protective style with TWA?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your hub and the comments from so many women who are making the decision to go natural.
I was a senior in hs in 1968 when one of my classmates decided to stop straightening her hair. She had the cutest, short Afro. I fell in love with it and from that moment knew I was going to have one too. It took almost a year for the perm to completely grow out, but as my hair is a fine grade and not very thick, the big Afro I finally grew was hard to maintain because it didn't have a lot of body. A stiff breeze would have it blowing all over the place. So I switched to a short 'fro in the mid 70s.
Today, I wear my natural hair very short, wash it daily because of the hair care product I use to give it body (Paul Mitchell Foaming Pomade - no, not very natural, but it works!). I have a healthy head of hair that grows very quickly. One thing I DON"T have that I did when I had straightened hair is dandruff. And of course, no burned scalp or hair breakage.
Great information here. Voted up and (very) useful.
roro 2 years ago
I just read your article, as I'm reading it's like everything I just went through..lol I'm glad I made the choice to go natural, I'm still learning my hair. This article and website is very helpful. Thank you