One day I woke up and wanted the relaxer gone, every piece and strand of it. I had tried so many times in my mind before, to visualize myself without the sleek straight tresses. I came up with all kinds of excuses as to why I couldn’t do it. Finally one day, I decided to do a bit of research, ask around and try to find as much information that I could about this major lifestyle change I was about to delve in to. And TRUST… it was a major lifestyle change for me. Doobie wraps, wild colors, ocean waves, sculptured ponytails only name a few styles that I rocked for years. Every 4-6 weeks, I systematically trekked to the nearest salon (or my sister’s kitchen depending on what my pockets looked like. Don’t trip!!! I know I’m not the only one. Hahah)
Looking at several sites and learning more and more about what it would be like to do my own hair as it grew naturally out of my head. I thought that transitioning would be the way to go. YEAH I was way too impatient for that. Dealing with the different textures and having it break off anyways due to the textures clashing was just too much for me. I big chopped (bc’d) while my husband was at work. Saying that he was a bit surprised when he walked in and my hair was cut really low… would be the understatement of the year. Especially since when he had left for work, it was shoulder length. I mean I didn’t just spring it on him. He knew I was going to cut it eventually, just not that day. Well, maybe I kinda did. YouTube has been a wealth of knowledge for me. I can easily find new styles that I have never seen before or link up with someone who knows the science behind hair. Either way, no matter what I am looking for, if I can’t Google it, research it in the library or on the internet… I YOUTUBE IT!!! I started making videos and with all my dealings. I haven’t kept up with it. I really should update my YouTube channel to continue to share my knowledge and journey with other people who are where I once was. Most people don’t use this golden nugget due to a variety of reasons. I am drawn to every semi-relatable channel I can get my eyes on. I don’t care if they are white, pink, purple or blue…. If there is something that I could glean from it, I’m on it!! I try to watch as many tutorials as humanly possible but man some are so long… I forget why I started watching in the first place. When things get to overwhelming, I stick to my fav 5 YT gurus: Beautiful Brown Babydoll (That child is gorgeous, she lost over 100 pounds, keep her hair fly, has science and reason to back her thoughts, and she is very humble), BlackOnyx77, Chescalocs, Taren916 and Natural 82. These ladies all have different ways of approaching they way they care for their hair. I love my fav 5!!! I have others that are really great but these are my go to’s. Hands DOWN!!!
My hair is such a special part of me. I take care to be kind to her. There is nothing I hate more than to see a raggedy head. Who cares if I am relaxed or natural? NO ONE!! A beautifully done coif is the fastest way to turn heads. My biggest fear before I had my hair cut was having raggedy edges and hair that looked like no one loved me enough to tell me I look HIT!!! So it was my main goal to keep Dominique pulled together. If all else fails, I know how to grab a wig, pull my hair into a puff, fluff out and oil my fro and…. Get a $1 turban from the dollar store. I do not play bout my hair... No ma’am. It’s a rule. THOU SHALT NOT HAVE RAGGEDY HAIR!!
Since those days, I have tried several products and had love hate relationships with them. I have learned the “language” of natural hair, how to read labels and know what I am really buying and also what works for me. It was so frustrating along each leg of the journey. There are so many different hair textures, and so many different things to pay attention to. Companies aren’t always the most honest when labeling these products. On the front label it could say 1000% natural oils but if one goes even further to read the back, there weren’t any natural oils anywhere on that joint. Petroleum, mineral oil, sulfates and etc are things that tend not to be very good for your hair but … Hey, to each its own. I choose to be kind to my hair.
Products on a person’s natural journey are vital. There are so many things to choose from. It could make your head spin. Every commercial on tv is some kind of ad for something to put on your hair. Every guru and their momma have a recipe to make your hair smoother, longer or more sensational by sunset. Then you read the label and immediately curse the owners out because it has several things that were left out. Like… any natural ingredients that they advertised on the front label. There were times when I wanted to use what “all the other naturals were using” and ended up wasting several hundred dollars. Everything is not as it seems nor is everything for everybody. Just because it worked for Sally, it doesn’t mean it will work for me. At this point, I know what works for me and I use it. When it comes to rules and all those things, I simply try it and see if my hair, which I have named Dominique, likes it. If she does, I keep it. If she doesn’t, I either toss it or give it away. I love how I don’t make this hard. I have seen people totally depressed and stressed out. I prefer not to have all that going on. I look for new styles to try. If they work, I keep practicing and tweaking it to keep it fresh. If I don’t like it, I keep it moving. Simple, huh?!?!
Products on a person’s natural journey are vital. There are so many things to choose from. It could make your head spin. Every commercial on tv is some kind of ad for something to put on your hair. Every guru and their momma have a recipe to make your hair smoother, longer or more sensational by sunset. Then you read the label and immediately curse the owners out because it has several things that were left out. Like… any natural ingredients that they advertised on the front label. There were times when I wanted to use what “all the other naturals were using” and ended up wasting several hundred dollars. Everything is not as it seems nor is everything for everybody. Just because it worked for Sally, it doesn’t mean it will work for me. At this point, I know what works for me and I use it. When it comes to rules and all those things, I simply try it and see if my hair, which I have named Dominique, likes it. If she does, I keep it. If she doesn’t, I either toss it or give it away. I love how I don’t make this hard. I have seen people totally depressed and stressed out. I prefer not to have all that going on. I look for new styles to try. If they work, I keep practicing and tweaking it to keep it fresh. If I don’t like it, I keep it moving. Simple, huh?!?!
Therefore, I want the best for all of me. Don’t get it twisted!! I love a great weave baby!! My overall goal for my hair is health over length. I am totally for whatever works. Weaves allows the individual to let their hair rest from manipulation. It has its uses if done properly. Weaves, whether sewn or glued in has pros and cons but doesn’t everything? I listen to Dominique and she definitely tells me if she doesn’t like something. I have tried products that were supposed to make my hair soft and “manageable” yet it came out extra crispy and crunchy. I don’t listen to the hype when it comes to my hair. I drink lots of water, keep a spray bottle with a few other ingredients, oil my scalp regularly and conditioner wash(cowash) with a water-based conditioner. Nothing makes hair happier than water… PERIOD. Water and hair go together like white on rice… You gotta have it.
Love, Peace and Hair Grease!!!
XOXO,
Tina
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