NWR: Going "Natural"

tyboyd · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_nwr-going-natural?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:ce279ef2-1202-4ab5-b73e-30520d53bdf8Post:041e91e5-a721-4abc-a74a-4298914d61b1">Re: NWR: Going "Natural"</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm late as usual (lol) but I've been natural for almost a year and a half now (this time). I had no choice but to cut all my hair off because of a bad coloring/relaxer experience. I started with a twa then moved up to micros but got tired of always worrying about the braids at the temple popping off. I finally found my savior about 4 months ago and have been hooked on 2-strand twists ever since. My fiance actually suggest I go to her and I'm hooked on her personal hair crack product she makes. My hair has grown like weeds and I'm loving it. I told her I wanted to stay natural AT LEAST until I get married but now I can't see doing anything else but natural. I think it was easier for me because FI said he liked it best because there was no "extra" hair, it was all me. <font class="Apple-style-span" color="#FF0000"><strong> But I will say for a white guy, he knows his way around a hair shop, as many times as I've taken him to get hair for myself or my daughter!!</strong></font> I SO want to try a Dominican Blowout but I'm scared. It looks like so much heat is put on your hair. Am I wrong about that?
Posted by happe2gether[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>LOL! My FI buys all my hair. I didn't know anything about weave until I met him!</div><div>
</div><div>And funny you mention this Dominican blow out... I just pulled a vid of it off of You Tube. I'll post it.</div>

chayb87 · November 2010

I have been natural for almost 3 years now and I had been through times where I was so frustrated that I wanted to relax it, but I stuck it out and now I love my hair more than ever and it is the longest it's ever been! It is so versatile, I can wear it straight one day, in a twist out the next, and then a puff or something the next day! I say do what is best for you. I originally stopped relaxing because I didn't know what I was doing with my hair lol and it was breaking off so bad. I started frequenting those sites Cincy posted and now I know how to manage my hair, but I don't think I'll ever go back to relaxers. I transitioned from relaxed to natural for about 2 years, so I didn't have to cut my hair off. So, you don't have to cut all your hair off if you don't want to, but it will take some extra care to deal with the 2 textures.

csuperstar02 · November 2010

Pulling up the rear, but there are alternatives to 'going Natural'. You can have healthy, relaxed hair.
I started on my Healthy Hair Journey on July 2, 2010. I am addicted to sites like the one Cincy (I think that's who it was) mentioned as well as these two.

Hairlista

Kiss

runningbride80 · November 2010

I've been natural for almost 6 years now and love it. Started wearing my hair curly one summer because it was so much easier and just never relaxed it again. This time of year, I wear it straight a lot...even more so now that I chopped off 6+ inches. But during the summer between the humidity and sweating like a crazy person, I am a much happier person when I can wash, put my styling gel and go.

kiyamurph · November 2010

I know I'm late to the party, but I've been natural for a year now. I had micros for a year, and then when I finally took them out and left them out, I decided to start getting my hair pressed instead of a relaxer, so I never did the big chop. I will NEVER go back to a relaxer because I've noticed a huge difference in my hair. I never realized how stringy my hair was from a relaxer until now. I still have a couple inches of relaxed hair on the ends that I'll get cut off next week and there's a major difference between my natural hair and the relaxed ends. My hair is so much more thick and healthy. I had to stop getting relaxers because I always had major breakage in the back of my hair. I haven't been able to wear the natural styles because of the relaxed ends, but once I get that cut off I'll start wearing my natural curl. When going natural, youtube is your best friend! There's all kinds of tutorials and lots of girls who'll try products and give honest reviews.

cuddleberry · November 2010

I am a creamy crackhead after being natural just last year. I only relax my hair every 8-10 weeks. I wash my hair every week and alternate weeks Nioxin (system 7 I think) and Co-wash and I use coconut oil in my hair. Last November when I relaxed my hair was about 3 inches long. Now its shoulder length. I couldn't deal with my natural texture, (pen spring curls) so back to the crack I went! I'm happy with my hair now. I will continue to weave it until I achieve the length I desire (mid back). Cant wait for my sew in LOL!!

shesheduke · November 2010

Super duper late but I had to put my home computer in the shop last night and for some reason I couldn't post using my phone.

Nevertheless I have been creamy crack free for 5 years now and I love it. My hair is much healthier since I let it go. I do have a nappier grade of hair so summer are not my friend. I go straight sew in from April til October every year to avoid the afro that results from the summer heat.

This October when I tool out my sew in I decided to try a new thing called a Keratin treatment. I know there has been a lot of buzz around this treatment since a lot of the products out have formaldehyde in them but if you do your research you can find some without. I love my keratin treatment. My hair is a lot more manageable and since I am a chronic head sweater I don't have to worry about having a fro because my hair doesn't kink up since I got the treatment.

I don't know if it will work as well in the summer as it is right now but I will give it a try and if not I will just go to my sew in.

QueenFromQueenz · November 2010

I've put in my last perm this June. Been wearing quick weaves/27 pieces since then.
Today my hair is half perm, half new growth but I must note that my hair was cut short in March and it's slowly growing back.

As long as the Dominicans keep doing their thing there is no reason for me to ever use another perm. But we shall see...

WeddingFashionista · November 2010

Going natural has been the best thing for me. I haven't relaxed my hair for about 3 years. At first it was a hassel trying to find the right products that would work well with my hair. But now it's a breeze. I use all aphogee products, it works wonders.

banks69 · November 2010

During my "in-between" moments I weaved and braided my hair. I know some people say that braids break your hair off, but I've never had that problem - just keep your hair hydrated and you'll be OK.

bcbsbride · November 2010

I went natural a year and half ago, but I have always kept it cut short. I have not gotten my hair cut in the past 3 months , because I'm letting grow for our wedding. I love my natural hair. Now I don't have to worry about sitting in a salon all day on Saturdays any more.