Never-ending Hair Journey, Part II

I cut my hair in October of 2011, halfway through my first semester in college.  It was a big decision, but I decided to get it over with then because I did not have the patience for two textures.

 

In the beginning, I did a lot of wash-and-go's while my hair was still pretty short.  As it grew out, I began braiding it.

 

And braiding some more.

 

And some more.

 

I became obsessed with braiding.  Braiding was fun.  I loved how creative I could be with my styles and to this day challenge myself to try styles that no one else is wearing at the moment.  However, braiding was also necessary--at least I felt it was early on--because of my inability to style my own hair at that length and the fact that my mother hated my hair in a TWA.  Braiding it distracted her from my natural hair and kept the negative comments at bay until the next time I took the braids out.

 

My hair has grown significantly longer in the past almost 2 years since I cut it, but reflecting on the journey to natural hair, I feel that even now, two and a half years post-relaxer, I am still transitioning.

 

I've made the major transition from processed to natural hair, but I'm still not content with my hair. I mean, don't get me wrong, I do love my curls, but I'm ready for it to be longer, for my fro to be bigger and bushier.  For that reason, I still treat my hair like I'm transitioning, keeping it in braids or under a wig most of the time.

 

Although we don't typically call it transitioning, I feel that if you are taking steps to any type of hair goal, you are TRANSITIONING.  Even if you've been natural your entire life and are changing your habits to reap some different results with your hair, until you reach that goal, you are transitioning. 

 

That's why I say that I'm on a never-ending hair journey.  Our hair is so special…  It's like it's living its own life up there on top of our heads.  Going natural is not the end of that journey.  It's not for me, and for the health of your hair, I hope your journey doesn't stop there either.

--JoAnn

Never-ending Hair Journey

My own hair journey started out with little thought or planning. Or maybe it's because I wasn't very vain in the first place, so I wasn't too worried about what my hair was looking like. Either way, my decision to transition wasn't life-changing or noteworthy. I never had super long hair to begin with so it wasn't significant enough to go making a YouTube video about, or even worth some super long blog post about it.

 

Before I started transitioning, I noticed that a lot of my friends had been transitioning for a while and were just starting to show off their natural hair.  I thought their hair was absolutely gorgeous.  And I thought my own thinned-out, relaxed hair was not too cute.  Especially given that I was still recovering from hair loss as a result of multiple bad chemical burns, my hair looked a hot mess, to put it simply.

 

At the turn of the new year, after experimenting with cutting my own hair to see what it would feel like--to see if I was one of those girls who feels so attached to her hair that she would be devastated to cut it--I finally decided it would be in the best interest of my hair to go natural.  Of course, I went and got a relaxer a week later to please my mother, since she hated the idea of going natural and I myself wasn't firm enough in my conviction to stand up to her and avoid a perm.  However, after that last relaxer, I finally made up my mind for sure that I never wanted to relax my hair again.

 

Okay, so here's the actual transitioning story:

 

I transitioned for 9 months--January to October.  I had no technique to it.  I just got my hair done when my mom started complaining that I looked a mess and had something important coming up.  Given the time period, those special events were my high school graduation party and going away to college, so in between those events, I didn't really try too hard to manage my hair and treat all special and stuff like most naturals and transitioners try to do.  Toward the end of October, when taking out a set of braids, on a whim I just decided to big chop. I knew my mom would kill me if I did it at home, so while away at school I just did it.  And it felt so liberating!

 

I cut my processed hair off, but it doesn't end there!  I'll return tomorrow with part 2 of my never-ending hair journey.

--JoAnn

Daily Regime

Hello UntouchMyHair readers! Okay I have been SUPERR busy trying to get financial aid and other things ready to start my senior year at Florida A&M ! Yayy! Okay so, I would like to discuss with you guys the products I use almost everyday and how I use them! I would also like to give you all a quick run down of my weekly wash schedule and everyday regime.

REGIME: 

I style my hair every night either two strand twist, bantu knots, flat-twist or I will put flix-rods in them. I wash my hair everyWednesday- the first three Wednesdays of the month I will co-wash with my hair with Tresemme Naturals Silicone Free Conditioner or Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Calming Conditioner and the last Wednesday I will wash with Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo then I will Deep Condition using a homade deep conditioner ofHoney, Sugar Free/Plain Yogurt, Your favorite Leave-in (If you want to turn this deep conditioner into a protein conditioner add a raw egg to the mixture). I will leave the deep conditioner in for 30 minutes with a plastica shower cap and towel over my head then rinse out, then I will style after. 

STYLING:

Depending on how much energy I have, I will section my hair in four equal parts using Goody Ouchless Hairbands or clips. I apply a leave-in conditioner to each section then I will detangle using a wide teeth comb or denman brush, being gentle with the ends of my hair. I will seal my hair with either Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil, Castor Oil or Africa's Best Herbal Oil (My Favorite!!). I will allow my hair to dry a little because If I style it right away my hair will still be wet in the morning, then frizz will come and we don't want that! Once it's dryed a little I will style my hair whatever way I like using a little Eco- Styling Gel. I put on my satin scarf and in the morning put a little Coconut oil in my hair then set my hair.

PRODUCTS:

 Shampoo:  

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo

Conditioner:

Tresemme Naturals Silicon Free Conditioner

Giovanni 50:50 Balance Hydrating Calming Conditioner

Leave-In's/Moisturizers:

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave In Conditioner

Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream

Homemade Leave In in Spray bottle (Water, EVOO, Vitamin E Oil, Your favorite conditioner)

Spray Bottle's (EVOO/Water, Aloe Vera Juice/Water, or just plain water)

Oils:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

Unrefined Coconut Oil

Castor Oil

Africa's Best Herbal Oil

Gels:

Eco-Styling Gel

Ampro Olive Oil Gel

Curls Passion Fruit Control Paste

-Toni

What is good hair?

Is that your hair? Can I touch it? How did you get your hair so curly? Going natural isn't for everyone. I would go natural but my hair is nappy. You have some good hair!

These are a few statements many natural haired women hear from relaxed women. What is good hair exactly? If this was a topic of discussion among a group of friends the answers that you may receive could range anywhere from 'bi-racial hair' to 'long hair'. Which are typically associated together. In our society it seems that 'good hair' is measured in how loose your curl pattern is, when in all actuality it is measured in how healthy your hair is.

It piqued my interest when I noticed that the average person who has returned to their natural state is more concerned with their hair growing long than they are with their hair being healthy.  One of the main reasons why newly naturals are so confused about their natural hair and sometimes discouraged is because although there are a variety of women with different hair textures w/ helpful hair blogs, they all seem to chase after the same goal--perfect curl definition. 

Twist outs, braid outs, flat twists, Bantu knots the list can go on.  How many times have you had an amazing twist out result one day only to be discouraged the next morning because you didn't feel like 'retwisting' your hair? Do you manipulate your curl pattern because you like the achieved style or because you aren't comfortable with your own texture? 

I'm not into the whole hair typing thing. Although they can be similar, no two head of curls are the same. Some women will actually be offended and ready to fight if you classify them in the 4 category. You'd think they just had a relaxer and got pushed in a public pool. Which is the strangest thing to me. We are supposed to be helping build one another up. Not placing different burdens with the same weight. Accepting your hair the way it is, is the only way that you are going to be comfortable being natural and truly enjoy this journey. 

-Piper

Good Bad and Ugly

I can remember sitting in the barber shop. The room filled w/ men, the only exception me and my mother. It actually had the atmosphere of your typical salon just masculine. I sat there listening to the men discuss football, girls and shoes while I waited to be called next to the chair. I sat there examining the man my friend was shaping up. He was a little cutie. Especially with his fresh cut fade. Which of course made me wonder how I'd look after I got up from that very same chair. Would I even still look like a girl? Maybe this is a mistake my hair doesn't look that bad. I say looking into a mirror hanging on the wall. Oh yes it does honey. I admit to myself.  

Finally it was my turn. I sat in the chair looking at my damaged choppy looking hair. There's no point in trying to save the length. My friend Steve was so excited that I had decided to go natural. He's been telling me that a short style would look great on me. His friendly way of telling me my hair is fried perhaps? I half engaged in conversation with him while I sat turned away from the mirror and he took a pair of clippers to my head. I just knew I was going to look like a boy! I'm 5'10 w/ side burns. Ugh. I felt so embarrassed being watched by literally every guy in the barber shop. 

When he finally finished and turned me around the girl I saw in the mirror frightened me. It was definitely me but this could not be my head. This little fuzz ball. I looked like a boy. The compliments coming from my mom and Steve as well as some bystanders floated through one ear out of the other. The only thing my mind was focusing on was this drag queen reflecting back in the mirror. Tears crept into my eyes. What did I just do? 

Steve looked me dead in the eye and told me that I looked beautiful and that my hair cut was bold. 'you're going to get a lot of attention girl so you better own it.'  After I left the shop I felt like everyone was looking at me and they were. I got a lot of compliments on my TWA ! I actually felt really pretty. I still had some insecurity of course. I never really got used to not being able to style my hair. It was nice though. . .while it lasted. Not having to do anything to it, simply wet it and call it a day. 

Many natural say that when they BC'd they were in a state of shock. A shock indeed it was, but it was the beginning of something wonderful. 

I know a lot of people choose to go the big chop route. Many transition. Whatever route you chose to go natural it won't be easy. Its a learning experience. I guess that's why they call this a journey. 

Tell me about your transition into natural hair!

-Piper

Loc Hair Care: Simplified

Loc Hair Care:  Simplified.

                The decision to go natural and later to loc your hair, is not a decision that one enters into lightly.  There are many things to consider when you decide to loc your hair; what products do I use, what size do I want my locs to be, will I use a loctician, what does free form mean?  A person can easily become overwhelmed trying to navigate through all of the information that is available on locs.  While everyone's journey is their own, there are two things that I feel are universal truths; one, you have to figure out what works best for YOUR hair and two, healthy locs are achieved by maintaining clean locs and moisturizing.  There are a million and one videos, blogs, and websites dedicated to loc hair care, product reviews, and tips.  I realize that I'm pretty much a "baby dread" but I have come to the realization that loc hair care has become too convoluted and difficult.  In a nutshell, water, a sulfate and paraben-free shampoo, and oils will be your best friends. 

Water

                Water is probably one of the most important things you will need to maintain a healthy set of locs.  When water is applied to your hair it is absorbed by the cuticle layer of your hair strand.  The cuticle layer is the outermost layer of the hair shaft and our hair's first line of defense.   Water provides the means for the necessary hydrogen bonding between hair fibers to occur that is essential for the maintenance of hair strength, elasticity and integrity. Without this, the hair becomes thin, frizzy, and much more prone to permanent damage and breakage.  In my opinion, it is equally important to increase your daily water intake into your body.  It not only aids in improving bodily functions, maintaining healthy skin, but also provides moisture to your locs from the inside out. 

Shampoo

I know you might be wondering "what is a sulfate and paraben-free shampoo?"  If you are like me and are fully embracing all things natural ever since you transitioned to Team Dread, then using things free of as many chemicals as you can is of huge importance.  Parabens and sulfates are chemicals used in many shampoos today.  Parabens act as a preservative that inhibits bacteria growth, therefore prolonging the shelf life of products.  Parabens contribute hair problems such as the deterioration of the hair follicles caused by the removal of the protective cuticle.  Parabens have also been linked to breast cancer.  Sulfates attract and then break dirt on the hair and scalp.  However, studies have shown that sulfates have been linked to eye damage, hair loss, hair thinning, deteriorates the hair follicle, and slows hair growth.  Sulfates have also been found to be toxic and a skin irritant.  (For more information, see http://www.topsulfatefreeshampoo.com/why-use-paraben-free-and-sulfate-free-shampoo/).  As we have already seen the importance of water in the strengthening of your hair shaft and follicles, it would be counterproductive to use products containing chemicals that aid in the deterioration and damage of the very hair follicles we are trying to strengthen.  

Oils

                I have used a few products since loc'ing my hair that promised to be natural and loaded with natural oils.  In reality, these products are full of chemicals and the natural oil in the product is virtually non-existent.  Why use a product containing the oil when we can go straight to the source and use the actual oil?  Oils are important because once the water has been absorbed by the hair, oils act to seal in the moisture from the water.  Oils also give your hair shine, aid in hair growth by stimulating the scalp, and keeps hair from becoming dry and brittle.  The four most important oils for natural hair and loc'ers are Tea Tree Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, and Grapeseed Oil.  (For more information, see http://blackgirllonghair.com/2012/06/4-cheap-oils-that-work-incredibly-well/).  Tea tree oil is strong and it is recommended that you mix a few drops with water prior to applying to your hair.  Tea tree oil can be used right after shampooing or as part of a daily spray/mist.  Tea tree is my favorite oil because it is antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral.  Tea tree oil also sooths itchy scalp, eliminates dandruff, and unblocks hair follicles.  Coconut and Olive Oil can also be used to moisturize and condition your scalp as part of a hot oil treatment.  There is no need to spend unnecessary money on hot oil treatments full of unrecognizable chemicals when you can simply heat some coconut and/or olive oil and apply to your hair directly.    Grapeseed oil is high in vitamin E which also aids in hair growth and healthy hair.  When purchasing oils, make sure the oils are unrefined, virgin/extra virgin, and/or cold pressed.  Cold pressed oil is obtained through pressing and grinding fruit or seeds.  The temperature must not rise above 120°F (49°C) for any oil to be considered cold pressed. Cold pressed oils retain all of their flavor, aroma, and nutritional value.  These oils are not only good for your hair but have the added benefit of improving the look and appearance of your skin.   

-Shaun Scott