All Natural!

So I just realized that I have not had a relaxer in my hair for over a year!  That's right folks, I am all natural!  I may have a few 1/2 inch spots where the relaxer is being stubborn and hasn't been cut off but other than that the relaxer is all gone.

Many people are surprised to hear that I'm natural because on a good day my hair still looks permed.  It's definitely been a LONG journey of trial and error, but after a year I am finally able to get my hair to look as good as when I pay my hair stylist to do it!

Many people ask me:

Why did you decided to go natural?  When I was pregnant, they suggested I not get relaxers because they don't know effect of harsh chemicals on a growing fetus.  I got 2 relaxers while I was pregnant (2nd and 3rd trimester) and when she was born I figured if it wasn't good for her while she was in the womb, it probably wasn't good while I was nursing, and it was certainly not good for my overall health...  Plus, having to drag a baby to a hair salon and go through the "relaxing process" was kind of difficult.

How did you do it? I obviously opted for the longer route and did not do the "big chop".  I have been getting a wash and blowout for the past year and she flattens my hair with a flat iron.  She used deep conditioners and trimmed the ends at every appointment.  Surprisingly enough it wasn't hard to do at all and my hair still looks like I have a perm... until the humid days.

Is your hair easier to manage?  Not really.  It's about the same.  I still have to wash, blow, and flat iron.  I have to be mindful of the weather and watch for the super humid and rainy days.  My trips to the hair stylist are shorter (1-2 hours) but more frequent at the moment because I'm trying to keep my hair healthy as I transition.  I'm going to be more adventurous and try more natural styles since I have learned how to manage new hair.

My recommendations:  If you are ready to go natural make sure you are truly up for the challenge.  Whether you go cold turkey and do the "big chop" or take the long, scenic route you are bound for a few bumps in the road.  Don't get discouraged when your hair looks dry or you get it nice and straight only to have it curl/poof up when you step outside.  You will get over the "girl in need of a relaxer stage" and your hair will get used to the new growth.  It's like starting over again and you have to re-train your hair. 

If you are taking the scenic route like I did, make sure you have a good, commercial grade blow dryer and flat iron.  I am currently using a yellow bird blow dryer and I just got a GVP flat iron.  They both seem to be working well for me.

At any rate, I'm glad I made the decision to go natural and I thank my mom for encouraging me (and going through the process first!).  Its been tough changing my ideas about what makes black hair beautiful and I'm learning to embrace the kinky curls God blessed me with!