My Natural Hair Journey

From a very young age, I got my hair hot combed (straightened). As early as 6 I was getting the "Just For Me" perms from the box and for a long time I didn't know what my hair really looked like.

When I started making better choices in my eating and become overall more health conscious, I couldn't help but being bothered by putting harsh chemicals on my hair. I felt like I should stop getting perms, but what in the world was I supposed to do with my hair?!

Since natural hair is so different from chemically treated hair, there is really no way to answer that question before chopping all of the the relaxed hair off. Well I had seem women with really cute short natural styles, but I didn't know what my hair looked like underneath and I wasn't confident enough to rock it if it wasn't extra cute!

My last perm was April 24th of 2008 and after that I flat ironed my hair. I asked my hairstylist to trim my permed hair as my roots grew out. So for every inch of new growth I got, I cut an inched of permed hair . A year later my relaxer was almost completely gone and I did the "Big Chop" (which wasn't so big after all because I was cutting all along).

I have not looked back. I love my hair! I received a lot of negative comments "I like your hair straight" "Why in the world would you do that to your hair. It's so beautiful when you perm it" and my Aunt just flat out told me "I do NOT like your hair like that and you need to get a perm or do something!" Now I'm the kind of person that would have buckled under the pressure. The thing that kept me is that my mind was already made up and I knew exactly why I was doing what I was doing.

I must embrace me and that includes my hair. My hair is the healthiest that is has ever been and I get far more compliments than I do negative comments.

So if you are thinking of going natural, first know why and stay committed. Do research and find products that work for your hair. ALL natural hair is different. Even on my head I have at least 3 different types of hair. Know that God made you beautiful!

Going Natural Hair Update

Today marks 10 weeks since I've had a relaxer. It's going better than I expected it would. I went yesterday to have my hair washed, conditioned and trimmed. I told my hair stylist that I didn't want to do the "big chop" but that I wanted to just continue to cut until all my perm was gone. He said I had about an inch and a half of new growth, and he probably cut that much of my relaxed hair off. It's been a long time since my hair was this short (I'll update my profile picture soon), but I'm enjoying being on my way to being relaxer free. Oh the simple pleasures in life. :-)

Beauty Shop

This morning I took Jasmine to get her hair washed and conditioned. I'm hoping that she will fall in love with the texture of her hair and never perm it. I wish I had never permed mine and am trying to build up the courage to grow it out. It's been 6 weeks. Let's see if I can make it to 12!

The first time I took Jasmine to the beauty shop, she got her hair washed and flat ironed. Of course I forgot to take my camera. I had it all ready for today's visit and left it on the counter! So I took some pictures when I got home. I love this little style for her. It's braided in the front and

afro puffs in the back. She loves it!!

Christopher wanted to join in the fun as well.