The Big Cut ----- 100% Natural!

Pre Hair cut
 There have been some big changes going on over here in my life.  In October of 2010, I decided to go natural.  No more relaxers for me!  Now I still color my hair, I’ll never stop doing that but it’s the end of the creamy crack for me.  I must admit, I’m one of those chicks who hates short hair, so I just opted to just let it grow out and try to camouflage the new growth and the relaxed hair.  I was getting pretty good at it.  I became an expert on flat twists and Bantu knots.  On occasion, I would flat iron my hair straight and I was so proud on how long it was. 

I then noticed that the relaxed hair wouldn’t keep a curl as long as the natural hair would and it often would look like a tangled mess.   I figured I needed to make the big chop and I did! My mom, my aunt and I all went to get our hair did, and wow!  This is 7 months of new growth and I love it.  I found out last night I still can do twists and knots with my hair.  I’ve been getting so many complements on it.  I can’t stop taking pics of myself.

MakeUp is the bomb too!

I know eventually I’ll do some braids and weave, but it’s my hair and I can do what I want to it!

My Natural Hair Care Journey

Hi... my name is lalaG and I am addicted to the creamy crack.  Creamy Crack?  For those who are not hip to the term, creamy crack is relaxers. I have been relaxing my hair since middle school. Every six weeks, I would subject myself to what I realize now is hell on earth by putting chemicals on my head.  For a while now I said I would never stop relaxing my hair. I loved the straightness that would come after putting on the relaxer and loving all the things I thought I could do with my hair.

Then in October of 2010, I had my last relaxer. I honestly cannot tell you why I just stopped. Maybe it was I was just tired of every six weeks of buying a relaxer and putting on or getting tired of the burns on my scalp when I scratched my scalp before relaxing.  Maybe I’m just lazy and found it easier to just wash and let air dry and go.

At first I was doing just the wash and go, but I get bored really quickly with one hairstyle and I almost fell off the wagon and thought about relaxing again, but that all changed. I started doing a little research on the internet about natural hair style and transition videos. I pretty much already knew that I didn’t want dreads; it’s just not something for me and to each his own.  I have spent weeks and weeks practicing on what to do with my hair.  Yes sometimes I still crave the straightness that a relaxer would give me, but I just bust out the Chi flatiron and I get almost the same effect.  What’s different is that my hair is thicker and has more body with the straightness.

my hair after combing out my bantu twists/knots

I have been considering doing the big snip since I have several months of new growth  but many have rejected this idea (men mostly) and I know I will become bored with a short style and will crave the length again.  I can still do pretty much as I did before, straight styles, flips, extensions, pony tails, whatever id like, the only thing that has changed is the chemical processing.  There is one thing that will never change, my love for hair color. I could never stop that. 

I'll never go back to the creamy crack

Goin' back to your natural state...

When one says that they want to go back to having natural hair, what does that really mean?Well its hair that is no longer chemically straightened or “relaxed.”  There are two options in making the transition back to natural hair. You can chop all your hair off and start over or just go with the flow and have your new growth and your relaxed hair.  If you choose option two, then be prepared for some breakage because you have hair that has been damaged by processing and new growth which is stronger and not damaged.  There are several ways to help the transition to natural hair

•    Braids or a sew in weave- these are the easiest of the two options because it hides your hair during the transition phase.  Just be careful, the wrong kind of braids will create even more breakage. Also braids are good for those who do the big chop. Just remember you do have to have a certain amount of hair in order to braid your hair.

•    Mini fro- for those who want to make the big snip, a mini fro is what you will have when you start over. The mini fro is awwwesome. I like to see the girls who dye their hair different colors like Chrisette Michelle. So cute!

•    Comb or two- strand twists- very easy and simple to do, and can be worn for several days before having to re-twist. If your hair is left like this too long, then the hair will lock (unless that’s what you want to happen) so take it down on occasion.

•    The crinkle look- this can be achieved a few ways. Either with braids that you do yourself and wear for a couple of days and then take them down or (like I do) wash you hair and scrunch and dry. You can do the twisted braid or the three strand braid.
There are many of different ways that you can ease your transition back to natural hair. These are just a few ideas and if you want more in-depth ideas, just do a little research and see what best for you.
lalaG