Why I'm Transitioning to Natural Hair?

One of the most debatable topics there is among the African-American community is 'Natural' vs. 'Relaxed' hair. I think most multicultural people, have been brainwashed to accept the Eurocentric standards of beauty. I think beauty comes in all forms, shapes, sizes, and people. As a young black woman, I think embracing my culture is a reflection of my personality. For the past two years, I have been struggling back and forth between transitioning to natural hair and going back to relaxers. This year, I was pretty much sick and tired of all the prissy high-maintenance, hair-damage-drama, and the price tag of relaxers.

I remember back in High School, all I wanted was long flowing, silky, and straight hair. I watched the success girls at my high school had from the result of relaxers. I even began spending my entire Saturday mornings/afternoons at Dominican hair salons. My hair didn't thrive well even though my hair had week to week salon treatments. My hair always had it's ups and downs with relaxers (more downs than ups).  My hair barely grew past shoulder length but it retained thickness, body, and shiny. In college, I learned more about Black hair care. I slowly began to learn that the chemicals were damaging my hair. The chemicals from receiving relaxers, did not allow my hair to grow in a healthy state. Back in 2009/2010, my hair suffered great damage from a bad relaxer. Most of my hair at the back portion and nape completely broke off down the the scalp! That was such a stressful period in my life. My damage began to grow out at the end of 2010/2011 but it still wasn't healthy enough. I began researching hair damage and reading enough I could about Black hair care. My mother began to think I was putting too much emphasis into my hair. I didn't care what anyone thought, I was on a mission for having healthier hair.

During my research, I came across many blogs that recommend product reviews for natural hair products geared towards Black or Multicultural people. The products by Shea Moisture kept popping up everywhere. Luckily, I had a Target within driving distance in my neighborhood. The first product I tried from that line was the Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Style Milk. Boy, did I fall in L-O-V-E!!! This product delivered everything I wanted and more to my hair. My hair was no longer dry and crunchy feeling. I tossed my Organic Roots Stimulator Hair Lotion in the garbage and never looked back since. Shea Moisture's products remain a staple in my current hair care regimen today. My favorite products are the Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Style Milk (short orange bottle, also mentioned above), and the Organic Raw Shea Butter, Deep Treatment, which I like to use as a deep conditioner and styler.

Karen's Body Beautiful was another great choice that helped my hair get back on track. I literally went bananas, and had a shopping spree once I was finished with a sample pack I decided to try out first. What had me hooked on KBB was the enticing variety of scents you could choose from. My favorite scent of all time is 'Vanilla Latte'. It reminds me of my favorite drink at Starbucks which none the less is... a Tall Vanilla Latte! KBB products are indescribable for me. Her products just work for my hair. I never had a bad hair day using her products yet! My favorite products are (some are not exact product names) the shampoo bar for dry, thirsty hair, Sweet Ambrosia (Hair Milk), Butter Love (like a pomade for the hair, I use this on my scalp twice a week), Heavenly Jojoba Oil, and the Luscious Locks Hair Mask.

Now time to get into the nitty gritty... Why I have chosen to go natural? This question is short sweet and simple. I like to express myself. I find that textured/curly hair works best for me. I feel sexier, confident, daring, cute, sweet, etc, when my hair has the appearance of looking 'natural'. I have spent too many years trying to manipulate my hair into looking and behaving as something it was never meant to do. I'm not knocking anyone with straight hair whether it's natural, relaxed, flat ironed, weaved, etc. If you look fly and it works for you, then DO YOU! Going natural is something I feel is long over due in my life. I never asked or wanted to have a chemical relaxer placed on my beautiful hair as a child at 13/14 years old.

I think my hair can become healthier without the chemicals. Currently, I wear my hair mostly in braid outs or buns. Before I ended a long relaxer stretch which I tried my hardest to transition, I was doing too much to my hair. Flat ironing was too much on my fine hair strands. A lot of manipulation, had led me right back to relaxing (SMH). But now I have chosen to get off the 'creamy crack' for good. Now I'm saying DUECES!!! to my hair stylist too! I don't think textured hair can take away from a person's beauty or make them undesirable. I think there's too much time, money, and propaganda spent dictating to Black Women. The media has told us too long how we should look, dress, act, and behave. I refuse to let society down play my ethnicity and tell me what I should do with myself and my hair. I'm too much of an outspoken and free-spirited individual. I don't time to listen to  the woes of society.

If you embody confidence, creativity, style, and sass, then honey you will be just as beautiful with your hair in it's natural state. At the end of the day what works for some isn't going to work for all. Some people praise women for having natural hair or are in the transitioning process. Meanwhile, some still look down upon hair that isn't chemically straightened or weaved. I know people have their own preference but to say you don't like natural hair when you're a black person is some... ish to me! That's a whole other issue that's just ridiculous. I'm not going natural for political reasons, to piss anyone off (negative family members, friends, strangers, etc), or to be Afrocentric (which isn't a bad thing). I'm simply doing this for me! I commend all women who are natural or transitioning like myself. Excuse my french, but you can most certainly be a bad b*tch with some gorgeous natural hair!!! Wanting or a having natural hair should never make you feel less than a woman, undesirable, ugly, etc. When you find out what works for you and your hair, nobody should tell you otherwise!