Chemical filled hair
I always favoured length over health!
My hair has been relaxed (chemicals) since I’ve been young, I’m not certain on the reason why this was such a popular thing but everyone I was aware of, had their hair relaxed and it became a mandatory hair styling where once the hair extensions were out, the hair was required to be relaxed because there was unrelaxed growth that had occurred.
Having chemicals on our hair wasn’t strange to all those around, even though it wasn’t the safest idea, and often led to burns on the head. However the purpose of the relaxer to me at least was to straighten and soften the hair, ideally, it made the hair manageable and more westernised.
I used to prefer my hair straightened because it made it look longer and like everyone else’s. It was easier to style and at the time I thought it had a lot more styles available to it.
The big chop (at least it was to me)
Technically my intention wasn’t completely to go natural. it had been a thought, but the real reasoning was, after taking my extensions out, my hair was so tangled and I was feeling extremely lazy, and it was too achy to brush it out so I decided to chop it all out. After chopping off the tangled part of it, It seemed there had been more natural hair than relaxed and I had the afro frame so I continued.
The cut was uneven, the hair was dry but I had my 4c hair shining for the first in its full natural form. Even then I was still unsure about it but the real seller was the joy and the celebration of friends for finally joining the natural side. It was incredibly hard to maintain, I had no real understanding of how to style or the products to use and they were expensive. I always had the thought at the back of my mind to get the relaxer back out but I said no!
Progress
I’m making progress in the sense that I’m getting the hang on the type of styles that suit my 4c Afro hair, the best products to use and just generally how to look after my hair.
My hair seems to grow incredibly slowly and I can tell you it’s incredibly annoying, but it is growing. It’s getting softer and not so dry. It’s actually looking more like am afro now and Best of all I’m loving my naturalness.
Going natural has honestly been such a wonderful transition for me in every single way because I’ve been learning to love my self in all my naturalness, not wanting to be something I’m not and quite frankly, acknowledging how diverse i can be by being me.
Your hair looks gorgeous ♡
Thank you gorgeous 😘
I stopped relaxing my hair three years ago! It’s the best thing I had ever done! I love my hair natural more than relaxed l, but you’re right that was the norm back then. I find easier to look after my natural hair as well andI no longer find it hard to comb. I am 4C like you
It’s amazing to be completely natural. Best thing I think. There’s more products for natural and it’s nice and thick!
Your natural hair looks so pretty! <3 My hair grows so quickly and that really annoys me because I always cut it to my shoulders and then within 4 weeks it needs cutting again!
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
Thank youuuuuu. I’m too attached to my hair haha I’d let it grow forever
Beautiful! Your natural hair really suits you. Mine takes forever to grow back so I get what you feel about it being annoying.
Thank you sweetie. It’s the most annoying it right????
Good read.
Thank you x
Wow your hair is gorgeous, great post xx
Thanks so much hunny x
I love your natural hair, it’s gorgeous! I am a natural myself. Checkout my natural hair journey
Thanks so much
I never really liked my hair straight I just pretty much did what everyone else was doing by relaxing hair. So yes you are so right about it being the norm back then. I love your natural hair by the way.
Thank you. It’s crazy how much our environment influences us
I have big chopped three times and had haircuts here and there this time I plan to see how long it can grow without me being tempted to shave again.
Im always trying to do that but then I get bored and cut it.
You’re making great progress! Your hair is beautiful!!
Thank you very much.
How gorgeous! And it makes you look younger (not in a bad way)!
Everyone says that aha. Thank you
Loving your blog and get the points about being so excited with your natural hair. My sister and I also are natural now and loving it. There are more options I think. And we look the way we should with our own hair.
There’s so much to do. I’m just to lazy to do them but there’s lots. Thank you so much.
Going natural has been a job in and of itself. However, I wouldn’t dare go back to chemically straightening my hair. This journey has taught me so much about myself and I defined my beauty. I’ve also learned patience because nothing requires more patience than Wash Day. LOL.
Best of luck as you continue on your natural hair journey.
Wash day kills me and I my hair isn’t even that long haha. Going natural was tough but your hair gets the message and starts acting properly. It’s taught me so much patience.
Your hair looks amazing! I feel like the photos of you with your natural hair speak louder to your personality than when it was relaxed! Do you girl! Love it!
Thank you so much. I really think so too
It looks beautiful! I love your hair and I can totally understand wanting to use less chemicals on your hair. I haven’t dyed my hair in months and I can already see the difference! Great post 🙂
Thank you. Natural is absolutely the best!
It looks so pretty!!!
Thank you