How I Went Natural

I absolutely love my teeny weeny afro and no one can tell me otherwise! I am Beyonce level feeling my natural look and living for these curls! Here's how I did it, why I did it, and my short experience I've had during this hair journey.

At the time of this post I am almost 5 months into having a full head of natural hair! It's something I've wanted to do since 2017 but was convinced not to as it is a lot of upkeep compared to a relaxer. I don't know what clicked in me over the summer of 2018 but I was over my relaxed hair. I had several hairstyles, cuts, and colors with my relaxed hair and I felt it still lacked the versatility that I craved. For me, I didn't cut my transition period short and rush to do the Big Chop because my hair was damaged like many end up doing. My hair was growing even with the chemicals from the relaxer and had no signs of damage. For me, going natural was about embracing my hair, owning my roots (literally), and trying something new. You can always go back to relaxed hair but I needed to give this a try for myself.

So,I transitioned for maybe 3 months, and grew just enough hair to feel comfortable with (I had a super sort pixie cut for over 4 years so I love me some short hair). I know some people transition for a year but I found the process, for lack of better words, annoying. The section of hair where my relaxed hair met my new natural growth was so fragile and I kept my hair in perm rod set curls to hide it. I'm an impatient person and finally threw the towel in because I wanted to be natural so bad and I felt no need to hold onto length.

People OBSESS over length of hair and especially in the black community, having long hair is a huge deal, as well as having "good hair". Good hair is essentially not my 4c textured hair with its kinks and curls and sticking up; it's the straight long hair or even the perfect curled ringlets that some people are born with. In my hair journey I've learned all hair is good hair and my hair is apart of me, it's beautiful and authentic. It's one of the reasons I didn't choose to transition whilst using a protective style like a wig, weave, or braids. I wanted to force myself to enjoy the whole journey and as soon as possible and thats why I ended up cutting my dead relaxed ends off my hair in my bathroom sink. I was a woman on a mission and it had to be done.

In this hair journey I've evaluated why I ever went to relaxer. I was I believe 11,12 and I was tired of my hair not looking like the other girls. I thought it was hard to manage and get ready for school and it felt like all the other black girls were doing it! People would touch my hair like I was an alien and I felt like the odd one out. I didn't want a weave, I wanted a relaxer so my hair could be as "pretty " as the other girls. So, I asked my mom and I got one. Gone was the hot oil treatments, the hot comb on the stove, the cornrows, and braids, and thick naps and knots. My hair my stick straight from the perm and I felt so cute. If I could go back in time I would slap my younger self and tell her just wait, you're gonna miss your afro before you know it! I would convince myself not to strip away the liveliness in order to assimilate and for things to be easier. Not to say it isn't a lot of upkeep keeping my hair hydrated, conditioned, detangled, and my scalp oiled now. It does take time but because I take the time to care for my hair, I cherish it, I adore it, I love it, and I will not be ashamed of it.

I unapologetically wear my afro. In the words of India Arie: " I am not my hair, I am not my skin, and I am not your expectations.". I didn't do this to hear from the peanut gallery but alas people have their opinions and that has resulted in some push back. People who have opinions about something that grows out the top of MY head. It's amazing how bothered some were. I had a customer at work ask me why would I cut my hair off and that now he has to get used to me looking like this. His wife has short hair but me cutting off my length affected his life somehow. I had another customer reply with just as much shock and almost disgruntled at my choice. I've had my own dad say I look prettier with longer hair. Not everyone has been negative though, some people are not sure what to call it ( its an afro for anyone genuinely wondering) and they make these hand gestures around their head like a helmet as they compliment me. I've had nice customers that have either given me tips of natural hair or they have said that they want to soon transition too. Every one of my friends that has said something about my hair loves the look. Then there's my sweet husband who loves my afro, he loves the smell of natural hair products especially the Cantu brand, and loves touching my curls and pulling on them gently watching them go boiing!

Speaking of natural hair products, as expensive as a relaxer was, natural hair products can be just as expensive. The brushes, tools, gel, co washes, curling custards, and the conditioners alone are a lot but it's all to cultivate healthy hair and it's so worth it. I feel beautiful. I feel like Morgan. If any journey is worth starting it must be one that brings out your truest self and improves you and helps you grow. I feel the confidence exude from me, I'm comfortable, and happy. So to anyone out there thinking about natural hair, I say go for it. There's something about my curls that I can't get over and if I could get every woman to love their natural appearance, I would.

Well thats all folks. If you have any natural hair products you'd like to suggest, any experience you'd like to share, or anything about you that makes you love your natural self, leave them in a comment! xo Morgan