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| Teca |
1. How long have you been Natural?
1.5 years (I'm 42 this year).
2. Why did you become Natural?
I was tired of relaxing my hair and I went through many periods of my hair looking fabulous and then getting it damaged by some stylist. Or when the new growth came in I like it better than the straight thin mess I often had. I did find a very great stylist eventually but I was still spending a crazy amount of money and spending a lot of time. I always knew I'd go natural again. (I went natural when I was 29, then relaxed again)
3. Was it a hard transition? How did you transition?
I chose to transition with sew in weaves. I cut my hair short in a cute style and only the top was relaxed but it got in that "in between stage" so I weaved it up. The only word of caution about sew in weave transitioning is make sure the weave IS NOT TOO TIGHT. I have spot at the top of my head where my hair is shorter due to damage from being pulled as well as my edges. I must say the day I took it out and went to my corporate job the next day, NOBODY blinked, I think because I was always wearing my hair different they didn't know what to say LOL, but it felt good. I didn't experience any negativity and my boyfriend was all for me going natural and he loves it.
4. Did your age aid in your decision to go Natural?
Not really, but being over 35 really let me just be me and not be too concerned about what other people would think.
5. Does your age make it easier or harder to be Natural?
I don't know, but I wish I had done it when I was younger because my hair seemed thicker and stronger back then, but I feel like since I stopped the 'creamy crack' my hair is getting back to being thick and strong. So not easier or harder...it's like when you start working out your like wow I could have felt this good 10 or 20 years ago!
6. Do you see many Older Naturals in your area? If so, what styles are they sporting?
Well not sure if they are over 35 but it seems there are many ladies at my church that are natural. Twist outs, dreads, sisterlocks, natural curls, curly fros... I see quite a bit of styles that inspire me to try new styles.
7. How do you primarily wear your Natural hair?
Twist out all over or partial twists and the back out. My front is shorter as I just cut a lot of damaged and relaxed ends since I was wearing the front of my hair out when I had the sew in weave. Towards the end I wore my hair out in the front (crimped) to match the curly weave (can you say heat damage!!)
8. Favorite products and/or product line?
Shea butter mixed with essential and carrier oils for my twist out (got the main idea from Naptural 85 on YouTube), Kinky Curly Knot Today, Desert Essence Grape and Coconut they smell soooooo good! Haven't tried too many products as of yet since my hair is still growing. I read the labels and look at ingredients alot now.
9. Any words of wisdom or encouragement for other Older Naturals already Natural or thinking about it?
As I'm getting older I feel like the Lord is telling me to be wiser and that means taking better care of myself. For me that also means thinking about my head of hair. I'm careful about what I use on my skin and I think I should be the same about my hair. Many may feel they aren't young or bold enough to be natural but it's not a fad, its a choice of how you want to wear your hair. I think being natural is just a choice to make when you're ready. Once you do, try new things, pay attention to how your hair reacts and have fun! It's just hair :)
I appreciate Teca sharing with us and am very happy to have another Natural from the National Natural Hair Meetup Day in Denver to be featured on my blog! I love having Naturals in Denver, but it feels even better when they are in my age range. Her hair is gorgeous and I love how she shared her story of heat damage. So many of us have been there! Her smile is infectious and it looks so good with her hair.
Don't forget I'm always looking for women thirty and over to share their Natural hair story with us.
Take care Naturals,
Sabrina
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| Luanda |
1. How long have you been Natural?
I've been natural for 4 years.
2. Why did you become Natural?
My boyfriend (at the time) encouraged me to go natural. I was wearing Kinky Twist braids at the time and he said I would look good in dreads. I disagreed.
3. Was it a hard transition? How did you transition?
It wasn't hard to transition. I took the braids out and went to a salon (which happened to specialize in natural hair) to actually get a relaxer, but I decided to do the BC, just that day. I rocked two-strand twist for awhile, until I learned how to do it myself.
My age wasn't a factor at all in my decision.
5. Does your age make it easier or harder to be Natural?
My age doesn't matter either way, I don't look my age at all.
6. Do you see many Older Naturals in your area? If so, what styles are they sporting?
There are a lot of women at my church, my circle of friends and at my job that are natural. We have Natural Parties (where we get together about once a quarter, swap products and tips and just hang out). They rock everything from Fros, protective style to blown out straight hair.
7. How do you primarily wear your Natural hair?
Currently it's up in a protective style. When I do it, it's usually in two-strand twists or a puff. I go to a Natural Salon quarterly for a trim and a blow out. In between then, I have a good friend (whose in hair school and in this group) who does my hair on the regular.
8. Favorite products and/or product line?
100% Shea Butter, homemade products. I don't like a whole lot of product in my hair (I was the same way when my hair was relaxed). But I do like the Shea Moisture Brand.
9. Any words of wisdom or encouragement for other Older Naturals already Natural or thinking about it?
What I've learned from my natural friends and in this group is that, this hair journey is trial and error. You have to do what works best for you. Every product doesn't work the same on everyone. Have fun with your hair. It's only hair at the end of the day. Don't be afraid to step out of the box and be different. I'm not my hair, but it is my greatest accessory!
Check out my new feature next Monday which is my Older Natural Feature day. Come and share your story with us as well.
Take care Naturals,
Sabrina
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| Catrina |
Last Relaxer: Nov/2007
Big Chopped: 4/11/2008
2. Why did you become Natural?
Where to begin. I have always had long hair, but I never wore it. Instead I wore long wavy weaves or thick Afro curly ones. One day it just hit me, why am I wearing a fake fro when I can have my own. I always loved the feeling of my new growth and wondered what my hair looked and felt like unaltered by a perm. Of course, other things came into play. I have 3 young daughters and I didn't want them thinking that they need a perm or false hair to be beautiful.
3. Was it a hard transition? How did you transition?
I transitioned for 5 months. The more new growth I had, the more difficult it was. I tried straightening my hair, which was horrible and I have never been a fan of heat. My favorite styles were weaves, rod sets and 2 stranded twists. My original plan was top transition for a year, but I quit at 5 months.
4. Did your age aid in your decision to go Natural?
Nope, not at all.
5. Does your age make it easier or harder to be Natural?
I want to say no, but I don't know if I would have had the courage in my younger years. I had always admired natural hair, especially Fros, but at that time I thought it wasn't for me.
6. Do you see many Older Naturals in your area? If so, what styles are they sporting?
I see a lot of older naturals. Most wear TWAs or Locs.
7. How do you primarily wear your Natural hair?
I did another BC in April 2012, so right now I wear my hair in a curly box with tapered edges and sides. I decided to grow my hair back a few days ago and am looking forward to experimenting with some cool styles, before I have long hair again.
8. Favorite products and/or product line?
I prefer to make my own moisturizing products, but I do use commercial shampoos, conditioner, gel and color. My favorite essential oil is peppermint. My favorite carrier oils are sweet almond oil and coconut. I love Shea butter. I experiment the most with conditioners. Ecostyler gel defines my curls like nothing I have ever used.
9. Any words of wisdom or encouragement for other Older Naturals already Natural or thinking about it?
Just go for it! Or, keep it up! (For those that are already natural). Natural hair is beautiful and it's yours. Let go of your insecurities and misconceptions about what is acceptable and embrace your curls, kinks, coils or Locs.
I just want to thank Catrina for sharing her story with us. Her moment of realization is so common. Most former permed women were on auto-pilot just doing what they have always done and living as they have always lived. The color, the cut looks amazing on her and her courage to change and accept what is hers is what keeps me going with this blog.
I am always looking for lovely Naturals (30 and older) to share so check out my Contact page for more info.
Take care Naturals,
Sabrina
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| Ms. Amena |
1. How long have you been Natural?
I've been a full Naturalista since 6/2011 so that makes 18 months now since my big chop.
2. Why did you become Natural?
Choosing to learn my natural hair was the culmination of a whole health decision for me. About a year prior to liberating my hair from relaxer and heat tools, I'd changed my diet to more raw and organic foods, along with my household cleaning products and personal care products to toxicant free. I even increased my physical activity. Maintaining a straight style with a toxic, caustic chemical soon seemed like the ultimate contradiction knowing all that I now knew on my journey to improved health, so I let it go and will never look back!
3. Was it a hard transition? How did you transition?
I attempted transitioning for two months. I stopped relaxing in April 2011. I didn't like the increased styling time and need to avoid water during my styling so I cut it off in June 2011 with maybe an inch to inch and a half all the way around of hair on my head. My daughter had heat damage and wanted to wear more natural styles so to support her I chopped sooner than I had planned but I was certainly ready because transitioning was not for me. My philosophy with most things in life is: Don't delay the inevitable. So letting that relaxed hair go sooner rather than later was right in line with it.
I'd say my stage in life, more so than my age played a factor. I love hair and have chopped mine off three times to switch up my style, gain more time to live and in this case go healthy hair via natural hair and natural products.
5. Does your age make it easier or harder to be Natural?
Not a factor really :-)
6. Do you see many Older Naturals in your area? If so, what styles are they sporting?
I actually do see more women of mature age rocking natural hair. Generally Locs or TWA's by choice. Both are very low maintenance. So I suspect that is why.
7. How do you primarily wear your Natural hair?
My hair is type 4a and thick so it is stretched via braiding or twisting and styled "out" or pinned up from there. I braid too so I have the luxury of throwing in some extensions at will and do that perhaps twice a year so far.
8. Favorite products and/or product line?
My favorite products are those that are all natural ,that can provide maximum benefit to the hair and contain no synthetics with the exception of eco styler gel. Brands I love and use most are Shea Moisture, Eden Body Works, Aubrey Organics, Afroveda, and Oyin Handmade. When I do want a sulfate (they are synthetic cleansers and are excellent at clarifying, use sparingly) I turn to Lush Cosmetics.
9. Any words of wisdom or encouragement for other Older Naturals already Natural or thinking about it?
Just go with what feels right and is the highest honor to your ancestral heritage and true beauty. Your overall health- mental, spiritual, mental and physical- will thrive because of it.
Ms. Amena is a natural hair care specialist and stylist, colorist, braider etc with an equal passion for all things hair, health, beauty and wellness. She is a regular contributor to www. kisforkinky.com and can be found focusing on reaching her personal best next level in all areas of life. Visit her online at Torrid Tresses by Ms.Amena on Facebook and Instragram.
I have to thank Amena for taking out the time to share her Natural hair journey as well as her journey into a more natural and eco-friendly lifestyle. She is beautiful and she actually glows as she treats her hair and body well! Going Natural is not just for hair and I am sure many of you have already realized that.
I am always looking for lovely Naturals (30 and older) to share so check out my Contact page for more info.
Take care Naturals,
Sabrina
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| Brandi |
In 2011 at the age of 38 I decided to give it another go. I wanted to be a natural as all the other women in my family are naturals. I began my transition doing bantu knotout's and braidouts. These were my go to styles. I used curl activator gels to keep my hair soft and keep it from breaking at the line of demarcation. Finally, Feb 1st 2012 after a 6 month transition I did my Big Chop and haven't looked back since.
I wish I had gone natural 20 years ago but my mind wasn't ready to step out and be set apart from what was considered to be cute. I know now that I am beautiful with my natural hair and there is no need to conform to society's images of " Beauty ".
There are many natural women in my city, and we are rocking it out. I see natural haired women of all ages from early teens to late into maturity.
My favorite and go to hairstyle is the Two Strand Twist Out ! I am falling in love with Qhemet Biologics but my staple and forever love will be good old Crisco ( shortening ).
If I had any words of wisdom to share with a new natural it would be to love their own hair that God gave them. I would also tell them that the key to length retention is MOISTURE, and more moisture. Every oil is not a sealant and every water based product does not provide proper moisture. Be a product junkie for your first year being natural and find what works well for your hair. When you find what works stick with it and keep your regimen simple.
I'm still looking for older Naturals to share so email me at seriouslynatural4@gmail.com to let everyone see just how happy you are being Natural!!
Take care Naturals,
Sabrina
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| Erica |
Since March 15, 2012.
2. Why did you become Natural?
On deployment the perms wouldn't take in my hair and I honestly said “GOD is this a sign?”
3. Was it a hard transition? How did you transition?
I transitioned from October 2011 to March 2012 and it was good. I began treating my permed hair like it was natural and went to websites like CurlyNikki.com and ThirstyRoots.com and did everything they advised.
4. Did your age aid in your decision to go Natural?
Not at all.
5. Does your age make it easier or harder to be Natural?
My age makes it wayyy easier. At 41yrs old, I no longer succumb to the peer pressure that the average teen, tween, or 20yr olds would perhaps cave under. At 41 yr, it’s like “YOU don’t like it? (Insert tons of laughter here) Oh well!”
6. Do you see many Older Naturals in your area? If so, what styles are they sporting?
Yes, in Fayetteville NC I am seeing older gray haired women sporting exquisite updo’s, dreads, and fros.
7. How do you primarily wear your Natural hair?
I’m military so Mon-Fri it’s twisted up or pulled back into a ponytail. Weekends normally FROpuff, twist outs, or WnG.
8. Favorite products and/or product line?
WEN (fig) stays on standby....I’ve used this since the beginning and its been a wonder for my hair as far as cleanser. Palmer’s oils and coconut hair pudding have been great to me for styling products. I am currently using As I Am’s cowash, double butter, and twisting cremes-LOVE’M.
9. Any words of wisdom or encouragement for other Older Naturals already Natural or thinking about it?
I have a friend and cousin, about 7 years older than me, who are currently transitioning. I tell them be patient with THEIR hair, that THEIR hair may not do what mine does, and that THEIR journey (as each) is a unique journey. To enjoy cultivating the relationship with THEIR hair and don’t be afraid to experiment and fail.
"Life is too short: Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that makes you Smile."
Erica
Now don't be shy. If you wanna share your Natural hair journey, email me at seriouslynatural4@gamil.com with your story and a few pics or contact me on Facebook at: Seriouslynatural
Take care Naturals,
Sabrina
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