First I must define what a Natural hair extremist is to me and then I can expound on it a little better. To me a Natural Extremist is one who doesn’t use any chemicals of any kind on her hair. She uses all natural products which don’t have sulfates, mineral oils….nothing that would constitute as being ‘bad’. I don’t feel one must use only their own creations since there are quite a few products that are all natural but that certainly helps.
I tripped and fell into this Natural hair lifestyle purely by accident when we moved to Denver from New Orleans. I stopped perming my hair and began reading about how bad chemicals are for my hair. While I was horrible to my hair the first three years I’ve made up for it in the last four and although I have evolved into an extremist it took some time. I now:
Use no heat
No hot or warm water on my hair
Use all natural products
Use no chemicals of any kind
Sleep with a satin bonnet AND a satin pillowcase
These are my rules but make no mistake about it…they are rules only for me. I don’t expect anyone to follow my regimen and if you don’t believe me ask my teen daughter. She’s Natural as well and we couldn’t be more different!
About a year ago I stopped using heat and began to only use natural ingredients in the products in my hair. The satin on satin started around the same time and even though I am anal about my hair I don’t eat all natural nor live all natural. Why? Because I’m on my own timetable on what I choose to do with my life and not anyone else’s. I’ll change to more natural ways of living when I feel like it.
I hear about the Natural hair Nazis and Natural police and although I feel there are some exaggerations about them…I am not one of them. I don’t care what the hell you use in your hair. I choose to be this extreme. I like it…no, I love it, so don’t judge me and I won’t judge you.
I’m about to use a natural recipe for coloring my hair and couldn’t be more excited about it. Does this mean I’m better than any other Natural or even relaxed woman out there? No, I’m just doing what I feel is best for Sabrina.
So, here I am….a Natural hair extremist bearing her extreme soul for all to see and for all to understand that this is just fine with me.
Loving the Natural that you are,
Sabrina
There is no other way to be . . . but you. I am a no heat, natural product using, no heat applying, nightly head tying, mud washer natural. I start with warm water and end with cool. Warm to open the cuticle, cool to close it. I don't consider myself extreme but maybe to some I am. So, I'm with you. I'm just doing what I feel is best for me and my hair.
Exactly!
Why don't you use warm or hot water?
I did a post about a year ago explaining how it can be damaging to the hair. I got the info from The Natural Haven.