First of all we have to imagine our hair if there were no chemicals, styling products, or hair tools to change the structure of your hair. What would your hair look like?
Do you like a kinkier texture or do you prefer your hair long and straight? It’s up to you to determine what makes you happiest and what works best for you. When you were young you liked different styles and different ways to express yourself, but as we get older life becomes a little bit more complicated. Our families, jobs, daily routines begin to take precedence over our style.
When I was young all I had to think about was what I look like and what I was wearing and where I was going and that’s fine if you are in a position to do that. But as we mature, we ALL have to prepare for the ultimate goal of growing older. I find that younger women who depend on a lot of braids and weaves should prepare themselves for when you’re not able to afford or is just not feasible anymore.
Have you ever thought about what your hair is doing underneath all those protective styles (weaves wigs and braids.)? I also find that women sometimes just give up on their hair and just learn to be happy with the head of hair that they are born with. Nevertheless there are a few ways that women decide to go natural
The big chop
The big chop is when you cut off all the remaining relaxer. You cut all the chemical relaxer down to the curly natural hair.
Pros: You’re cutting off all the dry, brittle pieces of your hair which makes it easier to manage but it grows really fast.
Cons: With the big chop your hair has to be really short and you must relearn to work with the new texture.
Weaves or Braids
What you’re doing is braiding your hair underneath and then weaving or sewing on top of it synthetic or human hair. People generally keep their hair in this protective style anywhere from 1 1/2 months to three months.
The problem is when you remove the artificial hair the relaxed hair is very weak and unmanageable. I recommend that you wear your weave or braids in cycles of 3 months or less, so that you u have more natural hair to deal with when you remove the hair.
Pros: You don’t have to deal with the hair at all and can have a nice stylish look.
Cons: These styles can make your scalp and hair really, really dry. You’re unable to touch and feel your real scalp which can be a little uncomfortable after a month or two. Hint: if you are good with hair weave or braids you can take it down more often. This will allow you to shampoo and trim your hair as often as needed. One of the problems when you take down your hair while its in braids or weave is the relaxed hair gets really tangled up and can mat up easily.
Caution: whenever you shampoo your hair be sure to comb your hair out prior to adding water or shampoo or the relaxed hair will dread or mat up. I always recommend that whenever you take out the weave or the braids go to the salon and get a nice haircut to slowly trim off the relaxed ends before you braid or weave your hair back up into another protective style.
Different natural hairstyle
Twists, Zulu knots, singles twists, flat twist, roller sets, Rod set, Flexi rod sets… these styles are difficult for some but very easy for others. Because you are dealing with two textures when the hair is really thick at the roots and thinner on the ends, it makes the hair style come out a little lop sided.
Pros: This styles may give you a natural look while you are in the transition stage. You are able to deal with your hair on a regular basis which is keeping you involved during the journey.
Cons: It can get really complicated. That styles may not last as long. Your hairstyle may look less stylish and almost grandma-ish. I recommend that you just stick with it or find a stylist to help you during the different phases of your transition
Straightening
This is actually my favorite way to transition. I see it as the incubation or like your nine months pregnancy. Your relearning your hair and it’s the beginning of your journey. Once you are through 12 months of transitioning you should be able to wear your hair curly. But while you are transitioning, I think is best to straighten the hair that’s the best way to become one texture.
Pros: You get to be involved with your hair during the whole 12 months. That’s beneficial because when your hair is 100% natural you won’t be afraid of dealing with it.
Cons: YouYou do have to deal with your hair. People who don’t like to deal with their hair on a regular basis, it can be somewhat of a challenge. I definitely recommend that in this phase that you find a stylist to shampoo and trim your hair at least every 6 to 8 weeks. Shampoo your hair as often as your lifestyle permits, but no less than once a week.
Sabrina’s tip: Watch out for heat damage! Use a heat protectant and use the lowest setting of heat possible. You may need to go to a professional so you do not damage your hair if you do not know what you are doing.
Find a good product system that works well with straight natural hair. Some natural hair products may make straightening hair feel weighed down and gukky, that’s only because some natural hair products focus is on wearing your hair curly and not going straight.
Karen
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