FOTKI

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learning about my NATURAL hair

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learning about my NATURAL hair

July 15 2008
It's not the day I cut off all my hair. It is the day I consider my BIG CHOP.
My hair has been relaxed since I was a preteen. It was in my 30's I started to come to a new Revelation about life.

I had a nightmare sinus condition that was making life unbearable for 4 years. All the meds and surgeries were NOT fixing the problem. I had to take my health and my life into my own hands. I found myself examining my life style.

I was leading what I see now as a very artificial, processed life. Now, had you asked me 2 years ago if I would ever give up, what I saw as the comforts of life I would have emphatically told you I was not one of 'those'. I earned a healthy salary and I was not about to go without the comforts I was accustomed to.

So with my sinus issue at it's peak, debilitating head aches and painful pressure, I then became pregnant. I knew I needed a radical departure from my life/health as it stood.

I scoured web sites, pored over stories of people who seemed to have more answers than my doctor who had not been able to stop the decline of the quality of my life.

I found a homeopath that fixed the sinus problem within a week.
I slowly replaced the processed food and chemicals in my life. I had a
natural, unmedicated pregnancy and birth.

When my baby was born I couldn't bear to part with her. I did not return to my 9-5. I had time to raise my baby and to learn about all the unnecessary things that were part of my life. I learned to cook foods from scratch. I was over 30 and for the first time did not rely on a microwave or plastic container for my meals.

A year later I discovered I was pregnant with another baby. It was time to take it up a notch. I was determined to give up the 'creamy crack'. That was the summer of 2006. I wasn't secure enough to be natural at that point. I braided my hair and kept it under a lace front wig.

I was proud of my 'straight' hair as it graced my shoulders. I was fascinated with the way the hair framed my face. For years I ignored the fact that I processed the heck out of it to get it straight only to further damage it with heat to give it curl every day. Sitting under the dryer was pure TORTURE for me. I only did it when I was forced to by the stylist doing the relaxers. I cooked and beat my hair into submission on a daily basis.

~A viscious cycle~ It reminds me now of a hamster running in the metal wheel. You never get to a destination, you just keep running 'til you get tired.

As my hair grew in it's natural state it gained more volume than I ever expected. It was a bush that I kept hidden under the lace front. Every week or two I washed it and tucked it back under the lace front. I neglected it. I was more concerned with getting the growing bush covered than taking care of it, conditioning it, or moisturizing it.

Slowly, over 2006 I cut, little by little all the relaxer.The last relaxer I got was around June 2006. At the time I planned to keep the lace front 'til after the pregnancy when I would start from scratch with a new relaxer. Baby #3 was born in April 2007 and I was not ready to go back in the metal hamster wheel. I had more important things to do with my time & babies than torture my hair.

So fast forward to July 15, 2008. The day I accepted my hair for what it is. My hair is curly, tightly curled. I was not going to fight it anymore. 20 years of relaxers, every 6 weeks $75 a pop. I took the lace front off and tried pressing my hair. It came down to my shoulders, but reverted within the hour.

It was hot that week. I threw caution to the wind. I felt like Forrest Gump the day he stopped running. I pulled my bush into a pony tail and was ready for a new chapter in my life.

Now I'm learning to like my curls. It's not a battle, it's about working together. I'm finding ways to keep them healthy and happy. I'm finding that if I treat them with respect they will grow. My hair is not meant to be bone straight but it will grow and give me healthy body I always desired.

Honestly, the first week was really difficult. Each day I had thoughts of the 'creamy crack' I even ordered a kit in the mail to justify a break down that would only cost $10 instead of the $75 I had paid in the past. I didn't like the dryness, I didn't like the bush. I felt self conscious every time my husband came home and my hair was frizzy. In the end, it was him who said he liked my natural hair and encouraged me to keep the curls. Gosh, I love him.

Now after months of being natural. I've learned how to detangle my hair with conditioner while it's still wet. I dont manipulate my hair when it's dry. I twist my hair to help my curls do their thing. I do conditioner washes.

I've met a multitude of women that give me invaluable words of advice and share their time and knowledge. Sisterhood at it's finenest. I hope I can offer the same assistance to those that come after me.

be blessed

Last relaxer: early summer 2006

length
10/20/08: 9 1/2 inches twists stretched out
11/10/08 10 inches
11/26/08 10.5 inches (some are 11 inches though)
12/10/08 11 inches
12/21/08 11.5 inches (in about half the areas meausred)
1/10/09 11.5 (some almost 12)
1/24/09 12 (I measured when pressed though)
2/01/09 ???
3/01/09 ??? havent pressed in while...
4/1/09 12 inches in twists -just going to measure twists now
6/09 BKT anfd 1/2 inch trim
6/20/09 12 inch BKT W&G

current products: global Karatin BKT treatment, leave in, conditioner, and sometimes poo., Sabino. Still experimenting with leave ins. (keratin, water, curly pudding carrot oil, silicon mix, jajoba oil)

last products: CONE FREE: AUBREY'S HSR, Natures Gate, Suave coconut, EVOO ,olive oil,castor oil ,coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, HENNA,
CHLORELLA

tools: fingers, flat iron once every 2-3 months to check length.
-put the denman, and sock bun on hold for now.

I only detangle when cowashing and hair is FULL of conditioner. after i rinse all styling and detnagling is done with my fingers and leave in conditioner.

---------------- Hair Goals ---------------------
keep my hair healthy and happy, 6 inches per year

~ when hair is straight ~
SL: REACHED July 08
APL: REACHED Dec 08
BSL: still debateable
MBL: est:Jan 10

~ Goals when hair is curly/stretched ~
SL: REACHED
APL: May 2010
BSL: May 2012

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General Information

Profile:: Personal
Since:: Friday, December 8, 2006
Gender:: Female
Age:: 37
Tags:: curly, kinky, transitioning, big chop, natural, lace front, twists, twistout, silicones
I'm here for:: Photo sharing, Friends, Networking

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