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NaturallyKendra updated 5-14-09

Georgia

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NaturallyKendra **updated 5-14-09**

I was never really happy with my hair permed but I was taught that my natural hair was nappy so I didn't think I had many options. I don't even remember not having a perm because my mother permed my hair when I was very young. I don't blame my mom. This is what she was taught. She wore a fro in the 70's but that was not the look in the early 80s when my baby hair grew into the real stuff. As a single mom trying to do her best, she did what was easiest for her.

Before I made the decision to stop perming my hair I was nervous. I wondered what kind of hair I had and how I would take care of it and style it. I was nervous. With some encouragement from my friends (some natural, some permed) I made the decision to grow the perm out.

Cutting my hair all off was NOT an option for me. How would I look? I have always been told that I had a big forehead (it never really bothered me but that's what people said) so I was not taking any chances on looking bad. Nappy or not, I want to look good. So began the long process of transitioning. Between braids, pressing, twist sets and A LOT of PATIENCE I made it through. Living with two textures was not fun. Early on I started to love the naps growing in. It felt so much better than my permed ends. After much frustration, deliberation and hesitation, on June 23, 2006 I had most of the permed ends cut off. I was left with about 4 inches of hair, which to my surprise, I liked a lot. I was mad I didn't do it sooner. It was easy to style and I liked the way it looked on me.

I'm enjoying seeing it grow and trying new styles and products. I like the naps God gave me : )

If you are thinking about going natural, here is a warning:
When wearing your hair curly and natural be prepared for an unpredictable outcome. Everyday my hair takes on it's own personality. If you're type A ... this is not the style for you.

Someone is always asking me what they should do to transition. First, Congrats on taking the step to get rid of the lye ; ) I know exactly where you are coming from. I have been there. It wasn't easy but I made it through and I'm sooooo happy! Here's my input and experience. My last perm was in August 2005. I grew out my perm until May 2006 when I cut off the permed ends. During that time I had braids, pressed a little and did twistouts.

MY RULES AND ADVICE TO ANYONE TRANSITIONING:
(I don't know it all but this is what I think so hopefully it will help)

1.....PATIENCE - transitioning doesn't happen over night. Your hair may not do what you want it to do all the time. You will figure it out eventually.

2.....MOISTURIZE, moisturize, moisturize with water then oil to seal the moisture in. This means wash your hair frequently and use a moisturizer on your wet hair after you put on leave in conditioner to seal the moisture (see list of products below). You may also want to try co-washing, which means washing with conditioner only. Read this article on it: http://www.geocities.com/bonnecasey/COWASHING.html (they recommend suave but I stay away from it because I don't think its a good product)

3.....Look for NATURAL PRODUCTS and products that don't have alcohol (learn about the ingredients in the products you are putting in your hair - alot of it is junk). In many cases you won't be able to use the same products you used when you were permed. Natural products are soooo much better for your hair. Aveda, Jason, Miss Jessies, Blended Beauty, Curls (see list below for more). You can buy a lot of them in The Vitamin Shoppe, local health food stores and online.

4.....AVOID STRAIGHTENING f you want to see your natural curl pattern, don't press your hair too often. Depending on your hair type, if you press your hair too many times it will stay straight. The roots will grow in nappy and you will end up having two different textures again. Once the hair is straight, there is no going back (NO, vinegar does not work!), your ends will not kink up again and you will have to start over again if you want to enjoy your natural curl pattern. In some cases you may end up with straight hairs and curly hairs which can be really hard to style. I have learned this the hard way. ..

5.....LEARN ABOUT YOUR HAIR. What works for some may not work for you. You may go through trial and error with products and techniques. Your cabinet may end up looking like a beauty supply store. It takes some time to get it right. And just when you do, you'll want to try something new. I know I'm still trying to figure mine out. Its a never-ending journey ; )

6.....ENJOY & EMBRACE your natural texture! You will have to re-educate and change your whole way of thinking about your hair and how you look. It will not be the same but it will be good. I don't try to conform to how I used to look. You will grow to love it once you are used to it : ) I am creating my own style and I think I'm doing a great job at it!

Below is a list of some of the websites I use to get advice. There is sooo much out there on the web! I haven't been to some of these sights in a long time so some may not work. Enjoy surfing the web and getting to know your natural hair. Don't hesitate to contact me if you need any help : )

INFO/ADVICE SITES:
http://www.motowngirl.com
http://www.napturality.com
http://www.going-natural.com (need a subscription to access all the good info and pics but may be worth it for a short trial)
http://imnotlyeing.blogspot.com/ - great blog
http://naturallycurly2.com/curl411/types.php (hair types)
http://www.naturallycurly.com
http://www.ourhair.net
http://www.longlovelylocks.com
http://www.ynatural.com/ynatural.com-asp//index.asp?action=101_transition
http://ghettointellect.com/nappykitchen/
http://www.napturalglory.com/
http://www.roshini.net/index.html
http://www.nappyhairaffair.com
http://www.cornrowsandco.com
http://cottonnappy.tripod.com/
http://www.naturalhairdigest.com/
http://www.khamitkinks.com/Home.html (products, styles & recommended reading)
http://www.naturallyyoumagazine.com
http://www.thecoilreview.com/en/index.php

ONLINE NATURAL HAIR GROUPS (great way to get tips and meet other nappies)
Nappy Hair - http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NappyHair/?yguid=209744369
Naturally You magazine forum - http://www.naturallyyoumagazine.com/forum/

PRODUCTS YOU MAY WANT TO TRY
http://www.sistasplace.biz/ - (has lots of products at great prices and the BEST thing is you can buy sample sizes of almost everything!)
http://www.kinky-curly.com (LOVE the curling custard)
http://www.ouidad.com
http://www.shophaircareproducts.com/
http://www.curljunkie.com
http://www.myashas.com
http://www.curls.biz (love the milkshake)
http://www.blended-beauty.com (like the cleansing conditioner and happy nappy styles)
http://www.missjessies.com/ (love the baby buttercreme and still working with the others)
http://www.carolsdaughter.com/
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil.htm - I haven't tried this but I have heard great things about it.
http://www.growafrohairlong.com/afrodetanglerhalfgallon.html
http://www.totaltransformations.org/shop/index.php?p=product&id=1&parent=0 - I love using this to pull my hair up
http://www.naturalhair.org/haircareproducts.aspx - they also have a salon in Atlanta

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