Naturals: does it get easier

[pinkchocolatedaisy]

or harder as your hair grows longer? I've been natural almost 2 years now & while I'm loving the progress I've made, my hair is driving me crazy! Wngs look jacked on me, my twistouts have been looking fuzzy at the roots.... I'm getting tired of my hair. Its starting to not be fun anymore & lately I've just been bunning it or wearing a pony puff or updo. Sometimes I don't feel like I look good though. I'm at a loss... and I want to stay natural! So tell me does it get better?

 

[Kneechay]

i think it does. it gets more fun and bigger.

if your twistouts are fuzzy at the roots, do a flat twistout. It keeps the roots smoother than just doing them loosely. Use a creamy oil based moisturizer.

Pin up your hair to the side and get some nice earrings and jazz up your makeup if you don't feel as pretty. Lots of women would love to be where you are, your hair is gorgeous.

get a halfwig perhaps and bun your hair and use a thick headband to cover where the hair meets the wig/combs/clips. Get creative, look up youtubes. I'm forever finding new styles that I absolutely love with my natural hair. When it's straight, there's nothing funky or different I can do with it.

Good luck, but just look up youtube and other styles for inspiration.

 

[pinkchocolatedaisy]

Thank you. I have TONS of clips & barrettes etc so I've been using them to jazz things up. I haven't been looking at YT much lately & I don't know how to flat twist so I need to find a good tutorial for a style challenged person like me lol.

 

[MizzBrit]

for me..its both..gets harder and easier.

harder, because of long detangling sessions..more knots(inevitable) and easier, because i can easily just throw my hair in a bun or pony puff and it looks decent.

every time i get frustrated w/my hair..i just protective style until i actually MISS my hair

 

[SmilingElephant]

More Stories Please!!!

 

[lilsparkle825]

I was just thinking about this when I was detangling in the shower. It's gotten harder for me to do WNGs because of SSKs, but they look so lovely. It also has gotten easier for me to twist my hair and not have a jacked outcome. Just think: you will have bigger puffs, buns, everything as your hair grows!!

I do flat twists for the best twistouts, but if you haven't mastered it yet why don't you try braiding the roots of your twists so they don't get puffy/fuzzy? Works for my sister.

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

It definitely gets easier. The most challenging thing about my hair is deciding which style and persona I wanna take on on next because the options are endless! which isn't really challenging so much as exciting.

In terms of getting a smooth twistout from the roots first I'd recommend utillizing the twist and turn method....that will ensure it's smooth from the root to the tip I'll link you a great tutorial once I get back from my exam.

Things get WAY easier because you will come to a point where you know your hairs needs inside and out without even having to think about it and you'll have your technique for natural styles and the best products to use with them down pat. Don't worry.

 

[SignatureBeauty]

BMP^^^ I always like how you have great positive responses! Keep it coming because I know I am gonna need u soon!! LOL!!

OP! Girl, your hair is Lovely and wish mine will look half as good as yours! It is so thick and Lucious and fluffy looking. That is alot of hair growth for 2 years also!! Sorry I don't have any advice! Lol!!

 

[GoingNatural]

Easier is subjective. It takes longer to cowash, longer to wash, longer to dry. It's easier to throw into a ponytail when you're having a bad hair day. My curls kind of do what they want now but were more uniform when my hair was short.

 

[Leeda.the.Paladin]

Easier...?

As far as drying time, product application, and styling time, it's not easier.

As far as styling options, style longevity, and my general happiness with it ) ), it's easier. I do sometimes miss short hair. I rarely do wash n gos anymore, but it doesn't bother me. I'm perfectly happy in my twists and twist outs.

 

[LadyRaider]

In the fall my braidouts were really cute. Now that my hair is longer, they are not so cute. I don't know if it's just that I am at an awkward length.

It's easier though to braid in my two french braids though. I just realized yesterday I no longer have that hair on the sides that is a real struggle to get into the braids.

 

[Whimsy]

IMO - It gets harder and easier.

Harder in that it's more time consuming, more product using, more to detangle, more to braid more to...everything....

BUT

Easier in that, you can do simple styles quickly, like buns, you have more options as to styles, you have more to manipulate and try new things with.

For me, staying natural isn't even an option. It's a given. Once the option of chemically changing your texture leaves your mindset, you may be more patient and forgiving with your hair.

Nichi really gave a great answer to ya OP. You tube will likely help a lot with ideas/options for your hair. You have BEAUTIFUL hair OP so don't let some rough times get you down.

Also, remember, that everyone gets "hairlazy" erry now n then. If the only thing you're feeling is putting it in a pony or a bun for a while, hey, do it. You'll get your creative energy back soon enough and start working twistouts/braidouts/bantuknots/knotouts etc etc..

Good Luck, and Feel Good!!!

 

[beans4reezy]

I'm not natural, so I really don't have anything constructive to add- just wanted to say your hair looks beautiful.

 

[luckiestdestiny]

Easier is subjective. It takes longer to cowash, longer to wash, longer to dry. It's easier to throw into a ponytail when you're having a bad hair day. My curls kind of do what they want now but were more uniform when my hair was short.

This is the truth. For me Washing, Detangling and drying but the length is a plus definitely as hair gets longer (after bsl/mbl) for throwing in . a pony, etc Also twist outs and braids turn out better for me now

 

[ryanshope]

I HOPE it gets easier. I don't have much of an issue now, but I am ready for my hair to be at a length were I can do 4 big braids and keep it moving. Right now it is still too short, so I do twists to keep my hair detangled and style from there.

Good luck and your hair is fab.

 

[loolalooh]

for me..its both..gets harder and easier.

harder, because of long detangling sessions..more knots(inevitable) and easier, because i can easily just throw my hair in a bun or pony puff and it looks decent.

every time i get frustrated w/my hair..i just protective style until i actually MISS my hair

Yep, yep. I dread detangling sessions .. but love styling sessions.

 

[MekyakaKinkerbelle]

As so many others have already stated, it's both easier and harder.

Easier - more styling options; can always throw it in a bun or pin it up; my good hair days are actually amazing hair days - and the stares because my hair is its own entity is flattering.

Harder - styling time is a beast; I actually don't wear my hair out that much because of all it entails; and if your hair is super thick...dealing with length along with the dense forest is a challenge; my hair is rarely fully dry - it just takes that long to dry (since I wear it in a bun most of the time anyway)...and it's time for me to (co)wash again by the time it's dry.

 

[KweenBeeDiva]

No, it hasn't gotten easier for me. I too am tired of it. I wore wigs, weaves, twists, braids, etc...It's just a lot to deal with.

I also started blowdrying/pressing with heat protectant. My ends look really bad, but that was before the heat application to my hair.

I think I'll have to start back with kinky twists or wigs. It was less stressful on my hair, and my hair grew. Try other protective styles that can be worn and washed while in that style, like twist or braids. Try dying it as well!

 

[pinkchocolatedaisy]

Thanks ladies for your advice, compliments & words of encouragement. I think I am mostly in a styling rut & frankly, just lazy. I don't seem to have the time anymore to style my hair and the quickie styles I try to do (like larger twists instead of smaller for a twistout) look really awful. When my hair is looking good, I feel good & nobody can tell me anything.

 

[DDTexlaxed]

Your hair is so gorgeous! I'm hoping when my TWA grows out, I can learn how to care for my hair and keep it healthy. Thanks for making this thread!

 

[NaturalBoss]

Pinkchocolatedaisy....IMO, it gets easier. It could possibly be because I'm a ponytail/puff type of person. I RARELY wear my hair down. When I was relaxed and I washed my hair and put it in a wet ponytail, it looked horrible. Now that I'm natural, the wet ponytail/puff rocks. Another thing for me is that my hair does not tangle that badly to the point where I dread washing it. The wide tooth comb pretty much glides thru and I only comb it when there is conditioner in it. I don't really know what my hair type is, but I think it might be a 4-something. Maybe I'm using some really good conditioner....Yeah right, the cheapest ones you can find: Aussie 3-Minute Miracle and Lustrasilk Cholesterol.

Anyways....I like your hair. Don't get frustrated.

 

[Poohbear]

I think it gets easier as hair grows longer in the sense of more length = less disappointment with the apppearance of hair styles. I think we all have our moments of boredom or laziness where we just do a simple puff or bun. Maybe spice up the bun or puff with a flower or hair accessory. Lately, I started wearing makeup, something I haven't consistently done since high school. It's just something different. I also tried a couple of new styles as well and been scoping fotki's, youtube videos, and webpages or blogs like http://www.curlynikki.com more like I used to back when I first started my hair care journey.

By the way, your fro in your signature is FABULOUS! Keep on taking good care of your hair!

 

[Soliel185]

Maybe having a stylist shape your hair/refresh your cut would help?

When I was natural before I LOVED my shorter curly braids. They framed my face really nicely. But as my hair got longer I never shaped my hair or altered the style and they started to look kind of....drab. I ended up relaxing that year our of hair frustration and boredom.


This time around, a different cut (and resources like LHCF) are making all the difference.

 

[SweetSpirit86]

I felt like it was a hill with flat sides to it...I started from a bald chop...and it was super easy lol...then I got to about an inch of hair, and it was this awkward length that tangled easily, and I couldn't do anything with it. Now it's much longer and way easier to care for.

 

[She-Ra]

or harder as your hair grows longer? I've been natural almost 2 years now & while I'm loving the progress I've made, my hair is driving me crazy! Wngs look jacked on me, my twistouts have been looking fuzzy at the roots.... I'm getting tired of my hair. Its starting to not be fun anymore & lately I've just been bunning it or wearing a pony puff or updo. Sometimes I don't feel like I look good though. I'm at a loss... and I want to stay natural! So tell me does it get better?

It was easier to detangle but not style when it was shorter. It was easier to style longer(learned about my hair) but not to detangle. When I'm lazy I do braids or wigs(this satisfies my color/trendy hair cut fever). Best lessons learned in managing hair? Moisturize, detangle often, use simple routines and products. Learn to do protective styles and that wash & gos were not for me. Get role models who have hair that are similar to yours.

I say be creative with hair accessories and different protective styles(I love arranging twists/plaits to updos, crown braids, Chinese buns etc. Try turbans, headbands, scarves, unique accessories(etsy?), flowers or go to a craft store and experiment. Look at youtube demos. Sometimes I look at hairstyles in a mag/screen and try to modify to my hair)

Also? Take a break and come back. Braids? Natural Weave? etc

 

[NikStarrr]

The longer my hair gets the easier it gets. I can co-wash and bun and it looks good because my buns are a good size. I use to only twist only for twistouts but now my twists are shoulder length and the look good as their own style. The styling possibilities are just endless.

 

[adf23]

I agree with NikStar. My hair is so much easier *to me* with length. My buns and ponytails look more purposeful with more length. Wash n go's are alot more fun, the longer my hair gets, I have more uniform definition, and in the areas that I don't have perfect definition, it's not as big of a deal as when my hair was shorter, and felt like every hair needed to be in place.

OR it could be that the longer I have been natural, I am more comfortable with my hair, and caring for it comes alot more natural. I don't do alot of complicated styles that I can chance getting frustrated at- I keep it simple. Either wash n go or rollerset/flat iron.

 

[pinkchocolatedaisy]

Thanks ladies for all of your responses! I think I have pinpointed the issue. I was talking with my mom last night and it came to me. She said her hair had a huge knot in it after shampooing with Ovation cell therapy poo and using the creme rinse. She said it was so bad she had to cut it out. She said she tried everything to loosen it- oils, condish, etc but all efforts were futile. She felt like kicking herself b/c she hadn't used ovation in forever and she'd been using Carol's Daughter and it worked wonders for her. She said she doesn't know WHY she even used that other shampoo.

And then it hit me: I've veered waayyyy to far from what was working for me! I've gotten lazy and just been bunning since the beginning of this year- which is no problem - I retained a LOT of length. But I was cowashing a lot and after 3 months of bunning I was getting bored so I tried to do wng (no-no) or some updos (which were hit or miss for me). But before, I would wash/protein/deep condition once a week and then twist my hair and wear a twistout until next wash day. No problems, no tangles....I was happy. But it takes a long time for me to do twists. Larger ones don't always look great on me. But I'm gonna go back to what I KNOW was working for me and stop being all over the place.

I think that may make me happier with my hair again.

 

[godsflowerrr]

It definitely gets easier for me. I'm a lover of big hair. Since I don't comb my hair during the week, I'll wear a braid out or twist out all week. It takes me 2 minutes to do my hair daily. I just moisturize, fingercomb and that is it.

 

[Janet']

Ot: Your hair looks great in your siggy!