Naturals - Just tell me why did you do it?

[daaiyah]

Are you natural because of the way it looks?
Because it is healthier?
Because it is easier?
Please share with me. So many people are transitioning and I would like an idea of why. I am asking out of curiosity not controversy. Please, please share with me why you made this decision.
TIA.

 

[LunadeMiel]

Are you natural because of the way it looks? Yes and because I hated getting relaxers.
Because it is healthier? Yes
Because it is easier? YES!!! and YES!!!

ETA: where did you get those hair toys?

 

[KizzieNapps]

For me, it was not a choice. My hair would not absorb relaxers anymore. I found out after I BC'd that it was a porosity issue. But it was like my hair was literally making the choice for me...LAY OFF THE RELAXERS LADY!!! I would say that I did it definitely for the health of my hair and my hair thanks me everyday.

 

[Natural Glow]

I'm natural because no matter which relaxer i used or how long i left it on my hair was still curly and had to be flat ironed straight so i figured might as well stop wasting my money and time on getting relaxers and just go natural. I can flat iron it and get it just as straight now as i did then.

 

[KizzieNapps]

Oh...and it is A WHOLE LOT easier to take care of!!! Hallelujah!!! I could write a whole book on the perils of styling my relaxed hair...UGH!!! I'm getting mad just thinking about it!!!

 

[LadyKaypnyc]

]Are you natural because of the way it looks? I love my kinky coily curly texture

Because it is healthier? If taken care of properly, definately.

Because it is easier? When the right techniques are used, definately, you just have to find your groove. I'm in autopilot now, so for me, it's very easy....

 

[PinkSkates]

I went natural because it is healthier for my hair overall. I went natural because I got tired of sitting at the salon waiting 2 hours to get my retouch. And I started to get nauseous from the smell of the relaxer as it was being applied to my hair.
And I went natural because I wanted to experience the option of wearing my hair in its natural state.

 

[loolalooh]

Are you natural because of the way it looks? Over time, this became a reason to stay natural. I love the thickness.
Because it is healthier? This was my INITIAL reason for going natural.
Because it is easier? This was my SECOND.

 

[naturalgurl]

Are you natural because of the way it looks? Nope, hair is hair to me. But it does show off our uniqueness a little more.
Because it is healthier? ABSOLUTELY!
Because it is easier? Another ABSOLUTELY!

 

[JustKiya]

Hrm, good question.

My main reason was because I look stupid with straight hair - rather how I look stupid with any color eyes besides the ones I was born with.

It's easier, cheaper, quicker, smells better, feels better, grows better, is healthier, is more attractive, and it's unique.

 

[BeetleBug]

Are you natural because of the way it looks? Yes, I love the look of natural hair of all types. Too bad, more people can't see the beauty of it including some people on this board.
Because it is healthier? Yes
Because it is easier? Yes. It is so much easier. It was harder trying to style relaxed hair. After 1 week, all I could do was put in a bun or rollerset. I don't what people say. It was harder for me to manage relaxed hair.

 

[glamazon386]

Because I only relaxed a few times a year and never wore my hair straight. My relaxed hair was damaged for a long time and I had finally nursed it back to health so I figured what the heck?

 

[thaidreams]

My hair and scalp did not respond well to relaxers. For some reason my hair just would not grow. However, as soon as I stopped relaxing my hair started to thrive. When my hair is pressed it's full with lots of body and it looks just like I have a relaxer. So I really felt why continue to add chemicals that were not working for me.

 

[NappFrizz83]

I went natural to see if it would be easier to grow my hair out and because i heard it was good for you lol.

 

[drjo91]

Are you natural because of the way it looks? I am transitioning now because i never knew that you could go back to your natural hair state. I never liked relaxing my hair because i would end up with scalp burns. My hair got thinner and i couldn't retain length. I must admit that i am in love with my natural hair.

Because it is healthier?Definately!!! No chemicals on my hair...more growth and faster growth.
Because it is easier? With time hell yeah. At the moment because i have relaxed ends is a little hard.

 

[Rapunzel*]

Are you natural because of the way it looks?its more than that
Because it is healthier?yes, but everyone withj natural hair doesnt have healthy hair imo
Because it is easier?i wouldnt say that
i was tired of sitting in a chair with my scalp burningerplexedthin/medium relaxed hair, broken hairs that would snap off, short pony tails 5-8 inches, and that my hair never was blunt apl just one last layer which eventually snapped off. natural hair has so much versatility and there is nothing you cant do with natural hair. i also missed my childhood curlies and how my hair was so thick and healthy. but there were times when i loved my relaxed hair in 2007, and when i transitioned in the middle 07 for the first time omg you couldnt tell me nuthin





and now that im natural i feel so much better, soon ill be running towards the rain, doing large buns, twistouts/twists, rollersets and having big hair. i cant wait til 09

 

[daaiyah]

Thank you for the responses so far. This is enlightening.

 

[carameldiva]

Are you natural because of the way it looks? I loved the look of natural hair on a lot of the ladies that I was working with at the time and wondered how it would look on me. I was at a point where I was ready for a change and I was tired of being fried, dyed and laid to the side. My hair was and still is super thick. I found it hard to maintain on my own as a permie and yes I love the way it looks too.

Because it is healthier? Yes it is so much more healthier and low maintenance and I love experimenting with new products.

Because it is easier? Definitely easier, if something is not working then I experiment until I find a product that does (Easier route look for a hair twin and see what they recommend- this has worked well for me).

 

[juju]

I went natural because i hve fine hair en not so dense hair and the relaxer made t even worse,i like my natural jst the way it is now .

 

[LoveLiLi]

I went natural because it's healthier and it looks better. I wanted to go natural for years and, in fact, I've gone natural before and I relaxed again because my aunt took me to the salon every two weeks and the stylist acted like my natural hair was going to be the death of her. I liked natural hair, but relaxed because of the criticism.

I also wanted to go natural a few years ago but didn't because my ex "only [likes] girls with perms". I finally was forced to go natural because relaxing my hair didn't mesh with my lifestyle in general and my hair would shed like crazy after each relaxer (my disastrous Phyto experience was the last straw).

* I do yoga, take an obscene amount of supplements, I don't drink or smoke and I rarely drink soda, yet I was putting chemicals on my scalp on a regular basis erplexed. It just didn't make sense for me.


* Natural hair just looks healthier to me and it gets longer easier (ime). My natural hair was waist-length at its longest, but my relaxed hair would reach bra-strap and start to thin out, so I'd have to cut it back to SL. Also, I can usually tell the difference between a natural who has straightened her hair and a woman with a relaxer because typically the natural hair is fuller, shinier and longer.

* As a natural I can wear my hair curly, wavy or straight with greater ease. My relaxed hair would not hold a curl unless I did a braid out and that would only last for three days at a time. I also would be anxious every time I got a touch up because it really only takes one bad relaxer/stylist to mess your pretty head of hair up.

* I guess I don't like to go with the flow. I would get a little peeved when people would act like relaxers are mandatory for all black girls. I hate when people see a fro or curly hair and laugh because I think natural hair looks beautiful. This happens all the time at work. There are a couple of pr girls who wear their hair curly most of the time and my other coworkers giggle when they come in the lab and call them Side Show Bob .

Overall, it's just the best decision for my hair. I don't have to worry about chemicals and I can showcase my hair's natural beauty and versatility.

 

[Muffinz05]

I basically did it because I got tired of going to the salon and sitting there for 3+ hours for a touch-up. Also, I'm very active so I got tired of going back to the salon after I sweat my hair out. There's no difference with the lenght from when I was relaxed to natural now because I always had long hair but it is much easier to manage and much healthier. I don't have to worry about all the harsh chemical plus I love my big hair.

 

[smitmarv]

Most of you say it is easier to take care of. How is that so? A long time ago when I was natural it seemed hard especially if I had hot combed it and then took a shower. The steam would revert it and I could never keep it looking good for more then a day. But I do agree that it was healthier.

 

[malachi74]

Are you natural because of the way it looks? I love the way my hair looks and it's versatility
Because it is healthier? that too. I have eczema and often have breakouts at the nape of my neck; imagine the gooky sores on the back of my neck every 8 weeks after applying relaxer
Because it is easier? i don't know if I'd say that.

I started getting relaxed during middle school b/c I just wanted to fit in. Then when I was about 15, I met my same-age cousin who had hip-length natural hair and that was it for me. My relaxed hair was scraggely and broken and hers was long, thick, fluffy and beautiful. The second time I used relaxer was to texlax a couple of years ago to see if I could elongate my curl pattern. I hated the way my hair looked between touch-ups b/c my stylist was overprocessing so i bc'd and went back to natural.

 

[JustKiya]

Most of you say it is easier to take care of. How is that so? A long time ago when I was natural it seemed hard especially if I had hot combed it and then took a shower. The steam would revert it and I could never keep it looking good for more then a day. But I do agree that it was healthier.

It's easier to take care of if you take care of it in it's natural state - I don't consider the issue of reverting as meaning that natural hair is harder to take care of - that just means natural hair isn't naturally straight, so it's going to take a lot more effort to maintain that. *shrug*

 

[MekyakaKinkerbelle]

My HONEST response:

I went natural because of an ended relationship. Went to a stylist and literally got a fade. I looked like a dude and it took some serious inner/self reflection to get through it (the natural hair AND the relationship). I was previously that chick that always had the long, fly hair with a weekly standing appointment at my stylist.

I stayed natural because it is simply healthier. It's definitely not easier, but it's me and I own it and it's not for anyone else (which I do believe my previous hair was).

It's slightly changed my "lifestyle". I try to eat and live in a healthier manner as well. For ME, something about being natural makes me want to embrace a better, healthier overall me.

 

[MekyakaKinkerbelle]

It's easier to take care of if you take care of it in it's natural state - I don't consider the issue of reverting as meaning that natural hair is harder to take care of - that just means natural hair isn't naturally straight, so it's going to take a lot more effort to maintain that. *shrug*

Interesting POV.

For me, I rarely wear my hair straight, and my natural hair in all its glory is WAY harder to take care of than my relaxed hair. But it is healthier and more lush, so I deal with it. Although, everyday that goes by, it gets more and more difficult to fight the urge to try to "tame" it.

 

[bklyncurly]

Are you natural because of the way it looks? YES
Because it is healthier? YES
Because it is easier? YES - DEFINITELY YES!!!
Please share with me. So many people are transitioning and I would like an idea of why. I am asking out of curiosity not controversy. Please, please share with me why you made this decision.
TIA.

***At the time, I was contemplating whether or not I should go natural. I was tired of spending so much money on my hair every 2 wks (wash/blow curl $35); 6-8 wks (touch-up $45 touchup; trim $15; con $10). Then, my decision was finally made when I waited 3 hours to get my hair done, then it took another 2 hours to finish! All I had done was a touch-up and flat iron straight. This was not a one time occurrence, but for some reason that day it was the final straw! I've been natural ever since.

 

[BostonMaria]

Are you natural because of the way it looks? Yes! I've always admired women with natural hair. My mom put a relaxer on me when I was 10, way too young. I always wanted my hair in its natural state. When I was little my hair was long, thick and I wanted that back.

Because it is healthier? I really don't think putting those chemicals on your scalp is good for you. I wouldn't be surprised if this is why cancer is higher amongst women of color. That's just MY opinion.

Because it is easier? Once you get to know your hair it gets easier with time. It took me a while, but I think I found my regimen. If I don't like my hairstyle, I wet it and start over. That's not something I could've done with my relaxed hair. I don't fear the rain and I have more styling options than before.

 

[KizzieNapps]

It's easier to take care of if you take care of it in it's natural state - I don't consider the issue of reverting as meaning that natural hair is harder to take care of - that just means natural hair isn't naturally straight, so it's going to take a lot more effort to maintain that. *shrug*

ITA...I think its only easy if you let it do what its going to do. If I was trying to straighten my hair every week I would be better off relaxed cuz that aint happenin over here with this hair

 

[~CurlyNikki~]

I did it for health...mental health and hair health. It feels good...it feels like....ME!