Are you still natural if you do a BKT?

[sheba1]

Yes your hair is very nice but my post was in response to you saying PS had the best bkt you have seen thus far. I agree, the better condition you hair is in pre-bkt the better it's going to look after you do it. Just like color, a rollerset, braid outs, etc.

You know it's funny you should say this because the makers of bkt state that the more porous the hair the better the result. They even recommend a treatment that opens the cuticle, more if your hair is virgin. Just thought this interesting...

I also wondered if the years of pressing had something to do with Pinkskates result. I had only pressed my hair twice before ever. So I'm certain that how often your hair has been pressed and the texture of the hair has something to do with the final result, also.

 

[msa]

I also wondered if the years of pressing had something to do with Pinkskates result. I had only pressed my hair twice before ever. So I'm certain that how often your hair has been pressed and the texture of the hair has something to do with the final result, also.

I was thinking this as well.

 

[JayAnn0513]

You know it's funny you should say this because the makers of bkt state that the more porous the hair the better the result. They even recommend a treatment that opens the cuticle, more if your hair is virgin. Just thought this interesting...

I also wondered if the years of pressing had something to do with Pinkskates result. I had only pressed my hair twice before ever. So I'm certain that how often your hair has been pressed and the texture of the hair has something to do with the final result, also.

Good point because that's the opposite of what onemmight have expected to happen.

 

[Ladybelle]

I drool over her hair too; but what I'm saying is someone will see her picture and hair type (or someone else with BKT) and not understand that her hair isn't "unaugmented" natural - that she has done something to it, no matter whether it is a reversible/temporary process or not.

I like this comment. How about augmented natural? I think that if your hair has not been permentely altered, you can still consider yourself "au naturale" but if you are a natural who chooses to augment your style via flatironing, color, or in this instance BKT then I would venture to say you have augmented.

No offense here: If we must categorize those with a BKT then naturals who choose to do absolutely no manipulation to their hair whatsoever (no heat, no weave, no color, no nothing) should have a title of their own. maybe, extreme natural?? or pure natural? natural natural?

augmented natural vs unaugmented natural
manipulated natural vs unmanipulated natural

Veering off the topic a little bit, a fellow coworker of mine who has not allowed heat to touch her hair in 15 years had the audacity to tell me I wasn't natural because I use heat to condition and I flat iron on occassion.I'm like , , how she gon' tell me I'm not what I know I am?

This argument seems to be one that kind not be won and just like there are a variety of women on this forum, I believe natural hair can be a variety of styles/textures and cannot be simplified with one generic definition of what it is or isn't (other than not permanently altered) and to try to define it aside from relaxed hair would be to insult the very essence of what it is.

 

[LiberianGirl]

I see your point Veejee. There are a whole lot of naturals who are particularly careful about chemicals and their hair but ingest plenty of unhealthy food substances. It's important to be consistent.

 

[jennboo]

I'm totally baffled as to how folks don't know what natural hair is.

IMHO there is no debate, grey area, or fine line...

If you use a chemical that permanently alters the texture of your hair, you are no longer natural.

With that said...

Naturals who BKT, press, flat iron, lime and coconut, twist, coil, dye, henna, roll, straw set, braid, loc, puff, curl are still natural.

Folks who texlax, silken, lye relax, no-lye relax, wave nouveau, copa, rio or undergo any other chemical process that permanently changes hair texture fall into the "chemically processed hair" category.

I've never understood this "debate".

 

[sheba1]

But Rainofglory, your posts states that there is a difference between you and your co-worker? See, to me, you're both natural. Arguing whether I'm natural because I press, bkt or wear wigs (according to Msa) is, to me, like arguing with someone as to whether I'm black just because my Great Grandmother on my Mom's side is Blackfoot Indian.

You said, how is she going to tell you what you know you are? I agree! You're natural, plain and simple. But your post says that you would have to put yourself in some other category. She would be purely natural and you augmented natural because you press? I don't think so.

 

[msa]

maybe, extreme natural?? or pure natural? natural natural?

LOL at these names.

I don't think we need new names, just new attitudes.

 

[sheba1]

LOL at these names.

I don't think we need new names, just new attitudes.

Agreed! Let's all start by looking in the mirror.

 

[ceebee3]

Exactly, to the bolded.

I don't see why someone wouldn't post updates for others who would find them beneficial just because some random chick they don't know behind a computer screen will be thinking to themselves "oh well she's not natural anymore".


LOL!

That was funny!!!!!!!!

 

[msa]

But Rainofglory, your posts states that there is a difference between you and your co-worker? See, to me, you're both natural. Arguing whether I'm natural because I press, bkt or wear wigs (according to Msa) is, to me, like arguing with someone as to whether I'm black just because my Great Grandmother on my Mom's side is Blackfoot Indian.

You said, how is she going to tell you what you know you are? I agree! You're natural, plain and simple. But your post says that you would have to put yourself in some other category. She would be purely natural and you augmented natural because you press? I don't think so.

Thats exactly why I posted all those definitions, because they are all things I've heard or read.

I've had relaxed people tell me dead to my face that they were natural. And you know what I said? Cool, do you, be you, if you like it, I love it.

If you choose a definition I don't agree with, so what. It's your head! Label it how you please.

 

[LiberianGirl]

Agreed! Let's all start by looking in the mirror.

 

[ShiShiPooPoo]

Thats exactly why I posted all those definitions, because they are all things I've heard or read.

I've had relaxed people tell me dead to my face that they were natural. And you know what I said? Cool, do you, be you, if you like it, I love it.

If you choose a definition I don't agree with, so what. It's your head! Label it how you please.

I used Phyto (soy and egg) for my last touch-up so really I am natural.









That's ridiculous!

 

[Ladybelle]

But Rainofglory, your posts states that there is a difference between you and your co-worker? See, to me, you're both natural. Arguing whether I'm natural because I press, bkt or wear wigs (according to Msa) is, to me, like arguing with someone as to whether I'm black just because my Great Grandmother on my Mom's side is Blackfoot Indian.

You said, how is she going to tell you what you know you are? I agree! You're natural, plain and simple. But your post says that you would have to put yourself in some other category. She would be purely natural and you augmented natural because you press? I don't think so.

For clarification, I'm not saying that she isn't natural. I'm saying that i think unless it's chemically altered, it's still natural. But, if we must categorize it then we can. However, if there must be categories ( i don't think there should be ) but if there needs to be for those who want clarification then there can be two categories: those who manipulate and those who don't, to get any more detailed than that would take be too much imho.

I apologize if I implied my friend was not natural, what I was trying to say is that I didn't think she had the right to tell me I wasn't just because she doesn't use the same techniques to maintain her natural hair as I do.

 

[Lucky's Mom]

This is still goin????



Heavens to betsy

 

[Ladybelle]

LOL at these names.

I don't think we need new names, just new attitudes.

Obviously we need new attitudes or else this thread would be non-existent. The irony in what I said at first is simply that:irony.

So, for simplicity sake: Yes, I think you are still natural if you BKT.

the intent of first response/post was to do just what I did: expose the redundance and ignorance of trying to classify natural headed people. Unless you do something to permanently alter your hair texture, you are still natural. So, why bother trying to figure it all out and put people in categories?? Is it neccessary? I mean it's obviously a problem because so far,there have been over 100 responses to this thread.

See how offended some people got when I even suggested placing labels and categories on others? I think the same "attitude" should apply to trying to strip being natural from those who choose to BKT.

Does the shoe fit the same on the other foot?

 

[determine3]

I dunno, is it me?I have been wearing weaves, braids etc for so long that when I don't have it in, I'm natural. To me, your natural hair (in any state) is the hair growing out of your scalp. I'm carefree about these type of things though, it makes life easier. Now my hair right now is chemical free just because relaxers and my hair don't agree but BKT is sounding pretty good right now. I will wait until the hype wears off and it is not so expensive to do.

 

[lonelysky]

I think that one is natural if they feel like they are natural.

 

[sheba1]

I apologize if I implied my friend was not natural, what I was trying to say is that I didn't think she had the right to tell me I wasn't just because she doesn't use the same techniques to maintain her natural hair as I do.

No worries, at all! I was referring to the lunacy of her referring to you as not natural because you press.

 

[sheba1]

I dunno, is it me?I have been wearing weaves, braids etc for so long that when I don't have it in, I'm natural. To me, your natural hair (in any state) is the hair growing out of your scalp. I'm carefree about these type of things though, it makes life easier. Now my hair right now is chemical free just because relaxers and my hair don't agree but BKT is sounding pretty good right now. I will wait until the hype wears off and it is not so expensive to do.

Hang in there, Determine! You may be waiting for a while, though. This new hype is only amongst african american women. Many other types of hair have been doing it for years and the prices don't appear to be going down any time soon.

Many of us are opting to do the treatment ourselves or with the help of friends at home. This has allowed us to apply for $30 per treatment, or so... as opposed to the $150 to $500 per application salon sessions.

Even as the cheaper versions come out (and there are many), I doubt you'll want to try them. They are not salon quality and not yet known on our hair type. I'll stick with salon quality that I can do at home. To me, this offers the best of both worlds.

 

[msa]

See how offended some people got when I even suggested placing labels and categories on others? I think the same "attitude" should apply to trying to strip being natural from those who choose to BKT.

Does the shoe fit the same on the other foot?

The attitude I was referring to was regarding BKT'ers being called natural. That's my point. If you want to be natural, then you should be. Everyone else can kick rocks. People who have a problem with whatever label need an attitude adjustment.

We're saying the same thing.

 

[sheba1]

The attitude I was referring to was regarding BKT'ers being called natural. That's my point. If you want to be natural, then you should be. Everyone else can kick rocks. People who have a problem with whatever label need an attitude adjustment.

We're saying the same thing.

Right, MSA... they're the ones with the problem

 

[FAMUDva]

I have no opinion on the original question, but after reading about BKT (never heard of it before this thread), I really am concerned that people actually put Formaldehyde on their hair/scalp.... Really?!?!? A known carcinogen. WOW! Learn something new everyday.

 

[msa]

Right, MSA... they're the ones with the problem

I wasn't referring to anyone specifically, just generally.

And I've said it a million times in this thread, I don't have a problem with what people call themselves. I just want people to put it out there so that way there's no confusion.

I may not agree with the definitions, but what you label yourself doesn't matter because it's your head.

Jeez. I'm agreeing with y'all and still getting jumped on.

 

[Supergirl]

Now it's time to say goodbye...
to all my LHCF friends...

I believe the OP didn't have any ill intentions when she started this discussion.

We'll go ahead and wrap this up. It was a heated discussion, but I applaud everyone because for the most part we stayed on the issue and not on each other.

I think a great suggestion came out of this discussion which is to specify any permanent or temporary alterations you've made to your hair when sharing regimen, advice, product reviews, things that worked for you, etc. because chances are that there is someone out there admiring your beautiful hair and will want to know if their hair is comparable to yours so they can predict whether or not the things you fancy will work for them.

Bottom line is it's your hair, call it what you want. You do you and be happy about it. Others' opinions may differ and that's fine too, because obviously we have a plethora of definitions for natural hair. I doubt a consensus is possible at this point. But again, it's yours so in the famous words of TI, you can do whatever you like. (I changed a word, I know!)