Why did you go/stay NATURAL?

[LatterGlory]

______________________.

 

[Mook's hair]

Really just wanted to see what it would be like and get reaquainted with my own texture.
I figured since I was washing deep conditioning blow drying and flat ironing once a week. I'd do the same thing but without the relaxer and touchups. So far I've realized that (for me keeping my natural 4B/a hair in straightened styles during the hot humid summer fall months is futile. So I've been hitting the natural textured styles lately to maintain my sanity.

Once the humidy leaves and the NJ cold settles in I'll return to more straight styles.

 

[Country gal]

I lived most of my life with relaxed hair. I wanted to return to my natural roots. I got my first perm in 5th grade. Up until the creamy crack, I use to get my hair pressed or braided as a protective style.

I chose to remain natural because my hair is so much more healthier. It grows faster. I am look forward to have so more growth this year.

 

[mscocoface]

Reasons are:

Healthy hair, long hair, keeping hair on my head and not in my comb or on my clothes.

The more philosophical reason was, what does my own hair really look like and what would it look like long, natural and healthy. I love challenges and I hated not knowing that one basic answer to something that is on my body.

I knew everything else about me why not about my hair?

 

[La Colocha]

I went natural because relaxers and color damaged my hair. Im staying natural because i fell in love with my natural hair.

 

[LatterGlory]

_______________

 

[Ramya]

I don't like stick straight hair.
My scalp hates relaxers.
I missed my curls and coils.
I missed the ease of natural hair (wash and gos)
My hair is fine and not thick so relaxers made my hair hang flat and look thin.

I can achieve the same styles natural.

 

[Austro-Afrikana]

I was planning a 6month stretch but chickened out of my relaxer appointment for fear that i'd lose all my progress...

 

[MonPetite]

I relaxed to apologize for looking as I do. I got over that and asked myself what did I truly prefer in terms of how I wear my hair. I preferred being natural. I've matured enough to wear my hair naturally without feeling ugly/inferior (most days). The negative backlash I've received and continue to receive mixed with inappropriate shows of appreciation continue to make doing so difficult at times. I cannot wait to relocate. Until then, I've got to fight to stay true to my decision. I do like being natural more than being relaxed. I don't like the stupidity it seems to engender from the average passerby.

 

[Truth]

I was always curious of how my natural hair looked since the only way I remember my hair as a child was washed blow dryed and hot combed.. then put in cornrows..Plus, I always said once I reached my goal relaxed... I would go natural.. Once I hit that goal.. I transitioned and then finally said CHOP...

 

[CarefreeinChicago]

I had to go natural or be bald. My scalp just would not stand perms anymore my derm was like give it up. Now I have a head full of thick hair that I get washed & blowdried and flatironed every two weeks. But I also keep it at neck lenght.

 

[LatterGlory]

________________

 

[cutenss]

Tried of relaxers. Tried of doing them, buyinig them. So after finally tried of being jealous of my sisters hair (who is a natural), I decided no more. So July 2004, I did my last one. I never did a BC. Just slow trims. Plus my BF is a natural, so no pressure there, AND at the same time I decided, so did my mom. I WILL NEVER relax again. I don't need/want to.

 

[PearlyCurly]

I picked 3 answers BECAUSE,

1- I wanted to see my natural hair, since i have been relaxed since i was 7.
2- I like relaxed hair but the last time i relaxed it took half of my hair out from the scalp
3- Relaxers gave me horrible scabs and dandruff.

 

[Chromia]

Seeing natural styles that I liked, whether it was a picture in an ad, Nadia Turner's hair on American Idol, etc.

Knowing that in the future when my hair eventually turns gray I'm going to dye it and I don't want to dye relaxed hair.

Being curious about what my natural texture looked like and what I could do with it as far as products, tools, and styles. When I was a kid after my hair was washed it was pressed & braided. For a while in 5th grade I had a Jheri curl , then braid extensions in 5th & 6th grade, then my hair was relaxed from around age 12 to age 30. I was 30 years old and didn't know what my natural hair looked like or what I could do with it.

Being tired of that flat limp lifeless look that comes with freshly relaxed hair.

Not wanting to spend the rest of my life getting my hair relaxed and thinking I want to stop eventually, why wait.

 

[clever]

I'm a life long natural.Relaxers were never an option for me.You can straighten hair with other methods if you choose.I just don't understand why people get them when they still go through so much to make their hair look styled anyway...

 

[BARCA]

Really because I'm a college student and couldn't afford the salon visits anymore. That and I had better things to do on a Saturday morning than sit in a salon.

 

[msa]

I'm a life long natural.Relaxers were never an option for me.You can straighten hair with other methods if you choose.I just don't understand why people get them when they still go through so much to make their hair look styled anyway...

Yay another lifer!


I'm natural because relaxing was never an option for me growing up. Stayed natural as an adult because I like my hair the way it is and it looks much better than straight hair.

 

[Sweet_Ambrosia]

I went natural mainly because I wanted to embrace the ‘real’ me. I grew tired of the ‘straight’ look after so many years and the whole ‘relaxer process’ it was time to move on to something else. I love my hair natural and the versatility that comes with it, I can do the same styles as I did when I was relaxed, so there really isn’t a need for me to go back, I love my natural hair too much so I’m staying natural for life.

 

[Kranbery]

The overall health of my hair is sooo much better. I thought my hair was fine because it was thick and sort of long, but it was usually. When I recently flat-ironed my hair, it was even thicker, shiny, and so light it was flying in the wind. Just from seeing that, I know I am doing the right thing. Plus, curly hair is awesome. I just have to ignore the shrinkage for now.

 

[fletches]

I went natural b/c while I was getting my hair done, a natural came in to get her hair done. Her hair was probably waist length, while mine was ear length

I stayed natural b/c my hair is the healthiest it's ever been.

 

[a_shoe_6307]

I hated how my hair looked and felt. It was only 2-3 times a year for two years, but I just couldn't even do it any longer. My hair had lost it's shine, it's curls, and all of it's body. I had to get back to that.

 

[carib_n_curly]

Yay another lifer!


I'm natural because relaxing was never an option for me growing up. Stayed natural as an adult because I like my hair the way it is and it looks much better than straight hair.

omg is that 3 lifers

i never relaxed my hair because
* never got the hype over straight hair, still don't
*didn't see it as something i HAD to do like some around me
*if it's good the way it is why change it
*relaxers seem like so much hassle
*relaxers stink and the smell makes me gag
* big fluffy hair is awesome to me straight hair just does not compare. call me nazi what ever

most important my mother gave me the choice and supported my decision even though i made it when i was 5

 

[clever]

Yay another lifer!


I'm natural because relaxing was never an option for me growing up. Stayed natural as an adult because I like my hair the way it is and it looks much better than straight hair.

I don't what I would do if I lost my dang texture/fullness.Even though I straighten my hair,I do it as an option not because I think thats the only way natural hair looks good.

 

[clever]

omg is that 3 lifers

i never relaxed my hair because
* never got the hype over straight hair, still don't
*didn't see it as something i HAD to do like some around me
*if it's good the way it is why change it
*relaxers seem like so much hassle
*relaxers stink and the smell makes me gag
* big fluffy hair is awesome to me straight hair just does not compare. call me nazi what ever

most important my mother gave me the choice and supported my decision even though i made it when i was 5

Right!All of that work and prep and people still go through alot to do their hair.

 

[LatterGlory]

_____________

 

[chebaby]

i've always wanted to be natural but didnt know how to go about it. when i first got a relaxer its not lke people exsplained to children what they were doing. it was just "going to get your hair done". when i found this bored i was so happy now i finally new i could go natural after years of stylist saying my hair would fall out if i stopped getting relaxers.

im staying natural because this is how my hair grows out of my scalp. why would i want to change that?

 

[chebaby]

One LHCf member said after watching Chris Rock's Good Hair (I'm paraphrasing) she freaked out and decided not to relax.

Anyone had a similar reaction after learning something alarming about chemicals used to alter hair texture?

i was in the theater with SO when the trailer for the above movie came on. people were oohing and awwing when they taked about the relaxer eating through the cans. my SO asked me did i think the women that were cringing would stop using relaxers and MHO is no. they will continue to be relaxed because thats all many of them know. you have to really be ready to go natural before you do it. you ccant be weak because your friends and family will let you know you are stupid for walking around with nappy hair. old strangers will come up to you and scold you for having unkempt hair. for most, one movie will not change all that.

 

[CheLala13]

Why shouldn't I enjoy the hair the Lord gave me, because people have some racial issues? Na, I'll pass, give me my nappy hair!

 

[MizzBrit]

i fell in love with my natural hair
it looks better on ME
i love BIG hair
relaxers damaged my hair