Confessions from a WEAVE-A-HOLIC

[CurliDiva]

My name is CurliDiva and I confess that I am a WEAVE-A-HOLIC.

I have worn FAKE hair (in some form of weaves, extension, braids or phony ponies) for over 12 years. Once I got my first set of braids (with extensions) in high school, I was hooked. I know that these can be protective styles to give our hair a break from daily heat, etc., but THEY have been my crutch.

In answering another post, I realized that since I did not know how to take care of my real hair, I just gave up by covering it up. “If you can’t grow it, sew it” should be my theme song. Removing any and all “extra” hair from my styling otions is one of my hardest hair goals for 2006. You may think this should be simple (cold turkey), but the whole idea is scary for me. HELP!

Does anyone else want to join me? Any ideas on how to leave thoses WEAVES/BRAIDS/ PONIES alone?

p.s. I not trying to pick on weaves or braids wearer but I realize that I need to let them GO.

 

[HoneyDew]

Do we need a support group?!

Its like I have a subconscience fear that my hair will all fall out if I am not wearing a weave or braids for protection.

I want to stop, but I am so scared to. It is crazy.

One part of me knows that I will enjoy caring for my hair, but then I have this gnawing side that is addicted to weaves.

I like that I can rough a weave up and get it all fried, dyed and laid to the side. I can't subject my own hair to that torture and I am afraid that I am so used to treating the weave like that and will be a fish-out-of water with my own hair.

I need some advice, as well, on this one.

 

[Candycane044]

I am the same way, it's not that I was ashamed of my hair at all, in fact it's much prettier than the actual weave, but I just don't trust myself handling it on a daily basis, so I would keep it in braids or a sew in. I would love to join this challenge or support group.

 

[SUPER SWEET]

I vividly remember being addicted to weaves. It was an awful period about 8 years. It's sad that I would cringe at my own hair. My hair had gotten in worse shape due to weaving and braiding. I only have a pony now due to protective styling but i REFUSE to ever get addicted.
WEAVE can NEVER ever rule me again! But now it's product addiction.

 

[diamoness]

I too am addicted to weave,wigs,ponies, you name it. I probably won't ever stop. As long as it looks good "to me", I'm good to go. For me, it's more the idea of instant,drastic change and the reactions I get from other people.

 

[CandiceC]

I remember when I stopped wearing a ponytail after a couple years of wearing them in middle school. It was kind of scary to break away from that style.

 

[asummertyme]

i used to be addicted as well..and i still have issues to this day..its just a convienent thing for me to do..and its even worse when u know how to do it urself...but i stopped myself some yrs ago..back when i didnt know how to care for my hair..but i feel myself falling back in the grips now that i am natural..so i feel yA!

 

[Naijaqueen]

Those were my college days, once i knew theboyfriend liked long hair, I had to have it. Quick weave became my forte, every 2 weeks, then I learned how to do it myself, then started doing sew in myself, and it was on. Left that alone 4.5yrs ago and havent looked back...I love my hair!!!

 

[imani97]

See, it was the opposite for me. I had no clue how to take care of my weave. It would look beautiful at first, but by week three, I had it tangled. I'm wondering if getting your real hair professionally styled every time you wash can be a solution. I've noticed that since I've started going to the Dominican Salon, I haven't had to use heat on my hair all week, plus it looks good. Whatever you do, don't be afraid. Just make sure to have patience and show your hair a lot of love and attention and it will thrive. Since figuring out a decent regimin in April/May, I have just been counting the inches! Good luck ladies!

 

[IntelligenceisBeautiful]

Girl, we need to start a support group because let me tell you something braids have been HORRIBLE on my hair, and I need to let them go but temptation is calling. I'm just really learning how to take care of my own hair...and it is rough. For me braids are so much easier to deal with, but I really do need to leave my hair alone and learn how to take are of it. I just hope we can stick to our guns, cause it's scary to me too.

 

[longlegz]

I too was a weave-addict for 12 years...I will mark my 1 year anniversary on Feb 5, 2006!

I have learned so much about my hair and refuse to hide like that again! I have learned so much from this board!!!

 

[Lovelylocs]

I know how u can stop...
Get a good hair cut.... (get a white stylist to give u a really nice cut)
and let the dominicans blowout ur hair every week or every other week..
You will get so many compliments u will never wanna go back to the fake stuff b/c u can honestly take pride in the fact that people are so excited over ur REAL hair!
Don't worry about how I know...
I'm out.







LOL

 

[hopeful]

Co-signing with Lovelylocs--ya'll can do it!!!

 

[Candycane044]

I know how u can stop...
Get a good hair cut.... (get a white stylist to give u a really nice cut)
and let the dominicans blowout ur hair every week or every other week..
You will get so many compliments u will never wanna go back to the fake stuff b/c u can honestly take pride in the fact that people are so excited over ur REAL hair!
Don't worry about how I know...
I'm out. LOL

That's so cute.

 

[chellyboo]

I feel ya CurlDiva, this is my situation as well. I’ve worn a curly weave for the past 15 months. My hair is natural but no one would ever know it because prior to the weave I wore braids and extensions for 3 yrs. Well, my goal is to wear my natural hair starting next year. It’s a scary thought since I don’t know my own hair. That’s the main reason why I joined this board is to learn how to take care of it. Count me in for the support group!!

 

[CurliDiva]

Thanks for the hopeful suggestions and comments:
LongLegz- Congratulations on your 1-year WEAVE-FREE anniversary

CandiceCe/ Asummertyme / Naijaqueen - It is nice to know that there is life and beautiful hair just waiting for us to take that leap of faith.

Honeydew / Mysweetvie/ Diamoness / IntelligenceisBeautiful - My weaves and braids have allowed me LAZY about hair care, and therefore I have suffered severe dryness and breakage (esp. in back section) from these these "protective" styles. It became a vicious cycle- first I worn for style and convenience, and then I needed to wear to cover and hide the damage.

Imani / Candycane/ Lovelylocs / Hopeful- I love the suggestions to get a great cut and Dominican blowouts.:wink2: I need to find some salons in my area.

Chellyboo- I also want to wear my natural hair starting next year.

To help me transition to my real hair, I remove my instant weave when I get home and this allows me to learn and deal with my real hair at least half of the time.

We can support each other!

 

[Lovelylocs]

Bumping for Taino!

 

[kweenameena]

Bumping for Taino!

LOL!

 

[NClady]

I must confess I am a WEAVE-A-HOLIC. I have been wearing weaves and wigs since 93. I will say that at least we are taking the first steps by admitting it. I love wearing my weaves and wigs. As soon as I put heat to my hair it breaks off. So now I'm at the point were I know that I need to let my weave go and start taking care of my own hair. So that if I do want to apply heat I can without it breaking off. But it's so hard to let go, cause wearing weaves or wigs are so much of a convenience. I'm glad I found this website to help me and encourage me to do the right things to my hair in order for it to grow strong and healthy. Thank you ladies of LHCF..Love you all.... But I think I have become a PJ

 

[freshlikemoi]

I just started wearing weaves, and it is the best protection for my hair at this junction in the road. But good luck, on your challenge girl. I know it can be damn hard to break-away form the YAKI.

 

[freshlikemoi]

I know how u can stop...
Get a good hair cut.... (get a white stylist to give u a really nice cut)
and let the dominicans blowout ur hair every week or every other week..
You will get so many compliments u will never wanna go back to the fake stuff b/c u can honestly take pride in the fact that people are so excited over ur REAL hair!
Don't worry about how I know...
I'm out.







LOL

LMAOO0o000o0o0o0o0o0o0

 

[SunySydeofLyfe]

After very successful bout with wigs and a not so cute episode with the SO and a wig , I am going back to weaves...BOOO....not so fast I have learned in the past month or so better ways to treat my fine tresses under my weaves so I see them as an asset and not a liability.

I learned how to do them myself and will maintain a regi that will cause growth...damn nabit growth i tell you!!!!

 

[unique4lyfe33]

i am addicted to weaves as well. me and my sister have been using them for a couple years now. i feel like its time for a end of weav wearing. so when i get out of school (in college)this summer i am going to go natural.

 

[freshlikemoi]

I just have one quick question. Why aren't you ladies using the weave as a method to protect your tresses. You can still wash, oil, and condition your hair underneath. Therefore, I dont see the problem with a weave, esp if you're tryna grow your own hair out.

Please help me understand why a weave is so bad?

 

[SunySydeofLyfe]

I just have one quick question. Why aren't you ladies using the weave as a method to protect your tresses. You can still wash, oil, and condition your hair underneath. Therefore, I dont see the problem with a weave, esp if you're tryna grow your own hair out.

Please help me understand why a weave is so bad?

In the past weaves have been bad for me because I would neglect my own hair underneath...upon rediscovering this site and believing that I can have "LOOOONNNNGGGG Hair" I will use weaves as a protective style. Thats whats up!!

 

[HoneyDew]

I just have one quick question. Why aren't you ladies using the weave as a method to protect your tresses. You can still wash, oil, and condition your hair underneath. Therefore, I dont see the problem with a weave, esp if you're tryna grow your own hair out.

Please help me understand why a weave is so bad?

Because some people use them as a crutch. They just don't feel pretty, put-together without a weave or braid or whatever. I was like that with braids.

Goodness, I cannot believe how old this thread it! And to think, I CANNOT STAND weaves or braids now. They just feel too fake and are more trouble than anything for me. I am glad i am not using them. But, so many ladies do use them to get over the hump and I think that is great. But, if they start being a crutch, it is time to stop COLD TURKEY!

 

[charmtreese]

yeah, I was a weave a holic! I had to stop cold turkey!