Hair Confusion

[MelloYello]

I think I've now learned so much info on this hair board that now I am just confused! I have been transitioning since September, but now as I look at my hair I am wondering why?! The main reason I got a relaxer a year ago was becuase I was tired of always pressing my hair, going to the salon, or dealing with my very thick wild out of control 3c hair with super frizzy/fuzzy edges!!

But that relaxer was badly underprocessed in some areas so I decided to start over. I actually like wearing my hair "done" the majority of the time, but with my hair natutral I can only acheive staright styled hair with lots of heat. I also tire of the slicked back ponytail. I would really love to airdry ,then style... oh who knows!
Plus I always have biz meetings so I need to look put topgether... maybe i should texturize

And summer's coming so I want a bit of color... can't you tell I am sooooooooooooo confused?

Any tips, suggestions or words of encouragement would help!

 

[Karonica]

Girl, I know how you feel. I ended up going back to relaxing because I was doing more harm than good. I had no patience for the multiple textures, and because of that, my hair is much shorter than it was this time around last summer. I've been getting trim after trim to keep my hair in order.

Are you afraid to do a BC? If not, and you really want to go natural, I'd honestly say go for it, because it will save you alot of pain dealing with a thousand textures. But I totally understand your frustration.

 

[MelloYello]

karonica, how's your hair now??

I actually did a mini BC last month, my hair is kind of bobbed and chin length, but I need heat to style it... don't even know if it's the 2 textures, it's my natural wild mane causing me problems

 

[MelloYello]

bump

 

[Karonica]

Well, I first started transitioning in June last year. But I broke, and got a touch-up that October. My hair is doing great now. The only thing missing is a lot of length. My ends were a mess by the time I finally caved in to go back to relaxers, so they had to go.

 

[ms_kenesha]

I really think that if you only want to wear your hair straight then maybe transitioning is not for you. Do you rollerset your hair? I'm sure that with 3C hair if you did a rollerset with large rollers and/or a blowout you could acheive a straight look with your natural hair.

 

[MelloYello]

good point ms kenesha (luv your twa by the way!)
it is just so much work dealing with my natural hair myself - okay, yes I can be lazy, but still

 

[sengschick]

Mello,

Unfortunately, my first reply was lost! Boo. Anyhoo, I total understand your dilemma. I have been natural for about 10 years now and sometimes feel like I'm being held hostage. Don't get me wrong, I love my hair. I have come to learn it's special textures and appreciate it's incredible luster and beauty. I think that my hair is very special and incredibly unique, but I have very little versatility and maybe that's more my lack of vision than my hair. However I can't image taking a beach vacation for fear of what I will do w/my natural hair.

I thought that my hair would benefit from the lack of chemicals, but I have since learned that my devotion to the blow dryer and flattening iron have cost me length instead. When I used to blow dry exclusively my hair was 17"! I had a BC and was advised to keep my hair straighter by a beautician. From this advice I am still recovering, b/c I have yet to regain my length.

I recently decided to take the plunge and get a texturizer which will be done this Friday. I am definitely nervous, but excited about the possibility of washing and wearing my hair. I think it will help me preserve the length I'm growing each month and will fit my lifestyle. I exercise and weightlift, so maybe now I'll be able to go home and rinse my hair or CWC after workouts. I'm just hoping to be liberated from the constraints I've found and find a healthier way to manage the curls.

Just know that I definitely empathize and understand. I'd be happy to share my results before you make any final decisions.

Best Wishes!

 

[CocoaCure]

Yes, I'm transitioning too, but sometimes after visiting many boards, I wonder if texturizing isn't one of the best things we can do for our hair. Why? Becuase it eliminates the things people find difficult about totally natural hair, yet it keeps most of our natural curl definition which means it's very easy to just wash and wear! Plus, although it's a chemical, you only get it like twice, maybe three times a year and when you do it you stay 1/2 inch away from the scalp - so no chemical ever touches your scalp. I don't know.............I just wonder sometimes about the many benefits of this for those who relax and those who are natural. Just wondering.

 

[bettydavis]

MelloYello, I am going through this same confusion right now! I have lived in extensions for most of my teenage/adult life but I didn't take good care of it at all.Now I have learned to take care of my hair in braids and I am trying to grow it to a length where I feel comfortable wearing it out. Well, I took out my braids and I am trying to deal with my natural hair, which has grown substantially, but now, with all this moisturizing, it shrinks up to about half the length. My curl pattern is so strong that even when I was relaxed, it seemed to be texturized. Now it gets so thick and curly that I don't know if I'll be able to manage it when it gets even longer. For now, I think I'm going to keep it braided while growing it out, but once I reach my goal (brastrap), I might consider texturizing. Right now it's shoulder length but it shrinks up to ear length!

 

[MelloYello]

Thanks ladies, I'm glad I'm not the only one!

Sengschick - please give me an update on what happens with your texturizer on Friday! I also workout and am looking for hari to work with my lifestyle.

Cocoa & Betty - Looks like we are all considering the texturizer route!