I FEEL LIKE SUCH A SELL OUT!

[InJesusName]

Let me preface this by saying that it is not my intent to offend anybody...I am sharing my personal opinion about my hair!

OK, I have tried bunning, knotting, briad-outs, and twist outs and ended up being STRESSED out, so I decided a different protective do--tree braids. I HATE them!! Keep in mind this is my third time attempting a braided do, and the only reason I am keeping it is because I paid $150 for them. Everyone says its cute, but I just can't stand wearing OPH (Other People's HAIR). No offense to you ladies who wear weaves and/or braids, but I feel like such a fake--not to mention it LOOKS fake. I feel like a Barbie doll.

Some of you have suggested lace front wigs, phony ponies, wigs, and other protective styles, and though I appreciate the advice, the fake hair (even if it is human) just doesn't work for me.

Is there anyone out there who got their hair to grow without "fake" hair?

Please Help!!!!

 

[BroadstreetBully]

PLENTY of ladies here have gotten their hair to grow without adding on extensions. However, when done correctly, extensions are a great way to protect your hair. I do understand where you're coming from, however. Phony ponies are as far as I'll go, and most likely I'll clip it into an updo. I wanted to try a half-wig but it didn't feel right. Mind you I used to wear braids and weaves years ago, but after having person after person try to sneak and feel up my tracks I said...forget it. Not only that but I do feel a bit "weird" wearing someone else's hair. Its hard though because I see some of the ladies here weaving and they look awesome. Whatever works best I say. My hair never seems to match any of the weaves I see. I wouldn't mind doing tree braids though.

 

[Synthia]

Girl, I don't wear fake hair ever. I hate it.

When my hair was really short. I just wore a cute feathered style.

I think I might have suggested lacefront to you (?? or somebody who was having trouble with stretching). But I that was because they were looking a mess with the stretch.


Anyway, I think if you groom properly and nurture your hair. You can have healthy cut short styles while you grow out. You don't really need protective styles if you take really good care, IMHO.

 

[PaperClip]

Wow... it's ok. You're not a sell-out, you're frustrating yourself by resisting your preferences. It's ok to not like wearing OPH (now that's a HILARIOUS acronym!).... OPH is supposed to be fun, you know, like an accessory, easy to change up....

I just discovered half-wigs (Yay!) and I'm looking forward to having fun with them as I grow my hair out.... They'll have a double-function during the cooler months: I'll have different looks and they'll keep my head covered!

Sounds like you were rocking the weaves and braids pretty well if people were approaching you and asking about your hair. And if they touched you, well, that's tresspassing (check spelling) and that is unacceptable!

Hope you find your way....

 

[alexstin]

Let me preface this by saying that it is not my intent to offend anybody...I am sharing my personal opinion about my hair!

OK, I have tried bunning, knotting, briad-outs, and twist outs and ended up being STRESSED out, so I decided a different protective do--tree braids. I HATE them!! Keep in mind this is my third time attempting a braided do, and the only reason I am keeping it is because I paid $150 for them. Everyone says its cute, but I just can't stand wearing OPH (Other People's HAIR). No offense to you ladies who wear weaves and/or braids, but I feel like such a fake--not to mention it LOOKS fake. I feel like a Barbie doll.

Some of you have suggested lace front wigs, phony ponies, wigs, and other protective styles, and though I appreciate the advice, the fake hair (even if it is human) just doesn't work for me.

Is there anyone out there who got their hair to grow without "fake" hair?

Please Help!!!!

Girl, I can't do it either! Don't feel bad, everybody has to do what works for them. I've never worn fake hair a day in my life and I've had good results.

 

[hopeful]

Just wanted to tell you that you are not alone. I have always hated wearing OPH as well, I just don't feel right. I've worn a weave here and there, braids here and there, but I always quickly want to get back to my hair. Since I haven't really grown my hair out yet, I guess I can't give much advice though. I think the key really is moisture and low manipulation. Good luck!

 

[leleepop]

I have gained progress without wearing OPH also. When I first started I bunned alot, and then every other week I rollerset and flatiron the roots only,now I'm on a no heat challenge so I doing a very simple 8 braided plait braidout with perm rollers on the ends. There are alot of things you can do. I would take advantage of this time with your hair in braids and do a surge challenge or mtg to jumpstart your growth,in the meantime you can get your game plan together on wait you will do to your hair when you take them out.hth

 

[Cichelle]

I understand how you feel. I don't ever wear OPH . I once bought a phony bun but never got into it. Just looked straight up FAKE. So, that thing has been sitting on a shelf for like a year now, just collecting dust.

I just dealt with my own hair while transitioning and after the b/c. My hair has grown and done well without OPH or braids. I never liked braids, though I do like twists. You can grow your hair without that stuff. You just need to practice good hair care, patience and some experimentation to see what styles, etc work for you.

 

[InJesusName]

Awwwww! You ladies made me feel so much better!!

I am glad to know that I am not the only one who feels this way. I hear ya on the looking a hot mess when stretching a relaxer! GUILTY AS CHARGED!!!!

I know one thing for sure! I am going to tough this weave thing out for a few more weeks to get my money's worth out of it, then I"M GETTING A RELAXER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mizani_Mrs]

You sound like me.But you need to know that you can successfully grow your hair with out protective styling. prot styling just helps in retaining the most length and fullness. but u can still retain a good amount without it. Try just using common sense when taking care of your hair. It's ok to wear your hair down. i wear my hair down every single day and u can see my siggy of the growth that i obtained. and furthermore if you are trying to grow your hair, then you need to stop focusing on the roots and focus on the ends. The ends are very important...the roots are gonna grow withiout any assistance from you but your ends need help if you want to keep them. I've discovered that protective styles arent for everyone. an di dont do them. as i said i wear my hair down daily and i am stretching. i am currently 3months and 1 week post. I wash weekly and i blowdry and lately ive been flatironing, and then i'll wear the top of my hair in a clip and the back out. or i'll do caruso rollers. but the point is...you can wear your hair out and use minimal heat as long as you do your protein/moisture treatments and moisturize daily...

HTH

 

[HoneyDew]

So many people do have success with fake hair, but I gave it up, too.

My hair is actually doing better w/o it and I have been havign so much more fun with my hair.

Also, I am encouraged by the fact that there are MANY ladies on this board with great hair that never wore fake hair and there are also many that do not wear protective styles.

 

[Divine Inspiration]

I can TOTALLY relate because I have never and will never (God-willing) have any additions of hair to my head. It would drive me bananas so I've never even considered it as a protective style...I don't even do phony buns and ponys. I just can't get with it on any level.

Don't feel bad though...this is an experimental hair care journey...you win some, you lose some. Now you can add something else to the list of things that simply aren't for you.

 

[Miss*Tress]

I can relate to not wearing OPH, but how come "bunning, knotting, briad-outs, and twist outs" stressed you out?

 

[DahomeyAhosi]

As another poster said there are lots of ladies who've grown their hair out without adding fake hair. I had cornrows with fake hair once for three days. They were too tight so I cut them out and wasted all that money. I'd rather spend that money buying products to take care of my own hair.

 

[InJesusName]

The braid outs, twist outs, etc. are stressing me out because they always come out looking a HOT MESS!!!!!!!!!!

I have posted other threads about this, and I think this may have to do with the fact that it had been almost 6 months since I had a relaxer. My hair is SO thick, so it never dries all the way, and the final style always comes out frizzy and afro-like. Call me picky, but I am not fond of the whole natural thing either. It's just not me.

I have only been at this whole healthy hair thing for about two weeks, so now I am starting to discover what will work for me. After I take out the tree braids, I am going to get a relaxer (I'm thinking Phyto), and go to 12 week stretches. Once my roots are straight, I will try these styles again. Suggestions are always welcome!!