kking may be onto something good....*stupid look*

[Leshia]

What are everyone's (relaxed) reasons for NOT going natural??? Pebbles? Adrienne? Elliot? Everyone relaxed..calling all relaxed heads! /images/graemlins/orders.gif Do you have specific reasons for not transitioning? I'm actually considering it ever since kking's post of the no relaxer challenge...Weird. *stupid look**

 

[Robin41]

Hi, Leshia. I love the look of natural twists and twist-outs but my hair is very fine and so fragile that it breaks off easily so I can't see myself trying to go natural. My comb needs to be able to glide through my hair to prevent breakage so I relax to keep it manageable.

I've been relaxing my hair now for over 30 years so it's also a matter of habit. I'm accustomed to it and know what I'm dealing with, and especially now that I've finally got a regimen that's working for me, I'll continue with my 8-week touch-ups.

If your hair can take the transition with no harm done, go for it.

 

[Titansgirl]

Hi Lesha, I just went 8 months w/o a relaxer. I was truly thinking about going natural. As a matter of fact, I have thought about going natural for several years. Anyway, I got tired of how long it would take me to do my hair. Before I started reading the board in Oct. of last year, I used to wash my hair every two weeks. Now I wash my hair twice a week. /images/graemlins/shocked.gif I just couldn't deal w/ how long it took me to wash and air dry my hair. It is much more manageable now. /images/graemlins/grin.gif It doesn't take me long to do my hair. I can wash and go. I love it. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Integrity]

whats up with this no relaxer campaign?? /images/graemlins/mad.gif /images/graemlins/grin.gif kidding. if i had discovered the board b4 relaxing my hair last summer i would not have done it. then, i did not realise my natural hair was dry and unmanagaeble due to no washing moisture and deep conditioning ever! since i have the relaxer on now i will stick to it till i have reached at least bra strap and then consider going natural and stick to the look i prefer! /images/graemlins/drunk.gif /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[pebbles]

Hi Leshia,

Well, I'm one of those women who likes to have a different look every now and then. I've been natural before and liked it, but right now that I know how to care for relaxed hair, I'm loving my relaxed look!! I'm not gonna lie, I really love it. I don't see myself transitioning any time soon. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[sassygirl125]

When I was relaxing my hair on a regular basis I never considered 'going natural' because I didn't like the styling options. My hair isn't wavy or curly. It's just nappy. /images/graemlins/grin.gif The only styles I was aware of were locs, braids and afros. None of which I like. Not for a long period of time, anyway... After my touch-up disaster this past summer I planned to grow 5-6 inches of natural hair, chop off the relaxed part and get another relaxer. But after two or three months I became enthralled with my new growth. /images/graemlins/laugh.gif Not to mention deathly afraid of getting another relaxer and losing what was left of my hair!! My natural texture wasn't as awful as I thought it was. Hard as /images/graemlins/censored.gif to comb, but not ugly. But I was still gonna slap some Motions on that stuff ASAP! /images/graemlins/wink.gif While searching for tips on managing my hair for the next several months, I ran across some books and some online hair albums that showed styles I would be comfortable wearing on a regular basis. Motowngirl, Monicurl and Aldrea (Cocodiva) are my favorites. That did it--why risk more damage when I could leave it alone and be happy with how my hair looked?

And I can always get some help from the Hot Comb Mafia! /images/graemlins/rofl.gif

Or just a blow dryer and a flat iron... /images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Tracy]

My reasons are very simple - I like wearing my hair straight most often and my hair is naturally curly. Therefore, just as I wouldn't keep spray painting my hair red unless there was some reason I couldn't get the color I wanted longer term, I see no reason not to wear my hair permanently straightened since that's how I like to wear it most of the time.

Especially since I don't lose much of my curl pattern because of the manner in which I have my relaxer applied and the formula I use.

I don't wish to go natural because I get the best of both worlds with my relaxed hair. I can wear it straight and I can can wear it very curly and look like many of the lovely natural haired ladies on the board whose hair I admire so much. For me, I have all the options I want. No hassles and no headaches.

What more could a girl ask for? /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[kalia]

Even though I just did the Big Chop, the main reason I kept relaxing was because of lack of knowledge. I didn't know not to comb natural hair when it is dry or to apply products while wet. Little things like that made it tough when I attempted to go natural years ago.

There are also a lot of misconceptions about natural hair. It is easy to manage when your not fighting it and let it do it's own thing! /images/graemlins/grin.gif

But thanks to the internet with sites like this, motowngirls, naturallycurly etc. has educated me about natural hair. Everyone in my life has relaxed hair and know nothing about natural hair. So I am thankful for the net, for I would still be relaxing my hair. /images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[LondonDiva]

I like wearing my hair straight, and as my hair grows I like to see the actual length of my hair. I've had all from locs to a short texturised halle berry cut. When I was relaxed first time I was 16 and used a no lye and had no hair education. For a good 3-4 years I was natural and in comparison having it relaxed is the easiest styl option for me.

I used to change my hair on average every 6 months I think this is the longest I've been without making any drastic changes to it. Who knows I may chop it all off and go back to wearing my hair ultra short in 5 years time or so (but I seriously don't think so /images/graemlins/laugh.gif) or I may do so and do the whole thing again with natural hair.

Like Pebbles I honestly do prefer the look of my hair relaxed, and after having nearly every do under the sun, it's the easiest to manage.

 

[elite_chiq]

I LOVE my natural hair i think that its more versatile than permed hair, I like to change alot. If I want it straight I can just get it flat ironed, if I want tons of waves (like an texturizer) all i have to do is apply some gel. And i LOVE when my fro be all braided up...and i like the natural effect with it, so natural if def me! /images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[moni]

I have a relaxer because initially my mother did it before I had a say in the matter. But I continue to get my hair relaxed because because I like the look of straight hair. I don't want to go natural and then decide to have my hair flat ironed or pressed to achieve that look (straight look). That would just take time that I don't have. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[kalia]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
elite_chiq said:
I LOVE my natural hair i think that its more versatile than permed hair, I like to change alot. If I want it straight I can just get it flat ironed, if I want tons of waves (like an texturizer) all i have to do is apply some gel. And i LOVE when my fro be all braided up...and i like the natural effect with it, so natural if def me! /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

That's true. I like to wear straight styles sometimes. I choose to wear wigs instead of frying my hair or the permenancy of sew-in weaves. I like to be able to take my hair off at night. /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[nita4]

Low maintenance. My hair is basically texturized, even though I still consider it relaxed for the most part. It is easier to manage this way for me. I hate getting relaxers though.. /images/graemlins/ohwell.gif

Anyways, I like straight and nappy hair. I love all the looks and versatility that we sisters have. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[honeycomb719]

Ditto to what Robin41 said about the fragile hair. I went natural back in 98 and stayed that way for close to 4yrs. I gained no length because my hair broke off everytime I combed it. It's not for everyone IMO, but my thin fragile hair couldn't take it. I gained health back to my hair but not lenght.

 

[fine_beauty]

My natural hair was uncombable (yikes.... does this word exist... /images/graemlins/blush.gif?). I used to be guilty of breaking combs and to make matters worse, I had the worst migraines you ever heard of. That's not all. My scalp is very sensitive and never found the combing sessions funny and to look well-groomed I either had to keep a low cut (1 or 2 inch) or braid /images/graemlins/mad.gif (I can't stand the sitting... I did find a wonderful hairdresser who does painless braids and fast too, shortly before I found you guys... She's history now because I've taken over my hair grooming, thanks to you all /images/graemlins/grin.gif)
Peace!

 

[azul11]

i already posted about relaxers on the other thread but i will say stuff here. what you choose to do with it is your personal choice. you pay for the shampoos and the conditioners, etc so why not do what works for you. the main objective for everyone here is healthy hair. natural doesnt equal healthy hair. nor does relaxed mean more managable. if you dont know how to care for your hair relaxed doesnt mean you will suddenly gain knowledge overnight to take care of it when it is natural. these things are learned. you learn to care for your hair in whatever state it is in and you try to make it so your hair is healthy and growing no matter what you do. the beauty of it all is it is your choice. the hair is on your head and you have to live with it. dont let anyone convince you you need a relaxer because your hair isnt bone straight. if this is the way you choose to wear your hair more power to you. and if you are relaxed dont have people make you feel baldheadedness(is that even a word??? lol) is inevitable. there is too much proof to the contrary of that out there especially on this board. its all about what works for you. God bless you all.

 

[Tracy]

Can I get an Amen..... /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[CurlyCrly]

I did transition to natural approx. 3 years ago. I wore it natural for 6 months and had enough of that. I prefer relaxed hair. It was easier to manage for me and I DO like to see the length without spending time doing braid-uts, twist-outs, etc. My relaxed hair was past bra-strap length and THICK. I am not wearing it straight anymore, but it is still relaxed. It's only a few inches long now. I hope to grow it at least as long as it was before.

To each her own.

 

[MissJ]

I've been relaxed since I was a kid, and I can't even deal with my hair as it is! So, I'd probably be bald if I went natural.

 

[Leshia]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
honeycomb719 said:
Ditto to what Robin41 said about the fragile hair. I went natural back in 98 and stayed that way for close to 4yrs. I gained no length because my hair broke off everytime I combed it. It's not for everyone IMO, but my thin fragile hair couldn't take it. I gained health back to my hair but not lenght.

[/ QUOTE ]

There were some very good points made by all the ladies regarding their decisions to be natural or not but this one may be the biggest reason for me not going natural. My hair is very fine and I believe that in my attempts to style it, I would suffer the same consequences. After all, why mess with something that's going well, right? It may not be for me anyway since my hair is on the fine side. I'm gaining quite a bit of length while being relaxed so while I am I may as well not mess with it. You guys sure know some hair...

 

[sweetcocoa]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Tracy said:
Can I get an Amen..... /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]


Ditto.... /images/graemlins/smile.gif (for what Azull posted.)

 

[Mahalialee4]

Both ways can be beautiful. If it ain't broke...don't fix it. IMO Bonjour.

 

[Leshia]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Mahalialee4 said:
Both ways can be beautiful. If it ain't broke...don't fix it. IMO Bonjour.

[/ QUOTE ]

After aimlessly staring into space for a while, this is what I've decided. Gotta admit the way the naturals make it sound, it's worth a try sometimes. I'll keep on keepin' on until another whim hits, of course. *smirking*

 

[elliot]

Leshia Gurrrrllllfriend,
OMG!
There is no way I could go natural. Oh, I would be looking like Buckwheat--it ain't happening. I'm still trying to straighten my hair out this evening from my airdry 2 days ago! /images/graemlins/blush.gif
Elliot

 

[Leshia]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
elliot said:
I'm still trying to straighten my hair out this evening from my airdry 2 days ago! /images/graemlins/blush.gif
Elliot

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh Mercy! *LAUUGGGHHINNGGG** Tell me you're absolutely and completely joking...*just staring at you***

 

[LondonDiva]

Amen to that Azul /images/graemlins/smile.gif /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[BrightEyes]

I'm natural now, but I can tell you why I didn't go natural until the end of high school.

I had a trained mind, plain and simple. All the beautiful Black women I saw had long straight hair with the exception of Jada and Halle. So I figured this is the way I had to be in order to be attractive. I didn't dislike my natural hair because I only had seen pictures and even then it was full and pretty. Besides, If I was so pretty naturally, then why would my Mom perm me at the age of nine? /images/graemlins/ohwell.gif

But I learned that my hair was different from non-Blacks and therefore it made no sense to consistently try to emulate styles that were not made for my hair. Just because it's in a Black hair magazine doesn't mean that it's made to work WITH your hair. Plus I didn't like the idea that relaxers and Drano have the same chemicals.

After doing some reading and soul searching I realized that it's ok if I can't comb my hair with a utensil that is not made for me anyway. I realized that I was judging myself based on standards that were not created with me in mind to start with. That is something I never realized before. Who says you have to be able to comb your hair (with a skinny comb) with great ease? The first combs they found in West Africa were made with 4 or 5 teeth. I think that's saying something right there. Who says that your hair has to be flat? Who says that your hair has to be shinny and blow in the wind? When I asked myself those questions I didn't like the answer at all.

I wear my hair straight sometimes for the hell of it, but even now if feels unnatural. It's a very odd feeling when I wear a press and curl no, like something is missing. But I can't see myself being 80 years old and getting a touch-up. Besides two-strand twists and comb coils do not work on straight hair. And those are my favorite styles!!!!

My hair is fine and it rarely breaks off because I know that I'm doing when I style it. I don't accept what my old stylist told me about natural nappy hair not being able to grow long. I have seen pictures that say otherwise. Black women had long hair before the hot comb or chemicals, and this fact has not vanished. It has simply been distorted so that hairdressers and relaxer companies can thrive. If no one believed that they needed a perm, they'd be out on their butts. So they feed that notion to use everyday.

 

[AmilLion]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Leshia said:
What are everyone's (relaxed) reasons for NOT going natural??? Pebbles? Adrienne? Elliot? Everyone relaxed..calling all relaxed heads! /images/graemlins/orders.gif Do you have specific reasons for not transitioning? I'm actually considering it ever since kking's post of the no relaxer challenge...Weird. *stupid look**

[/ QUOTE ]

I like how my hair appears relaxed and if I were to go natural, I cannot stand having to combat the frizzies. It's a no go for me. If it wasn't for the frizzes, I would reconsider going natural.

 

[princessP28]

I was natural for more than 20 years non stop....it was always in braids/cornrows...i got so used to just waking up, spray some braid spray and go, that i didnt see any reason to stop until a couple of months ago my hairline started to thin out. So i got my very first relaxer about 2 months ago...and i cant tell you how much i love the relaxed look...i can wear it straight, or if i want the curly look i just do a braid/twist out and i get to wash my hair more often (twice a week)...i never thought i'd say this but i actually love taking care of my hair more often that usual...so look like the relaxed look is here to stay /images/graemlins/smile.gif /images/graemlins/drunk.gif /images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[nita4]

Your hair is beautiful Brighteyes. /images/graemlins/smile.gif