So I'm not one to start threads but something happened yesterday that really made me want to share with you guys my hair experience. As a child, some of my good friends were latina with long hair flowing down their backs. And since then I've always wanted to have long, healthy, hip length hair. As a teen I was told by people that as a black woman with my hair texture (and of course hair typing did not exist back then, but I'm 4a) would NEVER have long hair. NEVER! A little later Wanakee came out and I knew that it was possible but I had to figure it out. I went through college and got my hair (which was relaxed) to BSL but towards the end of my college years I went to a stylist recommended by a friend who relaxed all of my already relaxed hair, which caused it to break off. Not horribly but enough to halt my progress. Then I went through a period of Halle Berry cuts which was fun but a lot of work. Eventually I decided to grow my hair out, relaxing my own hair and I got it back to APL. Around this time, I met some women who were going back to natural hair. They showed me the Nappturality website and this website. And I decided that I wanted to get to know my natural hair too. So in August of 2006, after a 3 month transition, I BC'd to a TWA. I had about an inch of hair. It was SOOOOOO short. And I hated it. When I really started getting into the LHCF website I realized that I didn't have to go natural, that I could have had healthy relaxed hair, but it was too late. 
So I endured. I stayed on this site. I was inspired by so many people on here, Poohbear, LynnieB, Pinkskates, LadyLibra, Zzirving and so many others. And I stuck it out. Every time I wanted to relax, I reminded myself that a year was going to pass regardless, so how did I want to end up in a year. Well today after 6 years of doubt, frustration, insecurity, necessary but undesired trims, heat damage, setbacks, and also mini triumphs, goals reached and the liberation of leaving the salon behind, I looked at a photo I took of my flatiron hair from yesterday and realized that I had reached my GOAL!
To the 4As, I want to let you know that long hair whatever the length is possible. I know so many times we come on this website and see that all the people with long hair are 3B, I have felt it myself so many times. And while of course it is a proud moment when any of us on this board hit waist length or hip length or whatever the goal, I want you to see this head of hair of mine (which is dense yet very fine tightly coily 4A) and know that we too can achieve our length goals whatever they may be.
In the photos below, I have two pictures that are maybe 6 - 9 months out from my BC (sorry, 1 is really fuzzy). You can get a sense of my texture in those photos. One that shows my texture now (at least while trying the curly girl/conditioner only method a la Mahoganycurls). One is a pic of the last time I went to the salon. The stylist did a beautiful job except that I had heat damage from it which I'm still growing out. And one of the photos is my current length check photo, which is the realization of a childhood dream.
So I endured. I stayed on this site. I was inspired by so many people on here, Poohbear, LynnieB, Pinkskates, LadyLibra, Zzirving and so many others. And I stuck it out. Every time I wanted to relax, I reminded myself that a year was going to pass regardless, so how did I want to end up in a year. Well today after 6 years of doubt, frustration, insecurity, necessary but undesired trims, heat damage, setbacks, and also mini triumphs, goals reached and the liberation of leaving the salon behind, I looked at a photo I took of my flatiron hair from yesterday and realized that I had reached my GOAL!To the 4As, I want to let you know that long hair whatever the length is possible. I know so many times we come on this website and see that all the people with long hair are 3B, I have felt it myself so many times. And while of course it is a proud moment when any of us on this board hit waist length or hip length or whatever the goal, I want you to see this head of hair of mine (which is dense yet very fine tightly coily 4A) and know that we too can achieve our length goals whatever they may be.
In the photos below, I have two pictures that are maybe 6 - 9 months out from my BC (sorry, 1 is really fuzzy). You can get a sense of my texture in those photos. One that shows my texture now (at least while trying the curly girl/conditioner only method a la Mahoganycurls). One is a pic of the last time I went to the salon. The stylist did a beautiful job except that I had heat damage from it which I'm still growing out. And one of the photos is my current length check photo, which is the realization of a childhood dream.
Great story & beautiful hair!
Last year in June was my last and final time for cutting off my hair. I want that length!!!!!!!!!!!!
