Relaxed to Natural to Relaxed

[MissMasala5]

For those who have gone this path, for how long did you stay natural? What factors played into your decision to relax again? TIA!

 

[locabouthair]

I have.

I was natural for 4 years. For three years i would alternate between pressing and box braids. Then i came to the forum and started wearing twistouts and conrowing my own hair with a puff on top (which was really cute). With the twistouts I had to do them everyday, and it would take me an hour to do each night and some days it wouldnt even come out good

And I'd always have to find someone to braid my hair. And when it wasn't braided it would be in a scarf or hat, not a good look.

I planned on starting grad school in the fall and I knew I wouldnt have the time to be fussing with my hair so i relaxed.

i don't regret relaxing it, I just regret using certain relaxers and going to certain stylists.

I still like natural hair and I see a lot of beautiful natural heads on the board but at this point, i wouldnt transition again.

 

[dija23]

The first time I went natural I stayed so for only for about 3 months. Texturized after I was unsuccessful in getting an internship which I kinda believe was due to my short afro. As soon as I texturized I got a job. Didn't take care of texturizer well enough because hair started showing signs of damage, so relaxed again.

Second time around - went back natural after deciding to give it another try. i loved the freeness attached with being natural, not having to worry about my hair growing out or having to go to the hairdresser. not to mention saving moolah since i was in college. went back natural, rocked it for about a year and a half. Texturized again out of boredom with hair styles. mind you I never really experiemented, lol. never got twists or tried pressing or anything. Anyway...just relaxed again in January for another change and to challenge myself to see if I could take care of it relaxed, but plan is to eventually go back natural and grow it to its fullest potential.

sorry know this was long...erplexed

 

[aliceo]

I was natural for 5.5 years. It came to a point where it just got too long, and to knotty for me to handle in it's natural state. It was a matter of convenience for me, I guess. No regrets though. I've found a happy medium.

 

[secretrose]

its funny. I just asked this same question last week.

Here are some responses i got

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=194755

 

[back2relaxed]

I went w/o chemical for 9 mos. I transitioned for 5 mos and BC'd..stayed natural for 4 mos. My dilemna was wanting to wear my hair straightened, but wanting to workout. And of course pressed hair and sweat don't mix. I am thinking of growing my hair out to my goal length APL, and then transitioning w/o a BC. That way I can get it pressed, but put it in a ponytail for workouts and not lose the straightness...I did however find my natural hair to be a lot of work b/c I had to style it. or wet it, or something everyday...i don't spend as much time on my hair once its styled, now that I am relaxed. I don't regret relaxing...I'm having fun growing my hair out now that I know all these healthy tips from LHCF!