Spinny: What's YOUR definition of natural?

What do you consider "natural"?

  • No relaxer. That's it.

    Votes: 203 54.7%

  • No chemical processes at all (relaxer, texturizer, color, etc.)

    Votes: 95 25.6%

  • No chemical processes or heat training. No alterations at all.

    Votes: 45 12.1%

  • Other (please explain in post)

    Votes: 16 4.3%

  • Never really thought about it/ Don't have a definition

    Votes: 12 3.2%
  • Total voters
    371
  • Poll closed .
asubeauty

asubeauty

Well-Known Member
I just noticed (from my heat training thread) that there were various opinions of what it means to have "natural" hair. Some said that you weren't natural anymore if you heat trained your hair (using heat until your natural curl pattern loosens). Some said that ANY chemical process (relaxers, color, etc.) means that you weren't natural, and some believed that you were natural if you didn't relax, period.

I've also seen these varying veiws on other hair board, blogs, etc. I've honestly never given it that much thought. :look:

What do you think???
 
I think your natural, if you can wet your hair and let it air dry and it still has the same exactly curl it did when it first came out of your head. If you flat iron everyday and you wet it and the curl is the same. Natural.

When you heat damage you burn your curls away.

Damage Hair = No longer Natural.

Natural = something that occurs on its own. Original State.
 
I voted "no relaxer," but I guess I should of put "other." I think natural is no straightening chemical processes, I don't count color chemical processes. And heat training, not occasional or regular straightening, but using heat until you lose curl pattern/texture, I consider being un-natural.

:drunk: I hope that didn't sound too confusing. Also, I don't judge other people's natural-ness. That is my definition for my hair. :yep:
 
If you do something to permanently alter your natural curl pattern then you are not natural IMO. Like Miryoku states above--"original state". That's why I haven't used any direct heat or flat iron since I started my transition. I wanted to see what actually grows out of my head unaltered.
 
IMO being natural is 100% relaxer texlaxer texturizer curly perm jerri curl hair. I dont count color as being un natural, nor do i count heat trained. Even heat damaged hair is still natural its just damaged natural hair.
 
I don't know if this is true or not but I heard that dye can alter your curl pattern? I don't know if its temporary or permanent. True? Flase?
 
I dont think you will get one, correct answer to this question, OP. It's subjective.


In my opinion, it's hair that has not been altered with a relaxer/texturizer. I consider heat use, braiding, weaving, rollersetting, twisting, non from-the-scalp alterations as 'styles'.
 
Nichi said:
I dont think you will get one, correct answer to this question, OP. It's subjective.


In my opinion, it's hair that has not been altered with a relaxer/texturizer. I consider heat use, braiding, weaving, rollersetting, twisting, non from-the-scalp alterations as 'styles'.
Click to expand...

I don't think there is a "right" answer. That's why I asked "your definition." I understand that it's subjective because I've heard various thoughts about the matter. I was just wondering what the general consensus was. I voted "no opinion" because the idea that "natural" didn't just mean "no relaxer" is kind of new to me. I've never really thought about it meaning something different to other people before.
 
no chemicals or heat training that alters the texture of your hair. Coloring imo doesn't count though because coloring's purpose isn't to change to texture of your hair....just to color.
 
*sighs* every thread concerning what it means usually ends up heated :ohwell:

to answer your question. My definition of natural is my own definition there are no set standards. I define natural as being hair that is NOT permanently damaged hence, if your hair is straight or altered due to coloring, texturizing, or heat damage IMO you are not natural. These rules only apply to me and no one else.
 
RachelRegina said:
no chemicals or heat training that alters the texture of your hair. Coloring imo doesn't count though because coloring's purpose isn't to change to texture of your hair....just to color.
Click to expand...

What about bleached hair? bleached hair usually results in straightened altered strands
 
I voted that natural is having hair that is free from chemical alteration of your curl pattern such as relaxers, perms, texturizers and textlaxers. Everything else you do is for styling puposes (heat, color, etc.).
 
To me natural hair is no chemical process that changes the natural texture/curl pattern meaning no relaxer, no texturizer, no curly perm.

Coloring your hair doesn't change the curl pattern/texture so to me you can still be natural even if you have colored your hair.

Heat trained hair is damaged hair so it's irrelevant.
 
Not trying to knock anyone (I too have a response on the other thread) but how can you argue with what the word 'natural' means? This subject shouldn't be subjective at all. It should be fact. Base your "opinion" off of fact and look up the word natural. After doing that, this subject should no longer be subjective. It should be fact. Got it? Good.


Now for my "opinion" (that is based off of what the word 'natural' means): I "think" natural hair is hair that has not had its bonds broken and permanently rearranged. That's it.
 
preciouslove0x said:
Not trying to knock anyone (I too have a response on the other thread) but how can you argue with what the word 'natural' means? This subject shouldn't be subjective at all. It should be fact. Base your "opinion" off of fact and look up the word natural. After doing that, this subject should no longer be subjective. It should be fact. Got it? Good.


Now for my "opinion" (that is based off of what the word 'natural' means): I "think" natural hair is hair that has not had its bonds broken and permanently rearranged. That's it.
Click to expand...


It is subjective. No one is arguing the technical definition of 'natural', but in Black hair care/mindsets, the term 'natural' is subjective, taking place within the mind and modified by individual bias; because it IS full of personal views.
 
Last edited:
No chemical processes at all; otherwise, it's processed. Remember, coloring your hair requires chemicals that alter your natural hair coloring.
 
Last edited:
No chemicals, no hair dye, no gel, no conditioner, no twirling the hair to get curls, no tap water LOL :lachen:

I'm kidding! To ME it means no relaxer.
 
I voted for "no relaxer" but if color was not attached to the second option, I would have voted for no chemical process. IMHO, texturizing is just a light relaxer...coloring hair should not be put in the same category...
 
No relaxer or texturizer or texlax or what-have-you to permanently loosen your curl or straighten your hair.
 
MummysGirl said:
No chemicals to alter texture... I don't think dyeing means hair's not natural anymore.
Click to expand...

HIJACK: Mummy'sGirl BCed!!! Look at your puff! Congrats! :grin:

ETA: I think "natural" means no permanent chemical straightening to alter texture but "virgin" means hair untouched by heat or chemical processes at ALL (no color, untouched by heat, perms, texturizers, relaxers). Many are natural but few have virgin hair.
 
Last edited:
Shay72 said:
If you do something to permanently alter your natural curl pattern then you are not natural IMO. Like Miryoku states above--"original state". That's why I haven't used any direct heat or flat iron since I started my transition. I wanted to see what actually grows out of my head unaltered.
Click to expand...


basically it
 
I view it as anything without chemicals. I don't consider heat damage or straightening unnatural at all. My gram used to put her hot comb in the fireplace and straighten my hair in my opinion that's natural.. No heating tools get hotter that the heat found in nature they are just easier to use. Natural to me is using products that come from nature or in some way duplicate nature without chemicals. If I go to and tanning bed versus laying out in the sun is my skin no longer natural? If I grow my orchids with a light blub instead of a in the window are they some how unnatural?
ETA: No heat, chemicals or color to me is virgin hair. Like the above post pointed out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

LadyKaypnyc
What's Your Definition of Natural?
7 8 9
Replies
240
Views
26K
Southernbella.
S
divya
Being natural - exploring the definition!
2
Replies
51
Views
4K
LynnieB
LynnieB
Lebiya
Natural Relaxer - 4z hair with NO Curl Definition
Replies
7
Views
3K
almond eyes
A
G
  • Poll Poll
What is worse for your hair? Natural w/ flatironing OR Relaxed w/o heat?
2
Replies
37
Views
8K
NaturalBeauty87
N
Tylers-mom
  • Poll Poll
True or False-Straightening natural hair damages your curl pattern?
2
Replies
58
Views
28K
Tylers-mom
Tylers-mom
Back
Top