Shinka[/USER];18690951]Hi
faithVA
I did my first BC 12 years ago, summer after freshman year when I discovered nappturality. I realized that I hadn't seen my natural hair since I was five (I begged my grandma for a relaxer). I love "other people's" natural hair & each time I return to relaxing for a few reasons- family objections, personal dislike of my natural- I often feel I look ugly when it gets a certain lengthy, frustrations of limitations with time it took to manage/style my hair- even braids started to bald my edges and despite wearing them my whole life, I've had bad allergic to them over past few years. (Same with few weave installations)
I return to natural usually due to a bad relaxer or hair breakage ( usually my fault due to neglect or heat usuage), desire to be chemical free, and/or hair lusting naturals with similar hair types.
Relaxed hair suits me better because I've pretty much master styles and maintenance routines at various lengths. So it never looks "bad" from short halle berry cuts to chin length bobs. I love shiny hair with curls and bounce.I can do my hair from DC to style in 45min- hour flat. (20min with just a wash & flatiron). I start a master's program in the fall, possibly a high profile job promotion this summer and I have a 14month old son-I don't think my natural and hair and it's requirements will compliment withered.
my natural hair takes average of 5 hours to style once I have enough hair. If I take down twist, I hate wearing a fro/WNG due to shrinkage, tangles, &matting. Honestly, I don't think it's cute anymore. It gets frizzy and unmanageable. But I like seeing longer naturals with twist outs, braids out etc. I love playing with my coils and feeling its strength. I don't look bad with a straight boy cut, but once it grows past an inch/two, it doesn't look too cute or sassy unless styled. I keep thinking I can grow it out and be a straightened natural once I get to a decent length, but I never make it past 4 inches natural (currently my hair length).
I am so torn. I can't commit! Sigh. I have hairpsychosis.