My hair is 100 percent virgin and natural. To me, natural hair is simply hair that hasn't had it's texture altered with a relaxer. It seems like there are so many divisions, and more being added all the time. The clubs get more and more exclusive. When I finally stop plucking my grays and want to dye them, should I feel bad because I'm not as "natural" as I was? And there is no time I feel more in touch with the natural absolute force of nature my hair is than when I spend two hours with the Maxiglide, only to have my hair laugh at me. And my hair is NEVER chemical free. I always have some sort of man-made conditioner, spray, lotion, gel or activator in it.
I think that we should stop cutting every category and division so finely. I don't see what purpose it serves, except to exclude. I think natural should be for those who want to call themselves natural. How do I know if your hair color altered your hair texture? Maybe you colored your hair with 100 percent natural dye. If someone has a texturizer, truthfully, we might never know it, but we still might be able to get some good tips from her. And the day something like a twist permanently alters my hair texture, I'll eat my satin scarf.
I feel like I've fallen down the rabbit hole. I've been wearing my hair natural since I was nineteen years old and I'll be thirty-five soon. I've had a couple of brief breaks. And believe me, I was out there by myself when I first started. I am natural because that is what I am, the word natural to me represents freedom. No matter if I dye and fry my hair, I won't let that word be taken from me.