What does it...?

[CalJay]

mean to be natural? I mean do you just not do relaxers? What kind of products do you use if you are natural? Im seriously thinking about it! When I was pregnant I had gone a year without doing much to my hair just bruge and water, not even moisturizing (this was before LHCF) so my hair was pretty dry. So Im thinking if I do decided I won't have that super dry look as long as I moisturize. I see most of the naturals on here with beautiful shiny looking hair! The hair of the nautrals are soo beauitful! Its so tempting. But, what kind of "chemicals" are used or not used. Just confused as to what it means to really be natural. I have noticed, maybe I'm missing something, that a lot of women cut the hair off? To start over? Thats not necessarily needed right? Any ideas tips on getting started or thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Cichelle]

What does it mean to be natural? Well, you'll get different answers from different people. I think most people agree that "natural" means no relaxer. That is to say, the texture of the hair is not chemically changed.

There has been a thread or two on this question. Maybe you can search for it if you are really interested in the varying opinions. Though, I'm sure people will respond here.

Yes, some people do what's called the Big Chop. They do that to cut off the relaxed ends. Some people transition, which means they let the hair grow out and trim off the relaxed ends gradually. I transitioned for 14 months, then chopped.

If you want to go natural after relaxing, there will be some trimming or cutting involved. But you don't have to do it all at once.

Good luck whatever you decide and HHG!

 

[CalJay]

quote=Cichelle]What does it mean to be natural? Well, you'll get different answers from different people. I think most people agree that "natural" means no relaxer. That is to say, the texture of the hair is not chemically changed.

There has been a thread or two on this question. Maybe you can search for it if you are really interested in the varying opinions. Though, I'm sure people will respond here.

Yes, some people do what's called the Big Chop. They do that to cut off the relaxed ends. Some people transition, which means they let the hair grow out and trim off the relaxed ends gradually. I transitioned for 14 months, then chopped.

If you want to go natural after relaxing, there will be some trimming or cutting involved. But you don't have to do it all at once.

Good luck whatever you decide and HHG![/quote]


YOUR HAIR IS BEAUTIFUL! I see that natural hair doesn't have to look dry! Everytime I see natural pics I think to myself that is possible for it too look hydrated and nice! Thanks for the reply!

 

[Wildchild453]

I'm somewhat natural. I don't perm my hair but used to dye it, at the moment half my hair is dyed and the other half is not.

I tend to use natural products, sometimes I use commercial but I use more natural ones now. For moisturizing I use advocado butter, it works wonders. Its a bit heavy but its good for fall/winter. I use HE Hello Hydration as a conditioner and its fab!

When I first went natural I transitioned. I didn't even know what I was doing at the time, just knew I couldn't stand sitting in a salon waiting for something to start burning. I did the BC after I suffered some heat damage and its been smooth sailing ever since.

I say enjoy the journey, try it out and see what your natural hair is about and coconut oil is great for shine

 

[Cheleigh]

ITA with Cichelle. I'm natural by any definition right now because I have hair with no chemicals--straightening, curly, or color. I would consider my hair still natural if I had color though, because I'm not trying to alter the hair's natural texture.

I transitioned 12 months (grew out my relaxer), and then cut off the rest of the relaxed hair.

I moisturize by condition washing almost daily. Daily water based moisture is a friend to my hair. My hair is kinky textured, not silky like Cichelle's, so my hair will have sheen rather than shine, and won't look shiny but is still well moisturized.

 

[RainbowCurls]

To me, 'natural' means hair that has not had it's structure chemically altered by chemicals (relaxers, texturisers etc.).

Others may see it as hair that has not had any chemicals on it (colour), is not styled with heat (as when done repeatedly this can alter the curl pattern) or only has natural products used on it, or ever just water.

 

[so1913]

To me, 'natural' means hair that has not had it's structure chemically altered by chemicals (relaxers, texturisers etc.).

This is how I define it. I transitioned about 14 months or so before cutting off the remainder of my relaxed hair.

 

[mkstar826]

i think that mainly being natural is just not using any chemicals that change the texture of your hair. i use all kinds of hair products, some w/ natural ingredients & some without. i also transitioned for almost a year and then cut off the relaxed ends.

my advice for getting started is to read read read read and then read some more about products, transitioning hair and natural hair. the more you learn the easier it is there's lots of other hair boards besides LHCF that you can join and learn more about natural hair. good luck.

 

[lsubabiedee]

To me natural hair is hair that's not chemically altered to change it's texture.

There are two options for going natural. A big chop or a transition. Either way, hair eventually is cut to remove any processed hair. I'd say, if you're not completely sure about making this step, read up about transitioning.

 

[babyblue]

to me natural=no chemicals to alter the texture.

I transitioned for over 2 years gradually.

 

[caribeandiva]

i believe natural hair should be relaxer and hair-color free.

 

[MizaniMami]

I believe the words natural mens no chemicals-relaxer, permanent color, or texurizers.

Anything that doesn't permantly change the hair strand whether it is shape or color.

 

[Sweet_Ambrosia]

To me, 'natural' means hair that has not had it's structure chemically altered by chemicals (relaxers, texturisers etc.).
Others may see it as hair that has not had any chemicals on it (colour), is not styled with heat (as when done repeatedly this can alter the curl pattern) or only has natural products used on it, or ever just water.

Yep, I agree.

 

[CalJay]

Thanks to everyone for the replies! Everyone's hair is beautiful! Like I said when I was prego with my son I didn't do anything to my hair no relaxer just water and brushing! I wish I had paid that $130 for that virgin hair relaxer (I live in Idaho thats how much it cost here!) But I don't think its too late! I will definitely read more about transitioning!

Thanks again!

 

[Faith]

My idea of being natural is not using relaxers...anything else is game imo.

 

[Poohbear]

To me, having natural hair basically means hair that has not been altered by chemical relaxers/texturizers (which permanently alters your natural hair texture pattern) or permanent hair color (which permanently alters your natural hair color). Heat is subjective because it alters the hair texture of some but not all.

I use different types of products depending on what hair style I wear.

I transitioned for almost 8 months then chopped my relaxed ends off.