Why did you choose to be natural?

[bride91501]

I decided to go natural for my daughters. I have 3 girls ages 10, 11 and 3, and I've ALWAYS drummed in their heads how beautiful their hair is, and how they should embrace the natural textures they have; however for some reason, I couldn't embrace that message myself. I just kept telling them "don't make the same mistake mommy made and relax your hair." I eventually realized how much of a hypocrite I'd become.

I transitioned for 8 months before my BC on 5/29/10.

In the first few days after my BC, I felt so vulnerable and exposed because I'd always worn super long, curly, full weaves. I swear, if someone had given me a tub of the "creamy crack" in those first few days, I would have dove right in lol. The ladies here on LHCF have helped me more than they realize appreciate and begin to love the natural texture of my hair.

Now, I can't even imagine going back. And when my hair grows out??? HUNNNEEEE.......my hubby better hire a PI! LOL

 

[bludaydreamr]

I was tired of giving my money to stylist, not seeing any progress just the decline of the over all health of my hair. I wanted long healthy hair, and decided to try something different. My family didn't support my decision either; I ignored them on the matter. I'm a Libra and I'm usually very indecisive, but as soon as I decided to go natural I didn't let anyone discourage me(plus I found this board and fotki). Now 3 1/2 years since my last relaxer both of my sister's are natural and mother is really thinking about it at this point. You have to find what truly motivates you and be satisfied with your decision. HHJ!

 

[jamoca5]

I got my first relaxer when I was 12, but even after that, I've always been intrigued by curly hair. I remember at the end of 8th grade, I had partly taken out my braided extensions and loved how the braidout so much that I went to my end-of-the-year dance with halfway taken out extensions!I don't know what I was thinking, but at the time, I thought I looked good =) And when I had taken all of the extensions out, I wore the braidout all week, calling it my "rockstar hair".

Actually, it didn't even occur to me that one could wear their hair natural again until I saw an episode of the Tyra Show asking "What is Good Hair?" At the end of the episode, they gave this girl a BC and I was like "Whoa, that's possible?"

It was also around this time that my hair around my nape started to break out. I'm not sure if it was due to the relaxer or the way I was sleeping (I often forgot to wrap my hair) or something else, but it was driving me nuts. May '09, my sister gave me a touch-up and a short cut. Two months later, I decided to transition to natural.

And you wanna hear something funny? The hair around my neck grew faster when I stopped relaxing

 

[divachyk]

I want healthy hair but I'm not ready (mentally) to BC. Do you have to BC when you transition from relaxed to natural and/or relaxed to texlaxed?

I know there are many healthy heads relaxed but it seems most postings (that I've seen) are are with ladies that are natural or texlaxed. That would be my motivation...seeing OP results and working to try to achieve the same. At the moment, however, I'm still relaxed and will be relaxed until I figure out where I'm headed on this journey.

 

[Aviah]

I went natural for:
-the volume (my hair was really flat and my face is long)

-the versatility: the twists, twistouts, bantu knot outs, braids, puffs, WnG's my flat ironed regrowth always felt silkier and healthier. I could do some of these with relaxed hair but it looked too limp (twists, twistouts etc)

- A new head of hair: mine was heat traumatized, colored, and relaxed. In a word: damaged.

-For the love of it: I loved my texture but never knew what to do with it the first time around as a natural teenager. LHCF helped me see more options.

-But now I'm here its come to mean something more to me, its a part of my individuality, Style, and though some things are a fight that were not before, I like it. In fact I love it most of the time (when its not annoying me). Its different, at least where I am, and with how I wear it, I'm confident in who i am and I feel it adds to that. I rock my hair with pride. Lastly no worrying about touch ups, or regrowth. I n that sense i find it liberating. Now I know what works for it- 4 years post relaxer I still say I'm in it for the long run.

My words to you are if you want to be natural, it can't be for anyone else's reasons. The same way with if you want to be relaxed. People will always have something to say no matter what you do, and if someone can influence you into doing something you didn't want to do with your hair, you gotta ask why you want it. If you know why and you stick by it then let the criticism roll off of you. Be confident in your choice. Its just for you!