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Why did you go/stay NATURAL?
- Thread starter LatterGlory
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brebre928
Well-Known Member
I wanted to see my natural texture, I had not seen it since 6th grade. I tried goin natural in 2002 but after two months of transitioning and not knowing how to take care of my hair at that time I just went back to relaxers. I was going to a stylist who was relaxing my hair and my hair was healthy, then she moved to Atlanta. Around that time I went to another stylist and I didn't trust her puttin a relaxer in my hair, that's when I came here and saw all of the beautiful heads of hair. I told myself I can do this and I did 
Oasis
grabbing life by the pussy
My intent was to become a heat straightened natural. Relaxers were not working and I thought my hair would look better straightened by heat than by chemicals.
Somehow, I stumbled upon nappturality and saw what our hair could do in it's naturally glory and I was sold.
What keeps me natural? I'm vain and I look best with natural hair. If I thought I looked as good with relaxed hair I most likely would have done it a long time ago. All these knots and tangles be gettin' on my nerves.
Somehow, I stumbled upon nappturality and saw what our hair could do in it's naturally glory and I was sold.
What keeps me natural? I'm vain and I look best with natural hair. If I thought I looked as good with relaxed hair I most likely would have done it a long time ago. All these knots and tangles be gettin' on my nerves.
berryblack
New Member
Nadia Turner was my inspiration, too! I pretty much thought natural hair was TWAs and locs. It wasn't until I saw her rocking so many different styles week after week did I even consider it for myself. Plus, when I found out I was preggo with twins I decided to try to have the healthiest 9 months possible.
Cost was another reason---relaxers were starting to go for $100 a pop and the stylists weren't even that good. I ended up doing them myself and broke off my hair constantly.
Lastly, I always hated relaxers. My scalp burned, constant scabs... Also, my mom was constantly telling me how nappy my hair was and I would have JUST relaxed it. I couldn't fight it anymore.
I finally have my dream hair. I wish I would've done it earlier.
klowdnyne
Member
A few reasons:
I was tired of spending all my money & TIME in the salon. (I had a standing weekly appointment.)
I started going grey at 16. My hair got to a point where using rinses or semi-perm color was not working. My hair can't handle both a relaxer and permanent color.
Relaxers were really doing a number on my hair. I couldn't maintain any type of length.
I was tired of spending all my money & TIME in the salon. (I had a standing weekly appointment.)
I started going grey at 16. My hair got to a point where using rinses or semi-perm color was not working. My hair can't handle both a relaxer and permanent color.
Relaxers were really doing a number on my hair. I couldn't maintain any type of length.
EccentricRed
New Member
I chose the overall health of my hair. I was blessed with a great hairdresser, but relaxers were tearing my hair up. It feels so good to have my edges and nape back.
But at the same times, I also wanted to see my texture, and I wanted to be connected to my unique natural hair. My two BF's are natural, and none of our hair looks anything alike. I dig it.
But at the same times, I also wanted to see my texture, and I wanted to be connected to my unique natural hair. My two BF's are natural, and none of our hair looks anything alike. I dig it.
EccentricRed
New Member
Girl, I love being able to put my hair salon money in the bank!
TaraDyan
Natural again ... this time for good!
This is my story too.
My scalp mandated that I kick the chemicals to the curb, but I stay natural because I truly love natural hair. I never thought I'd say that either, because I was the girl who loved her long relaxed hair. Now, I can hardly stand to have my hair straightened before I'm ready to wash it out again.
oooop2
New Member
Was too cheap to pay $85+ for a wash, cut, and style so I just decided to cut off my SL perm to a scalp cut in 1 sitting. Was so freeing and effortless, that I wore my hair like that for 8yrs. Then once I moved to Asia, just decided to grow my hair out b/c I was leaving my barber...I've been natural going on 12yrs, so at this point it's pointless for me to even entertain the thought of perming my hair. Plus I love my BAA!!!
CTBhair
New Member
I put other. I stopped relaxing my hair and started transitioning in March of 2006. There was no real rhyme or reason to it.
My stylist at the time told me that I had a "good grade of hair" and if she had it she would not relax it. So, I stopped relaxing it. I think she thought I would just come to her for a blow dry and flat iron more often and she charged more. However, if that was her intent she did not get what she wanted. Even when I had a relaxer my hair was curly when wet and I would just put in a ponytail with gel in the front and the back in a curly poof. Occasionally I would go to the Egyptians for a flat iron, but the ponytail was the staple and I have hundreds of pictures to prove it.
May 2009 I ventured on a new journey not only to not put a relaxer back on my hair, but to do something besides the tired ponytail with my hair. So a friend of mine told me I would look good with my natural hair styled. She introduced me to hair products for curly hair and several websites. LHFC, curlynikki.com, naturallycurly.com etc.
I am sooooo happy with my natural hair. However, I do not have any horror stories about my relaxed hair, but I do not think I will go back to the relaxed hair. I agree with the many comments before me that I have the best of both worlds in that I can wear my hair straight, curly or any so many styles. The versatility is just not possible with a relaxer. Just look at the difference from my pony tail picture to my siggy or my avi pics that are both my natural hair one fresh twist -n-curl and the other flat ironed with curls!
My stylist at the time told me that I had a "good grade of hair" and if she had it she would not relax it. So, I stopped relaxing it. I think she thought I would just come to her for a blow dry and flat iron more often and she charged more. However, if that was her intent she did not get what she wanted. Even when I had a relaxer my hair was curly when wet and I would just put in a ponytail with gel in the front and the back in a curly poof. Occasionally I would go to the Egyptians for a flat iron, but the ponytail was the staple and I have hundreds of pictures to prove it.
May 2009 I ventured on a new journey not only to not put a relaxer back on my hair, but to do something besides the tired ponytail with my hair. So a friend of mine told me I would look good with my natural hair styled. She introduced me to hair products for curly hair and several websites. LHFC, curlynikki.com, naturallycurly.com etc.
I am sooooo happy with my natural hair. However, I do not have any horror stories about my relaxed hair, but I do not think I will go back to the relaxed hair. I agree with the many comments before me that I have the best of both worlds in that I can wear my hair straight, curly or any so many styles. The versatility is just not possible with a relaxer. Just look at the difference from my pony tail picture to my siggy or my avi pics that are both my natural hair one fresh twist -n-curl and the other flat ironed with curls!
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maxineshaw
Well-Known Member
I voted other.
My main reason for going natural is because I don't trust anyone other than my mother to put chemicals in my hair. I've never been a salon person (have only been twice in all my life). Since I was getting older and leaving for college, I decided to that I no longer wanted to have a relaxer. I didn't call it a BC or transitioning. My experience going natural wasn't all that deep until I started doing research and came across NP. I didn't initially plan on BCing, but a bad case of traction alopecia (one that I have really come to think of a mild because of a woman I saw on the bus today...felt so sorry for her; I thank God my hair has grown back in, literally not in jest) frustrated me into just hacking it all off.
I'm not against relaxers at all, but I know I'll never get another one. I know a lot of people don't like to read these words, but I say "do you."
My main reason for going natural is because I don't trust anyone other than my mother to put chemicals in my hair. I've never been a salon person (have only been twice in all my life). Since I was getting older and leaving for college, I decided to that I no longer wanted to have a relaxer. I didn't call it a BC or transitioning. My experience going natural wasn't all that deep until I started doing research and came across NP. I didn't initially plan on BCing, but a bad case of traction alopecia (one that I have really come to think of a mild because of a woman I saw on the bus today...felt so sorry for her; I thank God my hair has grown back in, literally not in jest) frustrated me into just hacking it all off.
I'm not against relaxers at all, but I know I'll never get another one. I know a lot of people don't like to read these words, but I say "do you."
LatterGlory
New Member
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LadyEuphoria007
New Member
Honestly I didn't want to depend on relaxers for the rest of my life. I'd rather learn how to take care of my hair now than to be looking busted when I get "old."
fyb87
New Member
I voted other because I never made a concsious decision to go natural. I got my first relaxer at the age of 13 and I went twice a year. It made my hair more manageable but there didn't really seem to be too much of a change. Then when I turned 19 I started going once a year since I had to pay for it myself. My hair was always curly, I even did WnG's. Then when I was around 23-24 I started doing them myself (PCJ for Kids) only applying to my edges. I was doing that once a year. Apparently, I stopped. Don't even know when it was exactly. It was in my 20's though.
Apparently I was lucky. Because I never experienced any bad results with relaxers. Perhaps it's because I wasn't get them that often. But, who knows. I've always had long hair too. At least BSL.
Oh, also use to only go to Salons maybe 3-4 times a year. I've never been a big fan of spending my time and money in those places. In the past 5 years I've only been twice LOL!
Apparently I was lucky. Because I never experienced any bad results with relaxers. Perhaps it's because I wasn't get them that often. But, who knows. I've always had long hair too. At least BSL.
Oh, also use to only go to Salons maybe 3-4 times a year. I've never been a big fan of spending my time and money in those places. In the past 5 years I've only been twice LOL!
tocktick
Well-Known Member
I went natural because:
1) I knew if I kept my hair relaxed I could forget about having healthy hair
2) I was sick of getting relaxers and being made to feel I didn't have a choice in the matter
3) I really wanted to see what my natural hair looked like
4) After reasons 1-3, I started researching like mad and just fell in love with natural hair. I honestly had no real life examples of how it could look.
In the beginning, I had moments where I was frustrated with my hair and wondered if getting a relaxer would get rid of those issues but I realised doing so would be something I deeply regretted. Anyway, I stay natural because:
1) I like rocking my hair how it grows from my scalp. I just prefer it to relaxed hair (even when it was "healthy"). I seriously feel odd (and too much like everyone else) even when my hair is in braids sometimes, so I can't imagine how I'd feel if it was relaxed.
2) As it gets longer, it gets easier to manage and style.
3) I'd rather be a long-haired natural than a long-haired relaxed woman.
4) My hair is the healthiest, strongest and longest it's ever been.
5) Natural hair suits me better. I just love big hair.
6) I feel the maintenance is easier than if my hair was relaxed.
1) I knew if I kept my hair relaxed I could forget about having healthy hair
2) I was sick of getting relaxers and being made to feel I didn't have a choice in the matter
3) I really wanted to see what my natural hair looked like
4) After reasons 1-3, I started researching like mad and just fell in love with natural hair. I honestly had no real life examples of how it could look.
In the beginning, I had moments where I was frustrated with my hair and wondered if getting a relaxer would get rid of those issues but I realised doing so would be something I deeply regretted. Anyway, I stay natural because:
1) I like rocking my hair how it grows from my scalp. I just prefer it to relaxed hair (even when it was "healthy"). I seriously feel odd (and too much like everyone else) even when my hair is in braids sometimes, so I can't imagine how I'd feel if it was relaxed.
2) As it gets longer, it gets easier to manage and style.
3) I'd rather be a long-haired natural than a long-haired relaxed woman.
4) My hair is the healthiest, strongest and longest it's ever been.
5) Natural hair suits me better. I just love big hair.
6) I feel the maintenance is easier than if my hair was relaxed.
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makeupgirl
Well-Known Member
Well for me. I don't trust hairdressers at all. I've always had a fear of them because they like to have their way with my hair and I don't like confrontation so that's the one area that I'm not outspoken about with them. But, also I got sick and money became an issue so I hadn't had a relax for 4 months for I was like why I don't I just grow out my relaxer and see what happens. I began to realize that this might make my hair more healthier and coming onto this site I'm learning how to take care of my hair. Plus, I've always known I had naturally curly hair so I want that back and the ability to go from curly to straight by my means not because of a perm. I'm embracing my natural God-given hair and it's high time. 
LifeafterLHCF
New Member
Lets see to be open and honest I went natural because perms never did anything for my hair and I was going through and it was like all my baggage from being abused,done wrong by men,all my bad feelings about myself were cut off when went natural.Even though I don't wear my hair out much I still love that if my wig falls off like it did in class once Im fine because I have plenty of hair underneath
LatterGlory
New Member
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---easy to take care of
---able to achieve same styles
---hair looks thicker
--less $$$ for the stylist and more for me
---No touch ups and sitting all morning in the beauty salon
--love my natural texture and having versatility
---I think my hair has reddish undertones. These showed up more with the texturizer, and I always tried to cover it with a black rinse. I hated the color. My natural hair, I'm sure, has undertones of red, but it isn't so obvious.
---able to achieve same styles
---hair looks thicker
--less $$$ for the stylist and more for me
---No touch ups and sitting all morning in the beauty salon
--love my natural texture and having versatility
---I think my hair has reddish undertones. These showed up more with the texturizer, and I always tried to cover it with a black rinse. I hated the color. My natural hair, I'm sure, has undertones of red, but it isn't so obvious.
My hair and scalp is too sensitive for chemical processes. Gherri curl, Relaxers, Texturizers, Kiddie perm, Wave Nouveau all pulled my hair out and kept it breaking. My scalp was heavily affected by chemicals over the long run and I will never put another chemical process in my hair.
sparkle25
Well-Known Member
70% might have been true a few years ago, but i dont think it is anymore. There is an epidemic sweeping AA and blacks in other countries are following.
I have always been natural. I have had 3 perms in my life. Two as a child and one as an adult (im 26) and they all broke my hair off. It was horrible. My hair doesnt really take perms anyways, it just eats them, yet the damage stays. I did hide my hair with braids most of my life until recently because none of the products marketed to black people worked on my hair. They did nothing. I recently discoved this forum and my hair has done nothing but thrive. I think a lot of black women still believe that their hair is not managable or pretty unless its permed. They dont realize it can be pretty and managable if you do the right things to care for it.
I have always been natural. I have had 3 perms in my life. Two as a child and one as an adult (im 26) and they all broke my hair off. It was horrible. My hair doesnt really take perms anyways, it just eats them, yet the damage stays. I did hide my hair with braids most of my life until recently because none of the products marketed to black people worked on my hair. They did nothing. I recently discoved this forum and my hair has done nothing but thrive. I think a lot of black women still believe that their hair is not managable or pretty unless its permed. They dont realize it can be pretty and managable if you do the right things to care for it.
I went natural because I couldn't see myself getting relaxer touch ups for the rest of my life, and I wanted to see my natural hair again.
I'm so glad I decided to transition. I definitely can't see myself going back to getting relaxer touch ups. Besides, I didn't come this far to turn back.
I'm so glad I decided to transition. I definitely can't see myself going back to getting relaxer touch ups. Besides, I didn't come this far to turn back.
Bubblingbrownshuga
Well-Known Member
Not many reasons at all. Relaxed hair just wasn't for me, that's all.
Southernbella.
Well-Known Member
Several different reasons I went natural:
I had never seen my natural hair
I had reached MBL relaxed and was kind of over it
I have a daughter and wanted to model natural hair for her
Overall curiosity
Stayed natural because:
I love my hair
I had never seen my natural hair
I had reached MBL relaxed and was kind of over it
I have a daughter and wanted to model natural hair for her
Overall curiosity
Stayed natural because:
I love my hair
momi
Well-Known Member
I retain much more length with natural hair...
My relaxed hair would grow and break after shoulder length...
I enjoy the versitility of natural hair...
Something is fishy about those relaxers to me - not quite right...
My mother and grandmother both experienced hair thinning, I pray to avoid that by avoiding chemicals...
My relaxed hair would grow and break after shoulder length...
I enjoy the versitility of natural hair...
Something is fishy about those relaxers to me - not quite right...
My mother and grandmother both experienced hair thinning, I pray to avoid that by avoiding chemicals...
RockCreak
Well-Known Member
Well, I'm in transition now and I don't plan on relaxing ever again. For me it was a simple choice. Mainly because I'm tired of people being able to see my scalp when wearing flat hairstyles.... I don't care how weightless and fluffy my hair is.
besides I miss my natural... slowly cutting and growing... I just want enough to put in a ponypuff and off goes those ends...
besides I miss my natural... slowly cutting and growing... I just want enough to put in a ponypuff and off goes those ends...
