Me, Myself and I Hair Diaries
2 plus years transitioning to natural hair showing texture
My hair journey has been a journey. I really don’t know why I had not included it on my blog. I changed my mind because hair is a part of my beauty and my fashion. I will do one or two posts a month on my transition journey, hair care and some of my hair product favs. I must admit I am doing this for me also because so many times I have to remember that regime or figure out how I use that alternate product.
I have been transitioning for 2 years and a month and I am going strong. My last relaxer was in June 2009. I am so happy that I have been able to take good care of my hair in the process of trying different products to see what works best for me. I am about 75% natural, which means natural hair coming from the scalp and chemical relaxed ends. I consider it all my head of hair natural and relaxed and it came from my scalp so for me to deal with two textures is a given. I will not say that dealing with two textures has been easy from the beginning because I have to see what works on my hair. Nine times out of ten I have had to tweak a hair care regime or detangle differently because all of our textures are different so I realized very early that I couldn’t compare.
May 2010
I got my first relaxer when I was in my early twenties. My mother had already went to be with the Lord so I had no one to get advice from. My mother had always styled my hair every since I was a little munchkin. My late aunt said to me, “you would never have that flowing hair that the white girls have unless you get a relaxer.” She said what she did because that is what she knew. I realized that statement was totally not true. Sorry Auntie! But at the time when she said that, it made me feel that my hair was not good enough or capable enough to have multiple styles. Well I did not succumb to the ‘creamy crack’ as the ladies on the hair boards call it. I continually had my hair pressed or styled in sister curls when I went to the salon.
I might have gone to the mall or to the salon and I saw this one girl and her hair looked so long and pretty. I wanted my hair to look like that so I decided to get a relaxer. I loved it! I took good care of it but I decided after some years that I would not get any more relaxers. My stylist was great with hair; but unreliable when it came to time. Sometimes she would show for my appointments, sometimes not, sometimes very late. I did not relax for five years because I was fed up with salons that did not respect the clients’ time. I went out and bought myself a hair dryer and flat iron. I was on a mission to do my hair myself. Well, I had to throw out the flat iron because it would not get hot enough and it broke so I went back to pressing my hair after only a week. My hair was still very thick and manageable, but not at the length I would of like it be. I was wondering, “what am I doing wrong?”
After five years, I went to another stylist recommended to me by a colleague/friend and started relaxing again because being natural at the time seemed like a lot of work. One thing, I didn’t know what I was doing and I was going from how my mother styled my hair back in the day with grease and straightening my hair every week. Being natural is actually not a hard process at all.
June 2010
My hair is the longest it has ever been. I am not knocking relaxed sisters at all. If you have a good stylist, take care of your relaxed tresses and your hair is looking fly, more power to you. Now that I look back it was more like I was getting texturizers then full blown out relaxers. The stylist could only have the chemicals on my head no more than five minutes. I could not keep relaxers on my head for very long at all. I would prep my scalp before I go to the salon to get my relaxer so that I wouldn’t feel the burn so bad. I was getting relaxers and happy. I started doing research that it’s a good thing to stretch relaxers so I went from getting relaxers six times a year to four times a year and then seeing how far I could go. I saw my stylist last July. She said that if I ever needed her she would be there for me. I appreciate that and she is so good with giving awesome information. Thank the Lord for giving me wisdom to search for better ways to achieve healthy hair whether being relaxed or natural. I don’t have all the answers but I have learned a few things that I will share in future posts.
I had to ask myself why I wanted to be free of chemical relaxers? I had to be true to myself.
Embracing my curls and being able to flat iron my hair the healthy way.
I like the fullness in my hair, I like big hair and with a relaxer I had to use products to add body back in.
September 2010 starting to get thickness in hair
Whether you are relaxed, natural or transitioning you want a healthy scalp and hair.
Next post:
Detangling: Finding my own technique.
Healthy Hair Journey!
This post is linked to
A colleague of mine recently shared all the painful memories she had of her mother fixing her hair. I winced at many of the stories. She too has made the decision to go natural…she has a curly bob. I told her one day that I could get my straight hair to do that…which would require a different set of chemicals.
Yeah, I have heard some stories too. Isn’t it something curly girls want straight hair and straight hair girls want curly hair. Congratulation to your colleague for going natural.
Embracing what the good Lord blessed you with is the way to go! I remember my teenage years when the style with stick straight hair and I have latino curly hair . . . I can’t believe that I used to put my head on an ironing board and trusted a friend to iron my hair. What I was left with was fried hair.
These days, I just spray my hair with a frizz controlling spray and let it air dry . . . I’ve finally learned to love my curly locks.
Love your blog and look forward to checking out more of your posts! Thanks for following my blog LaBelladiva . . . I’m following you back as well 🙂
Have an awesome week . . . Gina
You got that right. I have heard of women ironing their hair, I saw Mariah Carey in her early days ironing her hair. I guess beauty was associated with having long flowing straight hair.
All hair types are beautiful. You are so right that you have to love your locks.
Thank you for following me, I appreciate it very much.
Hi!
Thanks so much for linking up with Super Stalker Sunday hop. There are several wonderful blogs participating this week, you’re certain to find a few new favorites!
I look forward to reading more from you!
Your Co-Host,
Emily from Nap Time Is My Time
P.S. – I’ve recently switched from blogger to WordPress and had some issues when transferring the GFC widget. I’d really appreciate if you could double check to ensure you’re following me!
Hi Emily,
Thank you for commenting on my blog. Your GFC is working fine and I am following you now.
Great blog Tamaki! Since moving to Florida, it seems that the predominantly warm weather stimulates my hair to grow. I wonder if cold weather is a dormant season for hair. My hair is at an all time long now and I’m loving it. I was always a 8-10 week relaxer girl, but now have gone to 16 week between relaxers. Having the right cut and accessories has been key for me. Your locks are lovel! Keep doin’ what you’re doin’!
Hey Judi,
How are you doing love, J and I miss you guys. I have a fan page Bubbling with Elegance and Grace on Facebook please like and ask Matthew to like too. That way you both can keep up with my latest posts.
That’s interesting that your hair is growing more in a warm climate, kudos to you! 16 weeks post that’s awesome, you are doing really good.
Thanks Judi and please keep in touch.
Hugs!
Hi! I think your natural hair is beautiful! I am going through the struggle of deciding whether to cover my gray. So far I have decided to stay natural. New follower from the Stalk Hop! I would love for you to stop by http://aboutamom.com to say hi and return follow! 🙂
Angela thank you so much. I went back and forth at first regarding whether to get relaxers or not. Your comment gives me further confirmation of what I know that I am doing the right thing. Well coloring hair is a personal thing so I will not sway you either way. I like coloring my hair occasionally with a rinse because there’s no commitment, washes out after so many washes and not permanent. I am following you now.
Hi Angela-
You can also cover your greys with henna. It leaves a beautifully rich auburn color naturally! if you don’t want an auburn color, you can follow with indigo (also natural). Henna makes the hair so strong I can’t even tell you.
Hi Michelle,
There are different types of henna and I heard that it can make your hair stronger. I will check out youtube and some natural hair blogs like moptopmaven.
Yes there definitely are. I learned from Curly Nikki basically. Only get body art quality henna. A good source is mehandi.com They sell henna for african hair. I buy that by Ancient Sunrise and I also get Jamila. It’s made a huge difference in my hair strength and texture and it’s only been 2 months! I did it every week for the first month. Time consuming but well worth it. I’ve really been feeling lately like I want to do and treat this body well because God gave it to me and that includes me having the best hair I can. I want to grow it to it’s longest potential. I know that may seem silly to some but hey. I’m also working on weight loss.
Michelle,
Treating your body well and having long hair doesn’t sound silly at all. I was feeling myself that I needed to change up things and find ways to be the best I can be and putting God first is so important. Congrats on working on your wieght loss.
Girl I like your natural hair is absolutely gorgeous!!! but I hear you girl because I’m always having drama with my hair. I have to either curl or straighten because is way too frizzy and crazy…LOL
<3 Marina
Fashion.MakeUp.LifeStyle
Thanks Marina.
Yeah, I am loving my natural hair too, thanks for the compliment. My hair has so much more volume and body.
Hair has a mind of its own and that’s why I have had to try so many different products to see what works for me.
Your hair always looks so pretty in your pics.
Your story is not at all uncommon. I have been natural for almost 6 years and it has been some journey. While i did like my relaxed hair (straight and growing fast), I LOVE my curly texture. I didn’t even realize it was this nice and versatile. I can style it more now than when I had it relaxed. The possibilities are endless.
Your hair is beautiful. It is so long and there are so many things you can do with it. Have you checked out my friend Shelli’s blog? It’s new but she has wonderful styles and techniques she shares. It’s hairscapades.com
I know there are many stories like mine. Congrats on 6yrs being natural that’s awesome. Thank you Michelle, I have been doing two strand twists, braidouts, straighten occasionally, buns with flowers.
How often do you straighten your hair?
I will check out the blog hairscapades.com, thanks.
Hey JT. I don’t straighten at all anymore. I started the Kim Coles Growout Challenge in May. I was late joining but decided no heat styling for me for the rest of 2011. My goal is to have bust length hair all around by the end of the year.
I have been doing buns and other protective styles with the banana clip, goodie ouchless barrettes, goodie spin pins and just good old fashioned bobby pins lol. I also use flowers to accessorize. I made a lot of them into hair clips with the Michaels flowers and accessories.
oh forgot to say your doggie is beautiful! He reminds me of Lassie (or is it she?)
Thanks Michelle,
Vinny short for Vincenzo is a he. He’s very easy going and loves to be hugged and enjoys belly rubs. He’s the ultimate athlete who doesn’t really know he’s handsome.
I think you have gorgeous hair! Having straight hair, I did the opposite of you, tortured myself with horrible perms for years. Like you said, we always want what we don’t have! ha ha. Now wouldn’t ya know, my gray is coming in wiry and curly! I guess God does have a sense of humor! 🙂 I’m glad to hear you are embracing the beautiful hair God has given you. As always, I love your style!
I bet your curls are beautiful. Thank you so much, I appreciate you Karen!
My one friend is transitioning her hair from relaxed to all natural. I give anyone who does this props. I wouldn’t have the patience to do it or maintain it. I totally agree that hair alone can make or break an outfit. I love the print on that maxi dress!
Shasie of Live Life in Style
Wrinkle In Time Vintage Giveaway
I’m on the journey too. I’ve been relaxer free since about 97. I’m still trying to figure out where I want to go with my hair. Right now I just flat iron. I wear it totally natural here and there.