Hey all-
After going back and forth, over and over in my head and doing intense research on it, I have decided to go natural with my hair. I have been using relaxer for almost 15 years now and it has been a love/hate affair from the minute that the creamy white stuff drenched my hair and invaded my nostrils with that chemical smell. I have always had ridiculously thick hair and although its coarse-ish, its not super duper “nappy” by any means <–(according to my friends Sade, Tee and Vivi) but being that I was raised in a white neighborhood and attended primarily white schools my whole entire life, my kinky hair done up in braids and bows just wasnt cutting it for me as to what I thought pretty hair was. I wanted to wear it straight and not worry about it and I begged my mother for a relaxer. Eventually she gave up and I had long silky hair for years. As I grow older and my hair breaks, I realize Im over it. I still love long, silky straight hair but I also love big, coiled, pouffy hair as well. But besides the aesthetics of it, I really,truly just want healthy hair. I am the first to admit Im terrible doing my hair. I hate it. I dont have a good regimen but I do use great products. I harp on my boyfriend every day about his beauty regimen and sticking to it but I am a huge hypocrite because I dont religiously follow my own. The other day I was on Pinterest and a plethora of natural hair images deboe’d my newsfeed. I was in awe and just loved every single look. I immediately started G-Chatting with Elle and Sade about it and then proceeded to go on YouTube to drool over Chime Edwards hair. That was it! I decided to go natural. Im not doing this to get in touch with my African roots and I am not doing it to be more of a “sista”. Im very much a strong black woman regardless of what my hair looks like or the words I use and my tone when I speak. Im doing it because I like the look and versatility it will allow me and I am on this journey because I really want the super duper thick hair that I once had. I can honestly say that I will be very much like the girl from LongHairDontCare2011 YouTube channel and will probably straighten my hair more than most because I like that look but will certainly rock out with wild hair as well. This is going to be tough for me but I am ready and willing to learn as I go along. I know most, if not ALL of my friends are natural and they have been super supportive of this and have gotten lots of great feedback on twitter. Even my boyfriend said “Im not with you for your hair” when I asked his opinion. (insert group Awwwww)! It was really the last straw for me when I realized that I rarely if EVER use a blowdryer and use a flatiron maybe 1-2 times a month and my hair still felt as if it were thin, lifeless and brittle. I just cannot get with that! I will NOT be doing a “big chop” and will most likely use weaves while transitioning….. wish me luck!
I appreciate you all reading and am looking forward to the tips you all have to offer!!! Enjoy the images that helped in making this decision!!! 🙂
all images from my Pinterest page. Please visit for exact image details and ownership!
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| Chime Edwards of Hair Crush YouTube Channel |
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| natural hair blowdried and straightened |
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| my hair about 4 months post relaxer about 4 years ago |
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| true love…. him cutting out my weave 🙂 |
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| my first twist out.. Im only about 2 months post relaxer |
2 Women I Have Met in Real Life that also truly Inspire and Awe Me with Their Hair:
1. Tameeka of My Designer Dreams
2. Elise of Its Vintage Darling
Jenni Jehanne
Nice motivation pics, I am also in the process of transition it’s been a year and a half and I am loving it. I go to my Dominican lady every Saturday to get a wash and set and a trim every two weeks. I don’t missed having a pem at all. I think you should go for it.
Good Luck to you lady in your journey! Awww your boyfriend is so sweet. That comment would have had me on cloud nine all day lol.
-Shakiyla
your twist out came out nice I’m natural as well it’s a great choice if you like diverse hairstyles that’s for sure
http://www.deejayspeaks.blogspot.com
Wishing you all the best on your decision!!! I transitioned with weaves as well, but when I started flat ironing earlier this year I damaged my hair (so be careful when you do wear yours straight) so then I suffered from the crazy two textures. After getting fed up with that I recently cut it all off and I couldn’t be happier;-). All the pool, hot yoga, and everything else with no worries. BTW, Target has a great natural hair care product selection.
xoxo,
It Girl Allure
Thank you Dinesha! I used way too much product. It’s all sticky hahahah.
Jen
He is the best. Seriously. I’m always on cloud nine with him. Thank you for visiting and commenting. And thank you for the luck. I’m gonna need it.
Jen
Thank you Sheila. It’s gonna be tough for me but I’m excited. I
Love your new haircut. I saw it. How did it damage? That is what I am afraid of. I have no clue what my texture truly is. I pray it’s not crazy tough bc I’m lazy and don’t want have to do a lot with it hahahah. How long did you transition till you chopped yours off? I also am not a fan of full weaves so let’s pray I can find a hair that matches hahahah
Jen
First time commenter…long time lurker….Good Luck with your journey!!!!!! I started mine in december of last year and I’ve got to say it’s awesome..I love my new/old hair texture
Awww thank you Jessica! I’m glad you decided to comment and thank you even more so for Lurking 🙂 I appreciate it.
Jen
Congrats!! I was natural my whole life until college but I’m so tenderheaded I just got tired of dealing with the pain everytime I had to section my hair off after a wash to let it dry. I am relaxed now but I keep my hair in protective styles and I only relax once every 3-4 months. It is now bsl and I love it! -Style4Curves
Congrats to you for giving up the creamy crack. Just remember that being natural is a journey, and you will have good days and bad days. However, always keep in mind that you are embracing the naturally beautiful you. You can do it sister. Congrats again.
natasha
You will look great. Rooting for you
omg I cant wait to see the end results you’re gonna look beautiful!
Yay jen! Stick with it and let me know if you have questions or anything =) I’m sure you will definitelylce the versatility that comes with being natural. I love it!
WHOOO HOOOO! I can imagine this was a laboring decision for you, congrats! I too love big hair, and really don’t care for my hair straight even though I’m relaxed. All my wigs are big and curly and I rollerset instead of flat iron for more volume, so I COMPLETELY get it! You may wanna jump in on the u-part wig train, they can be either sewn down or clipped for convenience (if you need to know some vendors to them ready-made, hit me up)! Pls share your journey with us!
Awww Jeimy. Thank you. I hope I don’t look like a untamed lioness hahahahah
Jen
Hey girl. Thank you!!! Just so you know you completely lost me on U wig. Hahahah. Please elaborate. I’m such a newbie!!!
Jen
I wish you all the luck, Jen! It does take some time and you will probably get frustrated when you compare the thickness of your new growth to the thin, limpness of your relaxed hair, as I did. But I recommend getting more frequent trims. Use organic, no-sulfate products on hair so it doesn’t strip the moisture ( you will need every bit). And use a good deep conditioner on the hair about once every week. I recommend the Macadamia Deep Repair Mask! Oh and do show pix of the progress, please!
K-
Thank you so much for commenting and forthr tips Krystina. I will be purchasing all of the above. Yes I’m sure I will get VERY frustrated and you all will probably hear about it hahahaha. Thank you do much again and keep the tips coming. I know nada!
Jen
Congrats on your decision, I know that one like this can be fraught with anxiety. I also wanted to say that saying things like “super duper nappy” in a disparaging way is not cool & makes it seem if your hair were “nappy” you wouldn’t be as on board with going natural. But rest assured by looking at your 4mth post picture your hair indeed looks like it will be in the 3c/4a range. I’m an old hairboard vet and even owned/ran my own for many years, so I know hair like the back of my hand, esp. since I once aspired to be a cosmetologist (my parents wanted me in a white collar profession). My biggest advice would be like some have already said to take the good with the bad and remember that bad hair days come whether you are natural or relaxed. YouTube has a plethora of natural hair vloggers and I love being inspired by natural hair tumblrs. Again congrats and bon temps!
Thank you SO much for writing and I agree with you. It could be taken completely wrong and I wholeheartedly agree. I dont think there is anything wrong with super coarse hair and if I had it, it would not have changed my decision. I think my hair is super duper nappy but others do not think so lol.
I think my hair is in the 4c range but then again what do I know lol. I think that pic was a good day maybe hahaha 🙂
Thank you SO much again!
thank you!
thank you Natasha! Oh boy…. yes a journey… im scared and excited!
whoo hoo! I will be bombarding you with questions. I will be rocking a weave but I dont like full weaves on me… I pray I can find hair that matches my texture so I can leave enough of my own hair out lol….. would love to hear your tips
it´s simple but significant the way you express yourself!
thank you Clara! I appreciate that….. I try lol
I M GOING TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO NATURAL, BUT KNOWING YOU, YOU WILL DO IT FOR A MONTH OR 2. JUST TRY AND SEE. GOOD LUCK! LOVE YOU VERY MUCH, YOUR MAMAN
yes, hang in there! it will be rough and you are going to have those days when you are in the beauty supply store staring at the cream crack…literally, staring at it…just stay focused on the length you are trying to get. when i lived in VA…some 10 years ago, i was aiming for the Tracee Ross hair…and my hair was down my back. it works.. hmm, just thinking of that, i might jump back on the wagon too. my sister is doing it now, and her hair is to her butt. i was in awe…you will be suprised at the results, it really is a “journey” for a new you. wish you all the luck. oh yeah, weave it up during the times you are completely frustrated.
thank you manman… we need to work together on you and your negativity. not every comment has to have some negativity in it. its ok to just encourage someone without making a wisecrack comment. lets work together on you becoming more positive and watching what you say and how you say it.
You have an awesome spirit that shines through, I’m so glad you responded the way you did. Also wanted to add, that I’m a first time commenter, but I read your blog everyday in my Google Reader and think you have awesome style. I also show my husband your pics to see what he thinks about certain looks I’m thinking of going for & I loved your blue green dress this week!
Thank you for the compliments K.Nicole and THANK YOU for commenting! I love interacting with readers and Im so thrilled that you read. Im def blushing that I can inspire anyone fashion choices and if there is anything I can do or help with, Im here just an email away. Yes that is one of my favorite dresses (the color and the price). I was having such a bloated day (gotta love being a woman) that it was the only thing to put a smile on my face hahahah
dont be a stranger!
oh my, who is manman? is this to me???? what I do? ha ha ha jk
Hahahah no it was to my mom. She had left a message. Did it send to you?!?!?
Jennifer Jean-Pierre
Editor In Chief: Comme Coco
Managing Editor: Facon Magazine
Director of Outreach: CapFABB (Capital Area Fashion and Beauty Bloggers) Facebook: Comme Coco
Hey Jen!!! IDK if you knew…but I am natural & was in my transitional phase while I was in MD. When you met me, I was transitioning…I never did the “big chop” either, but instead trimmed the ends of relaxed hair as it grew out. I wore twists/weaves all year, giving my hair time to breathe between each new ‘do. I definitely suggest finding a Dominican Salon if you want straight hair. I never use a flat iron or blow dryer between appts. There’s a REALLY good one near you. I’ll text you those details. You already have long, gorgeous hair so it shouldn’t take long for you to get to the length you want…I’m rooting for you!!
THANK YOU girl!!!! Yes I will need those details lol
See you in Atlanta soon
Welcome to team natural! I love my natural do, invest in a good deep conditioner and keep up with trims. It may get frustrating at times. I love kisforkinky.com and you can always call me bc my girl layyyys my hair💋❤
Welcome to team natural! I love my natural do, invest in a good deep conditioner and keep up with trims. It may get frustrating at times. I love kisforkinky.com and you can always call me bc my girl layyyys my hair💋❤
awwww Bev- Thank you for this. Girl I love Beauty Supply Stores… they are my obsesion. So many fun things in there. Really? I want my hair to be down to my butt lol
Good for you….I was natural for a couple of years and loved it, I just didn’t plan to stay committed to it but my hair gained back so much thickness that had been lost because I had been over processing my hair…so for me it was a do over…now my relaxed “under” processed hair is so much more thicker and healthier…However, I do looove to see natural beauties….
You can definitely do it girl!!i have been natural for about 2 yrs now and I LOVE IT!!I will say that one of the MOST important thing I have learned while natural is that what works for one will not always work for all,so I say try out a lot of different things that work for you and your hair while maybe using a few “general” ideas from other natural ladies!Good luck during your transition though!!
imancoco.blogspot.com
I totally missed this post! You know I’m all for you going natural! I think you will love it!