1) Too much time.
It’s not as much time as you think. It might take a while to get used to your curls if you’re transitioning or even if you’re just toying with the idea of stopping your relaxers. Once you get used to what your hair likes, dislikes, what styles suit your curl pattern and how to generally treat it differently from straight hair it becomes effortless. Of course at times it can be frustrating; but at least if it rains, you are not running for shelter like you owe money. My getting ready times are cut in half compared to my housemates now! It used to take me about an hour to get used to setting my hair, now it takes around 15 minutes. You get as much time out as you invest in, it’s worth it.
2) My hair is unmanageable.
No hair is unmanageable. Whether you have kinks, coils or curls. Don’t let anyone tell you this and don’t reinforce your negative thoughts. Again, it’s about research and knowing what is right for you. A diffuser might work for someone, but it didn’t work for me. Two strand twists might work for me, but not for others. It’s all a trial and error.
3) Every product for natural hair seems so expensive/only made in the US.
This is so frustrating!! I truly feel the pain of this one, and pisses me off quite a lot. (Britain – Y U No have simple Kinky/Curly products for a non extortionate price?) Luckily I did eventually find a site that sells Miss Jessie, Kinky-Curly and other products we all hear about from US users. Just remember; the conditioners and ‘curl creams’ and hairsprays in your local supermarket contain a lot of things your hair doesn ‘t need. Hair care shouldn’t be tossed in your shopping basket on a BOGO offer – invest the time and sometimes the money in the right products.
4) How am I supposed to transition from relaxed to curly?
This one is a long one. Do your research. Feel your kinky hair underneath the relaxer so you at least recognise the texture. Do curly sets to match the texture until you’re ready to Big Chop off your ends or just shave bald and rock a teen weeny afro. Keep the demarcation line (the line between the two textures of hair) moisturised at all times with deep conditioning.
5) I wouldn’t know how to start.
Start at the beginning. It is not as hard as it sounds. As a student it was pretty difficult to imagine having the time to wash my hair, keep it moisturized and looking good, doing sets. However it really does cut down half the time I used to spent on blow-drying, straightening…whereas 3 day old flat ironed hair can look greasy and just feel unclean, I find my twists look so much better, enabling me to keep the style for longer and manipulate my hair less.
6) What would my friends/family say?
Honestly, who cares. Your family might be surprised, supportive, shocked – it’s just hair, and it’s your hair. You never know, you might influence other members! Regarding friends, it’s the same response. Chances are they’ll support you and love your new do!
7) I can’t go to work like this.
You can. It’s hair. Tie it up carefully so it doesn’t stress the hairline/same part of your scalp. Hairbands, plaits, loose updos…the options are endless.
8) I just don’t suit it.
Don’t be silly. If you were supposed to have anything but kinks curls and coils…you would have it. It’s all about getting that confidence to be yourself, I have to say, after going back to being natural it was like I’d finally found my identity. People would remember who I was because I felt more unique, I felt more like me, therefore acted more confident. You just exude positivity without saying anything.
9) It’s only in fashion at the moment.
Everything to me is in fashion it seems, all the time, every season. It’s hair, you rock it how you want to rock it and forget the rest.
10) It’s ugly.
Natural = beautiful. Simple.
Great article and fro those who says its more expensive im sorry sisters but imma be the one to tell you YOU and only YOu choose that. No one told you to buy Miss Jessies or Ouidad You did a simple oil mix or shea butter hell for a styler flaxseed gel would do or eco (both which have comparable results to all these expenive products) . And the time consuming please it only take a a few hours or less on one day the rest of the week your refreshing and sealing. Sisters yall need to reevaluate how you are handling your hair because I would hate for any of you to undo all the time and effort you put out of frustration. I use to be a product junkie but after trail and error and reading Curly Like Me by Teri LaFlesh that all changed. Like the article says exude confidence through it all ladies.
the website i found (i thought i linked it) was britishcurlies.co.uk!
The time-consuming one is too true, though. It took me FIVE HOURS to wash, condition, and attempt to twist my hair! Even trips to the salon are never under 2.5 hours.
Hey y'all, my NEW url is http://ichibannikooru.blogspot.com/
thanks nik!
xx
I'd also agree that it spend more time on my hair and it's more expensive, but that's because I'm still transitioning too and trying to find what works for me and because when I was fully relaxed, I did NOTHING with my hair.
Part of why I've gone natural is because I want to stop being so lazy and uncaring about my appearance and because I'm trying to be healthier, so it's taking me time and money to learn, but I don't mind at all!
I'm also a University student, and if I wasn't transitioning in braids, I would never be able to make my lectures! I have zero styling know-how, so if my hair was free, I'd be struggling to do it every morning.
(so much to learn, so little time!)
It's been so interesting reading all your responses!
I just feel like I don't waste as much time styling it (as a university student) to go out, I've cut down on 99% of the heat I used, the effort, and I stop running from the wind and the rain now too 🙂
It actually takes me a lot longer to style my hair now. I do know that transitioning has a lot to do with this. However, I'm used to getting up, unwrapping my hair, and running out the door. Now, I have to get up and do my hair. And yes, for me, it has been more expensive to have natural hair than relaxed. But I still love the journey.
Funny thing is I still think natural hair is time consuming. I have been natural for over a year. I think it because I can't do wash and gos (I really don't think they suit me and they look off ) and that a braid-out or twist-out only last a day unless your willing too re-do the braid/twist every single night.
I also find that only way to make it less time consuming is to add braids, weaves, or wigs which I don't count as a natural but as extensions.
So far my least time consuming natural practice is buns which get boring very fast (I bored with buns within the day but they are the only style that require the least time to do but can last up to a week) but thats a preference thing.
Also, some of the best products can e found in the kitchen!
Great Post! Love it. Thanks.
Anita Grant and Akua Wood are both handmade natural hair care products produced right here in blighty and they are all natural ingredients too.
Lets not forget our own homegrown UK products
Products are expensive here, but I didn't consider what it was like for people who live abroad.I have sent my niece products from the US to England because she can't find natural haircare products for her 3C hair in Essex.
Going natural is really a journey of self discovery. Due to the fact that so many of us identify ourselves by our outward apperance (especially hair), many people find it harder to change than others. It's no different than if you decide to stop wearing make-up or go the beach without a "cover-up". Our hair is unique and extremely veristle. I have been natural for a little over two years now and feel so blessed to have made the change. Sure it was difficult in the beginning. Luckly, I did a lot research online and through a few trial and errors, I found what products and routines work for my hair type. I now receive more compliments and questions about my hair than I ever could have imagined. Many people don't even believe me when I tell them that this is my "real" hair absolutely no chemicals just conditioners and the right styling products. What is truly ironic is that even friends, family, co-workers, etc, that initially did not show much support, can't help but talk about how great my hair looks. So really, the only reasons you should not go natural is:
1)If you are doing it for anyone but yourself.
2)If you don't have the time or patience to learn about how to care for your hair.
3)If you don't have the courage or strength to make a change and see yourself including your hair as beautiful beyond what others may feel.
If I had not made my decision and stuck with it, I would never have known about the wonderful hair that is mine and was there all along "naturally".
Great post! Before I decided to transition eight months ago, I asked myself these questions. I'm loving the process of mentally transitioning as well.
Great Post, misleading title!
Very timely post for me. I am almost 5 months into my transition and I am learning so much and trying different things. I am on the ledge and possibly about to tip over and buy some curlformers. Anyone use the curlformers? Good/bad experiences?
#3. Every product for natural hair is expensive/only made in the US.
Too true. You can find them online but shipping all the way to Australia costs more than the actual product. Either that or they don't ship at all O_o
So i experiment with products I find on the shelves here. If that doesn't work out, i turn to youtube, watch a few tutorials and whip things up from scratch.
I always find it amusing when someone tells me that they cant go natural for any of these same reasons.
www.KinkyCurlyCoilyMe.com
Great post. Thanks for this! I've been natural for almost twenty years, and I love it!
Good post. I was thoroughly confused at first thinking why would Nikki post a thread on NOT being natural lol. Now I know, the questions are exactly what I went through, but the fact that I've stuck with it this long (about 4.5 mnths, if you knew me that's a long time) tells me I can do it. I am still learning ways to take care of my hair and my daughters since I have never been "gifted" in that way. I enjoy it though and I am always finding another reason to love our hair the way it is.
Another great post…but I can think of one valid reason to not go natural that doesn't have a (simple) counterargument.
If you are SO worried about any of the above factors that you are literally experiencing physical stress, don't go natural. It takes a certain amount of courage to go against the grain and not everybody has it. That's okay!
However, if it IS fear that's preventing you from doing it, please be honest and admit it. Don't blame it on your texture, your husband, your mama, your job, your church, the Internet, or anybody or anything else. There are way too many of us out here, living everywhere, dating everybody, and doing everything…and there's way too much information and assistance online. As this post demonstrates, most excuses are just that: excuses.
Now that said, I know somebody's going to come in here and say "How come everybody has to be natural?" My response: They don't.
I was feeling a lot of these ways when I first started but 9 months later i have embraced it all.
Peace, Love and Chocolate
Tiffany
Excellent idea for a post. Thanks for sharing. I've heard all of those reasons why not to go natural. If I hadn't done my own research, I'd probably still be weaved up.