My natural hair journey started slowly. Growing up I always had long hair and about 3 years ago I decided I was tired of it. I decided to get my hair cut very short; however, I was still getting perms. I let my hair grow for about 8 months and then I got frustrated with it again. I was at that stage where I felt I couldn’t do anything different with it. I got my hair twisted one night and the next day they just stood up on top of my head, so being dramatic, I cut all my hair off. I did an awful job and had a few patches so I had to go to the barbershop to get my hair “faded” and thus started my natural hair journey.
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Had you always embraced your texture?
I have not. Not that I was completely against it; however, when I was younger I didn’t hear about the concept of being “natural.” I remember begging my mother to let me get a perm for my middle school graduation. Long and flowing hair was the look I was going for. At the same time, I was a major tomboy and mostly kept my hair in ponytails anyway, so it did defeat the purpose. In college I started to embrace my feminine side, LOL, and started wearing my hair in wraps mostly. Once I went natural, I was surprised at how “pretty” my hair is. I never realized that I have such a nice curl pattern and how annoying but low maintenance my natural hair can be.
How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? How did they react to the new you? What was your response to them?
Shocked! Like I said, I always had long hair so drastically cutting it all off caught everybody off guard. I had a few negative responses but also positive responses. Anybody who complained, I simply said, “you must not really like me if you think differently of me because of my hair.” I was confident that I wanted to start this journey and that helped to block off any negativity I received. I did this for me, no one else.
I have had people who I haven’t talked to in years send me a message on Facebook saying they love how versatile I keep my hair. Most of the people who were against me cutting it, now tell me how much they like me in my big hair. Most of my hairstyles are thrown together and people still ask me if I can do their hair. I think the initial shock has worn off for everybody. I have actually influenced some family and friends to go natural. Go figure!
Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.)
My hair is thick but a mixture of fine and coarse. I have loose curls; however, when my hair is dry it is very hard to manipulate. My edges are fine and soft, so it is usually hard getting certain styles such as twist because the edges unravel. I have two different curl patterns. The top of my hair is a little coarser and drier than the sides. My hair does hold moisture so when it is wet it takes forever to dry. However, once dry, if I do not have oil and some type of cream on it, my hair is hard to touch. That LOC method is EVERYTHING!
What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? favorite products! Deets!
Currently, I wash my hair once every 1 to 2 weeks. I co-wash often, maybe every other day. I have developed the bad habit of wetting my hair every day. Not the spritz wet but soaking wet. My hair does not do well on second day hair styles, so I always need to wet it and comb it or else it just feels and looks like a hard, dry, frizzy mess. I started wearing a lot of twist and braid styles so that I wouldn’t wear my fro as often. The summer has been way too hot for a fro, so twists have given me life.
One thing about my hair is that it holds products so I have to be very selective about which products I use. I have a minimal routine that involves leave-in conditioner, oil and a curl cream. Sometimes, I go without the curl cream (usually when I am being lazy). I recently made my own whipped Shea butter but I have to admit that I have used it more on my body than my hair.
I do not have a set time that I style my hair. It generally depends on if I did my hair or someone else. If someone else did it, I usually keep it in a week or two. If I did it, it usually won’t last a week. Even with twist and braids, I will get the urge to want to play in my hair after two days and may take it out and style again or wear my fro. I have just really enjoyed my hair as it has grown. I know you shouldn’t manipulate often; however, I am in love!
How do you maintain your hair at night?
I just throw a bonnet on! Whether it is styled or in an afro, I just throw my bonnet on. I do want to start moisturizing my hair at night and twisting, if needed, because the longer it gets, I can’t keep wearing my hair wet. I have noticed that sleeping in my fro at night with just a bonnet has damaged my ends a little. I do not moisturize at night so by the morning my hair is dry. Now that it is longer, I do plan to twist more and wear twist outs as an alternative to my fro.
How do you maintain healthy length?
I actually do not have a strategic method for maintaining length. I just try to keep my hair moisturized and styled. I figure if I do that it will grow (in my Field of Dreams voice). My hair is not as long as I desire, so I have more work to do. I do not clip my ends often and I should. I have been officially natural for two years now and have only had my ends clipped twice. Not a good look.
What’s the best thing about being curly?
It’s my hair. No other women can have my hair. Anybody can get a perm, anybody can get a style; however, my curls are strictly mine. Also, I feel like it requires actual less maintenance than a perm. With a perm, all it takes is one sweat droplet and your wrap can be ruined. With curly hair, if my hair gets frizzy, I can throw some twist in real fast and put in a ponytail or pin it up. Having natural hair makes me more aware of the different styles I can wear. Why perm your hair if you are just going to braid it? With natural hair you can wear it straight, curly, pinned up, twisted up, twisted out… (You get the picture).
Where can folks find you on the web?
I do not have a blogger page but I can be found on social networks. My IG is @wuebaby. I like to take pictures of myself (I know, I’m so vain LOL) so you will see a lot of pictures of my hair. I am also on Facebook. Just look for me by name.
Peace, Love, and Soul!
