I was a bit of both. I hadn’t planned on going natural, it just kind of presented itself to me. I ran across pictures of a couple of old friends on Facebook and found out their beautifully curly hair was “natural.” This prompted me to jump into Google mode to find out any and everything about natural hair. After much reading, I crossed over to YouTube videos and for weeks I became obsessed with watching the Natural Hair Journey videos. Just watching them caused something to resonate in me that I couldn’t quite put my finger on, but finally my mind decided it was time to go natural.
Read On>>>
I was already months overdue for my next perm, like always, so I had about two inches of new growth already. After some self pep talking I made the spur of the moment decision to grab my house scissors, lock myself in the bathroom, and chop my own hair. The combination of the high and the fear was amazing.
Had you always embraced your texture?
My mother began perming my hair at a young age just as her mother did with hers, so all I knew was straight hair. Girls in school would make fun of you if you had “Nappy Hair” so my perms were regularly scheduled.
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?
Everyone close to me knows that I have a short attention span when it comes to my hair. I try out any style I think looks cool and can switch it up in a couple of days if my heart desires.
I did have to break my decision to chop to my husband very carefully. He had known me from the beginning with permed hair or straight weave. His mother and his sister have long straight hair so that’s what he was used to. He was less than excited when I explained what I wanted to do but knew that once I made up my mind it was going to happen one way or another. It took him a while to warm up to it but he has gotten much better. His family loved it! My mother actually finally embraced her natural texture and stopped perming her hair as well!
These past 3 years of my natural hair journey have been amazing. I have been able to fall in love with the real me. Loving my hair the way it was intended to be and embracing it.
Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.)
My hair is super thick! I call it my lion’s mane now that it seems to be growing into a being of its own. I think I fall in to the Type 4B/4C category. It craves moisture like nobody’s business and my shrinkage is ridiculous! I am not really a wash and go kind of girl because it shrinks so small.
What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? favorite products! Deets!
I try to do a complete wash at least once a week, no longer than two if I’m super busy. I have been using the SheaMoisture product line from day one of my chop until now, since it can easily be found at Target. I love their shampoo and conditioner, and their Curl Enhancing Smoothie is my staple product for twist outs. I also put a little olive oil and honey in my conditioner for added softness.
How do you maintain your hair at night?
I really wish I twisted my hair every night but that’s just not possible since twisting takes so much time. I usually wash my hair on a Saturday or Sunday so I do flat twists at night to rock a twist out. That twist out lasts about 3 days because it’s covered with a satin scarf or bonnet at night and fluffed in the morning. I spray my hair with leave in conditioner before I put on my bonnet for bed.
How do you maintain healthy length?
Every couple of months I will do a deep conditioning treatment and trim my ends. I kind of just look at my hair after I stretch it and trim where the ends seem to be thinning. Also, making sure my hair has some sort of moisture in it before I comb really helps with reducing shedding and breakage.
What’s the best thing about being curly?
VERSATILITY! I love that if I wanted to straighten my hair I could, or I could rock it in a fro. I love how unique it is because it is MY hair. There is no other out there like my hair that I grow myself. Being a curly girl has allowed me to become more comfortable in my skin. I have fallen in love with the true me and it’s exciting to see where that will take me.
Where can folks find you on the web?
InstaGram: @KissMyColor
Twitter: @KissMyColor
YouTube.com/KissMyColor (Tutorials Coming Soon)
www.KissMyColor.com (Website Coming Soon)
