My Natural Hair Quest

My Blog Is Moving!

2014-08-18T15:00:00.001-04:00

Hello and thanks for visiting!

You can find my new blog at "naturallylp.com"

Check out my updates and new videos on YouTube!

My One Year Natural Anniversary!

2012-10-20T23:55:00.000-04:00

Is Natural Hair Overrated?

2012-10-09T23:40:00.000-04:00

It's been two years since I decided to stop relaxing my hair. I recall being frantically glued to YouTube sucking in all the information I could tolerate about all things natural hair. How to wash, co-wash, pre-poo, no-poo, dc my coils, and all that. Making sure to use Shea Butter, EVOO, EVCO and all the needed essential oils. Whew!

Fast forward to last week, when my daughter said, "Mom, doing my hair is so much easier now that it was before. We should have learned how to do our hair a long time ago". I couldn't be upset, because she was right. Even at the age of thirteen, she confirmed what I had figured out not too long ago. Natural hair wasn't as hard to maintain, as it seemed.

One evening, after a family swim, I just didn't feel like going through the wash, condish, deep-condish, leave-in, seal, and all, for four heads. Well, three, since I trained my thirteen year old, and put her on her own. I decided to cut the routine short, just using Kinky Curly Come Clean shampoo, and Knot Today Leave-In, with the Curling Custard. That was it. If you've used this line before, you know the results were awesome. However, more importantly, I did my hair and my two youngest girls, and they have a LOT of hair I might add, in an hour and a half. I felt so proud that night. There were no tears, no long conditioning sessions, none of the usual.

That night I pondered that, it was just too easy. I felt guilty that I didn't take hours doing our hair, as if I had left off part of a regimen that may cause our hair to fall out or something. However, it didn't and our hair was just fine. I thought, hair is hair. Why all the fuss? Maybe this natural hair thing just overrated. I suppose it depends on whom you ask, but from my perspective, natural hair can be just as hard or just as easy as you want it to be. Find your own groove. I'm keeping it simple. How complex is your routine?

All I'm Changing Is My Mind & Hair

2012-04-09T19:05:00.000-04:00

Wow. It's hard to believe that I'm one month away from my one year big chop anniversary, yay! So happy to have come this far. Truly, my journey started from the time I began transitioning 8 months prior to the BC, but the BC was really the defining moment for me.

So far, I've added Kinky Curly products into my rotation, which is really laughable since I don't really rotate a lot of products to begin with. However, I really liked the results, so I'll keep using it along with my Shea butter, and other Shea Moisture products. I'll share pictures and will give a more detailed update next month. Now on to the interesting 11 months I've had so far.

This natural hair quest has been a learning experience for me, and a good one. I have had to weed through a lot of things, people and hype to get to my own comfort zone but it has all been worth it. I have concentrated on learning my hair enough to be able to get the results I want most of the time. I can't really say I have bad hair days either which is cool. I accept my hair for what it is and what it does, and can generally work something out in a pinch. I was like that before, when I was relaxed, so I knew I'd do what I had to do to get to this point. That is just me. It's a victory in and of itself! Perhaps I'll go out of my comfort zone soon to experiment more with other styles. That will definitely take me to another level, since being complacent is so much easier.

I have also pondered how I should flaunt my newfound "naturalism". I've seen a lot going on out here in the natural hair community and had to take a step or two back. Heck, I wanted to go natural but didn't intend on losing myself to a new set of 'requirements' in the process. It is so easy to be caught up, but trying to follow it all really didn't feel like me. I was my own person before going natural, and even though it was intimidating to change at first, I did it and survived. I have determined that I don't have to be a part of everyone's group, do what they do and wear what they wear to prove that I'm proud to be African American or Natural. Whether I wear a face full of makeup, huge earrings, boho styles or not, isn't mandatory or even the point. When you see me, you can pretty much get the point without ever asking.

I don't look down on others that want to continue to relax, wear weaves, wigs, tracks or braids because that is their choice, just as this is my choice. Hey, I wasn't always natural! I do not look for acceptance from anyone other than myself, because I know, that's all that really counts at the end of the day.

Although there can sometimes be pressure to following behind others and do what they do, I'm glad I haven't lost myself along the journey. I truly know that I can continue to be me and do me, like I always have, while growing and getting better with each day. I changed my mind and then my hair, but that's it. That is all I'm willing to compromise. If it's not me, it's cool, I'll settle on what is, and be okay with that.

Free Hosting!

2012-02-11T22:09:00.000-05:00

Okay people, I know this has absolutely nothing to do with natural hair but I just HAD to... I wanted to let you know that I just discovered how I can get free hosting for my website. I'm excited because I've been paying a lot for it, for a while now. This is perfect for any website not to mention free without ads! Definitely worth a try!

Time For An Update!

2011-12-12T00:35:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone, just dropping in to say hi and give a quick update! I know it's been a while since I've posted to my blog. Believe me, it's been a roller coaster ride but I definitely plan to post more often.

As I type, it's been seven months since I big chopped! Wow, where did the time go? I have learned so much and look forward to sharing it all with you soon.

Let me just say that I truly have no regrets about going natural and am totally happy that I did. No more competing textures for me, woo-hoo! I am pleasantly surprised at all of the positive feedback and responses I have received from family, friends & strangers alike. It also helps that there are so many other naturals in my area. It's more of the norm than the exception around here. Makes you feel right at home.

Before I go, I wanted to share with you my current hair regimen. I wash & condition my hair at least twice a week, to ensure it is fully moisturized. I use the Shea Moisture line of products to wash & condition and Giovanni Direct leave-in conditioner. On a daily basis I also use my homemade Shea butter mix and spritz of aloe vera juice, water and glycerin.

My staple hair style right now is the two-strand twist-out. I do realize that between the washes and styling, I am manipulating my hair quite a bit. Since the colder weather is setting in, I'm looking at updating my regimen and options for protective styles that I can live with.

Until next time, take care and keep moving toward your goals!

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

Transition Styles from Relaxed to Natural Hair: 4 to 7 Months Post Relaxer

2011-06-06T11:39:00.000-04:00

My Big Chop - Part 1 Relaxed to Natural Hair

2011-06-06T11:27:00.000-04:00

To BC or Not to BC? That is the Question.

2011-06-06T02:58:00.001-04:00

Written in April 2011

To BC or Not to BC? That is the Question.

My goal to transition for a year is officially in jeopardy. At seven months post-relaxer I continue to find it challenging to maintain the two hair textures atop my head. The natural hair needs specific care that is in contrast to what the relaxed hair needs. Think water and oils for moisture.

I made a conscious decision to maintain all of my hair as natural and that hasn’t always produced the results I expected. Since my natural hair has grown out a few inches, it’s been hard to keep myself content with the styling options I’ve used. In keeping with wearing my own hair, my transitional styles have included roller sets, two-strand flat twist-outs, two-strand twist & curl or bantu knot styles and a few up-do’s. These styles have worked fine for me but I get bored easily and grow antsy very quickly if I don’t change things up.

On to the monkey wrench that threw my transition way off. I made a big conditioning mistake and became very frustrated. I washed my hair and after applying conditioner, thought it would be a great idea to leave it on longer than a few minutes to deep condition. Several hours later, it was late and I decided I could keep it wrapped up, sleep on it, and then rinse it out in the morning. The problem was I hadn’t detangled my hair yet. By the time I was ready to detangle the following day, there were several knots throughout my hair. Removing them was nearly impossible and I experienced breakage and some hair loss. At that point, I was ready to BC. If you are transitioning, I hope you’re taking notes on what NOT to do.

So being at a crossroad, you might wonder how I got myself out of the rut. Well, I decided to cut off several inches of relaxed hair. For now, this has solved some of the issues I was having and has added some time onto my transitional phase. I’ll see how far this will get me. Wish me luck!

Check out my video channel “LPShareTube” on YouTube. You can follow along on ‘My Natural Hair Quest’ there.

Thanks for stopping by.

What types of road blocks have you faced in your transition?

Natural Hair Transition 4 Months Post Relaxer

2011-02-15T14:16:00.000-05:00

My Natural Hair Quest Relaxer Days

2011-02-14T21:48:00.000-05:00

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

2011-01-30T20:49:00.000-05:00

Ok, I won’t say the last four months have been easy, but I’ve had better hair days. One day I’m sticking to it, the next I’m being called by ‘Dark & Lovely’ to come back!

I will tell you that trying to maintain two different and competing textures is a beast. One needs something that the other doesn’t necessarily. Not only does it look obvious but it makes you feel on front constantly.

Well, a few weeks ago my best friend, who has been down this road before, encouraged me as I made excuses as to why I should just go ahead and put the relaxer back in. I owe her many thanks. I also owe my family. I had already explained to them what I was doing. When I hit a weak spot and announced I’d likely just relax again, my daughter said, “Then you’ll waste all the time you’ve gone without it”. Out of the mouth of babes right? If you have children, you have to appreciate their honesty sometimes, even if it hurts.

I’ll share a few instances with you. One day I had roller set my hair and then moisturized the new growth. The new growth curled up somewhat and you could clearly see the two textures. I then asked my oldest daughter what she thought. She looked for a while, and then said it didn’t look right, that I had too much going on there. She’s only 11 but I respected her honesty. She also added that she understood it would look different and that she knew she’d have to get used to it. That’s the biggest thing….getting ‘used’ to it.

Yesterday, I mentioned my hair and my son flat out told me that my hair looked dry. Gulp. What? Ok, well I knew it hadn’t been moisturized yet, but dang. I guess I raised them right, to be forthcoming. I gotta take it if I dish it out right?

Recently, I put several sections of hair in the front into mini twists. I didn’t twist all the way to the ends since I was only playing around, then I pinned up the back. I ran downstairs and asked my husband what he thought. He hesitated and said, “Well, what are you trying to do with it?” Ouch.

I fully accepted that it would be a transition for me physically and mentally. I now know it will also be a transition of my family’s minds as well. I know that they are used to seeing me a certain way. So am I. Nevertheless, I have made my decision. I will deal with whatever comes my way. I just wish the store I found online would hurry up and get some raw shea butter in stock soon, I need it bad! LOL!

My Hair-Story

2011-01-23T15:14:00.000-05:00

Four months ago, I decided to stop relaxing my hair and go natural. My reasons for doing this are many. I will share them with you as I embark on my ‘quest’ to achieve a full head of natural, healthy hair and to learn how best to maintain it.

I had been thinking about going natural for over a year now. When I finally decided, I was very encouraged to find a lot of support out here on the internet. Many women have gone before me and have successfully transitioned. I am proud to see how beautiful we can be with our own God-given attributes. This certainly helps to encourage others and I send many thanks to these women! I too hope to inspire, as I have been inspired.

First up is my hair-story. I am the fifth of six children, five girls, and one boy. My mom was a SAHM, but eventually had to raise us as a single mother. With having to go out and support the family, she could no longer press and curl all of our hair each week. By the time I turned 10, she gave me my first 'kiddy kit’ relaxer. I hated how the chemicals burned my scalp so badly each time, even without any pre-scratching. I guess it got the job done. Looking back, I guess I cannot blame her. I now have four heads of hair to keep up with, including my own. I know exactly how she felt.

By the time I was 12, I wanted a Jheri curl so badly. Now, don't even trip! Yall know it was all the rage back then! My hair had always been long and I knew I had to sacrifice my length to get a ‘curl’, so that is what I did. My first BC! All I remember from that experience was an initial sadness at losing my length. Then there was a great exhilaration because I actually ended up LOVING it short! By the time I got my first Jheri curl retouch three months later, I was sad again. My hair had grown so much that I had lost my short 'do. It was an emotional roller coaster. A few years later, in high school, I eventually returned to the relaxer.

I have since sported a relaxer for almost thirty years, and have been able to achieve length and healthy hair (so I thoughtJ) during this time. I taught myself how to do just about anything to my hair that a stylist could. I have always maintained a longer length, even though I cut several inches off over the last year. This was not due to breakage; I would just get an itch to do something different. Now, I did experience some hair loss around my hairline post-partum four times. Throughout this time, interestingly, I continued to relax my hair without missing a beat.

Sixteen months ago, I delivered my fourth child, and lost my hair at the hairline, again. It was much worse than the previous three times, and I finally was fed up. The more I thought about it the more it made sense to make a change. I thought about how I preferred wearing my hair full and curled most of the time to bone straight hair anyway. I hated the constant burning to my scalp from the chemicals; I always had. I accepted a dry & flaky scalp as the norm (by-product of chemical relaxers). No matter how often I shampooed or what products I used, I just could not get rid of it. I woke up one day and asked myself who was making me continue down that road? As an adult, I could make excuses or make a change. Here I am now.

Four months out from my last relaxer, I am in a full transition to natural hair. I am changing my thoughts and expectations while searching for answers to sustain my choice. I am not quite ready for the BC just yet. I will post pictures and maybe a video to share with you soon. Wish me luck!