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A Hair Story

A Hair Story from Tamika in Michigan:
Hi.....I want to thank you for having this web page. I am the only friend in my group that is natural. I was scared to rock the big chop last year, so I let my natural hair grow out at 4 inches and wore corn rows. I grew tired of that very quickly, seeing my natural texture for only a month to allow my scalp to breath, then going back to braids. ( I don't like paying to get my hair done any more) lol.Then I decided enough is enough, I will never become familiar with my own natural hair if I wear braids. So I went to my hair stylist and had her chop off the permed hair, now I was down to 5 inchs of natural hair and I loved it. During my braid journey (yuck) I began my you tube journey of natural hair. I was amazed and happy to see so many other beautiful women of color rocking their natural hair. Living in the Metro Detroit area, natural hair is not popular. Many women in Metro Detroit are scared of their own natural hair, as so are many of my friends. Wearing weave 365 days a year is the norm. But I didn't allow that to stop my own personal hair journey (plus I don't like weaves lol). I have learned to love and embrace my hair. It's my hair that grows out of my scalp and I think back why I permed my own hair for so many years as if something was wrong with my own hair. Fyi my mother gave me my first perm at 11 or 12. My mother I love her but I wish she could have seen past the hype and never processed my hair. I love looking at my small childhood pics of my natural hair it was beautiful. Oh well I've learned my hair is just as natural as I was born with having two eyes, and two hands....;) I put lots of effort in taking care of my body, working out several times a week, I can put in work taking care of my hair. So I continue to love and embrace my natural hair, plus I need my hair when I finally become an older diva. (oh I did I tell you I don't like wigs either) .) 
Again thank you for this web sight, and thank all the other women out their for being my natural models.




A Hair Story from India in Arkansas:

Total of 3 years(not including one year break)

Shea Moisture Line

Cantu Shea Butter

I got my first relaxer when I was 12 years old. Before that, I remember wanting to wear my hair wild and fluffy to school. Perming always put me on a stylist schedule and when it was not convenient, it was a DYI project. I married and after the birth of my second child I was fighting to keep my strands together, Literally. After wrestling and losing against my damaged, breaking hair, I became fed up. I remembered my long healthy beautiful hair as a child and realized there was a major difference between then and now....No relaxer! So I devised a plan to BC and become natural until I could regrow healthy hair. My husband followed me in the bathroom with his clippers and soon fell my wretched damanged ends. I was left with about 3-4 inches of new growth. It was my intention to stay natural at least a year and relax soon after. I enjoyed my hair lustfully. I enjoyed my texture and its great manageablitiy as it was short in length. I had decided not to relax it. I was unaware of the science. Yes, I was ignorant to the actual hair caring. What products to use...when to wash...Regimen...? In 2 years time I was completely lost. My hair was long,dry, and I had only mastered the "wash n go". I gave in to a relaxer through frustration. Immediate disappointment clouded my mind as I looked in the mirror for the first time at my newly relaxed tresses. My hair was amazingly long and beautiful. But it was no longer me. I felt like I had been chemically altered. I made the decision to transition back to my natural state of mind.

 


  
 

A Hair Story from Chyann in New York:
My name is Chyann, and I am from Harlem, NYC, and here is my natural hair story. I got my first perm when I was eight years old, but only after I had cried every day to my mother because I felt ugly, and like an out cast with my natural hair. I hated how puffy and curly it was, and like most young Black girls, just wanted it to be straight and pretty. It wasn't until 3 years ago that I officially decided to go natural. I had tried going natural once before, but didn't feel confident rocking it as I was away at college, and around a bunch of girls with long, straight, permed hair. As I got older I took notice of the unique beauty that sisters with locks possess, and it opened my eyes to the true beauty of black women's natural hair.  Now in my 20s, I always tell my little sister who also has natural hair how important it is to feel proud and confident about her hair. My natural hair is my proclamation, and with it, I am boldly stating to the world that my hair is a part of who I am, and demanding that it be accepted as beautiful! I still have yet to find that golden product that every natural girl dreams about, but my 'go to' products have been Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave In Conditioner (for detangeling), Miss Jessie's Curly Butter creme (For moisturizing and twisting), and Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Wash (for a thorough shampoo). I work as a co-producer, co-writer, and publicist for the play "Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale", and coincidentally the entire cast also has natural hair! Together we are showing the world our beauty and talent and also our pride in having natural hair! I am so proud to see the resurgence of black women rocking their natural hair, and I hope that the Natural Hair movement never loses its momentum!
 





A Hair Story from 10 Year Old KT in Kentucky:
I transitioned for 7 months. Basically the entire year of 4th grade. Because I was going to a new school in the 4th grade I wanted something new and different. I wanted to look like a "Big" girl and wear my hair down so my mom let me get a relaxer. Big Mistake! Almost instantly my hair began to break off.  
My mom would flat twist my hair into a high pony-tail most of the time. I also wore braids and roller sets. 
 To style my hair use Eco Styler, olive oil, and Aubrey Organics shampoo and leave-in conditioner. 
I love the fact that its MY hair! No chemicals and no flat irons! I feel my hair is beautiful and I know that it's going to grow really fast and long. I feel like it has grown already. I'm also glad that I BC'd at the age of 10 instead of waiting for middle school. Now I never have to worry about having unhealthy hair! I feel beautiful. 
After I wore braids for 8 weeks my mom took me to the salon and my stylist cut off all the bad damaged hair! I BC'd on June 17, 2011
The only problem with getting ready to BC was hard finding anyone on the Internet or around me to relate to that was my age. My mom found some photos of Raven Symone (who I love) and once I saw photos of her natural I got really excited. I also was excited when my mom bought me a whole lot of hair headbands, clips and bows! :)
 
A Hair Story from Danielle in Texas:
I woke up one morning and went to buy a relaxer, I came back home with the relaxer and I started thinking to myself! I said to myself," this Is not a need, this Isn't a requirement" and right there at that moment I decided that I would never relax my hair again!  I've been natural for 1 year, I transitioned for 7 months and BC'ed May 9th 2010! My signature hairstyles while transitioning was a braid out and a bun! Becoming natural was one of the best thing's I have ever done and there's no turning back! I didn't go natural because my hair was damaged are anything like that! I went natural because I wanted to love my hair the way that God made It! Plus I want to show the world that natural hair Is beautiful,versatile and manageable! ! I want to Inspire others to go natural and to love their hair the way that God made It! I know It can be a little challenging especially In the beginning when you're just starting out, because It was for me! My problem In the beginning was keeping my hair moisturized, but once I found the  products that worked for my hair everything was fine! I love a lot of Shea Moisture Products, but my favorite one Is Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie! It keeps my hair moisturized like crazy, plus It's all natural! All their product's are natural! Other products I love are Eco Styler Gel, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Castor Oil and Honey! My favorite hairstyle Is a puff but I try not to wear It to often because It can damage your edges! If you want to see my regimen and other product I use you can find It on my fotki page! http://journals.fotki.com/LadyDee23/my-hair-regimen/entry/wrgrfrdqtgfs/



A Hair Story From Mamie in Wisconsin:
Meet Mamie! She is rockin' her natural in Wisconsin. She says: " I've been natural for 10 months and my favorite products are
everything in the Shea Moisture product line,  Coconut Oil,  Eco Styler gel, Tangle Teezer
 
I was natural for 19 years before I got my first relaxer.  I kept getting relaxers for 11 years, and decided to go back to being natural.  I transitioned for 13 months and did the big chop August 7, 2010.  Through trial and error, and tips from Naturalistas on YouTube I am learning so much about my naturally curly hair.  I enjoy being natural, Natural Girls Rock! 
 
Mamie is a know as the plus model black barbie! Check out her social media links below. She has many photos of her hair journey...Your are sure to love her!
 
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/BlkBrbe96


 
A Hair Story From Hayley in California:
I had been natural for 18 years, (my mother forbade me from chemically altering my hair with relaxers) so when I hit Spelman college, I was the first person to slap on a perm, for simple defiant purposes. Now, four years later, getting ready to graduate from Vanderbilt University, I have had a change of perspective. My mind has expanded and allowed me to realize that getting a relaxer was not only making my hair more difficult to deal with, but it just wasn't me.
I recently big chopped (February 21, 2011) in my dorm room, by myself, on a whim. I just cut it all off. Cried. Then breathed. It was the most liberating experience of my life walking out into the world strutting MY stuff. I have never been called beautiful by white, black, yellow, red, essentially EVERYONE so often in my life. And to think, I was straightening, perming, coloring, and changing the style that everyone thinks just "fits".
Why? Because it's me.
For the above reasons, and much much more, I would like to become a natural girls rock representative. Not only have I returned back to my natural ways (I'm 22), but I have wholly adopted the natural lifestyle by only using natural products and making my own lip butter, body butter, and conditioners. I'm really taking this the whole way and my hair is just sprouting like a weed! I think I'll have waist length hair again in no time just with my big beautiful, natural 3c/4a curls! I'd love to help show everyone how beautiful the journey is from starting from scratch to growing a completely new full head of hair and loving every stage in between. Length is no longer a concern, as I love my hair as short as can be and as long, I just love it because it's me.
I am currently making films about beautiful black women acting in television and on-screen to exemplify the strong, young, and daring natural who is not afraid to take on the world. I can be found at the following links:
http://incorrigiblycapriciouslove.tumblr.com/



A Hair Story from Angela in Ohio:
I Love being a Naturalista! My Natural hair journey began while I was pregnant with my daughter Zaina (now almost 17 months). I decided to STOP getting relaxers, my hair was overly processed and thinning out! As I began to transition the stares and comments started to come full circle..”What’s wrong with your hair?” “You need to perm that ish!” And the most devastating of all is these words came from black men and women! I was really discouraged but I had a deeper reason as to why I wanted to STOP the creamy crack, I was having a little Goddess and I knew she would look up to me and imitate me…I wanted to be at my very best for her nd show her how beautiful our Natural beauty is! My journey to become a healthier, more happier me consisted of many critical decisions…I had to eat better, think better, surround myself with better people…I had to DO better! As I transitioned I let my hair do what it wanted pretty much, I wanted it to do its thang and boy oh boy..did it! It grew out fast and thick over my 10 months of pregnancy…the prenatal vitamins were the best!
On January 14th, 2010 I gave birth to a 6 pound 4 ounce 22 inch Princess!!! Yay I was soooo happy!! When she was 10 days old I went for the Big Chop….I decided enough is enough, I wanted it all gone! Seeing my hair fall to the floor was liberating, freeing and it felt as if a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders! And if I must say so myself, I looked good! My family and friends were shocked to see me rocking a Tiny Fro and putting it mildly they weren’t too happy about it..but it was my hair and I did it for my daughter! People often ask me how I got up enough courage to cut it off and I give all credit to my daughter..she was my courage, my motivation and my strength throughout my journey! Now I’m approaching 17 months all Natural and it has been a great Journey….I have learned self-LOVE, and self-ACCEPTANCE!!! For all the newly naturals…don’t fret over the stares or comments, going Natural is a journey well worth it! And always remember…GOD never makes mistakes and our Natural hair is no exception!! Be Beautiful, being you SiSTARS!!! Also check out my blog...... My Natural Hair Journey « naturallymebeautifullyblack, naturallymebeautifullyblack.wordpress.com 



A Hair Story from Judy in Texas!

I am a wife and mother of 3 daughters. Currently living in Houston, Tx. Where I was born and raised. Although I've officially retired from my job as a hairstylist, I've never stopes doing hair just for the love of it AND with 3 daughters how could I?!?..(smiles). I first began my journey a little over a week ago (3/29/11) to be exact. I was NOT easy but!... I'm embracing my natural beauty on a daily basis. Me being a hairstylist since 1992...I have found that every product that says it's for natural hair really isn't!... So once we actual find a regiment that actually does what it says... Our journey will be just a little bit easier...;-) What works for me now is... The Wave Nouveau Finishing Mist and Mizani Therma Serum. I also use... Kinky Curlys "Knot Today to detangle and it works and hold moisture very well. Although all naturals are different in so many ways, when we find products that actually work, We definitely want to share that with our sisters! So!... Keep up the good work!... I was definitely encouraged by your videos and will definitely support!... If you need help with anything please feel free to let me know!... Sister to Sister... We Absolutely Rock! 

   You can join Judy on Face Book (Judy Gipson)  and/or Twitter (JMoneeq)!
 
A Hair Story from lwbennett1 in North Carolina:
My last relaxer was in October 2010. I knew that I didn’t want another relaxer when I discovered that all of my permed edges were “missing”! They have broken off to about 1-2 inches length ALL around. I had to wear specific styles while in transition to hide my damaged hair. I started going to a stylist who specialized in natural hair, but soon learned that the heat styles she stated would work for me continued to do more damage to my already damaged hair.
I transitioned for 3 months, and had reached a point where I couldn’t take it anymore. I could barely comb my hair, and when I did, the shedding was MASSIVE. I felt awful and very unpretty. I made an appointment with my stylist to cut the permed hair off. She didn’t really seem interested in doing so, but eventually gave in and cut it.
My BIG CHOP was done on February 4, 2011, and I’m 8 weeks natural TODAY!! I LOVE IT.
The products that I use are:
·         Cantu Leave In
·         EcoStyler Olive Oil Gel
·         Herbal Essences Hello Hydration AND Long Term Relationship Conditioner (I alternate)
·         Giovanni Direct Moisture Conditioner
·         Vegetable Glycerin
·         Water (of course)
·         Jojoba, rosemary, grapeseed, castor, olive and coconut oils
·         Biotin Shampoo
 I was a product junkie, but I’ve narrowed it down to these products for the most part.
I co-wash almost every day, but I have about 2 inches of length all over, so I am trying to learn to just keep moisture in w/o having to cowash daily. Still learning.
 I love my kinks and coils. They are very very precious to me.
 Thanks for encouraging me to just GO FOR IT. I’ve found my happiness and peace within.
 


 
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