The decision to grow out my relaxer was completely my own. The big chop however, well, that’s another story. I had always admired big curly hair and I loved how straightened hair, that wasn’t relaxed, looked. I was so curious about my natural curl pattern and really needed something new. In 2008 I began to grow out my relaxer for 4/5 months and my hair grew so much but I had no idea what to do without my relaxer so, I went back to the “creamy crack.” Fast forward to Fall 2009 where more women are blogging and posting youtube videos and I became much more educated and decided to try it again. After three months of no relaxer I moved to Korea to teach and got a sew-in as a protective style. Two months later (Five months total no relaxer) I took out my extensions and washed my hair WITHOUT detangling it first. BIG no no! Needless to say it became a matted mess. Conditioner nor my tears were able to free the many knots in my hair and I was forced to plunge into the natural world and big chop. To my surprise the actual cutting of my hair was very liberating.
I’m sure there are women with relaxers who have healthy hair but MY hair is healthier without chemical treatment. It holds my styles better when I visit the salon. I try so many more styles with my hair now. I don’t use half the heat on my hair as I did when my hair was relaxed. I also find myself being more active (not worried about “sweating out my perm” lol).
In the words of Jay-Z… “It ain’t for everybody.” I will say, don’t become natural because “it’s what’s in” or because it looks good on your homegirl. But if this is something you really want to do, just do it. Everyone has a different texture, curl pattern, etc. and in the beginning it can be really frustrating trying to figure out what products to use, what styles to wear and just getting used to not having those edges slicked back every 4-6 weeks. Be patient! 🙂 There are so many resources and tools to help you, use them.
After my big chop I wore senegalese twist for 8 months straight. I had them taken down and redone usually after about 2 months. I have learned to do them myself and they are my “go to” style for vacations or when I want to leave my hair alone and let it grow. Two-strand twist were also a personal favorite during transition. Two-strand twist, head wraps, my natural curls enhanced by my product of choice, and some that I don’t even have a name for. I just make up styles or get a style by mistake and love it 🙂 That’s the beauty of it, trial and error 🙂
I LOVE Shea Moisture products especially the “curl enhancing smoothie” I always use it for my two-strand twist (on dry hair). Eco styler gel, coconut and olive oil, Herbal Essence hello hydration, care free curl “snap back” and lots and lots (did i say lots) of conditioner to name a few. My wide tooth comb and denman brush are also a must.
I would suggest to do what works for you and don’t be afraid to try new things. So what if no one has ever done something, be the first. I had to learn to care less about what people think and more about what I love. She doesn’t even know it but six words have really helped me through this journey “be glam…be fab…be YOU!!!”
Check out more from Chenal and her journey over at her blog MYwifelife!
Love, love, love!!!
Nice hair
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL!!!
A natural beauty!!!!!
Beautiful Hair!! I’m so glad more women of color are embracing their natural hair. I’ve been perm free for about 5 years now and it’s the best health and beauty decision I’ve ever made. My nautral hair has allowed me to enjoy many hairstyles. My current hair choice is Locs and I love them. Bravo to all the women who are taking a stand and making their hair their own.
Thanks everyone!!!
Mia! Thank you for a post that comes from a POSITIVE natural hair beauty. So many times you hear/see the naturals try to brow beat everyone else into growing out their relaxer and embracing their “true” beauty. Like Chenal said “it ain’t for everybody”. In my opinion, hair is an accessory and it should be worn in a way that makes a woman feel good. Whether that is straight, curly, relaxed or natural should never be an issue.
Chenal, I applaud you for rocking your hair your way. I love it!
Thank you Desiree!!!
-Chenal
What a beautiful person…inside and out! Nel Nel, I had no idea you had to cut ALL your hair off! It is definitely beautiful, though. Love your story…you’re gonna have to teach me to do that style in the last pic! – Kris
Buy Private Proxies: Private and confidential, Exclusive level of quality proxies, Limitless data transfer useage, 1000 mb/s superspeed, 99,9 uptime, USA setting proxies – DREAMPROXIES.COM
Sweet blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Many thanks
Thanks for the recommendations you have discussed here. One more thing I would like to convey is that computer system memory demands generally rise along with other breakthroughs in the technology. For instance, when new generations of processor chips are made in the market, there is certainly usually a corresponding increase in the size calls for of both computer memory in addition to hard drive space. This is because the application operated by way of these cpus will inevitably increase in power to make use of the new technological innovation.
I was wondering if you ever considered changing the structure of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?