Someone asked me what was my motivation for going natural. ”Mid-life crisis?” “Boyfriend?” “Stress?” No, no, and yes.
I’m only 24 for I haven’t gotten to mid-life. I was bothered by my boyfriend at that time but not that bothered. And YES, I was stressed.
- I was stressed out with scabs on my scalp.
- I was stressed out with paying $65 every six weeks.
- I was stressed out that I could go to the beach whenever I wanted. I’m a beach head.
) - I was stressed out wondering what my hair actually looked like.
- I was stressed out not having the right to wash my hair daily if I wanted. Which is kinda gross.
- I was stressed out that I looked like everybody else on my campus, community and not to mention BET.
My motivation is beauty. My motivation is health. Why can’t I have both?
Posted by Akilah on April 23, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I just found your blog and love it! Keep up the good work.
I went natural in 2002 and loved it, but relaxed again when I graduated from college in ‘05 and got an office job in DC. I plan to go back to natural soon though, now that I know DC is full of black professionals with natural hair! One thing I loved when I went natural, was the versatility of having straight or curly/kinky hair. I bought a professional flat iron (NOT a press comb) and some KeraCare Creme Press (any brand of creme press is fine) to flat iron my hair (in sections) whenever I got bored with the natural look. I didn’t do it often, cuz ironing can damage your hair over time, but I’m a person who loves variety in hairstyles so it was a nice change to go for the straight look once in a while. For another hairstyle, you could also try oiling your hair with your favorite oil conditioner/loc conditioner and either corn-rowing or twisting your hair into bantu knots right after you wash your hair, then sleeping in a scarf to let your hair set & dry completely overnight. Take out the braids/knots the next day, and your hair should spring into curls. Best of luck.
-Akilah
age26
Posted by redpumpz on April 23, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Thanks so much for your comment! My biggest fear is getting a relaxer again. I’m slowly falling in/back in love with my hair and I’m afraid I’m going to re-relax it after law school. I know that there are many “profrossional” women everywhere but I can’t help but feel that pressure of straight hair.
When I dressed professionally with relaxed hair, I typically pulled it back and wore pearls. I still wear my pearls but I can’t wait until I can put it back. Me and Patience aren’t friends but I’ll let her keep me company for now.
Posted by crystal on April 25, 2008 at 1:30 am
I’m a natural girl too and my motivations to become natural are same as yours. Someone asked me that why i did the BC and if I was going mental problems. After I stop laughing at her, I responded with the problems that I were that
I was sick and tired of my hair falling out when I combed or brushed, having to relax my hair every six weeks, keep my hair straight by blow drying, hot combing and flat ironing, and having to run like Flo Jo when it rained and I didn’t have a umbrella.
I love my kinky, coily, curly, nappy and beautiful hair and I’m never going back to relaxing or applying heat to my hair.
Posted by redpumpz on April 25, 2008 at 9:19 am
Great response to her question. I think a good follow up question would be, “what’s your motivation to relax your hair?” I’m sure the typical response would be “why not” which is synonymous to “this is the only thing I know.” Some people don’t realize that they have a choice.