Hello everyone! ^^
So I decided to go natural 9 months ago. For the ones who don't know what this means, it means I stopped perming my hair. My mom relaxed my hair when I was very little because my hair didn't turn out like hers >.> and she thought it looked bad (society's standard of beauty...) and was difficult to manage. Her hair type is 3B I guess. So she kept relaxing it all these years and after I moved out I kept on relaxing it myself because that's what I was used to. Being 22 years old I had no idea what my real hair texture looked like.
I had been seeing so many people transitioning or with already natural hair and I thought they looked beautiful but I was so used to having my hair straight that I thought there was absolutely no way I would look good. I was also scared of cutting my hair. After a year of horrible heat damage and breakage done at the chinese salon I used to go (they did my hair sooo straight and it felt so smooth and silky but they also ruined it little by little) I decided it was going to be the last time in a long long time that I was going to use any chemicals to straighten my hair or use direct heat. The first months were very easy and I started to do simple protective styles and buns but now I have no idea what to do with my hair because it has grown about 8cm and I have these 8cm thick, beautiful and strong curls (that I'm seeing for the first time in my life and that I'm in LOVE with) that then end this thin shitty (sorry) damaged relaxed hair. You must be thinking "well, why don't you cut it all off?" and the answer is I wasn't ready... I have scheduled my big chop for when I reach my 10 month mark, I'm excited but scared at the same time and I think I'm ready because it's growing fast and healthy and I can't wait to get rid of the relaxed ends. I can't even do my hair anymore, if I put my hair in a bun or ponytail it looks like a puffy head ending in super thin hair... I don't wear my hair out anymore because I feel so self conscious about it and I have to go out with a wig, I will finally set it free when I cut it!
I think going natural has been one of the best decisions I have ever made about myself. It feels so good and empowering, I'm no longer afraid of my ♡BLACK GIRL HAIR♡, I'm no longer ashamed.
Changes I've experienced so far:
♡My hair sheds and breaks less
♡It's growing strong and healthy instead of thin and lifeless
♡It tangles more so I have to be patient but at least there is no more breakage
I will post pictures once I reach my 10 month mark, feel free to give me advice or share your newbie experiences with me ^^
