Me And My Natural Hair

It's been forever since I made any posts about my natural hair. In fact, I haven't posted anything since I told you all that I went natural. And that was over 2 years ago.  I have only shared some of the hair products that I like and the natural hair events that attended. Why haven't I shared anything in all this time? Well, I'm not a big fan of taking photos. And when I do take them, they always look awkward to me. So that pretty much keeps me from posting pictures of myself and progress of my hair. I do, however, have a few photos that I don't hate. So I will post them below with the approximate date.
Also, I don't have a rock solid regimen. I cleanse every 7-10 days (or as needed) and deep condition each time. Sometimes I pre-condition, henna, and try other treatments.  My go to styles are braidouts, twistouts, and I am still perfecting the wash and go.  My fave brands at the moment are Pura Body Naturals, Oyin Handmade, and Shea moisture. Though I am always trying new products and have plenty new brands on my to-try list.
On to the photos.

May 2009-When I decided I was going natural

January 2010

June 2010

September 2010-I twisted my hair for my cousin's wedding.

March 2011
















May 2011

October 2011(photoshopped)

December 2011 - Wish I had a powder puff handy when I took this one.
Othewise is like it. It was for Essence Magazine.
Braidout on moist hair. I can't remember which products I used.

March 7th 2012 Braidout on damp hair

March 15th 2012 Braidout on moist, but not wet, hair

Video: Rachel Odem and the Chicago Natural Beauty Meetup

Check out this video made by Rachel Odem who talks about the Chicago Natural Beauty Meetup that took place on Feb 19th! She's wearing my jewelry and some items from a few other designers. There is also a few minutes of footage of Patrice Grell Yursik of Afrobella.com and Leila Noelliste of BGLH talking about blogging. 

I'm Going Natural!!!

This post comes about 8 months late but I am going natural which means that will no longer get my hair relaxed (chemically straightened) and will wear my hair in it's natural state (kinky/coily).I got my last relaxer or touch up about eight months ago and I am transitioning which means that my new natural hair is growing in but I still have relaxed ends. I will soon cut these relaxed ends off and wear/style my natural hair .

My decision to go natural is pretty much based on how I have been living my life for the past couple of years. I have been eating healthier foods, using healthier products on my skin and hair. I try to eat and use products that have very little to no chemicals so I figured the next step would be to get rid of the chemical relaxer that I put on my hair.

This is sort of a big deal for me and for many other women of color who decide to go natural because many of us have had our hair straightened from a very young age. Many of us have been taught/told that our natural hair is too nappy or unmanageable and that straight hair is better or best. Therefore, many of us don't really know what our natural textures look like. Hence, the fear of the unknown. If you don't understand how one doesn't know what their natural texture looks like, I will explain.

I (along with many other women of color) got my hair pressed as a young girl. My hair was washed, put into a couple of big braids to dry overnight, and then pressed in the morning with a pressing comb. I got my hair washed and pressed about once a week or every two weeks. And for the summer my hair was braided up until it was about time to go back to school. Once I got to be about 13 years old I got a relaxer and have been getting touch ups every six to eight weeks since, or at least until now. Therefore, I never really saw what my natural hair "really" looked like or what it could do on its own; it was always either straightened or up in braids. And I must say now that I am seeing my natural hair, I am loving it. I have also been reading a lot of blogs, watching YouTube videos, and joining online communities that are geared toward natural hair and they are really helping me through my journey. And I am discovering all types of products and hairstyles . I am really excited and will share my experiences with you from time to time.

Note: The photo is a close up of my hair from about a month ago.