What keeps you inspired to stay natural? Ive had a couple of people ask me about how I stayed natural without getting the urge to relax again. There really is no short answer. To be honest, it does take more work as a natural– I don’t want this to be discouraging. I don’t mind spending the time. Honestly, I could wash and go everyday and it would be super simple, but I chose not to do that. I am always messing with my hair and trying to learn how to do some new styles or use new products. I think the ability that I can do so much with it is what keeps me sane and away from relaxers. I’ve had several distractions and people telling me to get a relaxer. I could make a simple comment about how long it took me to detangle my hair and I will hear from my mother “You can always get a relaxer”. You have to really WANT to do this. The bottom line is, YOU have to be comfortable with it. You can make it more time intensive by twisting, twist outs, braiding..etc… or you can make it simple to be natural by “wash and go”ing. I choose to make it more difficult lol…but it’s all good. I don’t get bored with it. How do you keep away from the temptations to go relaxed?
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Thinking about all of the damage that relaxers can cause keeps me from even thinking about relaxing again. Not to mention the hundreds of dollars spent at the salon, the oozy, weepy scabs that sometimes end up on the scalp, and the lameness of having straight hair, that many times, will only be straight. Since I have been growing out my natural hair, I’ve been loving the texture and all of the potential styling options that await me once my hair grows out. Being natural is a beautiful thing!!
For me, it was more like getting involved with my hair. When i was relaxing my hair I felt that because the ordeal was just TOO much (burning, scarring, smell, etc.) I thought that that was the only option to having my hair look good. Til the day i was sitting under the dryer at a salon did I see an ad on Kinky Curly in a magazine. I was just interested in how that girl got her hair SO big. At the time I didn’t know what natural was (I was 16 and this was in Dec. ’08). From then on, since leaving the salon that night, I started transitoning and informing myself about natural hair. With the help of YouTube I watch the ladies talk about healthy hair tips and products. Likewise my mom tells me to get a relaxer but no. I want that big hair. lol. So i’ve been transitioning for 5 months and some weeks now and loving it. And with the help from people like you, Lexi, I stay informed and encouraged to continue my transition
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I think what keeps me natural is that my face looks better with curly hair. I look completely different with straight hair. Also, I sort of resent the fact that people tell me they like it better(especially men) when it is out of it’s natural state. It is like conformity…In a way, conforming is a weakness to me, when it comes to things that have to do with beauty and style…
On the other hand, I do like to wear it straight because it is really think and long when I do straighten it. So, in the winter, I will do it some.
Since I have tuned into youtube, I am loving it even more.
I enjoy your videos Lexi because my hair is similar to yours; so I was excited to see you had a newer one the other day..
Keep up the good work!!
It’s easier to me. i had a relaxer in the 10th grade (it was relaxed fully once and touched up like 2x and it was just too much work in my opinion) its just easier to wash and go every morning.
Once I got the big chop – I have not thought twice about a relaxer. My hair is a hassle to deal with. I think mainly because I don’t understand how to operate it. So most of the time I just keep it in braids or twists. Even on my most frustrating days, I don’t think about a relaxer. I just think about chopping it all off again.