My hair has given me nothing but trouble over the past few weeks. It’s been breaking non-stop lately and is a total mess in comparison to its condition some 6 months ago. I noticed when I was in New York in May that far too many broken strands were appearing in the bathroom sink every morning as I did my hair and it’s been on a downward spiral ever since. I don’t know why, my days of using excessive heat on my hair are stuck firmly in the past and I thought I was doing everything right – evidently not!
I decided enough was enough and put my hair back in braids on Sunday. I had my hair in braids for approx 18 mths before relaxing and cutting it short last February. My hair was in great condition and it grew out of the style I had it cut in quite quickly and continued to grow at a good rate. However, it appears that I’m one of those women who just can’t maintain a relaxer in their hair. It’s too high maintenance and I just can’t be assed with having a full head of hair one minute and 3 strands blowing off my scalp the next!
And so begins my hair journey – my quest to go natural and get my ‘fro back. I was too chicken to go for the ‘big chop’, so have decided to have braids for the next year or so and grow the majority of my relaxer out that way, before having the remains of it snipped off my ends.
These blogs/You Tube Channels have been my hairspiration over the past couple of weeks and already I’ve learnt so much about about growing my natural hair. I still have so much more to learn, but I’m gonna enjoy this experience
Black Girl With Long Hair (the pics of women with ‘dope hair’ on the Facebook page which link to individual interviews are just ..DOPE!)
I know there are hundreds of other sources, but I’d love more recommendations from you so I know I’m researching from the very best.
Argh! I feel your pain, I bleach my hair and I have just got it past shoulder length, and it snap snap snaps! I have come to terms with its natural curl and straighten it when I feel like it! I think afro hair looks gorgeous! I bet you can't wait to get it back to its full glory! x
curlynikki.com is the ONLY site you need! I exaggerate not! they're other fantastic blogs too: a few of my other favs (after culynikki of course) http://thenaturalhaven.blogspot.com/ , and http://adventuresofakinkycurly.blogspot.com/ (kinky curly has got the same kinda complete Nigerian hair texture like mine so i can totally relate. oh and there's also http://www.leaveinthekinks.com/
Enjoy!
you can also check out these for natural hair inspiration:
http://socialitedreams.wordpress.com/
http://onyxroseonline.blogspot.com/
http://www.curlynikki.com/
http://www.naturalchica.com/
http://newlynatural.com/
http://www.hairlista.com is a excellent site. The website has helped me alot over the past year and everyone is so encouraging and helpful. Also as mentioned previously curlynikki.com and http://moptopmaven.blogspot.com who has her own youtube channel, both inspiration and extremely forth coming with information.
I hope these sites will help you!!! x
Congratulations on your transition! I went natural by circumstances. When I moved from Boston to a rural town, I couldn't find a salon to get my hair done and I don't know how to do my own relaxers. I eventually found a stylist but she kept changing jobs…It's when a friend shared her wedding pictures and she was natural that I wondered if I could do the same. Like you, my hair doesn't hold well a relaxer, after 1 week you would think i didn't do anything..anyways all the links posted are great. check out also the natural haven
http://thenaturalhaven.blogspot.com/
and don't forget to have FUN
i think afros are badass! i'm asian but i wish i could rock a 'fro like one of gwen stefani's backup dancers. alas, it's not meant to be.
good luck on your hair journey!
-dani
http://callitbeauty.blogspot.com/
Good luck love. I hope you continue to let us know how it goes. I tried to go natural but I ended up with my hair in full weaves or braids all the time because I have alopecia areata and I needed to cover those areas of my hair. I'm now back to my weaves (not by choice, but necessity). I wish you all the best.
You should also check out afrobella.com
afros do look great on some people! xo
Good luck with it all. When I stopped relaxing and colouring my hair, it grew to my shoulders (that's as long as I could stand it lol) and was soft, fluffy, and healthy. After a while I found the products that worked for me (ORS, Aveda, BioInfusion, and ApHogee). My HG product is the ORS Replenishing Pack (that conditioners is great and smells like oranges.
Okay. Time to stop rambling.
I agree with all the sites listed. I also like longhaircareforum.com and naturallycurly.com. Curlnikkiforums.com is a great resource with ideas and tips from a host of women who are transitioning to natural, have BC'd to those who have been natural for a few days to a few years.
I'm a natural lady–10 years or so. I love it!
Good luck on the transition honey. Keep us posted :o]
Welcome to the kinky side! It took my hair FALLING OUT my freshman year of college to realize that the chemicals had never been my friend. I've been natural for 8 years (omg!) and locked my hair almost 3 years ago. BEST DECISION EVER! welcome my friend, welcome!
I went natural years ago as my scalp started to react badly to relaxers after having used them since I was about 4/5. parents huh. I transitioned through extensions and gradually cut my ends off. Although I am natural I do wear instant weaves etc thru laziness but when I first went natural I actually gave my hair some nice styles. but hey
I like
http://www.nappturality.com but they are so anti relaxers and can be quite abrupt. otherwise they are a really good resource
http://www.blackhairmedia.com – forums
http://www.glamazini.com
http://motowngirl.com/
On YouTube check these channels
BlackOnyx77
tonidaley80
thomasadrianna
SimplYounique
RusticBeauty
PRETTYDIMPLES01
PhillyDiva19154
misskrisnew
KinkyKurlyQueen
HAIRMODEL4YOU
curlsgolore – makers of miss jessies products
BeautifulBrwnBabyDol
and on FB
http://www.facebook.com/thankgodimnatural
just a few I hope they are of use to you
Sounds like you were using products with ingredients such as mineral oil or SLS chemicals which make hair shiny but clog your pores, once I changed my products and moisurized daily with shea butter my relaxers were 100% better… still I transitioned 2 years ago and my hair is even better now, good luck and try http://www.maneandchic.com
Thank you SO much for all the recommendations!!! You lot are the best! These links will keep me busy for weeks!!
Thanks again xx