I began my natural hair journey in 2009. I transitioned for 24 months before cutting the reaming perm off of my ends. I will say that I have learned a lot, there have been good days, and not so good days. But all in all I am happy and I have learned to accept certain things.
- Sometimes Your hair won’t always dry! Raise your hand if this is true for you! Ever have this bomb twist out, you go to sleep knowing that your hair will essentially be on “fleek” because you spent all night twisting it and now your fingers hurt. You wake up and begin to take your hair down, only to realize that it’s still wet! Argh… Natural hair problems! I have learned to accept the fact that my hair won’t always dry when I want, and that if I want a particular style I have to spend more time to let it dry before attempting to take it down.
- That inspirational style from Instagram didn’t turn out like you expected. Lets face it, we all are on Instagram getting hair inspiration from so many different naturalistas! You see her hair is on point, So you go and try out the style yourself with hopes of it turning out like hers. You do the exact same steps, follow her exact same routine, use the same products… and then bam she has voluminous curls and you have a fro. Hey there curlfriend, it happens LOL! I have learned to accept that even if I do the style the same way I may have different results and I am ok with that! Which speaks to my next point.
- Everyone has different hair. Different textures, curls, coils, all of that. Yes you heard that right! Everyone has different hair. I know its easy to get wrapped up on Instagram, blogs, or YouTube looking at pictures and videos of different naturalistas hair and saying, I can’t wait until my hair gets that length, or I want HER hair. We have all been there! The fact is, your hair is your hair, and that naturalistas is hers. Its ok to get inspiration etc, but I have learned to embrace my own hair. Always remember you and your hair are BEAUTIFUL.
- Patience. If you don’t have this in the natural hair world…. Man oh man! Patience is key when you are natural. On those wash days when I just wanted to give up, I didn’t. You just have to stay patient in every aspect. Trust me on this one. You will get to where you want to be, you just have to be patient.
- Most importantly, seek a stylist when needed. I know we get to the point where we feel that we don’t need our stylist anymore, and that we can do it all on our own. Well I still seek a professional stylist when it comes to getting my ends clipped and also straightening my hair. So my advice is to seek a stylist when you feel appropriate.
- Lastly, HAVE FUN! Needs no explanation just have fun and remember its only hair! Cut it if you want, color it if you want! Hey its your hair! Remember that!
xoxo,
Michelle
