Every Tom, Dick, and Harry
A lot of people might think they know about natural hair, but they probably don’t have the first clue. It seemed like most people who were doling out advice on how to handle natural hair had no idea what their own natural hair looked and felt like…and especially not mine.
I talked to one lady who said all you could do with natural hair were twists and fros. So not true! Another lady told me that all of my hair would fall out if I went natural because I’d relaxed for so long. Not true! Even some stylists can not be trusted. Just because you’ve been to beauty school does not make someone knowledgeable on all types of hair.
The moral of all this? Do you own research! I could’ve saved myself a lot of heartache and trouble if I had done my own research and not taken one or two people’s word as gospel. Especially run for cover if someone starts talking about “good and bad” hair.
Looking for a magic wand
When I say “magic wand” what I really mean is “magic product”. I rely on products to moisturize, smooth frizz (though I always have frizz, it’s just the way my hair is), define twist outs, and offer hold. I don’t expect products to change the way my hair naturally is.
I’ll be the first to admit that I did not want my hair to fro when I first went natural. And that is exactly what it does. It’s a curly fro, but it’s a definite fro. Even with products such as KCCC it’s still a fro. I’ve come to appreciate my hair instead of hoping and wishing for a product that will give me the “dream” hair I always thought I wanted because I was too caught up in the whole good hair/bad hair thing. I went through tons of products, certain that one would be the answer. It can and has frustrated many a natural. I finally learned to choose my products based on hair health and not just how it made it looked.
Beware of before and after pictures and take them with a grain of salt. Remember advertisers are not only trying to sell you a product, but an ideal as well. That doesn’t mean to say that their products aren’t wonderful, but it’s all about the advertising.
Part 3 incoming soon…
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I know I’m guilty of looking for that one magic hair product that will keep my hair moisturized, give me defined curls AND give me 4-day hair
“Beware of before and after pictures and take them with a grain of salt. Remember advertisers are not only trying to sell you a product, but an ideal as well.”
A lot of them use models with texturized hair in their “after” pictures and dry-comb the models hair to make the before pictures “worse”.
Haha, let me know if you find this magic product lol. I will be first in line!
Wow Kcurly, it is refreshing to know that there are other blogs like mine. I really enjoyed looking through your blog. Check mine out.
http://www.blackhairstory.blogspot.com
I love EVERYTHING you represent in your blog. It’s smart and well thought and I immensely appreciate that. I have been natural for a decent part of my life – 25 yrs now-but never really did the research to give my natural hair the most it can get and now I’m excited at all the possibilities. Your voice helps many and I’m glad to have found you!
God bless!
I’ve just read your biggest mistakes 1 and 2. I am at the beginning of this process. No BC yet and I don’t know that I have the courage to do so either because I am very athletic. I have a new website related to biking, swiming, golf, tennis etc.
bikeclub.accuwritedesignz.com I want to go natural because I am tired of my hair have a yearly ritural of breaking off right at the wrong time. But, I am very concered that when I am doing sports such as swimming that I will have a big puff ball on my head. Are there any truly natural relaxers that will provide a relaxed curl look instead of a puff ball?
Thanks