Its Official I have Started My Relaxed to Natural Hair Transition Journey

Okay I was just reviewing my last few post and the last time that my hair was relaxed was for my birthday in February 25.  So that was five months ago.

I would like to say that I am officially on my transition from relaxed hair to natural hair journey! 

APPLAUSE!!!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!  LOL!!

 

As you know in quite a few of my posts I spoke about my intention of going this route but eventually I just ending up relaxing my hair.  Even though I admire people with their loced hair I really do not want to go down that road.  I want to be able to manipulate (wash, comb) my hair when ever I please.  I notice I would often touch the roots (new growth) of my hair and am actually enjoying the wave patters!  Normally I will feel the new roots and say 'hey it is time to go to the hairdresser!'

 

Youtube videos, on this topic, have given me a lot of inspiration.  There are many women on this journey of transition from relaxed hair to their natural hair.  Many are doing it because they have been having a lot of hair problems like hair loss due to the relaxers!

 

Some people do a 'Big Chop' that is cutting off all the relaxed hairand leaving only the new growth.  I do not intent to do this.  I will just continue to do protective styles (e.g. Bantu Knots, braiding my hair) in my hair.

 

I have even started a Youtube Channel just for this topic.

 

 

 

As Black Women, Why Do We Think We Need Weaves To Be Beautiful?

I have been watching a lot of  Bad Girls Club episodes on Oxygen Channel and I think I am hocked.  Most of these girls have installed weaves in their hair which in my opinion make then look totally fake but that does not seem to bother them.  

And lets not talk about the cost of these weaves!!!  There is one girl in particular that attracted my attention - her name is Nancy - she did not have any weave in her hair, if it was not flat ironed it would be wavy - I liked that look.  I will continue my discussion about Nancy's hair in another post.

I want to divert my attention to Caribbean Next Top Model.  Caribbean Next Top Model is a franchise of the American show - Next Top Model (hosted by Tyra Banks) - and it is hosted by Wendy Fitzwilliam -1998 Miss Universe.  I saw the first episode and thought that she could have had her hair styled more elegantly than she did on that day.  It was pulled back in one with a stick in pony tail.

Yesterday (May 8, 2013) I saw another episode and I was pleasantly surprised.  Her relaxed hair (shoulder length) was opened out.  It was a refreshing change to see someone of her stature to have her natural, even though it is relaxed.  In that same episodes the girls had make overs where some of them had their hair cut which was devastating to some of them but they went along with it and adjusted to their new look (actually they did not have much of a choice).  

One model, that I could remember had a black weave installed (with bangs) that fell to the middle of her back.  She was super happy with her new look.  When she walked down the mini run way to the judges, for the elimination session for the week, right away they saw a positive difference attitude and her walk!  Her new found confidence was very obvious.  

It concerns me that installing artificial hair would make an already beautiful woman more confident.  Why couldn't she have that confidence with her natural hair.  She said that she felt like the next Naomi Campbell.

Speaking of Naomi Campbell, I read an article about the receding of her hairline due to the constant installation of weaves and braids in her hair.

There is another aspect to this debate, I am learning that Asian women are growing their hair to extra ordinary lengths so it can be sold.  This is big business and guess who is the largest buyers of this natural Asian hair?  Black woman!!!!

I love this photo of Wendy, if she has any additions to her hair, it looks totally natural.  Wendy Fitzwilliam won Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe in 1998 and became the second Miss Universe in history from Trinidad and Tobago and was the fourth woman of African heritage to capture the Miss Universe crown.

I Wore A Half Wig For My Son Wedding

My son got married on February 9, 2013 and as mother of the groom I wanted to have a really nice hairstyle.  Now you know your girl don't like alot of styling gels in her hair but this event was an exception.  I went a bit further, I purchased a half wig.  This is a hairstyle that I always liked.  The front half of my hair was styled in a hump and the half wig was attached at the middle of my head.  Now that is so funny, in order for the wig to stay firmly in my hair, my hairdresser had to braid my hair in a semi circle.  When she started doing the braid, I stopped her and asked her what she was doing (I thought she was doing a set of braids).  I relaxed when she enlightened me. 

I was very pleased with the results.  What do you think?  Unfortunately I did not take any more close photos, I was so busy entertaining my family as they were in Tortola for my son's wedding.

This photo was taken with my mom by my co-worker and friend.

On Sunday February 24, 2013, the eve of my birthday, I had brunch with my son and a friend and my son complimented me on how nice I looked and he also mentioned that he like to see me with my hair without any gels, weaves, etc (I had just relaxed my hair a few days ago so the styling was still in effect and I had my hair opened out)!  I always respect my son's opinion.