Hair & Liberation

I am SO happy (and proud) that I am able to style and manage my OWN hair! Here are some quick facts on my "hair status" (lol):

• I have no perm. I decided to go natural in August 2007.

• I was sick of paying ridiculous amounts of money to various stylists for perms and seeing little to no improvement in the health of my hair. This literally went on for years, wandering from stylist to stylist who kept telling me I needed to cut my hair so it could "grow in evenly". I mean, I really don't think I have some special head of hair compared to any other Black woman... yet mine was always a work in progress. Short and thin. And they KEPT me coming back every 2 weeks...for what? Please.
  

• I never went to a stylist for the "big chop". I just let my perm grow out and eventually cut it myself.
  

• I am now able to put in my own braid extensions (as seen in my profile picture).

• I still have not seen Good Hair, but I will get eventually.
  

• I have not been to a hair dresser in at least three years!

Sisters, as women of African descent, we are really able to keep up our own hair. It is especially easy and inexpensive to keep up if you decide to go natural. And you'll be AMAZED at how thick and fast your hair grows naturally. I know I was. I had literally forgotten the gorgeous thriving head of hair that I was blessed with.

You can wash, set, braid, unbraid, curl, twist, and cut all on your own. This is not rocket science and despite popular belief, you do not need a professional license to style black hair. If you have reservations, you can always find a friend to do it! I never understood sisters who felt like they couldn't handle their own hair on their own. With the exception of actually putting a perm in (and some people can do this on their own), taking care of your own hair is pretty easy. Plus, what did sisters do back in the day? They would do each other's or wash and braid their own. I figured putting in braids, couldn't be that difficult, and it turns out it really isn't. All you need is a little patience and Netflix instant watch, lol.

Sidenote - to tell you the truth, I am the master of my ENTIRE beauty regimen. I do my own hair, eyebrows, nails (hand and toe), and makeup. I've even hooked my friend's eyebrows up once. All these things take is a little practice. When you see something on someone else ask, watch it being done, then copy it or adjust it to your liking. There are soooo many youtube tutorials nowadays on black hair and makeup as well. You'd be surprised what tips you pick up.

Another thing is that is so LIBERATING (no exaggeration) to be able to wash and style my own hair HOWEVER I want to and WHENEVER I want to with WHATEVER products I want to. No appointments or obnoxious unfocused hair stylists to deal with. No sitting in a chair for 8 hours getting your hair braided when you do it yourself.

The bottom line is DO NOT FEAR YOUR HAIR! The media and hair industry has really convinced a lot of us that handling our hair is something to be afraid of. Step out on a limb and trust the natural instincts that your ancestors have blessed you with! I hope this inspires someone who is on the fence about going natural.

p.s. - I have ABSOLUTELY no problem with wearing weaves and wigs, especially during your transitional period when going natural. I did it, and I'm not in the business of being some overly self-righteous Super Woman. Basically I am concerned with the HEALTH of my hair and with looking good, lol.