The beginning of a healthy hair journey

The beginning of a healthy hair journey
My transition from relaxed to natural hair

I have been meaning to post about my transitioning journey for weeks now. It has been hard yet lots of fun, and I think it would be an even more enjoyable if not fruitful experience if I shared it with you.

By documenting my journey, not only do you get the benefit of learning from my mistakes, I gain too in that I will be a lot more motivated take pictures of my length checks. I hope that I will do this length retaining thing right, so that you may be inspired to embark on a healthy hair journey of your own.

Over the years, a significant number of Sistas have been adoringly parading their tresses in their natural curl patterns as a form of a movement – a form of rebellion against what we've been fed as pretty. I, as the late bloomer I am of course only caught onto it now. If it hadn't been for my friend who has the longest tresses I have seen on a black South African female, I really would have missed the wave. So, many thanks to her, I am right on time.  In an effort to stay trendy, I decided to get in on the action for fun, but what I realized was that this movement had a story to tell. I came to discover that the beauty industry has shamelessly ignored the black female community’s demands for years now. It has only been with the influx of black hair doctors that we now have healthy hair care alternatives to remedy our hair problems. Examples include; Carol’s Daughter and Shea Moisture to list a few.

This post is not about the history of black hair care and my dissatisfaction with companies like Dark & Lovely. It is about discovering real black beauty by enhancing it naturally and without compromising one’s health.

Now that I practise healthy hair care religiously, not only are my tresses celebrating, but so am I. So far its been a wonderful journey to discovering my most beautiful self. My textured hair frames my face as perfectly as God intended. My relaxed hair did too, but I was never really comfortable with the idea of chemically manipulating my hair. I just kept doing it because I hadn't come across natural movement literature as yet. I once stretched the weeks between my relaxers. The aim was to relax my hair only twice a year. My new growth became dry and unmanageable so I went back in at 8 weeks for a retouch. I wish I had known then that all I need was deep conditioning to soften the hair. In any case, with that, I am now in a better position to give my hair the tender loving care it deserves.  

I think that this journey has taken a few years off the clock for me already: I look like I did when I was 13. I am loving it! I look like how I've always wanted – disarming, and I feel more confident than I ever have in my whole life.

Going natural is the most comfortable experience of my life. It is a bonus for me because I never really enjoyed extensions and have only put them in exactly three times in my entire life. Clearly this is the way to go for me. No? Because I don't like extensions sewed into my real hair, clip ins have been my best option. Even my cornrows have the hair piece attached at the very end because I can’t handle synthetics married to my real hair.

Here are some shots of my hair wearing me at the different stages of my life before I knew any better;

I had been relaxing my hair every 8 weeks since I was 7. My favourite brand was Mizani for sensitive scalp. Costly but effective. The Glamtwins made me realize I could forgo the relaxer kits and have my natural curl pattern return. My mom says I had real curls as a child. I hope they come back. It is hard to tell nearing 3 months, but I’m positive the curl will be evident after a year. 

People have always commented on how healthy my hair looks. It’s about to get healthier guys!

Shots of the very beginning of my journey - where I am today. Last relaxer date: 24 September 2014. 

My ends are dying for a trim. I will be getting one from my trusted hair stylist at the end of the week.

Some Length Retention Inspiration

So there you have it. I will keep you posted about my journey bi-weekly. So, stay visiting.