Hair Idol
Are you new to the natural hair movement? If so, you may of had the "big chop" or your contemplating, the big chop; basically cutting off whatever relaxer, perm or even color you may have.
It's a fresh start; "a right to passage"
Once you mustard up the courage to go forward with the "bc" your left feeling renewed, waiting for your hair to blossom, this can be crucial for some, your excited, you may feel overwhelmed.
Let's not forget the lack of support from family and friends; who don't get it.
It's really a transition we go through.
I'm here to say, embrace the transition, change is good. If you're looking to "go natural go for it" My advice to you all; have patience and a open mind.
Make a vision board for your hair, cut out pics of your hair crush & hair idols. Please try to stick with your hair type and texture, for obvious reasons :)
Be inspired don't give up on your hair growth, it will happen...
Don't forget to
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Remember to share your hair
crush/ idol pics...
Sending you all Love and Healing Light...
~AND~
Debra never used any wax or creme base products on my hair. She only used Naturelle oils in my hair. When it was time to shampoo and condition my hair she used Aveda products. Debra, was amazing she had the most amazing hands ever it was a blessing to know and meet her.
I was referred to Debra by a co-worker at the time. Linda, had baby loc's her loc's always looked well groomed shiny and healthy looking. So, I asked Linda who does your hair? Linda, handed me Debra's business card. As, time went on, I would run into Linda at the salon. Linda, couldn't believe how fast my hair Locked and how fast it was growing.
Linda, asked Debra how come Naturelle's hair is locing faster then mind. Linda, could not understand how my hair Locked before hers. After all Linda, was going to Debra a few months prior before me. Debra replied Naturelle's has Naturally Curly hair and that texture tends to loc faster then other types and textures. Linda's, hair finally started to Loc it took 6-12months. Everyone's hair is different when your hair is ready to Loc it will eventually Loc on it's own.
In the begin it was a lot of maintenance. I remember going frequently to get my hair done. As, time went on my loc's had it's mind of it's own. The longer your hair grows and loc's there's little maintenance. Unless, your not a hair person and don't like to fool or mess with your hair. I Couldn't wait to have long Loc's running down my back. Every time, I would see someone with long Loc's, I would ask how long did it take for there locs to grow? Or How long have you had your loc's? etc. I was totally opened it was a whole new world to me.
Finally, some years later my Locs were cascading down my back. That's when I decided to dye my Loc's Red. My Locs grew and you could see my true texture at the new growth. At that moment, I realized for the first time, I was completely happy with my hair and my true texture.
Rocked my Locs for about 10 yrs, then in 2007 decided to cut them off. It was time for a change, your hair (especially) Loc's holds energy. I wanted to give myself a complete transformation. Spiritually, I was ready to embark on a new venture with my hair journey.
That was my "Ah ha, moment" I could see clearly for the first time, I Loved and Love my unique hair texture. We were all giving our own unique style for a reason. I'm hoping this can resonate with the next generation, which includes my Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins. We may not all have the same hair textures and that's okay. We need to except who we are~ Love ourselves ~ One another.
We all have "Good Hair" no matter what texture we were born with. Curly,Kinky,Wavy,Straight etc.... It's all "Good Hair"
Started getting braids put in my hair. This was probably around the late 90's. Wore braids for about a year straight. All during my hair journey saw my hair grow and change texture's on it's own.
Remember, having dreams about Loc'in my hair. My Girlfriends Mother ~ Sister both had Loc's at the the time.
Black Rose, A Loctician who cared and groomed for Anita's mother's hair. Black Rose, was well known, in the community, she also made her own products, a very spiritual Woman. Black Rose, explained to me, that Loc's meant you were in a spiritual place. It was a personal spiritual journey to begin Locs. Slowly, began to let go of all my fears and began this new journey. I remember Black Rose, said you will know when you are ready to Loc your hair. A few months went by. All I kept doing was dreaming about my hair Lockin.
One day, I woke up and had one big loc, my hair had matted. The relaxed hair matted with my new growth. Called, my girlfriend "totally hysterical". Hopped on a bus to her house wearing a hat on my head. Anita, cut off that huge matted loc from my hair. The next day went to a local Barber Shop to even out my short Naturelle. A few months later my hair grew some length, that's when I started to try many styles which included Double Strand Twist,Bantu knots, Afro puffs,etc.
Finally, after trying all different styles, I was ready to Loc my hair. One must realized that Locing your hair is a process as much as a commitment. There's no coming out of Loc's unless you cut them off. So, I made a promise to myself and decided that I was ready willing able to Loc my hair. My Loc journey began when Debra, my Loctician started my hair with a Double strand twist, which Locked on it's own. My hair took 3-6months to loc because of my texture.
Debra, never used any wax or creme base, she only used Naturelle oils in my hair. When it was time to shampoo and condition my hair she used Aveda products. Debra, was amazing had the most amazing hands ever it was a blessing to know and meet her. A co-worker referred me to Debra. My co-worker Linda, had baby loc's, and her loc's always looked well groomed shiny and healthy looking. So, I asked Linda who does your hair, and that's when she gave me Debra's business card.
Growing, up in a Bi-cultural house whole. With a added bonus that my Grandmother, is a Beautician. One, would think I had it made; in the hair department. Yes, I had the latest hair styles, access to the newest hair products. "That's why, I am a self proclaim product junkie". When it was time to take school pictures my hair would always look Fabulous.
My hair has always been Naturally Curly. However, at that time my hair had tight coils, very tight coils. Unfortunately, no one really knew what to do with mixed textures of hair. Hair was considered Good Hair or Bad hair, even if you had soft curly hair it was still considered "Nappy". We would either have a soft press or hard press (Hot comb). Or someone would slap a relaxer on your hair (Reg or Super). Since, Nana is a Beautician she always pressed my hair (hot combed). Up until, the age of 7 or 8 that's when, I started to get relaxers put in my hair. There were no kiddie relaxers back then either.
Must, admit at that time. I was so loving the way the relaxer felt, after it was shampoo out. I can recall the nice silky feeling the roots were bone straight. Now, I had hair like my cousins, on my Fathers side. You couldn't tell me nothing, flipping my hair, and shaking it all around. Young Hot mess!! Who knew?
Then it was the Early 80's The Jerri Curl Era!!! Yes, I can remember when, The Jerri Curl first came out Nana, had all the brochures around. When ever a new product would come out Nana, was there going to seminars. The "Jerri Curl" Marketing campaigned, was marketed for the sole purpose. The Jerri Curl grows your hair long and it appears to be naturally curly. Except, one thing no one ever explained, the slippery slimy mess you would have. Needless, to say, I pleaded to get the curl put in my hair. Again, I was still very young. Nana, was hesitated, looking back now. I believed Nana, knew my hair was naturally curly. Guess, you can say, I was the live mannequin. What better way to get practice or practice on a live model.
I Rocked, the Jerri curl for a few years. Next, The "Wave Nouveau". Basically, the same thing as The "Jerri Curl", with less mess, drippy, and slimy mess. This look was directed to make your hair look really natural (body wave). Unlike, The Jerri curl, which had the wet look appearance. This was our curly perm.
The process for both of these curls were ridiculously, very, long, and crazy. First, apply this relaxer type base which straightens the root of your hair, just as a relaxer would. Next, you rinse off this relaxer base, then you roll the hair with tight or loose rods, next you apply a neutralizer solution. Totally, crazy we were all over processing our hair. Yes, it seems as if our hair was growing. The reason why our hair was growing was due to the moisturizer, we kept in our hair. When it was time for a touch up, most people would, have severe breakage due to the over process.
Also, recall when the makers of the "Jerri Curl" came up with the, "Snap back" product. This product was attended to make your hair more versatile. From curly to straight. You would simply shampoo/conditioner your hair. Next blow dry and style. When you wanted to return to the curly look you would shampoo and conditioner your hair. Then you will apply "Snap Back" to bring back your bouncy curls back to life.
After, rockin the chemical enhanced curl, I went back to the hair relaxer. Remember when Dudley's came out with a new relaxer system , remember when you couldn't buy Dudley's products unless you were a licensed cosmetologist. Not at just any beauty supply store. You had to attend a seminar 1st,then get a Certificate of completion, next you could only purchase products through a certain Dudley's distributor. "Gangster" I still love the fact that this company is still one of the first "Black Owned" Company based in NC. I'm glad they listen to us and have a "DIVERSIFY NATURAL HAIR CARE MAINTENANCE SYSTEM" available. This gives you options I get that not everyone once to become "Naturelle" with there hair. At least we have a company that listens and understands our hair. It's all about choices.
My girlfriend came over to my house, I immediately noticed her hair had body and bounce. It wasn't greasy or stiff like that hard hair spray used with curling irons, her hair just looked and felt soft. She replied, I go to the "Dominicans" to get my hair done. Really, I replied; makes sense, since we have similar hair texture. Why not give them a try, so I did just that.
I started going to "Milagros" in "Washington Heights" Rosa applied the relaxer, next it was time for that deep conditioner treatment. Next, Rosa sat me under the dryer with massive rollers. Next, I remember getting out of the dryer and siting in the chair and she would start to blow dry my roots. Okay, at the time that shit was very painful. The end results were amazing you couldn't tell me nothing. My hair was so bouncy and full of body "what" girl, please I was loving it, especially, all the head rolls. Most, people thought I had a weave in my hair amazing. That was when i was addicted to the creamy crack!!! I got tried going to Manhattan just to get my hair done. Wanted to find someone local.
Then I met "Yvette" her salon was in "The Bronx" my hair really started to grow a lot. Yvette, refuse to relax my hair all the time she only applied a relaxer every 6 months because of my texture. Yvette, said I didn't need a relaxer every 4-6 weeks. Yvette, would Blow dryer my roots really straight. At the time I began to conduct my own research and wanted to give my hair a break. I made a conscious effort not to relax my hair again. That's when my "Naturelle" Hair Journey Begins....
