Many times we get caught up in how others view us. I must admit that I played into the hype for years and worked on my appearance with another's perception of me in mind. Many of us say we don't care what others think, when in fact we really do. I guess with sense of self and maturity, many of the things that may have been of great importance to me are simply no more. So last month I decided to say goodbye to the relaxer for good. I had tried in vain before. However, after going for 6 months without a touchup and skipping the Dominican Salon's blow out post braid takedown, I digressed and headed for the nearest Sally's to pick up a jar of Motions. Anywho, this time around, I had been thinking about how much I wore the faux natural styles (i.e. braids, kinky twists, bohemian weaves) and decided to just grow my own. Plus the taking out of the last weave was so much trouble, it pushed me right over the edge. Of course I cannot pretend I went into this throwing caution to the wind. I did my research. YouTube became my best friend along with many other natural haircare websites.
The first day out of the weave I thought about wearing those protective styles like buns and more twists, but decided I would try something different. So each day for about a week, I put the scissors to my mane until I had my first TWA (teenie weenie afro). A couple of weeks later, I went to the barber and had him shape it. And about a week ago I decided to color it. Now, I'm still a newbie, but thus far I have learned:
1. Water is my hair's best friend
2. Sodium Laureth Sulfate and it's cousin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate are no longer welcome in my haircare regimen.
3. Their friends Mineral Oil and Petroleum gotta go too
4. My old color products don't work on my new naturally dark kinky/curly hair
5. Many of the haircare products marketed to us are really not good for us
6. What works for my hair may not work for yours
7. Contrary to popular belief, my hair is easier to care for
And the one thing I have learned above all these, especially after being asked by friends "Why did you cut your hair?" and being told "I could never do that!" is as India put it "I AM NOT MY HAIR". Journey light....
Luv, peace, and an abundance of blessings,
E
