Big news guys……dum, dum, dum (that was me humming the anticipation /announcement tune) I am now au natural in the hair department!!! Yes LPM lovelies, I am currently sporting a fro and proudly singing …I’m rough and tough with my afro puffs…hey…
So, let’s back up a little and give you guys a bit of history. A little over a year ago, I looked at the state of my relaxed hair and realised my hair just looked tired, thin and plain raggedy. All the years of relaxing it was starting to take its toll and it just wasn’t a pretty sight! Deciding something needed to be done, I started watching or rather stalking some amazing naturalistas. (please check out FusionofCultures and SimplYounique on Youtube – two fantastic women who truly inspired me as I watched their hair journey) One day feeling embowered, I decided yeah, I can do this too! Fast forward to the next day where I am sitting with my previously arm pit length hair now down to a scary chin length bob, and I completely panicked thinking, OMG what did I just do?!! I then proceeded to hide under weaves and braids for the next year.
I essentially transitioned for a year (I still have a few relaxed bits at the end of my hair) , but unfortunately didn’t take very good care of my hair during that time, which meant I had quite a bit of breakage, a thinning front where my extensions were pulled too tight and it’s also quite dry. Looking at it recently, I decided it was time to really start taking care of my hair and to bring out the fro
Here are a few pictures with my first week of protective buns and my first ever twist out. They are both far from perfect, but this is where the fun comes into it as I begin my journey to find out what works for my hair.
The products I used for my first week (I don’t want to give you a review yet, until I know how they really work for my hair, but so far so good) are Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner for my deep conditioning treatment, Keracare Natural Textures Cleansing Cream as my shampoo, Tresemme Naturals Conditioner for co washing, Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Conditioner for my leave in and Coconut oil for sealing. You should be able to find all the products at your local beauty shop or Boots.
My blog won’t become completely focused on natural hair, but seeing as it is now a part of me, I will probably give you regular updates about my journey and the products I try along the way. So far though guys, I have to say that I’m loving my hair!It is taking some adjusting to and definitely requires more time but I'm happy I made the decision. To be completely honest, I was a little nervous to begin with and I had a few people telling me not to do it! but this is why you need to have your own voice and know what you want, otherwise you will easily be swayed by what others think.
Are any of you natural? Do you have any tips for a newly natural? If so please share
xxx
4 comments:
Welcom back to being au natural!! First things first, there are a million and one blogs and vlogs out there with advice, just do what's best for your hair type (though FusionofCultures is a good one - I WANT HER HAIR!!!). E.g. my hair is fine and fluffy like cotton wool so my curls aren't that defined therefore I stay clear of some of the hair butters out there though it seems to be good for those with thicker hair.
Apple vineger cider rinses (AVC)are good (mixed with water) to get rid of product build up and as a deep conditioner esp after having braids in for a while (but not to use too frequently). If you use this, you want to get the one that says "mother" with it as it's the most natural containing good enzymes.
Try and use a sulfate free shampoos so not to strip your hair too much when washing (I think the Keracare one you're using is sulfate free but can also try Aubrey Organic shampoos and conditioners).
Embrace the village hair and don't get frustrated with it, enjoy it and keep rocking the afro-puffs!
Thanks so much for the encouragement Funmi :-)and lol at " village hair" when I was walking around with my twists, all I kept getting called was Village Girl.... Out of curiosity, why can't you use APC too frequently?
Apple cider vineger is an acid - over use will strip and damage your hair hence the need to dilute it when used (I dilute 1/4 cup of ACV in 2 cups of water to rinse my hair). Therefore, I would use it about once, maybe twice a month (though I have read on some blogs people using it every week - but like I said, do what works for you). ACV will help balance the pH of your hair and scalp and other benefits include:
- removal of build-up
- provides shine to hair
- increases manageability
- smooths the hair cuticles which helps the hair hold moisture better.
You will smell the vineger in your hair but it goes as it dries (don't be put of by this!)
Thanks Funmi. Just bought a bottle over the weekend to try it out. First thoughts though is it stinks!! really hope the smell disappears like you said :-)
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