Good Hair

My wild naturally flowing hair has been a long-time coming evolution of self.  

I have always been strongly "encouraged" to straighten my natural tresses by multiple members of my family. The claim being that straight hair looks more presentable in comparison to sporting natural locks. This style is what they call "good" hair. When I was younger, without an original thought in my head, I went along with my family's demands for a straight mane. They were my family after all, so I assumed that they only wanted the best for me. I have to admit that to some degree their intentions were honorable. I can't blame them for their well intended advice; they were only regurgitating what had been told to them. Generation after generation of natural-headed beauties being spoon-fed that the standard of beauty does not have room for large natural coils. 

My parents spent the greater part of my childhood trying to tame my plethora of curls.  Their solution was bestowing me with huge plait braids and even larger silk bows ( lol I am still having braid nightmares). Although my hair would appear tamed in comparison to my morning bed head,the metamorphosis was not without tears, screams, and defiance on my part. Reflecting back on the experience, I just want to say I'm so sorry mom. I know my hair must have been an dreaded morning routine. My mother having such beautiful long wavy hair, she had no experience dealing with my tight unmanageable coils. This lack of experience and my uncooperativeness as a child, directly contributed to her decision to relax my hair. 

In the beginning , I was over the moon with the results of the relaxer. I finally achieved "good" hair.  No more early morning struggles with the comb, no more impossibly tight braids, and most importantly no more silk bows. I was basking in my straight tresses, the natural curls seemed to be a distant memory. I continued on obliviously relaxing my hair for years; not thinking of the true consequences of my actions. It was not until my hair become a shadow of its former self that I realized the error of chemically treating my hair. The split ends, the dry unmanageable tresses and complete unevenness. My hair was in shambles. (It is important to note that my ending experience was supplemented with my lack of knowledge of how to care for natural hair as well as using chemical treatment.)I realized it was imperative that I take action to regain the viability of my hair. 

It didn't take long for me decide to go natural. Although, the decision to stop relaxing my hair was a process of its own. As you can imagine I received A LOT of backlash from my friends and family. Despite the negativity I was receiving for my decision, I wouldn't let it deter me from embarking on this natural journey. Looking back now, I am glad that I didn't back down. I truly believe that this journey has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. Though I warn you it was and still is not without bumps in the road (i.e. the picture above). But I assure you that those bumps are truly blessings in disguise; and are all a part of making your journey truly yours. A journey leading you to finding your inner "good" hair.

If you are just embarking on this journey or still transitioning as I am, I suggest that you trying to educate yourself on your curl pattern. Knowing which curl patterns  you have (you often have more than one in different sections of your hair) will allow you to better care for your natural tresses. A good starting point for your hairucation is the website NaturallyCurly.com, which I have provided a link below for you to explore. Please let me know what you think and if you have a natural hair story I would love to hear it. Remember we are greater in numbers. 

Naturally curly