One Year Hairversary

It is so hard to believe it has been exactly one year since I got my last relaxer. Never knew how much that day would change my life. I went in for my regular appointment and about 2 weeks later my hair just started to fall out at an excessive rate, the shedding was so bad and my hair thinned dramatically.
Call me being vain, but you only have to mess with my hair once for me to know I needed to make a change. I did not want to take that chance of getting another relaxer and then ALL of my hair fall out. So I struggled with myself and came to the conclusion that I was ......GOING NATURAL.

Last time getting a successful relaxer, my hair was beautiful long and "healthy"

It has truly been an emotional process for me, which is funny since I was natural the first 18 years of my life. I can only imagine what my hair would be like now if I had remained natural.
I went through many phases, I found that one style that worked for me bantu knot out and pulled it into a big curly ponytail. I rocked that style from November 2012 until July 2013.

Month after getting my last "bad" relaxer my poor hair broke off and was so thin Nov 2012

Bantu-knot out in ponytail....my only transitioning style (May 2013)

 Then I got a protective style for the summer and got my hair twisted, kept that in for about a month and then it happened. I took out the twists and went in to my new natural stylist for her to do the "big chop", well in my case the "mini chop" since I grew most of my relaxer out. I am not going to lie, I CRIED like a baby....after I got home of course. I looked in the mirror and kept saying "what did you do, what did you do?" You never realize how much you rely on your hair until it is "gone". I did not feel cute, I felt so ugly and limited my outings for a while, I didn't want anyone to see me. So with that mindset I quickly called my friend and had her throw some braids in my hair for the rest of the summer!

After cutting all of my relaxed hair off.

As it came time for me to go back to work, in my opinion I felt that braids would not be appropriate, so I went ahead and went to my dear friend Youtube to find some how to videos for short natural hairstyles. So I lucked up on one video that showed a style that also improved hair elongation something I truly needed, even though my hair grew some while in braids. I did a two-strand twist out on my head and I was so happy that I had found my style that truly fit my personality.

This is after the humidity hit my hair, but it was short curly and fun. I went online and came across a list of what all natural girls must keep handy after making the chop......
1. Standing eyebrow waxing appointment (more attention is drawn to the face so keep it cute)
2. a nice universal headband that can go with most of your wardrobe
3. big/funky earrings ( this is so true because they help you feel girly and confident.
4. Your fav wash and go products








Believe it or not the two-strand twist out can be a versatile style as well, you can pin some hair up have the rest curly, you can pick it out to have a curly fro, slap on a head band etc. So right now I am happy with my new go to style. Now being curious about how long my hair was I only straightened it once and believe it or not my hair was past my ears and THICK! I only did it once because the horror stories I heard about messing up your curl pattern if you put too much heat in your hair especially if your hair hasn't been trained yet scared me.
I got the itch to get a relaxer at the end of last month, I was just so frustrated, let me tell you it is hard living in a house with a sister who still gets relaxers. I miss the days of slapping my hair into a ponytail, wearing a cute bun, having that fresh and fierce flowing wrap after a relaxer and being able to just do a quick blow dry and flat iron after washing.

Well, I stand before you today fully natural, embracing and rocking my curls. One concern I had was how men I meet would react to my hair but so far my black brothers are loving it. The pic below was taken today so what do you all think? Am I rocking the natural look or not? Either way I am happy with the health of my hair!

One yr natural October 5, 2013

Growing Weak

I am itching to get some creamy crack. I am really struggling trying to find a way to get through this until I can truly do what I want with my hair. I have been on YouTube religiously trying to find a way to be cute with this process. Unfortunately, the only videos that I have been able to find are those of people who are completely natural or who have been transitioning longer than I have been.

My sister sent me a text the other day saying that she couldn't take it anymore and that she would be getting a relaxer this week. There goes my in house support. I am not going to lie the thought of going to the store and getting a relaxer has been on my mind constantly. The only thing that has really been stopping me from doing so, is that I am afraid that if I put a relaxer in my hair it will start to shed and break again. I am so not ready to go through that and I would truly blame myself.

I AM NOT willing to do the big chop, it is just not in me, but I need help ASAP! With me running and exercising on a regular basis it is really hard to tame the mane. So if anyone has any suggestions, minus getting braids or twists, please share.