Naturally Me

I am seven months newly natural and I have sure learned a lot. I also had some setbacks a long the way, but I am more happy with my hair than I have ever been. I recently made the decision to go natural back in September. I have always hated my hair right after it's been relaxed. I didn't really liked the bone thin look to it. My favorite time would be when my hair was "old" when new growth was poppin. My usual routine would be to relax one every three or four months and flat iron as needed. Some girls in my area got a relaxer once a year, but I couldn't go that long due to laziness. My upkeep skills weren't as on point as those ladies. I rarely flat ironed or wrapped my hair which is essential if you're gonna stretch your relaxer that far.

I believe I was first given a relaxer around the age of four or five. So, I really had no idea what my natural hair would be like. In a way it was scary because it would be something I had to learn how to take care, and it was the shortest my hair would have ever been. Luckily, due to my mother relaxing my own hair since my school days.  I learned from her and did my own relaxers when I was in college, so I wasn't too worried about maintenance. I was more freaked out about looking a hot mess until I figured it out lol

Relaxed days. High school to college.

I began transitioning in China which in retrospect probably wasn't the best idea. I didn't have access to products to make my relaxed hair play nice with my natural strands. I did have one box of creamy crack on deck in case I needed to do what I had to do. My hair was very short when I went to China and I decided to get micro braids during Spring Festival to help with hair care. I took my braids out in May and pretty much lived in a hat for the rest of my time in China. Seriously, I only took it off when I was with friends inside their apartment. I could not let anyone see me looking a mess even though I'm pretty sure most locals didn't know the intricacies of black hair care, but nobody has time to look a hot mess in public. Even just thinking about unleashing that hair in public and I can hear my auntie yelling at me for America and smacking my head with a relaxer. 

My short hair in China

During this time I shampooed and conditioned my hair each week and I would cut my hair after each wash. Detangling my hair was VERY difficult due to my two different textures. As I mentioned before, I didn't have any products to help. Flat-ironing was also out of the question because my flat iron would not work in China. Shout outs to my friend ,Brit, and my wifey! Brit's natural and taught with me at the same school in China; she gave me some wonderful tips and ideas like two strand twists to help with maintenance. I also had a long Skype conversation with my wifey where she taught me how to do my twists and did her hair with me.

Micro braids at the Summer Palace in Beijing

After I took my braids down

I immediately got box braids a day after I returned to NYC. My main concern was finding a job and I really didn't want to add hair care as another thing to worry about. I took my box braids out in September after attending my bestie's wedding. 

Box Braid life

My aunt cut out the relaxed ends and I stood in the mirror with a TWA looking back at me. I wasn't feeling it in the beginning because my front was longer than my back. I wished she had just evened everything up. Overall, I didn't hate how I looked, but I didn't love it either. I can definitely say it felt right even despite my initial reaction. Everyone loved the new look on me. My boyfriend almost jumped for joy once he saw my new look. My friends would gasp and have the biggest smiles on their faces. That at least made me feel a little better. 

Progress

I had to get into a hair care routine and find products that worked. This was a frustrating stage because at the time I wasn't making a lot of money. I would buy a product and have to throw the whole thing away after using it once. I had to throw away the shampoo and conditioner of Dr. Miracle Curl Care and Curls Unleashed Curl Defining Creme. Throwing away products also made starting a routine difficult. I didn't have money to invest in a deep conditioner or leave-in which is essential. I decided to try Shea Moisture since it usually has rave reviews. I went with the Raw Shea butter Shampoo, Conditioner, Deep Conditioner, and their Curl Enhancing Smoothie. I love everything except the deep conditioner. It works okay, but it's doesn't leave my hair feeling amazing. VO5 Green Tea Therapy has been a constant staple that will not go away anytime soon.

During this time I also committed a natural sin: I didn't seal in my moisture. I would spray my hair with water daily but I didn't use an oil afterwards. I did this for almost a month until upon taking to my boo, Meika, did she tell me the error of my ways. Thank the heavens for curl friends ^^

Things I can't wait to do

Fro-hawk, bantu knots, two strand twists, first sewn-in ^^ My go to protective style right now is finger coils. I can't see myself putting in work for other styles do to my hair's length. I think I'll be at my desired length soon to do bantu knots and twist outs.

Hardest things about being natural

Awkward stage- I think I may be at an awkward stage where my hair is not super short or medium length. 
Products- I am still trying to find what really works for my hair.
The thirst- my hair is TOO thirsty. It's like a pre-teen watching Teen Wolf or someone that's been stranded in the desert for a week.

Easiest things about being natural

My hair is SO much easier to manage
Time it takes to do my hair- relaxing my hair would take such a long time and then I would have to flat iron afterwards.
Figuring out what my hair needs- my hair tells me if it's dry.

Thing I Wish I Had Done Differently

I should have just big chopped and brought over some oils and gel and did the damn thing in China.

And here I am now:

I really love my hair and I can't wait to try other styles! This journey has been pretty amazing. Thanks for reading!