Hi Beauty!
It has been three amazing years since I’ve been natural. I want to take the time to share this personal journey with you through pictures. I never thought that I would be able to nurture my hair back to health after what I did to it my senior year of high school
(relaxer + permanent color within two weeks of each other= DISASTER.) I made a vow in March of 2008 to never get a relaxer again and start my natural hair journey.
Thank God for my sister who was truly my inspiration for going natural.
Check out the pics!
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| April 2007—Relaxed Hair with permanent color (what in the world was I thinking?)My hair is lifeless and super fragile |
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| June 2007 Freshman year in college- Still relaxed and damaged |
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| December 2007—Sew in to grow begin growing out my awful permanent color |
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| March 2008—Took sew in out after having it in for 3 months and dyed hair jet black (also March 2008 was the last month I got a relaxer; transitioning began this month) |
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| June 2008—Transitioning continued |
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| June 2008—Cut hair to speed up growth process…extra deep layers in back and kept length and majority of relaxed ends in the front |
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| July 2008 Transitioning |
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| August 2008 Transitioning |
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| September 2008 Transitioning |
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| March 2009 One year natural |
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| May 2009 (Throughout my transition I straightened my hair about 80% percent of the time) |
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| August 2009–twist out |
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| October 2009—Natural texture is completely grown out at this point |
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| End of Oct 2009 to December 20009 I got super lazy and didn’t know what to do with my natural hair—I turned to Remi for some help! Lol |
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| January 2010—took my sew in out and never got one again! I was ready this time |
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| March 2010—Two years natural! |
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| May 2010—Braided my natural hair when I went to Paris for Study Abroad |
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| August 2010–Wet and go |
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| December 2010—Retaining length |
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| February 2011—Twist out |
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| March 2011—Three years natural |
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| May 2011
Me currently! Hair is now retaining a lot more length and getting stronger and thicker! |
And the journey continues.
xoxo,
Loved the pictorial journey. To answer your question, I feel as though a natural woman should be able to wear her hair as she pleases. Nonetheless, whichever style you choose to rock there are those who won't approve. For example, I have been natural for nearly seven years. I currently have locks. Still, there are those who object to the fact that I like dying my hair. Am I not being true to my blackness because I like a little color? I think this argument is absurd.
I love what you have done with your hair. I say rock on Natural Beauty! The fact that you can wear your hair in different styles is AMAZING!!
Peace and Love,
Yaa
I completely agree!! I think this topic is something that will continue to be a debate in the natural world. You can never make everyone happy…I just believe in doing what makes you feel best! I love the versatility that my hair gives me! I wouldn't change it for the world!
And thanks so much for commenting 🙂
Awww cuz it's SUPER inspiring to see your hair journey!! I've been natural for almost two years now! But I'm still addicted to weave.. it's SO hard! At least now, I am have been giving my hair breaks and wearing it out. But seeing others journeys builds my motivation everyday.
To agree with Yaa, YES you are DEFINITELY killing the natural game.
Love you,
Nisa
Thank you for your photo journal. I love seeing natural hair journeys! How did you achieve the twist out? Was it done on blow dried hair or right after a wash? It's really pretty & thick!
@Nisa! Love you babe! Thanks for the support!
@anonymous–I achieved this look by flat twisting my hair after shampooing and conditioning!
Natasha, you are beautiful & your journey is inspiring!! I'm a sophmore in college, and I have now been natural for about a year and a half. My first year, I always wore my hair out, and was able to retain length . August of this year, against my better judgement, I colored my hair with a box color that lightened it. I immediately regretted it, and felt like I wouldn't be able to retain length. That was two months ago, and I can see the growth, because of the color difference, and length, however, I am afraid that my growth will be stunted from reaching it's max potential. I also loveeee to wear my afro out, because it is hot shit and I'm finally super confident about it!! I don't like wearing twists or anything as protective styles, but I still want to see growth. I was just wondering how did you wear your hair during the point after you grew it out for a year, that still allowed you to retain length?
Hi there! And thank you so much for sharing your story with me. During the time after I grew my hair out I started to wear more wash and go's and twist outs instead of straightening my hair all the time. I saw a lot more length retention by just avoiding direct heat. I think that for your situation you should try a strict Ayurvedic regimen. It's the perfect way to increase length retention and unlock your growth potential. It's time consuming, but it will deff pay off! Try brahmi and Bhringaraj!
Hello,
I see this is an older blog but I just stumbled across it and I am so happy that I did. Thank you for your inspiring pictures and sharing your journey. I am two months into transitioning so I have a LONG way to go. I have not been happy with my hair for years. I have had relaxed hair since I was 13 and I am 46 now! Every time I see myself in pictures I am reminded how lifeless my hair looks and it will never grow past my neck line. I had no idea other women were going through the same issues. Your journey and others that I have read have been so inspiring and empowered me to stick with this. I am ready to be free again an rock the hair I was born with. Your hair looks AMAZING. Thank you so much for sharing.