Since I started my natural healthy hair journey, I find myself looking at a lot of women's hair, if they are natural, i try to figure out what hair type they have, I chat them in my mind, "her hair is so dry", "ughh, that needs washing", :an acv rinse can get out them crusty looking dandruff" and if they are relaxed, i can see damage or health, and i go on chatting them: :those ends, eww, so stringy", "those edges so picky picky", "look at that breakage", or oh yea, she takes care of her hair...I even find myself wanting to preach the word of Natural hair to my sistas letting them know, testifying (hallelujah) that it is best for the health of our hair to either stop getting a relaxer, (oh lawd) or stretch out the relaxers to maybe 2x a year, and in cooperate more protein treatments and Deep conditioning into their hair diets, as it is a popular myth that steaming (deep conditioning your hair will take the relaxer out, so they stay away from it. A lot of us just do not know how to treat our hair , and aint that sad? I ran into a few persons from my school days, that had a full head of hair, some down to their backs. Thick lustrous hair to die for, and when I see them now, I'm like Wth! huh? Where is all that hair??? and I go on and on blaming the relaxer, asking them if they don't remember how long their hair was, and how we used to rave about it. They remember, but cant deal with if but they endure the burns and breakage and peeled out hair sides. SMH. They say they'll cut it, wear weaves, pshh, it will grow back. its just hair.
Yes, I've heard that so many times "it is just hair" and it will grow back, and hair is dead, I once shared that sentiment, it was like yea yea I am not my hair I don't need to practice any hair care nutn, its just that. I am not my hair, it doesn't control me! Is this really so? Is it just hair? Because if that is so why is it that our hair overpowers us, takes over so many different aspects of our lives. So many different products, so many different brands of false hair, so many wigs, lace wigs, half wigs, remi, peruvian hair that look like "real hair" so many techniques to make a wig or sew in extensions have a natural look? Why all that stress if its just hair? It is not just hair, our hair means so much more to us than we can imagine.We reason that certain hairstyles dont match certain outfits, our hair needs to be did in order for our clothes to look good, you cant have a certain hairstyle if you want to work certain places. Persons become offended if you wear your hair in a particular style. You can become a targeted by the popos if u got a certain hair style. (dreadlocks)
Good hair, bad hair, hair typing, letters and numbers kinky hair curly hair coily hair straight hair wavy hair. Ooo "I want that hair", its the Indian in my genes why hair is like this. All this hair talk is making me go off! Black hair has revolutionised, I love it! But deep down I want it to be like an epidemic, a virus, taking over all black people, matter of fact take over the world!(evil Laugh). At the end a di day yall it's your hair, do whatever u wanna do with it! this is just me ranting! Hey, Im close to my 1 year Nappiversary, so I'm overly excited!
Peace
Mocha Dier
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Aloe Vera Olive oil
Last week I went to bed without covering it. the next day I woke up with my hair feeling like straw. And looking not so wonderful. In addition to that, I was lazy, and could not bother to go through the whole wash day regimen. Since loosing my Uncle I've been very lazy when it comes to my hair. I even noticed my flakes coming back. I guess that would be due to stress or maybe I am alergic to something, I am not so sure. At the same time I am iffy to visit a dermatologist, they may prescribe something that will burn off my hair. Ive had this experience before.
Back to my dry hair. So it was dry and horrible looking. I decided to try some aloe vera that I got from my Granny, mixed with some olive oil, very simple, all natural and effective. Aloe vera can help in so many many things, skin care, air care, using as an internal cleanser etc. Most of all it can be grown in your back yard.
I got 2 leaves, allowed it to drain off
Cut of the pricks
Cut one side
Use a spoon to extract clear meat
Threw it in the blender until it turned to liquid
Put some in a bowl, added the olive oil
Stirred it
Apply it all over my dry hair.
Instantly I felt the softness. This can get messy, as well as the aloe may stain your clothing.
I kept it on for about 2 hours, then washed it out with nunaat shampoo and conditioner
Shortest Wash Day
Shortest Wash Day
 |
| Cut leaves, let them drain. Cut the sides, use spoon to remove meat |
 |
| Place in a blender, blend til smooth, add olive oil |
 |
| My very dry tangled hair |
 |
| It was very runny, |
 |
| Instant softness, and detangles |
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Does Genes Have anything do with hair growth
Hair grows on average half inch a month. Personally, my hair grows less than half inch a month. My hair based on the hair chart, is 4C. Blogs and other sites say that due to the coily nature of afro textured hair it may seem to grow at a slower rate. Because of the kinks and tight curls, and excessive dryness because the natural oils have too much curls to contend with, it cant be moisturized as it should. This actually makes it a lot more difficult for someone with 4C hair to retain length, and are required to have a more rigid regimen, including deep conditioning, protective styling etc.
It is often said that the secret to beautiful lustrous hair is maintaining a healthy diet, drinking lots of water, exercising on a regular, having a hair care regimen that includes a regular deep conditioning, protein treatment, and lots of moisture is what is required to have healthy hair. I did my big chop in May of last year, and in 10 months, I am only seeing 4 inches worth of growth, that I am very excited about. I've seen persons with different textures than mine, cut their hair, and it grew past mine. If I should ask one of these persons what they do. You may hear them proudly say, its the Indian in my blood. And no I don't take offence to statements like these.
Now I know many of you may disagree with me when I say this but, I am being real, YES, that person may be right, it may just be that mixture in their gene that is contributing to the fact that their hair may be able to retain more length than mine. I'm drawing these conclusions mainly on observation, nothing scientific. Looking around, observing the different ethnicity Caucasian, Chinese, Indian, even the ones that are mixed, and the rate that their hair "grows" or retain length, doesn't this have to do with their genetic make up?
I recently watched a documentary of persons in India, some of these persons are living off less than $1 US per day. They do not have access to proper water, proper food, how are they going to get the strength to exercise, where are they going to get money from to spend on deep conditioning treatments and all that is said to achieve healthy hair, yet they have hair down to their butts that they are able to cut all their hair off and sell it! Ever heard of Indian Remy? Then, they comment that they don't worry because in no time it will grow back. Can I do that with my 4C afro hair? NO I cant, why would I even think of doing that after I worked so hard to get my hair at my ear?
Looking at our different textures, I will not say that Africans have the worst hair. Based on how I was cultured, African hair would be considered 4C hair, the coiliest of them all. Now, doing research and seeing how huge Africa really is and the wide variety of cultures, I no longer think in such shallow terms. At one time in my life, when I thought about Africa, I thought about thatch houses, and tribes, and people with hair that looked like a mat, people running around with some spear things on their you know what. Fortunately that notion has left my head. I have come to accept my hair for what it is, not associating its nature with a country but see it as pure Kinky Coily awesomeness!
I ran into an article on Black Girl Long Hair http://blackgirllonghair.com/2013/03/ending-our-association-of-long-hair-with-mixed-heritage/comment-page-2/#comment-564549 speaking about ending the association of long hair with mixed heritage. Now, my paternal grandmother's grandfather is a white man. So is my paternal Grandfather, his grandfather is white. When I look on my mother's side, her great great grandmother is white woman, her grandmother is dark a midnight with curly soft hair. See where I am going with all the confusion? LOL I'm Jamaican by the way, and we were once an English colony, and this mixture may have occured due to rape or mutual consent, Do I consider myself 100% black? Yes I do, even though I know that i may be about 10% percent white. We always say that the white genes has watered down, not like some white folks that came up with the one drop rule. LOL.
Also, the majority of Jamaicans don't have the slightest idea of how to care for their hair, we over process it, cuz we want our hair bone straight and laid, like the "coolie" persons.We drag on our edges too tight, because we want it to be very neat, we play tug o war with our hair while dry, everything done wrong, resulting in maximum breakage and hair loss.
When my hair type it met upon, you would hear things like " no likkle mixture, just the raw born African". Yet my brothers would hear that they are mixed with something. The article pointed out that we all are mixed, but who has time to claim that? Its the same way how my Dad has bluish grey eyes, and he is Blacker than black. Back to the distribution of genes, and of course how God purposed it to be.
The article, it brought me back to the silly controversy that started up when Melanie Fiona mentioned that she is part Indian Portuguese and some other race, so she has a good mix for growth. She did not lie. She does, or maybe she should have said she has a good mix for length retention. Afro textured hair does grow, without a doubt, but as we all know because of how coily and kinky it is, it may seem to grow slowly or is stunted, also, it breaks easier, its weaker and takes a lot more effort to be successful. We dont need to bash them, love them for their difference, point out the positives in our texture. When cared right, we can have the full-ness of shrinkage, we can do twists out. whatever! Its all in the technique!
I think we need to just accept our hair for what it is. My brothers have 3c and 4a hair type and I have 4c maybe even 5a. We have the same parents. I am lighter than they are, we have our own unique features that we got from our parents and those features they So should I say that genes doesn't play a role? Of course it did. Maybe some of that white gene caught them, and by the time I came in the picture, all of it left....I dunno. :-)
But this did affect me in a negative way? Initally it did, I wanted their hair. And maybe my life would be a lot different. Yes I must admit that at times I wish I could just wash n go, and dash my hair about in the wind like those 3C/4A chicks, they make it look sooo easy... But accepting 4C hair for what it is will make you accept so much more in life. Accept the struggles we face daily. Accept limitations, but then why do you need limitations? Its your hair rock it how you want it, with all the confidence in the world. And if someone says to you, why is your hair like that....Dont be afraid to credit your genes!
It is often said that the secret to beautiful lustrous hair is maintaining a healthy diet, drinking lots of water, exercising on a regular, having a hair care regimen that includes a regular deep conditioning, protein treatment, and lots of moisture is what is required to have healthy hair. I did my big chop in May of last year, and in 10 months, I am only seeing 4 inches worth of growth, that I am very excited about. I've seen persons with different textures than mine, cut their hair, and it grew past mine. If I should ask one of these persons what they do. You may hear them proudly say, its the Indian in my blood. And no I don't take offence to statements like these.
Now I know many of you may disagree with me when I say this but, I am being real, YES, that person may be right, it may just be that mixture in their gene that is contributing to the fact that their hair may be able to retain more length than mine. I'm drawing these conclusions mainly on observation, nothing scientific. Looking around, observing the different ethnicity Caucasian, Chinese, Indian, even the ones that are mixed, and the rate that their hair "grows" or retain length, doesn't this have to do with their genetic make up?
I recently watched a documentary of persons in India, some of these persons are living off less than $1 US per day. They do not have access to proper water, proper food, how are they going to get the strength to exercise, where are they going to get money from to spend on deep conditioning treatments and all that is said to achieve healthy hair, yet they have hair down to their butts that they are able to cut all their hair off and sell it! Ever heard of Indian Remy? Then, they comment that they don't worry because in no time it will grow back. Can I do that with my 4C afro hair? NO I cant, why would I even think of doing that after I worked so hard to get my hair at my ear?
Looking at our different textures, I will not say that Africans have the worst hair. Based on how I was cultured, African hair would be considered 4C hair, the coiliest of them all. Now, doing research and seeing how huge Africa really is and the wide variety of cultures, I no longer think in such shallow terms. At one time in my life, when I thought about Africa, I thought about thatch houses, and tribes, and people with hair that looked like a mat, people running around with some spear things on their you know what. Fortunately that notion has left my head. I have come to accept my hair for what it is, not associating its nature with a country but see it as pure Kinky Coily awesomeness!
I ran into an article on Black Girl Long Hair http://blackgirllonghair.com/2013/03/ending-our-association-of-long-hair-with-mixed-heritage/comment-page-2/#comment-564549 speaking about ending the association of long hair with mixed heritage. Now, my paternal grandmother's grandfather is a white man. So is my paternal Grandfather, his grandfather is white. When I look on my mother's side, her great great grandmother is white woman, her grandmother is dark a midnight with curly soft hair. See where I am going with all the confusion? LOL I'm Jamaican by the way, and we were once an English colony, and this mixture may have occured due to rape or mutual consent, Do I consider myself 100% black? Yes I do, even though I know that i may be about 10% percent white. We always say that the white genes has watered down, not like some white folks that came up with the one drop rule. LOL.
Also, the majority of Jamaicans don't have the slightest idea of how to care for their hair, we over process it, cuz we want our hair bone straight and laid, like the "coolie" persons.We drag on our edges too tight, because we want it to be very neat, we play tug o war with our hair while dry, everything done wrong, resulting in maximum breakage and hair loss.
When my hair type it met upon, you would hear things like " no likkle mixture, just the raw born African". Yet my brothers would hear that they are mixed with something. The article pointed out that we all are mixed, but who has time to claim that? Its the same way how my Dad has bluish grey eyes, and he is Blacker than black. Back to the distribution of genes, and of course how God purposed it to be.
The article, it brought me back to the silly controversy that started up when Melanie Fiona mentioned that she is part Indian Portuguese and some other race, so she has a good mix for growth. She did not lie. She does, or maybe she should have said she has a good mix for length retention. Afro textured hair does grow, without a doubt, but as we all know because of how coily and kinky it is, it may seem to grow slowly or is stunted, also, it breaks easier, its weaker and takes a lot more effort to be successful. We dont need to bash them, love them for their difference, point out the positives in our texture. When cared right, we can have the full-ness of shrinkage, we can do twists out. whatever! Its all in the technique!
I think we need to just accept our hair for what it is. My brothers have 3c and 4a hair type and I have 4c maybe even 5a. We have the same parents. I am lighter than they are, we have our own unique features that we got from our parents and those features they So should I say that genes doesn't play a role? Of course it did. Maybe some of that white gene caught them, and by the time I came in the picture, all of it left....I dunno. :-)
But this did affect me in a negative way? Initally it did, I wanted their hair. And maybe my life would be a lot different. Yes I must admit that at times I wish I could just wash n go, and dash my hair about in the wind like those 3C/4A chicks, they make it look sooo easy... But accepting 4C hair for what it is will make you accept so much more in life. Accept the struggles we face daily. Accept limitations, but then why do you need limitations? Its your hair rock it how you want it, with all the confidence in the world. And if someone says to you, why is your hair like that....Dont be afraid to credit your genes!
Monday, 25 February 2013
Throw Back- Transition attempt
I found some old pics of me at around 13 years old when I attempted to transition. OMG that was crazeeee. I had wanted so much to be able to from straight to natural like those days where my hair was pressed. I was only 5 years old when that started. I loved when my mom washed my hair on Saturdays and it would go back to being natural, and shrunken and if she had time she'd give me some wicked corm row styles that everyone would rave about. At that time, even tho I vaguely remember, but I thought my hair was just DOPE!
I wanted that so badly! Those feelings were mixed tho, the down side, I could NOT stand the tugging while it was being combed, I was soooo tender headed! So when my mom decided to let me grow off my heat damaged ends, she had my hair processed with kiddies creme at 6. And that was it!
It wasnt done every 2 months or so, she also braided it, or sent me to get it braided and I picked up a nasty fungus and the shampoo used to kill that fungus, burned my hair off. I was sad, and it was a struggle to grow back. I wore braids during all age school and my hair regained its thickness, somewhat.
Then came High School, I could no longer wear braids, and wanting to fit in, I had my hair processed every six weeks! That was just crazeeeeeeee! Then came the breakage and frustration, Imagine going thru puberty and hair problems at the same time! So i decided to Transition! LOL at 12 going 13, with no knowledge, NUTN! I did it for a few months, my mom corn rowed my hair in various styles, but because it was so short, I added a little piece of hair to it, so that it was long enough to be pulled back in a scrunchie, and what do you know??? The teachers were paying microscopically close attention to my hair and I got caught! Sent home for my parents. I was mad! That weekend I went and got a relaxer.
I hated my hair, hated my mom for choosing a man with nappy hair, hated my dad for choosing a woman with nappy hair, hated them for cursing me with this hair! From then on I never felt the urge to back to natural, never cared about damage, I damaged it on purpose. Color, heat, relaxers, too tight braids....Id just cut it if I was fed up.
Im emancipated now tho, set free from the bondage of the creamy crack and is on a DOPE ASS natural hair journey...YAY!
I wanted that so badly! Those feelings were mixed tho, the down side, I could NOT stand the tugging while it was being combed, I was soooo tender headed! So when my mom decided to let me grow off my heat damaged ends, she had my hair processed with kiddies creme at 6. And that was it!
It wasnt done every 2 months or so, she also braided it, or sent me to get it braided and I picked up a nasty fungus and the shampoo used to kill that fungus, burned my hair off. I was sad, and it was a struggle to grow back. I wore braids during all age school and my hair regained its thickness, somewhat.
Then came High School, I could no longer wear braids, and wanting to fit in, I had my hair processed every six weeks! That was just crazeeeeeeee! Then came the breakage and frustration, Imagine going thru puberty and hair problems at the same time! So i decided to Transition! LOL at 12 going 13, with no knowledge, NUTN! I did it for a few months, my mom corn rowed my hair in various styles, but because it was so short, I added a little piece of hair to it, so that it was long enough to be pulled back in a scrunchie, and what do you know??? The teachers were paying microscopically close attention to my hair and I got caught! Sent home for my parents. I was mad! That weekend I went and got a relaxer.
I hated my hair, hated my mom for choosing a man with nappy hair, hated my dad for choosing a woman with nappy hair, hated them for cursing me with this hair! From then on I never felt the urge to back to natural, never cared about damage, I damaged it on purpose. Color, heat, relaxers, too tight braids....Id just cut it if I was fed up.
Im emancipated now tho, set free from the bondage of the creamy crack and is on a DOPE ASS natural hair journey...YAY!
Saturday, 23 February 2013
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Beautiful Textures vs African Pride (Test Results)
So I finally did the actual comparison with the 2 products and there' s absolutely no difference. Both products are wonderful and actually made my twist feel real juicy, I undid the twist and got some wicked curls... These products give great twist out on my hair, works better than when I add them with gel.
I shot the video, but editing it takes long... hehehehe.. I"ll put it up soon. here are some pics...
I shot the video, but editing it takes long... hehehehe.. I"ll put it up soon. here are some pics...
Monday, 4 February 2013
Beautiful Textures vs African Pride
So, in the beginning of my now 7 month Journey I purchased Beautiful Textures "Moisture Butter, Whipped Curl Creme" It says "Intense Moisture" and that was I needed, it also says it would elongate curls. At that time, all I wanted were waves, n curls, not really understanding that my texture was to tightly coiled, so getting those waves were almost impossible without a texturizer. I must say it did make my hair soft. I used it for my twists and finger coils along with my gel.
As my hair grew and I tried different products, I stopped using it. No reason, I still have half jar left. I saw on FB a curl kit, with African Pride "Shea Butter Miracle Buttery Creme" It says Moisture Intense. Now when I saw the results of some juicy twists and twist outs achieved by this I wanted it badly, I saw that the texture of the ladies hair were a bit different than mine, but I thought I would get some similar result. I opened the African Pride Jar, and the smell that hit me, was soooo similar, I knew that I smelled that smell somewhere. I continued to use it, it was ok when i did my twist too, with gel also kept my hair somewhat juicy. But the smell, kept tingling my nose.
Going thru my box of products I ran into the Beautiful Textures, I opened it, and BAM!!! the smell hit me, I took up my African Pride, and theeee same exact smell. Not only was the smell the same, I read the ingredients, they were the same too, listed the same exact way. They are even manufactured in the same factory. Now I personally take no offence to this, its marketing, both products are great, n the prices arent bad. Even tho I never used it alone to see the full potential, they are products I'd buy again,
What I plan on doing tho is a vid, using the BT on one side and AP on one side, just to see if my mind will play tricks on me, and one will work better than the other, What really kicked me in the ass tho...The Beautiful Textures jar is 8 oz for $650 JMD thats about $6.50 USD, the African Pride is 6oz jar for the same amount of money ahhhhh!!!! But hey, we live n we learn....
Look out for my vid...
AfroChicMocha
As my hair grew and I tried different products, I stopped using it. No reason, I still have half jar left. I saw on FB a curl kit, with African Pride "Shea Butter Miracle Buttery Creme" It says Moisture Intense. Now when I saw the results of some juicy twists and twist outs achieved by this I wanted it badly, I saw that the texture of the ladies hair were a bit different than mine, but I thought I would get some similar result. I opened the African Pride Jar, and the smell that hit me, was soooo similar, I knew that I smelled that smell somewhere. I continued to use it, it was ok when i did my twist too, with gel also kept my hair somewhat juicy. But the smell, kept tingling my nose.
Going thru my box of products I ran into the Beautiful Textures, I opened it, and BAM!!! the smell hit me, I took up my African Pride, and theeee same exact smell. Not only was the smell the same, I read the ingredients, they were the same too, listed the same exact way. They are even manufactured in the same factory. Now I personally take no offence to this, its marketing, both products are great, n the prices arent bad. Even tho I never used it alone to see the full potential, they are products I'd buy again,
What I plan on doing tho is a vid, using the BT on one side and AP on one side, just to see if my mind will play tricks on me, and one will work better than the other, What really kicked me in the ass tho...The Beautiful Textures jar is 8 oz for $650 JMD thats about $6.50 USD, the African Pride is 6oz jar for the same amount of money ahhhhh!!!! But hey, we live n we learn....
Look out for my vid...
AfroChicMocha
Thursday, 17 January 2013
My Brothers Have nicer Hair
"Your brothers have nicer hair than yours" "I wish she had hair like her brothers". These have been some of the things I've been hearing since I was born. Its funny how genes work huh? I know the Black Hair community is kinda out of saying good hair bad hair, nice hair, all hair is equal. whatever. My brothers have hair that I want, or wish I had, and yes that sums it up to them having nicer hair than mine, its not just different, its Their hair naturally has more body, more sheen, bigger curls, not big 3c curls, but more defined, maybe 4A and that smooth, "pretty hair" look. If they grew out their hair, I'm sure they wouldn't have to do so much as I've been doing to try to keep my hair healthy.
Im the only girl for my mother, and when I was born, she says she could see the big difference in my hair and in my 2 older brothers. My eldest brother, has straight hair, jet black and shine. The 2nd one has curly hair, the curls are bigger, his hair is dense, full of body, when he was about 1 year and a couple months he had a big afro and she loved combing it, and even wished he was a girl so that she wouldn't have cut.
I came in the picture, she saw my hair and was saddened by the sight of my hair. A few family members and friends even noted that she doesnt the good hair like the boys, it hurts her, and hurt me when I heard, cuz I'm thinking, they dont need hair on their heads, they get a cut weekly, and here I am struggling with my hair.
My hair had smaller curls, I had less dense hair, it shrunk more. It was shorter and seemingly less attractive.
Genes, genetics, whatever, we have the same parents and you would think that we would all get the "good" attributes, sadly its not like that. Maybe my life would have been different if had had hair like theirs, maybe not. Going through all I went through with my hair, as made me who I am today. Made me look past negative comments made me strong, almost unbreakable. Its as if all the bad remarks I got in the past, as made me immune to negativity. The negative comments and remarks will never stop, someone somewhere will always have something to say about what you wear, how u look, if u gained a pound. Whatever, people will never stop criticizing, some people have to you down to bring themselves up, or make them look good, unfortunately at my expense. So when person say shit bout my hair, I laugh, I join em, and we all have a ball.
My years of being hit with negative about my hair has made me realize that I am not my hair. I am beautiful even if I am bald headed. Beauty comes from inside. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I behold my hair and I see beauty.
 |
| ME ...My bro |
I came in the picture, she saw my hair and was saddened by the sight of my hair. A few family members and friends even noted that she doesnt the good hair like the boys, it hurts her, and hurt me when I heard, cuz I'm thinking, they dont need hair on their heads, they get a cut weekly, and here I am struggling with my hair.
My hair had smaller curls, I had less dense hair, it shrunk more. It was shorter and seemingly less attractive.
My years of being hit with negative about my hair has made me realize that I am not my hair. I am beautiful even if I am bald headed. Beauty comes from inside. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I behold my hair and I see beauty.
Monday, 7 January 2013
My Hair Care 4C Product Junkie
The 31 of December marked 7 months of me being natural. I'm still in the process of finding what works for me, or my staple products. I like to try new stuff, so being a product junkie, even though costly is fun for me.
I've tried quite a few products thus far some, I like, some, not so much.
When I did my big chop, I would wash every other day, when I learnt about co washing, I gave up shampoo, I had to go back to shampooing tho, as my hair would itch badly, I guess that was due to product build up. At that point I would sometimes dilute the shampoo, or use my sons baby shampoo.
Products so far:
In the beginning I used:
- Motions Lavish Moisterizing Shampoo
- Motions Silicon Conditoner
- Motions CPR
These I had before my Big Chop, so I continued to use em
After BC:
- Tresseme Curl Hydration Condtioner
- Herbal Essences Colour me Happy Conditioner
- White Rain Color Splash (havnt used that since)
- Creme of Nature Argan oil Condtioner
- Tresseme Color Thrive Condtioner
- Herbal Essense Hello Hydration Shampoo
- Beautiful Textures Deep Conditioner
- Beautiful Textures moisture butter
- Blue Magic Agran oil Leave in
- Organics Hair Mayonese Deep Contioner
- Organics Olive oil deep condtioner
Orgaics Tea Tree Oil
Organics Hair Mayo Leave in
Soft and Silky leave in Treatment
Soft and Silky Carrot oil
soft and Silky olive oil
Organics Polishing Gel
African Pride Shea Hair moisterizer
African Pride shea Curly pudding
VO5 Moisture Milks Conditioner (love)
Cantu Shea Butter (love)
Creme of Nature Argan oil moisturizing, detangling sulphate free shampoo(love)
Olive oil
Coconut oil
Castor oil
Good ol cholesterol Deep conditioning
I missed out a few products, I am ashamed. LOL. There are a few more that I want to try.
The products I love the best is;
VO5 moisture milk conditioner, Argan oil Sulphate free Shampoo (Creme of Nature) Argan oil Deep Condtioner (creme of Nature) Coconut oil, Olive oil, castor oil, Cantu shea butter leave in and african pride shea moisture. Those work fine,
I DC weekly, and protective styling. Healthy hair is my main goal.
I've tried quite a few products thus far some, I like, some, not so much.
When I did my big chop, I would wash every other day, when I learnt about co washing, I gave up shampoo, I had to go back to shampooing tho, as my hair would itch badly, I guess that was due to product build up. At that point I would sometimes dilute the shampoo, or use my sons baby shampoo.
Products so far:
In the beginning I used:
- Motions Lavish Moisterizing Shampoo
- Motions Silicon Conditoner
- Motions CPR
These I had before my Big Chop, so I continued to use em
After BC:
- Tresseme Curl Hydration Condtioner
- Herbal Essences Colour me Happy Conditioner
- White Rain Color Splash (havnt used that since)
- Creme of Nature Argan oil Condtioner
- Tresseme Color Thrive Condtioner
- Herbal Essense Hello Hydration Shampoo
- Beautiful Textures Deep Conditioner
- Beautiful Textures moisture butter
- Blue Magic Agran oil Leave in
- Organics Hair Mayonese Deep Contioner
- Organics Olive oil deep condtioner
Orgaics Tea Tree Oil
Organics Hair Mayo Leave in
Soft and Silky leave in Treatment
Soft and Silky Carrot oil
soft and Silky olive oil
Organics Polishing Gel
African Pride Shea Hair moisterizer
African Pride shea Curly pudding
VO5 Moisture Milks Conditioner (love)
Cantu Shea Butter (love)
Creme of Nature Argan oil moisturizing, detangling sulphate free shampoo(love)
Olive oil
Coconut oil
Castor oil
Good ol cholesterol Deep conditioning
I missed out a few products, I am ashamed. LOL. There are a few more that I want to try.
The products I love the best is;
VO5 moisture milk conditioner, Argan oil Sulphate free Shampoo (Creme of Nature) Argan oil Deep Condtioner (creme of Nature) Coconut oil, Olive oil, castor oil, Cantu shea butter leave in and african pride shea moisture. Those work fine,
I DC weekly, and protective styling. Healthy hair is my main goal.
Protective Styling
Earlier in my journey, abt 3
months, I was loosing the low hair appeal. I went to an hairdresser to get my
hair done, she looked reluctant, and said it looked like something that would
take the entire day. For her, that meant less money. Also, I saw her blow
drying someones hair she was about to start, and the way she was pulling i and
tugging her hair looked so painful, I passed. I went away. I decided to keep
wearing my hair as is.
Well, not jus out, I'd put it in
finger coils, or 2 strand twist, using Polishing gel and Beautiful Textures
Butter. I loved look I achieved with twist out and brush coils. But the fact
that I had to wash my hair and re-do it so often made me tired. Working ll
day, coming home to a 1 yr old, was not easy at all.
I first did box braids, they took
me almost 12 hrs, and weren't as neat as i expected. Also due to the length of
my hair, it got fuzzy real quick, so i took it out in a week.
The second one I did was afro kinky
twsist, which I kept for 3 weeks, that also
After that I mostly flat twist, or
2 strand twist, My hair is growing at the average rate, I want to retain as
much length as possible, so i"ll be doing mostly protective styles
like this, the next one Im planning on doing is Marley Braids, or Nappy Anny.
So we'll see how that works.
Thursday, 27 December 2012
In Retrospect
So I'm sitting here thinking about my hair and all that it has been through. I just gotta laugh.
I vividly remember my mother combing my hair and me screaming for dear life, and every time I put my hand in there, she'd slap my little fingers with the comb, which added to my pain. I hated getting my hair combed. The countless combs that broke off in my hair, even when there was conditioner in there. As a result of this my mother sent me to hairdressers to get my hair cornrowed or braided. She sews, and at that time she was extremely busy, didn't have much time for my ranting.
Shortly after, my mom had my hair pressed, she then got tired of it going back to its natural state whenever she washed it, so she relaxed it. I was only 6 years old. I loved it tho, it was smooth and seemed and flowing. No more pain when combing, it was a breeze. She still sent me to get it braided, combing it every morning for school was a burden. I can understand now that I have a son, she had 3 of us, and was very busy.
Shortly after, my mom had my hair pressed, she then got tired of it going back to its natural state whenever she washed it, so she relaxed it. I was only 6 years old. I loved it tho, it was smooth and seemed and flowing. No more pain when combing, it was a breeze. She still sent me to get it braided, combing it every morning for school was a burden. I can understand now that I have a son, she had 3 of us, and was very busy.
My mom's sending me to hairdressers caused me to get a nasty fungus, I remember my hair being washed with the shampoo, it burned like crazy, and burned off my hair too, and that was it for my hair, I never grew back. this really hurt my father, he loved seeing my hair. My hair never really came back, it would grow to a point and then break off. At about 8 years old I started comb my hair my self. I'd roller set it in the nights, and do something in the morning to get to school. Looking back, I don't regret it, that made me start using my hands at a tender age, and developed my independence. Most of my All Age sch?Junior High, my hair was in braids. She'd steam it occasionally too.
Then there was High School where I was no longer allowed to wear braids, this was hard, my hair got relaxed more often now. In my first year of High School, I told my mom I wanted to go back natural, I told her that i wanted to have straight hair and be able to have curly hair, she laughed. I braided my hair, in cornrows, because my hair was short, and the ends wouldn't stay together, my mom added a ting bit of extension, and wrapped it around neatly. Some teacher that was way more concerned about my hair than my grades, dug up my hair and sent me home for breaking the rules. So i went back to the relaxer cause that was the only solution. I was stressed out. I became rebellious.
By the time I was in my second year, I bleached it, this bright reddish orange colour. I achieved that look by rinsing my hair with copper sunset rinse, and hydrogen peroxide, which stayed in my hair overnight. Of course i was sent home again. My mom not knowing what really took place and tired of them focusing on hair, defended me. Shortly after, my hair started to fall out, so I went and had it cut.
My third, fourth and fifth year in High School, I wore my hair short, it was the best thing, I would gel it down alot, and when it grew up too much snip snip. By my fifth year, i decided I'd grow it out a little, now, it was at a point, where, the short cut, lost it flava and I couldn't pin it up, so i decided to break the rules again, and added some tracks, had my hair, pinned up, unless you're really inquisitive, u would know there was sumtn in there. And of course I was sent home again, it wasn't so bad, i didn't care, I was almost out of school anyways and rocked my short hair til I was out, Bye Bye Bitches!
After leaving high school, the moment I had my last exam, I purchased a box a dye, and blond I was! Because I constantly had black dye in my hair, the ends didn't take my new colour, so, I relaxed, then dyed again, lightest blond! My mom drew the line, and said that was too much, so i had to dye it back to black One day while washing my hair, I saw alot of it in the sink. the middle, gone. I was sad. I went and got another cut, relaxed it, and most of it came out in my hands. I took a deep breath, said to my bro, cut it all off. I coloured it again. I loved colour.
Shortly after I processed it, I got my first job and that hair wasn't work appropriate, I cut it again, occasionally, i started where I left off, braiding, extension, relaxing, cutting. I cant really say how many times, I did a Big Chop, not with the intention to go natural, just cuz i was tired of dealing with my hair, and cutting it was the only solution. My hair did grow, but i hated it nonetheless. And would end up damaging it or cutting it.
In 2010, August, I cut off, i was fed up, for no reason, just didn't want any hair, I had a texturizer, then a Mohawk, then micro braids, which i kept in for months, there was growth, i had a relaxer, which did nothing for my hair. This was about February 2011, I was about 2 months pregnant. I put in more braids, and sew-ins, but every time i had a relaxer my hair would come out curly. i was devastated and was mad to cut if off again, but because my face was so fat due to the pregnancy, I left it.
During my pregnancy my hair grew, wow, and it was thick, wow again. In my last month, I did a wicked concoction to deep condition, my mom gave to me. She used: Motions CPR, Jheri Redding Protein, vinegar, egg, mayonnaise, and sumtn else DWL, it did wake up my hair tho, yep. I had it braided up and ready to give birth. About 6 weeks after having my baby, I had it braided again. It go sooo thick, This was around November 2011. Early December I had to go back to work early, so i had to have a relaxer, didn't have the time to braid it again like i wanted to. I had some sew -in again, kept it for a month, and in January 2012 back to braiding.
I took my braids out, late February 2012 had a good amount of new growth, wore my hair with the new growths, everyone kept telling me to get a relaxer, its as if it was offending them. I liked it, it was OK to me. But i went ahead and got a relaxer, early March 2012 my was bone straight, I used Dr Miracles, no base, Super, it was strong. My scalp was burnt, it was not ready for that. I was burnt, I felt hurt. I got another sew in, kept it in for about 6 weeks. When I took it out, my hair looked limp, my scalp sore. It was around that time, Early May, 2012I started see the natural haired sistas, I felt that urge, I wanted to see my own hair. Wanted a change.
And that I did. I chopped it all off, this time with the intention to have healthy natural hair. I did colour, which I regret now, but its gonna be OK, I'm gonna cut the bleach ends soon. So far it has been a struggle, but worth every second.
Then there was High School where I was no longer allowed to wear braids, this was hard, my hair got relaxed more often now. In my first year of High School, I told my mom I wanted to go back natural, I told her that i wanted to have straight hair and be able to have curly hair, she laughed. I braided my hair, in cornrows, because my hair was short, and the ends wouldn't stay together, my mom added a ting bit of extension, and wrapped it around neatly. Some teacher that was way more concerned about my hair than my grades, dug up my hair and sent me home for breaking the rules. So i went back to the relaxer cause that was the only solution. I was stressed out. I became rebellious.
By the time I was in my second year, I bleached it, this bright reddish orange colour. I achieved that look by rinsing my hair with copper sunset rinse, and hydrogen peroxide, which stayed in my hair overnight. Of course i was sent home again. My mom not knowing what really took place and tired of them focusing on hair, defended me. Shortly after, my hair started to fall out, so I went and had it cut.
My third, fourth and fifth year in High School, I wore my hair short, it was the best thing, I would gel it down alot, and when it grew up too much snip snip. By my fifth year, i decided I'd grow it out a little, now, it was at a point, where, the short cut, lost it flava and I couldn't pin it up, so i decided to break the rules again, and added some tracks, had my hair, pinned up, unless you're really inquisitive, u would know there was sumtn in there. And of course I was sent home again, it wasn't so bad, i didn't care, I was almost out of school anyways and rocked my short hair til I was out, Bye Bye Bitches!
After leaving high school, the moment I had my last exam, I purchased a box a dye, and blond I was! Because I constantly had black dye in my hair, the ends didn't take my new colour, so, I relaxed, then dyed again, lightest blond! My mom drew the line, and said that was too much, so i had to dye it back to black One day while washing my hair, I saw alot of it in the sink. the middle, gone. I was sad. I went and got another cut, relaxed it, and most of it came out in my hands. I took a deep breath, said to my bro, cut it all off. I coloured it again. I loved colour.
Shortly after I processed it, I got my first job and that hair wasn't work appropriate, I cut it again, occasionally, i started where I left off, braiding, extension, relaxing, cutting. I cant really say how many times, I did a Big Chop, not with the intention to go natural, just cuz i was tired of dealing with my hair, and cutting it was the only solution. My hair did grow, but i hated it nonetheless. And would end up damaging it or cutting it.
In 2010, August, I cut off, i was fed up, for no reason, just didn't want any hair, I had a texturizer, then a Mohawk, then micro braids, which i kept in for months, there was growth, i had a relaxer, which did nothing for my hair. This was about February 2011, I was about 2 months pregnant. I put in more braids, and sew-ins, but every time i had a relaxer my hair would come out curly. i was devastated and was mad to cut if off again, but because my face was so fat due to the pregnancy, I left it.
During my pregnancy my hair grew, wow, and it was thick, wow again. In my last month, I did a wicked concoction to deep condition, my mom gave to me. She used: Motions CPR, Jheri Redding Protein, vinegar, egg, mayonnaise, and sumtn else DWL, it did wake up my hair tho, yep. I had it braided up and ready to give birth. About 6 weeks after having my baby, I had it braided again. It go sooo thick, This was around November 2011. Early December I had to go back to work early, so i had to have a relaxer, didn't have the time to braid it again like i wanted to. I had some sew -in again, kept it for a month, and in January 2012 back to braiding.
I took my braids out, late February 2012 had a good amount of new growth, wore my hair with the new growths, everyone kept telling me to get a relaxer, its as if it was offending them. I liked it, it was OK to me. But i went ahead and got a relaxer, early March 2012 my was bone straight, I used Dr Miracles, no base, Super, it was strong. My scalp was burnt, it was not ready for that. I was burnt, I felt hurt. I got another sew in, kept it in for about 6 weeks. When I took it out, my hair looked limp, my scalp sore. It was around that time, Early May, 2012I started see the natural haired sistas, I felt that urge, I wanted to see my own hair. Wanted a change.
And that I did. I chopped it all off, this time with the intention to have healthy natural hair. I did colour, which I regret now, but its gonna be OK, I'm gonna cut the bleach ends soon. So far it has been a struggle, but worth every second.
AfroChicMocha
Thursday, 20 December 2012
No Regimen
Since I started my journey, I seem to be noticing everyone's hair, both natural and relaxed. I see so much damage and thinning. At times I feel the urge to say something, to let them know that the main reason for their limp hair, is the RELAXER and secondly lack of care. That I've learnt the hard way that black hair NEEDS TLC
My mom says when she was younger, all they did with their hair was wash it, sometimes no conditioner and oiled it with coconut oil, that was boiled by her grand father or that was purchased at the local market, then she would put some big plaits/braids or cornrows, that was it. She says her hair still grew and she had her mega afro. lol. But there was no need to do all what I'm doing now or what she sees on the net.
I understand that some persons can leave their hair as is and it grows, for some, not so.
My mom says when she was younger, all they did with their hair was wash it, sometimes no conditioner and oiled it with coconut oil, that was boiled by her grand father or that was purchased at the local market, then she would put some big plaits/braids or cornrows, that was it. She says her hair still grew and she had her mega afro. lol. But there was no need to do all what I'm doing now or what she sees on the net.
I understand that some persons can leave their hair as is and it grows, for some, not so.
When I do open up about hair tho, I realize that these women have no regimen. They do not have any products that they love, that they must use. Some say they buy the cheapest shampoo and conditioner, rarely, if ever get a DC. When they wash, they use no leave in, they blow dry and flat iron and go, or if they are natural, they wash sometimes with shampoo only and oil the hair, get it cornrowed and gone. Not saying you should get all scientific and start your own product line, But I've come to realize that a regimen is needed, even if its simple. The aim should be to achieve and maintain healthy hair.
I was like that: Before embarking on my journey, I too had no regimen, it was anything goes. Anything that says shampoo and condition I used to use VO5 and White Rain Shampoo (filled with grease cutting ingredients, not recommended for black hair), and any cheap conditioner. I say "grease cutting" because if you use it on a greasy pot, it has the same effect as dish washing liquid.
I rarely DC, mostly had in weaves or braids and a relaxer, then wondered why my hair was always in this horrid state, At times, I'd take out braids or extension and get a relaxer the same day. I was so ashamed of my roots showing, I'd do anything to let them hide, I don't wear wigs, bcuz of a stupid phobia that it may fall off, so I was depressed most times when it came to my hair .That caused serious damage to my hair and scalp, which I'm still suffering the consequences now. Deep down I knew the damage that would occur but never really cared much about it. Especially since so many bad things were being said about it, and if it looked too badly damaged, I'd just cut it off. Hate filled me, so taking care of it, having a regimen, ensuring that certain things be done, were of no importance.
I then stepped up from the cheaper stuff that is really meant to be used in Caucasian or type 1 hair and started trying out products, even tho a bit more costly, that was meant for black hair, like Motions Lavish Conditioning Shampoo, Motions CPR, and their Silicone Conditioner, I felt a difference, but not enough for me to have a proper regimen . I then started to get a DC, every now and then, I just thought it way too time consuming. But I did wear a lot of extensions and braids still avoiding my hair and having to deal with the coarseness of my hair.
Now that I'm more understanding of my hair, I intend to have a simple regimen, one that works for me. Even tho I'm currently a big ol PJ, deep conditioning is a big part of my regimen so far and moisture. I've seen and read of so many that seem a bit too complicated for me. But to each his/her own... Listen to your hair...
AfroChicMocha
I rarely DC, mostly had in weaves or braids and a relaxer, then wondered why my hair was always in this horrid state, At times, I'd take out braids or extension and get a relaxer the same day. I was so ashamed of my roots showing, I'd do anything to let them hide, I don't wear wigs, bcuz of a stupid phobia that it may fall off, so I was depressed most times when it came to my hair .That caused serious damage to my hair and scalp, which I'm still suffering the consequences now. Deep down I knew the damage that would occur but never really cared much about it. Especially since so many bad things were being said about it, and if it looked too badly damaged, I'd just cut it off. Hate filled me, so taking care of it, having a regimen, ensuring that certain things be done, were of no importance.
I then stepped up from the cheaper stuff that is really meant to be used in Caucasian or type 1 hair and started trying out products, even tho a bit more costly, that was meant for black hair, like Motions Lavish Conditioning Shampoo, Motions CPR, and their Silicone Conditioner, I felt a difference, but not enough for me to have a proper regimen . I then started to get a DC, every now and then, I just thought it way too time consuming. But I did wear a lot of extensions and braids still avoiding my hair and having to deal with the coarseness of my hair.
Now that I'm more understanding of my hair, I intend to have a simple regimen, one that works for me. Even tho I'm currently a big ol PJ, deep conditioning is a big part of my regimen so far and moisture. I've seen and read of so many that seem a bit too complicated for me. But to each his/her own... Listen to your hair...
AfroChicMocha
If I Only Listened
A few months ago a co-worker of mine I'll call her Gee had in micro braids. When she took em out, she washed her hair, cornrowed it wet and pulled it out, it had a nice curly look. Her hair looked strong, to me, and nice. She expressed concern that she wanted to get a relaxer the next day. I asked her if she was crazy! The following day, she had it in a bun, gel'd down and all. Her confidence lowered when someone asked her if she was planning on going natural.
I asked her so what if she planned on going natural ... Natural hair is beautiful... I did not go too much into preaching about natural hair. I did however warn her that her scalp is is a tender state and if she reads the relaxer kit, or the jar, it clearly states that "if you had in braids or extensions, wait 2 weeks before processing hair, as this may cause damage to hair and scalp"
I must admit that I have been guilty of doing that very same thing, that I was here warning her against, my mom warned me against it too. I never appreciated my natural hair, not even the new growth, and, what is the point of getting a protective style if you're gonna jus go ahead and damage the hair? I suggested that she she got a DC put in some rods or continue wit the bun. She says she saw a former school mate of hers and the way she looked at her, she knew she had said something about her hair.
The following day, I saw her, her hair was rodded, the front of it was sleek and well processed. SMH, but that was not all, the front of her hair was literally leaking, it was burnt so badly. OMG!!
She relates the story to me, she went in the salon, the hairdresser washed out the gel, blow dried her hair and started the process. A few seconds later, she felt the burn, BURNING, she says her legs were in the air, she was feeling it so badly her eyes filled with water. She says after that ordeal, the hairdresser put in some treatment, using molasses and some other concoctions, and put her under the dryer to let the hair steam.The middle of her hair was not processed any at all. When I saw it my skin crawled. A few days passed and the scabs came up... Shivers...
My question is why the hairdresser go ahead and processed her hair when she had to wash the gel out and blow dry it??? Then went ahead and gave her what seems to be a DC? Tryna undo damage? Here in Jamaica, it seems there aren't many hairdressers that take care of their clients hair. Me, as a mere onlooker can see extensive damage to persons hair, and I think to myself if I were a hairdresser and someone with their hair in that condition came to me, to have their hair relaxed, I would not do it. Its not all about the money! That was 1 of the reasons I started doing my own hair or made my mom apply the relaxer. She did only the new growth and she never dug into my scalp, like many hairdressers I've been to. They also would comb the relaxer unto the ends and would want you to bear the burn, by putting you before a fan or sutmn! Man! Those days were torture.
Earlier this week another one of my co-workers I'll call her San , had in glue in extensions, and says she wants to take em out and have her hair relaxed the day after. She asked me what I thought about that idea, of course I told her to get a DC and wear her hair, and wear her hair as is, "give your scalp some time to breath" I told her. She ranted about how she cant wear her hair cuz too much new growth, and she dont have that bone structure to do the rod set style. SMH. When I mentioned Deep Condition, in JA we say "Steam" She said "I never got one of those" SMH again.
Gee, mentioned earlier, turned to her and said "Listen to Myeia, cuz if I did, I wouldnt be in this position now" :-) <-- Thats me smiling. Lol
San did listen, she didnt DC tho, but she didnt get the relaxer, yet. She wore her hair, and I must say, it looks good. I'm getting the message across, slowly but surely...
AfroChicMocha
The following day, I saw her, her hair was rodded, the front of it was sleek and well processed. SMH, but that was not all, the front of her hair was literally leaking, it was burnt so badly. OMG!!
She relates the story to me, she went in the salon, the hairdresser washed out the gel, blow dried her hair and started the process. A few seconds later, she felt the burn, BURNING, she says her legs were in the air, she was feeling it so badly her eyes filled with water. She says after that ordeal, the hairdresser put in some treatment, using molasses and some other concoctions, and put her under the dryer to let the hair steam.The middle of her hair was not processed any at all. When I saw it my skin crawled. A few days passed and the scabs came up... Shivers...
My question is why the hairdresser go ahead and processed her hair when she had to wash the gel out and blow dry it??? Then went ahead and gave her what seems to be a DC? Tryna undo damage? Here in Jamaica, it seems there aren't many hairdressers that take care of their clients hair. Me, as a mere onlooker can see extensive damage to persons hair, and I think to myself if I were a hairdresser and someone with their hair in that condition came to me, to have their hair relaxed, I would not do it. Its not all about the money! That was 1 of the reasons I started doing my own hair or made my mom apply the relaxer. She did only the new growth and she never dug into my scalp, like many hairdressers I've been to. They also would comb the relaxer unto the ends and would want you to bear the burn, by putting you before a fan or sutmn! Man! Those days were torture.
Earlier this week another one of my co-workers I'll call her San , had in glue in extensions, and says she wants to take em out and have her hair relaxed the day after. She asked me what I thought about that idea, of course I told her to get a DC and wear her hair, and wear her hair as is, "give your scalp some time to breath" I told her. She ranted about how she cant wear her hair cuz too much new growth, and she dont have that bone structure to do the rod set style. SMH. When I mentioned Deep Condition, in JA we say "Steam" She said "I never got one of those" SMH again.
Gee, mentioned earlier, turned to her and said "Listen to Myeia, cuz if I did, I wouldnt be in this position now" :-) <-- Thats me smiling. Lol
San did listen, she didnt DC tho, but she didnt get the relaxer, yet. She wore her hair, and I must say, it looks good. I'm getting the message across, slowly but surely...
AfroChicMocha
Saturday, 15 December 2012
May 31, 2012
On that day, I decided to do my Big Chop. This wasn't my first time cutting all my hair off, matter of fact i cant count how many times i cut off. Once i saw any damage or just got tired of dealing with it, that was my solution. But on the 31st of May, 2012 when i asked my bro to shave it all off, I started my journey.
A few weeks before my BC I saw this pic of a natural hair female. I loved it. I've always loved seeing natural hair. I must admit tho, i didn't like seeing those with my hair type, which is 4C. One pic led to another and another, and it went on and on, I couldn't stop looking, and once i googled, I was shocked to see the many natural haired females. I read their stories, some sounded so familiar. Id been saying I want to go natural, for years. The very first time, I was about 13 years old in the first form. I remembered when my mom used to press my hair, and whenever she washed it, it came back to being natural, I wanted that versatility, but i had to have it relaxed, due to lack of knowledge After that I continued to feel the urge, but really didn't get the drive to start my journey and the people surrounding me didn't allow that. Knowing me, and my somewhat rebellious nature, the tendency to stand out, my free spirit, I did it. Chopped it all off. I know I'm impatient, so transitioning was never an option. For me, that would lead me right back to a relaxer.
My hair after 6 months and some weeks has definitely been a challenge. I haven't been frustrated tho, haven't felt like going back to the relaxer. haven't regretted the day i decided to embark on this journey. I have cried. Why? Discouragement, hurtful from people closest to me. Telling me that what I'm doing is a waste of time, and its not gonna make any sense you do that. But i have not given up. I pressed on, and I'm proud. No longer am i influenced by what people say about my hair, no longer do i care that my coils are in your face and you don't like it. No longer do i feel the need to hide my hair. No more. I'm truly emancipated.
A few weeks before my BC I saw this pic of a natural hair female. I loved it. I've always loved seeing natural hair. I must admit tho, i didn't like seeing those with my hair type, which is 4C. One pic led to another and another, and it went on and on, I couldn't stop looking, and once i googled, I was shocked to see the many natural haired females. I read their stories, some sounded so familiar. Id been saying I want to go natural, for years. The very first time, I was about 13 years old in the first form. I remembered when my mom used to press my hair, and whenever she washed it, it came back to being natural, I wanted that versatility, but i had to have it relaxed, due to lack of knowledge After that I continued to feel the urge, but really didn't get the drive to start my journey and the people surrounding me didn't allow that. Knowing me, and my somewhat rebellious nature, the tendency to stand out, my free spirit, I did it. Chopped it all off. I know I'm impatient, so transitioning was never an option. For me, that would lead me right back to a relaxer.
My hair after 6 months and some weeks has definitely been a challenge. I haven't been frustrated tho, haven't felt like going back to the relaxer. haven't regretted the day i decided to embark on this journey. I have cried. Why? Discouragement, hurtful from people closest to me. Telling me that what I'm doing is a waste of time, and its not gonna make any sense you do that. But i have not given up. I pressed on, and I'm proud. No longer am i influenced by what people say about my hair, no longer do i care that my coils are in your face and you don't like it. No longer do i feel the need to hide my hair. No more. I'm truly emancipated.
Friday, 7 December 2012
Dont Hate what you Dont Understand
Don't Hate What You Don't Understand
When I saw this statement the first thing that came to mind was my hair. I hated it, LITERALLY. Always looking at other hair textures and envying them. Because of that, lived in weaves, had to get regular touch ups, never wanted to wear my hair. I never understood it, never understood why it had to be so curly, koily khinky, why it had to be so dry, never understood why it never grew.
I would cut it regularly, bleach it and talk bad things about it. I called it all sorts of dirty names, most of them were what persons called it while I was growing up... "Coconut trash, steel wool, Bird nest, sense fowl, kya, just to name a few. Those words are hateful, descending from slavery days. Even today, while I embark on this journey, my hair gets called all sorts of hateful names, I've stopped tho, I no longer hate it, I love it, and have come to understand it.
I now understand that the tenderness in my scalp was due to harsh combing, tugging and pulling, I've come to understand that combing from root to ends, will cause pain, I've come to understand that because of the tight curls, the natural oils that should be aiding in moisturising my hair, cant reach to the ends, so i have to add moisture. I now understand that my hair can grow, all it needs is TLC.
And for those persons who see my crazy kinks and coils and pass hateful remarks, I don't care, I know they don't understand my hair the way I do.
Peace
AfroChicMocha
Thursday, 6 December 2012
Ignorance Enslaves, Knowledge Liberates
Ignorance Enslaves, Knowledge Liberates, this is the motto of my Alma Mata. These words have proven true over the past six months when my eyes were open and I did my BIG CHOP!
All the years of my life, I grew up enslaved to the thought that my hair would never grow, and that if I had natural hair I was a church goer who is under the strict rule of the church and can never get a relaxer.
I have been enslaved, bounded in the chain of the relaxer, whipped with the harsh burns of the chemicals, abused, having to deal with hair breakage. Not being able to accept my hair, not being able to accept me.
Not being able to be free.
All these years, and finally I'm FREE... Liberated.
All the years of my life, I grew up enslaved to the thought that my hair would never grow, and that if I had natural hair I was a church goer who is under the strict rule of the church and can never get a relaxer.
I have been enslaved, bounded in the chain of the relaxer, whipped with the harsh burns of the chemicals, abused, having to deal with hair breakage. Not being able to accept my hair, not being able to accept me.
Not being able to be free.
All these years, and finally I'm FREE... Liberated.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)