Hair - What made me go Natural?
I started this Natural Hair journey almost 20 years ago. Before it became a trend or a fad for some. The year was 1995 and I signed up to go to the Army. I enlisted in May 1995, but I wouldn't leave for Basic Training until October 1995. I had the entire summer to decided what I wanted to do with my hair. At the time my hair was relaxed and cut into a short hairstyle. I always rocked my hair short because long hair was not an option for me. Once I accepted that, I was cool rocking the "Toni Braxton or Halle Berry" hairstyle. I trusted my stylist to do want they wanted to with my hair. But, I knew my time for rocking the latest haircut would be coming to and end.
I was on a path to change everything about what was going on in my life. I had just broken up with my first love and that was the extra push I needed to go ahead and enlist in to the Army. I spoke with my recruiter, and I knew I didn't have to do anything extra to my hair...but I want to make the transition as easy as possible for me. So that summer, I cut off all my hair. I actually had my ex cut it for me because he would cut his hair and my sons hair for years. I was so nervous and scared...but I went for it. I didn't have anything to go by as a reference except for the group Zhane. It was a group of 2 women who ROCKED their hair extremely short...and that's what I wanted. So he went by that and once he was done....I loved it.
So as you see, I'm no stranger to this natural hair movement. I so happy many more women have chosen to rock their hair naturally. There is no right or wrong wear your natural hair. Just know your hair is unique to you and try not to compare your hair journey or growth to others. Learn your hair and what works best for you, I have found that "dry" twist outs are my go to style for my current hair length. I plan on trying different styles soon. Embrace what you have on your natural hair journey and remember.....Stay Naturally Fabulous!!!!
I was on a path to change everything about what was going on in my life. I had just broken up with my first love and that was the extra push I needed to go ahead and enlist in to the Army. I spoke with my recruiter, and I knew I didn't have to do anything extra to my hair...but I want to make the transition as easy as possible for me. So that summer, I cut off all my hair. I actually had my ex cut it for me because he would cut his hair and my sons hair for years. I was so nervous and scared...but I went for it. I didn't have anything to go by as a reference except for the group Zhane. It was a group of 2 women who ROCKED their hair extremely short...and that's what I wanted. So he went by that and once he was done....I loved it.
So off and on since 1995 I have rocked my hair natural. As most women I have a love hate relationship with my hair. But for the most part, I love it. In 2002 I embarked on a journey of having locs. When I initially joined the Army, locs were allowed on women but the regulation changed while I was in. Unless you were "Grandfathered" in, you could not grow locs. So once I got out of the Army, I knew the time was right. Me and my husband were in Newark one day hanging out and I walked into a salon and asked if anyone did locs and they did. I scheduled my appointment for the following week to get them started. I keep my locs for 5 years and it would have been longer had I not moved to Austin. The reason I didn't keep them longer is because they became to expensive to care for once I moved here. Grant it, I could have maintained them myself...but if you have had locs, you know that is a job, so I cut them off. I kept the hair as a reminder of my journey with the intent of using them to make a mask or something....I know, weird, lol.
So as you see, I'm no stranger to this natural hair movement. I so happy many more women have chosen to rock their hair naturally. There is no right or wrong wear your natural hair. Just know your hair is unique to you and try not to compare your hair journey or growth to others. Learn your hair and what works best for you, I have found that "dry" twist outs are my go to style for my current hair length. I plan on trying different styles soon. Embrace what you have on your natural hair journey and remember.....Stay Naturally Fabulous!!!!
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