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Post by moniqueh on Dec 20, 2006 17:37:08 GMT -5
:D About 7 to 8 months ago I decide to change my hair. From striate to Nappy or as we call it natural. It has been a challenge for me. Just last week I almost decided to put a perm back in my hair. My hair looks a hot mess. :-[. Now I know some of you ladies has what we call all natural hair, can you please tell me some of the product you use to keep your hair soft and not nappy.
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Post by TaQuilla on Dec 21, 2006 8:19:26 GMT -5
PUT THE RELAXER DOWN! DO NOT GO BACK TO THE CREAMY CRACK. ;D
Seriously, you've come this far, stay strong. In turn your hair will stay strong. Much stronger than it ever was w/a relaxer in it. You have returned to the way that God created you, so be free. It's all about learning how to work w/your hair. The same way you had years and years of practice on how to work w/your relaxed hair, you will have to "relearn" how to care for hair that has been chemically abused for probably decades. But you must know that just as you had bad hair days as a permie, you'll have them as a natural. If you are having a down time, and are starting to feel tempted, then maybe switch to braids for a while and take a break. When you take those braids down and have another inch or so of growth, maybe you'll be inspired to try styles that your hair wasn't long enough to do before.
If getting it braided is not an option, then check out some style books, websites w/natural hair photos, etc. and get some new ideas. Sometimes we get tired of wearing the same old hairstyle, and then we convince ourselves that we would be able to do so much more to it if it were permed. 90% of the time, this is not true. I for one have so many more styling options available to me now that I have decided to go natural (by the way January is 1 year for me!). My hair is so much stronger and healthier than it was when I was subjecting it to the torture of the chemical fire cream. Although for years I had "all that long pretty hair" that everyone else loved, it was a pain in my butt. I worried constantly about moisture in the air, split ends that wouldn't go away no matter how much I trimmed, not being able to exercise because I didn't wanna sweat my perm out, etc., and 97% of the time I would just pull it back into a ponytail. What good was having all of that hair, if I couldn't do anything with it except try to beat it into submission, and try to make it become something that it was not, and spend hard earned money trying to keep it up? No more, I love my hair now! Regardless of what anyone else thinks. I know that when I am in my golden years, my full head of hair will thank me for it, vs. having a head that is thinning on the sides, receding at the hairline, and short as ever from breaking off for half a century. Don't get me wrong, there are many people that relax their hair, and take very good care [read: spend lots of $] of their hair, and maybe 1/10 of those people will still have hair when they grow old. But all you have to do is take a look at the generations before us that have straightened their hair for the majority of their life, and take note of the problems that they're dealing w/ in their later years. As we get older, we will naturally lose SOME of our hair, but we do have some control over that amount not being drastic.
So I want to say, congrats on how far you've come, and I'm here for you when you feel like conforming to what society says is beautiful.
Some products to try: Elasta QP Mango Butter, B & B pink lotion, 100% Shea butter (if its too hard try melting it and using like oil), and olive oil (yes, from the grocery store). Try to find shampoo w/o sodium lauryl sulfate, this is very drying for our hair (whether permed or not)
Deep condition once a week (try using eggs, and olive oil mixed together, or just use real mayo)
Do not use heat on your hair, this will make it dryer, and it will start to break.
Love your napps, and they will love you back!
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Post by TaQuilla on Dec 21, 2006 15:25:47 GMT -5
Whether you decide to go back to a relaxer or not, it's a good idea to get some good hair care books/methods under your belt. The best hair, curly or straight, is hair that is well groomed. Here's some titles to look for at your local bookstore/library: "Let's Talk Hair" by Pamela Ferrell "No Lye" by Tulani Kinard "Good Hair: For Colored Girls Who've Considered Weaves when the Chemicals Became Too Ruff" by Lonnice Bonner "Plaited Glory" by Lonnice Brittenum Bonner "Thinning Edges A Chemical Reaction Identify the problem and transition to natural hair" By Cathy Howse Websites: www.motowngirl.comwww.nappturality.comwww.ubhpublications.com/index.html (this one is for natural or relaxed hair) www.going-natural.comwww.roshini.net/signs_ouch.htmThat should be enough to get you motivated again! All of those sites are wonderful and have a lot of tips for dealing with natural hair. The best advice that I can give you, is don't compare your beautiful tresses to someone else's, just make your mane the best that it can be. We are all different and have different coily textures. ~"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Luke 12:7~
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Post by moniqueh on Dec 28, 2006 2:05:45 GMT -5
Thank for the reminder, and the website.
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Post by moniqueh on Dec 30, 2006 0:29:35 GMT -5
I must say after going to those website it reminded me why I stop perming my hair. Thanks once again.
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