Ok, I've been thinking about why some many black women have relaxed their natural curls. And I have come to a conclusion: it's the media and the market.
During my natural hair journey, I've noticed that I have been having to spend a little, not a lot, of extra time to make my own products for my hair. Looking at the market, most "black hair care" products are for relaxed hair.This is probably why so many of us caved to the assimilation and relaxed our natural curls. Cause someone else deemed them not beautiful.
So, since so many shared their homemade recipes with me, I'm going to share one that I have come up with. Natural black hair needs lots of moisturizers, and I love Olive Oil. I used this to revive my curls when I had my straw set and I spray this on my scalp with the Senegalese Twist I have now, helps with the itching and stays moisturized.
Homemade Concoction
1 Teaspoonful of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Teaspoonful of 100% Aloe Vera Gel (It should be clear; found at Walmart or Vitamin Shoppe)
1 Teaspoonful of Jane Carter's Nourish & Shine (Pricey; found at Vitamin Shoppe)
2 Teaspoonsful of Lustrasilk Olive Oil Cholesterol (Leave in Conditioner; Sally's)
1 Teaspoonful of SoftSheen Carson's Shea Butter Green Tea Hairdress (Walgreens)
1 Teaspoonful of Luster's Pink Olive Oil Hair Lotion (Walmart)
1 Teaspoonful of Tea Tree Oil (Walmart)
1 Teaspoonful of Jojoba Oil ("Black Hair Store")
I combine the above in a pot and add water to it, (as much as you see fit; I put this in a spray bottle and I filled the bottle up just over 1/4 of the way) . I simmered it on Medium heat until it looked uniform. Mine came out a creamy yellow color and a creamy consistency.
The Results....
I LOVE these, they still need to be tied up at night like any hair style, but If I want, I can get up in the morning put it in a pony tail and go. Also, it pretty low maintenance. Wrap at night, I spray it with my homemade concoction (see another blog), and you CAN wash it with watered down shampoo, but I will probably use a spray bottle instead of totally soaking my head. Can be left in up to two months, which is good cause I plan to BC in about 5 months.
Breakage v.s. Shedding
Ok so I've come to terms with somethings and just in case I'm not the only misinformed person, I want to share with you. THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHEDDING AND BREAKAGE.
So as you know I have been transitioning from relaxed to natural and I was starting to freak out. I was expecting some breakage in my hair considering where the relaxed hair meets your natural hair is a weak point, so ofcourse I was looking into protective styles. A protective style is exactly what it looks like it means, It is a way in which you style your hair that is low maintenance and minimizes the damage hair can receive from daily style routines such as combing, brushing and heat. So most of my first protective styles would last anywhere from 4-10 days, and when I would wash/co-wash or detangle my hair I was amazed at how much hair was in my comb.
The average person sheds about 70-100 strands of hair daily from brushing and combing. This is normal. However, when you have had your hair in a style for 10 days and wash your hair and detangle, you can expect to find more hair in your comb. Assume you have been wearing a protective style for 10 days and we will also assume you normally would have shed 100 strands of hair per day, Well 10 days x 100 strands per day = 1000 on the day that you finally use a comb which is and can seem like a lot but do not be alarmed. What you do need to check your hair for is breakage. This is when the hair has weaken for whatever reason (due to poor diet or your beauty regime). THIS IS BAD and you should always address the breakage ASAP.
So as you know I have been transitioning from relaxed to natural and I was starting to freak out. I was expecting some breakage in my hair considering where the relaxed hair meets your natural hair is a weak point, so ofcourse I was looking into protective styles. A protective style is exactly what it looks like it means, It is a way in which you style your hair that is low maintenance and minimizes the damage hair can receive from daily style routines such as combing, brushing and heat. So most of my first protective styles would last anywhere from 4-10 days, and when I would wash/co-wash or detangle my hair I was amazed at how much hair was in my comb.
The average person sheds about 70-100 strands of hair daily from brushing and combing. This is normal. However, when you have had your hair in a style for 10 days and wash your hair and detangle, you can expect to find more hair in your comb. Assume you have been wearing a protective style for 10 days and we will also assume you normally would have shed 100 strands of hair per day, Well 10 days x 100 strands per day = 1000 on the day that you finally use a comb which is and can seem like a lot but do not be alarmed. What you do need to check your hair for is breakage. This is when the hair has weaken for whatever reason (due to poor diet or your beauty regime). THIS IS BAD and you should always address the breakage ASAP.
Senegalese Twist
Senegalese Twist are essentially the same thing as Kinky Twist except the hair that is used is different. To me, Kinky Twist hair looks like yarn and I do not care for extensions and weave so I want something that looks more real. Also my hair hates braids, so that's why I'm going for twist.
Senegalese Twist can run you about $175+ in a hair salon and depending on how small or big you want them, can take 3 hours or more to complete. I have decided to do mine myself. Youtube,has tutorials on how to do the Senegalese Twist on many on how to style, I make mine crinkly, mostly cause the point of me transitioning, is so that I do not have straight hair.
So, I will post pics of the results!
Two Strand Flat Twist Out
This is a style achieved by twisting the hair, similar to cornrows, while wet and letting the hair dry. Once dry, you untwist the strand and the result is what you see to the left. Depending on the size of your twist and the texture of your hair, the twist may vary in looks. I search youtube and lots of woman (relaxed, transitioning and natural) use this style. One woman is actually fully natural as well as a hair stylist [:-)]. She shows to do two strand flat twist out as well as other things, so definely check her out
The Big Chop
Ok so you can't talk about transitioning without talking about Big Chop. Originally, I was going to try to transition without the Big Chop, however, my relaxed hair is not hold up well with the transition. It starting to make me think that I have a softer curl pattern (in the 3 range). So, given that, I will be going for a mini chop either today or tomorrow and I have given over to a braid style.
I have decided to do my big chop in either January (start the year natural) or on my birthday in March (a great birthday gift). Even if you decide to transition without the BC, you will eventually will have to part with your relaxed ends. Where the relaxed part meets the natural hair is a weak point, if you don't cut it, it will eventually break off which will in the long run damage your natural hair.
So look for my hair being 100% natural in 5-7 months!
I have decided to do my big chop in either January (start the year natural) or on my birthday in March (a great birthday gift). Even if you decide to transition without the BC, you will eventually will have to part with your relaxed ends. Where the relaxed part meets the natural hair is a weak point, if you don't cut it, it will eventually break off which will in the long run damage your natural hair.
So look for my hair being 100% natural in 5-7 months!
The Two Strand Straw Set
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