This is my second attempt at going natural. The first time was back in December 2007 I chopped off all my hair because of guy stress lol. It didn't work out so well the first time because I had no idea what I was doing and I eventually slapped on the creamy crack (hair relaxer).
Fast forward to October 2013, this was when I had my last hair relaxer in prep for my JHB trip to attend the Rihanna concert. Around this time my hair was long but it was very unhealthy. I used to flat iron it probably every other day and I wasn’t using a heat protector. I basically fried my hair. My scalp was damaged and I had so much dandruff. It was just nasty.
Between November and December 2013, Pam tweeted about going natural and how bad the creamy crack was for us. This was when I finally committed to going natural, her tweets were the final push for me.
I was due for a relaxer in December 2013 but I chose not to go through with it. The plan was to grow out my hair until it was at a length I could live with and then cut off the relaxed hair. I later learnt the term for that process was transitioning.
Transitioning was hard for me. I didn’t know the dos and don’ts so basically I was at war with 2 textures which proved really difficult.
I had no idea there were ways to make this process easier or where to get the information so my hair was always in a ponytail and I hated wash days because I honestly could not deal with the 2 textures.
So in Feb 2015 when my virgin hair reached pondo length I chopped the relaxed hair off. I was so happy when I had my big chop because it was the start of a new life for my hair and I later realised it would give me new life as well. I researched ways to care for my afro on the internet and found that there was a lot of information out there. So much that if you're not careful you'll get overwhelmed and quit altogether.
Until a year ago I've only ever loved my hair when it was relaxed but I now realise how boring my relaxed hair was. It was so average. Glad I'm done with average because my afro surprises me all the time. It does its own thing and I love it!
I have come to realise that Afro hair is absolutely beautiful and it is never boring. The trick is to learn how to take care of it.
I want to share what I know and help you bring out the bold fro in you so in the next few weeks I’ll be sharing some of the tips and tricks I’ve learned as well as answer questions about how I grew my afro and what products I used. I’m not an expert so I can only share about my experience.
Have you tried growing your afro? What has been your experience?
By @NoniMsi
I also cut my hair 6 years ago when I was in High School. Mine was also brittle and falling off at times because of the relaxer. After cutting I had an afro which was hard to maintain because I had to braid it every night before bed. 2 years later I had dreadlocks done, I've never regretted it and until today I'm still happy with my locks and they're growing so fast 🙂
Yay Bae...So proud of you. Cant wait to learn more from you on this platform.
@Thabie Its amazing how something as simple as hair can totally change your life. I feel like I was meant to be a natural all along.
@Zamakhathi Bae thank you, I appreciate having you in my corner.
My hair is 5 to natural and I am struggling hey 🙁
🙁 Dude me too. Ive been waiting for it to turn into a beautiful afro but it hasn't really gotten to that level. I am defs cutting my hair.
I've had natural hair for over 8 years. We have also decided natural for my daughter who is 5 years. For us AFRO is the way to go.
I realised when I was a teen that my hair did not hold relaxer for long and it was not pretty, so I went natural. It was really frustrating because I didn't know what to do with my hair. My mom take me to the salon to have it blown out, and in the long run my hair was damaged and I had to cut it and start over. In 2010 I decide to not use any more chemicals on my hair and just let it grow on its own. All I would do is wash it and hide it in weaves and braids.
FFW to early this year. I saw a tweet on your timeline about #AfroCare and I followed the hashtag. I read all the ways I could take better care of my hair, but I was skeptical and lazy to go through all that so I mized. Then early in March I was unsure what to do with my hair so I decided to give the LOC method a go. WOW. Thats all I can say lol. My hair is responding to it so beautifully and I'm loving it! I am so excited to learn more on this journey I have taken with my hair, so best believe I will be glued on here 🙂
Cut and grew mine from scratch last year and I'm happy with the results. I've had natural hair for the longest time now, also because my scalp is sensitive to chemicals. Essential oils, hair mask have attributed to my beautiful fro. Love it!
@Keagi How long is the new growth? Im assuming you are currently transitioning?
@EllahNdlovu I hope most parents will follow your lead. I feel like they dont really understand how dangerous the creamy crack can be on childrem especially. Keep us posted on your journey. Share with us what works for you.
@Ntando_yenkosi Im so glad you finally decided to go all in, the LOC method is so important. We dont realise just how our hair needs moisture and how quickly we lose it. Power to the L.O.C!!!
@macoww We love success stories. Growing natural hair is not work, it only appears that way because we are so used to chemicals. Once you get into a regime that works for you its easy breezy!
After a constant deliberation, wishing I had a healthy afro and no longer slave to chemicals and creme relaxers I did the big chop last year September. I am loving every moment of my natural hair journey and luckily I had done some proper research about afro care. I thought my hair would take long to grow but it's growing really fast. It's so exciting, natural hair is simply amazing, almost poetic and spiritual. Something magical about it and that's partly another reason why I opted for the transition, I wanted to test out the spiritual side of wearing my hair naturally. It exists and it's amazing
I recently cut off all my hair off. Having natural hair is going to be interesting
Your hair looks so healthy and beautiful...My hair is always relaxed, it would be interesting if I could grow them into natural.
Lovely article Noni!
I have also cut off my hair, I am frustrated with it already, it breaks, doesn't grow, its just soooo annoying I am thinking of cutting it off or relaxing it....maybe this blog will help...I cant plait it because I have a very weak hairline...
And I really really want to go natural...
I have never relaxed my hair because my texture does not really necessitate it and I don't want straight hair... Yet. A blow dry makes my hair look relaxed anyway - genes.
I have been feeling like my hair has not really been growing as much as it should considering that I was promised it would, after cutting my split ends by a professional.
I can't wait for it to grow as long as yours. Your hair is amaaaaazing!
I can't wait for the tips!! Mu fro aswell is frustrating me cuz i don't know how to take better care of it. Same hairstyle mon-sun...not cute
Yaaaaay! This makes me so happy wifey ❤️ Couldn't have come at a better time!
Yaay afro is beautiful I've had one from grade 10 till tertiary years, I relaxed it biggest mistake ever,when I started my first job thinking it wasn't going to be professional. I miss it when my son was born I chopped the relax Its growing beautiful and black
I failed to wait for natural hair to grow to a desired length ......cut the relaxed part of the hair 5 months off relaxers....I don't regret it.
Have to be in braids or knots until I can do ipondo which will happen next year I'm praying ( sigh) .....transitioning is a beesh.....salute to those who can handle two textures of hair at a time.....
I have been natural since high school bt for some reason I have never let it grow. I cut every year. This year I am planning not to cut so I'm looking forward to the tips
Bookmarking these for the day I finally find my patience and decide to go au naturel. My hair is super coily and thick and I just don't have the patience to learn what works for my curls. That being said I think it's still important to care for your hair, no matter how short it is. But for now, I'll stick to my brush cut.
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