HOW IT BEGAN......
By the time I was 9 all of my friends already had relaxers. I seemed like the only bushy head black girl in Dallas. Yes, the only bushy head girl....even in the 90's LOL. I begged my mom for a perm. My hair had a mind of its own; it would never stay in the ponytail holder, I could never comb it right and the gallons of grease I put on it daily would stain everything. I hated my hair!!!!! I wanted manageable straight carefree hair like everyone else. On my 10th birthday my mom relaxed my hair...FINALLY. I admit, growing up I never heard anyone say "Jaye you have "bad hair" and you need a relaxer", but somehow I distinguished my curly locks as undesirable. My love for my staight hair continued throughout my teens. Around 16-19 years old I was allowed to make bi-weekly salon appointments for styles and would relax my hair every 2 - 3 months. I remember thinking I loved the way my new growth felt, but hated it at the same time especially my "kitchen" kinks. I went through battles of hair dyeing, curling irons, grease battles and the infamous super tight micro braids syndrome. Anything that could possibly damage my hair, I probably did it. Due to these things and experimental cutting I went from long hair to thin, frail medium length hair. When I was 23 I read an article saying that most black women over 20 years old did not know the natural texture of their hair. OMG, that was me. Secretly, I craved something, but was afraid of the unknown. I discussed the thought of going natural with a co-worker and jokingly she said,"You're such a barbie, there is no way you can last 6 months without a perm. I bet you $50.00". I was natural for 2 years!! I loved my texture, I love the care-freeness, the uniqueness, and I was out of the salon and away from curling irons, so this was a plus plus, right???? Wrong. My hair was beautiful, but I didn't know how to care for it. I would go weeks without combing, used small tooth combs, combed while dry and rarely used hydrating moisturizers. I really didn't know what my natural hair needed. Through all of this mistreatment my hair grew so quickly, but it required so much work. I wasn't caring for it properly it was always so dry and I didn't know how to style it. Not purposely, but I did not have a great support system, my family didn't understand this change nor did they like it . I was also overwhelmed and I felt alone. So, after a sprinkle over two years I decided to perm it, cut it and let it be. It grew and grew and grew. Guess what happened??? More dyes, curls, dryers, and cutting..... Yup.
THE NEW ME
I'm so happy that's all over. I've decided to do me! :-)
December 19, 2009 was my last perm. I transitioned until 8/26/2010 and then chop chop.
I'm natural again and I love it!! This time I promise to love my perm-free hair, explore naturality for myself, and help someone else who may need inspiration. *Love who you are because you AND your hair are beautiful.
*****Today I am 10 1/2 months natural and I'm excited to see what awaits!!!!*****
THE NEW ME
I'm so happy that's all over. I've decided to do me! :-)
December 19, 2009 was my last perm. I transitioned until 8/26/2010 and then chop chop.
I'm natural again and I love it!! This time I promise to love my perm-free hair, explore naturality for myself, and help someone else who may need inspiration. *Love who you are because you AND your hair are beautiful.
*****Today I am 10 1/2 months natural and I'm excited to see what awaits!!!!*****