Today starts my re-journey to natural hair. I say RE-journey because although I have been natural for a year, I didn’t care for my hair. In order to understand the re-journey, here is the back story:

I had dreads for 6 years prior to coming to Atlanta. It was fun, exciting and beautiful. I stopped getting perms in the 11th grade because I always felt that I was FAKE. Why am I trying to accomplish Farah Fawcett(no offense) when the Lord didn’t give me that hair?  I thought about that question constantly when I would sit in a chair, crying in agonizing pain about achieving a unrealistic goal-SoulGlo would run through my mind, too. SoulGlo however, was on fire!

I stopped the perms despite my mother’s fear in her eyes and started my locs. Fast forward 6 years later, I moved to Atlanta for my artistic career after graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design. Locs were everywhere and I felt great! However, I was getting constant advice from my parents about ‘looking the part’ to land a job. Although, at this point my mom grew locs! Feeling torn, I tried to outweigh society’s interpretation of a ‘clean, professional look’ with my own passion for being happy with myself.  During this time, I was hired as a graphic designer for a small business.  Still torn. Still getting so-called “advice”. My happiness fading.

I decided it was time for a change. I was sick of the advice, sick of my own insecurities, and wanting a true change in hairstyles because, hey, that’s me! I love hairstyles. I love colors, accessories, cuts, etc. I am a artist afterall.  So I cut my dreads off (BC for me) and I thought that my hair would instantly grow into a gorgeous ‘good hair’ fro! A bit delusional and uneducated, I went on about my day with my new hair-that is ‘safe’ for society and new-I thought…

From that time I grew furstrated that my hair wasn’t cooperating with me. I then got a texturizer thinking, “my hair will finally grow into a big luscious fro! And, I can straighten it too!” I was lost.

My hair fell out.  My scalp was bleeding, flaking and hurt all the time.  I had to treat my hair from contact dermitis and start all over(BC again).  Still uneducated and society-challenged, THIS time, I hid my hair under tons of wigs.  I fell in love with wigs because now I could hide my shame and deal with life.

NOT. My hair now is dry and has entered itself in a Brillo pad pagent. I started to grow tired of wigs and became addicted to Youtube for other choices for hair. I watched a video that changed my life: Oiling my Hair by Ladykpnyc. Amazing! I been contemplating getting a full lace unit of curly afro hair when I saw a woman with my kind of hair showing a demo on acheiving beautiful curly NATURAL hair. The ‘good hair’ mold broke. I was hooked. I sat at my computer looking up endless videos from Najahface to Scandalousbeauty and this website of course!

I am now a refromed Society junkie and venturing out on my rejourney to the natural movement! I can’t stop reading the book, too(bought the book yesterday)! I still love wigs, but I now better educated about the damage of excessive wearing.

Thank you Mirielle and company, for this website and book! If you are ever in the Atlanta area, please stop by for a caricature!

Shop Natural Hair Products by Black Women at whatnaturalslove.com