Embracing My Natural Hair

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14)

     In November 2013, I took a brave step to stop getting relaxers in my hair. It was a tough and scary decision, because I had become a slave to relaxers due to the false belief that my hair texture was unacceptable; that it was considered “bad” or “nappy” and that I had to straighten it with either a hot comb or a relaxer to be accepted in society. But after 35 years of relaxers—yeah 35 years—my hair was in desperate need of repair. It was constantly breaking and noticeably thinning.

Good Hair vs Bad Hair

     As many African American women age 50 and older can attest, the message that our natural hair texture was unacceptable began when we were little girls. We were told that we either had “good” hair or “bad” hair. If our hair was course, rough to the touch, and hard to comb, it was considered “nappy” or “peasy,” and we had “bad” hair. If our hair texture was soft and manageable, even silky, we had “good” hair. And many of us were jealous of our African American sisters if their hair wasn’t “nappy,” but thick and wavy, and long.

     My mom didn’t know how to take care of my hair. It was extraordinarily course, and “unmanageable” so-called. Whenever she tried to do my hair, I cried and cried. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she brought me to the hairdresser with her every two weeks. And at the tender age of 8 I was introduced to the dreaded and painful hot comb.

Hot Comb Trauma

     The hot combs of old were heated over flames on mini stoves so the hairdresser couldn’t control how hot they were before running them through your hair. Billows of smoke would flow from the comb if the hairdresser left it on the burner too long. My eyes would widen and my body would freeze in the chair praying she wouldn’t burn me. She’d cool off the comb by banging it on a white-turned-brown towel before raking it through my hair. My hair would be weighed down with a ton of grease to protect my hair from the intense heat, and she’d press out every kink she could find as my hair sizzled. Often, the hot comb burned the tips of my ears, the nape of my neck, and the edges of my hairline, and I’d leave the salon in tears wanting never to return. But it would be another five long years before my mom allowed me to say goodbye to the dreaded hot comb and hello to my first relaxer.

Relaxer Heaven

     At age 14, my mom gave me permission to get a relaxer, and I never looked back. From that point on, I swore I’d never go back to the hot comb again. And for the next 35 years I’d get relaxers every 6 weeks, then eventually every 8 weeks, then every 12 weeks as time marched on. But in the end, much to my chagrin, the relaxers took their toll. They weakened my hair, damaged some hair follicles, and forced me to bid them farewell.

     I was so sad and apprehensive. It had been 30+ years since I saw or even dealt with my natural hair. How would I take care of it? How would I wear it? What was I going to do? I never thought I would have to stop getting relaxers. I figured I’d get them until the day I died.

Natural Hair Journey

     To grow out my relaxer, I went to the hairdresser every two weeks to have my hair washed, conditioned, blow dried, flat ironed, and curled. I wasn’t about to do my own hair. In fact, because my hair was flat ironed, it looked like it was relaxed and I was fine with that. At least I was no longer putting that chemical in my hair.

     In the meantime, I discovered an incredible online community of young African American women who grew out their relaxers, were transitioning, or had always been natural. They represented what is called The Natural Hair Revolution. Many of these incredible, beautiful women have YouTube Channels where they regularly post hair care tutorials. They teach you how to wash, condition, and style natural hair. They do product reviews and demonstrate hairstyling techniques to get awesome results for rod sets, twist outs, bantu knots, curly fros, and wash ’n Gos. They even teach you how to accessorize your fro with pretty scarves and stylish head bands. These women are super talented, super creative, and inspirational. My favorite natural hair care vloggers who have YouTube channels are SimplyCin, NaturalMe4c, and Naptural85. I also discovered a natural hair care website called Naturallycurly.com that provides articles, videos, and product reviews on everything you need to know about natural hair care. 

     After reading several articles and watching these videos on YouTube for almost two years, and admiring these and other black women from afar who wear natural styles, I finally took the plunge—I decided to stop blow drying and flat ironing my hair and truly embrace my natural hair.

Joining the Revolution

     I got my first rod set in mid-July and have been getting them ever since. My hairdresser did my first three rod sets. And I did the last two (see photos) all by myself. I learned what products I needed to buy and how to put the rods in from watching my YouTube gals, and much to my surprise my hair came out really nice. Next, I’m going to try a twist out.

     I have to admit that caring for my natural hair requires an investment of time and some extra money. The products are pricey and the amount of time it takes to do my hair on washday is daunting. But I’m a novice at this, and I’m sure I’ll be able to reduce the time it takes once I become more experienced. The good news is that after you do your hair on washday, all you have to do is cover it at night with a satin bonnet and go to sleep.

Feeling Free

     Nonetheless, the hardest part for me is over. I’m no longer a slave to relaxers; I’m no longer afraid to wear my hair in its natural state nor worried about whether the world will accept me. I feel a sense of freedom and peace. Free to wear and accept the hair God has given me. Free to be me!