An Unintentional Journey

My natural hair journey was not an intentional journey! After a few years of receiving chemical relaxers with my primary stylist, she suggested that I stop getting chemical relaxers because she noticed my hair thinning. So we decided that I would have weekly appointments to get a blow out and flat iron to straighten my hair.

After a year of no chemical relaxers, I was curious as to how my hair would look if I allowed it to exist in its natural curl pattern. So this is when my true natural journey began. I knew I could not do the “big chop”. I found another stylist to help me transition through the straight hair as my new growth came in. So for the next year, she styled my hair using flexi rods to blend the straight hair and the new growth.

I almost turned back to chemicals during this year because going through this transition required a lot of upkeep and maintenance. This was a high stress period because I stressed over how to make my hair presentable for work when the curls had fallen! Like many new natural hair girls, I was watching You Tube videos to explore various styles. I asked the 2nd stylist if we could try two-strand twists. She styled it as I wanted, but the straight ends would not allow the twists to look the way I envisioned from the You Tube videos!

My sister suggested I try out her stylist, who eventually became my 3rd stylist. During my first appointment with her, I told her that I wanted two-strand twists. She advised that to get the twists I wanted she needed to cut off the remaining straight ends. When she snipped the final straight ends, my hair twisted beautifully! That was the moment when I was 100% embraced wearing my hair in its natural state!

Wearing my natural hair has positively impacted my monthly budget. I went from over $200 per month when I was getting weekly blow outs to $70 per month. I no longer use my hair as an excuse to not exercise, which has been provided so much freedom to work out and enjoy outdoor activities. I love the shortened amount of time it takes me to get dressed for work. Saving time in the morning working on my hair has allowed me to exercise before going to work.

My hair is thicker, longer, and healthier! Since May 2013, my 2-strand twist length have grown over 10 inches. I am amazed when I wear the twist-out and see the amount of volume in my hair. I am certain that had I continued with chemical relaxers and flat irons, I would definitely not have any volume or thickness in the crown of my head now. I am grateful for the 3 stylists who assisted along this journey. They each had unique skills and abilities that helped me embrace my natural hair.

​Tara

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