Perm rod set on straightened hair
Twist out on stretched hair
"Yea, your hair is cute and all but I like my perm!" This used to be my response to my newly natural friends when they would encouragingly try to get me to embrace going natural. I was not trying to hear it! LOL that is until I was ready.
September of 2012 I made a quality decision to get off the 'creamy crack' cold turkey. Can you say bad timing LOL...I had a short haircut, so not only was I feigning for straight roots, but I also had to go through those awkward length phases without having the option of a ponytail! At the time, I was not into weaves or protective styling so there was nothing much I knew to do with my hair besides be patient.
Fast forward to August, 2015. I am just under 3 years completely natural and I'm STILL getting used to the differences in my hair from when I had a perm. This summer has been the toughest. I soon found that the humidity and my newly pressed hair did not mix; not to mention my 6 day/week workout schedule. I was frustrated with paying money to get my hair styled, only to find it frizzy and curl-less, hours later!
I eventually tried a sew in. I wasn't familiar with weaves but I was so frustrated with doing my hair that I needed a break. The sew in served it's purpose, but I must admit, the installation and take-down had me wondering if I wanted to to continue down that path. "I just want to be able to do my own hair" I would respond to my mother, who for a long time didn't understand why I would want to be natural in the first place (especially after seeing the PROCESS of washing and blow drying). I ignored my skeptic mother (who BTW is now natural), finding comfort in the fact that I was natural. No matter how unruly I felt my hair was, I honestly enjoyed seeing it curl up, bounce around and I was even starting to embrace the thickness. Deep down inside, it was something about the fact that I was embracing the way my hair grew out of my scalp...this is the real me. Is that too deep? I mean it's only hair right? But I'm sure my fellow naturals can understand the journey you go through when you decide to accept your hair for what it is.
Okay fast forward. So I'm natural, but I still was trying to straighten it. There's nothing wrong with this, but as I mentioned before, this wasn't working for me because of the 2 dubs...weather and workouts. After exhausting my milkmaid braids, I wanted something different; I had tried twist outs before with no success. I would either take my hair down before it was completely dry (a big NO NO) or I wasn't using the correct products. Well recently I decided to give it another go. The perm rod set pictured above was the first time I actually took my curls to the streets! I felt confident with them, but then I got sooooo many compliments that it did honestly make me think "okay, okay I can do this". The most meaningful compliments came from my husband though. Ladies, you know how it is when you're trying something new, you may like it but it's so different to you that you are hoping for a little positive reinforcement. Knowing that he is embracing my hair continues to make me feel more comfortable with this new look.
Shortly after, I attempted the twist out. Different look, but once again, I just owned it and let the curls fall where they may! I have curls now and my goal is to stay away from flat ironing my hair for at least 6 months. I'm up for the challenge. This means giving my hair the TLC it needs: taking the time to wash, condition, detangle and style. I'm still learning so much and I am excited about seeing how my hair will grow and gets trained in this new style. I can finally say that I'm grateful for my hair, can you?
-HisMillennialHousewife
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