What I Wish I Knew Before Going Natural

I’ve been natural for a total of three years and I love it! However, if I could do it all over again there are so many things that I change or do differently.

big, free hair

For some reason, a lot of women with relaxed hair tried to educate me on natural hair when they discovered that I was transitioning. People kept telling me that by ditching relaxers, I’d get absolutely no growth whatsoever. I could take the plunge, definitely, but there was no way my hair would ever grow past my shoulders. Well, I’ve only been natural for three years and my hair hangs halfway down my back despite the fact I’m scissor happy and cut it quite often. Note to people going natural, enjoy the BC faze because walking around with huge hair is quite hot in the summer time! Psst, and ignore the nay-sayers!

I did what I was told when I first went natural, which meant getting a super wide tooth comb and picking and pulling until I was in tears. But hey, I got the comb through! “Just brace you teeth and pull!” They told me. Ouch! It hurt and it destroyed my hair. Remember this ladies, if it hurts, you’re doing it wrong! Being natural may be painful emotionally at times, but it should never hurt you physically. Detangle with care and love your curls.

No one told me that good hair/bad hair is still so popular. Yes, we have to talk about that again. I had a woman come up to me and say, “You can’t be natural, you don’t have good hair.” It did sting a little and was a bit embarrassing as well. Come on, good hair. Really? I’ve never met any hair that steals, robs, or cheats. How bad could it be? Who cares if it’s big hair, twists, or one of my many cornrow hairstyles? It’s my hair and I can do with it as I please.

I sure wish someone had thought to clue me in on the fact that not all hair tools are created equal and that what the package says, may or may not always be what the product does. I don’t know how many times I’ve bought a product, gotten all excited, then discovered that this new brush or comb does nothing but causes single strand knots. Note to naturals, do your research before you spend your money!

I know I’m not the only one who’s been through this. Comment below and let me know what you wish you knew before you went natural!

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Author Spotlight

Dominique-Alexis

I got my last relaxer in May of ’08 and transitioned for almost a year and a half (a long time I know) before chopping the rest of my relaxed ends off and am now natural for life! I have been natural for three years and braiding hair for two! I hope to own my own natural hair salon in the near future :) Here is my website: http://www.natural-hair-care-info.com/

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Posted by on December 13, 2011. Filed under Natural Hair. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.


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  • Kade

    i really wissh someone would have told me that people look at me differently now smh 

  • http://www.lessfoodmorelife.com/ BHI

    I wish someone had told me about single strand knots.I wouldn’t have changed my mind but at least I would have been prepared.

  • Nrblack38

    I wish someone would’ve told me that those Ecostyler gels ain’t for everybody’s hair before I went and spent good money on those huge jars from Sally’s!

    • http://www.lessfoodmorelife.com/ BHI

      lol. you sound just like my sister. I think she still has that same jar of ecostyler 4 years later!

  • Hc Keller

    Been natural for about two years. Wore braids at first till it grew out, then cut the relaxer out. Wore a fro for 8 mos. Flat ironed it for the first time last week. Its fine, People do like the straight look better than the fro, but It’s my hair and I do what I want. This week it’s smooth, next week it may be curly. Just depends on what Im feeling, but relaxers no more!

  • Criszilla

    “I’ve never met any hair that steals, robs, or cheats. How bad could it be?” LOL. I love it. Very well written. I’m checkin’ out your website now. ;o)

  • Anonymous

    I wish someone would have told me that I had three different hair textures in my head!!

  • Lovelytoobme

    I wish someone would have told me how temperamental my natural hair would be have. I love my curls and get many compliments so that’s a plus but I battle dryness like a war hero.

  • Nrblack38

    I just gave it to my mixed race nieces who I thought could get better use out of it than I did!
    But I will remember in the future to save my receipts! Thanks for the suggestion!

  • Tamara

    I knew i’d deal with some adversity, but i just don’t understand why it is mostly coming from black women. Other races couldn’t give 2 shakes about my hair. Men don’t care either (big surprise for me) but the sisters!! seriously. They can be so ruthless. The good thing is I was mentally prepared for the adversity. I’m glad it’s not everyone. But the Straight haired/weave swinging/ Icanthavenowaves sisters. COME ON! get over it already. I am currently transitioning and I love my natural textured hair. I can’t wait til I’m comfortable enough to BC.

    • Carmene

      Good for you girl! Sometimes you just have to push through the adversity. You never know, maybe after you’ve done your BC and they see how healthy and thick your natural hair is, they will start transitioning too!