@Denene It’s so funny you should talk about what prompted you to go natural. Over the past week or so, my daughter has been insistent that she wants her hair straights, like the girls in High School Musical. And I’ve been doing everything I can to reinforce to her that her hair is beautiful just the way it is — the way God made it. I even explained that her hair was SO beautiful that Mommy is growing out her hair so it can look just like hers. She still insists she wants straight hair, but thankfully, she doesn’t have a say in it at 4 years old

And trust me, no judgment about the weave. You are beautiful no matter what you do with your hair, which is the whole point, right?

@Elisa I had never heard of WildAid by David Babaii, but I’ll have to look out for it. I also occasionally use coconut oil in my hair.

@Mercedes Thank you so much! I love your beautiful curly hair too, and I know you’ll look great whether it’s short or long

Mercedes
Mercedes´s last blog ..Yummy Coupon: $1 off Yoplait Delights

I’m loving the new site, by the way!
Elisa @ So Fresh + So Green´s last blog ..Did You Miss Me?

I tried the weave for a little over a year and my short afro grew into long shoulder length natural hair and although tempted I’ve not put in chemicals in it. I co wash, use lots of Carol’s Daughter and wear allot of pony tails but there is something nice knowing that this is my natural hair.

I applaud you and hope that you soon enjoy the freedom of no chemicals at all.
mzahmad´s last blog ..Shoe Works

I’m all natural (though you couldn’t tell that when you met me at BlogHer because I have a weave) and have been for going on eight years now. I decided to do so after my daughter chopped all her beautiful twists with scissors and then begged me to let her get blonde hair like one of her classmates. I really liked to died that day. Instead, though, I took that as a cue that I needed to do what I could to help my little girls understand that their natural, kinky, super curly hair is beautiful JUST THE WAY IT IS and that while it’s okay to admire other peoples’ hair, it’s important that they LOVE their own with abandon.

I’ve worn my hair in textured afros and in braids for all these years (I wore braids with extensions while I grew out my relaxer), and occasionally, I’ll let someone run a hot comb through it so that I can get my ends clipped, or if I’m going somewhere where folks won’t necessarily understand my natural texture. Rather than explain, I just press it for a day or two and then go on back to my natural life when I’m back home.

I’ve used a ton of different products, though I’ve had the most success with my own concoction of rosemary, glycerin, vitamin E, and coconut oil to moisterize my scalp, and shea butter to moisturize my hair. I use this in my daughters’ hair, too, and it works wonders to keep it shiny and healthy until our next washing. I usually use tea tree shampoo to help combat dry scalp, and wash once every week and a half or so.

I am interested in exploring more natural products for both my hair and for my daughters; my older daughter has scalp issues that require medicine on their worst days, but I can’t help but to think that if I changed what I’m using in her hair, it would be that much more helpful. I can’t wait to try some of the products you recommended!

As always, thanks for the insight and suggestions—I absolutely adore you and both of your sites!
Denene@MyBrownBaby´s last blog ..Ha’ Mercy: My 10-Year-Old’s Body Is Too Bootylicious For Kidswear

And I totally understand wanting to avoid the “good hair, bad hair” conversation. That’s why I jacked India.Arie’s song title for the headline of this series. Because this type of ridiculous stereotype comes from an outdated frame of reference that needs to go away. I’m just happy to know that there are other women out there, even those like you who have been natural for years, who still face some of the same issues.

@Arianne Thank you SO much for your point of view. It can be hard to explain this to women who have never been through it, but it is really good for my self esteem to hear that you thought my hair was nice And if I know Denene at all, she did a bang-up job of breaking down our hair issues for you!

I wore a baby ‘fro for a while. Then, I wore a twist out. It was really cute, but my hair is extremely nappy, and it would take hours just to comb it out and twist it every 2 or 3 weeks.

I got my hair locked in December of last year. I’ll be glad when my locs are longer, because it doesn’t seem like I have a lot of versatility at the moment.

It’s unfortunate when you’re in the minority just because you don’t chemically straighten your hair. Even as a child, I knew people who used terms like “good hair” and “bad hair” were idiots. As an adult, I have the freedom to separate myself from their ignorance.
Shawanda´s last blog ..The Last Luxury

xoxo
Arianne
To Think Is To Create´s last blog ..New Design, New Me