Elements of Natural Beauty and Hair Defined!!: The Journey of Natural***

Elements of Natural Beauty and Hair Defined!!: The Journey of Natural***: Hey Ladies, I was chatting with a natural hair coach friend of mind recently who inspired me to write this post. She said Yaminah your nat...

The Journey of Natural***

Hey Ladies,

I was chatting with a natural hair coach friend of mind recently who inspired me to write this post. She said Yaminah your natural hair story is uncommon for many because most prefer to go natural through transitioning. She also suggested that even though its been 10 months I should about my journey how it started and how I got to where I am today so ladies are you ready!!


About 10 months ago I went into the barber shop and asked my friend to fade my hair all the way down leaving very little hair. Upon arriving I called my best friend to come with me for support. I had made up my mind days prior that I wanted to go ahead and take the challenge and go natural cold turkey. So September 18,2011 was my big day it was the day I decided to shave all my relaxed hair off.  It took about 2 hours to finish my very precise cut . One of the big questions I had for my barber was about my head shape and if I had dents I was concerned because he had already gashed my head so I could not turn back but guess what I didn't so it was all good. While sitting in the chair I was not allowed to look in the mirror my barber and bestie wanted it to be a total surprise. What was going through my head? Although I am very comfortable with my look and confident in my natural beauty I was nervous. It had been days since I had spoken with my guy friend so he had no clue and I decided to cut my hair knowing he hated short hair and natural hair at that but it was my choice. I will say ladies when you decide to go natural it should be a decision of choice no one else's opinions should matter because this can create doubt and discourage you. One thing I knew upon cutting my hair and shaving it was that I was beautiful beyond my hair length and texture although I had to keep reminding myself of this during the cutting process. So after my hair was finish I ran to the mirror and grabbed my makeup bag because it was not quite me yet but once I had gotten my goodies added a little  powder, some mascara, my favorite lipstick and my good earrings I was in my zone. So as days passed by I grew more and more use to my new look but this was the easy part considering only my barber and best friend had seen my hair no one else had seen me yet.

About a week later I was given the opportunity to travel home and then from there to a annual event that drew many locals from my home town. This was the annual St.Louis trip so I was so excited I said count me in not realizing everyone that new me would get to see my freshly shaven head. At that moment I was like oh my this should be interesting. As the days drew near I got nervous I started to imagine the stares and glares and debated buying a wig and so I went to my local hair store and purchased a wig. As I made my trip home I was torn between excitement and nervousness. I arrived home and the first person I saw was my mom and dad. My mom was simply like WOW!! Your Brave and that was all she had to say lol! My dad was like oh Lawd who did this to my baby!! He asked if I had been attacked and lost the battle LMAO!! He did not like it at all and he said I sure pray for your hair a speedy grow back. I just laughed it off still loving my new look but it made me more nervous because the next person I saw was my then Boyfriend and he was mortified!!!. Believe it or not we split shortly after that irreconcilable differences lol!.

So the next day I left for Saint Louis and we arrived at the game and yes it happened everyone I saw that I knew either stared in complete shock or thought it was fab and wanted to touch it!! Even though it was my head not much hair but ok it was kinda funny. One thing I realized at this point was how concerned people were with my hair and head once I cut it all off I never got this much attention before. Later after my trip my friends were calling and informing of what others felt about my hair and it was just as expected. However I found many admired my new look and were inspired.

For the last 10 months I have embrace a side of myself that I am most proud of I have embraced a strength and courage from breaking stereotype barriers. I have also found that to be beautiful one must be confident in the beauty that our creator has given us. I will say that going natural is not for the week minded because you have be assured of your self and who you are because nothing or no one will offer that validation for you.

I have invested in earrings of all shapes and sizes, I love conditioners and wash n go, I have too many night caps to count but they are a must. I treat my hair with optimum care and I watch what I eat and take in as well it has been a lifestyle change for me. I have also made it  a regular part of my life to workout and drink plenty of water because what goes in comes out!

I have noticed that in the last 10 months a different kind of man approaches me now! I believe the natural shows a different kind of confidence in a woman and this has drawn a more confident kind of man to me. I am still single but I notice the change in the men that approach me. And ladies men of all nationalities love the African American woman's hair as well.

You ask if this has changed me and i will have to respond with yes! At first i thought it was just hair but on this journey I have had high and lows in my personal life and in life just in general but through it all I am GROWING!!!! GROWING!! I am stronger and my perspective is alot clearer no I have not arrived yet but I am evolving.

I know many women desire to transition but this is to encourage women with the thought of going natural or those on the Journey you can do it!!! I hope I have answered some of your questions and offered a good laugh or too!! This is my story!!

Natural hair and trimming**

Hey Ladies!!

I am writing to you about a subject that is bound to come up once you decide to grow those lovely curls out to a full head of glory. For some its the most dreaded subject to discuss even when one was relaxed you hated this time of the year! Yes its when is it safe to trim? How often to trim and how to tell when hair needs a trim? Here are some tips and suggestions I will share from my research:

One blogger known as Curly Nikki states:  My hair is fine and wavy (mostly s curls with a few coils). 

-I conduct Search and Destroys and on occasion, will clip the ends of my twists.

-It depends on the condition of my hair. If my curls are acting a donkey and tangling and snagging no matter what I do, I'll snip the ends of the twists prior to rolling them for a Twist-n-Curl (I do this a few times a year). Usually it's a micro trim (less than an inch), but sometimes I'll chop off more (like last December).
I conduct Search and Destroys whenever I happen to grab a curl and can see more than a split end or two without straining. I do this while sitting in front of the TV, or standing in the bathroom mirror... even while on the internet. The lighting in all three situations is perfect! After snipping a few, I become anal and my sessions can last more than an hour. I cut just above the split and apply moisturizer as I go. After I finish a S&D, I'm usually on my way to re-style, because it leaves me with a frizzy, undefined mess.

So yeah, I trim when detangling becomes more difficult than usual, and when I too easily run across split ends.

Also, I buy my hair shears from Target, Sallys, Walgreens, or Ulta. I never spend more than fifteen dollars and ONLY use them for my hair. I threw my shears away in early January because my preggy hormones were making me reach for them more often than usual. I'll probably buy another pair in August.  (curlynikki.com)

I believe this may be a great and cost effective way to trim ends...

Stay tuned I will be continuing my research on when to trim how to trim and how often this is only the beginning.

Black men and Hair and what they have to say!!!

Hey Ladies,

About a month ago I took to my facebook to pose a question to see what the response from the men would be and today I am sharing how and what they feel about us and how hair and out physical appearance so get ready its juicy!!!!!

Mr.Walden stated :Views on Black Women and their hair: My perspective is that I prefer natural hair. One the most intimate things for me as a man is to rub my hands through my woman's hairs. When a woman has weave or extensions it takes away that realness and intimateness. I feel Black women should be proud of their hair and learn to better accept and find more ways to make their hair work to their advantage as well as image. Black woman do do that now however in the wrong way. Many times I see black woman with weave and have anywhere from 1-5 colors in their hair. And who are black women trying to please or impress by wearing weave? As of father of two young half black daughters I tell them all the time about being proud of their because they sometimes talk about how "poofy" it is and how they want it straight. Be proud of your heritage and what you, and stop being concerned with what pleases others. Natural is the way to go.

Mr.Brooks stated: In my opinion, I love to see an African-American woman with the natural look. Most black men that I associate with prefer realness. No fake hair, fake boobs, fake nails, etc. Now if the nails are not all wild, long, and loud in color, then it may be cool. I may feel this way because my father never wanted my mom or sister's wearing such things. So I guess it was instilled in me early in age. I have done some reasearch myself and found that the majority of men looks at a woman's hair first believe it or not. More men prefer long over short no matter if its natural or not. But I think what attracts a real man to a real woman is Natural Beauty. 

Mr.Baker Stated: 

• I think the black woman is the most beautiful thing on earth! Her hair sets her apart from all other women. It can be shaped formed or fitted to match her grace. That said,green, red blond ect... takes some of that grace away.
  
  
  So the fellas have spoken ladies I hope you enjoy their feed back!!