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.

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!