In the summer of 2011, in September to specific, I decided to color my hair. At first I liked it but as time went by I realized that am stuck with a permanent color on my head and although its close to my natural hair color, i got bored with it quickly. The color is between deep orange,caramel and honey. Then again, my natural hair color is quite indescribable.
My boyfriend has been a positive inspiration for me to go natural. I changed hairstyle frequently and he began to wonder why i felt the need change so frequently. "You don't understand, I'm black and it's impossible to take care of my natural hair this is why many black girls wear weave"- this was my answer every time he asked me why i put weave on my hair. There are times he asked to see my natural hair and I would say NO without hesitation. He told me he would love to see me with my natural hair and quite frankly, i never even thought twice before saying no. He noticed how my self esteem would go down every time I talked about my hair or every time i was having a bad weave day. "I would love to see your natural hair in an afro just once" he told me one evening. I looked at him like what he was asking was not only impossible to achieve, but also insane. Needless to say, curiosity got the best of me and I started wondering how i would look with my natural hair. I weighed the pros and the cons of natural hair and came to a conclusion based on all the pros!
So one main reason why I've decided to go natural is this: Water.
Let me explain. My relaxed hair hates water, and most of the time I can't do all the fun spontaneous stuff I want to do because of my hair. When it rains, I can't go outside and experience the wonder of natural showers dropping on my bare skin because of my hair, and this really annoys me. When I shower, I can't wash my relaxed hair everyday or every other day like I would love to, and this also annoys me.
Another reason I've decided to go natural is this: Freedom. Plus Less $$$$.
My boyfriend often jokes that all the money I spend on my hair could be enough to feed an entire village of starving children in Kenya. Then the guilt settles in, and I think to myself, "do I really need to spend $200 on hair?" "Is it worth it?" "Is beauty this overrated?" . No, I could use this money for a better cause, putting fake hair on my head is not what beauty should be about. Beauty is about pride, and am proud to finally find my way back to my roots. I've had all kind of hair styles, braids, weaves, wigs, pixie cuts, you name it, I've had it. I've decided that I'm no longer going to become a slave to my hair, am going to own it, and the best way to own my hair is to take it back to its natural roots.
But nothing comes easy, to get exactly what I want and how I want it, I know I have to do much research about taking care of natural hair. I must admit that before I started reading all stuff natural hair related, I was absolutely lacking in knowledge of how to take care of natural air. It's like I've ventured into a new world where everything I knew about hair is nothing at all. I've been reading blogs after blogs about natural hair care and all these new knowledge is addicting! The more I read the more I want to learn and the more I want to try it!
My last perm was in July or August of 2011. I can't remember exactly. It's been Six months or so since I started this natural hair journey. I've been debating whether to do the big chop or not, I still haven't mastered enough courage yet so for the time being, I'm just transitioning, doing protective hairstyle and learning as I go along.
So Welcome to The Roots of Curly Lilly blog, I hope I can be of an inspiration to another person. No matter how hard it seems, it you want it bad enough, you will endure the hardship and make it through. If you want it bad enough, you will receive. And no matter what anybody tells you, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. Embrace your roots, and lets dance in the RAIN!.
