These days, more sisters are embracing their natural hair – straying away from harsh relaxers and drying chemicals for a more free feel to their hair. The transition to going natural can be a tough and lengthy decision for some (chopping off your hair/growing out a relaxer) – but, the end result can be well worth it.
In entertainment, where glam and long lengths are to the full front – it’s always great to see others like India Arie, Jill Scott, and Erykah Badu hit the stage with natural dope hairstyles. Its also great to see the growing movement of locking, that’s has even been considered trendy these days despite its roots and historic value.
So with natural and non-relaxed hair becoming more emphasized and popularized – its important to learn where to start and how to transition if you are thinking about taking this step. Here is a list of site where you can do your research and get help on beginning this journey – whether it be for natural curls, a super fro, or long dreads:
It’s also important to know that straight hair isn’t the only type of hair with alot of styling options – that are many fly natural styles to choose from as well! Check these blogs on ideas for styling:
These fierce ladies show that you can be just as fab in Hollywood with natural locs! Who is your favorite natural hair’d celebrity? These aren’t the only ones of course, so feel free to shout out the ladies I forgot to feature!
Lovely photos! I love the way some men and women rock their locks but it’s not for me.
Going natural is one of the best things I’ve ever done…
Check out my YouTube vid…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UWyiVmWalw
THANK YOU CONCRETELOOP AT LAST RESEMBLING HOW YOU USE TO LOOK THANK BEAUTIFUL ARTICLE
I LOVE IT WHEN A SISTAH IS SPORTIN HER NATURAL HAIR…..TAKE IT BACK TO THE ROOTS LADIES…I AINT MAD AT CHA!!!!
I don’t knock people who wear perms but you guys should research on it. You can still straighten your hair and rock straight look without having to put relaxer in ur hair. I do it all the time…and I like that I can still go back to my natural look.
Beautiful, beautiful beautiful!!!!!!!!!
CAN I ADD THAT I HATE IT WHEN *WHITE PEOPLE* HAVE THEM BULKY A** DREADLOCKS EWWW…..
OMG this is awesome…I have bin consideration the ultimate bold look of chopping off all my hair and getting locks…im so happy abt this post! Thanks Ms. Tiana!
thanks so much for this post…i’m already 6 months post relaxer! i don’t know when i’m going to chop it all off, but thanks for giving the naturals some of the limelight!
love you CL!
I really hate when people refer to LOCS as dreads. What’s “dread” about them? And how the term “dread” came to manifestation is what’s really dreadful. Big up for the Natural Hairstyle shoutout…
It is really not a difficult transition at all!!
I went natural by getting my hair pressed instead of relaxing. It blended right in and no one even knew I was half curly half straight. I did it while my hair was cut really short like Kelis’ too. Then I finally clipped the straight ends off last January and I now I always rock my curly fro! I love it! it’s much easier and if I want the straight look I can just press it out! Alot of hairdressers can press your natural hair with just a flat iron it’s not a hard transition at all!!
I chopped my relaxer off in 2006 and grew my natural nappy curls allll the way out! I straighten it with ceramics in the winter and rock a curly fro in the summer! ITS BEEN AN AMAZING JOURNEY AND EVERY WOMAN SHOULD TRY IT AT LEAST ONCE IN THERE LIFE!!!!!
@MJ YOU LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL WITH YOUR NATURAL HAIR,SHOWED OFF YOU NATURAL FEATURES VERY INSPIRING VIDEO.. THANX
My favorite natural sites:
Curlynikki.com
Honeybrownsugar.com
maneandchic.com
urbancurlz.blogspot.com
These really helped me on my journey, and I know they will help others
It is obvious you put a lot of care into your posts here. Very interesting and useful info – thanks for informing all of us. Nancy
I just got done doing the natural thing, couldn’t take it anymore!! LOL! I missed my perm… But this is a very nice post, it almost made me regret my decision to perm again but my hair is cool and I like it straight and I was happy with the results!! Yea CL!!
yay! im natural
Concreteloop, Thank you for doing such a post. Somehow I am not surprised that there aren’t as many comments here as I’ve seen on other posts (maybe it’s too early in the day). This site regularly gives “ace time” to those sisters that are committed to wearing their natural hair or texture.
One style of locks that I thought I should mention is Sisterlocks (which I wear). I really hate to distinguish them from other locks (because really it is all the same to me) but I must admit that people who had not considered traditional locks stop me almost weekly to ask about mine. I would be more than happy to provide you with some pics. While I am not a model, I would love to share with other young women who are considering another form of locks other than traditional palm-rolled.
Keep up the good posts CL.
Me going natural happened as a result from me wearing micro braids for way too long, then getting a relaxer the very next day after taking them out (dumb…I know). The relaxer started burning about 2 min after he applied it to my hair, and of course, became unbearable. The relaxer had no chance to take, so I ended up cutting it all off because I couldn’t do the half ‘fro half relaxed thing
Anyhoo…Going natural was the best thing I could’ve done for my hair! My hair has always been thick, but now it just feels healthier all around. The biggest thing for me to get over was that everyone wasn’t gonna like it. That bothered me alot in the beginning, but now I’m like whatever. My hair is the ISH!!! I can press is straight, wear a weave, braid it, ‘fro it, twist it… The options r endless. I thought that life would be miserable without relaxers, but I was soooo wrong.
I’m currently going natural! I decided to on my 18th birthday and I am yet to find a style to rock with my natural hair so thanx so much for this post! It helps a lot! and it is a tough process to go through, but I know I’ll look dope in the end! lol =D
great article Concreteloop
you have much more versatility when you’re natural. even though it’s hard to figure out how to work with your hair at first, it’s really worth it.
anyone who presses, take a look at this website
http://www.milstan.com
I saw a youtube vid and the iron seems ten times better (and easier to use) than a pressing comb. I haven’t seen any vids on really kinky hair yet (they said they were working on getting new vids up when I asked) but the little girl’s hair came out GORGEOUS….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJXCnUbmuww&feature=related
and just so everyone knows, Michelle Obama does not perm her hair. I’m sick and tired of seeing ppl on another popular gossip site that I won’t mention posting comments about how “Michelle needs to get her roots done” and “they need to comb that child’s hair” blah blah blah.
and bigup to the Japanese people rockin dreads and getting nappy perms
Hello ladies, This is absolutely wonderful! You DON’T have to cut off your perm to transition to being natural… go to http://www.naturallyisis.com to find out more information about natural hair care and products that will help you maintain and grow your hair. Isis has been doing natural hair for the past 30 years and was the first in the State of Texas to be grandfathered to do braids and natural hair and teach natural hair care techniques in the state of Texas. Great photos CL! Check out Isis’ site for more in depth information and add it to your blogroll!
I haven’t had a perm in over 10 years. And I’ll never use one again. EVER!
It is a common misconception that you must cut your hair to grow out of a perm.
All you have to do is deep condition the hair once a week and wash it every other week (or as often as necessary-depending upon your hair type.)
Then, if you want to wear it straight, press your roots and all unpermed portions of the hair first. Then wait until the flat iron cools down and press the permed portions of the hair later.
That’s it!
LOVE THIS POST
i wish i could do that…or should i say i wish had the courage to cut my hair off and start over…i just wont do it but i give it to all the women that do!
Great post! I love natural hair!
I have been natural for almost 3 years ( June 1 is my 3rd anniversary). I absolutely love my hair! For the first time, I feel absolutely comfortable and absolutely divinely me. I am no longer afraid to go out in the rain and don’t have to sit underneath a hair dryer for hours on end or fear chemical burns from the perm. I decided to go natural after my hair was fallling out like crazy.
Natural hair also has so much versatility. I can wear my hair in twists, braid it or just wear it out and curly after a twist out! I get so many compliments on my hair. And men find it sexy! Ladies try it and I guarantee you will feel totally free!
I had natural hair for 3 years. I have so much hair that it become a huge chore. I ended up doing the relaxer, not for the look, but for the ease. I do admire it though.
im 17 years old,& i transitionded for 6 1/2 months and then cut off my relax ends on
jan 1,[new years]…everyone was shocked thinking i wasnt going to do it,but i did!
& it was one of the best decisions ive ever made,now all im waiting for is my hair to grow out!
alot of celebs & women ive meet on a website called fotki,had inpired me so much & gave me courage when i needed it to cont with y journey especially being a teen in highschool,,
check me & my hair out here;
http://members.fotki.com/Ayeyoneek/
Thanks for this post CL. I recommend doing research on you tube before trying to transition to gain inspiration and learn about products that work well. You Tube is a good instructional guide and source of inspiration.
This must be a sign. I’ve been contemplating going natural for months now. I’m going to do it. Can’t wait!
For all of you thinking about going natural, the longer you wait the more upset you’re gonna be for not starting sooner. Just do it! You wont regret it.
Goin natural is great. You really get in touch with your beauty when you do it. We’ve been tricked into thinking if your hair isn’t down your back straight or if you wear your hair they way is naturally you are beautiful, sexy, fine … whatever. DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE SISTAS! Rock your natural hair.. My motto is if you are really pretty who gives a damn what you do to your hair. Might not be such a good example, but Cassie is currently rockin this crazy cut of the side hairstyle, but she’s still very pretty.
Go for yall!
Natural hair is beautiful. I say F%^& white supremacy and lets stop conforming to what the world thinks as “beautiful”.
o yea
and lets stop giving our money to these chinese people, they dont care about us. support black businesses like oyin handmade, and nubian heritage!
i love being natural…and its so much healthier now!!!
I went natural 2 years ago and I will NEVER put a relaxer in my hair again. I always had long hair as a kid but during my late teens I abused my hair with excessive heat and so it broke off and became short (neck length). So I decided to cut it all off and go natural and my hair has grown so much in 2 years its crazy.
Websites like motowngirl.com, growafrohairlong.com and afrobella really inspired me and have offered so much help. Once you learn how to do your real hair you’ll realise that you don’t need relaxers. There are no black hair shops where I am but I have learnt how to look after my hair using natural products and by doing lots of research. Hopefully more and more women will continue to do the same.
And I have to add that I love CL even more now, you guys have realy stepped up your game, especially Angel and Tiana- well done!
i’ve always been natural (with the exception of the two perms that were pushed on me by grandma lol). i love this post. i wanna big curly fro like tracee or yaya!
Going natural was the hardest thing I have ever done. It took a lot of patience and a lot of motivation from my boyfriend, so we decided to lock together. Luv it!!!
MJ your hair looks FABULOUS!! I luv it. I wish I would have done the pics and videos of my locs!!
I just made the decision this week after not being able to afford and find someone to do my hair in this new city. I feel great about it already!
http://glorycrown.blogspot.com
This blog has been a great help as well.
thank you, tianna, for doing this post!
i am seriously considering going natural.
i feel my new growth now, and it just feels so nice.
i have so many questions, so thank you for providing those websites.
thanks a bunch!
Love this post. I have been natural for five years now. The process of growing my hair out was pretty easy, it only took a year and a half. Although I don’t have a perm, I usually wear my hair straight. I flat iron it myself with my $13 flat iron from wal mart and the whole process of washing and styling my own hair is an hour and a half on average. The only thing I hate is when it is humid early in the mornings or when it is going to rain. That’s why I have lots of hats. Anyway, I think I made a great decision and I love the versatility I have with styling my hair.
HEY SHOUT OUT TO THE PEOPLE WITH LOCKS, AND THE RASTAFARIANS.
I HAVE LOCS FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS NOW AND I LOVE THEM, I HAVE GROWN SPRITAULLY AND CLOSER TO GOD AM STILL ON MY JOURNEY.
JAH BLESS PEACE
I want to get as natural as I possibly can without going straight commando. So I use all natural shampoo, conditioner, etc… and avoid those harmful cosmetic ingredients (read the labels folks), but I still relax.
For those who want to try a “chemical free” relaxer try Phytospecific. My hair has been the healthiest its been in years since I started using it and I can still rock a natural look because it’s never bone straight.
Tianna,
Could you do a post on (African-American) skin care? My first year of college has made me break out and I don’t know what to do/use. Thanks so much.
I just did the ultimate big chop 2 weeks ago and cut all the permed damaged hair out of my head. my hair is a tad longer than the chick on the first pic. Does anyone know how to determine what your hair texture is?
I LOVE yaya and Janelle’s hair sooo much they make me wanna grow out my relaxer, lol i was thinking about getting kinky twists put in my hair but im not sure if you can get that done with relaxed hair…
where’s are the pics lauryn? pre loc’d, loc’d and post loc’d?
been relaxer free since 1999 and i have been enjoying my freedom. the way God made me was just fine. who am i to tell Him that He made a mistake with my hair texture
im a natural also, i luv it, i don’t have locs tho, i like the curly fro better, im going to start getting it pressed and wearing it straight, i went natural cause i like to wear color and perm and color do not mix.
Loving this post. I’m always looking for different ways to style my natural hair.
I DON’T LIKE DREADS
Did you get this idea from twitter after you sent that tweet? lol But THANKS SOO MUCH 4 POSTING!!
Necole had did a blog about some fool who wrote about women look better w/longer straighter hair & it kind of rubbed me the wrong way.
Its about your confidence to me & how you carry yourself!! For instance, Amber Rose & (half of Cassie) decided to go bald & I think they look HOT with it!!
Wow someone was reading my mine. I just went natural 3 weeks ago and lovin it!! I feel so free with my natural beauty. Thanks CC for this post with the websites!!
Lovin this post. I started my transition a year ago tomorrow and did the BC in Jan. I’m lovin the natural looks!
BIG UP TO THIS POST FA SHO!!!! I”M CLOSE TO TEARS SEEIN THIS CUZ FOR REAL MORE BLACK WOMEN NEED TO EXPLORE THEIR ROOTS… IN EVERY WAY>> NATURALLNESS IS BEAUTIFUL..
I’ve been perm free and natural since December of 2004. Let me tell you, it’s a great feeling. My hair has so much more volume and it can hold any shape.
I’m not super-super natural like most, because I flat iron it.
The transition wasn’t exactly easy, because I have multiple textures due to a rather mixed ancestry (bone straight on the top, spiral curls in the back, and kinky by the temples.) But contrary to what most have heard, you don’t have to cut your hair off and start fresh. Just keep it well conditioned and moisturized and trim the ends here and there.
The best flat iron that I can recommend is the MaxiGlide and it’s straightening gel. (bed bath and beyond has the best price if you use one of their coupons.) The pins allow for you to comb through your hair rather than press down on it, and the gel keeps your hair straight for days on end. One time I went 7 days without running a flat iron through it and it still looked as straight and shiny as day 1
I just started going natural – not cutting my hair but letting it grow out- and i was getting discouraged because it is so puffy but this just gave me the motivation to keep going. Eventually I am going to cut it. Thanks for this article.
I’ve been natural for 8 years – since I was 14. Since then I’ve convince my little sister, my aunt, and now my mom to go natural.
I’m curlyfying the world – one head at a time lol.
=)
I’ve been tempted to go natural , but I don’t have the guts, lol. Maybe one day
THANK YOU for this post!!!!! Loves it!!!!! I have been natural now for a little over 2 years. I didn’t cut my hair completly off, I just kept it deeply conditioned every week. I love Tracee E. Ross’ curly fro, but I mostly keep my hair straight. My hair stylist had been begging me for over 4 years to go natural, but I was afraid of how it would look. I am so glad I took her advise! B/C now I have a completly different texture of hair than when I had the perm. My hair is EXTREMELY thick & FULL of body!!!! I LOVE being natural!!!! My fav natural chick is Michelle Obama!!!