Why Does It Take So Long to Do My Hair?!
For the past three days, I haven't been able to do much more than HAIR!!!! I know that some of you may not understand this, so I'm going to explain this crazy journey I've been on with my hair...
I grew up with very thick, very long, natural hair. This means that my hair was free from any chemical, straightener or otherwise. When I turned 16 years old, my mom ddecided that a relaxer would be a good idea, as I was leaving for a one-week trip to DC. She didn't think I could handle my natural hair on my own and she was sooooo right! For years I wore a relaxer and loved how straight my hair looked, but making sure I didn't overprocess it (or allow someone else to over process it), soon became too much work. Finally, as an adult, I made the decision to go natural, slowly getting inch by inch cut off until finally there was no more relaxer in my hair. I wore it natural for years, then moved to a new town and quickly discovered that very few people could do natural hair well, like they could in Chicago. I went back to a relaxer!
Needless to say, it all broke off and I started again, with a short do and a commitment to stay relaxer-free. I've been this way now for five years....So how did I end up doing hair for three days. Here goes:
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| The Blowdryer! |
On Sunday, I started taking my hair down at 8:00am. I only took two breaks totaling 10 minutes and didn't finish taking my hair down until 4:30 pm! Yep, it took over 8 hours to take down my twists! What was I thinking, getting this hairstyle? It seemed like such a great idea when I got them, but after they started to look like they were going to lock, it was time to take them down. After I finished taking them down, I had NO energy–not even enough to comb the tangles out of my hair.
So, the following day, I ended up just pulling it up in two ponytails. This also allowed my tender scalp to get some rest. The next day, I finally had the energy and strength to tackle combing through it...An hour later, I had most of the kinks out and called my stylist to see if she could fit me in. This morning, I headed to the salon. I can't begin to tell you how I dread getting the tangles combed out of my hair! I'm still waiting for someone to invent a better solution than the process I use now. My stylist, Jay, does an amazing job, but I'm still waiting for a product that makes this process as easy as a-b-c! Any ideas? I'm open!
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| Arriving at the Salon! |
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| Another comb-out...I guess I didn't get all the tangles! |
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| After shampoo |
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| After Shampoo |
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| During blow-dry |
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| After blow-dry |
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| After trim and during Iron-out! |
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| More Ironing out! |
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| Ila crying real tears as she thinks about what this will mean for her–poor girl!! |
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| Jay starting to curl |
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| Curling - not too tight! |
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| All curled! |
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| Finally done! |
I grew up with very thick, very long, natural hair. This means that my hair was free from any chemical, straightener or otherwise. When I turned 16 years old, my mom ddecided that a relaxer would be a good idea, as I was leaving for a one-week trip to DC. She didn't think I could handle my natural hair on my own and she was sooooo right! For years I wore a relaxer and loved how straight my hair looked, but making sure I didn't overprocess it (or allow someone else to over process it), soon became too much work. Finally, as an adult, I made the decision to go natural, slowly getting inch by inch cut off until finally there was no more relaxer in my hair. I wore it natural for years, then moved to a new town and quickly discovered that very few people could do natural hair well, like they could in Chicago. I went back to a relaxer! 
6 comments:
I don't feel sorry for you. I would kill for hair like that. :) Jay always does such a wonderful job! You look beautiful - even with that Afro!
Hahaha! Grass is always greener on the other side, my friend--but I'm not complaining, just wish I could find an easier way to manage it!
My idea.. A damn good wig. :)
Although I have been reading your other pages and could probably give a testimony to every one, this one really jumped out at me today, as I sit here in Fresno, where I have yet to find a hairstylist, with my natural hair in a messy bun, shrunken by 100 degree heat. I haven't gotten a relaxer since I had Micah 3 years ago and have since worn weaves and wigs, but wanted to break from them, particularly since I wanted to make sure that my head was in the right place about "our" hair once I had my daughter Maia. So, I took my weave out in February and haven't gone back...yet. I have enjoyed making friends (and sometimes doing battle) with my hair and am more comfortable doing both my and Maia's hair in a variety of styles. I still have a lot to learn in managing our hair, but I am very proud to say that from my afro puff to N'Gai's locks to Micah's close-cut curls to Maia's tiny little pigtails, we are a natural hair family! Love you, Ericka, and appreciate your posts! Keep on keepin' on with your Rapunzel hair! :-)
Ill trade you for my fine straight hair for a day:) we should do a photoshop with my head and your head to trade hair for a day that would be funny.. Katrina
Renee, you raise a great point. I try really hard not to send a message to the girls that they have to have straight her to be beautiful. Every now and then, I will let them get it straightened, but I definitely prefer that they stay as natural as possible. They are such beautiful girls as God made them:)... Thanks for helping me to keep site of this...
Katrina, that would be funny! I love my hair and wouldn't trade it–thanks for making me think about and appreciate what God has given me!
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