Things you want to know before.......

.......you go all natural with your hair.

I’ve done this transition a couple of times and frankly there’s this horrible in between moment where your hair acts the equivalent of a toddler on a sugar rush – totally out of control!

Here are some things I wish I’d known up front that hopefully will help you should you feel the need to return to your hair roots!

Your natural hair is nothing like your friend Tasha’s natural hair (or whichever superstar natural do you were coveting) I had my heart set on Tracy Ellis Ross’ long ‘fro. Turns out, in its natural state, my hair doesn’t do long, it does big and the longer my hair gets, the bigger my head. Also, to get it to look “long” required more time and products than my normal perm. Go figure!

You could end up looking like a child. “You look so young” was the first thing my stylist said when he’d finished doing the deed (chopping off the unwanted tresses). I looked in the mirror and I saw my 14 year old sister looking back at me – not an inspiring professional look!

No matter what India Arie says (or sings), from most people’s perspective, you are actually your hair. They take one look at your hair and judge you. Because our hair doesn’t grow as long as Caucasian hair, growing it out can sometimes be a life-long battle and you cutting it can be interpreted as a sign of “quitting”. Crazy, but true!

You could become a militant. I found myself preaching the joys of natural hair to all and sundry. Particularly to the girl spending 3 hours at the salon getting her hair retouched and all while I popped in for my 30 min mani-pedi (they have two girls work on me at once, I’m not known for my patience!). Bottom line, it’s a personal choice and it’s not pretty when you try to force it down people’s throats!

But just before you think it’s all impending gloom and doom....

Men seem to like it. I have no scientific evidence of this other than the fact that with my hair as it is now, I do not attract comments on it from random men. When it was natural, random men felt compelled to compliment it – all the time!! 

Hopefully I’ve shed some light on the subject. Follow my girl on Twitter for more updates on how to keep rocking whatever style you have, the African way.

Bye!