From Shaving My Head to Loving My Hair: a 4c Love Story
11:54 AM
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I use SheaMoisture often but hadn't tried their Red Palm & Cocoa Butter line. Purchasing the products at Family Dollar saved me money and was convenient. It's quick to run in and out without getting stuck in the box store maze. Did you know you can get all the latest beauty and personal care products at Family Dollar? I used to think the products were different- like discount versions. But they're not. They're the same quality beauty products you buy elsewhere, just for less cash. You can even use Family Dollar Smart Coupons to save even more.
Embracing My Natural Curls
Now What?
When my hair started growing back after my big chop, I panicked. The fact that I couldn't just throw my hair in a ponytail or braid, stressed me out. I was tempted to revert back to what was familiar with but I knew I'd regret it. I had to devise a plan!
Getting my daily routine down was also important (and something I'm still working on). I typically don't look for stretching products, but as my hair has grown since my big chop, I've been amazed how much it shrinks over the course of the day. When used as part of a hairstyle, it definitely helped to minimize natural shrinkage. Aside from using it in my twist out, I often use it in the morning as part of my daily routine- using the LCO method. I'll spritz my hair with water (liquid), then use the SheaMoisture Red Palm Oil & Coca Butter Curl Stretch Pudding (cream) to define my curls, and then rub my hands over it with oil. When I want a bit of lift, I simply rub my hands over my hair in a circular motion and then lift with a pick. Raking the SheaMoisture Red Palm Oil & Coca Butter Curl Stretch Pudding through my hair with my fingers and then taking the steps above is a quick way to refresh my hair without a full wash. Figuring out a 'system' with SheaMoisture products has been crucial to my natural hair journey.
I Am Not My Hair (and neither are you)
I'll end with this- learning to love your natural hair takes time. I still appreciate straightened hair and sometimes miss it. But the ability to feel beautiful wearing the curly hair that naturally grows from my scalp is so freeing. If you're thinking about embracing your natural beauty- whether your curls, your hair color, your curves--whatever, know that it takes time to learn to love that version of yourself. I grew up feeling like I had "bad" hair. To this day, I hold my breath sitting in a new stylist's chair waiting for her to tell me how coarse or unruly my hair is. Waiting for her to notice breakage. Waiting for her to confirm that I have bad hair. During the first visit to one salon, weeks past my relaxer "due date" and before straightening my hair, the stylist said, "You have beautiful hair." My eyes filled with tears. For years I told myself a story that wasn't true and it takes time to undo that. So be patient with yourself. Try products like SheaMoisture Red Palm Oil Shampoo & Cocoa Butter Hi-Slip Detangling Shampoo and Leave-in or Rinse out conditioner- products that enhance your natural beauty- and be encouraged. This is beauty. And you are not your hair.
3 comments
Hi Tiffany, Thank you for sharing your story it is Beautiful and helpful.
ReplyDeleteJanice Perkins
well... I just fell down a bit of a rabbit hole about hair typing which was kind of fascinating! Thanks! Why are we all so inclined to not like what we have especially when it comes to hair? *sigh* Yours looks great!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I love this! As someone struggling to embrace my graying 2b hair, I needed to hear this today. I LOVE your look - it's just beautiful!
ReplyDelete