Hair has long been my passion. My grandparents owned their own salon, running it in the basement of their home. I remember sitting in the salon, mesmerized by my grandmother's ability to turn a head of hair into a masterpiece.
As a child, I had long beautiful thick hair that felt more like a curse than a blessing on the dreaded weekly "shampoo" days. The process seemed to take my Mom day long to detangle and blow dry my sister's and my hair. As I grew older, I remember continually asking my mom for a relaxer and she finally gave in. I had my first relaxer in middle school, and slowly watched my long thick hair transform into dull, shoulder-length hair that wasn't so thick anymore.
I wore a relaxer until 1990, and I had an epiphany. I said enough was enough and took the clippers and cut off all my hair and have been relaxer-free ever since.
I've been natural for more than 19 years and for the majority of that time kept my hair in a very-very-very short "slammin'" barber cut! I let my hair grow to my shoulders twice, but it was so curly and the only product options were gels and lotions for Jheri curls. I'd get so frustrated with my hair and cut if off again.
Interestingly, at the encouragement of my barber I decided to let my hair grow. In November 2008, I had my last barber cut and the rest is history! I'm enjoying the many options now available to textured tresses, which has been long overdue!
More articles from this author