And I’m thinking about cutting it, too *covers face and runs away*
Let me explain. I have recently been fantasizing about doing something different with my hair. All my life, I have never done anything special. I have braided it, permed it, sewn weaves on it, put wigs on it, and kept it natural. That’s it. That’s all I’ve done. I have never cut my hair for the purpose of changing its style, nor have I ever, ever dyed it. The only times I cut my hair were (1) when I went from elementary to secondary school and (2) couple years ago when I cut half the hair off to go natural.
I like being natural. I have enjoyed most of the journey – in spite of my cluelessness in styling it – but now I think I want something else. I don’t hate being natural, but I think I want to experience another style – something that isn’t so safe.
This Rihanna hairstyle is close to what I’m considering, but not exactly. I couldn’t find a picture of anyone who has the exact cut I have in mind. I’m just afraid though because (1) I don’t know if it will look good on me/my facial structure and (2) If I perm it, then I have undone my natural hair and I can’t go back. Well, I can go back, but it’ll cost me at least one year. So I’m still thinking.
Before I permed my hair, I would never, ever do any style that would make me pack my hair up in a bun. But with my natural hair, that was the only style I knew how to do, and I was pleasantly surprised with how it looked on me. Contrary to what I thought, I actually had the face for it. So I’m having the same fears now: what if I do it and I hate it?
If you’re wondering why I’m daring to stray from being Team Natural, well, I have said many times that I only went natural because my hair was in a piss-poor state. I have never been a hardcore natural, but when it comes to hair, I am not hardcore for any particular kind of hair. I just want head-turning hairstyles that are low maintenance. Is that too much to ask?
I’m not making any rash decisions. I’m going to sit on this and think about it for a long time. For all I know, this might just be a phase and I might wake up tomorrow morning and wonder what the heck came over me. I do have to say though that I wish I could style my natural hair more. I’m just not good at it. I can write for days, and I can do my own make-up very well, but style my own hair? You might as well tell me to perform surgery on an octopus with both eyes closed.
What do you think? Perm my hair or not?
P.S. Is there a way to achieve this hair style without perming my hair?
P.P.S. In a totally unrelated event, I’m going to see Transformers tonight in IMAX, and I. Am. So. Excited! Optimus, here I come!
Life is too short, biko. If u want to perm ur hair, go ahead. I’m sure u will rock it well. If u want to go back to being natural, cut off the permed one. At least, u would have had the “hair adventure”
This is very true. Thank you, Zinny.
Options
1. Get a wig that looks like this haircut
2. Get a weave that looks like this haircut
3. Relax your hair for this haircut
Berry, thanks. But options 1 and 2 are not even options for me because (1) I don’t like weaves and (2) I dislike wigs even more.
I AGREE OH..THIS IS WHY THERE ARE WIGS AND WEAVES VERA O!
EXCUSE MY SHOUTING> TOO LAZY TO HIT CAPS UNLOCK. LOL
Haha. Mikki, I was thinking, why is she yelling at me? I know there are wigs and weaves, but I hate them both. I haven’t made up mind yet, but more than likely, I’ll either do it or keep my hair as it is. Weaves, wigs, and braids are not options. I love braids, but they don’t love me back right now.
Noooooooo! Don’t cut!!! I never recommend cutting your natural hair after enduring one year. Im natural too and it hasn’t been easy sha. Luckily, I recently started to do different styles so it doesn’t feel too mainstream to me. You said your hair was in a sorry state before you went natural, won’t it go back to being that way if you start processing all over again?
But whatever your decision, it is just hair. It’ll grow back.
Naira, yes, my hair was in a sorry state before, but it wasn’t just due to the perm. When I used to just perm my hair, it was okay. But I started perming and then braiding (or weaving) two days later while my hair was still fragile from the perm. Maybe if I get tired or bored again, I’ll go back to natural once more. Well, my mind isn’t made up yet. Still thinking.
Have you heard about beautiful texture TMS, it’s what’s making me go natural. Basically, you can use it on your hair, just a wash and your hair becomes straight. It’s not a type of chemical for perming hair or texturizing. From what I heard, it’s major ingredient is amino acids. After wahing your hair with it, your hair becomes straight. Then six weeks later, wash again with a clarifying shampoo, and your coils return; your hair goes back to it’s nappy or kinky texture. So instead of perming, you could do that, then cut your hair to this style, see if you really like it. If you do go ahead to perm and and continue with your low cut. If you don’t, revert back to your kinky hair and keep growing it out.
Oh, wow. I have never heard of it. Thanks a lot for the info. I’m gonna do my research and see. Thank you!
Lemme tell u some of the things I believe about hair. Its an art form, a means of expression. I always joke that I cut or dye my hair when I am going through something major. That would mean I go through “something major” at least twice a year. I have cut, dyed almost all colours of the rainbow. I went natural for a while too. I have jerry curls at the moment. When it comes to hair, I have lived and still living. You know what I tell people who worry bout me damaging my hair? I tell them, its just hair, it is never that serious. It will grow back. All I am saying in essence is do it anyway. If you don’t like it, then you do something else. That is freedom. That is expression. That is your right. Toodles.
Thanks a lot, El Sumptuous!! You have no idea how encouraging this has been for me. Lol. Every time I think about this hair thing, I remind myself that it really is just hair. It’ll always grow back. Good for you that you have done everything with your hair. Go girl!
i love your blog ….
Onto the hair business, i have been in an out of being natural for four years …I started my natural journey right after i cut my hair into the exact same style in the picture, i loved it ! It was low maintenance (when cut by an experience hairdresser), everytime i got my hair done i could go about 10 days without having to comb it or style it, the hair just fell into place….8 months into it i got bored and decided to go natural….I grew my hair to about neck length and decided to cut it again …that time around the hairdresser wasnt that great at cutting hair, my hair only looked good when styled, so i kept the cut for about four months and went natural again . Honestly, like another reader said above If you want it do it , Hair is just hair, it always grows back -especially when you do not worry about it….And if it does not go back, these days you could buy it , glue it, saw it in , clip it , possibilities are endless.
Thank you, Kady!! All these comments make me feel so much better. Whew. I’m definitely leaning more and more toward doing it, and you’re right about there being so many other ways to get the hair. I admit that seeing pretty natural hair makes me wanna maintain my natural hair, but shoot, I want something different so badly.
And errr, thank you for loving my blog. Woo hoo! I need to hear this more often. Yes, I need validation. Lol.
Some of your readers have great advices. I say do you like Zinny said because life is too short. Me personally I am all for the creamy crack. I know how much pain I went thru growing up because I have a lot of hair, and still do, so I wouldn’t dare go natural. You can Google some cornrows styles. There are cute styles out there that even mirrors hair styles with your own hair. I do cornrows in the summer and weaves in the winter because my hair cannot take single braids. Also did the Rihanna hair cut above and loved it. Got tired and grew my hair back. If your heart is telling you to perm your hair, I say do it and if you don’t like it, you can always go back to natural. YouTube is also helpful with style ideas. Good luck girl.
Adabeke, yeah, I think I vaguely remember you (seeing your picture) with short hair. It looked really, really good on you. For the natural hair, I’m fortunate enough to not have any pain when combing my hair. Even when my hair is dry, it’s pretty soft still. Oh, well.
Vera,
You can always get a baby perm if you dont want something to harsh on your scalp. I get baby perms all the time so my hair doesnt feel so flat when relaxed. There are lots of options out there. Speak to a professional hair dresser/beautician and maybe she can help with your decision. Good luck. Like your readers said, its just hair. Then again, your hair is your crown. So, wear it well!
Thanks, Oria!! I will definitely be speaking to a professional about my choices. Everyone keeps telling me to go to the Dominicans. I’ll have to find out what the Dominicans do that makes them so famous. Meanwhile, I think I’d like to straighten my hair first. Just for shits and giggles.