The world is filled with people who wake up one day and realize, "I am amazing just the way God made me." This is their story. Now, right here is where you should here that Law and Order music! I am writing this blog simply as a thank you to all of those who have blogged about their hair journey and given me such peace of mind while I embark on mine.
I am 40 years old and have had my hair in every style imaginable. I thought that I was okay with all of the hassles of hair maintenance because that was a way of life for women of African descent. Then, one day about 11 years ago, my sister started locs in her hair. She had this amazing short platinum blond hair at the time and she was rockin these cute little locs. I have been in awe ever since.
I am not one to cut my hair all of the way off, so I thought locs were out of reach for me. I continued to press, relax and braid my hair and fall in line with the norms of the world in which I lived until, one day, someone told me different. About 6 years ago, my sister was getting her hair re-tightened by a man who said he could loc my hair without cutting it. I fell for it, hook, line and sinker. For 6 months I drove 1.5 hours one-way to have him 'loc' my hair. He used a method that involved bees wax and rubbing my hair between his hands. My head looked a hot mess but I was determined. After six months, I washed and 'combed' my hair out. He claimed my hair was too soft to loc and that I would have to cut it off.
I wasn't as devastated as I thought I would be. I went back to pressing, braiding and relaxing just like I had my entire life. I went back, but never forgot that I wanted locs.
I had this amazing braider who is from Trinidad. She would twist my hair and make it look amazing. I went to her every 2 months and was glad to pay the $200 that she was charging. If I couldn't have locs, at least I could have hair that looked like a natural style.
When my sister and her husband were looking for a new person to tighten their hair, I told them she could do it and they drove 1.5 hours one-way to see her. She did a great job for them and they continued to see her for a few years. Then, my sister re-connected with a former co-worker who lives 5 minutes form us. She is a Sisterlock Technician. After some talking with her, my sister and her husband had their first re-tightening appointments and were more than happy.
I started to research Sisterlocks and found that there is no need to cut my hair. Fantastic! I had just gotten my hair braided so I was going to wait 2 months for an appointment. While waiting, I pondered my natural self. I read blogs and went on journeys with women who had gone natural before me. I talked to my sister, a lot. Then, I looked at my well manicured, French-tipped acrylic nails that I have had for 22 years. Every 3 weeks for 22 years. Acrylic nails. I liked my nails, obviously, but was it time for them to go? Was it time for me to embrace ME.
So, I took them off and OUCH. The tips of my fingers are tender and my nail beds are raw but I am hanging tough. I have an appointment to press and curl my hair today, my test Sisterlocks tomorrow and I am on my way to being NaTruly Me. I am excited about this journey and grateful to everyone who is going on it with me. I will add pictures soon. Thank you for reading my blog.
