Yesterday, I was able to go to the beauty shop (read: beauty salon) in order to get my hair retouched. A retouch is when a beautician applies a relaxer only to new hair growth, instead of all of the hair. My head feels much better, as I've been really sweating into my hair as I've been working out every day.
As the retouch was being applied, I started thinking about how much work my hair is to maintain:
On average, I spend over $100 on hair products due to its length, which is midway down my back. I usually have to spend a whole night to a weekend in the kitchen when I decide to wash my hair, due to amount of products I put on my hair just to keep it healthy. Since I only trust few people to do my hair, only one beautician does my hair, and has been doing it since I was in jr. high. Mr. Salt has graciously learned how to apply a retouch when I can't get back to my beautician in time.
And why do I put myself through this?
My hair, in its natural state, is thick and course. NAPPY. If I didn't put a relaxer on my hair years ago, it would be a thick bush. Hard to control and hard to maintain. Thus the monthly regimen.
Love the results, but it does have its drawbacks. For instance:
I can't swim. Or get rained on. If I did, I would have do my hair washing for hours afterwards. So much for jumping in the pool on a whim.
Humidity in the air takes out any style I may have placed in my hair. Ditto sweat. My hair turns into a frizzy, poofy mess.
I have to be diligent about what I put into my hair. If I don't, that risks my hair breaking or causing it damage. I've already done the cut my hair to get rid of the damage routine twice now, and I don't care to do that again.
So does the good outweigh the bad? Perhaps. For the most part I love the way my hair looks. Mr. Salt is getting an quality education by sitting in a black beauty shop for 3+ hours. And now he knows why I complain when I'm caught in a sudden downpour.
I really hope that any future zhindians doesn't inherit my course hair. It will be up to them how they want their hair, but at least they will have any options open to them. I want any future little ones to enjoy a hot summer or a dip in the pool like I did when I was a kid...without any worries.
DineBoo
Sunday, September 2, 2007
I love my hair, but...
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3 comments:
please go to http://whitemenforblackwomen.blogspot.com/
go under the sections of Jameliah Farakan. theres a discussion on afro hair there. Peace , nice blog.
I know this is an old post, but I had to respond. Nappy hair is manageable and there is nothing wrong with it. I have hair that when straight is midway down my back. I am natural. I have been relaxer free for 8 years, rocking my hair au natural for about six months. I love it, my hair is healthier, and I save tons of money by not going to the beauty.
There are tons of resources on the net for the natural sisters. I have a ton of links at my blog for hair care.
In terms of your kids hair, I know they will have wonderful hair, regardless if it is thick or coarse. Thick of coarse is really a good thing, trust me on this :)
http://afroncurls.blogspot.com/
If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't have a perm on my hair. I grew in the times when natural meant the hot comb(which I hated), so I opted for the relaxer instead.
No chemical process will touch my kids hair. I'll only relent when they want to make their own decisions, but that would probably be in their teens.
Thanks for the comment!
-DineBoo
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