If you’ve been on this blogging journey with me for the last several years, you might remember this post: My Hair Is Trash.
And it really was. Dry, dull, brittle, falling out left and right – it’s like my dear, beloved offspring sucked the life right out of it! But I was determined to restore my crown to its original glory. Which meant…giving up the ‘creamy crack’ as they call it (aka relaxers) and going natural. The process was fairly painless – my natural hair texture is wavy and soft thanks to my maternal great, great grandmother who was Portuguese, so I was able to get away with wash and go styles for most of the year. I did break down once or twice and use a children’s texturizer to get through those rough patches (pun intended).
But! I made it and with the help of some great transition products, and lots of not-so-good hair days, I’m proud to say that I’m 3 years a 100% naturalista.
During the summer months, I typically wear my hair curly and just wash and go. When it’s cold outside, though, I revert to getting my bi-monthly blowouts at the Dominican salon. I know, I know, the heat isn’t great for my hair either, but I’m kinda-sorta hooked on them. Last year, around this time, I decided that I needed to spice up my life and dyed my hair….BLUE! I loved it, and actually ended up dyeing it a blu-ish-green next and then bright purple some months later.
The next step in my hair adventure would be to experiment with protective styles, starting with crochet braids. I hadn’t heard of them before until a friend in my mom’s group started doing them for other moms in our chapter. My hair was starting to become a pain in the behind (most likely because the Dominican blowouts were ruining my curl patterns), and I needed a hairstyle that would suit my busy lifestyle. Traveling, Mommying, Zumba-ing; none of them lends themselves to a high-maintenance hairstyle. And so crochet braids it was!
My girl Dalva at Twist Hairstyles hooked me up and I have been hooked on them ever since (get it? hooked? crochet braids? I SLAY ME). Not only have I been getting crazy compliments on the styles, but I don’t have to style my hair with flatirons or blowdryers and it’s delightful!
Feeling adventurous, I decided to try another kind of natural hair style – Two-strand twists. For these, I went to another friend of mine, Angela who owns N Natural Hair Studio in my area. The style was so cute and so different for me, but I liked it! I even wore it down the runway at the Macy’s Emme plus-size fashion show that I walked in.
Next, I tried Goddess Braids, which was a perfect summer hairstyle that worked like a charm for my birthday weekend getaway on Miami Beach with my besties.
I think that it’s safe to say that my natural hair journey adventures are just beginning – there is so much to explore and so many amazing women I know that are sources of inspiration – from Diana at Sisters With Beauty, to Tamara at Natural Hair Rules, and more.
Stay tuned for what’s next in Fergie’s Natural Hair Escapades…even I don’t know what I’ll try next!
This post was sponsored by You Be-Natural, but of course all opinions expressed here are my own. You Be-Natural’s products for natural hair are now available at select Sally Beauty Supply Stores – click here for a store directory AND I’ve even got a coupon discount for ya. And please join me, Pauline Campos (@Pauline_Campos), and Danyelle Little (@thecubiclechick) and Ty Alexander (@gorgeousingrey) at the #YBNSallyBeauty Twitter Party Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 8pmCST/9pmET for a celebration of natural hair complete with prizes!
Follow You Be-Natural EVERYWHERE to learn more about their products and how they can help you create your very own natural hair adventure: Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Youtube, Facebook and on their Website.
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Crochet braids are everywhere now! They look so good on you too. I’ve been experimenting with twists, but the longest I have kept them in is 5 weeks. Next up – I may have to the goddess braids for an upcoming vaca. 🙂