I’m an addict! There…I said it. I’ll even shout it from the mountain top! But, does my addiction mean that I’m a bad person? Does it mean I have no self love? No. It just makes my life easier. In my line of work appearance is extremely important. Just turn on your T.V, and flip through magazine pages. How many women are rockin’ their natural locks? Okay, maybe there are a few actresses out there. However, anchors and reporters sporting natural do’s are pretty rare.
I can see it now. I walk into the newsroom with my beautiful natural kinky mane. It wouldn’t take long for my boss to call me in the office. Some women choose to wear a wig to conform to what T.V. heads consider to be “acceptable.” Sometimes I ask myself, “why isn’t natural hair common in the news biz?” I’ve seen people not get hired because of their kinky locks. It’s pretty sad. If I decide to get off the creamy crack, do I put my career in jeopardy?
Since becoming a mom, I’ve noticed a big change in my hair. When I was pregnant, it grew like weeds. Now almost two years after giving birth, it’s been shedding like crazy. I’ve been researching ways to go back to my roots, but I’m a little apprehensive. It’ll be a long process that I’m not quite sure I can manage. I’m mostly concerned about the in between process. My hair is already falling out. Would it get worse? Would it be difficult to style? If I wasn’t on-air, I wouldn’t have to worry about how it looked. I’d just put it in a ponytail and bounce. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to do that for work. I don’t think the bosses would go for that.
I have a lot to think about. For now, I’ll continue to deep condition and take vitamins to prevent more breakage from happening. I’m not ruling out going back to my natural roots. I just have to figure out how I’ll be able to balance working out and styling my hair for work everyday. So, I’ll keep getting my creamy crack fix until I can figure out how to make the transition back to my natural roots.
Do you rock a natural do? Have you gone from perm to natural? Please share your story!
Weather Anchor Mama
Hi Stacy. First off I would like to say that I just love, love, love your blog and I’m like the biggest News12 fan! Your baby girl is gorgeous and I admire your representation of successful black women holding things down lol. I have been natural for a year and a half and I love it! Before letting my mane loose (about 2 months ago) my transition hairstyle (aka every day hair) consisted of a curly draw string ponytail. It was convenient and versatile, as I was able to also bun it sometimes…people actually thought it was my real hair. Months later, after I chopped off all the permed ends, I got box braids for 2 months to allow my hair to grow and relax. When I took them out, I was pleasantly surprised with the length and the look of my hair. I would suggest that before you make your decision, research as much as you can on natural haircare. Sites like curlynikki.com and kinkycurly.com are some of many to look into. Good luck!
Hi Goldenangel! Thanks so much for writing me and thanks for watching! It’s so funning that you mention curlynikki.com. In my journey to find the right products to use in my daughter’s hair, I stumbled across the site. A friend of mine is also going natural and has offered some support. I’ll be sure to check out kinkycurly.com! I’m gonna try to transition and see how it goes. I’ll be posting more about going back to natural. I know it’ll be tough, but I have my fingers crossed! Thanks again for everything!
Hi Stacy! Love watching you on News12 and on your previous job! I have to admit, I too was addicted to the creamy crack! I decided last year March to not perm anymore. The transition was CRAZY. I am lucky to have a softer grade of hair so it wasn’t so bad at times. It is extremely thick and sometimes unmanageable. I started using the products from Carol’s Daughter, the Monoi line and I have seen a difference. My hair was falling out like crazy. The Monoi has helped a lot, maybe you should give it a try. During my transition, I wear wigs. I work in an educational institution and I must dress professional. The wigs were a great alternative. I am currently at the stage where I am going to cut off the remaining permed ends. I do try to get a wash and set and this helps to straighten my hair out when I am tired of the wigs. All of my sisters and mother as well as my daughter have went natural. I finally jumped on the bandwagon.
Stacy, I am right there with you. I am so addicted to the creamy crack. My natural hair is not that manageable plus I love straight hair. I am sure one day I will considered going natural but it’s just not for me right now and I am ok with that. I love my hair straight and silky and shiny 🙂
Thanks so much Pegster! Yeah, it’s tough going back natural. I can’t even remember what my natural hair looks like anymore. But, I’ve really been thinking and researching about the pros and cons. I would just have to figure out how to manage my hair and get the right products. I do also love my hair straight. But, it’s been falling out a lot and wonder if the relaxer is making it worse.
Thanks so much BKLYN Peach! I’m so happy that going natural worked out for you. I love reading about success stories. It makes me feel like I can do it. I am familiar with Carol’s Daighter. I haven’t heard of Monoi, I’ll look into it. I would definitely have to figure out a way to transition without my hair looking too different.
Hi Stacy!
I just wanted to offer words of encouragement. I recently went natural and it was the most liberating experience. I too was addicted to the creamy crack and silky straight luxurious locks. One day I realized that this stuff I loved so much was seriously damaging my hair. So one day I went to the salon and got my hair chopped all off. I honestly have never felt to beautiful in my life. I don’t ever remember what my natural state was. I believe I got a relaxer when I was four. And there I was with an inch of hair on my head. Everyone’s natural journey is different. There have been days of frustration but also days of “ok I can make this work”. I think you will look beautiful no matter how you decided to rock you hair. Perhaps transitioning will be just the option for you as far as professionalism for the work place is concerned. I did/do tons of research. It helps. Good luck!
OMG! Thanks Shatara Michelle! That’s exactly how I feel! I don’t know that I can do the big chop though. You had a relaxer at four? Wow? Had mine at 12. I plan on taking the plunge. I’ll be blogging about it. Maybe it’ll encourage women to get off the creamy crack, especially in my line of work. Thanks so much!
Hi Stacy! When I was perming I used to get protein treatments. When you chemically treat your hair it strips the protein out. Protein treatments restore the protein and makes your hair stronger. Look into protein treatments as well. My hair grew a lot with them.
Thanks! A friend of mine mentioned that as well. I will look into it. It’s so funny how I never cared about the ingredients found in these hair products. Now I’m in the aisles reading all the bottles! Crazy huh 🙂 I’ll be on the look out for protein treatments.
On Jan 1st, I got rid of all my relaxed ends. It is seriously the most freeing I have felt with my hair since I was 10 years old. I won’t ever go back to the creamy crack 🙂 i remember thinking that the back of my hair couldn’t grow because it was never the length of the rest of my hair. well, that wasn’t true. ever since i have stopped relaxing my hair the back of my hair is the same length as the rest of my hair. it lets me know that i have made the right decision. i am excited to learn what else i need to know about my hair.
Good luck with your decision!!!
Thanks so much Faith! Reading your message makes me feel even better! I know it’s a long road ahead and I feel like I made the right decision. Your hair looks beautiful! How do you keep it so shiny?
I texlaxed most of my years and then about a little over a year ago I went a year without a perm. My natural hair texture isn’t bad and I liked the little waves and ringlets I’d get when wet but unless I was throwing it into a bun, I still air dried and flat ironed. I just prefer my hair straight, I’ve discovered. So to eliminate the stress on my hair, I just decided to continue to texlax. I know sounds like I would do more damage this way but I only relax my hair 2 (maybe) 3 times a year and I flat iron ONCE after air drying and i’m good for a week (more if I let it go that long).
I DO love natural styles on some women but it doesn’t look good on me. I LOVE the natural products, some of which I use on my own hair and definitely on my two youngest who are also biracial. I’m better now about checking products for harmful chemicals in my shampoos and conditioners, love natural oils like olive oil, amla and argan oil. Love henna treatments and African Shea Butter. All of the products good for naturals are even better for relaxed!
Like you, my hair grew like a weed when I was late in my pregnancy and when my daughter turned about 24 months, my hair started to shed something fierce. That’s about the time I decided to go natural. I DID get my hair thicker (thank Goodness) and after cutting 4″ from my hair last Summer {no more bsl :(}, I am finally seeing the length return again. 🙂
Vitamins, exercise, take special care of your hair with the right products and less manipulation and you should be okay! Permed or natural.
I’ve been hearing a lot about argan oil. I’m gonna check it out. It doesn’t sound like you process very often which is good. I was going to the salon for a touch up every 6-8 weeks. I know, that’s a lot! I remember thinking I didn’t look good with natural hair, but that’s before my research. I can’t wait to try new things. As long as your comfortable with your hair, that’s all that matters. Judging by your pic, you seem to have healthy hair. I hate cutting mine. but, I’m gonna have to start cutting more than just the ends. Little by little of course.