Au Naturale

This month made one year since I decided to cut all my hair off, like ALL of it!! What possessed me you may ask? Well a lot of reasons, mainly because I was brain washed by those "natural hair" girls who made me believe that I was beautiful just the way God made me and my hair was beautiful just the way it grew out of my head. How dare they right? I drank the kool-aid!!! I had previous sworn that I would NEVER go natural!! I didn't post about my "big chop" because I thought well it's just hair, who cares and because I kind of hated it. I went through some serious questions about my appearance during those first couple months. I was essentially bald and my self esteem took a hit. I can't speak for an entire culture but I don't think many would disagree with me when I say hair is kind of a big deal for black women. We spend thousands of dollars a year and countless hours in a salon to make sure the top of our heads look presentable, fly, fresh to death. It is the reason for all the jokes about us not getting our hair wet.  

Well it's been a year, October 23rd to be exact (I don't I'll ever forget that day) and I'm loving my hair! I wanted to celebrate one year of my new found freedom and setting my curls free with a post. Here are some never before seen pictures on the day of my big chop. 

I remember preparing for this day. Buying all the headbands and cute studded earrings I could find. I remember saying my eyebrows would always have to be done so that I looked "presentable" in public. I was so nervous about what people would think. I am naturally a very confident person, not the selfie a day kind of girl but knowing my worth and not being very concerned about what others thought. Cutting all your hair off will make you grow some confidence fast or make you climb under a rock. 

Being seen with no hair and no makeup was the ultimate no. I thank God for his strength where I am weak. 

Here are some of my early looks.

I started getting comfortable enough to leave my headbands at home, there was no hiding this five head!

As my hair grew I feel in love with it!

The only protective style I've tried is braids. I put them in for our trip to Aruba and they lasted a whopping two and a half weeks (meant to stay about two months). As much as I loved them I have always been very aware that I am not much of a weave person. I love trying new looks as you have seen in my previous 'I am not my hair' post but I can never keep it in for very long. 

If I have learned anything from this natural hair journey, besides that the fact that I may be a product junkie and that I have saved oodles upon oodles of money and time, it's that my confidence and self worth will never be dependent on the length of my hair. I have also learned to care for Noelle's hair so much better. I plan to blog on the evolution of her hair and some of the looks I've created for her. Her hair is now so much healthier and longer because I know how to take care of it. I pray Noelle never questions her beauty based on her hair. I will do everything I can to instill in her how beautiful her natural curly hair is and that we are all made just the way God intended. I will not be disappointed if she decided to straighten it when she is older (and out of my house, just kidding) because after all it is just hair. 

And I'll leave you with a length check because the shrinkage is real!

Anyone else have a hair story that shocked their confidence to the core?

My favorite products!

My curlspiration via Pinterest!!

One time for the curly girls!!!!!