From blowouts to braids
My name is Asia, and my natural hair journey has been an interesting one because I've never had a relaxer, however, for the past 24+ years of my life, I've gone through different levels of acceptance, with me only learning to properly care for, style and embrace my hair over the past 6 years.
As a young girl, my hair was always braided up, or in the typical styles little Black girls wear with intricate parts and barrettes and bubbles that matched my outfit of the day. Then, from age 12-14 I got a Dominican blowout every two weeks. My hair was sleek, even though braided for most of the time, but little did I know, the looser curl pattern I saw was actually heat damage!
After my frequent trips to the salon stopped, I continued blowing out my hair at home without the best styling tools. After years of accumulated heat damage in conjunction with breakage for medical reasons, my hair became damaged and much thinner. I didn't know what my curls really looked like (but who did when we were out here using products based in petroleum jelly!)
Fast forward to college, I was allowed to get braided extensions (for my family it was more of a grown-up hairstyle), so for two and a half years, my hair was in box braids, Senegalese twists and Marley twists back to back. It was timed so perfectly so I could take them down and get another style during breaks. My natural hair was growing, though still not in the best condition because of medical difficulties.
From extensions to wearing my hair out for the first time in years
In January of 2015, I stopped wearing braids and attempted to wear my hair out for the semester. I had to find the products I liked and learn how to maintain it with a busy schedule! In February, I got a blow-out for the first time in years and a major trim. Since then I've been learning more about my 3c-4b hair, how to keep it healthy and looking good with a busy schedule, and what makes my curls happy!
Finding the right products for my 4b hair
I found out about NaturAll because my friend started working with the company, and I got hooked. It's worth the price! For the weeks when I haven't been as good about taking care of my hair (especially during finals!), my hair is restored when I apply the Dry Hair Fresh Frozé Treatment Deep Conditioner. I've been asking for a shampoo, conditioner and styling product, and they've delivered. I'm trying to transition to increasingly natural products for my hair because I do notice that my hair is more moisturized.
I constantly get asked what I do to my hair, especially as a busy grad student, so I’ve been sharing a bit more of my journey in person, and even now on social media!
My natural hair journey continues...
I went from straightening my curls out of my sight, to embracing the way each strand can sometimes have a mind of its own. As I grown more comfortable with who I've been created to be, that's involved growing more comfortable with my curls, taking care of me and them with the care deserved.
Thanks for reading Asia's story. You can follow her and her ongoing journey at @asia.vera on Instagram. If you want to share your own story, submit here!
