Readers’ Spotlight: Nappy and Natural – Lynnette’s Story

Want to share your story as a guest poster and be featured on our website and social media pages just like Lynnette?  Click here.

 

With the exception of the 70’s when we all wore afros, (and I wore mine with pride), I first went short and natural when I was around 20 years old. I was bored and decided to visit my bathroom and cut all my hair off!

From then on I would cut my hair when I was depressed as a way to signify a new beginning. That went on for a while then I would cut it every April and just let it grow to whatever length it ended up as until spring came around again.

In early 2009, right after the birth of my grandson, my daughter talked me into trying ‘locks’. After spending some time pondering on it I caved in.  It was a new venture and for the most part I grew to like them.  My locks grew shoulder length in the two years that I wore them. I originally told myself when I turned 50 that I was going back to the short natural look and wasn’t going to let it grow long anymore, (before the ‘locks’). I am now back to the short and natural and loving it.

Going natural brings out the beauty in women (and men) of color. Depending on the style of ‘natural’, little or nothing has to be done to keep it up. I have noticed the ‘wash and go’ look which is becoming the new fad. Most of the women I have seen sporting this style look very nice. For those like me who choose the short ‘natural’ look, a little more care is involved to make it look neat. This is also true of the men of color who spend a lot of time at the barber shop getting trimmed and lined.

For me the short look is a “get-up-and-go” look. I don’t have to tie it down at night.  And I’ve learned that I have a natural wave and curl when it gets wet. Finally becoming ‘natural’ brings out the natural beauty that we have; allowing the true God-given features we have been blessed with to be seen by others.

Author: Lynnette

Note from NHCN: Thanks to Lynnette from Boston Mass for sharing your big chop/transitioning to natural story with the Natural Hair Care News community!

“Changing attitudes about natural hair” is what we do at Natural Haircare News. Through informative articles, podcasts and videos, we go beyond just sharing the latest advice and tips on kinky, curly, wavy haircare – We shake things up and focus on the realities of wearing our hair natural.