My Natural Hair Story

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Shantell Palmore

I'm a military wife, mommy of 2 babies, and business owner. I enjoy reading, traveling, red wine, everything natural HAIR, and fitness. I decided to go natural on the basis of wanting healthier hair. I big chopped July 31, 2014. Best decision I made for myself and not on the basis of a trend. My hope is to inspire other natural beauties where they are and in their transition. I hope my story helps another fellow beauty in the world. I always tell women to be comfortable being naked in their own natural born skin!!!

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My Natural Hair Story - October 27, 2015

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My relationship with my hair wasn’t always this way. I’d like to share my natural hair story with you to show you how I got to where I am now.

I got my first relaxer around age 6 or 7 years old. As a child I learned from my mom, a licensed cosmetologist, how to care for my hair. I did a pretty good job throughout middle and high school. My hair was fairly healthy, but it never retained length. It wouldn’t grow past my shoulders.

My relationship with my hair over the years has been a love/hate relationship. Like most women, I would have good hair days and bad hair days. I soon grew tired of spending money on something that was doing my hair more harm than good.

I began to hate going to the salon every 6-8 weeks for a relaxer that would sit on my head for too long, and eventually weaken my hair and create scabs from the scalp burns.

I was also tired of worrying about getting my hair wet. I know I’m not the only one who avoided working out, so I wouldn’t sweat!

My decision to go natural unfolded on its own. It wasn’t something I initially desired. I didn’t have the passion for it at first, for what it took to have natural, healthy hair.

But eventually I came to. I had my last relaxer June 3, 2014.

It wasn’t a spur of the moment thing, though. I just got to the point where I was just ready to go for it. And what better time to do it than after having a child.

While I was pregnant with my daughter, I’d maintained a short hairstyle, but shortly after she was born, I decided to do the big chop and start my natural hair journey.

I wore my teeny weeny afro, or TWA, with confidence. Although I received only positive reviews for my new natural hairstyle, I didn’t really care what others thought.

After 3 months post big chop, I decided to get a tapered cut, since my hair was in what I like to call “the awkward phase”. I also had no intention of growing it longer. I already had one baby, and was pregnant with another, so I just knew I wouldn’t have the energy to maintain my hair if it were longer.

I re-chopped my hair again at the beginning of September 2015. And I believe my hair is type 3c, which means it’s curly-coily.

Sundays are my wash days. I co-wash my hair, deep condition for 30 minutes, apply a leave-in conditioner, and then style my hair!

I’m very excited to see my hair growth within the next year. While I can’t say I set regular hair goals, within the next two years I’d like to see my hair at waist length.

Author: Shantell Palmore

I’m a military wife, mommy of 2 babies, and business owner. I enjoy reading, traveling, red wine, everything natural HAIR, and fitness. I decided to go natural on the basis of wanting healthier hair. I big chopped July 31, 2014. Best decision I made for myself and not on the basis of a trend. My hope is to inspire other natural beauties where they are and in their transition. I hope my story helps another fellow beauty in the world. I always tell women to be comfortable being naked in their own natural born skin!!!