The Basics of getting to know your hair Part I

If you are anything like me, when I started the natural hair journey, I was nervous but at the same time excited because I was going to see another part of me more in depth, that was always poking out of the roots of my head under the relaxer.  The "new growth" is what it is called when you have a relaxer, but to me it was like the real me would keep fighting to come to the surface, but it would get beat down by the chemicals every 6-8 weeks. Why did I feel like I had to keep denying that part of me? Well like others we were trained to think that our real hair texture was undesirable and not right.  And when you look around everyone has a different hair texture coming out of our heads, just because you are African American, doesn't mean that the texture of hair will be the same compared to another. 

Well one of the things I learned about my hair, once the permed hair was cut off was the actual true texture of my hair.  I didn't know what was coming out of my scalp from the age of 11 to 23, the years I wore a relaxer.  I discovered so many things about my hair, so let me clue you in to some facts I learned.  This will be Part 1 of the basics of getting to know your hair.  Your true texture of your hair was an enemy when you wore a relaxer, now its time to mend your relationship and actually be really good friends with your hair...and yourself:)

Different Hair Textures
There are a few classification systems that grade the different hair textures that are present in humans. (information derived from http://www.curls.biz/curly-hair-type-guide.html and http://www.naturallycurly.com/hair-types)

Type 1-Straight
This hair is super straight naturally, and is one of the hardest types of hair to manipulate and style by curling, etc.  This hair type is the oilest. Some celebrity examples of this hair type are Jennifer Anniston and Lucy Liu.

Type 2-Wavy
This type of hair is natually wavy. It lies between straight and curly.  The hair pattern it demonstrates is in the form of an S.  There are 3 subtypess with this hair type, 2a, 2b, and 2c.  All of type 2's are more prone to frizz. Sub type 2a, can easily transition between straight or curly styles, 2b is more resistant to styling and has a moderate amount of frizz and type 2 c is heavily resistant to styling and more prone to frizz than the other subtypes. Some celebrity examples of 2a include Catherine Zeta-Jones and Ashley Olsen.  Type 2b celebrities include Joss Stone and Carrie Underwood.  Type 2c celebs include Shakira and Daisy Fuentes in their natural hair state.

Type 3-Curly
This hair type has a defined S-shape when you look at a strand of hair individually.  This hair type has very defined curl that range in size.  There are three subtypes in this group, 3a,  3b, and 3 c.  Some 3a subtype celebrities include Nicole Kidman, Chili from TLC and Julia Roberts.  3b celebrities include Keri Russell, and Mya.  3b celebrities include Mel B. from the Spice Girls, and Rachel True.

Type 4-Kinky
This hair type has three subtypes as well 4a, 4b and 4c in which this group is classified by a tighter curl pattern where 4a hair strands are still defined by an "S" pattern and where 4b and 4c are defined by a more "Z" pattern type of hair strand. This hiar type is the most fragile out of all of them and can get to be the driest.  It is soft to the touch even though misconcieved as being rough. Some celebrity examples of 4a include Kelis (when her was in it's natural state) and Solange Knowles (since she no longer wears a relaxer).  4b's include Jill Scott and Macy Gray. 4c's are Lauryn Hill, India Arie and Whoopi Goldberg.

Ok guys hope that was not overwhelming, but in general often people have at least 2 or three subtypes on their head.  Like for me I believe I am a mix of 4b/4c mostly with some 4a at the top of my head.  Knowing your hair type will help you to determine the type of hair products you need to use... to be continued...:)

The Natural Hair Expo...New mindset, New beginning....

Today I had the wonderful opportunity to attend one of my first natural hair expos, Nzuri Natural Hair Health and Beauty Showcase.  Upon arrival, I was anticipating all the style ideas, and products of local "naturals" that I would come across.  As I finally entered I was entralled by all the different hairstlyes that I was able to gaze upon. The beautiful dreadlocks, the tenacious twists, the curly afros, the braided mohawks, and on and on.  I knew I came to get inspired and that's what it did.  I went with a friend and the first thing we did was look around the various vendors that had set up.  From eclectic jewelery, fashion, nutrition, books, hair and skin products, artwork, etc.  It was wonderful! To see the different entrepreneurs, local and international, sole proprietorships to major corporations, you had the whole spectrum. 

It encouraged me to see the different businesses and how they were and made me feel empowered to start taking the needed steps in my own entrepreneual endeavors.  We had signed up to go to a free seminar to well versed and caring Natural Hair stylist who owns the The Way of Life Hair Salon.   She started out the discussion, by shattering myths and sterotypes about the culture, the minsconceptions and textures of African American hair. Some of her points included:

• Kinky/nappy hair is not an insult when someone calls your hair that.  It is kinky/nappy but society made it seem like it was a negative, but in truth that is the texture of your hair.
• Kinky/nappy hair is not bad hair.  Good hair is healthy hair no matter what the texture
• Straightening natural hair with hot combs, flat irons will eventually alter the texture of your hair where you will lose your curl pattern.  The more course your hair is it will take longer, the finer your hair is it will happen more quickly, but all in all heat will damage your natural curl pattern.  She gave an example of one of her clients who was natural for 7 years, and she had to straighten her hair because her friend wanted everyone's hair to be alike in the wedding.  After the wedding, her hair did not revert back to her natural curl.  You put your hair at risk each time you apply this heat, because it could be that last time to alter your curl pattern, and to start over, you must cut it.
• Transitional styles that are better for your hair are roller sets, straw sets, but those only work best when there is minimal new growth. When new growth is longer braids, sew in's etc.
• Having two textures on your head, the new growth and the permed hair can cause problems, but it depends on each individual case. Some people can transistion in this manner for a short or long time.  But eventually if you do not cut off the permed hair, your hair will start breaking off on its on since those to two textures are so extreme.
• Tension styles such as wearing headbands, scarfs, etc. to pull hair back can also alter the curl pattern and not allow reversion.  Once again once the curls have been altered, you have to cut and start again to get the proper reversion to occur.
• A texturizer is a perm! Don't be fooled!
• When getting braid/twist extensions, you should not have to pop an asprin or advil due to the tension and stress on your hairline, that the braider may be imposing.  The hair follicles are popped out and you can see the evidence in many people who get tight braiding.

Most of the above tips I already knew about, but the one below shocked me I had never heard of it

• When your hair is permed/processed it is common practice to trim 6-8 weeks, due to all the heat, manipulation, processing etc.  But for natural hair due to the hair not being processed and manipulated as such trims are needed every 6 months to a year! *wow*

After her seminar, we looked at more vendors and talked with some.  It was fun going around and getting an impression of the vendors.  Most were there and at the point in their business that they want it to be full time, etc. just ready to push it to the next level. I also was able to meet Elaine Johnson, her and her family were featured on Extreme Home Makeover: Home Edition.  They have an fabulous story and her and her husband specilaize in counseling and empowring singles, married people and help with parenting.

It was empowering and motivating, can't wait for the next one!

The beginning...

Hello and welcome to my blog "The Battle is Not in Your Hair". What am I talking about when I say the battle is not in your hair? If you have come across my blog you probably would expect tips on taking care of natural hair, how to remain natural, etc. Well here you will get that but there is something more important that I have on my mind. Your life as a whole, your soul and where it will end up when this life is over. There is a scripture in the bible that states:

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

It basically is stating that the things of the earth realm, the flesh, people, things that are temporary are not what we struggle with or battle with, it is the unseen, the things working behind the scenes of our physical eyes, those things that are present in the spiritual realm.


There are powers that are fighting for our lives everyday, in every decision and turn we make. They want to take your life and everything in it, and destroy is so you can not walk the path that God has destined for you. When I say the battle is not in your hair, I am saying that in society we have been trained to believe our looks are one of the most important assests we have. The views of our hair, especially those of African descent have been told that our hair is undesirable, it's not adequate and we should not accept it. If you probe deeper, its not just an attack on our hair, those views were done to attack our entire being. If they hate their hair, then they will hate themselves, and in turn they will not know their selves so they can easily be deterred from their purpose in life. When you reject a part of your self, that was placed by God you are setting yourself up to fail.


Growing up as an African American little girl I was bombarded with images, that I was not deemed attractive unless my hair was long, straight and flowing. Sitting in the kitchen or in the beauty salon getting the "naps" beat out by the heat of the straightening comb. Then after I couldn't take that any longer then I took the rite of passage to get a relaxer. But like I said the battle was not in my hair, this attack on my hair led to low confidence, lack of the acceptance of how God made me, etc.


It is more than hair that we are dealing with, when you don't accept what was given to you by God it is easy to reject His other gifts.