Naturals- What would you do: Relax or Chop it off?

[Jhuidah]

I think hair shouldn't be a constant cause of stress. If you want to go back to having shorter hair because it was easier/more fun for you, then you should. I don't see how relaxing/texturizing to keep length at the cost of your natural hair would be any easier.

On the flip side...I've kept my hair at the same length for years because it's what I know--this length works for me. Now I'm growing it out to see what that's like. I suppose that relaxing/texturizing would be the same kind of "experiment" to you.

To answer your question, I'd cut the hair back to a more managable state (because it's what I've done in the past, and it's worked for me). But I'd take off a couple inches at a time to see what the optimal length is for your hair to behave the way you want it to.

 

[aurora3140]

I don't think your relaxed hair will compare to the beauty of you natural hair IMO. Your hair we don't see everyday, relax it and you will be just like every relaxed head you see on a daily basis. Don't get me wrong I don't hate relaxers but your type of hair is special(body, shine and thickness).

I agree! Your hair is soooo pretty in its natural state ! Do you ever wear twists or braids (with your own hair)? I know they'd probably take forever to do, but once they're in, you won't have to really mess with your hair for a while and they would hang to show more of your length.

 

[TrustMeLove]

Since you asked what would we do if we were in that situation...

I wouldn't relax. I don't relax not because I don't like straight hair. I no longer relax because of the chemicals and potential damage it can do to ones scalp and hair. I have a nice bald spot in the back on my head to prove that this occurs. And no it wasn't a home perm. I was a faithful patron to my single stylist. Ish happens.


I wouldn't cut, my hair either if I wanted long hair. I would heat straighten or find new inventive ways to do my hair. I am doing that right now. My hair is too long to do wash n go (too my knotts and tangles), but not long enough to do some other styles. I am learning how to bobby pin my hair up in unique ways. I look great. Using flat twist outs to stretch and add definition. I am also learning how to use accessories to make my hair more stylish.

This is what I would do. Now what would you do?

 

[brownsugarflyygirl]

Length is more important than me than having natural hair...as long as its healthy.

I would probably texlax...I think natural lady is a great example of how texlaxing can be the solution.

If it gets to be too much once I reach BSL, I may be looking for some type of chemical intervention

 

[ladylibra]

um we all know i'm scissor-happy so... a-choppin i would go...

i'm sure whatever you decide to do will be lovely as always.

 

[SEMO]

I would develop a regular schedule of flat ironing to satiate my need for control and rock the natural when I felt I could deal with it. If that didn't work then I'd cut my hair to a more manageable length.

 

[atlien]

I don't think your relaxed hair will compare to the beauty of you natural hair IMO. Your hair we don't see everyday, relax it and you will be just like every relaxed head you see on a daily basis. Don't get me wrong I don't hate relaxers but your type of hair is special(body, shine and thickness).

I also agree. I know I am on the outside looking in, but your hair is special you really don't see this type of hair everyday. I had a friend with the same issue. She has beautiful naturally curly waist length hair. She always use to complain about how difficult it was to keep it looking freshly done because after 24 hours it would dry and puff out. She always said she looked like a life size chia pet. This bothered her alot, but I never really understood her pain. All and all, I hope you reach a decision that makes you happy and content.

 

[sunnydaze]

On the outside looking in as well but I would DEFINITELY snip before texlaxing.

 

[Napp]

i would cut it first and see how it does. if its still a problem i would texturize it for like 2 minutes or less. didnt have a problem w/ my texturized hair even though it was very oddly processed. it only became a problem when i dyed it twice over the texturizernow that i know where the loose and tight parts are i think i could easily go back to texturizing. but i want long natural hair first before i make another chemical decision

 

[genesis132]

I would get a sewn in weave or buy a short hairdo wig and sport that for a while....I was at the BSS store a few weeks ago about to buy a Just for Me Texture Softner...but I said well..let me try to rollerset (which is something i did religiously when I was relaxed) and it turned out great! So I'll be sporting rollersets for a few months. I'm glad I didn't relax or use the texture softner yet...because my rollerset hair just looks so nice and full as a nappy. I got this retro-look going on...that i like..My ultimate personal goal is to see if I can grow my hair bast bra-strap and it just so happens that I'm natural right now trying to achieve this goal..

 

[EMJazzy]

Since length is more important: Flatiron your hair for awhile.

 

[Bubblingbrownshuga]

I think about cutting my hair shorter in a few years... It's so hard to wear down at this length.

Bubblin' your hair is gorgeous I would just cut it back a little...

To me, personally, natural is more important than length
But to each, their own

But you didn't cut yours and look at it

 

[Bubblingbrownshuga]

Since length is more important: Flatiron your hair for awhile.

Yes, this is another option. I need to be more thankful for the fact of knowing someone who is a professional and who isn't trife and will straighten my hair with class.

I will make another appointment with her.

Question to the nappys who press- how do you all maintain the press?

 

[Bubblingbrownshuga]

I agree! Your hair is soooo pretty in its natural state ! Do you ever wear twists or braids (with your own hair)? I know they'd probably take forever to do, but once they're in, you won't have to really mess with your hair for a while and they would hang to show more of your length.

This is what started the tantrum. I tried to do my tried and true braidout with 3 braids and it was a HAWT MESS!! I used the same products I did as before and my hair came out stringy and hard.

And two strand twistouts? Please. Yeah, it will last for a day. One thing I can't do with a messy twistout now is put it in a nice updo or bun without wetting it and now, I am tired of wetting it.

As far as twists/braids, they don't last long either. My two strands like fusing together for some strange reason. Talk about frizz,too.

 

[BlkOnyx488]

Not completely understanding the post but hoping I grasp it enough to comment. I would Cut it. If your desire is to be natural you can recover from a cut faster than you can a relaxer.

I am natural and sometimes my ends become unbearable. What I do is wet my hair throw in a some leave in conditioner, and box braid it until it dries. then the ends are nice and bearable.

 

[Bubblingbrownshuga]

Since you asked what would we do if we were in that situation...

I wouldn't relax. I don't relax not because I don't like straight hair. I no longer relax because of the chemicals and potential damage it can do to ones scalp and hair. I have a nice bald spot in the back on my head to prove that this occurs. And no it wasn't a home perm. I was a faithful patron to my single stylist. Ish happens.


I wouldn't cut, my hair either if I wanted long hair. I would heat straighten or find new inventive ways to do my hair. I am doing that right now. My hair is too long to do wash n go (too my knotts and tangles), but not long enough to do some other styles. I am learning how to bobby pin my hair up in unique ways. I look great. Using flat twist outs to stretch and add definition. I am also learning how to use accessories to make my hair more stylish.

This is what I would do. Now what would you do?

Well since I still don't know what I want to do, I thought about ignoring my hair issues and worry about the more important things. As with most areas of my life I try to ignore, they come back to confront me. Bump it. I don't think I will ever be happy with my hair. I am just going to start being thankful I have some instead.

 

[Bubblingbrownshuga]

Not completely understanding the postbut hoping I grasp it enough to comment. I would Cut it. If your desire is to be natural you can recover from a cut faster than you can a relaxer.

I am natural and sometimes my ends become unbearable. What I do is wet my hair throw in a some leave in conditioner, and box braid it until it dries. then the ends are nice and bearable.

Is it b/c it was so jumbled? Well, I tried to convey what I was thinking and yes, sometimes my thoughts are scattered. My thought pattern would make a good comedy, a spinoff from 'What's inside Herman's Head' called Bubbling's Busted Brain

 

[Bubblingbrownshuga]

Bubblingbrownshuga & BrockStar, you guys could be related!! You look alike (to me)

Anyway, I would probably texlax. I have a million years to get to where you are now. I would hate to see all that beautiful hair of yours go.

Okay, first of all I take this as a compliment cause Brock is FABU looking!! Goes off to stalk her fotki...

 

[chocolate01]

I actually was the having this very same conversation regarding my hair just last weekend. For me length is not an issue and I do not want to relax so I have decided to cut my hair. I am not sure how short I want to go, I will probably start off by cutting 3 inches and go from there. If I need to cut more I will do so down the line.

 

[BlkOnyx488]

Is it b/c it was so jumbled? Well, I tried to convey what I was thinking and yes, sometimes my thoughts are scattered. My thought pattern would make a good comedy, a spinoff from 'What's inside Herman's Head' called Bubbling's Busted Brain

I would soooo watch that I loved Herman's Head

 

[beautifulisaunderstatment]

Your hair is longer than mines and Im on the same page. The longer it gets the hard it is to deal with. Styling becomes an issue and Im partial to straight styles. So sleek and so much swing. Im sorta young though. Maybe Ill start over when I hot 30 and have kids. Righ tnow I wann abe sleek and sassy. I see a relaxer coming in the next year or so. I want length. No so hype about beign natural anymore.

 

[hopeful]

I would relax it or texlax it and forget about it. I would not cut my hair if length was really important to me.

 

[santwon]

Hey, what about locs? That way you can keep the length and be natural. You don't have just two options... I wish you luck either way you go. Also, will you be at our next meetup?

 

[TrustMeLove]

Well since I still don't know what I want to do, I thought about ignoring my hair issues and worry about the more important things. As with most areas of my life I try to ignore, they come back to confront me. Bump it. I don't think I will ever be happy with my hair. I am just going to start being thankful I have some instead.

I have to constantly be reminded of this weekly. Because my hair is far from what I wish it could be. And the thing I had to come to terms with is that my hair will never look like YOURS, will never look like DivaABC, NAPPYGROW, KINKYCURL, eventhough I greatly admire their hair and wish mine looked the same or would do what their hair does.

And I had to get happy RIGHT NOW with what I have on my head. Because the texture isn't going to change and I will not come back in another life with a second chance for different napps. lol

It's a journey and I haven't perfected it, but I gotta love the real me.

 

[BrockStar]

Bubblingbrownshuga & BrockStar, you guys could be related!! You look alike (to me)

Anyway, I would probably texlax. I have a million years to get to where you are now. I would hate to see all that beautiful hair of yours go.

^^^^^^^ Compliment!!!! now just gimme the hair...lol!

 

[Bubblingbrownshuga]

I need to evaluate why I desire long hair. It seems no matter the length I achieve, I am not satisfied and I don't think I will ever be until my hair looks like Theo's teacher from the Cosby Show, Mrs. Weisleg...remember her? Plus, I really don't think it will get that length anyway so maybe I should enjoy it in the lengths that were obtainable to me.

 

[Bubblingbrownshuga]

^^^^^^^ Compliment!!!! now just gimme the hair...lol!

Brock, we have similar snouzers (noses). My husband calls me 'Snuffaluffagous.'

OT: I get a little upset over this new movie called 'Penelope.' Everytime I see that preview, I go 'what's so wrong with the girl's nose?'

 

[laurend]

This is what started the tantrum. I tried to do my tried and true braidout with 3 braids and it was a HAWT MESS!! I used the same products I did as before and my hair came out stringy and hard.

And two strand twistouts? Please. Yeah, it will last for a day. One thing I can't do with a messy twistout now is put it in a nice updo or bun without wetting it and now, I am tired of wetting it.

As far as twists/braids, they don't last long either. My two strands like fusing together for some strange reason. Talk about frizz,too.

Bubbling let me be frank with you. I think you are being too hard on your hair and yourself. There are a few women on this board who have that WOW factor and you are one of them - a few others that are unique (dysalla, flowerhair). Everytime and I mean everytime, you post exciting siggys. One day you might have braids, twists, or a beautiful updo the next time it might be straight or a wild frizzy fro but it's beautiful and it's like wow. However, relax your hair and the wow factor is gone. It will be straight and long and probably very pretty but BORING. Nevertheless, it's your hair and you are going to do what you have been itching to do in the last few months it's your hair.

 

[LaReyna756]

Don't relax. Don't cut it either. Take a break, braid it or flat iron it for a few weeks. You'll discover new styles, techniques, and products that work for your new lengths.

 

[glamazon386]

Yeah I've felt like that before. Maybe you can just get a good trim? I know that usually makes a difference when my hair is acting up.