I feel naked!!!

[Mahogony7]

So after almost two years of hiding my hair I decided to wear it out. Prior to this, I have only worn it out two days in a row. For the past 20 months I have worn wigs. Four months before that I wore a hat. I was just so through with my hair and was unknowingly transitioning and then I cut it off in march 2012.

I'm happy to say that I'm right at APL or to be exact my longest layers are, but whatever I'm claiming it. My other layers are collarbone and just below my chin.

For the past month I've dreamed longingly of setting fire to all of my wigs. I despise them at this point. So to keep my pyro tendencies at bay. I decided to wear my hair out.

The first day I wore a Bantu Knot Out and it was fizzy by the end of the day.

I am now on my second day of wearing twists, but they shrink up to my chin. I guess this is good since I don't want my hair touching wool and angora.

However, I am now itching to put my wig back on. Not because I miss the look of it, but because I miss the freedom of it. I love cowashing, massaging and moisturizing my scalp daily. But with my hair it messes up easily even with holding products and very low manipulation.

I adore my hair, but I want to protect it from the dangers of the elements and curious people. I'm trying to overcome this and let it be free.

So a few questions for others like me.

How long did you wear wigs before wearing your natural hair out?

How do you get over not oiling and cowashing your scalp daily?

Did you continue to wear your hair out or go back to hiding it?

 

[starchgirl]

Mahogony7 - this is pretty common.

I wore wigs for about 18 months, then chopped and had no idea what to do with my hair. I've never been a daily co-washer, but moisturize almost daily.

I have an Easter Sunday approach to wearing my hair down. I only wear it down for special occasions and when I want to feel extra cute, maybe one week out of 4-6 weeks. I only straighten once a quarter for trims. That approach helps me retain my length and helps me avoid damaging my hair.

I too worry a little about the elements and tend to keep my hair protected in a bun most days, but when my hair is down, I enjoy the swing, the length and the attention my big hair brings. I keep my ends moisturized, pineapple at night with a satin cap and pillow case, then put it back up after a week.

I keep an emergency wig or two around, but I manage with buns and braid and curls most days.

 

[yaya24]

These days, I wear my wigs on the weekend/ "special events", and wear my hair in a bun during the week.

Change is good.

I started this in August, and at first I felt like I had no hair (because I was a wig wearer 24/7 except while sleeping or at home)... but now its no problem.

I still end up oiling/washing every 2-3 days, and I don't see that changing any time soon because my hair benefits from doing this.

 

[Mahogony7]

^^Thanks ladies! It really does take some getting use to. There is also the gym factor as well. Even though I tie it up, it still looks rough after a workout session. I also don't much time in the mornings to make it look presentable.

And if go to hot yoga. It looks completely trashed afterwards. It looks like I have some thinking to do.

 

[lana]

Can I make a few suggestions? I don't know if you're natural or not Mahogony7 (sounds like it). I'm natural now and I have to twist my hair at night so that I have a "style" in the morning. Even if that style is a bun with twist out waves.

I also just recently started using a band (a large band) and wrapping that twice around before I pull it back (like a head band) and wear a puff! That puff looks presentable and deliciously thick.

So those are a few of my go-to styles and I can moisturize and seal to my hearts delight. I think you just have to play around with your hair until you find what works in your routine.

Bantu Knots don't work for me. Twist outs look lovely. Braid outs take more time and sometimes they look great and other times, I look like I just woke up (and it goes up into a bun).

A relative is in wigs 24/7 and I don't like the look on her (not all women can wear wigs). She has fine, medium length hair and I would do anything to snatch that wig off and see her wearing her hair out. But she thinks she Beyoncé or Tamar...so it's not going to happen.

 

[Mahogony7]

Can I make a few suggestions? I don't know if you're natural or not Mahogony7 (sounds like it). I'm natural now and I have to twist my hair at night so that I have a "style" in the morning. Even if that style is a bun with twist out waves.

I also just recently started using a band (a large band) and wrapping that twice around before I pull it back (like a head band) and wear a puff! That puff looks presentable and deliciously thick.

So those are a few of my go-to styles and I can moisturize and seal to my hearts delight. I think you just have to play around with your hair until you find what works in your routine.

Bantu Knots don't work for me. Twist outs look lovely. Braid outs take more time and sometimes they look great and other times, I look like I just woke up (and it goes up into a bun).

A relative is in wigs 24/7 and I don't like the look on her (not all women can wear wigs). She has fine, medium length hair and I would do anything to snatch that wig off and see her wearing her hair out. But she thinks she Beyoncé or Tamar...so it's not going to happen.

lana, thank you for the suggestions. They sound super easy to do and I can still moisturize daily. Yeah Bantu knots always suck for me. The twists have been really good so far. There are days when I just want to snatch my own wig off. And I wear really short mommy wigs because they are light and easy to style. These days they have been driving me crazy.