Hi guys,
I haven't posted one of these up in a while even though I have quite a few lined up, so best get back to it!
Who better to get us back into the swing of things than one of my new blogosphere bestos Geri, aka Geraldine the Great. Geri has been able to retain a phenomenal amount of length in the 3 years she's been natural. Anyone who thinks "black hair doesn't grow" should check out the pictures on her awesome blog, Geraldine The Great.
I first noticed her hair on the Zina Saro-Wiwa natural hair documentary I posted on the FB page, and recognised her immediately when she was featured on BGLH not too long after. She says we're hair twins because we have similar textures. I say "I WISH!"
Here's what she has to say...that is, if you can tear your eyes away from the pictures of her hair...
My natural hair journey
I've been natural for over 3 years. Why did I decide to go natural? I've got two answers to this. The short answer, is that a
weave that was left in too long, severely thinned out and weakened my
hair. I swore to never allow anyone to do my hair ever again- weaving or
relaxing.
I didn't set a specific date for my BC. I transitioned
with kinky twists, and after I spent an embarrassing amount of time
removing them one night, I decided to go ahead and take the leap in cutting all
of my relaxed ends off.
How people reacted to my hair
I was in Naija last Christmas, but I wore a wig for an entire
month. I had braids underneath the wig that I kept planning to undo, so I
could rock a huge braid out, but after dealing with the interesting
harmattan dust coupled with the humidity, I opted for the easier route, and hid
my hair under a wig.
I haven't posted one of these up in a while even though I have quite a few lined up, so best get back to it!
Who better to get us back into the swing of things than one of my new blogosphere bestos Geri, aka Geraldine the Great. Geri has been able to retain a phenomenal amount of length in the 3 years she's been natural. Anyone who thinks "black hair doesn't grow" should check out the pictures on her awesome blog, Geraldine The Great.
I first noticed her hair on the Zina Saro-Wiwa natural hair documentary I posted on the FB page, and recognised her immediately when she was featured on BGLH not too long after. She says we're hair twins because we have similar textures. I say "I WISH!"
Here's what she has to say...that is, if you can tear your eyes away from the pictures of her hair...
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| Photo courtesy of subject |
Nde wo! Mokom! Ba wo ni! Sannu! Hey
guys! My name is Geri. I'm a writer, blogger, and makeup artist.
On where I'm from
Ah! I love and hate this question. When you're a
Nigerian living abroad, there's always a seemingly
overly-complicated answer to it, that some people just don't understand.
They want you to say, I'm A and I'm from B. Simple. But for
me it's this: I was born in Alabama, but I've lived in Atlanta, Ga for most of
my life. Most importantly, I'm a child of two Igbo parents, so I'm from
Owerri, Imo State, and I currently live in New Jersey.
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| Photo courtesy of subject |
My natural hair journey
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| Photo courtesy of subject |
The long answer is that naturally, my self-imposed restriction
led to months of new growth, where I finally began to question the whole point
of relaxers on my hair in the first place. When I couldn't honestly
answer that question for myself, and after I researched and found out that I
had been religiously adhering to a practice with no real knowledge of why, I
decided I owed myself the task of finding out exactly what my hair was about,
without a chemical straightener.
My big chop experience
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| Photo courtesy of subject |
I was definitely excited, apprehensive, afraid, and everything
else in between. I was taking a leap into the unknown, so I wrestled
with a lot of confusing emotions. Once I was done, I was definitely more
excited than afraid, about embarking on a new adventure.
How people reacted to my hair
My boyfriend supported my decision to go natural. He
always says that he doesn't really have a stake in what's on my head, but
rather in what I'm about as a human being. But today, I think he's
secretly actually very invested in my natural hair. Lol. He is my biggest
supporter.
My family members had varying reactions about my hair. I
don't even think my father noticed that my most of my hair had disappeared and
was replaced by a curly twa. My younger sister was and still
is extremely supportive. She's also natural. My mother,
brother, and older sister were just shocked that I cut my hair. I think
they were more taken aback by the length of my new hair, and not the texture.
I also don't think they understood what it meant to be chemical free.
My mom actually thought I had cut my hair because of the recession and
that I was sporting a jerry curl instead!
I can't say that I've encountered any challenges that have
inhibited me from wearing my natural hair. I think I've been
somewhat lucky in that regard, and my heart goes out to anyone who experiences
any challenges that prevent them from wearing their hair in their natural
state. Please hang in there.
I have, however, definitely received my fair share of unsolicited comments about what I should do with my hair, or why I'm wearing my hair this way. I've also gotten hair molested by my boss at work, who once announced to anyone within earshot, that he could use my hair as a soft mop to clean his floor, and that he also thought wearing my hair in a puff was unprofessional.
I have, however, definitely received my fair share of unsolicited comments about what I should do with my hair, or why I'm wearing my hair this way. I've also gotten hair molested by my boss at work, who once announced to anyone within earshot, that he could use my hair as a soft mop to clean his floor, and that he also thought wearing my hair in a puff was unprofessional.
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| Photo courtesy of subject |
My natural hair in Nigeria
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| Photo courtesy of subject |
Simply put, I didn't really know what to expect, so I relied on
my backup wig and head ties. My hair benefited from the protective style,
but I also didn't learn how to handle my hair in Nigeria. So, the next
time I go back home, my natural hair will be the most memorable thing about me,
as I will be wearing it out constantly.
As far as receiving any comments, the first time I co-washed my
hair, my aunt accosted me in the hallway, and demanded I explain to her why my
hair looked the way it did. She wanted to know why I didn't just relax
it. After my brother and I, explained to her that
I preferred having natural hair, she relented and stated that I was
natural because my hair resembled those of the Fulanis that lived and worked in
Port Harcourt. I think it was the only way she could reconcile why I
didn't have a relaxer.
My views on natural hair before I went natural
Before I went natural, I was the perfect relaxed girl. I
followed my stylist's advice and strictly kept to my appointments.
Natural hair definitely flew below my radar, which is ironic, because I
had been a natural child when we lived in Nigeria.
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| Photo courtesy of subject |
There is such a thing as mental conditioning, and even if we
aren't aware of it, we are all subject to it, because we are affected by the
same things in the world. I relaxed my hair because I had been trained to
do it without question. Because I robotically relaxed for over 20 years
of my life, I had no real views about natural hair at all.
My regimen
I'm a low manipulator. So, I shampoo and
detangle my hair, about once a month. I have dense, bra strap length hair
with tiny coils, so the less manipulation I subject my hair to, the easier it
is for me, and the better it is for my hair retention.
I have no set
cowash schedule, so it varies how often I do it. Most of the times, I
just pay attention to the way my hair feels and looks. If there is
excessive buildup, I will shampoo with Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat shampoo,
and if my hair feels extremely dry, then I cowash with Aussie Moist or Vo5
conditioner. My hair loves creamy moisturizers and oils, so I rotate
coconut, avocado, or olive oils, and I also use my conditioners as leave ins.
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| Photo courtesy of subject |
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| Photo courtesy of subject |
Geri on the Internet
In addition to my blog, you can find me on Facebook. You can also follow me on
twitter and instagram @Gerimua.
(PS: Geri has also recently started her own youtube channel. Make sure you rate and subscribe!)
(PS: Geri has also recently started her own youtube channel. Make sure you rate and subscribe!)
Advice for new naturals
Please do not let your doubts, fears, or anxieties, prevent you
from standing apart. You are brilliant enough to shine just on your own,
but also know that you are a part of a global community who embraces all parts
of you. There aren't any rules to this natural hair thing, as you are
already stepping outside of them, just by being true to who you are.
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| Photo courtesy of subject |
Thanks Geri. Now I'm back off to your blog to do a little more stalking!
