I have been natural since 2018 which is about 6years now and this journey has been more meaningful than I would ever imagine. I never knew how much lessons my unintended decision to wear my natural hair it in it’s natural state would bring me and so I didn’t call it a ‘journey’ from the beginning.

The natural hair community started and became so strong on social media which was so empowering to see. Black people finally got to embrace the hair that grows out of their head and also learn to maintain, care and produce natural based products that helps with that.

I was such a big consumer in the heat of this movement. It was about 2018-2020, I just finished high school and decided to keep my hair so it was like a wonderful alignment lol. I watched a lot of YouTube videos, read lots of hair care articles online, followed so many natural hair influencers and brands. It was a lot! I tell you. This wasn’t healthy and I’m grateful I grew to a place to know this myself.

Not to undermine the efforts of creators and influencers in the natural community because they really did well in inspiring me with hair styles and the confidence to wear my natural hair out to anywhere especially for events like weddings.

I slowly got into the consumerism box of being a natural hair girl, by constantly being inspired by different natural hair creators and influencers I became a ‘product junkie’. I see people put this tittle up about themselves and I did too. Don’t do it sis, it’s not a healthy thing to be🤍.

I always needed a new product for my hair and failed to know what my hair actually needed. I failed to know my hair and that’s the place we all need to get to if you want to keep your hair. Know you hair, love it and treat it right.

The market didn’t fail to offer me a new product or set of products to desire, there was always something, and looking back now I can clearly see how this companies tapped into the rise of consumption in the natural hair product industry, it was like every brand began to produce a hair care line. No one was actually making you accept or desire your own hair, everyone was projecting a particular hair type that looked ‘acceptable and beautiful’.

There was more awareness, products and all for the girl with the natural hair on head but there still was no acceptance of her hair. She wasn’t at peace.

Investing so much time and money into my hair obviously created an emotional attachment and identity around my hair that I really needed to break out of. I was known for my hair as I also dived into the natural hair creator space.

Honestly whenever I had someone compliment on my hair and ask for care tips, it wasn’t just a compliment and care tips it was more like a ‘what can I use, that you are using to make my hair like yours’.

Natural hair is so beautiful and diverse! There’s a whole education around it lol and it’s amazing to know how complex something on your head can be. God is good!

Rejecting your hair’s natural state is not your escape to beauty- I know we all have our different reasons for changing our natural hair or cutting it and truthfully, I can’t tell you what to do with your hair.

I only wish we truly love our hair and as general as this sounds I mean it in a personalized way- so it’s your hair, it’s okay to admire Nyen’s hair or any one’s hair but you have to know, see and love yours. There's always going to be a longer, thicker and darker hair than yours or curlier depending on your preferences but beginning to see your own hair, know it and give it what it wants will bring you to a you and your hair’s love story.

Don’t consume every brand and product you see online to be honest, most of them don’t even fit our hair especially a Nigerian thick and strong natural hair. (Story for another day)

This is a series and I’ll get to talk about our own Nigerian natural hair. Soon.