Thursday, April 24, 2014

The Moment When I Fell In Love With My Hair


Twice a year, I force convince my minions and superhero hubby to take family pictures. My kiddos are hams for the camera; one of my little guy's first words was "cheese"! Ha-ha! Because I don't have very many pictures of me as a kid, I go clickety clickety crazy for my kids. We use the pics in our Mother/Father's day/Christmas cards, for birthday party invitations, and of course they're my mommy/wife badges of honor. (What mother do you know that doesn't have a phone FULL of pics of their kiddos?!) Each year I plan out what we're gonna wear (#dontjudgeme but we always color coordinate), scout a beautifully landscaped location, hire an amazeball photographer several months in advance, and of course make sure that I have a fresh relaxer so that I can rock flowly straight tresses. Every. Single. Year.
That is until this year. I didn't feel like straightening my hair. Nothing in me wanted to. So many things went through my head while I was trying to convince myself to straighten...

But we use these pics for everything...
But not everyone is used to my big fluffy bantu knot curls...
But it's tradition...
But will I look like me...
But I really wanna show off my length...

I waffled back and forth, back and forth. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. That moment when I realized that I didn't have to straighten my hair to love it---when I didn't need to straighten it for other folks to love it either. At the beginning of my no heat detox, I really struggled with my air dried hair. I'd always fought to tame my big hair. I'd always rocked my straight hair. And...I'd always struggled to grow my hair. Now don't get me wrong, of course I will straighten my hair again. I love the versatility! But like all good things---heat is the bee's knees in moderation. But I'm proud to say that ain't no body got time for 3 hour straightening sessions and I'm in love with my big hair!

So my question for you is---Is your default for a special occasion to go straight? Or are you a-okay with rocking big hair?

Besitos!
KLP

35 comments:

  1. Gorgeous family pics! Honestly the only time I feel the 'need' to have my hair straightened is for length checks (once every 4 months). Outside of that I'm not a fan of straight hair on myself. Give me some curls or waves galore! I love the volume and fullness of them :) Oh yeah and you're hair was fabulous!

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    1. Thank you so much Court. We are so blessed. It's weird not to have that "need" to straighten my hair anymore---It's almost refreshing in a way.

      I love your curls and waves too chica! I'm about 2 snaps away from investing in Caruso steam rollers because of you!

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  2. Love your family pic! Love big hair!

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    1. Thanks Aku! I should show you guys all of the out-takes. LOL! My kiddos had the giggles that day!

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  3. Love the family pictures!! I do opt to go straight because it's easier! Because I'm busy (really lazy) I've been gravitating towards a nice big twist out of puff.

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    1. I'd be lying if I said that straight isn't convenient every once and a while!

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  4. Such a beautiful family!! Your little ones are so adorable!!

    Re: straight hair for special occasions, I can relate. When going home to visit my family for the holidays I used to feel like I HAD to straighten my hair until one holiday I didn't feel like it. My flat ironing sessions are exhausting lol. I remember my granny commenting about how much hair was on my head (I was already many months post relaxer and was rocking a big air dried bun) but not having to care about maintaining my straight hair while away from home felt great. It took me a while to feel like my hair was "done" without it being straight but I've been able to enjoy my hair more once I let go of that mindset.

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    1. We are totally on the same page. Straight hair totally meant "done" hair to be once upon a time. Even if I was gonna wear it in the same EXACT style (ie: a bun)

      The first time that my mom saw my big hair she said "So...You didn't have time to do your hair huh?" Smh. MOMS! Ha-ha!

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  5. Girl!!!! No big hair is too big for me. I love your hair. And you have a beautiful family.

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    1. "No big hair is too big for me" Put that on a tshirt now! Ha-ha! Thanks Nerline. My family is awesomely blessed!

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  6. I love your tradition, i think its awesome to capture every moment we can. Gorgeous pics of the family.

    I love straight hair but curls are so pretty.

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    1. I was super nervous about the pics---but ecstatic when I saw how they turned out! I totally look like myself and weirdly enough---I kinda like the switch up!

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  7. You have a lovely family. I hope to have mine some day. I love big hair too. I used to get bothered whenever I went to an event with my puff and someone would comment 'when are you relaxing your hair?" Now I dont get bothered. I simply smile and say "soon"

    http://scarletgoal.wordpress.com/

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    1. LOL @ why other people think that your hair is a delightful topic of conversation! Ha-ha!

      Thanks for stopping by chica!

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  8. Beautiful family!

    I don't care to have my hair straight for special occasions, I don't like to spend hours styling my hair because it's gonna poof up when I apply my moisturizer anyways.

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    1. Girl who you kidding. I always seem to straighten my hair on the HOTTEST SWEATEST STANK day of the year. Smh. I need to start checking the weather first. I wonder if there is an app for that. Ha-ha!

      Thanks for your thoughts chica!

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  9. You have a beautiful family!

    I never really wrestled with the big vs. straight hair unless my hair was really big and that would only happen with bad roller sets. My issue has been up vs. down. I love the way I look with my hair framing my face so I used to always wear it down and never wore it up unless the situation required it. Once I learned the benefits of protective styling, I started wearing my hair up 5-7 days a week. If I wear it down it's usually only the weekend to church.

    growingrelaxedhair.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm an up almost everyyy day chica. Not necessarily in the name of protective styling but more because I'm chasing after two very active (read: have way too much energy) minions everyday. With my hair down, every time that my hair is down---I feel like it's my third child! I have to look after it, treat it extra special, make sure that it doesn't get hurt, etc etc. Ain't no body got time for that!!! Ha-ha!

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  10. Very beautiful family love the pictures! Yes wear your hair just the way you want, because in the end it is YOUR family pic.

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  11. These are stunning photos.

    But you know what, i'm so jealous that you've truly had your "I love my hair moment". I'm still waiting for that moment, my hair still is something that makes me feel self conscious.

    mixed-hair.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Your moment will come soon enough Chantelle and it will be AMAZEBALLS! Just keep loving on your hair!

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  12. Love this post! And your hair is gorgeous!

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  13. Your hair looks great and looking like yourself is always the best way to go, you will look back and love your pics. Your children are beautiful btw!

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement Raena. I'm getting ready to mail our our mother's day cards. I'm definitely expecting phone calls of shock. "OMG did you cut your hair?" "WOW, are you going natural." etc etc

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  14. aww..your family pictures are so adorable! And you all had your curls and coils popping!! Can't get over how adorable you all look. So happy you fell in love with your hair!

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    1. Awww, Yvonne. Thanks so much. I'm really glad that I didn't straighten. Thanks for the encouragement!

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  15. Adorable family pictures. Your hair looks fabulous!

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  16. Your children are so adorable! I think I am out of the phase that I have to have straight hair for a special occasion or doing day -to-day things (except the bang lol). I don't care if my edges or fuzzy or if my nape is nappy looking anymore.

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    1. Big hair don't care right!?! LOL. Thanks for stopping by Harlem

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