So its been a long rough week at work, its time to wash, but its such an ordeal to wash my hair and roller set it myself (trying to limit, and if possible completely stop the use of blow drying). And then sitting patiently under the very low end, home version blow dryer I have just tops it all off! So why not just go to the salon and let them handle it?
The biggest thing that comes with managing hair is financial investment. Which is part of the reason I usually just "let it go". I can simply speak for myself and some African American hair owners. Bit its expensive! I'm one of the masses who gets a relaxer. The chemical treatment helps to "soften" the roots. I've been getting this done since I was 12, which has resulted in medium/ possibly shoulder length, straight, but fragile hair. It's a result of what I believe most black girls go through, and that's years of hot combs and blow dryer and not so great memory with mom, tears, and painful roots. So 16 years, and almost $9000 later in chemical treatments, salon visits, and product, what do I have to show for it? What was that description I used earlier? ( shoulder length, straight, very fragile) hair. And I'm actually luckier than some women, whose hair sometimes falls out as a result.
So why even subject myself to the harsh choices of my own free will? Why not just keep it all natural? Well yes, Virginia, there is something called "natural hair" which it seems has always been a trend, whose popularity ebbed and flows. And I actually have three friends who have gone natural. Well where the relaxer shines in reducing hair care maintenance, natural hair soars in the hair care factor! So the first problem for "moi" is that I've got to start with hair thats pretty much done. I can only start natural hair from the root, I cannot magically transfer the hair I currently have back to its natural state. What does that mean? Time, patience, or sheer boldness! I have two choices, I can either go through what some websites call the "transition" phase- lol, or chop it all off- lmfao!
I mean, honestly it's a big sacrifice either way. The endurance of hoping people don't wonder if I've slowly gone psychotic as I try to work in new hair styles that combine both straightened hair and new growth- if I've lost you, that's not normal or desirable! And when I think of how I would manage it. I'd probably try the dominican option. Go get my hair blown out every two weeks. Or the occasional straw set. In any case we're talking a yearly financial investment of (drum roll) $1040 per year 2x as much as I'm paying a year for a relaxer! And that $1040 does NOT include the daily care products I will need to purchase and use. Say it with me now- Wtf?! And I've seen first hand what some of my close friends have gone through with the natural transition. Now they have it under control and beautiful looks, but there were times of bold attempts and giving up and getting relaxer, that I watched them go through. And even today, despite, making it through the transition, the cost of maintenance product is sometimes comparable to a large sum. Oh yes, and there's one more point- when I brought up the idea of me going natural to my new hubby, I swear I got a threatening response, not too far off from divorce.So for now I am resigning to dealing with what I have. But I'm being smarter about it (i guess?) There's a hair cuttery that just popped up by my house and does black hair! And guess what they charged me for a simple wash and set? $25!!!! Some salons charge 2x that. So for now hair cuttery has at least helped soothe the burden of my hair care routine. Although I'm sure the frustration of dealing with my hair is not over!
