Where are you in your hair journey?

[Syb]

I'm 1-1/2 years natural. I am still interchangeaging between products at the moment. As, I am still trying to find that perfect balance of products that my hair needs. Therefore, I am on a present journey to find products that will give me hydration, have anti-frizz properties, and won't leave my hair looking/feeling greasy as the day wears on.

I live Down South, so it is almost hot and humid here all year round. As, it does get cold here, but it doesn't stay that way all week even during the Fall & Winter Seasons. So, there is a lot of flip flopping when it comes to temps during these two Seasons. And, during the Spring/Summer months it be sweltering where I live. Therefore, I am on a present journey to find the perfect combination of products that will leave my hair soft, moisturized, detangled, frizz-free, and not greasy looking/feeling all day. I will admit that I have come close. But, I am still on the hunt, nonetheless.   

[~Carefree-n-ThickCurls~]

I am transitioning until the end of this year (maybe a BC in the summer, Im flexible). For the first few months of my transition I wore kinky twists so I didn't have the chance to bond with my texture. Once I took them out and had a good wash I fell in love with those curls and coils that  I felt. I am planning to get another set of braids put in, singles perhaps, to carry me through the end of my semester at school. I officially have HIHS (hand in hair syndrome) and can't stop touching those darn curls and it makes want to whip out those scissors.
 However, I want to gain more length before I reveal my new texture. I have noticed that my curls pop without product.

[teribmore]

As I'm closing out year 2 and embarking on year 3, I have found that my hair is going to do the same thing no matter what product I use. And that's coil all over and do this wavey number in the front. So I just found a few products that I like the smell of and stick with them. Although I am a conditioner junkie  (if anyone knows when the pj 12 recovery program starts let me know.) Upon thinking back on my relaxed years, I did whatever I wanted to my hair and didn't buy alot of different products and it was always long and healthy. So I've gone back to my old way of thinking, "use the few products you have, and leave your hair alone. It will grow and it will be healthy." If it ain't broke, then don't try to fix it.

[curlee q]

Pretty much settled. I have products I use for raking and smoothing. I also have what I use when I pull my hair back. Right now I'm experimenting with twists, twist outs and blow outs. Other than that it is pretty much the same ole same.

[xneeneex]

I am transitioning until the end of this year (maybe a BC in the summer, Im flexible). For the first few months of my transition I wore kinky twists so I didn't have the chance to bond with my texture. Once I took them out and had a good wash I fell in love with those curls and coils that  I felt. I am planning to get another set of braids put in, singles perhaps, to carry me through the end of my semester at school. I officially have HIHS (hand in hair syndrome) and can't stop touching those darn curls and it makes want to whip out those scissors.
 However, I want to gain more length before I reveal my new texture. I have noticed that my curls pop without product.

ITA about the HIHS. When I put braids in, I just can stop massaging on my scalp feeling the natural curly hair. I'm thinking about BC over spring break, but I want to do it this summer. I don't know.

[Winters]

Im transitioning right now. My plans were to do the bc next month but the front middle of my hair want to take its time growing. I think I permed the shit out of that section  . As soon as that grow I will cut the perm hair out.

[jeamaria]

I'm not all the way there. I still think there is a lot for me to learn about haircare. In the past year, I've become much more settled about predicting what stuff my hair will like, and have found most of my staples, which I was getting frustrated about; my hair is finicky beyond belief.

However, dryness is still a problem for me. I've found a good routine in terms of balancing how often I wash my hair in terms of its moisture needs, but daily moisturization, especially in protective styles, remains an issue.

[NewlyNappyNelle]

Hummm....I think I'm some where in the middle.  For the most part, I've got my hair figured out..what it likes..what it doesn't.  I know what my hair can and can't do, so I'm no longer in search of a HG tha will banish frizz forever...lol.

But what I am noticing, is that after 3 years (4 in August), that my PJ has come back with a vengence!!!  But hte good thing is that I'm not searching for a HG, its more just plain being bored and wanting to try something new.

With that, I think you've 'arrived' that now experimenting is a choice and not necessary. I'm in the same boat; I just want to try more products. 

[alaskanmama]

My natural journey started in the early 90's and I have reverted 3 times (briefly).  Until I discovered happy curls I was completely aloof as to understanding anything about my hair.  I have been a member here about a year and although I have learned acquired an abundance of knowledge, I have tons more to learn.  I feel lucky to share this experience with women who have such a wealth of knowledge and a willingness to share it.

Living in the AK winter is not a friend to the black girl.  I have tried to maintain protective styles, but get bored and have minimal time or commitment to re do.  I need to learn and understand more regarding protein and cholestrol and when the hair needs it.  I have enjoyed playing with spritzes and such and become quite proficient in producing my own stuff.  I can do most any style (what I lack is time) twist, bantu, weaves, braids, and coils are a few that I have mastered.  I cannot cornrow my own hair ( I know how, but I can't part) and that is something I should practice more.

I do not believe I have a pj issue, because I must mail order must products I wait until I know it is something I want to try like Qhemet.  I picked up a few items on my last trip to the lower 48.  On that trip I met with a natural hairtician and listened to what she thought about my hair (it did not help).  My next trip I will make more time and research inadvance for a few people. 

I am puzzled by people who swear that Suave is bad for your hair when nearly every natural I know swears by it for condish and such 

I guess the final line is this, I love my hair and I am learning to live with my shrinkage (and it is major bad).  I always longed for more curl def, but it just not be my thing.  I truely dislike when my hair gets too dry, but I love cw and I wish I could do it more often.  I am learning and you all are my teachers. 

[lisa125]

I know what my hair likes and doesn't like. But I'm still a sucker for thick, slippery conditioners that smell good.  And since moving from SC to FL, I have trouble finding some of my staples. CB Smoothe products and Vitale Olive Oil Cholesterol are nowhere to be found around here. So I have regressed back to picking up various products "to try".

However, I'm still looking for a product that will give me touchable hair. My hair is damp for a loooooong time.  Activator gel is the cheapest, easiest to find product I have found that keeps my hair from shrinking down to a dry, tiny, tangled mess.

[patiently]

I finally started taking my hair seriously in Dec 07 (when I found the hair boards). Im so glad that I found staple products early which caused me NOT to become a pj. Im still rocking a TWA but it has grown a lot since then.

[JustKiya]

I think I'm pretty competent. I've learned my hairs 'boundaries', but I'm still figuring out when it's safe to break the rules.
I don't think that I'll ever be really DONE/Guru with my hair though, because as it continues to grow, it's continually teaching me more things - and it's needs are changing. So, what I know about my hair today, might not be true for my hair a year from now..... and I think that's half the fun of it, really.

I'm trying to tame/direct my PJ tendencies to be more Mixtress habits, but - yeah, that's gonna be an ongoing adventure as well.

[nappy_crown]

I know what my hair likes and doesn't like. But I'm still a sucker for thick, slippery conditioners that smell good.  And since moving from SC to FL, I have trouble finding some of my staples. CB Smoothe products and Vitale Olive Oil Cholesterol are nowhere to be found around here. So I have regressed back to picking up various products "to try".

However, I'm still looking for a product that will give me touchable hair. My hair is damp for a loooooong time.  Activator gel is the cheapest, easiest to find product I have found that keeps my hair from shrinking down to a dry, tiny, tangled mess.

I've seen this product in the BSS here and I've been wanting to try it for a while...how do u like this product?

[Paris Belle]

I am only 4 months completely natural, as I transitioned for about 16-18 months prior to that.  My hair is now APL (stretched) in the middle and back sections, and SL (stretched) in front.

I am still learning which products I like to use on my hair. Mainly the deep conditioners, moisturizers and curl maintainers.

I've started doing a lot of natural hairstyles on my own, mostly flat twists and two strand twists. And I'm happy with that. I'm still shy about wearing my hair out in its natural state, I wore a braid out for the first time yesterday and that went well. So I'm still figuring it out but I feel like I've made great progress so far.

[shmalora]

I have been natural for almost 4 years.  I "stumbled" upon my journey when I cut my bra strap-length relaxed hair to what I like to call Nia Long short and just started growing it out from there. I wasn't sure what I was doing, but I knew that I was tired of spending every Saturday crying while burning my hair into submission and having my mood and whether I was going to have a good day be controlled by the level of humidity in the air and not working out as much as I would like because I didn't have time to wash afterwards. I knew that I was willing to accept what my hair looked like naturally, and to react accordingly, whether that be locs, keeping it cropped short, or going all out curly. My dream was a curly bob, and that's exactly what I got.
I am at a point where I know my hair inside and out. I can predict (I don't want to say control, because I don't have control over the elements that effect my hair) what my hair is going to do depending upon the weather, the water, the product(s) used, and where I am in my hair cycle, and I think that's pretty damned good.  I am naturally (no pun intended) the type of person who likes change, so I sometimes fret with how I can change my hair without damaging it. I have yet to relax or texturize again, or to add color.  Growth and the natural change in the texture of my hair day to day is usually enough for me. And if I get really frustrated, I just give myself a break by wearing it in a bun or plaits or just not washing it until I come out of my funk. 
My hair and I have gotten to be best friends. My journey into womanhood is definitely tangled up in my hair. It is my crown. It sets me apart. It is even what helps me to build rapport with clients (I am a counselor) at times because my hair is a conversation piece.  I am also a role model and have the chance to educate people, formally and informally, because my pride as a woman of color is evident due to the way that I wear my hair.  I inspired my sister, who is going through that tough I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-my-hair-because-I-don't-know-what-I-want-it-to-look-like-because-I-don't-know-who-I-am-and-I-don't-care-because-I-don't-have-control-over-it-anyway-so-eff-it stage, to wear her gorgeous curly hair in a medium afro.  And now she loves it and was saved that stage of teenage hell that many of us know too well.