For the past few weeks I had an urge to go in for the full wash, blow, cut & flat iron experience. I tried fighting it off as best as I could but I guess the urge got the better of me. So, on Friday morning, I visited ye olde local hair salon, and got myself a blow out for the first time in 2 years. What a nightmare!
Let me tell you, a naturalista in a local Cape Flats hair salon (that knows very little about natural hair) is the most annoying person ever! Yes, you read right. I annoyed myself!
I knew the salon I went to was not “naturalista certified”, but I went anyway because I heard they had started using natural products. I checked the ingredients of every single thing they put on my hair, I was opinionated and defensive about my curls. I cringed whenever the hairdryer got a bit to hot, and jumped out of my seat quite a few times whenever the flatiron went over my hair more than once! It was worse than visiting the dentist! They were very tolerant of this crazy naturalista and for that I am forever grateful. I was so happy with my results because even though I had a solid trim, I could still see my amazing growth
Of course half an hour into my brand new hairstyle, I longed for my curls to come back because my hair was way to flat for my liking and I had to stop myself from dunking my new R250 hairstyle into a bucket of cold water. Why are we like this?
This got me thinking – Why is it that we were willing to spend between R200 and R600 to get our hair relaxed and/or chemically treated/etc. at a salon once every 3 months, but we are not willing to spend that same amount of money on natural hair products that will help our hair flourish? Think about it, a tub of leave in between R150 and R400 will last you about 4 months. Why is it that we don’t want to pay that price? Drop your comments down below. Would love to hear your thoughts.
, I’m Amanda.
Love the look, you rock both either way ?
I know the feeling I had my first blow out and flat iron for the year last month, although I liked it, I felt like I lost a little of my new found spunk and personality with the change!
I’m actually on the other end, I’m prepared to pay for the products, now that I have somewhat more length my hair is becoming a mission. So actually can’t wait for a full on central hair salon where I can just go every week ?
I totally agree with that latter part, and girl you look a-mazing but….. Once you go natural giiiilr there ain’t no way you’re going back
I love the curl gurl.
I don’t mind paying good money for good hair food.Relaxing messed up my hair and i am Natural 4 months now and loving it cause with my first length check hair was so healthy and shiny.I longed for my curls so bad although I was told the straight hair suits me nicer but I know what I have been through and will never turn back to straight hair.
Curl Gurl for life.
Oh ja Amanda I felt the same when I down my blow out last week an when she trimmed it. Ek will ook nu hare nat gemaak het.
Try we wanna spend so much on relaxing the hare so why not also spend that much on the natural.
True the products last 3 to 4 months.
I have seen it with my blow out last week all my hard work in deep conditioning an with the oils an leave ins my hair appreciate it.
Thank u for sharing with us.
Love the blow out. I had the same experience a few weeks ago. I also went for a blow out after a year that i had my hair natural. To be honest with you. I cringed and I stopped for a second to stop the whole process. I was also that person that did my hair every 2nd week at the salon and I think women just got used to the fact every week my hair must be blown out for the whole silky sleek look and not making an effort to do it ourselves. The next day, I was back in my natural look. I love and cherish it everyday, I love the fact that I know everyday what I am putting on my hair (I dont mind spending R100-R300 on products) and its all natural growth. I had lots of people pass bad comments about my hair, even men but this is what I am born with. People want to have our hair but too scared what people are thinking of them. This is me. I am a natural babe…
Because we haven’t fully internalised the personal and long term value of.being natural. We have been socialised to make choices that can be ‘seen’ and accepted by society’s standards. We had little choice in thethe past but to pay that for an acceptable relaxer/ blow out result mostly for the approval of others.. that was the expected external standard! We have yet to appreciate the value of spending more on quality natural or leave in products as the benefit / results may not always be immediately visible or appreciated… a bit philosophical but that is my take!
I completely agree with you Diane! Well said!
Have to say that I like the look! Curly fro to a sleek blow out without the use of chemicals #versatility (,”) Well done on protecting your hair in the salon as they can get heat happy causing heat damage on your strands. I was sooooo hoping you had done this yourself though hence, I asked for a tutorial on how you achieved your super sleek results. Still hope we will get that tutorial with your best suggestions on local brands we can use to achieve the best blow out results with no heat damage. Thanks for this post though….a little reminder that I am way overdue for a trim LOL! xoxo
I actually spent less money on my hair when flat ironing and blow drying it. That’s because I would always do my own hair and the only product I used was heat defense apart from shampoo and conditioner. Now I fork out R200-R400 per month. But that’s mainly because I want to try everything and buying new hair products is such a treat :). I had a similar salon experience to yours though. Gosh when they started rubbing my hair with a normal towel and combed my hair from the top down! It was so painful, I eventually asked for the comb to de- tangle my own hair.
Hi Mandy,
Your hair looks amazing, straight or curled.
I think the problem is not spending the money but rather putting the effort. Also not being knowledgeable about our hair is the problem.
I recently got lemonade braids and it was the worst experience ever. She was trying to detangle my very thick type 4 hair with… wait for it… a fine tooth comb!
I have no issues spending some coins on reputable products. Some products I save on and some I splurge on.
Any recommendations for an at home straightening kit. I’d love to straighten my hair, myself, lol! I’d like to know if anything this will eliminate frizz and puffiness