"Natural Hair"| A Heart to Heart - Dont Give Up On Your Journey

[Jamgirl2341]

@MissENTF great vid. im new to your channel and i can relate to everything ur saying. im 5 months natural with 4c and its hard.. i have get single strand knots so much! i have super small curls and they get tangled alot.. what would u say to help me reduce single strand knots? im gonna get some braids and be done lol.

[MissENTF]

@Jamgirl2341 - Hi there! I'd recommend styles that stretch your hair so the ends don't curl up on themselves. I remember my TWA, I just had to go through becuz I didn't have enough length to do anything to my hair. So, I just had to deal w/ single strand knots & cut off every few months. Depending on your length finger coils are great, can last up to 5 days, just refresh. At 5 months, I got braids too, I totally understand! Keep in touch. Let me know your decision. Good luck on your journey!

[Jamgirl2341]

@MissENTF thank you so much. i will try that along with getting braids for a while. its just frustrating and my hair has more shrinkage than anyone on utube lol. i have yet to find someone with hair closest to mine. it seems like its taking forever to grow too. lol

[ganna1227]

GIRL I'M 3 YRS BIG CHOP AND YOU ARE ON POINT WITH YOUR MESSAGE!!!!

[BugThingy]

YOUR SO BEAUTIFUL I love your Video's You're SOOOOO Right, there's Different ways to Solve the problem, Different Products, Different Techniques!!! Everything!!! You gotta match it up to what you need, AND THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING! AND ALWAYS LOVE YOUR HAIR!!!

[dkblck1958]

sis u look like 'Lady of Rage' from back in da day....all u need are the other black panthers and your pick with the afro fist.....lol

[Hiahew13]

Thank you for the words of encouragement I am going through a mental transition with my hair I believe that it is 4b or 4c. I am going to document my progress.

[yanniet]

you're welcome..Miss ENTF..enjoyed your videos..had to subscribe..you tell like it is...videos are very informative and great feedback..look forward to your future videos!.

[carolinanurse90]

Who gone check u boo?.. Lol. Great for. Thanks for inspirational message.

[lillulu79]

Thanks for making this video. I am one of those people who get discouraged I so felt you when you your having bad hair day and have to go to work and hold my head high! I felt like that last Friday twist out wasn't working that day. I really wanted to go home but I thought to myself I am beautiful no matter how hair turns out! Heck when I think about it I had bad days with a relaxer oh we don't want to count thee many mishaps as a teenager. Lol but the good always outweights the bad.

[MsFabTv]

Ladies don't give up!!! I've been there.. 2 big chops, then relaxed, now transitioning haha what journey!! Hang in there

[SuperNovaNatural]

You look so beautiful. I must say a braid out makes the best fro. The testimony from you is my emotional path. What more can I say and most people are writing "patience".

[britshanesmom]

I am LOVING the fro.

[Stayls]

Stacy preach girl PREACH. I have had a similar story with my hair being thin. At first I thought that I had 4c hair. I was treating my hair like 4c which was wrong because my hair started to break off. Feel me? As my hair grew I knew that I had more coils and s shaped curls and the back of my hair is a 3b. So i had to change my routine, my hair responded well. As your hair grows you'll see the difference. I love your attitude and you just seem like a joy! All the blessings in your journey.

[Stayls]

For the !4 year old. Hun I know it's hard but patience is a key with your hair and also moisturizing. Sometimes you have to play with your hair, that's the best way that you can appreciate and grow LOVE your hair. When I had a hard time I stopped doing it sometimes moisturizing it with water then out the door, But I needed to do more all I had to do was take my time. And with that time the challenges seemed to fade away and it got easier. Videos do help and so are we. :)

[earthlings79]

Great video and great message! I remember a few years ago when i was having struggles with my hair and was ready to go to the store and get a box relaxer, I found a video like this that kept me going on my journey. There is a lot of great information in this video and I know you've helped a lot of people : )

[Soulful42]

Yes don't give up! Sad to say I'm 44 and this is the first time I've ever seen my hair in its natural state,I BC'd a month ago and I have to say I love it, its braided right now but when it gets long enough to style differently watch out honey! Its thick curly and shinny I love it! Miss ENTF bravo keep it up.

[carolouann]

My hair was a shock to me when I finally was fully natural. It shouldn't have been because I grew up in the 70's and wore my hair natural. But back then no one "defined" their curls. The bigger and bushier, the better! I really had to come to terms with the type of hair I have and agree with you 100%. Your hair is your hair. Its not going to look like anyone else's hair. Hang in there!!!

[pennyz2cute]

@carolouann I'm curious, you noted that no one defined their curls back in the 70s, did you witness some women having difficulties with their hair texture like it seems to be in this era with the hair typing ( i.e. " I have 4b/ 4c urgh, I wish I had your hair")? I've actually read posts like this. And how do you feel about hair typing compare to the 70s when it wasn't even heard of when you take in peoples attitudes towards natural hair?

Thanks

[KeeshRedd]

You're such a breath of fresh air ! Thank you for the encouragement. I was 4 months post when i gave up....my edges wouldnt cooperate...the rest of my hair wouldnt blend with my weaves..i didnt know what to do BUT relax it. but 2012 is a new year and im gonna do away with relaxers and love and embrace my natural hair. Thank you !!!!!!

[SweetGaBrownin]

Yes, Queen! You are FIERCE, DON'T GIVE UP! For me i watched utube videos, read blogs, check out books @ library and asked N still asking loads of questions, this transition has been 1 the BEST DECISIONS I HAVE EVER MADE. Its all trial N error, finding out what works 4 UR and not concentrating on hows its works for others..just taking thje basic into account, the moisture tips, learning about your hair, and trying out some of the many wonderful oils out there...GOOD LUCK QUEEN ON YOUR JOURNEY!!!

[frenchiedee]

Don't give up and try different things because your natural hair changes and it will become easier to take care of. Have unshakeable confidence! Watch a variety of YT videos because it will give you more ideas. You'll never know where and from who you're going to get some good ideas. One needs time to learn ones hair.

[LADYTAMJ]

I would agree, don't give up. I'm 23yrs old and still can hardly do my own hair. I'm just now starting to do twists that sit right. Just a few hrs ago I had someone tell me they didn't like my hair and it's the most successful twist out I've done to date but I didn't care because i love my hair and was proud of the job I did fixing it. I agree that going back to natural hair requires a mental as well as physical transformation. I would tell this young lady to stick with it, it WILL get better!!

[naturallysexxii]

Great advise, yes never give up relaxers are terrible on our hair. Love your natural hair it is a beautiful thing. I took my daughter who is 15 natural do to relaxers were bad on her hair. I just do two strand twists in my daughters hair and she has learned to love it. Please don't give up, it's how God made us.

[Ms522Boo]

Great advice for anyone, thank you!!

[faqu529]

Going natural is a process. U have to hang in their. It took me almost 2 years to get my hair to where I wanted it. I would NEVER go back to relaxed hair EVER.

[faqu529]

The fro and the sunglasses= fierce.

[aynot321]

Great advice!!! You are sooooo on point when you said your MIND has to transistion. I'm now at that place where I can finally say I LOVE my hair. I'm so grateful for the many YouTubbers who have posted their journeys. The ups the downs, the good the bad and the ugly. I agree with you God gave me my hair and he doesn't make mistakes!!! :-)

[magnifyhm]

Young people really have it hard. My daughter who is now 16 was natural for two years. She was ridiculed, taunted, and bullied because of her beautiful nappy hair. My daughter was hurting, so I gave in so that she could cope with life. Retrospectively she now wishes she had stayed natural. Her once thick pretty curls are gone. Her hair continuously falls out. We are working on a hair regime. She is now wanting to transition back. Her mind is ready now! Thanks Sister for this encouraging video!

[magnifyhm]

Wow! What an encouraging vid! I had a moment in time when I thought to get a relaxer, and then I was reminded of all the damage that the chemical did to my hair. I continued on my JOURNEY! Sometimes the way into a journey seems so hard! Yet with precise guidance, perseverance, and understanding we can be successful. Reading the other comments I agree that we have to love love love OUR hair that is on OUR heads! Enough of the hair envy! Do you! Young people have it hard.

[Baruch1girl]

AMEN!

[XaiFaucher]

I hope the girl doesn't give up on her natural hair as it just takes patience & knowledge she's beautiful natural hair or not.

My hair does what it wants when it wants. I'm still working what works better for it, but it's a journey. You are so right that it does take time to fully understand what to do to your hair & that we each have different hair from each other. I love my hair but am struggling with the length, so I wear a pony & fake it till I make it when out, but wear my TWA at home.

[samafa666]

I really like your recommendations. I, too, document what I do to my hair. I use Microsoft Notes and it is really good because I can post pictures in it and compare. Thanks again, I fell like more people, especially new naturals, should watch this video.

[blacksncommercials]

Who gon check me boo, I love it!!!!!

[livinmybestlife]

Who gon check me boo ....who?..that was funny..lol The fro looks great!

[dtowndeidre]

Awesome video. I will share my very first video as a response. I had to transition my mind, just like you said.

[okattoncel]

I have a daughter that went natural along with me @ age 12. She's 13 now and a 8th grader. she has type 4 hair. She loves her fro. She doesnt do protective styling. She wants her hair to be as big as she can pick it out. If she'd like she can inbox me and ill give her my daughters contact info.

[natural4life37]

SIs.....ok now you know I have to make a video response to this vid.......wayyyyyyy to much to type in this box that I need to say.......lol c you in the vid soon....its coming

[chilid856]

When I BC'd I had to learn what worked for my hair. When I would do twist outs or braid outs it wouldn't look right to me. But I found that flaxseed gel worked wonders for my twists outs or braid outs. Now my twists, braid outs are the bomb. You have to find out what works for you.

[bellanatural01]

*my reflection pre-bc

[bellanatural01]

When i first big chopped i had a really hard time, not because of my texture but because once upon a time i thought my looks were comparable to what i saw on tv and to my friends. Once i bc'd that went out the window, no one looked liked me, i didnt look like me. The best advice i got from the yt was to take time to accept that what I was now seeing in the mirror was me and that it's just as beautiful as my reflection post bc. Great vid as usual!

[UTubeuzername84]

great video, very informative,and ur fro looks fab, I love ur channel so much because u remind me SO much of the old me!

[laundrynotes]

@janeblow80 said, “Understand that looking at yourself with natural hair is a process.” I realized that my love for the look of natural hair goes way back. I have a list of people I admire who wear their natural hair. Yet I wasn’t sure if I myself looked good with it. I still question myself at times. It’s a process of growing comfortable with yourself.

[laundrynotes]

I’ve learned that more times than not my hair looks best to me when I stop comparing it to others. [STOP – read that again.]

It has taken me MANY months to find comfort styling my hair. My hair has a mind of its own. My head sweats, changes in weather and shrinkage come into play when I deal with my hair. I’ve learned to accept the reality of shrinkage. I do twistouts daily and have found products that give me a fairly consistent response. I’ve had to learn to lighten up and go with the flow.

[xoxomomo]

and one more thing.. i want to COMMEND you for starting your natural journey at your age! that says wonders about your courage level. i know kids at that age can be very mean.. you have to make sure you have a thick skin people ppl will talk recklessly sometimes just to get attention from others. always remember the reason why you went natural & keep working towards your hair goals. if you keep those in the back of your mind at all times, it makes it a lot either to pay no mind to dumb comments

[justnikki2011]

LOVE IT!

[xoxomomo]

in addition to your tips to the girl, i'd say definitely JOIN A HAIR FORUM! the girls on naturalsunshine helped me sooo much during my journey emotionally & styling wise. curlynikki is another page i'm fond of w/ great tips & information. also, don't be afraid to ask naturals at school for tips, or even if you see a girl walking down the street. it's all a learning process girl. i'm a year & 4 months natural & i STILL have issues lol. you have to learn to be resourceful & work with what you got

[dwana007]

Thanks for this video...Natural hair can be frustrating but, I'm pushing forward and I am a 4c NO CURL PATTERN lol but I love my natural hair.

[msdarkchild1971]

As for transitioning; I transitioned all of 3 weeks before I did the big chop, then I was relieved; I was satisfied. I have not wanted to go back to relaxers but I get extremely frustrated with what I think is the slow growth of my hair. But it is in fact growing and I have since found a protective style for my hair so I won't have my hands in my hair all the time and making me think of how slow it was growing. Just don't give up honey and look to the future of what your hair will be!

[msdarkchild1971]

I love your full fro! It looks so cuuuute on you! Totally random, but where do you get your earrings? You wear such different earrings and I'm always on the lookout for some different styles.

[janeblow80]

Never give up on yourself. Hair to any woman is important. However, to a African American woman who are decedents from slaves,it is our identity. It is who we are. Our hair is apart of our being. To some it isn't as serious, and for the most part...it ain't-yet when a man(of ANY race) looks at me with my natural hair he recognized my beauti in its most natural untouched form. Read the bible, and read the description of Jesus, then LOOK at your hair when its flat on one side..lol

peace (--__--)

[pennyz2cute]

@janeblow80 I know this is your opinion and I'd like to give mines because you made an interesting statement " (African Ameri) it's our identity, it is who we are, Our hair is apart of our being. I disagree. Hair is Hair. What if for a medical reason you loose your hair will you not have an identity anymore or have a reason to exist ( you used the word being). Perhaps you should make the statement singular instead of making it plural (our) because I can understand if this is true for you.

[janeblow80]

@pennyz2cute I agree to disagree. If it was "just hair" then there wouldn't be countless videos, books, blogs and conversations about hair. We aren't talking about medical reasons for loose textures. We're talking about a young woman learning and understanding her hair. What I said was a possible tool or outlook she could use in her journey, not law.

[martaajoku1]

I love this!

help with realness

[janeblow80]

Natural hair COMMANDS patience and attention. In some cases, natural hair is like a husband, boyfriend, your mother and child all rolled up in one. Don't stress, enjoy the ride. Learn what makes YOUR natural hair beautiful. Learn what makes YOU beautiful. Incorporate other styles in your natural hair journey-just don't become dependent on them. Also, talk to God about it...now I know that's abit far fetched. However, He will instruct you if you listen. Believe me.

[CrownJewel32]

@janeblow80 LOL You know it's funny cause I always jokingly say that my hair is my child. But, I treat it like it is. I never ignore it, keep it healthy, and I'm always trying to figure out ways to make it better so it can grow strong just like raising a child lol.

[kmays417]

FANTASTIC VIDEO...FREAKIN GREAT!!!!!!

[REDSKINTYGUH11]

Oh and Your YT channel is quickly becoming a favorite.

[REDSKINTYGUH11]

Im not really frustrated with my natural hair, I am just not used to it. It's like an old acquaintance that has been gone for a really long time(no convo, just out of touch), and has just popped back onto the scene again. Exactly, How do I greet you Natural Hair? What do I say, what do i do with you? My natural hair makes me feel amazing, as well as nervous at the same time. My long relaxed hair used to be my coverup/umbrella, bc Im pretty low key. Never been an attention seeker. Thnx 4 da vid!!

[ericamorrisboston81]

Thanks for this video, I had to share it with a few of my friends on facebook. I love your personality!

[janeblow80]

To the ladies that are thinking about going back to relaxed, what you have to understand about natural hair is that you have to make the journey your own. Natural hair at times will be difficult to deal with. At times you will wake up in the morning and you natural hair WILL NOT do what you want to do. Natural hair is defiant. Understand that looking at yourself with natural hair is a process. To break the bonds of simulation will be hard. Not everyone will like or understand what you are doing.

[kmays417]

Look I am very grown and been natural for a long time and just learned about 7 months ago how to take care of my hair until I discovered information on youtube. I was a crunchy puff for a long time if I didnt' have braids...which meant I messed up the growth from the braids because I didn't know any better. I now know about not touching my hair without it being touch by water or some type of mositurizer....I've seen such a difference. don't give up!!!

[pennyz2cute]

Cont. 2) Try to keep hair manipulation to a minimum. If you're in that in between stage and the afro seems like it's the only style to rock then ROCK it-embrace it! 3) Think about the HEALTH of your hair and know that your hair isn't going to be short or in that awkward state forever, I figure if the hair was able to reach a certain length with a relaxer then certainly without harmful chemicals your hair can surpass that length and flourish beautifully. And lastly have PATIENCE!

[ericamorrisboston81]

You have to LOVE your texture, because there is always someone else out there that's wants yours... Like myself, I have wavy hair (2b/2c) and I wished I could have had tightly coiled hair. But you know what, I had to get over that b/c it wasn't gonna change! So now it is time to adapt.. And guess what, I love my wavy, flopsie hair.. LOL! Now back to scheduled programming with your words of encouragement...

[pennyz2cute]

I think this video will help out a lot of sisters out there; I know that if I had watched something like this a year ago before I BC'd this would have added to my courage of going relaxer free. I had to note at 9:30, 'cause I've had one of those too--no joke! And I totally agree that your mindset have to change too.

My advice to the young lady is: 1) try not to think about your hair too much. The less you think about the quicker your hair seems like it grows!

[JustSynetta]

Great vid sis. I'm 4 1/2 months post bc and I freakin love my hair! Who gone check me boo? Lol. I've been almost in tears with frustration tho in the beginning. Practice practice practice is my best advice to those who feel like giving up.

[alleyway2]

lmbo @ "who gon check me boo"...sis u feeln it. Gon head wich'cho bad self. *going back to finish watching the rest of the video.*