Here we go:
Why are you relaxed? I'm about 60% texlaxed, 40% natural right now, so I don't really consider myself relaxed or natural...but somewhere in between. I do plan to texlax again in the coming weeks though. The reason is because right now, considering my schedule, texlaxed hair is MUCH easier for me to maintain. Also, I don't have the time to give my hair the attention it needs to transition (not interested in short hair after a BC) and I need time to learn new styles etc because I'm challenged when it comes to that area.
So, I'm texlaxed now because it fits into my lifestyle. I can poo/DC once a week and maintain my thick, healthy, past BSL hair. I don't need heat...I workout every other day and my hair doesn't get unruly or poofy...I don't run from the rain...I just like the ease of my hair right now.
Will you stay relaxed even though you have read many threads/posts about what members say about being natural? For now, yes. Other ladies are doing what works for them, and I have to do what works for me. As much as I LOVE looking at all the beautiful natural hair here, I know that it comes with a price and for me, that price is time, energy, and experimentation...I don't have time for that at this stage in my life. Seeing the fotkis is VERY tempting though, but again, I have to look at the bigger picture and for me, being texlaxed is great right now. Interestingly enough, I agree with many of the naturals about their hair and their philosophies, but many of those things won't apply to me until later based on my career and lifestyle.
What is it about relaxed hair that you like/love/adore? The EASE & versatility!!! Detangling is not an hour long ordeal with my texlaxed hair, and I can do SO much with it. If I was a coily, kinky look, I can let it airdry and just put gel on it or if I want a sleek, straight look, I can rollerset or flatiron. If I want waves and curls, I can do bantu knots...the list goes on. I find my texlaxed hair more versatile than my relaxed hair or my natural hair...so right now, it works. i'm having fun with it.
Will you ever go natural? Yes, I have full intentions of going natural later in my life. I'm not militant about being relaxed or natural...I may be natural for a few years and decide to be texlaxed then relaxed then natural again...styles only have to be permanent if we make them that way. Our hair is always GROWING! So, yes, I'll certainly be 100% natural at some point in my life...probably in the next 5-10 years. And after doing so, I may decide to stay natural forever...but it'll be just fine if I decide to texlax again. I doubt I'll ever go back to being relaxed bone straight.
Why/Why not? Because I think EVERY woman should experience her natural hair at some point in her adult life. Considering the implications of black women and relaxed hair, I think it's important that black women reach a certain level of accpetance and understanding of their natural hair. It took me going over a year without a relaxer to get to this point, and for others, it may take longer. However, I'm glad I did it...I have a new appreciation for my natural hair, and I have a better understanding of how to care for my hair in an altered state as a result. After being without a relaxer for so long, I realized how many intricacies my hair has and that portions of it are 3c while others are 4a...I love it all, and it really has a lot of character. I genuinely like my natural hair and can't wait to be at a place where I can spend a lot of time exploring and learning new techniques and styles for it. I've already done the mental work of transitioning (which was no walk in the park) so later on, I can jump into transitioning to natural without all the agony of whether I'll look right or what people will say, etc. I'm over all of that, and I've experienced the comments and confusion as a result of the past year. It's taught me a lot about myself and my self-perception and WHY I've done the things I've done so I'm at a new place of acceptance of my hair and I'm excited about what the future holds.
What relaxer do you use now? The last one I had was Motions Lye(HORRIBLE), but I'm planning to use Vitale Mo Body this go 'round.
What are the best products that you use on your relaxed hair that sets it apart from all the rest? Nexxus has been very good to me since the beginning of my hair journey. It'll always hold a special place in my heart and my cabinet. J/A/S/O/N is another line that I've grown really fond of over the past couple of years. And I like Aubrey's conditioners and Giovanni's leave-ins. I really like ORS Replenishing Paks and Joico K-Packs Daily Conditioner for Damaged Hair. I have a host of styling products and leave-ins I like as well. So, I play and tinker with various things, but I don't stray too far from Nexxus because it was responsible for turning my hair around when I started my hair journey.
N7W, this is a GREAT thread. Thank you so much for starting it. I enjoyed the responses in the other thread, and I look forward to reading the responses in this thread.
)
. 
