I remember my first time finding a black hair forum, I was in high school and it was during summer vacation. I came across Black Girl Long Hair and Long Hair Care Forum and fell in love with curls, coils, locs and fros that I came across. Growing up in Nigeria, my hair was relaxed and most of the time was in plaits or cornrows. It didn't grow very long but it was pretty and presentable. As I got older, my overall health of my hair greatly deteriorated and I had resigned to constant relaxing and heat usage in order to "tame" my strands. 

My natural hair journey began as an ill-fated attempt to conform to the hottest trend in beauty standards, I hoped, silently that I'd have curly 3c hair similar to Rachel True, and the  overall look associated with biracial women.  I silently wished this, and avoided the idea that my hair would kinky and coily, and not willing to confirm to conditional  and temperamental society standards.

It's been five years since my last perm and I'm finally just learning my hair. Over the past few months, I've taken time to understand my hair deeply, and thoroughly. In order to care for my hair, I had to understand a few key things about my hair, mainly its density, thickness, strand type, curl type and porosity.

• Density: high density.
• Thickness: thicker than Serena Williams.
• Strand Type: Fine-medium strands.
• Curl Type: Small, s-shaped curls.
• Porosity: Low porosity, not porous. 

All these factors come together to tell a story about my hair. My hair is rather thick and dense, but despite it's density, it's strands can be rather delicate and malleable. My hair also doesn't readily absorb moisture, due to its non-porous nature, and is also prone to product build-up. With these factors, I've built a hair regimen that works for my hair and I've let my hair do and be what it wants to be. 

My current regimen

1. Wash when needed, with a baking soda + shampoo mix.

2. Deep condition with baking soda + Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle conditioner (Twice a week)

3. Add Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil leave-in conditioner.

4. Style with Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk ( when I wash and go, I use Trader Joe's Aloe Vera gel and coconut oil only)

FYI: baking soda shampoo and conditioning is amazing for low porosity gals like me. It raises the hair cuticle just so which allows moisture in.

 I've finally cracked the code of what works for me.  My hair feels healthier than ever and I'm the proudest that I've ever been of it. I wear it out, loud and proud. I've gotten over my obsession with curl definition and have finally embraced my hair for what it is and what it loves to do. 

As the years go on, I hope to continue learning about my hair. I hope that I can continue to fortify my connection with my hair, and nourish it into the most badass afro of all time.

I hope I can stay away from heat, chemical treatments and self-hate. I hope that deep down, I will stay true to myself, and always love who I am naturally.

Love & Light,

Rachel