What are you doing with your hair?

This is the #1 question that women have repeatedly asked since learning about our adventure. Sometimes this question competes with: How many pairs of shoes are you bringing? What clothes are you packing? You're not bringing any makeup?!?!...but, " What are you doing with your hair?" still takes the cake. So nearly three months into this trip, it is imperative that I answer this burning question. Every naturalista has a story so here goes mine:

I made the decision to go natural on January 25, 2013. This was the day before our wedding and also my last partial relaxer. I had flirted with the idea for several months, but I could not decide if this was the right decision for me. I knew so little about the natural hair community at that time. A few of my cousins had already taken the plunge. Some were transitioning and some were already fully natural. I admired their strength through the process but still doubted myself.

Looking back, I can say that the transition actually started in October 2012 since that was the last time that I got a full relaxer. Prior to that I had permed, dyed, and tugged at my hair in all the wrong directions. It was a vicious cycle of growth and damage and I knew that something had to give. I also had done a lot of protective styling and unlike some, the protective styles did not damage my hair and I always saw healthy growth once it was out. Every 2-3 months when it was time for the next relaxer I could feel the strong virgin hair that grew in but then I just turned around and slapped a relaxer in it. What was I thinking?!?!

After years of hair torture, I realized that my natural hair was healthy and thick, and by applying relaxers to it, I was making it thin and weak and therefore destroying it.

I did a lot of contemplating and researching and decided that I would give myself a quit date. After our wedding, I continued to use protective styling intermittently and vowed to never get a relaxer again. The transition stage is no walk in the park, but the protective styling eased the pain. While transitioning, I had two hair textures and the point where they met was extremely delicate and prone to breakage. Products were a challenge as well because I was unsure if I should still use products for relaxed hair or natural hair. I can admit that at this point I was on my way to becoming a product junkie! Throughout the year, I gradually trimmed the ends and decided it was finally time to cut all those dead stringy ends off right before our trip. Surprisingly, I didn't have that scary moment that women usually have when they realize that half their hair is gone. I was sooooo excited!

I hate relaxers, I hate the process, I hate the smell, I hate the burn, and most of all I hated how it stripped my hair of its natural beauty.

So where am I now in my natural hair journey?

I am loving every day of my hair. Having healthy natural hair is no easy task, but then I remember that NOTHING good comes easy. I am very particular when it comes to what products I use in my hair. Are there sulfates? parabens? alcohol??? I want products that have organic ingredients or as close to that as possible. I had used a variety of black natural hair products while at home, but being abroad in countries with limited options initially made things difficult. However, I quickly realized that it was not that complicated.

I started the trip with the Tresemmé naturals conditioner because I love to co-wash. Along with most naturalistas, I do believe that shampooing strips my hair of its oils and I can't afford to lose those precious oils. I purchased some extra virgin coconut oil while we were in New Zealand, and then I purchased pure shea butter extract while we were in Australia. These products are not cheap, but they are well worth it. My hair has flourished with these simple products. I co-wash as often as I need to, which may be a couple of times a week, and I wash with shampoo about once every couple of weeks. I moisturize at night with the shea butter, and about 25-50% of the time I will braid my hair for the braid out look in the morning. I always sleep with my satin scarf to preserve the moisture. Each morning, I moisturize my hair with coconut oil. Scarves and headbands have also proven to be lifesavers while traveling.

Roaming natural has been a journey in more ways than one. While I have been experiencing new places, meeting new people, and learning about different cultures; I have also been learning how to manage my natural hair while living out of a backpack. I can humbly admit that I still do not have all the answers and that is okay. The journey is the destination.

Feel free to leave any questions or comments below! xo