What made you go natural? Was it for a change? Hair damage from relaxers? Appreciation of your natural texture? Freedom?
My reasons were more political/spiritual. I was 19, in college, an activist, and after a time it just seemed odd to believe I HAD to relax my hair. I started seeing all sorts of beautiful people with creative natural hairstyles: twists, locs, fros, etc. My boyfriend of the time took me to his barber and I went from thick past shoulder length relaxed to a low feminine fade. I escaped to Trinidad for a week to scared to show my Dad who was notorious for hating on Black women's hair with any kink. My mothe had long "good" hair. If it wasn't like hers, it needed to be pressed or relaxed according to him. As time went by I just took on the mantra, God makes no mistakes. And here I am. I have to tell you though, my ideas about my hair only extend to myself and my children. If they want to relax when they get older, at least it wont' be because they think their hair texture is a mistake or misfortune.
Have you pondered another relaxer? Why/ why not?
Nope. I'm comfortable with my natural hair. I can get a straight look, but I can't get relaxed hair to do what natural hair can (notwithstanding weaves). I tried this weekend. A young lady with long healthy bsl hair wanted me to create an afro puff look for her. We tried via rod sets and teasing but couldn't really get it right. What I did discover is that I've still got my skills when it comes to styling relaxed hair. My rollerset was banging!! Haven't lost my touch!
Do you use heat to straighten your hair? If so, how often? Honestly, in the past 15 years maybe 3 or 4 times. All but once to precision cut my ends. Once to put in individual braids.
Which was easier to manage- relaxed hair or natural hair?
Depends on what I wanted to achieve. The easiest style of all was a baldie or really low hair. Doesn't get any easier than that. My relaxed hair was healthy and I enjoyed conditioning it and styling it (though I overused the curling iron for sure!! I had one of those gold and hots and I'd crank it all the way up.)
Relaxed or natural, I think hair management can be as hard or easy as you make it.