After trying out several products myself, Some worked for my hair and some didn’t. Some gave “great results” when I did a twist out, braid out, some didn’t. From that, I have learned that it is NOT the product but it is how our hair can withstand the style on its own. Just being curious, I did Bantu knots and a braid out without putting any moisturizer or product on my hair. And my hair came out just the same. So it made me think…are naturals spending a lot of money obtaining these product lines because they desire to have moisture on their hair or trying to achieve these nice, full out twist outs/braid outs by using whatever product these natural hair bloggers are using. I had to have a come to Jesus with myself because I realized that I was doing that myself..buying new products every week to see if I can get the look that I see. But when I did that little experiment, I realize that I don’t need the product to achieve this look. I didn’t use anything on my hair except weave, and monthly washes on my hair to grow my hair out to its natural state, and even though my hair may not be full of body as it used to be, it’ll get back to where it used to be, products or not. I have done every remedy possible: cayenne pepper, Monistat, Jamaican black castor oil challenge, everything I saw that works in making my hair grow I tried but I didn’t depend solely on that because I didn’t even know of these things when I was “transitioning” and my hair grew on its own faster than what is now, products or not. I’ve learned that what may work for you may not work for everybody and vice versa. Just because it may work for someone else, it may not be for me. And I am totally fine with that. My hair is different and probably different from most but in the end of the day, it’s my hair. 🙂
So my answer to the above questions is: No, it is not the products. Now I am not saying don’t go out and not buy and support these product lines because they work hard and diligently to help women that have natural textures. But don’t have this mindset that it’s the products that are going to give you long hair or help you achieve that bomb braid out/twist out that you are trying to achieve. The fact of the reality, while your pockets are getting smaller because you spend $50 on a product or their whole product line to make your hair grow or achieve a style, you’re making them rich. Whether you like it or not, or it worked for you or not they are still going to be in business and are still going to be successful.
So I say all of this to say, love your hair, do less to it. My motto is less manipulation, fewer complications. I had to learn this the hard way but I am thankful I eventually learned. Your hair will grow just like everyone else. But let’s rebuke this mindset set of depending on products or always asking people what products to us to make our hair grow or capable of making us have the best twist out or other styles.
Happy hair growing! 🙂
P.S. I stated that my 3 year anniversary is approaching this Thanksgiving weekend and I want to straighten and color my hair. It’s been YEARS since I have put any color other than Jet black in my hair but I want to do something different. BUT my 6 months no heat no damage challenge won’t be over until January! So I don’t know what to do…Guess I’ll have to pray about it but I’ve been doing well since July so whoop go me! Blessings!