The trend toward natural hair continues to grow, but going natural is a lifestyle commitment that isn’t right for everyone. Perhaps you’re on the fence about whether or not you should go natural. Here are five reasons that going natural might not be the best option for you.
1. You believe going natural means less work.
Perhaps in the beginning, if you opt to go with a big chop, your natural hair care routine will be cut down considerably. However, once your natural tresses grow longer, be prepared to put a fair amount of time into shampooing, conditioning, moisturizing, detangling, styling, and prepping hair for bed. Is it worth it? Most naturals will agree that it is, but if a quick and easy routine is what you value most, natural hair might not be for you.
2. You’re not willing to invest time and money into the health of your hair.
We’ve already debunked the ‘I’ll just wake up and go’ myth. However, you’ll also need to invest time into educating yourself about how to achieve and maintain healthy hair. Whether you choose to consult a natural hair professional or invest long hours into reading articles online and watching YouTube tutorials, you must learn how to best care for your hair. You’ll also need to experiment with different hair products and styling methods in order to discover what works best for your unique hair.
What about the cost of going natural? When you purchase healthy, organic foods you expect to pay more than you do for their less nutritious counterparts. Likewise, natural hair products are typically more expensive than traditional hair products. Perhaps you’re a do-it-yourselfer who plans to make your own hair products. The raw products needed—like quality oils and Shea butter—still represent a significant investment.
3. You want a consistent look.
One of the beautiful things about natural hair is its versatility. However, that versatile look isn’t always up to you. Often, it is your hair (or Mother Nature) that is truly in control. If you expect to achieve a consistent look, you may find yourself in a constant battle with your natural hair.
4. You’re determined to achieve a very specific look.
Our natural hair comes in a variety of types and textures. If you’ve been wearing a relaxer for a long time, you probably have no idea what your natural texture really is. So if you’re expecting to achieve a very specific look, chances are, you’re setting yourself up for a big disappointment. It’s unlikely that your hair will look exactly like anyone else’s—even if you have the same texture and use the same hair products.
5. You’re sensitive to the opinions of others.
Going natural is a decision not everyone will appreciate. Unfortunately, the people who won’t agree with your decision just may be the ones whose opinions matter most to you. Your mother. Your best friend. Your significant other. Perhaps even your boss. If the possibility that any, or all, of these people might have a strong, negative reaction to your new look gives you the hives, you might not be ready to go natural.
People go natural for a variety of reasons. But going natural isn’t just a fashion trend; it’s a lifestyle choice. While the natural hair movement is steadily growing, it isn’t right for everyone. So before you jump on the bandwagon, carefully consider whether the natural lifestyle is right for you.
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