The beginning of natural; my natural.
It’s been almost ten years since I walked into the salon at Oku street in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and made the decision never to put another relaxer on my hair.
To this day, I have never understood why it’s called a relaxer. There was nothing relaxing about it. My scalp would sting, burn, and itch, and after every session, I found myself dealing with the aftermath rather than enjoying the results.
The day I stopped relaxing my hair was, in every sense, ordinary. I had spent hours moving from one beauty supply store to another in search of a relaxer that was supposedly great for “virgin” hair. Seven shops later, exhausted and frustrated, I walked into an eighth store.
The attendant asked me what I wanted to do with my hair. Without thinking, I replied, “Twists. With my natural hair.” The look on their faces made me feel as though I had grown horns. I was told it wouldn’t be possible. My hair texture, they said, wasn’t right for the style I wanted. Besides, they didn’t really do natural hair there. Disappointed but strangely determined, I left and headed to another salon.
