Here we go again.

I'm back, and I know I've said this before, but I think it will be a bit different this time. I think this time; I'm going to try and stick around. So, what's changed? Well, for starters, I did a big chop, a second big chop back in February last year (2022), after installing microlocs the year before in March 2021.

So, why did I cut my hair?

The locks just weren't working for me. They became a burden. I felt shackled, pinned down by them, and I longed to have the flexibility and the freedom that microlocs promised. The maintenance of microlocs alone was overwhelming, and there was so much I didn't know until after I had started my journey.

For example, two-strand twists were probably not the best way to go with my hair texture. As a starting point, I should have interlocked from the beginning. And if I had known what it would be like, waiting for my hair to lock and having to retwist every time I had an appointment, I would have given the thought of doing locks a lot more thought.

So, anyway, I'm rocking what we used to call a TWA (teeny weenie afro), and I've cut it again a few times. This summer, I went on a mini Euro tour by train and to prepare for that, I got my hair braided. Now I think I'll do a separate post on my experience of getting my hair braided in London by an Instagram vendor.

Spoiler alert: it wasn't good - but I'll save that for a separate post.

What brought me back to the blog?

So, again, what has brought me back this time? Well, I still have things to say about my hair. I don't know that I have much to say about other people's hair, and I don't know that I have much to say about the science of hair. But I'm definitely thinking about my hair a lot more and in much more political ways than I was willing to engage with earlier.

There are many blog posts, podcasts, and videos talking about the politics of black hair and how those who choose to rock our natural texture are treated and viewed in the world today, especially at work. But it goes even deeper than that. And again, this may be another opportunity for a blog post to expand my ideas and thinking.

So, what have I been doing to my hair while it's been short?

Mostly nothing. I use Head & Shoulders shampoo to manage my seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. And I use a Head & Shoulders conditioner. I have one Shea Moisture leave-in conditioner. And that's about it. Years ago, I discovered that using fewer products was way better for my hair (and pocket) and having big chopped again; I'm finding that that's still true.

Twists by me, hair from Oneandko (based in Lagos, Nigeria), waterwave passion twists hair in colour C14

Anyway, I don't see myself expanding my product shelf as I did the first time I went natural. I don't think I subscribe to buying loads and loads of products to manage my natural hair because isn't natural hair meant to be easy? Isn't that the point? I'm also going to review how I felt about specific products and product lines and the need to write content and reviews about products that were popular then. Now that there's more space between myself and that version of my hair care journey, it'll be easier for me to speak candidly. Let me be clear: I've never lied to you, and I never and never will, my kinky curly friends, but I think that my perspective and feelings about certain aspects of having natural hair have changed over the years, as have I.

So that's all I've got to say for now.

Really, I'm back!

How are you doing? What’s going on with your hair? What are your plans and goals for the year?

I don't know who's still out there, but if you are, thank you for sticking around, and speak soon.

Until then, stay healthy, happy and blessed, Cookie.