Currently struggling with this myself. Especially having locs, your hair goes through a journey. For some reason it’s so hard for us to love us just as God made us. Thank you as always 🤍
It is hard and it’s still a work in progress for me, even at 30 🫠 my friend just got micro locs and she loves them! I see so many vids pop up about styling micro locs, it’s worth a search for some hair inspo!
Your fair is flourishing. I've been wanting to lay off weave/half-upart wigs for a while mainly because my scalp just cannot take all of the tension. Whenever I take it out, I feel like I can finally breathe.
Your hair looks so beautiful and healthy! Thank you for sharing! This conversation was much needed. I literally had a similar conviction so I did a big chop (from having texlaxed hair) in November 2023. I initially felt weird about how short my hair was, but I now see how beautiful I look in my own natural hair. I love my 4C curls and realize that I'm on a beautiful journey to learning how to care for/grow my hair
I’m two months in Gwen! It has been a STRUGGLE. But I’m getting more familiar with a styling routine and making my hair do what I want it to do. I miss my faux locs girl but I need to gain that comfort in wearing the hair that I was given. It’s also boosting my self esteem.
Hey Heather 🤗 I don’t see your stories anymore since I deleted my IG, I hope all is well! Good for you for going fake hair free! Your hair is long and full so it should be no problem at all!
I had scalp issues growing up and I could never get relaxers or weaves. I always felt left out and never in style growing up. I hated my scalp struggles, but I am grateful that I have found treatments for my scalp that helped my HAIR to thrive. I am almost 50 with a full head of hair. I love my silver streaks and full natural. I love getting compliments on the SMELL of my hair. (Tea tree, geranium and sweet almond oil soothes scalp irritation). My struggles became a strength.
Wow, praise the Lord you were able to overcome your issues and could never get relaxers! My grandma never let us get one and I used to be so upset about it. Now since hearing how unhealthy it is, I’m glad she never let me do it. I just got hip to sweet almond oil and it’s amazing to seal in conditioner
Hair extension are an accessory to me. I grew up in a salon so changing my hair weekly has alway been a thing. I go from braids, to weave to my hair, whatever. I generally stick to curly hair close to my texture I don't like my hair to be straight for more than a week or two. I think that is you are not putting your self esteem into it then its fine to switch up your look but you should feel just as beautiful with our any thing added. Thank you for sharing your story!
@@lessieallen2170 I was totally putting my esteem in it so for me it was becoming idolatry in a way 🤣 for others it may be ok! Thank you for watching 🤍
Yes! I resonate with your story so much! I started straightening my hair when I was 14 years old! At this time, the straighteners were not how they are today. I used to flat iron my hair with an iron! I burned myself so bad one time! Eventually I got a really cheap conair straightener and then finally got a really expensive CHI at a hair salon. I straightened my hair so much I ruined my curls and eventually my hair would dry straight. I relaxed my hair at home one time and most of it fell out! As I got older I started wearing extensions. And I felt the same way as you. If I didn’t have extensions in I didn’t enjoy the way I looked. I always had to have my hair straightened and with extensions. There was a period of time when the short bob was in that I cut my hair into that style but immediately began wearing extensions again. Eventually as I got older and more confident I began playing around with wearing hair natural and curly. At first I had no curls, and then as my hair grew out, I had my natural curls at the top and then the damaged straight curl pieces. It looked really bad but I trusted the process and did a lot of treatments and mini cuts that eventually my hair grew back. I have been rocking my natural curls for about 8 years now. At times I will straighten my hair, maybe 1-2 times every few months. It’s a lot of work and I can’t be bothered half the time. I don’t know how I spent so much time doing it before. It’s such a journey with our hair! It means so much to us and can be tied up in our identity we can lose ourselves in it at times.
Your hair looks beautiful all the ways. But the natural is thriving. I have struggles with this as well. Growing up I always saw straight hair as the better version of me. I first flat ironed my hair at 5. Eventually I started loving my curls. And enjoy it straight and curly depending on my mood. But when I damaged my hair and had to cut it all off . I had another complex. Which was hating my hair short. Something about short hair bothered me. I guess I learned how to accept my hair curly.But accepting it short and curly definitely still a struggle for me.
I know exactly what you mean about the length and curly which is something I struggled with too! I’ve mentioned it before but I think it’s because I have an oblong face shape that I don’t like it too short because some women with smaller faces look amazing with short hair
I thank the Lord for you! I’ve been wanting to embrace my natural hair since you posted your “how to grow your hair realistically” video. And today I finally have had enough and attempted a braid out and I Love it! I was thinking to myself that I’m not “desirable” or “attractive” with my real hair/texture but that was the enemy speaking doubt in my ear and I realized that what God has made me to be and how I look is perfect to HIM and that’s more than enough for me 😭🤍 and I don’t need to wear extensions to feel beautiful. Long story short lol I’m going to wear my natural hair because you have inspired me and I’ve tried growing my hair with extensions but never tried just letting it be itself/extension free. So this video was definitely on time. I’m praying for you Mrs.Gwen! 🩵 Please talk more on your journey 🩵
You have no idea how much this made my day 🫶🏽 when I started sharing about my hair journey that was my hope, that others would find beauty in their God given hair too so the fact you started your journey is amazing to me. Thank you for sharing that with me
I love this and I look forward to all your videos! So educational and insightful. I absolutely love your hair and it is flourishing 💁🏾♀️ it looks so healthy and full. Can't wait to see how it continues to transform. I've been on this natural journey since before college so I can definitely relate to what you said but my addiction when I was a teen was flat ironing my hair since ppl used to make fun of my big hair back then. Now like you, I love the texture and look of my natural curls! This year I plan to be heat free all year and stick to protective styles and embracing my curls more. Also thinking to experiment making some natural hair moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner. Now that I have Grace, I'm seeing just how terrible these ingredients are in the products esp with the fragrance, thickeners, etc. But anywho, keep it up! Love seeing natural hair ❤️
Your hair is beautiful and I AM HERE FOR THE CURLY CONTENT 😻 I think conditioner and shampoos would be a wonderful addition to your soap/skin line! That may actually be what the girls need! Fragrance free, homemade shampoo and conditioner! I will definitely promote if you do!
Soo many good points here Gwen, wow. Thank you for sharing your journey! It's interesting how God has allowed your hair to FLOURISH. I believe that's connected to your obedience. It's so beautiful.
I think that your hair looks absolutely beautiful no matter what-you have a knack and an eye for style and making things look good in general BUT I am so happy for you because I know this was a huge step and now you have the freedom of self confidence in your own hair!
I've enjoyed watching your hair progression over the last couple of years! It has definitely flourished 🤩 Although I've been natural for many years, I still loved headwraps and synthetic wigs - especially when more kinky curly styles became available. However, within the past year or so I've been feeling a pull away from it. Not sure if it's just me getting older not feeling bothered, God wanting me to embrace my hair or wanting to just be comfortable. My hair in my progile pic now is straight and a wig, but even that is not an everyday look for me. I'm also like well perhaps I can just straighten my own hair every now and then - probably not because I seem to straighten once every couple years😅 Honestly, to be able to go out and not feel any tension on my head or anything on my head besides an occasional hat I may choose to wear, has felt amazing! I'm really a low maintenance natural and agree that once you find one or a few style options that work for you, keep it in rotation and life as a natural isn't too difficult. I truly believe less is more, like many of us when we were kids with longer hair or even guys who seem to have so much more luscious hair and do half the work 😂
Yes 😂 it always seems like people who do less ends up having flourishing hair and maybe it’s something to it because I find the less manipulation the better for me and the more it grows! I think as long as you don’t have an unhealthy relationship with extensions and it isn’t sacrificed hair then you can use it to aid in hair growth! My relationship with it was unhealthy and dependent which ultimately wasn’t good for me
@Offthebeatenpath. My son had such big, long hair until he was 4, then I cut it. But I had the most simple hair routine for him, at the time I kept my hair super short. When I decided to grow out my hair, I was like I need to do whatever I did to his hair 😂 I totally agree on the human hair part, I just cannot bring myself to buy any because of that same reason. I feel like there is so much attached to peoples hair, you never know what they were into or the life they lived - I just stick to the synthetic. I did start to have an unhealthy dependence on wigs and headwraps... if I didn't have a cute wig or even my hair done I just felt so bad. Now I'm embracing the kinks, curls and frizz of my hair. I feel like I stand out and I love the idea that I can inspire little black girls to love their hair as is. I'm happy for you that you were able to recognize the relationship you had with it and followed God's voice to step away. His ways are definitely higher than ours and when we take the opportunity to follow His guidance it always works out better for us. God Bless you Gwen!
Your hair is beautiful and we all are on / have been on this journey of loving our 'natural' hair 😊 Have you experienced any post partum shedding out of interest?
Yes! I have experienced shedding so if you get prego please continue taking your vitamins, I fell off and I think that could be why. I am doing a black tea rinse today!
@@Offthebeatenpath. 🙂That's something I'm yet to try (I don't think I will be anytime soon though, as I love the shampoo I currently use). Happy natural hair journey!!!
Hi Gwen, I've been a long time subbie I love your channel 💕.. I was looking to rewatch some of your old videos but can't see them have you deleted them ?
@@Livingvoice35 the one I used last about 6-8 weeks depending on how often you wash your hair. It doesn’t straighten hair like a Brazilian straightening treatment, just makes it more manageable when detangling! So it’s gone and I didn’t redo it after that video because I ended up having post partum shedding for a few months and as a result I stopped putting stuff on my hair other than natural products! Hope this helps 🫶🏽
Truuuuust me when I say I know hahah I was used to seeing me with 20-22 inches, 2 bundles of raw hair and those bundles were thiiiiick! When I took it out and had my curly hair I felt bald hahah but praise be, it ended up growing and I had to go through the uncomfortable phase to learn my hair and appreciate where it is now
Thoughts??
Currently struggling with this myself. Especially having locs, your hair goes through a journey. For some reason it’s so hard for us to love us just as God made us. Thank you as always 🤍
Funny enough I was looking for ways to style my hair and you pop up 😂
It is hard and it’s still a work in progress for me, even at 30 🫠 my friend just got micro locs and she loves them! I see so many vids pop up about styling micro locs, it’s worth a search for some hair inspo!
Your fair is flourishing. I've been wanting to lay off weave/half-upart wigs for a while mainly because my scalp just cannot take all of the tension. Whenever I take it out, I feel like I can finally breathe.
It is refreshing feeling your scalp breath but I absolutely know how much uparts can help your hair grow, but not if its too much tension!
Your hair looks so beautiful and healthy! Thank you for sharing! This conversation was much needed. I literally had a similar conviction so I did a big chop (from having texlaxed hair) in November 2023. I initially felt weird about how short my hair was, but I now see how beautiful I look in my own natural hair. I love my 4C curls and realize that I'm on a beautiful journey to learning how to care for/grow my hair
Awe I love this for you 🥹 we are all on our journey and it’s nice having others who get it 🫶🏽
I’m two months in Gwen! It has been a STRUGGLE. But I’m getting more familiar with a styling routine and making my hair do what I want it to do. I miss my faux locs girl but I need to gain that comfort in wearing the hair that I was given. It’s also boosting my self esteem.
Hey Heather 🤗 I don’t see your stories anymore since I deleted my IG, I hope all is well! Good for you for going fake hair free! Your hair is long and full so it should be no problem at all!
I had scalp issues growing up and I could never get relaxers or weaves. I always felt left out and never in style growing up. I hated my scalp struggles, but I am grateful that I have found treatments for my scalp that helped my HAIR to thrive. I am almost 50 with a full head of hair. I love my silver streaks and full natural. I love getting compliments on the SMELL of my hair. (Tea tree, geranium and sweet almond oil soothes scalp irritation). My struggles became a strength.
Wow, praise the Lord you were able to overcome your issues and could never get relaxers! My grandma never let us get one and I used to be so upset about it. Now since hearing how unhealthy it is, I’m glad she never let me do it.
I just got hip to sweet almond oil and it’s amazing to seal in conditioner
Hair extension are an accessory to me. I grew up in a salon so changing my hair weekly has alway been a thing. I go from braids, to weave to my hair, whatever. I generally stick to curly hair close to my texture I don't like my hair to be straight for more than a week or two. I think that is you are not putting your self esteem into it then its fine to switch up your look but you should feel just as beautiful with our any thing added. Thank you for sharing your story!
@@lessieallen2170 I was totally putting my esteem in it so for me it was becoming idolatry in a way 🤣 for others it may be ok! Thank you for watching 🤍
Yes! I resonate with your story so much! I started straightening my hair when I was 14 years old! At this time, the straighteners were not how they are today. I used to flat iron my hair with an iron! I burned myself so bad one time! Eventually I got a really cheap conair straightener and then finally got a really expensive CHI at a hair salon. I straightened my hair so much I ruined my curls and eventually my hair would dry straight. I relaxed my hair at home one time and most of it fell out! As I got older I started wearing extensions. And I felt the same way as you. If I didn’t have extensions in I didn’t enjoy the way I looked. I always had to have my hair straightened and with extensions. There was a period of time when the short bob was in that I cut my hair into that style but immediately began wearing extensions again. Eventually as I got older and more confident I began playing around with wearing hair natural and curly. At first I had no curls, and then as my hair grew out, I had my natural curls at the top and then the damaged straight curl pieces. It looked really bad but I trusted the process and did a lot of treatments and mini cuts that eventually my hair grew back. I have been rocking my natural curls for about 8 years now. At times I will straighten my hair, maybe 1-2 times every few months. It’s a lot of work and I can’t be bothered half the time. I don’t know how I spent so much time doing it before. It’s such a journey with our hair! It means so much to us and can be tied up in our identity we can lose ourselves in it at times.
Your hair looks beautiful all the ways. But the natural is thriving. I have struggles with this as well. Growing up I always saw straight hair as the better version of me. I first flat ironed my hair at 5.
Eventually I started loving my curls. And enjoy it straight and curly depending on my mood.
But when I damaged my hair and had to cut it all off . I had another complex. Which was hating my hair short. Something about short hair bothered me. I guess I learned how to accept my hair curly.But accepting it short and curly definitely still a struggle for me.
I know exactly what you mean about the length and curly which is something I struggled with too! I’ve mentioned it before but I think it’s because I have an oblong face shape that I don’t like it too short because some women with smaller faces look amazing with short hair
Your hair is so beautiful
Thank you 🥺
I thank the Lord for you! I’ve been wanting to embrace my natural hair since you posted your “how to grow your hair realistically” video. And today I finally have had enough and attempted a braid out and I Love it! I was thinking to myself that I’m not “desirable” or “attractive” with my real hair/texture but that was the enemy speaking doubt in my ear and I realized that what God has made me to be and how I look is perfect to HIM and that’s more than enough for me 😭🤍 and I don’t need to wear extensions to feel beautiful.
Long story short lol I’m going to wear my natural hair because you have inspired me and I’ve tried growing my hair with extensions but never tried just letting it be itself/extension free. So this video was definitely on time. I’m praying for you Mrs.Gwen! 🩵
Please talk more on your journey 🩵
You have no idea how much this made my day 🫶🏽 when I started sharing about my hair journey that was my hope, that others would find beauty in their God given hair too so the fact you started your journey is amazing to me. Thank you for sharing that with me
You look soo young and naturally beautiful! ❤
Awe thank you 🫶🏽
I'm 31 in December I went natural 🤍 some much truth in this video.… lol will be watching your other videos for tips 😅
Awe good for you 🫶🏽 it’s a journey and it’s rewarding once you get your routine down
I love this and I look forward to all your videos! So educational and insightful. I absolutely love your hair and it is flourishing 💁🏾♀️ it looks so healthy and full. Can't wait to see how it continues to transform. I've been on this natural journey since before college so I can definitely relate to what you said but my addiction when I was a teen was flat ironing my hair since ppl used to make fun of my big hair back then. Now like you, I love the texture and look of my natural curls! This year I plan to be heat free all year and stick to protective styles and embracing my curls more. Also thinking to experiment making some natural hair moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner. Now that I have Grace, I'm seeing just how terrible these ingredients are in the products esp with the fragrance, thickeners, etc. But anywho, keep it up! Love seeing natural hair ❤️
Your hair is beautiful and I AM HERE FOR THE CURLY CONTENT 😻 I think conditioner and shampoos would be a wonderful addition to your soap/skin line! That may actually be what the girls need! Fragrance free, homemade shampoo and conditioner! I will definitely promote if you do!
Oh thank you! I'll keep you posted once I start experimenting 🙏🏾
I didn't know the backstory to the Indian hair commonly used. That is very interesting indeed. Wow!
Yes it’s wild
Your hair is so beautiful!
Thank you so much 🫶🏽
Do you offer classes? We can do virtual? I feel like I you are the best and authentic person I can learn from.
This video is so inspiring.
Your hair is beautiful and flourishing!!
Thank you so much 🫶🏽 took me awhile to get here 😬
Everything is flourishing!!! The baby, the family, the hair & the faith! Girl, I love this. Thanks for sharing 🩶
Soo many good points here Gwen, wow. Thank you for sharing your journey! It's interesting how God has allowed your hair to FLOURISH. I believe that's connected to your obedience. It's so beautiful.
I’d like to think so too 🫶🏽 thank you Tabitha! I hope all is well with you!
I think that your hair looks absolutely beautiful no matter what-you have a knack and an eye for style and making things look good in general BUT I am so happy for you because I know this was a huge step and now you have the freedom of self confidence in your own hair!
This video describes my hair journey to a T ! So glad you touched on this. I feel heard ♥️
🫶🏽 awe thank you Ciearra!
I've enjoyed watching your hair progression over the last couple of years! It has definitely flourished 🤩 Although I've been natural for many years, I still loved headwraps and synthetic wigs - especially when more kinky curly styles became available. However, within the past year or so I've been feeling a pull away from it. Not sure if it's just me getting older not feeling bothered, God wanting me to embrace my hair or wanting to just be comfortable. My hair in my progile pic now is straight and a wig, but even that is not an everyday look for me. I'm also like well perhaps I can just straighten my own hair every now and then - probably not because I seem to straighten once every couple years😅 Honestly, to be able to go out and not feel any tension on my head or anything on my head besides an occasional hat I may choose to wear, has felt amazing! I'm really a low maintenance natural and agree that once you find one or a few style options that work for you, keep it in rotation and life as a natural isn't too difficult. I truly believe less is more, like many of us when we were kids with longer hair or even guys who seem to have so much more luscious hair and do half the work 😂
Yes 😂 it always seems like people who do less ends up having flourishing hair and maybe it’s something to it because I find the less manipulation the better for me and the more it grows!
I think as long as you don’t have an unhealthy relationship with extensions and it isn’t sacrificed hair then you can use it to aid in hair growth! My relationship with it was unhealthy and dependent which ultimately wasn’t good for me
@Offthebeatenpath. My son had such big, long hair until he was 4, then I cut it. But I had the most simple hair routine for him, at the time I kept my hair super short. When I decided to grow out my hair, I was like I need to do whatever I did to his hair 😂 I totally agree on the human hair part, I just cannot bring myself to buy any because of that same reason. I feel like there is so much attached to peoples hair, you never know what they were into or the life they lived - I just stick to the synthetic. I did start to have an unhealthy dependence on wigs and headwraps... if I didn't have a cute wig or even my hair done I just felt so bad. Now I'm embracing the kinks, curls and frizz of my hair. I feel like I stand out and I love the idea that I can inspire little black girls to love their hair as is. I'm happy for you that you were able to recognize the relationship you had with it and followed God's voice to step away. His ways are definitely higher than ours and when we take the opportunity to follow His guidance it always works out better for us. God Bless you Gwen!
You and Steph Anya here on RUclips could be sisters. The resemblance is really trippy 😮
Never heard of her, I’ll have to go take a look 👀
Continue the story, can you state your hair type.. Texture, porosity, density, etc!😊
Your hair is beautiful and we all are on / have been on this journey of loving our 'natural' hair 😊 Have you experienced any post partum shedding out of interest?
Yes! I have experienced shedding so if you get prego please continue taking your vitamins, I fell off and I think that could be why. I am doing a black tea rinse today!
@@Offthebeatenpath. Thanks for the info!! I'll definitely do that when I do!!! Yes, caffeine is great for shedding :-)
@@theparttimehomemaker surprisingly I did not know that! I also just found using clay instead of shampoo so I will be trying that for a month!
@@Offthebeatenpath. 🙂That's something I'm yet to try (I don't think I will be anytime soon though, as I love the shampoo I currently use). Happy natural hair journey!!!
Hi Gwen, I've been a long time subbie I love your channel 💕.. I was looking to rewatch some of your old videos but can't see them have you deleted them ?
Yes, i spoke a little about it on my blog post. Long story short, I took them down while I figure out the direction I want to take the channel
Love the context and you and your hair are gorgeous ❤️
More natural hair care videos, please ❤
I have been wanting to do them so Lord willing I will!
Can you do an update on your keratin treatment
@@Livingvoice35 the one I used last about 6-8 weeks depending on how often you wash your hair. It doesn’t straighten hair like a Brazilian straightening treatment, just makes it more manageable when detangling! So it’s gone and I didn’t redo it after that video because I ended up having post partum shedding for a few months and as a result I stopped putting stuff on my hair other than natural products! Hope this helps 🫶🏽
It’s so hard to do after a big chop, especially when your used to long full hair
Truuuuust me when I say I know hahah I was used to seeing me with 20-22 inches, 2 bundles of raw hair and those bundles were thiiiiick! When I took it out and had my curly hair I felt bald hahah but praise be, it ended up growing and I had to go through the uncomfortable phase to learn my hair and appreciate where it is now