~Introduce yourself!

Hello, my name is Kel. I am 31 years old. For about 10 years now, I have been a licensed hairstylist. However, I’ve been braiding and styling hair since I was around 10 years old.

~When did you go natural?

I’ve been on the natural hair journey off and on since about 2009. I was relaxed wearing a pixie cute, and as I began to grow my hair out I stopped getting relaxers. I only stayed natural for about a year then. By 2011, I was getting relaxers again. 2012 I started transitioning, then big chopped. I have been natural since. But in that time frame I would cut it off, grow it out, shave sides, you name it I did it. Lol

~Why did you go natural?

I never got relaxers often in my relaxed days. A lot of times I started transitioning on accident, just because straight edges weren’t a necessity for me… so I would forget to get a relaxer. I probably only got 3 relaxers a year.When I finally did go natural and stay, it was because I loved the puff and curls. Big hair is my favorite look! Also, I liked the idea of wearing “different” styles that not many people could achieve. Everyone wanted the look, but didn’t want to go natural. I remember getting compliments from men and women, blacks and whites, young and old.

~What have you learned about your hair since going natural?

Over the years I’ve learned that my hair is probably on the easier side of naturals. I never had challenges with finding products because my hair responded well to anything. Which is not a good thing, because it made me a “lazy natural”.But because I had clients starting their journey and needing help, I had to research and learn how to accommodate and manage their hair care needs individually.

~What was your view of your hair…Your kinky, coily, curly hair in general when growing up and then as an adult (before going natural)

Growing up, pre chemicals, my hair was curly. As an adult, I’ve seen curly in most areas, and coily in others. Hair just grows however it wants. I’ve often asked certain sections of my hair “now why can’t y’all act right and do what they’re doing over here”.🤪

~What has been your biggest challenge having natural hair?

I didn’t face many, if any, challenges. Probably because I’m a hairstylist though. Literally any hairstyle I wanted, I did. With the exception of “wash n go”. Never, EVER mastered it. However it wasn’t a deal breaker.

~What is your hope for women of color and the natural hair movement that we’re currently in?

My hope is for women to just embrace their natural hair. Love it. Own it. Understand that not all textures are the same. There’s not one texture that is better than the other. Whatever you have, it’s meant for you to rock! I’ve seen clients with curly hair wanting kinky, and clients with kinky wanting curly!!

~What would you say to someone wanting to go natural but is on the fence about it?

When I run across someone on the fence of starting their journey, I like to ask what their goals are. What styles are you wanting to wear? For some, they just want to get away from relaxers and want to continue to get their natural hair pressed. I have some who wear sew ins and protective styles faithfully so they see no reason to get relaxers. Then there’s the ones who actually want to wear natural styles, twist outs, wash n go, puffs, etc. So it all depends on your goals and expectations.

~What advice would you give a person that has just started their natural hair journey?

I always tell people to be patient! It takes patience. And more patience! Be your own goals in whatever stage of the journey you’re in. Take care of your hair. Also, I tell people in the transition, if you plan to keep your natural curls intact, don’t straighten your hair the entire time of the transition. Wear protective styles, perm rods, any styles that protect you from heat damage. Some can get away with the flat ironing, most can’t.You will get straight pieces (heat protectant or not). In over 8 years, I can literally count on one hand how many times I’ve straightened my natural hair.

~If you could go back what would you do different?

If I could go back I would probably avoid a few box dyes I used along the way. My hair has never broken, but I’m sure it could have been a lot healthier throughout the years. If I could go back I would care more about the products I used and maintained a consistent regimen. Though my journey was on the easier side, I could have treated my hair better and showed it more love!

~Any last remarks, advice, comments?

Currently, I have started my loc journey. (On accident) In 2020 I was expecting a little one who had me sick the first 6 months!! I was barely able, but I did some two strand twists in my hair and never took them down. So here I am 1 yr and a half later, with locs. But I love them, and I don’t regret it one bit!!

-Raykell Mayes 💜