Dear sub-set of black women that look at my

hair and say, "You don't need a relaxer!!!",

You don't know me or my habits. I refuse to sit up in a salon for 3-4 hours of my Saturday to get my hair pressed. I have a shitton of patience, but patience at the salon is not one of those things. In the summer, if I don't have a relaxer, the second I walk out the door and sweat a bit, my curl comes back with a vengence and my "straight" hair is a futile mess.

I recently went 6 months without a relaxer and 9/10 I had my hair in a pony tail. Because I didn't feel like dealing with it. I didn't feel like fighting the natural curl. I didn't feel like doing the wet n' go look every day because it dries out my hair. I didn't feel like fighting to comb it and then seeing an uncomfortable amount of hair in my comb. I didn't feel like paying $35-$40 dollars on a weekly basis (that's a gas tank) to get my hair done b/c within 2 days it would've looked like a curly mess.

I get my relaxers when I am exasperated with dealing with my own hair. I truly believe that you should know how to deal with what you've got...and by golly if it takes a relaxer for me to have patience with my own hair...don't tell me I don't need one.

Now that I have one, I've worn my hair down and straight for like 2 consistent weeks. It swings in the wind. People compliment me, "did you get your hair done?" I feel a bit more confident.

I appreciate your "care or concern" for my hair; however, perhaps you have a different level of patience in dealing with your own hair that doesn't stir up the desire for you to get a relaxer. Perhaps your grade of hair is different such that it doesn't curl at the sight of water. Whatever the deal is...you stay outta my head and I'll stay outta yours. But my response will be to you, "It's my hair and I have to deal with it, I'll continue to get relaxers 3 times a year...thanx."

Love,
SunFresh