The friend that asked me this has a perm. And to my knowledge, she was not interested in going natural. So this was an interesting question coming from her.
"So...." she asks.
"Do you miss the perm?"
I couldn't even give a direct answer to this. Instead I had to pose questions and answer those individually.
So I aksed myself.
"Do I miss running from the rain?"
NO
"Do I miss HAVING to go to the salon to pay someone to do my hair because I couldn't do it myself?"
NO
"Do I miss not being able to swim or work-out out of fear of sweating out the perm?"
NO
"Do I miss spending hours in the salon only to not ever really be satisfied with the look?"
NO
"Do I miss having to wrap my hair at night and spending 20 minutes in the morning curling it?"
NO
"Do I miss having to curse humidity because it made my hair turn into frizz?"
NO
"Do I miss seeing hair in the sink and on the floor and in combs?"
NO
"Do I miss spending a crap load of money on hair products thinking that THIS product will be my holy grail?"
NO
"Do I miss the perm burning my scalp?"
NO!!!
There isn't one thing about the perm that I miss. Not one. I really gave it some thought and I don't miss a thing. And of course I didn't realize this until I went natural but the perm was one big expensive incovenience. I haven't gotten a perm in 5 years and 5 years later I feel just as liberated and free. And it's funny because while I was perming I didn't think that any of the above were problems. It was a way of life.
So, no. I don't miss the perm in the least. But at the same time I'm glad I had one. Because without it, I don't think I would have ever been so appreciative of my natural hair.
6 comments:
I agree whole-heartedly. I haven't had a perm in 11 years- Back in the day, I would however, see nice hairstyles and think, I would look good with that. Now, the it's like I don't even notice permed hairstyles. Instead, I look at natural hairstyles and think, Oooh la la, I would look good with my hair in that style. so if this doesn't answer the question of: do I miss my permed hair, then I say to those of you that don't quite get it Hell to tha Naw!
It'll be 3 years next month since I've had a perm. Do I miss the perm...oh hell naw!!!! And to every question you asked!!
I haven't had a perm in three years and I'm still kicking myself because I didn't break my addiction to the creamy crack sooner. I agree wholeheartedly with your list. My hair has never been this length without weave and I'm proud to say I pay more attention to the health of my hair. Natural 4 Life!
Well said, lady :-) I haven't had a perm since was 18. Got bored with my fro so I started locs a little over 5 months ago. I plan on keeping my hair natural and perm-free for the rest of my life :-)
I have to admit - I do miss it sometimes. I think it's hard not to if you're trying to press natural hair straight and keep it that way, which I do about 50% of the time. I admit that when I have to throw my hair in a ponytail because it won't stay straight and I see other women walking around with bone straight hair, I feel a little wistful. I would never go back to being relaxed but hell's yeah I miss it sometimes.
Its okay to love your natural hair! I also think its okay to love your hair if you perm it! Just because you're natural doesn't mean you don't buy hair products or go to the salon and spend money. As women we spend money on so many things we don't need and I'm not just talking about hair products.
I wish Natural and Relaxed sisters could have an open mind towards each other. We spend so much time making sure that our strong opinions get heard that we don't listen to each other.
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