Going Back To Natural Hair After Age 50!!!!

As more women reach middle age, the urge or decision to go back to our roots [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] might occur. Overprocessing, hair loss, chemical sensitivity, or just plain sick and tired of the permed-relaxed hair ritual are some of the main reasons for taking the plunge.

Back in the days of the Angela Davis, Sonya Sanchez, Jean Pace and Kathleen Cleaver Afro's, the short cropped Afro, and the braids--our hair looked good natural, no matter what "grade" or "type" hair you had. Make no mistake, those hairstyles took time and patience. Not to mention just a few products to use like Afro Sheen, Ultra Sheen and Stay So Fro. Unfortunately, most of us gave in to the permed straight look and the rest is history. We started perming our daughter's hair as young as six years of age (before they entered school) and now they are young women--many who claim to have never seen their hair in it's natural state. It's impressive to read the posts written by the younger sisters who are determined to keep and care for their natural hair while sharing, teaching and inspiring others who want to do the same.

Let's hear from the sisters of a certain age who are considering taking the plunge, transitioning, or are proudly wearing their natural hair. What are you doing to your hair now that you weren't doing back in the days? What's your new routine? What natural hair styles are you sporting that are "age appropriate" (or shoud that even be an issue??? [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

my mom is 50 and transitioning...right now she does roller sets with medium and small rollers mostly but im the one who co-washes her hair and moisturizes and seals it lol

My mom is 59 and she is transitioning now. She continues to do her roller sets but now I have to get her away from the hair grease.

I will be 50 in August. I have been transitioning for 3 months. I wear mostly twist and curl outs, bantu-knot outs and roller sets. I cowash at least once a week and DC once a week. My hair is short so with the exception of the roller sets, it looks like a curly TWA when I do these styles. In my community, I know of no one else my age that is natural or transitioning.

My mom is also transitioning. (she's known to stretch relaxers) She's 52, and so far, she's been doing braid outs and bantu knots. She asks me lots of questions about her hair, and she loves co-washing. It's the hair grease that I'm trying to get her away from.

my mom will be 56 in may n she is transitioning. she has been doing so since december of 2009.

i love it!! the older we get the softer it is! i love seeing older silver foxes with dreads and etc. all that wisdom growin all up in there!

a good tip for yall mom's who need to back away from the grease, yall know u cant tell old folks nothing, lol. but i can honestly say my pooka hair butter is the answer to those prayers. its the consistency of grease so its nice n soft and moisturizes perfectly. since i've gotten my order a few weeks ago, i've been greasing my scalp with it and i loooove it. u can switch it and they'll never know the difference! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Hair grease was a part of our hair care regiment and we became addicted to using it along with the perms (yikes!). If we had only known about the miracles of unrefined pure shea butter, olive oil, and coconut oil! Shea butter works wonders on dry and course hair. After washing and conditioning the hair, apply shea butter to each section before twisting, braiding or pinning. The amount will depend upon the hair type and if the hair is natural, gray or in transition. If the shea butter is a little too heavy, try blending it with olive oil or coconut oil. The results are fantastic! I also use it as a skin moisturizer. Share what you learn about natural hair care with your transitioning mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and other women of a certain age. The CurlyNikki website is a great resource.

My mom just did the big chop! She's 49. Love how many of our moms are going natural

I am a 52 year old natural. I did the BC December 2009 and have loved myself more every since. Once you reach a certain age (over 50) there is a new found freedom which includes hair. I had no desire to transition so I just took the plunge and cut off 7 inches of permed hair. Was I shocked? NO!!! Because I had 2 inches of beautiful graying glory!!!!

Natural Time wrote:I am a 52 year old natural. I did the BC December 2009 and have loved myself more every since. Once you reach a certain age (over 50) there is a new found freedom which includes hair. I had no desire to transition so I just took the plunge and cut off 7 inches of permed hair. Was I shocked? NO!!! Because I had 2 inches of beautiful graying glory!!!!

Love your story. We would love to see some pictures

Will post picturesvery soon. Learning to download them now.

Ditto wanting to see pictures. I am 11 years shy of 50, and I am transitioning with twist braids. My thing is that I have a lot of gray hair for my age, so I want to wear my TWA, but it will be laced with lots of gray. I am not sure if I want to color either.

RoseBud wrote:

Natural Time wrote:I am a 52 year old natural. I did the BC December 2009 and have loved myself more every since. Once you reach a certain age (over 50) there is a new found freedom which includes hair. I had no desire to transition so I just took the plunge and cut off 7 inches of permed hair. Was I shocked? NO!!! Because I had 2 inches of beautiful graying glory!!!!

Love your story. We would love to see some pictures

Natural Time wrote:Will post picturesvery soon. Learning to download them now.

LaFemmeRouge wrote:Ditto wanting to see pictures. I am 11 years shy of 50, and I am transitioning with twist braids. My thing is that I have a lot of gray hair for my age, so I want to wear my TWA, but it will be laced with lots of gray. I am not sure if I want to color either.

For now how about an update on my avatar instead of pictures. Still need more practice to download pics.

OK, I got to say I love, Love, LOVE your hair!

LaFemmeRouge wrote:OK, I got to say I love, Love, LOVE your hair!

Thank You!! I am loving it too. So wear your TWA and gray with pride!!!

Natural Time wrote:Will post picturesvery soon. Learning to download them now.

You and your hair are bueatiful

Erica5417 wrote:My mom just did the big chop! She's 49. Love how many of our moms are going natural

That is awesome...I did my bc at the age of 48 (October 2009)...I don't have daughters, and my youngest son wasn't feeling the natural look at all!!! You mother is so lucky to have you to support her!!!!

Natural Time wrote:I am a 52 year old natural. I did the BC December 2009 and have loved myself more every since. Once you reach a certain age (over 50) there is a new found freedom which includes hair. I had no desire to transition so I just took the plunge and cut off 7 inches of permed hair. Was I shocked? NO!!! Because I had 2 inches of beautiful graying glory!!!!

Beautiful!!!!! I'm right behind you, but I'm not feeling my grey edges. If my grey was coming in all over I would embrace it....yours is soo pretty!!!!

RoseBud wrote:

Natural Time wrote:Will post picturesvery soon. Learning to download them now.

You and your hair are bueatiful

KinkyNappyHappy wrote:

Natural Time wrote:I am a 52 year old natural. I did the BC December 2009 and have loved myself more every since. Once you reach a certain age (over 50) there is a new found freedom which includes hair. I had no desire to transition so I just took the plunge and cut off 7 inches of permed hair. Was I shocked? NO!!! Because I had 2 inches of beautiful graying glory!!!!

Beautiful!!!!! I'm right behind you, but I'm not feeling my grey edges. If my grey was coming in all over I would embrace it....yours is soo pretty!!!!

Thank You Ladies for your kind and encouraging words!!! I am looking forward to when the gray comes in all over. Right now it is just in the front edges but that is what makes it unique....almost like two cotton balls on my temples. Embrace it and love it!!!

My mom is a natural- she did a BC a few years ago- She tried to grow it out. Loves the short look.
Maybe, I am biased. She is my mom, however, I think she rocks it!

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Nyla I TOTALLY agree! You ladies are beautiful! Work it!!

Thank you sweet. I took this picture when she wasn't ready! To be honest, I think this one came out better than, the ones when she was ready.

Oh btw- my mom turns 61 this year!

Nyla, momma was working it! I love that pic!