Natural hair – the solution to all problems? My experience of growing my own color and an unexpected result

For years, I struggled with dyeing my hair, chasing the perfect shade and battling the damage that came with it. The endless cycle of coloring, fading, and touch-ups left my hair tired and lifeless. One day, I decided enough was enough—I wanted to embrace my natural hair color and see what would happen if I just let it be.

The trip wasn’t simple. I occasionally doubted myself as my roots spread, questioning whether I was doing the right thing. However, I persevered because I wanted healthier, more real hair. I had not seen my hair’s actual color and texture in years, but slowly but surely I began to see it.

I was surprised by what I discovered at the end of this journey. Not only did my hair look amazing, but I also experienced an unexpected sense of confidence and freedom. I learned from my experience growing out my natural hair that sometimes the simplest solution is the best one.

Aspect	Details
Motivation	Tired of constant coloring, I wanted to embrace my natural hair color.
Process	It took patience and regular trims to gradually remove the dyed sections.
Challenges	There were moments of doubt, especially during the awkward growing phase.
Results	Unexpectedly, my natural color turned out richer and healthier than I imagined.
Reflection	Embracing my natural hair has boosted my confidence and simplified my routine.

The myth of natural hair

It is advisable to familiarize yourself with the myth that will be covered first. I’ve compiled the most widely shared theories regarding natural hair color on the Internet:

Natural hair has all the perfect qualities—mirror shine, density, lack of brittleness, and split ends.

Dye cannot replicate the complexity and individuality of natural hair color.

Your natural color always enhances your appearance; dyeing seems unnatural.

It is easier to choose clothes and makeup.

Because natural hair is already gorgeous, you can discard all the jars without having to spend any money.

Combing and styling your own hair is simple.

It sounds like the true magic of nature. I truly thought the statements above, even criticizing my mother for coloring my hair once when I could have had gorgeous long hair! Henna takes a long time to grow, so it took a while for the time to come around to switching to natural hair. However, this didn’t stop me from daydreaming of going back to my natural color and lovingly examining old pictures of myself before I dyed.

At last, henna departed my life. The idea that growing out a natural color is "more convenient" with artificial dyeing literally set my teeth on edge. And I chose to do an experiment that would go beyond two years.

My story of returning to my color

Accordingly, the final coloring was done in December 2020. On the one hand, I decided to grow my own color on a whim; I attended a session without giving the grown roots any thought. When I regained consciousness, the natural shade was apparent and sparked a great deal of curiosity. On the other hand, I rejected the current color because it was too cold and dark, which led me to make this choice. A thorough history of my hair can be found here.

I haven’t seen my natural hair color in approximately five years. It is important to note that it was a major letdown—faded and mousey. I wanted to dye it and put it away. However, there was a glimmer of hope that stress was the cause of my unsatisfactory state and that I would now be able to develop into a stunning light brown canvas. Mariya Nechaeva did a good job of writing about the connection between hair color and physical condition.

It’s crucial to remember that I had never heard of Hairmaniac before. Shampoo-conditioner, inexpensive masks, and occasionally natural oils were used in the care. It wasn’t until the summer of 2022 that growth stimulation was used during growing. But in February 2021, I was able to perceive my color in some way.

My immediate surroundings and I were both happy with the first results. The color was a light brown with a cool undertone that was really lovely and distinctive in its own right. All of my doubts vanished during this time, so naturally, I will continue to grow it. Remarkably, the process was easy: the abrupt change in color did not irritate me at all; in fact, I found the contrast between light and dark to be fascinating and wanted to see it grow even more.

Many family members and friends complimented the natural color, saying that "nature does not make mistakes" and that I would be a true beauty. The air of natural beauty that accompanied the growth of natural hair in articles and posts truly captivated me. Finding a distinct personality and having the ideal hair quality appeared to be achievable.

In the meantime, I was starting to experience some annoyances. First of all, my hair became thinner than the colored portion. Though everything was visually more than modest, the thickness was good. The image, or more accurately, how it was created, was the second point. My go-to outfits and makeup were out of style, so I had to rediscover who I was while juggling things and makeup. The type was drastically altered.

I took a strong decision in the spring and removed about 15 centimeters. As a result, the length ended under the armpit. Although growing out your color with a bob is preferable, I can’t embrace my short hair.

After that, something changes: you visit Hairmaniac and make your first post attempts. I browsed the website day and night, picking authors with hair types that were similar to mine and plowing through every section. This is the first time that care schemes have been created. Hair’s life was completely transformed by registering on the website. Everyone should at least write an introduction post; it will greatly improve hair care. I’ve at last discovered a pastime that truly motivates me.

My hair care has changed slightly in the year that I’ve been using Haimaniac:

My journey to becoming my own color has progressed rapidly. A peppermint tincture was used as a growth stimulant (I find that it really helps). I can clearly follow the progression of my hair changes over the past year since the haircut, thanks to the authorship and photos for the posts.

Your hair can change drastically with proper care. To be honest, I have never had better hair than it does now. However, there was a bug in the patch. The natural portion of the hair gained shine and grew softer as a result of the care, but not any more. As the color spread, its expressiveness diminished and it became more subdued. In terms of visual thickness and durability, thin hair did not impress.

A sincere confession. I was lying all this time

More specifically, my phone’s camera, not me. Many people commented on how well my posts captured natural color, but the photos’ color rendering is wildly unrealistic. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to capture the true color in my apartment’s conditions. Despite excellent lighting, the camera insisted on producing a warm color cast.

I made an effort to gather a few images where the hair color is nearly identical to the real one.

This is it: a light brown color that is naturally mousey. Generally speaking, the color tended to be brown with a distinct reddish tint at the sixth angle in my pictures of the posts. In real life, the hair appears slightly lighter than in the back posts, and a chilly undertone is evident.

And this is my "best" photo:

After a braid, don’t be too hard on yourself. The best time to take the picture was in the middle of a cloudy day, when there was strong, natural lighting and no glare from the sun. There’s no denying the differences from my usual photos.

I carried out a quick test. I asked my family and friends which of the multiple photos I had taken of my hair looked the closest to my actual hair color from the outside? Without hesitation, everyone recognized this picture.

I can’t say that I was happy with the experiment’s outcome. However, things are as they are. The reader is now fully aware of my "coloring," which is crucial to the plot’s development.

Myth vs. reality

Let me begin by making a disclaimer. What I have said below is based on my own experience. Your accomplishments, setbacks, and, in the end, your hair may differ greatly. I believe that the length I’ve grown is sufficient to comprehend natural hair, even though I haven’t reached my full color.

Natural hair is always of higher quality than dyed hair. Brittleness and split ends are things of the past.

Actually, this is a myth about my hair. Despite the logic of the situation, I have to admit that I didn’t anticipate it happening this way. My natural hair is more severely discolored by paint or herbs. It displays the hair’s natural color and structure. Miracles shouldn’t wait if they are naturally thin like mine. Moreover, damage factors are more likely to affect thin hair.

Light or medium brown hair has less pigment and is more likely to fade in the sun. I found that dyeing in dark tones thickens and packs the hair with color. The topic of henna-basma coloring is unnecessary because herbal armor effectively shields hair from outside influences while framing it.

It’s common practice to tone your hair using low-oxide dyes so that it resembles blond. Yes, adding density is beneficial. However, this seems to me to have very little to do with complete naturalness.

Actually, all it takes to dispel the myth is to visit any "hair" resource and discover a large number of girls who are unable to grow their hair to its natural length. Brittleness, dullness without care, and split ends are common. That is, having natural hair does not equate to having beautiful hair.

Natural hair color is timeless and exquisite.

Every hair color is lovely in its own unique way. Even "mousy" blond, yes. Blond shades can be expressive and dark, or they can be warm and bright. Like mine, there are also subdued, delicate options, and they’re all very lovely!

There is no denying the distinctiveness of natural color. It is impacted by environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and physical attributes. Natural hair "chameleons" strongly in different lighting conditions; it can have a warm or cold tint and be significantly darker or lighter than its base. The overall color versatility of the hair is attributed to the presence of strands of various shades within the bulk of the hair.

The abundance of natural color formation sources does have a drawback, though. Sunburn can distort the natural base of hair and has a negative effect on its quality. When yellow threads emerge against the background, it is not pleasant. We all desire "beach waves" that are evenly burned, but sadly, this is extremely uncommon.

Loss of pigment can occasionally occur when growing to your natural length. When I was younger, I had waist-length hair, but the color gradually became less saturated after the shoulder blades. Recently, this phenomenon came up in a discussion about Vieso. In a lengthy meeting, Novosyolova_one provided a good illustration of it.

Hair can grow duller, matte, and with a less expressive shade when sick or when the body is deficient. Natural hair is highly susceptible to environmental factors as well as health issues. A girl I know gets "that" greenish tint that many people are afraid of in the winter. It may not make sense to me, but that much is true.

Therefore, having natural hair color isn’t always the best option; hair care and condition are more important factors. As long as you take care of your hair, any color is lovely. Now let’s discuss the care issue.

Nearly no care is required for natural hair. Both energy and product savings are possible.

This is arguably one of the deadliest and most widespread myths! Every hair type needs to be taken care of. Indeed, including those that are natural. "I have my own hair, I’ve been washing it with shampoo my entire life, occasionally using conditioner, and everything is fine with it!" is a comment I see all the time. To be honest, I’m overjoyed for these girls. Due to unfortunate genetics, I will never have braids that reach my heels and are as thick as an arm. The only thing that kept my hair in normal condition was well-structured care.

In contrast to the same blonde, natural hair requires care, but it is worthwhile to use lighter products. Note: Select different products instead of discarding the steps from the scheme.

I believe that the minimal set looks like this:

1. Shampoo for scalp type;
2. Conditioner;
3. Masks: moisturizing, nutrition (complex products still fall short somewhere, for example, there may be a lack of moisture from a complex mask in the summer);
4. Leave-in products (preferably cream/fluid + serum to protect the ends, cream/fluid + oil).

I do not suggest skipping any of the fundamental stages of hair care for the health and aesthetic appeal of hair. Therefore, it might be appropriate to use the Lebel Viege mask for damaged hair and the Vieso with honey mask for natural hair. Using products that are appropriate for your hair type is crucial.

There were parallel, natural, and damaged types growing on my length. To be quite honest, I didn’t notice any overall variations in care. Given that I was able to maintain the ends in reasonable condition, I would probably grow colored hair under the same techniques with composure. Furthermore, natural hair could be erratic, but damaged hair was more forgiving and accepted care well.

It turned out that my own hair was incredibly thin and easily damaged. The natural part of me loved restorative masks almost more than the ends, so I couldn’t give them up. A whole quest to provide good protection without weighing down fine hair was made possible by leave-in products.

In conclusion, the majority of us—natural, colored, or hennaed hair included—cannot get out of jars. You must not become indolent and give up on caring. You hold the power to make your hair look beautiful. Additionally, with proper maintenance, the quality of your hair can significantly improve, even if you belong to the group that believes "everything is fine with just shampoo."

Natural hair is always simple to comb through and style.

Unfortunately, no, no, and no a few more times.

My hair’s primary issue is extreme tangling. It has affected me since I was a young child, and one day I want to write a post about it. Thus, after I fully developed my color, the issue got worse. Extremely fine hair is clingy, tangles easily, and is particularly affected by wind. I had forgotten for a long time about using a needle to untangle knots, but now I remembered. Spray is now my closest companion.

The last time I experienced this level of tangling, it was only after bad lightning that was left untreated.

A perceptive reader might point out inappropriate products by pointing out that the hair gets tangled because it dislikes the care. I experimented with several jars, but none of them helped the hair get less tangled. But many contributed to untangling knots with the fewest number of losses. For instance, the mask Numero with oats is the best for fine hair. Even the most neglected case will be handled by it.

Herbal coloring produced the least amount of tangling. The lack of shock care may have been aided by henna’s thickening qualities. Unfortunately, natural hair fell short of expectations in this regard.

I find it hard to make sense of styling because the low-porosity type itself lies nicely. I foolishly believed that my own hair would curl more beautifully, but alas, as usual, the curls straighten out extremely quickly. There seemed to be less volume—or at least that’s how it seemed to me.

I’ll say it again: returning to natural hair structure goes hand in hand with natural color. That is, such hair will be light and very porous. As a result, the styling elements will continue to match your hair type.

Your color always enhances your appearance, making clothing and makeup selections simple.

Yes, our appearance is greatly influenced by our hair color. Since natural color is inherently linked to the color of the skin and eyes, it is a widely held belief that natural color always enhances and complements a person. They frequently write things like "look like"—that is, with light skin, green eyes, and light brown hair, to use my example. Such ideas abound on a variety of women’s portals.

Furthermore, coloring is always associated with something "foreign" and obvious to outsiders. However! Have you perused Evgeniya_mr’s posts? Would anyone even suggest that her hair color is an unfavorable standout? One finds it difficult to imagine a more harmonious combination of colors for the skin, hair, and eyes. What pictures with a green dress, too!

Generally speaking, none of these "theories" consider the unique qualities of appearance or the desires of the owner. Sounds lovely and excellent. A naturally formed image does not always match our conceptions of ourselves.

My natural hair literally turned me into a kind young Turgenev (in the most widely recognized sense). Moderate hair tone reduced the brightness of the eyes and softened the features of the face. lovely, heartwarming, and romantic picture. I had to go through my clothes and decide on appropriate makeup immediately.

I browsed Pinterest for pre-made "looks" featuring girls who shared my interests. Modern tenderness was typically displayed in the form of big knit sweaters, white sneakers, short, fun dresses, and skirts. I tried to assemble similar ensembles using items that already existed and saved a lot of capsules and photos. However, I always felt uncomfortable.

It’s critical that you approve of the image. There is fire and fire, but I also have a lot of severity. There is, however, surprisingly little girlieness and cuteness. My black shirt, the T-shirt with the skull on it, and pastel tops could not be replaced by frilly blouses. I became gray and faded in neutral tones.

Makeup also got harder to apply. On the one hand, it was essential to keep the eyes’ expressiveness and avoid blending in with the surroundings. However, any makeup—even boring, nude makeup—was extremely noticeable, making it challenging to draw the line between appropriate and inappropriate. The same methods and color combinations appeared considerably more vibrant in the context of natural hair.

Meme: my outward look and inner life.

In summary, your color will not magically produce the perfect image. Like any other shade, a natural one requires careful handling and styling with clothing and makeup. It’s crucial that the image complements your inner state as well as being complementary.

A Few Thoughts. Where the Myth Came From

Thus, we have examined the myth’s primary theses. While many of them turned out to be untrue, some of them were fairly accurate. However, if numerous assumptions proved to be false, where did the venerated notion of having natural hair originate?

I read about forty accounts of people growing out a natural color from users of different resources while I was getting ready to write this post. Upon analyzing the sample, it became evident that the unsatisfactory (or catastrophic) quality of hair resulting from years of experimentation and neglect was the primary reason for the absolute majority of them to go out to their own color.

Just four stories focus on growing out natural hair, not on bad hair. This is a situation that is similar to mine. Former blondes created a distinct category with 29 posts discussing their transition from blonde to natural hair color. Simultaneously, only one-third required more intricate care than just shampoo and conditioner.

Even though natural hair is prone to damage and requires little maintenance, it still looks fantastic on many girls.

It’s crucial to recognize a pattern that more than half of the girls exhibit: as their natural hair color develops, they get curious about hair care. Of course, regardless of the type of hair, this has a significant impact on its quality. As an aside, the majority of them kept up with their hair regimens; you may recognize some of them as the talented writers of Hairmaniac.

Of course, I’m biased, but out of all the people who did it carelessly or purely symbolically, only two girls succeeded genetically in growing really cool, expressively colored natural hair free of split ends and brittleness.

The examination of the posts revealed that proper hair care and a cautious attitude toward hair are more important than natural color.

A startling journey of self-discovery can occur when you start to grow out your natural hair color. In my experience, accepting my natural hair color made my hair routine easier and also showed me a more genuine, healthier version of myself. This piece offers a new take on the allure of going natural by examining the difficulties, the perseverance needed, and the pleasant surprise of rediscovering my actual hair color.

Conclusion

I frequently see that girls who are having hair problems are told to grow their hair exclusively natural. And each time I feel like using my chest to defend them. Comments such as "I tolerate my color because I do not want to spoil my hair with dye again" make my heart sag.

Natural hair color does not guarantee the finest canvas quality or provide a solution for every problem. Dying has nothing to do with bad hair.

An amazing community called Hairmaniac features writers with a variety of hairstyles.

DaRi, HellerOst (tech.blond), Magnay, and Curly_Nirvana curl are examples of stylish blondes. The unusual tale of lana_lucifer: color-dying, growing out of her skin tone, and going back to blonde.

The writers mentioned above demonstrate that you can have gorgeous hair without sacrificing the color you want.

Love yourself, girls, and don’t be afraid to be intelligent! Regardless of color, take care of your hair.

Advice for those who decided to grow it

I was unable to overlook those who, in spite of everything, are prepared to set out on the difficult and protracted journey of becoming naturally colored.

Thus, some advice:

1. Hair changes. You should not expect structure and color from childhood or distant youth. The shade may be different, but it is yours, unique.
2. The best growth stimulator – proper nutrition, replenishment of deficiencies in the body, a healthy lifestyle. Plus, a beautiful color grows, and not just centimeters.
3. Cut it if you can. Growing out a bob is easier – you will get the full color faster. But you shouldn"t force yourself, it is also possible to grow the length.
4. Don"t forget about the length. Tint the colored part and take care of it in accordance with the needs of the hair to avoid breakage.
5. Get ready to choose the care. The needs of natural hair may still differ from those of colored hair. Buying all the products at once is quite expensive, it is better to stock up gradually.

It is best to have patience and prepare yourself to enjoy the procedure. If you keep your attention on the roots as they grow, the color change, or the unevenly slow growth, it will never get easier for you. Stay calm; everything will work out. I used to think that my hair would never stop growing. Looking back, though, I’m astounded at how quickly time has passed.

Herbs that don’t have a coloring effect can help natural hair get more shine and density while also speeding up growth. Markiza, Jevil, and Curly_Nirvana have posts with more information.

I really advise you to take photos of your hair while it’s growing. Making a progress log serves as a powerful source of inspiration to keep going. I also suggest that you write a post on the site, if not more, as authorship is a great way to reflect and organize care.

My journey of growing out my natural hair color taught me more than just patience. It taught me to accept my natural texture and health and helped me appreciate the special shade I was born with. I found freedom in letting my hair be its own; I was no longer concerned about roots or needing to spend hours in the salon.

Ironically, the procedure also gave me more self-assurance. I discovered that my natural color complemented my skin tone and features more than any dye ever could as it began to show. I started to feel more authentic, and that showed in the way I conducted myself every day.

I would say go ahead and switch back to your natural hair if you are thinking about doing so. Although it could take some time, the outcomes can be quite satisfying. You may have been searching for something exactly like this all along in your hair, exactly the way it is.

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