Sometimes it can be exhausting following hairstyle trends. Getting a trendy hairstyle can be time consuming and stressful, and not to mention expensive and damaging to your hair. A side effect too can be the feeling that, in trying to keep up with what's fashionable and popular, you're not really being true to yourself. In many ways your hair can feel like an accessory rather than a part of you.

If you feel a little bit like this then a solution might be to go natural— to have a natural hair love affair. This means sticking to your own hair color and/or choosing hairstyles that work with what you've got (your natural hair texture and density) rather than changing what you've got. Try a natural makeover for a while, and you might even find yourself wearing your natural hair all the time.

For African American hairstyles especially a natural hair love affair means not buying into the opinion that says "good hair" is straight hair. It means saying no to relaxer and straightening irons and accepting your hair for what it's meant to be like. It means keeping your hair healthy by letting it curl and 'fro: braid your hair, plait it or try a hair weave.

 

Check out some celebrities who have embraced their natural hair:

Monique Coleman


Monique Coleman hairstylesMonique Coleman hairstyles

Monique changes between tousled medium length hair and a voluminous naturally curly hairstyle with an eye-catching rounded shape.

 

Lenny Kravitz


Lenny Kravitz hairstylesLenny Kravitz hairstyles

Lenny has gone from keeping his curls short and under control to really letting loose with a striking Afro. It's low maintenance and super cool.

 

Shakara Ledard


Shakara Ledard hairstylesShakara Ledard hairstyles

Check out the difference between Shakara's sleek and straight long updo and her funky tied-back braided hair. She seems to be enjoying the relaxed and natural look more, don't you think?

 

Jordin Sparks


Jordin Sparks hairstylesJordin Sparks hairstyles

Jordin's natural one length curls are simple and easy to manage, and they're quite a striking contrast to her half up wavy hairstyle with honey blonde highlights.

 

Alicia Keys


Alicia Keys hairstylesAlicia Keys hairstyles

Alicia keys is known for chopping and changing between straight/wavy and curly hairstyles and here she demonstrates the best of both worlds. In the second image she's making the most out of her curls with layered hair that's great for longer face shapes.

Try going for a natural hair change and see how you feel. It's better for your hair and also, instead of obsessing over hairstyle trends and fashions, you might feel a bit more like yourself.