Although natural hair has been around forever, black women feeling comfortable wearing their natural hair (depending on where in the world you live) might be a relatively new thing. Case in point: the number of websites, blogs and YouTube videos devoted to this very topic.

Women who have worn relaxers for as long as they can remember who decide to go back to natural hair can be at a loss. This "new" hair texture is so different from what they're used to dealing with, that they feel clueless about how to style it. Sometimes, they overcome this cluelessness; other times, they choose to return to relaxers.

I get questions from transitioners about the whole process. What to do? What not to do? What styles to try? Unfortunately, I don't have all the answers -- in many cases, you need to do what's best for you and not someone else. Your hair will tell you what it needs, if you listen.

One question I sometimes get is "should I press my hair during my transition?" This is usually done to make the new growth match the relaxed hair in texture. There's no right or wrong answer because it really depends on how you care for your hair and what you're hoping to eventually achieve.

Click the link to see what I have to say about it if you're wondering whether or not to reach for that flat iron.

More info for transitioners:

• Timeline: What to expect as your hair grows
• Things to avoid
• Basic tips as you transition

Anyone with long hair has probably experienced this issue at some point: hair that takes a long time to dry. This can be especially problematic for thick and/or natural hair.

While regular exercise is important, some women have a hard time maintaining a workout schedule that doesn't ruin their hairstyle, or it takes so long to dry that they spend half the day with damp hair. Quick and hot blow-dries are not always the answer, either, since too much heat on black hair is a no-no.

So what can you do? This FAQ on speeding up drying time for black hair may have the answer you need!

Some people think that straightening natural hair for a special occasion or event is only...natural. As if curly hair on its own isn't formal enough or fancy enough for that wedding, gala, graduation, etc.

Wrong!

Natural locks can be just as appropriate for any special event, including graduations. And since it's that time of year once again, I wanted to bring your attention to this blog post from For the Fabulous and Frugal: Grad styles that work with natural hair! Yes, you can fit a cap over big tresses, as these natural ladies demonstrate in a series of gorgeous 'dos that deserve diplomas and degrees.

I get e-mail at times, mainly from women who are natural or want to return to having natural hair. Having been through this myself, I know exactly how tough it can be. When you're used to dealing with one texture and you have to learn to deal with a completely different texture, it can really throw you for a loop! One of my biggest lessons to learn was that you cannot expect natural hair to behave like relaxed hair. It's just not going to do the same things or fall the same way or react to the same styling techniques. You almost have to let your natural hair take the lead.

Fortunately, for anyone wanting to transition today, there's a lot more information available, via the Web, books and magazines. There's also my list of transitioning tips. It can be as easy or as difficult as you make it. For many women, however, it ends up being very rewarding.