I Am Not -Just My Hair
About a year ago, I went through the process of not relaxing my hair anymore. I decided that I was curious to see what my hair Really looked like, and had succumb to the truth that my hair genes could not take much more damage for long. Since the fateful day when I cut my hair, leaving no relaxed strands remaining, I've gotten mixed responses.
Men, women and children of all ages stare, and the number of 'Auntie do you want to make your hair?' calls I get in any market would be enough to frustrate anybody. The notion that my hair is 'rough' because its not bone straight, irks me. Sure I'm no expert on Natural hair styling, but I'm doing my best. What would be said if I just left my hair to its own devices? It may not be common to the average person, but pinned back Is styled.
One thing that keeps me from going back to my Relaxer days, is the sheer number of Natural hairstyles I continue to see in print and television media. Asa, with her neck length dreadlocks, is an obvious example. Seeing those hairstyles serves to strengthen my resolve, and as I talk to other women about why I went Natural, I hope I can bolster theirs. Yet more and more billboards and commercials feature beautiful women with a thick head of Natural curls.
I am not disillusioned enough to believe that all those models are carrying their natural hair.
As evidenced by the variety of textured hair weaves and even dread style weaves I've seen in Lagos alone, more and more women are testing the waters of a Natural look, without, or perhaps before, taking the plunge.
Oluchi Onweagba for example, has reached height in the modeling industry and remains one of the most widely know Nigerian models. Yet, she has been photographed wearing Afro or Natural Textured wigs on occasion, just as other Black models have. A great deal of todays Black models sport their Natural hair and I think it is safe to say the look is making a gradual comeback.
The fact that many in Hollywood, from Beyonce Knowles to Tyra Banks and Kelly Rowland, wear high cost weaves as opposed their real hair just serves as a reminder that appearances deceive. The kicker is, many of those women are Natural underneath the weaves, because of the damage constant styling does to anyones hair, and possibly because of a need to blend in. Though Natural may not be mainstream abroad or in Lagos as of yet, I daresay 'its me'.
Men, women and children of all ages stare, and the number of 'Auntie do you want to make your hair?' calls I get in any market would be enough to frustrate anybody. The notion that my hair is 'rough' because its not bone straight, irks me. Sure I'm no expert on Natural hair styling, but I'm doing my best. What would be said if I just left my hair to its own devices? It may not be common to the average person, but pinned back Is styled.
One thing that keeps me from going back to my Relaxer days, is the sheer number of Natural hairstyles I continue to see in print and television media. Asa, with her neck length dreadlocks, is an obvious example. Seeing those hairstyles serves to strengthen my resolve, and as I talk to other women about why I went Natural, I hope I can bolster theirs. Yet more and more billboards and commercials feature beautiful women with a thick head of Natural curls.
I am not disillusioned enough to believe that all those models are carrying their natural hair.
As evidenced by the variety of textured hair weaves and even dread style weaves I've seen in Lagos alone, more and more women are testing the waters of a Natural look, without, or perhaps before, taking the plunge.
Oluchi Onweagba for example, has reached height in the modeling industry and remains one of the most widely know Nigerian models. Yet, she has been photographed wearing Afro or Natural Textured wigs on occasion, just as other Black models have. A great deal of todays Black models sport their Natural hair and I think it is safe to say the look is making a gradual comeback.
The fact that many in Hollywood, from Beyonce Knowles to Tyra Banks and Kelly Rowland, wear high cost weaves as opposed their real hair just serves as a reminder that appearances deceive. The kicker is, many of those women are Natural underneath the weaves, because of the damage constant styling does to anyones hair, and possibly because of a need to blend in. Though Natural may not be mainstream abroad or in Lagos as of yet, I daresay 'its me'.
Comments
i've always wanted to try dreads....not bold enough to cut my hair.
sometimes wearing extensions isnt about hiding who you are, it just feels good having a different look now and then, just like wearing makeup....
i love to wear extensions:)
I'm not down on extensions at all. For goodness sake they give your hair a much need break! I think the media image against Natural hair doesn't help though.
Just voicing my opinion being Natural.
But u rock!!!! LOL
I do agree with the excessive styling thing. I find it infuriating seeing chicks going from one unnatural looking weave to the next, never giving their hair a break, then sounding surprised when it won't grow.
doll: Yeah, thin hair is not so sexy. But its healthier to rock a fro' under a wig, less stress on the hair and all that jazz.
doug: lol. My dread inspiration is moving on up actually, you should check her out on Youtube.
I'd kinda like to rock My hair before going the dread route. As nice as it looks, it sorta feels like a cop out sometimes.
Onyeka: Honey, there are so many styles. If I knew how to braid and flat twist my hair well, I'd take pictures and show 'em to ya.
If people are relaxing their hair and rocking weaves, well - I don't much see how it'd grow faster than if their hair was natural. If done right, having your hair braided up actually helps you retain growth, as its not breaking every time you comb or so.