Writing this I can’t help but think of what I’m going to do with hair. It’s looking like a woman from the wild that has just been electrocuted to shave it off because it looks horrible.
Natural hair is like a second job. You have to focus and put your all. That’s the reason why a lot of women with natural hair are proud of themselves and are always happy to share their progress. There are a lot of pages on social media that embrace natural hair, YouTube tutorials and a lot of Facebook groups. This may come off as trying to seem like they are better than anyone else but trust me it’s just harmless self-love in most cases. I don’t know it’s just my opinion.
Anyway you might not know this but I unwillingly cut my hair for school about six years ago. I had short hair for the longest four years of my life. Don’t get me wrong , short hair is really cool and looks really good on some people but I’m definitely not “some people”. The mirror confirmed it wasn’t working out for me. When I started keeping my hair I decided to keep it natural. A decision made entirely based on trending pictures of girls tying their hair like a fine pineapple – a fineapple. I saw it and in my head I was like I want this.
So l started my natural hair journey. I was still in school when I made this decision so my hairstyles were not entirely my decision. I had braids the most part of the year, not that it was a bad thing infact it was pretty easy that way. BUT I didn’t realize how certain procedures had negative results on my hair, a little ignorant to the little things I was doing wrong. Whenever I unplaited it didn’t look healthy and bulky so I started researching. I immediately resorted to the internet.
Everyone knows the internet has what you’re looking, wether or not the information is correct that’s your own problem. I was overwhelmed and I’d try everything from rice water to aloe, coconut oil and castor oil. I learnt my hair type and what exactly it needs. I became better and I’m still getting better.
Okay so now that my hair is somewhere I can now walk out with it in an Afro or tied up- I’d like to try something else but these hands refuse to master the art of styling hair. I failed! Whenever I walk I always have one or two funny, sweet or crazy incidents. I’ll start with how I always get the “what do you use” and I’m always excited to help , I mean you’re admiring my hair right, the only problem is when strangers try to touch it. Don’t get me wrong I don’t hate people or feel like their hands are too dirty to touch me or something like that but I feel like touching my hair when I don’t know you is somehow crossing boundaries. I think it would be polite to ask first but what do I know.
I feel like men are try to be smart by making conversation on what seems to be what you’re most passionate about. I know some guys are totally rooting for the ladies that have decided to go natural, they genuinely love natural hair and that’s okay. Some guys “suddenly” wanna know more, how long you’ve been keeping it, what you use , and that’s okay if you’re genuinely curious. The problem is when it moves from “I love your hair” to “so can I have your number” I’m not being a typical girl but y’all gotta agree it’s a bit suspicious.
One time I got into town. Now the CBD is full of those guys that stand by the walls selling phones and other gadgets- dealers. So as I was walking a random guy said Hi ; and just to be polite I greeted them back because I know if you ignore they make a whole scene and you don’t want that. I say Hi back and keep on walking but this guy, this guy says ‘I just wanna pay for you to get your hair done’ His friends start laughing and I just keeping walking . As long as I felt comfortable with how I looked right?, but I couldn’t help but think if it looked bad bad.
In another episode I walked past saloons and shop selling weaves and braids. This lady stops me and says do you want to get your done. She really insists I get my hair done. Okay so this happens all the time I walk past saloons, I understand they’re probably just trying to go home with something, make a living but in my head I was thinking my hair doesn’t need help people! I’m good and I walked out of the house like this, I’m totally okay with it. This look is exactly what I was going for.
It hasn’t been a series of crazy incidents. My hair has also resulted in me meeting amazing people, befriending amazing people who motivate me and just surround you with positive vibes. I’m also taking part in an exciting upcoming project, which is pretty great if you ask me. Props to the good hair.
Somehow when you have natural hair people assume you’re more African. I don’t know if it makes sense but they just assume you’re more connected to your african roots which comes with people thinking you probably hate anything synthetic or you criticize Brazilian hair. I kid you not, if I could choose between combining my hair everything and just rocking a wig I’d totally go for the wig. It’s way easier and it’s also a protective hairstyle so my hair is safe! So having natural hair doesn’t make me any different from any other girl with a wig. She is an African queen, I’m an African queen.
What’s your take on natural hair??
Love and light
