HAIR

(photos from Pinterest. Edits by Five12Studio)

It's one of those things I've wanted to talk about for a moment and now I am.

For two months I've lived in the world of YouTube videos and Pinterest pins looking for (and at) tips for "natural hair" styling.

'Natural hair' meaning I was going to stop putting a chemical straightener on my hair for a while and try to style without it, because a) my hair was shedding more than usual and b) I don't even remember what the actual texture is. True story.

So here I am, 6 weeks without anything and I'm struggling. Not only am I trying to grow out a pixie haircut, which is a struggle, I am trying to change (or go back to) its original texture.

I was talking to a couple of friends who have done this successfully and beautifully. I was coming into the third month and I'm like, "Listen, I miss combing my hair. I miss it."

Dramatic? Sure, about as dramatic as me complaining about not having a Frosty during my vegan challenge , but I really missed combing my hair. Plus I was shedding really bad and I didn't like my hair at all. All the cool twist outs and bantu knots and everything else wasn't an option because my hair is still pretty short in the back.

Blah, blah, blah. After a conversation with a friend, I said I couldn't take it anymore and now, I'm sitting here combing my hair and it's fantastic.

Why is this a big deal? Great question.

The subject was re-highlighted when Chris Rock released a documentary called, "Good Hair" in 2009. Focusing on the styling industry of Black women and their hair and how much care/money they put into. Part of the film talks about the history of a chemical relaxer, the components and the possible reasons behind it. I won't go into this, because the film kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth; like A$AP Rocky's beauty advice that dark girls shouldn't wear red lipstick, taste (dark girls: if you want to wear red lipstick, rock your red lips proudly!).

From that, this natural hair "movement" started, and while I knew people who gave up the relaxers, I ignored it because, well I wanted to. I've seen arguments on both sides about this. People who have went through this "journey," as its called, felt liberated and free to not live up to a stereotype of how Black women should look.

There's also the other side, those who have relaxed hair, say they would never because they don't want "nappy" and "kinky" hair. They don't want to look "unprofessional" in the work place.

There's a lot of "us" vs "them" when it comes to this topic and I've gotten to a point of...

IT...IS...JUST...HAIR.

I love all textures, all colors, all lengths and cuts. Much like clothing, your hair is a fun way to express yourself. 

Solange

I love fros. To me, in all seriousness, the bigger the better. Some hair icons? Solange and Esperanza Spalding are just two. Janelle Monae is another (she doesn't rock the fro, but her natural hair in general is very lovely).

I love the relaxed/pressed look. Kerry Washington, especially in character as Olivia Pope on Scandal has the bouncy hair I want to achieve without add-ins. Have you seen Queen Latifah's new 'do on her Instagram page?

Lavender hair and Kelly O are perfect

I love braids. I love Marley twists. I love non traditional colored hair (see Kelly Osbourne). If you can rock no hair (Amber Rose) I'm all for it.

So why the back and forth? Your hair is your crown and you should wear it the way you want. Be comfortable in your skin and let's build each other up as women, especially women of color.

Rock your crown, rock it proudly. The end.

Until next time,
C