YBPGuide - Latest Comments in Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

Adria Richards — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:57:09 -0000

I love to wear my hair naturally. I wear my wild and curly hair with pride. My hair has been previously straightened, highlighted, relaxed, blowdried, tinted with Henna, braided and worn in ponytails so tight I got headaches.
When I would wear it straight, I was always watching out for "hair danger" that would break off my already fragile strands (falling asleep without a wrap, scarves, seat belts).

Wearing my hair without chemicals, I don't have to think twice about going swimming or avoiding a light rain shower for fear of my hair will "go back". My hair feels soft and healthy now. It has shine and I get compliments often. None of my clients have ever freaked out about my hair being "inappropriate". I pull it back if I'm working in a tight area with computer hardware. I have more time to develop skills to grow my career knowledge vs spending hours in the bathroom with a blowdrier and curling iron.

I uploaded an entire photo album dedicated to my hair history on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photo...

I wish more movies, television and books would show Brown women with natural hair styles.

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

autographed sports collectible — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:38:56 -0000

They definitely need style.

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

small dog supplies — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:34:08 -0000

I agree with you.

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

seo company philippines — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:54:08 -0000

I believe that!

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

Auto Insurance — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:17:29 -0000

I think yes, that the fashion community could learn some style.

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

Busby SEO Test!!! — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:11:23 -0000

I think how your hairstyle is percieved depends on your workplace enviroment.

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

seo company philippines — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 07:24:40 -0000

come on! it is glamorous!

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

haircolor — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:01:25 -0000

I have to agree... Its amazing how many people come into my salon with absolutely beautiful hair and then they ask me to perm it or curl it or even worse cut it... Im running a business and of course the customer is always right but sometimes its absolutely heart breaking...

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

heilo — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:40:11 -0000

Kind of ironic that the sponsored Google ads are showing a big graphic ad of Sedu hair straighteners as I am reading this ... way to match, Google!

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

queenbeethatsme — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:01:55 -0000

GiGi, the term "natural hair" was coined to indicate that the way African American hair naturally grew was acceptable. Prior to the "natural" hair and black people were not deemed acceptable if they did not have straightened hair or "good hair". In fact, during the early part of the 20th century, many black organizations had skin and hair tests that they used to determine if other blacks could belong. The "ideal" and norm was caucasian characteristics for hair, skin color, nose shapes, etc. This meant that hair to be acceptable or beautiful had to be as close to straight as possible. Noses should be thin and aquiline and skin the lightest possible. These criteria had/have been tearing apart the black community for centuries.

Skin color and hair texture determined how a slave lived and died--whether they were allowed to work in the big house or in the fields. who could become a lady's maid or just a field hand--who could wear cast off dresses like "real people" or just gunny sacks or burlap. We must not forget that "natural" as far as caucasians are concerned is usually a certain shade of color and that color is on the paler side of most lighter skinned blacks--or it refers to hair color. If you don't think so, go to the store and try to buy a pair of "natural" colored panty hose. See what color you end up with.

Many of the word appropriations of our race were not determined or invented by us--we don't play the race card so much as just play the only hand that we have been dealt. We are rarely the dealers. The term Natural for hair was done as a gesture of defiance--to the idea that if natural for a white person meant straight hair--then natural for us meant textured, locked, super curly tresses. There was a type of militancy but it was not the super soul sista approach that came later--it was simply "We will not be defined, demonized or deified by other cultures--we are our own people in our own right and we have a right and duty to be just as proud of who we are, as we have a right to pursue our own versions of who we may one day be.

So no, a person with a 'fro does not mean they are bean pie eaters or militants or anything other than just comfortable in the skin that they are in--the white culture often sees this personal ownership and esteem as a threat and therefore as militant then they pass that attitude on to us. But that is THEIR hang up--it only becomes ours if we plan on living their version of our lives.

I love natural hair--and straightened hair is NOT natural. In fact, to relax hair, the chemical bonds in the hair must be altered and damaged--most coloring also damages the hair. It is an altered state--hence not at all natural--but relaxed hair can be beautiful--I like that too. What you see, with natural hair or the use of the word nigga or many other cultural anamolies is simply this--we as a people, defining and redefining the parameters that we were born in, by dint of being in a race dominated by another race. This does not mean we cannot embrace the other race or aspire to the same things they do--it means we will not accept their critique or criteria as gospel and in the final analysis--we will BE. That may be with coal black skin, olive tones, wavy hair, bushy kinks--whatever--and we will take the ugly terms they use for us and appropriate their meaning to--so that nigger which was a call to violence, becomes nigga and means one of our own, so that ho is not used to describe all black women or any women, but is used to differentiate gold diggers from women with nobler aspirations. We dare to define--the dominant culture, knows (as do most of us subliminally) that they cannot dominate a people who refuses to accept their verdict or dictates of how they are or what they can be. Hair can't be just hair--and niggers can't be just niggaz--it is all about what it means--to each of us, and how we learn to find our balance --such is the lot of the first people, who have at this late juncture....come to be ruled by their progeny.

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

Jenelle — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:50:25 -0000

That was just bad beauty advice. Natural black hair is just as capable of being professional as a straight Caucasian hair. My hair looks good, especially my twistouts.

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

GiGi — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:16:21 -0000

I thought about this, and I just have a few questions. It's sad that the texture of hair that we were born with has to be classified as "natural". In essence, would not every other race that grows and grooms their hair without chemical treatment be considered natural? Furthermore, what does it mean when your children do not have relaxers, weaves, or the like? Does that mean they are making a statement, or are they automatically down for the cause with fists in the air? So...that leaves me to believe that it is really being classified as something other than what it is; hair. Just hair. Let's shift the focus from hair to other "natural" things. Could women without breast implants be considered unprofessional because they are sporting the breasts they were born with? Since we all have the same skin that we grew up with, would it not be considered natural skin, and thus, inappropriate for corporate America? I'm slightly confused by it all...

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

Haniplease — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:04:53 -0000

i love natural hair. i love my weaves. currently my hair is natural with the absolutely most perfect weave ever, as when you wet it it looks like sista curly instead of "other" curls that don't match my texture. hair is and has always been a REALLY touchy issue with us. what's the big deal? whether its fried or dyed, puffed, or slicked to the side, its ou r hair. its our culture, and we should celebrate it...

this issue is so important for no reason. my 9 yr old sis constantly cries or expressed sadness about why her hair isn't curly and straighter like mines or our other sisters. the affect that it has on her saddens me a bit...imean it HAIR for crying out loud! lol

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

Abby — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:40:24 -0000

I am a 25 year old black woman who recently cut offmy damaged relaxed hair to be natural and give my hair a 2nd chance being its true self. I have haeard about some controversy in corp amer. with "ethnic hairstles". Which truly makes no sense bcuz if there were no relaxers/ texurizers thats who we would be natural just like out fellow female counterparts. I truly hope that people would learn to accept those of us who choose 2 be natural and wear or grow our natural hair. And besided as long as u r clean well groomed u should be fine in any profession. For those sisters with natural hair I know a great detangler/ leave in cond to help manage our hair . growafrohairlong.com . Im sure there r others but this workd well to help give us confidence and a well groomed profesional or neat look.

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

No Bad Hair Days — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:34:00 -0000

I am an attorney originally from L.A. now working as in-house counsel at a real estate company in the deep south, after having spent several years in the legal department at a major media company. At my previous job I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and lost my long, traditional looking relaxed hair during chemotherapy over 7 years ago. As I recovered I told God that I'd embrace whatever hair that grew back on my head. After that experience, no day is a bad hair day. I grew back a thick, full, head of big kinky/curly hair, now gently texturized every few months. As it began to grow back, I vowed to embrace it and to simply let my colleagues accept it or just get over it. They did just that. Having watched my treatment, wig-wearing, survival saga from the start, I suspect many of them actually viewed my new hair as I did - a symbol of survival and a blessing, as opposed to any indicator of professionalism. If they did not, they kept it entirely to themselves.

Since them I was hired for my current position in a very conservative part of the country wearing this distinctly African-Am look over 4 years ago. I get the occasional "oh, your hair looks so professtional" on the rare times when I wear it up in the summer, as if professionalism is something that could simply be donned with a hairstyle. It reminds me of one of the most "professional" moments of my career, during a phone comversation with a colleague tv producer I'd never met. I calmly explained that I would certainly honor her request to obtain legal clearances for a film clip depicting a famous vaudeville peformer in black face for a top-rated nightly cable talk show on one of our networks, but that as an African-Am (which she was surely shocked to discover ) such images were personally deeply repugnant to me, as I speculated that they would be to many viewers. I don't recall how I had styled my hair that day.

To you, sisters, I say consider the circumstances of your work environement then nudge, even push the enevlope if you are inclined to. Hopefully you'll find those boundaries are more fluid than they appear at first glance.

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

Ghanja — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 03:01:54 -0000

I wear my hair natural because I am proud of who I am. I will not allow anyone to take that away from me, its so sad to see so many young women trying to fit into the mold of bleach blonde 100lb as being the only beautiful stereotype...Its so sad and its a prevailing misconception around the globe...Things will only change from the inside out

I call for all women to be who they are NATURALLY regardless of ethnicity.

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

Diane — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 06:03:19 -0000

I think that the new front lace wigs are a blessing in disguise for a lot of women with damaged, unmanagable hair.

Especially if they want to move away from chemical treatments and hot tools that burn the hair.

Have a look at our website for more information on this new wig system.

http://www.eloquent-hair.co...

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

blackkat — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 03:08:42 -0000

...a bit of editing to the above comment...I meant, the kind of olive oil you COOK with, not 'look' with LOL. It makes your hair really, really soft.

My baby is only 3 and already I have people asking when she'll be getting her relaxer because "what am I gonna do when she gets in school?" To which I reply....'um, fix her hair everyday, being as that's what my mom did with us?' It breaks my heart to see 2 year olds with waist-length weaves or thinning, damaged relaxed hair. It's like we the only race on earth that 'can't' wear the hair texture we were born with. I get so sick of it. Like Black folks are born with relaxers or something. I'll never buy Glamour again.

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

blackkat — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 02:56:32 -0000

Bronzetrinity, I know and apologize that this is so late in the game, but I felt sad about your hair story. Please learn how to take care of your natural hair. Even if you keep relaxing it, learn how to care and nourish it. Poor hair maintenance PLUS relaxing are never a good match---I see some really, really damaged heads down here. A lot of them are my friends, coworkers and relatives and like you have simply never known how to take care of their hair, whether in its natural state or relaxed. They only know that it 'must' be kept straight and 'long' to the fullest of their ability, i.e., getting retouches too soon with bad products, bad weaves, and never cutting off beat-up, damaged ends. Yet a lot of them will turn their noses up at a Natural sister wearing a small, neat afro or a nice neat set of locs or some other non-relaxed hairstyle. It all makes me very sad.

Two good websites that will help you discover your exact curl type and the subsequent products/routines you need to nourish it are.....naturallycurly.com and blackhairmedia.com. Also, I learned about washing the hair with conditioner (not shampoo)at the naturallycurly website...that's another really good tip. Kay's tips are excellent also...I do the same things with my hair. And I can't emphasize the joys of using olive oil (the kind you look with) under a plastic cap after washing your hair. I wish you well on your hair journey :)

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

Nadsnanymous — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:19:22 -0000

"...I was getting my coffee this one guy who I suspected didn’t have too many friends of other races said I looked like tracy chapman..and asked me if I knew who that was."

oh my, that's one have NOT heard. I'm in tears laughing so hard. I've gotten Brandy and Tyra as well as others who look nothing alike nor nothing like me - but Chapman is just funnier.

That said I probably would have smacked somebody.

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

Sylvia — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 22:32:15 -0000

I just get a curly weave... its the closest thing to natural and i dont have to fight with it every morning. At 66 I am also gray and its an ugly gray. I wish it was a pattern gray or all silver or I would wear it, but its not. I love that short twisted look, but you have to look like hell too long before it gets right! If you think I just dont dont want to be bothered with my hair, you guessed it, I dont!

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

BronzeTrinity — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:35:35 -0000

I do appreciate their response above and I think I believe them. I don't think a company with any sense would prepare a talk like that and I don't think they are supportive of the comments now. It doesn't sound like they are trying to support what the presenter said. But I still stand by my pledge to no longer buy fashion or beauty magazines that are not entirely dedicated to Black women. There is no point. Why spend all that money for only a few photos and maybe a few pages that would actually be applicable to Black women when I can get an entire magazine full of stuff just for me. Its a better way to spend money. Thats why its a shame that Vibe Vixen went under because we need more magazines like that.

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

Kimberly Michelle — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:40:34 -0000

[Email from Glamour]

Subject: A Note From Glamour

Message: I read your post about a Glamour editor’s comments on
hairstyles for work, and I’d like to share with you our thoughts.
First, we regret the comments were made. The employee (not a beauty
editor) spoke to a small group of lawyers at a private luncheon
without her supervisor’s knowledge or approval, and her comment —
that Afros are not work appropriate — does not represent Glamour's
point of view.

Secondly, immediately upon learning of it, we sought to rectify the
situation. The editor has been dealt with in a very serious manner,
and the entire staff has been reminded of the magazine’s policies
and procedures for making public appearances.

Glamour is proud of its diverse readership and celebrates the beauty
of ALL women. We have responded directly and openly with readers to
assure them of this fact. We have also apologized to the law firm,
and we extend the same apology to you.

Cindi Leive,
Editor-in-Chief of Glamour

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

gett out of my grill — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:05:49 -0000

I was thinking of getting locs, which are natural..
Natural hairstyles can look pretty depending on your hair grade. Not everyone should be styling an afro in my opinion.. the same as everyone shouldn't be wearing extensions either..

I guess how your hairstyle is percieved depends on your workplace enviroment.

Re: Natural Black Hair not Glamorous?

Sheila — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:57:33 -0000

I'm just old enough (or should I say "seasoned") to remember when natural hair was undoubtedly a political statement. It seems that today it's an aesthetic or "fashion" choice. Does anyone think Mary J. Blige is any less black because she's been blonded (my term for bleached blonde hair on any woman, regardless of race) for years? Was Shirley Chisholm less black because she straightened her hair? Where does Anna Deveare Smith fit in this scheme?
I started transitioning from relaxed to natural hair 2 years ago when I grew tired of fighting a losing and expensive battle with summer heat and humidity. Like many of you, I hadn't seen my hair in its natural state since I was 15 or 16. It's been interesting and aesthetically enlightening to re-discover what's up there. I usually wear it in a tucked-under pony or a chignon. When I do where it out/down my colleagues--all white and all women--are complimentary. And no one has invaded my personal space by trying to touch it!
Clearly, in matters of race it's two steps forward--I mean at least there are black women lawyers at Cleary Gottlieb--and one step back, vide the editor from Vogue and the attitude her remarks embodied.
But look, fashion editors are not known for their tact or social vision. (Trust me on this, I used to work be in the business.) The reaction of the law firm's managing partner is probably more representative.
And finally, you can find information on natural hair care and styling at www.nappturality.com and other web sites. The webmistress is something of a strict constructionist in the matter of what is and isn't appropriate/good for natural hair, but since her own hair is gorgeous, it's hard to argue with her.