Special Occassions

Is wearing natural hair appropriate for special occassions?!

Duh O_o <---insert side eye...

At one point and time-and I'm sure many have felt the same way-I thought that wearing my hair out for a special occasion was an absolute no, unless it was straightened. So for job interviews, celebrations, family dinners and such I would straighten my hair since I didn't want to put them in box braids (and this was before I discovered how much I loved twists.

Well, this past May I graduated from college, and in that month alone I had numerous events to attend. There was graduation,  my thesis film screening and my b-day--all within days of each other and I really was fretting over my hair. I know that had to look presentable but I still needed to feel myself. And thus, I went with my usual big hair....

At my thesis screening...

with my robes for graduation...

grad potrait (yes I've sent this out to relatives)

I'm proud of myself for actually feeling confident enough to just sport my hair out. I'm not oppose to moderate use of the flatiron, but I am so happy that I didn't bother to reach for it because I didn't think I needed it and it felt good to be that confident. If you want to rock your natural curls or coils but feel like you can't without it being straightened, weaved up, or with extensions, I  say go for it. I'm sure that for the events, people might have hoped that I wore my hair differently, but to hell with what anyone else may think is "proper" or not. It matters what you want to do and what you are comfortable with. I challenge those who are afraid that for your next family bbq/fancy dinner/insert special outing that you may have to hide your hair, wear it out and proud!