I finally got to take another pic with her! Last pics i had of us togeher we were still in HS!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Natural Hair Sensitivity
I'm not really natural hair militant, until of course someone offends me personally. But there's a big difference between being personally attacked and someone's personal preference. I heard about Method Man apparently disliking natural hair (or the way it's worn, something to that effect) and while I personally wasn't offended by his comments I did notice that some naturals were--and I completely understand why. I started thinking more about it and wondered if those of us who rock our natural hair are too sensitive. I think yes but for very good reason. I don't think I need to reiterate the complicated history people of color have with hair, and while it's so awesome to see women embracing it, it's still being thought of as a fad, as if this storm is going to be over. In my New York (probably Harlem) accent, nah homie.
Hair for me was tied into my self-esteem, which is much better these days. So now I don't really care how others perceive me through my hair. At the office I work in, there's this guy who constantly comments on my hair: Changed it up again today I see, I'm convinced you change your hair everyday and uh oh pony tail! These comments are more annoying then they are offensive but I do wonder why he's so interested in making comments about my hair. Is it bad that my hair seems to change everyday (which it doesn't, it's weekly) does he see me as someone who can't commit to things? In the end, who gives a shit?
And then, there's how we are wearing our natural hair. Afros aren't appropriate (allegedly), short hair makes you "look like a boy"and protective styles like braids can make you look child-like. But this is our hair, and I thought one of the points of being natural is that you're not conforming, we're being ourselves. I really do not believe in certain natural hair looks being appropriate or not because that is subjective, it's personal preference and should not get in the way of our journey. Some people assume that when you're hair is done (like my family) it's in braids or twists. Others believe you're fancy when your hair is straight. In other words, the individual rocking natural hair is the one who sets the tone for themselves. We have to accept it for ourselves, and can't wait for validation from others, especially those who have no understanding of what natural haired folks of color go through. YOU have to accept your hair. And then perhaps we can be a little less sensitive because no one should be allowed to take confidence away from you.
I just braided my hair in preparation for a braid out. But while playing with it some more I thought, I could possibly go out with these possibly child-like braids...
I just used some bobby-pins to tuck my braids in. Perhaps this isn't everyone's preference and this might not be "done up enough" for the likes of Method Man, but I'm okay with it. Please keep your head up naturals, and feel free to let me know the sort of convos you have about natural hair sensitivity.
Hair for me was tied into my self-esteem, which is much better these days. So now I don't really care how others perceive me through my hair. At the office I work in, there's this guy who constantly comments on my hair: Changed it up again today I see, I'm convinced you change your hair everyday and uh oh pony tail! These comments are more annoying then they are offensive but I do wonder why he's so interested in making comments about my hair. Is it bad that my hair seems to change everyday (which it doesn't, it's weekly) does he see me as someone who can't commit to things? In the end, who gives a shit?
And then, there's how we are wearing our natural hair. Afros aren't appropriate (allegedly), short hair makes you "look like a boy"and protective styles like braids can make you look child-like. But this is our hair, and I thought one of the points of being natural is that you're not conforming, we're being ourselves. I really do not believe in certain natural hair looks being appropriate or not because that is subjective, it's personal preference and should not get in the way of our journey. Some people assume that when you're hair is done (like my family) it's in braids or twists. Others believe you're fancy when your hair is straight. In other words, the individual rocking natural hair is the one who sets the tone for themselves. We have to accept it for ourselves, and can't wait for validation from others, especially those who have no understanding of what natural haired folks of color go through. YOU have to accept your hair. And then perhaps we can be a little less sensitive because no one should be allowed to take confidence away from you.
I just braided my hair in preparation for a braid out. But while playing with it some more I thought, I could possibly go out with these possibly child-like braids...
I just used some bobby-pins to tuck my braids in. Perhaps this isn't everyone's preference and this might not be "done up enough" for the likes of Method Man, but I'm okay with it. Please keep your head up naturals, and feel free to let me know the sort of convos you have about natural hair sensitivity.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Hair this past week...
I've been so busy this past week but I will say this has been a pretty good hair week for me =) I'm starting to realize how much my hair is growing now and how much my hair loves twists and twist outs, i think doing styles around twists and twist outs really help me to retain length. I soooo can't wait to see what my hair is going to look like this summer! OKay, enough length obsessing, lol.
So i went to the Karen's Body Beautiful meet up this past Friday in BK and it was beautiful! Since i knew i would be going, after i prepooed on wednesday, i put my hair into some flat twist to wear until i untwisted on Friday.
So i went to the Karen's Body Beautiful meet up this past Friday in BK and it was beautiful! Since i knew i would be going, after i prepooed on wednesday, i put my hair into some flat twist to wear until i untwisted on Friday. Unfortunately i got there late so i missed a lot of mixing and mingling but there was gorgeous hair galore! This was like the only pic i got :( See Karen's huge afro all the way over there! Lovin it!!!
This is how i wore my hair (Curly Film chick told me to wear tha fro-hawk so i did =)
I wore the fro-hawk hairstyle yesterday as well, and today to switch it up a little i came up with this!:
I guess i will refer to this as the "Pin-Down" method.
I used about 14-15 bobby pins in total since my hair isn't long enough to be pulled over to the side and i tried to stick them in equi-distant from each other so it would look like a style. Personally i love it and the fact that my hair is getting back to a more versatile, stylable length!!!
I love side parts!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Playing with puffs while pre-pooing!
I decided to pre-poo my hair today with some Alma oil, so i added a little water mixed with conditoner and proceedeed to apply the oil to my hair. I loved the way my hair was looking and feeling so shiny and silky, and took this as a perfect moment for some play time for me and my hair!
*TWA ladies! When you have extra time on your wash days, that may be the perfect time to play with your hair and do a little experimenting! Conditioners, oils, and creams make the hair soft and easily pliable for play time.
Okay, confession: I REALLY want Thugnificent Afro puffs! You know, these:
Lol, dont laugh at me! His puffs are awesome!!! So anyways, i started to see if my hair could make into two and i got this:
Pretty cute right! I don't care if it looks like a baby hairstyle, i might just rock those little puffs! I decided to try bigger puffs, and got this!!!:
*TWA ladies! When you have extra time on your wash days, that may be the perfect time to play with your hair and do a little experimenting! Conditioners, oils, and creams make the hair soft and easily pliable for play time.
Okay, confession: I REALLY want Thugnificent Afro puffs! You know, these:
I loved the way the 2 puffs came out so i actually plan to do a twist out just to try doing 2 puffs soon!
More pics under the jump of my little puffs and me just having fun takin pics in my sunglasses since i still had the "just woke up" face, lol.
What do you wanna try with your next hair playtime?
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
New Hair Goals
In thinking about what to do with my hair, I noticed that I'm always learning something new about it. In 2010 I learned that my hair and scalp thrives on being cleansed with high quality, moisturizing shampoos. I also notice that I have to adjust my regimen according to weather changes because my hair and skin react differently. I've also been pretty good with length retention and haven't experienced much breakage. But what I need to really work on in 2011 is taking care of my ends. I'm thinking of growing all this hair of mine to mid-back length simply so that I can rock really long braids ^___^
Since the trim I got when SP straightened my hair, I've been paying special attention to them as I freakishly check to make sure that my hair isn't drying and breaking--especially because I have colored strands. I know that there will always be some wear and tare to hair but here are some things to keep in mind to minimize/prevent splits and breakage:
- moisture
- low manipulation
- handling my hair gently
- continuing washing my hair in sections
- strengthening treatments (not entirely sure what those will be yet though!)
I had a wash day this past weekend where I used bentonite clay, air dried in braids and then twisted my hair up. I haven't really been in much of a mood to style my hair (which was definitely a win when I was rocking it straight--easy routine) so I just put in some twists all over my head and have been wearing them pulled back in a ponytail like so
I've been spritzing my hair with a homemade mixture of aloe vera juice, conditioner, water and some coconut oil daily and then I keep it moving. With the really busy schedule I've been keeping lately, low maintenance hair has been awesome!
Since the trim I got when SP straightened my hair, I've been paying special attention to them as I freakishly check to make sure that my hair isn't drying and breaking--especially because I have colored strands. I know that there will always be some wear and tare to hair but here are some things to keep in mind to minimize/prevent splits and breakage:
- moisture
- low manipulation
- handling my hair gently
- continuing washing my hair in sections
- strengthening treatments (not entirely sure what those will be yet though!)
I had a wash day this past weekend where I used bentonite clay, air dried in braids and then twisted my hair up. I haven't really been in much of a mood to style my hair (which was definitely a win when I was rocking it straight--easy routine) so I just put in some twists all over my head and have been wearing them pulled back in a ponytail like so
 |
I've been spritzing my hair with a homemade mixture of aloe vera juice, conditioner, water and some coconut oil daily and then I keep it moving. With the really busy schedule I've been keeping lately, low maintenance hair has been awesome!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
TWA Twist-out Fro-hawk
So i tried a new product which i will review later called Noodle Head Curling Creme. Whenever i buy a new styling product i am always anxious to try it out, so of course i went for the trusty twist-out and decided to frohawk it because i didnt like the way the sides were hanging.
TWA Trial and Error
Hello TWA ladies and gentle-guys!
I've been thinking about everything TWA while sort of obsessing about growing my hair out...
Looking back at all the mistakes I've made and regrets I have, I'm here to tell you ladies to save yourself the headache!!! Now if you're rockin' and loving having a TWA and are thinking of or are maintaining a TWA this may not pertain to you, but if you have a TWA and are dreaming of waist-length hair, listen up!
Trial and Error ladies!!! (and gents =)
So yes, as a newly natural, most of the things you do at first will be trial and error because you will be learning a whole new texture, products and procedures. It is totally normal for something to go wrong during these beginning stages, but everything doesn't have to go completely wrong when there is a world of information out there available... well maybe not a world, but we do have our own natural hair world!
My point? Do your research first!!!
Thinking about getting COLOR?
Look for naturals who have also colored their hair. If you want to know the long term effects of color, try finding someone who has been coloring for a while and look at their hair with the color over time. Compare it to their natural (uncolored) hair if you can. Look at the naturals who were colored and then chopped the color off, the colored hair broke off or they decided to grow it out. See what their reasoning's and regimens were and of course take it with a grain of salt because every one's hair is different. This may give you a whole new perspective on color and if you even still want to color your TWA.
Thinking about getting a chemical service?
BKT? Texturizer? Relaxer even? (Color included)
Trust me, I know how hard it is to have a TWA with it sometimes being so boring and having few options. I myself have been tempted by the perm box girl's perfect hair or just walking down the aisle with all the hair dye options... sometimes it's hard to look away but you may just have to tell yourself no!
You don't to touch fire to know that it's hot, and you don't have to put yourself through uneccessary headaches either by making the wrong choices with your hair. Setbacks suck so avoid them :)
I've been thinking about everything TWA while sort of obsessing about growing my hair out...
Looking back at all the mistakes I've made and regrets I have, I'm here to tell you ladies to save yourself the headache!!! Now if you're rockin' and loving having a TWA and are thinking of or are maintaining a TWA this may not pertain to you, but if you have a TWA and are dreaming of waist-length hair, listen up!
Trial and Error ladies!!! (and gents =)
So yes, as a newly natural, most of the things you do at first will be trial and error because you will be learning a whole new texture, products and procedures. It is totally normal for something to go wrong during these beginning stages, but everything doesn't have to go completely wrong when there is a world of information out there available... well maybe not a world, but we do have our own natural hair world!
My point? Do your research first!!!
Thinking about getting COLOR?
Look for naturals who have also colored their hair. If you want to know the long term effects of color, try finding someone who has been coloring for a while and look at their hair with the color over time. Compare it to their natural (uncolored) hair if you can. Look at the naturals who were colored and then chopped the color off, the colored hair broke off or they decided to grow it out. See what their reasoning's and regimens were and of course take it with a grain of salt because every one's hair is different. This may give you a whole new perspective on color and if you even still want to color your TWA.
Thinking about getting a chemical service?
BKT? Texturizer? Relaxer even? (Color included)
Trust me, I know how hard it is to have a TWA with it sometimes being so boring and having few options. I myself have been tempted by the perm box girl's perfect hair or just walking down the aisle with all the hair dye options... sometimes it's hard to look away but you may just have to tell yourself no!
You don't to touch fire to know that it's hot, and you don't have to put yourself through uneccessary headaches either by making the wrong choices with your hair. Setbacks suck so avoid them :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)