Statements Naturals Are (Probably) Tired of Hearing

I know I don't speak for all naturals, but I'm really sick and tired of the statements people are making about natural hair. Some of the things people said have me wondering if it's offensive or not; then I get annoyed as to why it's such a statement to just embrace what you have growing from your scalp.

Here's some of what I'm tired of hearing:

--Being told we need to comb our hair.
--Asked when we're going to get it relaxed/straighten
--That only people with "Indian in their family" (like myself, ahem) or mixed can wear their hair natural
--Natural hair can't grow long
--Naturals can't wash their hair
--Natural hair is unprofessional
--Naturals think they are better then those who relax
--"Why are you wearing your hair like that?"

--what the HECK are people talking about?

I have very snarky responses to most of those statements, but at the risk of sounding like an angry colored woman I usually just raise my eyebrow and keep it moving. I'm starting to realize that some people are set in their thinking and trying to change them is pointless. As a kid, I used to get mad whenever I felt people were being unjust or mean and I would demand that they change. My mother told me early on that trying to change someone is wasted energy. So I don't! If people want to learn about something they will open their minds to it at least, and for those who don't well--why spend your energies arguing with them? You simply existing as  you are is enough of a statement, in my opinion.

So, do I need to comb my hair? Yup. When am I going to relax? Never. Straighten? Maybe in a month or so. Yes, I am a proud "Black Indian" and it doesn't make my hair nicer. My hair is APL (arm-pit length) and I wash it every week, sometimes twice. I have a job at an office  and wear my hair like in big poofy ponytails like this:

No, I don't think I'm better then those who relax. I don't spend my days worrying about someone else's touch-up. And quite frankly my hair and appearance=my business. I'm not putting anyone at risk am I? I promise I don't stand in the middle of the street blocking traffic with an updo ^__^

So naturals, what are some other statements/questions you are sick and tired of hearing? It's therapy time, vent it out!

Ponytails: From Broccoli Bands to Coated Bands

Last night I was preparing my dinner (curry vegetables with garbanzo beans and rice, because you asked) and as I unwrapped a package of fresh broccoli, I took note of the blue rubber band the stalks were held by.

I suddenly remembered that I used to use the rubber bands to put my hair in a pony tail back in the day! I know it's because I always had so much hair, but could never find a suitable ponytail holder that held it all back. Rubber-bands are generally not a good idea because they will rip out your hair. Trust me on this one.

Now I've moved on to banana clips and coated ponytail holders, which don't stress my hair as much or pull it out--for the most part. I really love these satin covered ones I got a while ago but I can't remember where I bought them and am running low.

So today, I have my hair in a ponytail. It seems I've come a long way from stealing bands from produce.

How Do You Feel About This?

Being that I work in a salon now there's undoubtedly always talk about hair going on. I work in a  sort of mixed environment which means we also see a sort of mixed clientele, and from what I've seen the stylists who have done "ethnic hair" seem to do a good job at it. I've watched them do really nice blowouts and flatiron finishes on the relaxed black girls who have come into the salon, who seem to be mostly texturized ... IDK too much about the hair-care part though, they just see it and know to straighten it. I've also noticed that quite a great deal of the white stylists have black boyfriends, so some of them have dabbled in ethnic hair practices.
Now I know I'm trying to ask a question here so let me get to the point...
In many a conversation with my stylist friends who are curious about "ethnic hair" or listening to the instructors during our advanced training classes, I continue to listen to them refer to our hair as coarse, kinky, nappy, or refer to the curl as too tight. I haven't said anything, being that I'm really like the only natural black woman in the salon (aside from one manager who's transitioning out of Loc's) and I don't want to come off as an ABW - Angry Black Woman or black supremacist, but after a while of hearing us be boxed into one nappy category and make it seem like we need one nappy product, it's hard to not feel a certain way sometimes. Especially because soooo many people come to me with their questions and curiosities, knowing about YAIS and the fact they see I have natural, healthy, hair that I care for and style quite often. Now don't get me wrong, it's not always like this, but should i ever be left feeling this way at all?

How would you feel? Any advice on how I should handle this situation? I'd love some feedback!

Regimen Updates

Best thing I have learned when it comes to my hair: less is best! In my mission to restore my hair from the dryness and breakage, I have already seen a difference in the last couple of weeks. My hair has got it's shine, it doesn't cough out broken strands, and feels nice to touch.

I haven't been doing anything magical either. I cleanse my hair once a week usually with SheaMoisture Moisture Retention Shampoo and deep condition with SheaMoisture Deep Treatment Mask (I will give a formal review soon). Then I use TRESemme Naturals Silicone free conditioner as my leave in, add EcoStyler gel and stretch my hair with curlformers. Sometimes I style them and other times I don't. I also do a mid-week co-washing with a Sauve Naturals Conditioner and deep condition again with SheaMoisture, and again wear a stretch style. It's really been that easy!

I actually clarified my hair today with CURLS clarifying shampoo and am waiting for my hair to dry a little before I style. I am going to set with curl formers a little later and maybe wear it like for a couple of days. But I did not forget about bantu-knots. I plan on doing that later this week, especially since I'm contemplating a curly fro for the Afro-Punk Festival next weekend. If anyone plans on going, do let me know, and look for me =)

That's all for now. Feel free to check out my updated product staples page, in which you will see how proud I am of the very little I use these days.

Good Vibes

Just thought I'd send some cool tunes your way, and check out Damian Marley's Loc's, aren't they amazing?! I love the fact that they're so long yet so neat and well groomed. Enjoy the music and Happy Saturday!

The Naturals on Misfits TV Series

I don't know if anyone on this side of the pond (in the USA) watches the British TV show Misfits, but thanks to Hulu I do and I'm a huge fan. I'm making my way through season two, and eagerly wait each Monday when Hulu adds a new episode.

Anyway, two of the main characters Alisha and Curtis (played by Antonia Thomas and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett respectively) rock kinky-curly hair and (in my humble opinion) are quite stunning to look at. Observe...

Alisha and Curtis

See more pics after the jump...

Twist-out Results and 2nd Day Hair

I woke yesterday morning and my hair was still damp so i sat under the dryer for probably another 45 minutes as I drank my coffee and watched Ninja Warrior.  Finally when I felt my hair was dry (and it was still actually a little damp) i went to my go to coconut oil for the take down. I took my time, as taking down the 3-strand twist was a little different than taking down a 2-strand twist, but all in all i loved the results! It came out super shiny and defined and I can see i will definitely continue to try new twist and braid out styles while i have this weave. It just makes me so exticed to think of what a twist out on my own hair will look like when i achieve this length. The weave was purchased at 14 inches and has been trimmed to about 12 inches with layers .


To achieve second day hair, i simply added a little Eco Styler gel and put a cornrow in the front, 3-strand twisting the rest of the hanging hair. I then pineappled the hair in the back and put on my bonnest and went to sleep, these are the results:
Not too shabby right? Although it looks natural, as I work in a salon and most people are confused and can't tell where my hair is, i still think i can work on making it look a little more natural so this will be a part of my goal with these braid outs and twist outs.