about going to get my hair cut real short. That’s when threats of locking me up in my room begin to fly. However, they both know that if I feel like it, I’ll do it and they’ll just have to live with it. Unfortunately, that also means I’d have to live with their complaints and comments until it grows back but hey, I can do that. Well, maybe I’ll wait a little while longer. Somebody pass me that phone, I’ve got to call the hair braider so I can have some peace in my household.
Author
Bea Joyner, CEO of Busy As A Bea Productions provides “Parenting Partiesâ€TM, a highly-praised assortment of parenting seminars through the School District of Philadelphia and other organizations. She brings a unique approach to training – she helps participants find practical solutions for their problems and she makes it fun! Ms.Joyner believes the optimum question to ask a parent is, “Would you want your child to make decisions about your health care or nursing home?†Contact her atbea@busyasabeaproductions.com.
Most of us have heard of the term ‘good hair’ and have heard it in association with ‘bad’ kinky hair. Black hair has not always been considered beautiful, and even till today is still looked down upon by too many as unkempt, nappy and unprofessional. This view on black hair has a negative effect on black girls/women and our relationship with our hair.
Hair is important to a woman’s overall look. Having hair that is not considered put together or beautiful can cause a lot of hate towards it and affect an individual’s self-esteem. In a society that upholds the European standard of beauty, black girls are taught to desire everything else but what we have.
There is a long history of changing the texture of black hair from kinky to straight, starting from the invention of pressing combs to straighten out the hair to the use of relaxer to the use of weaves and wigs. Although there is nothing wrong with exploring with weaves, wigs and other hair type, this should not overshadow the love for our natural hair type.
Now with the natural hair movement, we see that people are embracing their kinky hair and the standard of beauty is slowly evolving. Most of the problem has been the lack of resources and information on how to maintain and care for our black hair. This is especially true for those ladies that since childhood have had perms or used relaxers.
There are now so many resources and hair care videos especially those easily accessible on YouTube teaching black women how to appreciate and care for our natural hair. ‘Natural’ ladies can learn how to work with our different hair textures because not all natural hair is the same.
Some natural hair ‘youtubers’ to explore are: naptural85, neffyfrofro and mynaturalsistas. Apart from the new appreciation of natural hair, there is more desire for extensions such as braids, twist, crochet braids, locs and hairstyles that are imitations and/or are associated with kinky hair. These different hairstyles show the versatility of black hair and explore so much that can be done. Nowadays black women are encouraged and supported in diverse ways to enjoy the glory of our natural hair and to explore extensions and other hairstyles.
These are some hairstyles that show the beauty and diversity of natural hair.
Hair style: Two strand twist Pin and tuck (protective style)
Hair style: Braided extensions
Hair style: Naturally curly 2c/3a, Model: Andala
Hair style: Twist out
Hair style: Locs
Hair style: TWA
Hair style: Afro
Hair style: Bantu knot out
Model: Octavia Pickett
Hair style: Twist out, Model: Ethereal
Hair style: Colorful Locs,
Model: Amber Mohammad
Hair style: Twists.
The ladies from Island Design
natural hair salon
Hair style: locs.
Beautiful ladies from the
Philadelphia hair show
Hair style: Protective styling
Hair style: Yarn Faux Locs ,
Model: Famatta Kiamue
Hair Style: Brazilian Curly Blow dry
straight , Model: Wokie Kiamue
Hair style: Commercial Hair integration,
Model: Bianca
Hair style: Locs,
Model: Lauren
Hair style: Locs, Model : Malik
Hair style: Big Chop Model: Ms. Mary
