Every so often I get some insight into how products are targeted to black people around the world. It’s never made me uncomfortable that the people behind these products are not usually black themselves, recently I had cause to pause for thought.
I only ‘buy black’ when the product in question is both convenient to get and is at a reasonable price. I know people who will hunt high and low to find a black owned plumber or electrician and happily pay more to get the same service that a local company can provide. That’s ok, I’m just not one of those people.
If I happen to be at the supermarket and I want to buy some seasoning and I notice a jar of spices that I know is black owned, I will usually buy that over the name brand that isn’t. I just won’t go to 3 different supermarkets to find the same jar. I simply prefer convenience and I suspect that many of us are the same way too.
Anyway, when it comes to hair products, there is a definite tendency for many of them particularly extensions* to come from the Asian markets. It stands to reason seeing as most of the hair we buy here in the west comes from India, China and Korea.
This culture clash has also led to an interesting trend in Asian men and women getting ‘afro perms’ as in the picture, an thought provoking curiosity without a doubt.
Recently I was contacted by one such company looking to advertise a new product to the weave wearing black women on BHI. I couldn’t give them exact figures on the percentage of my audience that wear weaves but he furnished me with this little nugget of wisdom:
I’ve been in this industry so long, I can say that 3 out of 4 Nubian ladies will wear hair weaves some point in time, especially the younger generation. Even though they is a natural hair movement like in the seventies, eventually women get bored and change their hairstyles the same way as clothes.
Yowzers! Say what? My first reaction was to be affronted by the remark but after I’d simmered down I heard truth in his words.
Only recently I was writing about Solange Knowles and her hair regimen. She originally went natural to get out of relaxers and weaves (what she said in her Oprah interview). While she has stayed away from relaxers, shortly thereafter she was back in braids and weaves again albeit kinky* curly textured ones.
Wow..I never seen that before! I mean the Asians wearing natural Afro thick hair..Different!
Yep that’s the new it thing Asians are doing. When will Blacks folks embrace themselves, others races on the DL envy us! #lovebeingblack
That shows how we are not the only race with “hair struggles” looooooooove it
They did a chemical process to make their hair like this. The afro is not their natural hair. It is a style choice.
Not surprised. Other cultures/races admire/imitate our sense of style/music/food/body shapes/skin tone, etc (not that we have a patent of any of those), so it’s no surprise that they want to copy our hair textures. And we have variety of those as well. 🙂
Think they r blasians or blackanese 2 get a fro…looks mixed w black
They’re not mixed, go to YouTube and they’ll show the process.
No its a technique in Asia, youtube it. Asia Afro Perm its called.
There are many ways to get naturally straight hair to conjure the afro hair type form. No black needed. Just like we dont need to be mixed race to get the above look nor do we need the chemicals and straight weave. This is just human nature. Anyone can have an afro anyone can have straight hair.
Um no you can only have an afro if you are mixed or black or if you get a perm . Anyone can rock straight hair only some can rock a perm . Most races have naturally straight hair . Only blacks and mixed people can grow natural afros .
Check out the documentary hidden colors 1&2 and you’ll see how Asians have African roots
You are right about that the voice president of China is black and a woman with Chinese features all the evidence is there.
No they are purposely thickening their hair to make it look like that…some asiasns are even getting dreads.
There are people known as black Asians, hidden historical fact. The first samurai was black.
Black Asians, Black Hispanics, etc. want to deny their natural selves just like Black Americans.
Black American women are brainwashed into thinking straight hair is beautiful!
ALL hair is beautiful. Stop with the Natural Hair Nazi movement!
thanks…I where my hair natural…when you really feel good about yourself you accept EVERYONE’S hair texture….good grief.
By the way, many Japanese people have NATURALLY kinky hair….just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
WOMEN now have the OPTION to rock whatever hairstyle they so please. As stated it’s PREFERENCE!
Straight hair is beautiful. Linty, dusty, dull hair isn’t that glamorous!!!
I wear weaves but beneath it my hair is natural and healthy. I Care because my hair is apart of me
ITS JUST HAIR WE CAN WEAR WHAT WE WANT IF NATURAL HEAD WOMEN WOULD SHUT THE HELL UP WE WOULDN’T HAVE THIS PROBLEM…..A BLACK WOMAN IS STILL A BLACK WOMAN REGARDLESS OF WHATS ON HER HEAD…STAY OUT OF PEOPLES HEAD AND MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS……….CURLY, STRAIGHT. SHORT AND LONG ITS ALL PRETTY….ITS THE PRICES THAT ARE UGLY………SOCIETY DOESN’T WANT TO SEE AFROS AND KINKS SO WE TURNED THE TABLES AND ITS STILL A PROBLEM…..AFRO OR STRAIGHT, WEAVE OR NATURAL ITS JUST HAIR……..ROCK WHAT YOU PLEASE!!!
This diagram is silly! Afros shouldn’t only be admired or worn by a certain race. It’s something Asian people are doing to their hair to make it look like that. The Japanese, in particular, love the hip hop culture so much, they go all out with their wardrobe. Hot mess depiction but they do admire us.
I live in NYC and I have seen Asians with hair like this. I don’t think they are copying or mocking us or did something to get it that way.
DARK SKIN COMES IN ALL RACES I WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED IF I REALLY SEEN AN ASIAN WITH DARK SKIN OR AN AFRO……..HELL I MIGHT BE A LITTLE ASIAN!!!
Tamiko Beckwith, some Black women have naturally straight hair. So, what’s your argument towards them? Not ALL are “brainwashed”. It’s called preference.
THANK YOU! Samira Perry at Inspired Salon & Spa
I never seen a black woman with straight hair. I’m a stylist and I’ve never EVER seen that. But whatever.
I just think it’s amazing how other races embrace our true form more than we do. Everybody is trying to get big butts, big lips, tans, and curves, and big hair like us and yet, most of us do things to cover up what we already have. I don’t think anyone should pride themselves on the things that we don’t naturally have. I don’t think anyone should be ashamed of who they really are.
and she didn’t say that having straight hair is a bad thing she just said that most women that are black (which is true) think having straight hair is better then their own natural kink or wave or what ever lol and i agree with kannisha i have never seen a black women with naturally bone straight hair.
Do what ever it is that makes you feel your best! Individuality is key, it’s essential to embrace what you chose not what others believe you should.
Show me one black woman with straight hair. Make me a believer.
YOU ARE MENTALLY ILL. get help
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6G6ofsJquI there you go.
^^^most of these women look like they are mixed with arab.
They’re not blasians! You’d know that if you read the article! It’s a perm they came out with thst makes their hair kinky! Don’t make assumptions, just read!
Everyone is a decendant from Africa but she is right its a perm
This was a good article! I must admit, I have been natural for a little over a year, and I still go to the Barbershop for a short cut, because I really don’t want the hassle of my hair growing long, and having to deal with entangling it every time I wash it!!! It’s a little too much for me!!! But I still love my natural hair! !! I thank God for all of the natural curly sites that brought my edges back in!!! Natural for life! !!
Olga P. Butler I agree! Great article
Everyone around me including myself is “natural” under thier weave.
Loving yourself is all that matters at the end of the day
I really like the comment “change thier hair like they change clothes” it’s the truth!
I love this. Enjoyed every post. I wish this would hit the news:)
Its a fad in Japan…forget what its called. Like Hallyu, but, all about mimicking rap videos basically.
It’s a perm isn’t it?
It’s been on YouTube forever. They process their hair to get it that way. Some of them are really into the Black Culture. Especially the music, fashion and hair…..
I see Asians who have naturally thick hair wearing it as is….what’s the problem??
The Asian male looks mixed to me and his hair texture is different from the Asian female’s.
Yes, Socearre Moskalski they want the struggle…. cool fine with me LOL
Asians and Afros!!!!??? That’s dope
White people do curly perms too
Ok so they admire us we’ve been admired for years you were potentially a gang member in the 90’s for saying “yo” or “what’s up” now it’s universal the pope might even say it…we’re creative ppl I think that should be applauded and if I had thin hair I’d want to thicken it too..the only thing I’m concerned about is their health from the chemicals they’re using :/
lol
Before I got locs I would get comments like your hair is to soft, it won’t loc. I would always reference back to our Caucasian and Asian brothers and sisters who rock their locs proudly!!!
Love it!!!!!!
Interesting article, but i see nothing wrong with wanting to change things up a bit. I doesn’t necessarily mean that Naturals aren’t appreciative of their natural hair, but change is good.
The afro’s suit them
What we hate they love
Most black “people” are part Asian. Look at their face and look at most “black”people. We are all mixed. They just look like like skinned black folks.
I think your referring to Native American. They’re not black and they’re hair isn’t natural.
What sites did u go on…i need my edges to gro in.
I can’t believe the one with black hair is full Asian…no one can perm their hair this way…
Yes they can. Im sure it probably really damaging.
They know about the Buddha gods with that hair.. everyone knows but us!
I love my kinks and curls and so do others obviously but I also love a good weave. It protects my natural hair, it’s convenient and it allows me to switch up my style with serious manipulation to my own hair whenever I want. This month I have a bob and highlights, next I’ll be back to my kinks. Then u might see me rocking a halle berry cut. It’s about versatility and all of us regardless of race have access to that. No need to envy.
MY HAIR, MY WAY FOR ME, AND NOBODY ELSE.
Afro hair can be really time consuming and demands a lot of patience, no? some women just run out of time and patience. It’s not always about hating the natural kinky hair.
Love my natural hair
all black women don’t have natural straight hair not unless they got some white are something else black women hair is curly or nappy honey am old enough to know that for a fact.
Chinese people have black roots and a lot of black people live in China there vice president is a black woman the only black that denies their heritage are those in America
See, the reason why I don’t like the idea of Asians “kinkifying” their hair is because it’s looking like it’s just a fad or a “style.” Natural hair is unique and you shouldn’t be able to just instantly have coily textured hair by a chemical treatment. Going natural is something much more than that. It’s we women of African decent accepting our natural beautiful and not trying to conform to European standards of beauty. Just be yourself and stop trying to be like other ethnicities, which is what they are trying to do by making their hair kinky and what we are trying to do when we perm our hair
I don’t have a problem with weaves or extensions however because it gives your hair a break and its not permanent
I feel like people can wear their hair however they like. Im not really concerned or do I find some sort of joy seeing other races trying to copy african hair textures. I mean who really cares? Do you and maintain healthy hair. No matter how you wear it.
It’s your head of hair, do what you want, who cares what people may think !
Black female vice president in china. That’s kind of cool – what’s her name?
In regards to the hair debate – each to their own. Hair is a form of expression, so I think you should be able to do what you like.
Ok a chinese girl with a fro gets a second look from me, but its her hair.
There are many arguments of why someone should or should not do something to their hair….. But if we put limitations on hair – all those sisters with relaxed, weaved, blonde hair would look a whole hella different.
I think some people take some of these post a little too seriously. I think they just wanted people to think about the fact that blacks are the only group who as a majority sport another ethnicities hair. yes im aware that not everybody’s hair is kinky and i also know that other races wear extensions sometimes also. But look around you, step out into the street right now and tell me how many sista’s are actually wearing their own hair straightened or otherwise?
I’ve seen Asians with our hair texture before and it was NOT extensions!
I personally know people of East Asian descent with naturally, tightly curled hair.
As a hairdresser, I’ve realized texture isn’t specific race. It all goes back to genetic roulette.
Hughhhh another trivial post damn it’s just hair.
I think it funny that people are trying to make it seem like being natural is spiritual. Hair is hair do what you want. As long as it is healthy no matter what race or born texture do you. If we all were natural all of our hair would be in one giant dreadloc with lice. Cant get more natural than no soap no water no mechanical manipulation.
It definitely shows the rotation some blacks want European straight hair and the other races who have straight hair want the think kinky hair.
Thick
Also do the research a lot of other races have african American in them.
People say Jesus is X color. Just because YOU haven’t seen it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. “But whatever” Kannisha Washington
too weird. asian with kinky hair ? o.o
Did I say that SHE said it was a bad thing? No! Thanks for taking the time to reply to something that has nothing to do with you and not sticking to what I initially said. Don’t add words to my comment to justify her response.
Who said bone straight? Straight as in NOT AFRO, the ROOT can have a coil but not ALL black hair (you said most when I said ALL) is KINKY (this particular texture. Not ALL Black women have been brainwashed. People like HER assume that women with weave are BRAINWASHED when it’s easier to maintain on a daily basis OR when they’re transitioning like I AM. Like I said, THANKS but NO THANKS for your response.
People Need to Stop with this, if you’re Natural, you love yourself bull……I loved Myself before I was Big enough to Look in the Mirror……..Yes I wear weave’ s,and Lace fronts,because I’m trying to transition to All Natural. But these Natural Freaks make it hard to embrace will all the ridiculed of other Black women, who do prefer weave…….Been Natural for about 5months Now…
the guy reminds me of my grandpa…i didn’t even kno u can do a process to get kinky hair
The Asians with the afros look very beautiful and unique, mashallah!
I’m glad they’re NOT ashamed of their natural hair
Hair today, Gone tomorrow!
Me personally I do NOT like My nappy hair! It’s a hot mess! It’s nappy as hell, it breaks combs & I can NOT manage it all in its natural state. I prefer weaves & relaxers. Hot combs can’t even tame this nappy stuff. The struggle is real with this head. It grows like nobody’s business but it hurts too bad to comb it unless I’m relaxed. I would love to wear My hair natural if it were curly & long & manageable. But I can’t take this big fro that I can’t even comb through, let alone tame. But I do enjoy looking at the beautiful big natural hair on a lot of other girls. And a lot of girls look great with it. Just ain’t My thang tho.
Do what makes you happy. God said love everybody. If looking like a toucan makes you happy, go for it. Don’t let anybody tell you who you are, much less how to do your hair. It’s on YOUR head, not theirs.
people don’t know this, but Asian people have descendants of African in them too. watch #HiddenColors
people really don’t know what they want anymore
DO SOME DAMN RESEARCH! STOP LOOKING AT WHAT THE MEDIA PUTS OUT! Read about genetics! lawd jesus. And too add to this statement….People can wear whatever they want…if they hate their hair..that is on THEM. You can’t force someone to love their features
I think its inspiring that some asians want big afros
I don’t think the third photo is full Asian…no way…
Wait.. What?? Lol
HELLOOOOO IS MY MIC ON? ITS NOT THAT DAMN SERIOUS !!! GET A LIFE !!
Actually Solange wore her real hair to her wedding she had gorgeous kinky natural big afro hair . I’m natural and I hate weaves and wigs I tried them before and it pulled my hair out and was very itchy . I braid my own hair as a protective style . My grandma has long natural hair and she usually keeps it up in buns as a protective style she never wore weave always had long hair .