Yes I know. I can just see some of you screaming or rolling your eyes at the screen like “Just get off the wig thing already!” Don’t wig out now (gotcha!).
I was about to let it rest but after the “spirited” discussion generated on that anti-wigs PSA post, quite a few comments sparked a thought.
I’ve had this topic at the back of my mind recently: Is long hair of your own pointless when you can rock a weave or wig* any time you want?
Some of you may not agree with me but I think that even with the best most natural looking wigs/weaves, long hair of your own will always be more desirable.
Just ask anyone who has dentures if they wish they still had their natural teeth. Nuff said!
Hair has always held a certain prestige for us. Irrespective of cultural or racial differences, the quality of hair has always been viewed as an indicator of health, fertility and beauty.
It is for this very reason that wigs* came into existence. The big wigs of the day back then or the movers and shakers of the day were as vain as we are today or even more so.
They were the ones who set up an hierarchical system that determined your social and economic status depending on the type of wig you could afford to wear (Yep! that’s how the term “big wig*” came into being).
Fast forward hundreds of years later and the wig and it’s more sophisticated cousin, the weave, are still staples of the fashion scene, so much so that it causes us to wonder if long hair is even necessary when wigs and weaves are so readily available and have been for so long.
Here are the reasons I believe long hair of your own is necessary in spite of the accessibility of wigs* and weaves.
► Being able to grow long hair of your own gives you a psychological rush! Honestly, your strut is a little sassier when you know you don’t have to be totally dependent on some false hair. Your confidence in your appearance is multiplied since you can whip the hair you grow just as if it were a weave.
► You have a choice! Without your own long hair you are limited to simply buying a weave or wig to compensate.
► Growing your own long hair affirms your femininity. Sure we would like to believe that we have changed a lot since the Elizabethan era but the truth is that many of the ideals have seeped into our modernized little era. We – and our men in particular- tend to associate a woman’s ability to grow long hair with the picture of delicate femininity. Sure, he may take you with the weave but if you have some long hair of your own he will be even more thrilled.
Bravo – I enjoyed this article.
Thanks Melanie, I’m glad you did.
I don’t mind wigs & weaves in my opinion it doesn’t make anyone less natural. They are great protective styles & give me a chance to play with color without physically dying my hair. I do prefer my own length but even before I let my natural hair grow out & I had length I still wore wigs & weave on occasion for the same reasons. I’ve been on my journey of natural fit 2 years & since I’ve done the BC my length is in process & I rely on protective styling. Even fir sine of the braided Styles i sport I need hair added to achieve the look because my hair isn’t long enough for them.
Wigs make my head sweat more and my head feels as if it is in an oven but then again I live in Barbados so that’s probably the reason. I went through the braids-stage already and yes the hairdresser made me look fabulous/awesome/incredible et cetera but I prefer my own hair right now not someone else’s. For some reason 100% human hair doesn’t fill me with a desire to put on the hair growing out of my own human head.
I know what you mean Michelle. I’ve tried braids twice but though I had washed my hair in preparation and went ahead and got my braid spray, the itch was driving me crazy. None of them lasted a full week LOL. Then again it wasn’t human hair so I am not sure if that was the reason.
The point should be HEALTHY hair, whether it is long or short.
Length is a preference not a necessity. I feel it is better to
grow your own long hair but everyone cannot do that. Nothing
wrong with using wigs/weaves to supplement…fake it till you make it!
Lol
I see your point Antoinette and most of than not, with health comes length but i am not so sure if I would shoot down length as a necessity. It’s sort of relative in my opinion. Besides I do believe that some of us have become a little complacent because the alternatives are present. Perhaps this is due in part to the myth that black girls can’t grow long hair.
I think long hair naturally is pretty! But I love wearing extensions as a protective style. I have a couple friends with waist length hair who achieved the length by wearing protective styles like weaves and wigs. In the summer I think medium length bobs are adorable and usually cut my hair in warmer months depending on how I’m feeling. Length is a preferance. My man does not love me for my Hair! lol How ridiculous.
Yeah because i dont want to pay for the hair or for anyone to install it
for its pride of ownership lol. I want to grow my own
Agreed same here lol!
its… really nice…i respect what she chooses to do..
LOL:) A receipt give you the same also when someone stop you to ask is that your real hair:)
I rather have real long hair and short hair wigs
all that’s necessary is healthy…
If my hair was long I wouldn’t wear weave except for when I want color
I think it depends on how comfortable you are with your own hair. If you are then obviously you won’t add any extensions but if extensions make you feel better/more confident, then why not?
Hat-hair… Never
Very much so growing my own is FREE
Death to tracks
There are afro weaves too. Whats the difference?
Yeah cause I don’t want someone else hair on my head!
As long as it’s healthy, I think too much emphasis is put on length…although I personally would love my natural hair to be long, weave/wigs do allow versatility
I’m into my own hair and don’t need the extra. Happy with what God has blessed me with 🙂
I like that hair.. It looks so natural on Teayana
Gr8 question because underneath my weaves I have been natural almost 10yrs. I wear my hair out maybe 2 wks out of a yr. I just lost the desire to do hair after my twins. I have no desire to keep my hair up when I can use something else & do what I want when I want NO DAMAGE TO MY TRESSES!!!
Options!!
Yes natural long hair is necessary! Maybe the ad should read, “are you contributing as much to your 401K as you are to your weave?”
LOL!!
There’s nothing like having healthy, long hair of your own!
There are certain styles that are impposible to perfect with real hair
yes, because i like changing my hair color and experimenting with different styles without making a commitment. i also like using heat on my weaves/lace units. if i were to use excessive heat on my own hair, it would be fried. God blessed me with the ability to buy hair, so why not wear it? its an accessory to me. different moods, different me. my hair is natural underneath and is very healthy.
I do wigs as my protective style & lazy days if im in a rush slap a wig on & go & for different styles im natural but really there are only so many ways to do your natural hair unless it is a nice length I steer away from weaves don’t like glue & don’t have patience for sewn’s!!! If u can rock it wear it!!!
Confused…I may have to take this site off my page
Black women look so great with their own hair. They have become the laughing stock of beauty by other females from other ethnicities by them in putting other races hair.
Yet to see a good looking black woman in weave. #fact
Did I just read that correctly? Wow! Umm…very necessary. I’d rather have my own than someone else’s any day. Wow…what a way to encourage black women to embrace themselves. SMH
Is that a serious question? Perhaps everyone’s goal isn’t have 32 inch hair but I’d take my own hair any day over this weave. Real healthy hair at any length is better than a weave. IMO
Wigs and weaves are nice accessories! But there is nothing like your own true crown and glory!!!
Had long healthy hair all my life.. Once chopped it off to ears length.. Got many negative comments why would you cut uour hair off.. lol.. Dont see the big deal with having long hair.. once your hair is health thats all that matters..
I so agree, my hair has always been long, did big chop and was considered crazy.
That ad caption is soooo stupid. Y would a person prefer wear a wig, or weave than too wear their own natural healthy hair? And I don’t care how many kids u have, a woman should never get so comfortable and lazy as to where she does not want to take care and nourish her hair.
Yet many do.
she is pretty
Weaves/wigs more versatile than my natural thick kinky spiral curly hair!:)
what kind of question is that? wigs have always been available but shouldn’t determine whether or not one grows her own hair-nothing like having your own hair or anything
Bad comparison. Thats her real hair…she never wear weaves
This is why so many women are walking around bald spots…lost edges and whatever else! No thanks I’ll pass on the Weaves!!!!
To each their own but I’d much rather grow and wear my own hair. It’s much easier and cheaper on my funds. LOL.
I like it when my man rubs my head for me…that’s hard.to do with weave
I have long hair and i still want a weave
I am natural and have shoulder length hair and I don’t see anything wrong with wearing some weave for fullness. My pet pieve about weave or wigs is when it doesn’t look real. If I am going to wear weave I want it to look like mine. I think people put too much emphasis on hair.
I have my own naturally long hair. No weave for this lady.
Why not both. They both give one an infinite possibility for styles & breaks!!!
I think long healthy hair is a sign of health and beauty cause its takes great care to obtain it. Weaves are nice cause of the benefits they offer but they will never replace the glory of having the real thing.
It seems like since this whole natural hair movement has begun, people who wear relaxers, weave, etc. are getting called “sellouts” and “wanting to be white”, or lazy…..news flash: NATURAL HAIR IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY. Not all of us are going natural. I am one who does not think she looks good with an Afro. Also, MY natural hair is a LOT of work and I’m not willing to take the time or energy to do what it takes to maintain it.
God gave you your natural hair . obviously it’s for everyone !
This is long. If you don’t like reading, scroll passed. You’ve been warned:
Wigs and weaves are worn also for protective styles. For those of us who change our hairs weekly, for mood or for work if you’re in the entertainment industry. Every outfit or events really does require a different style. Products that hair stylists use can harm your hair, so why not achieve the look with added hair, while protecting your own hair? In the entertainment industry, I travel a lot for work. Different climates affect my hair, especially different water qualities when I need to wash my hair in my hotel room. Why go through all that when I can put all that stress on added hair?
Some of our hairs do not grow as fast, as thick, as strong, or as long. I know mine doesn’t. But why should I be confined to the few looks that my natural hair can achieve? Besides, what’s the difference between weaves, and braids? No matter the “ethnic” style ability that having braids provides, it’s still ADDED hair.
I find it to be so sad that a Black woman’s hair has become everyone else’s problem, the world’s favorite topic of discussion. Black women have the MOST versatile hair, with updo’s, down-do’s, ponytails, Afro’s, presses, braids, locs . . . why can’t we enjoy our versatility freely? Not every Black woman is seeking to emulate another race if she uses weave or wigs, and braids do not make you any more pro-Black or pro-natural hair than the next woman. I find it sad as well that there are so many comments here with noses up in the air. Your natural hair doesn’t make you any more Black & proud than the next woman’s hair. Just my two cents. Carry on pointing the finger at each other and pointing your noses in the air. I pray one day Sistahood makes a comeback.
— Lelah G – Model & Mogul
Your two cents are welcome here any time Kahlelah. I think I have a slow growth rate too so I can understand ladies employing the use of weaves to limit manipulation . As you’ve pointed out, braided extensions are akin to weaves and I totally agree with that. I usually just say, ” to each his own but “
“I find it to be so sad that a Black woman’s hair has become everyone else’s problem, the world’s favorite topic of discussion. Black women have the MOST versatile hair, with updo’s, down-do’s, ponytails, Afro’s, presses, braids, locs . . . why can’t we enjoy our versatility freely?”
I agree with you wholeheartedly, Lelah G. It’s a sad day that black women can’t even look to each other for support about our hair choices. We gotta get it from the white folks, we gotta get it from the men, and now we have to deal with this &%$# from each other? Sad, sad, sad. Relaxed or natural, weaves or wigs, long or short, sisters do your thing and rock it with pride! We are ALL beautiful.
I agree with the “come hither” effect, having your own LONG hair has on men… 🙂
Uh yeah obviously you wish your hair resembled the dersired look
I mean people what to claim their own and quit this stereotype that black don’t have long good hair then why not?
Why is it more acceptable to spend copious amounts of money on weave than to take excellent cafe of the hair you grow so that you don’t need weave?
Of course it’s necessary IF it’s what you want. I have nothing against weaves because they allow me to change my look whenever I feel like but MY hair is also long any more importantly, HEALTHY, and I owe a lot of that to weaves. I’ve rested my hair and taken a break from letting free radicals damage it quite often. While I do think every woman should be proud to where her own hair, you do what you feel is best for you. But if you want long hair, I think you should make the effort to grow your own and use weaves as an assist. I think you feel a sense of accomplishment and pride.
No healthy hair is…
Yes its necessary weaves and wigs are just there as a way to change up your style when you feel like it and some people use wigs as a protective style. I encourage people to grow long healthy hair though too many folks out here believe black people can’t grow hair.
I like being able to do on my weaves all the fun stuff that I’m afraid to do on my own hair.
I have hair that grows as long as weave that I constantly cut because I do not like dealing with my own hair it seems as tho weave the same length or longer is more manageable but thats just me
Why have to buy your hair when you can take care of it & grow it on your own? Lol I’m glad I have long hair without having to pay hundreds of dollars to look a certain way. & even if mu hair was short I still wouldn’t wear weave..
“Good” hair? ?
*sigh*
If you like weave, wear it. If you don’t, then don’t.
It’s just that simple.
^^AMEN
Truth!
It’s funny because so many people believe that that is Teyanna’s real hair. If you’re going to wear weave, make it realistic.
Personal, I like Marley’s and braids… I want to purchase a wig one day… Not really a fan of weaves… But, to each it’s own…
You have a lot of people that grow their hair and still buy weaves or wigs.
Yes it is. Take care your own first. If you want to wear the wigs and weave as added protection or to take a break, go for it.
Beautiful curls
That’s too long. It is so freaking cute tho. To long for my liking
In the meantime if you want the same look with great quality hair visit
http://www.beautyline.mayvenn.com
Hair is for adornment and protection only! I have never understood what the big deal is with our folks… Wear what you want. Grow your hair if you can.
I have a nice grade of hair… That was once long…now medium since a short cut..but i love my braids and weaves.. And FYI some ppl cant naturally grow the length of hair they desire so they purchased… No matter how well they themselves take care of it..everyone is diff…i love me and I do me…what I feel is acceptable is my thoughts….love the hair you grow or buy 🙂
Nope
I personally don’t like weave anymore. I want to grow my OWN hair long and take care of it. To each it’s own though
Your own hair ALWAYS looks better than a weave no matter how professional the installation is.
Yep
Some people use wigs just for styling or texture. For example you dont want to flat iron your hair everyday so you may use a wig todo that. Or you may not want to always dye your hair because thats not healthy so you get another wig or dye your own wig . It helps saves your hair . .but you do need to take care of your REAL HAIR before you have nothing left to clip your wigs on.
I don’t like the idea of wearing weave. I prefer to work what I got.
What kind of question is that? When is fake..synthetic better than the original and real? Not to mention, paying for fake.synthetic!
Did anyone actually read this idiotic mess? Lmao
It’s fun to change hairstyles…what’s the big deal.
It doesn’t tell me where to buy it
Welp, can’t help ya there lol
I’m luvin this hair…
Yes it is! Its your own hair and you can take pride in growing it and making sure its healthy!
I like wigs but refer the hair God gave to me…I love my real hair and love growing it…I say do whatever makes u happy…we have choices and I can change up at anytime…I enjoy looking different from time to time…
People buy weaves and wigs for different reasons! Why should it matter if someone wants to buy it just because they feel comfortable in it or just because they want to grow their natural hair? Why are girls being judged on if their natural or not… Its just hair surely the personality matters more?
Anybody can wear weave its your choice but you should always take care of your natural hair. You don’t want damaged hair. Besides you might want to rock your natural hair sometimes.
Your natural hair is free
I myself hve a head full of hair under my wig but prefer wigs to avoid perming pressing flatironing to do it yes I can wear it natural and I do sometimes bt u also hve to kp tht up too in order for it to look good bt now a days I stick wth my wigs (prettyhats) I call them to avoid going thru it I hve two girls hair to do to kp up also so I dnt hve time
YES AND NO.YES CUZ WHEN U DONE WIT IT U CAN SLIDE IT OFF WHEN EVET AND NO CUZ AND CAN SNATCH IT OFF UR HEAD U EITHER GANA B EMBARRASS AND READY TO FIGHT
But truthfully hair s hair and variety s better thn same ole plainjane over and over I love variety and different choices
I agree I like to wear wigs weaves whatever makes me feel good. I have a head full of hair and I wear it as well but you do have to keep it up whatever you choose to do.
No, but healthy hair is necessary.
Winters are really cold at VA Tech and I can’t wear a hat at my current hair length unless I straighten it. I also like to protect my hair, and sometimes things at school get too busy for me to put in the time to properly take care if my own hair. Just a few reasons why the plethora of different protective styles come in handy for me. But like people have said before, if it’s not your thing then that’s totally fine. 🙂
My hair is not my beauty …. it’s an accessory like a necklace or outfit … if you’re that shallow that’s YOUR prob not mine
U should want to take care of your hair regardless.
Wig are fun and versatile but PLEASE; a platinum blond long straight wig against dark complexion with grey/blue contact lenses…..scary
Yes I want my OWN long hair it means more to me . Nothing against weaves or wigs I just want my own hair
why wouldn’t having your own hair be necessary? So it’s better to wear someone else’s hair and DNA on your head?
Taking care of your own hair is always necessary.
Be you- otherwise buy I suppose
It’s not
My hair long long but I will still wear a weave it’s just so much easier to handle
This 2 much fake hair
beautiful….must try
I don’t get how people are saying they have long hair , but get long hair weaves ? This makes no sense. You pay all this money for the hair & to get it installed, instead of just taking care of your own. I like the fact knowing I was able to grow my hair a little below shoulders in 2 years after a bc without the help of weaves or braids.
I prefer my own hair.
c’est magnifique
Listen if its your own keep it grown
If you wear wigs wear whatever digs
At the end of the day whatever makes u happy do it
i want
I know I can always buy but there’s nothing like my own.
I would like long hair of my own
Do what you want to do with your head ! I do not know why people always have something to say ! It’s called worrying about YOURSELF !!
It’s a lot cheaper to wear my own hair.
Um yes.
Do whatever makes you happy!!
I luv my hair..i rather spend to maintain than spend money on fake hair!
Wigs and weaves are convenient but can get expensive…Natural hair is free…
Cute
It is! Your hair needs to air out some!
I prefer my own hair but wearing a wig with my own hair texture to create a long hair look is appealing because I tend to wash n go all the time and touch my hair all the time. It’s not good for hair growth
I prefer my own.
Trina Brown
Don’t do wigs or weave.
What type of hair is this? Ex:Brazilian Wave,etc. I want this exact hair
Sorry I prefer my hair over weave my natural hair i do protective styles like flat twists .I wore cornrows and two stand twists but I love flat twists the best m I hate weaves and wigs and last time I got a weave it broke my hair off . So I protective style with my own hair twisted and braided .
Hair is just hair. The thing i like knowing i can cut my hair and if i get tired of it i can go to my wigs or extensions. I myself am in the middle of growing out my big chop and going natural so wigs and extensions are a great protective and lazy style for me lol. My hair can be down to my butt and i would rock a weave. I love change and get bored easily so to protect my hair i do wigs/extensions. To each their own, but you have to rip my wigs and extensions out of my cold dead hands lol.