Impatient Or Incompetent Stylists
Since some never had the opportunity to experiment with their hair, they didn’t learn to do afro-textured styles. Believe it or not, some can’t do a proper two strand twist much-less an intricate cornrow style and unless one is desirous of spending their entire life detangling, a perpetual afro might not be practical. Enter the stylist, except, many stylists are still in the novice category when it comes to knowledge of proper afro-textured hair care. Think about it, how many cosmetology schools offer afro-textured hair as part of the curriculum? Google it, we’ll wait…
In fact, it was last year that we saw how Isis Brantley had to fight a legal battle for the right to have a braiding studio that also teaches care of natural hair. Given all these factors, if I worked so hard to nurture my hair, I would not trust stylists who barely know what they are doing to try to style my hair for fear that they would root out the precious strands that took so long to grow.
Another issue is the availability – or lack thereof- of sufficient salons or stylists dedicated to the care of natural hair. I spend loads of time listening to my fellow naturalistas in my Type 4 Naturals community asking if there are any natural salons or stylists in their area. Sometimes when you do find a knowledgeable stylist they are pressed for time since they don’t want to turn down business and they end up rushing sometimes, leaving you with mixed feelings. You might like the finished do but notice that some of your strands were broken because of the rush.
Did I mention that sneaky practice of some stylists slipping relaxer into your shampoo or conditioner? So some find it easier to grab some heat protectant*, a blow dryer*, and a flat iron* and rock a DIY straight style.
While we’re on the topic of stylists, let’s also talk about how some of these stylists want to charge more for natural hair. They take a look at your head and all of a sudden a $20 style becomes $80-$100. It’s as though they are punishing you for being natural. Well some of us can’t take that kind of pressure on our pockets when we’re just a few dollars away from being broke so it’s easier to straighten it and rock that for a while.
We Want The Best Of Both Worlds
Sure natural hair is the bomb. The shrinkage is fun once we embrace it and many of us love the versatility of natural hair that comes from it being so voluminous, but sometimes we just want to switch things up for a few days and wear a straight style to lay off twisting and combing – read manipulation- and let the hair be.
It’s not that an afro isn’t the bomb, but we do get a kick out of seeing our length too. It’s at this time that we get to reward ourselves for the time and patience we put in, stand in awe of our progress and share that with others who never knew natural hair could be so fun. Is that so bad? This way, we get the best of both worlds and I can’t see anything wrong with that. In fact, doing so enables us to show that there is an alternative to permanently damaging your follicles with creamy crack.
I can’t tell you the number of people who have taken a serious interest in embracing natural hair when they recognized they could get the straight look without a relaxer. This is perhaps because many black girls have always wanted long hair and didn’t think it was possible to grow natural hair long. They more than likely thought that what little length they had would only be shown if they wore relaxed hair.
LMAO, like some of isn’t told to for work, either way stop policing Black women’s bodies. White people do that enough
Gtfoh I straighten my hair cuz sometimes I don’t want to deal with my hair in its natural state but I definitely prefer my natural state of hair over straightened hair. I feel more beautiful with my fro than a straight style any day.
Some people are just plain crazy… If I choose to straighten my hair… It’s because I’m changing up my look… People read into stuff too much… smh
The black woman have been told her hair is not suitable for the workforce because it is to puffy and many times they use the word nappy. I love black hair in its natural form and black women are the only women that are told to change their hair. Many black women straighten their hair to comply with the work environment and I suspect some black women prefer not to wear their hair straight because the black woman have been told her is is not beautiful and silky. What people do not know is black hair is the softest and most delicate hair of all races. I love black natural hair.Black women stay true to yourself.
I got my daughter hair straighten and it is taking forever for her natural curl to come back
No it’s a sign of doing WHATEVER THE F**K you wanna do with YOUR hair. ♀️
That’s funny. I stopped relaxing my hair in 2011 and wouldn’t straighten my hair at all for years. But this year, my hair has been straight or in crochets (as it is now) most of the year. It’s only due to convenience. I absolutely love my hair in its natural state but it most definitely is more work! I can admit I’ve been straightening my hair due to laziness lol but I am most definitely NOT insecure! In fact, I’m more confident with my fro!!!
First people want to analyze black women for wearing relaxers. Now you want to analyze black women for straightening their natural hair. Come on man give me a break! I can’t believe that this page asked that question! Black women are not held to one type of hair one color one style one curl pattern. Get a life already!
I like to change my hair for me, not for work or any other reason
You know when I reach the pearly gates, I’m gonna ask the Lord…Lordt what was it about the Black woman’s hair that has people all in a tizzy for centuries down there? Like seriously…did it hold some sort of power or magic that would make the world go from zero to sixty from a simple change of style? No other woman on the planet has ever had this much attention paid to their hair as we have. Lord like really what gives?
See this right here is the kind of crap I hate. Please for the love of God. Leave black women and our hair and the right to do what we want how we want and when we want alone. It’s not that serious do what you want with your own damn hair! Life is entirely too short. Just because you may not straighten your natural hair and the next sister does, does not make you better. GTFOH!
Well, there some people who think straight long hair is better than natural hair, so what’s the difference? Hair is hair and everybody should be obligated to do what they want with it. So long as they take care of it and not neglect it.
It’s hair. You should be able to do whatever you want with it.
Good article! And no, it’s a sign that I have a lot of ish to do/not a morning person or want to do my hair at night after a long day There are something ppl who don’t straighten their hair and wear it kinky but, hate themselves…they just itch with weaves or they don’t feel like straightening it That’s them natural hair Nazi’s that say this craziness!
Might just be a sign of laziness
I feel more comfortable when I wear my hair at its natural state bc what you see, it’s what it decided to do lol..when I wear weave, I feel pressured to have it a certain way..unfortunately I still wear wigs to interviews etc bc I know how corp feels about our hair…but as soon as training over…make room for me and my puff…
Nope, not for me Straightening mine is a sign of I want a change up and can’t do a lot of longer wearing styles due my psoriasis and needing to wash every few days at least usually sooner so it’s either natural wash and go, twist out or straight for three days, the end
The only insecure people are those that think they can shame other people for their own choices
No it not insecurities is you want a change. Nothing to prove to anyone it’s what I want to do at that time. God bless have bless day if you csn
I straighten my hair because it’s a PERSONAL CHOICE….. GTFOH…….. NO INSECURITIES HERE THANK YOU
I personally don’t think that straigjtening your hair is a sign of insecurity. I do feel like whomever believes that is just ignorant. It’s a person’s personally choice as to what they want or choose to do with their hair. You don’t have to agree with it. It’s also not your hair so you don’t have to wear the style, either. If they are taking care of their hair and it’s healthy, why should it matter if a person chooses to straighten it? I personally straighten my hair to clip my ends and to every once in a while see my length. I like to see the accomplishment of growth with my hair. My hair doesn’t like to stay straight and it takes a lot of time, so i never really care to do it often. Again, it’s my hair and it doesn’t make me any less natural then the next female. This may also come off rude but I’m just going to be straight up about it. If you don’t pay for that female to get her hair done, help her out with what is being considered as an “insecurity” or you don’t do that female’s hair or anything that can help contribute to that female’s hair, then it’s not your concern. Turn off the ignorant thoughts and go on about your day. It shouldn’t be affecting you anyhow, seeing as though it has not one thing to do with you. African American females get enough bashing as it is from the Caucasian race, can we not do it to each other. By the way I’m going on 3 years natural and still don’t know how to do a proper twist out, but my hair is taken care of and I am happy with the results I have been able to see throughout time. When i see a female whose natural hair is nice i compliment her and sometimes ask for tips. It’s okay to give credit where it’s due.
Not for me..love the versatility of my hair!!!
this is funny Personally i like strait hair more because its EASIER TO DEAL WITH.
Nope , it’s enjoying the versatility of our hair and the multiple styles we can try! Loving this natural hair!
The natural vs relax beef is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard!
Sistas please don’t let hair be another thing to divide us.
Nobody wants to look like boo boo the fool
It’s all about your intent…. if it’s done out of insecurity then yeah, but if it’s done because you like your try different looks then it’s not a problem. My opinion anyway….
No its just easier to comb …
Straighten my hair is a sign of versatility.
Honestly, I only straighten it once or twice a year to see what it looks like but afterwards I miss my curls. Straight hair is boring to me.
No sometime you just want a different look.
Bulls**t.. We are allowed to change it up. Ppl just need to my their own business
Really
Did you read the article or just reacted to the title? I guarantee it’s not what you think it is so check out the first paragraph at least. (You probably deleted that other bhc for no good reason 🙂 )
Lol calling BS
Dam…here we go again.