When did how someone else wears their hair become such a topic of debate these days? Actually, I guess it’s always been a hot topic. I remember back in the days the “face-off” was short hair vs. long. Or if I were to crack open my “School Daze” DVD, I’d remember the old school natural vs. relaxed debate.
But nowadays it just feels like we’re so far divided. Especially since the internet and social media has brought us together from all corners of the world. It seems like a powerful thing to be able to chat about haircare tips with women in New York, Atlanta, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Port of Spain, Lagos, Cape Town, etc. That is until the way you wear your hair is revealed. You better join a team. #naturalhair #relaxedhair and may the force be with you if you wear a weave.
Honestly, it’s all really silly. Variety makes life interesting and as an avid people watcher, I enjoy seeing different hairstyles on Black women.
After all, shouldn’t it be more about what’s in our heads than what’s on it?
Weigh in, Bombshells? What are your thoughts on this whole hair thing?
February 18, 2011 12:25 pm
We should be able to express ourselves in any fashion sense we like. It makes us unique or versatile. If you feel it, do it and love it!
February 18, 2011 12:32 pm
I think it shouldn’t matter how are hair is. As long as its healthy and your hair isnt falling out then do you. Besides there are people out there that have cancer and cant get their hair to grow back. Not everyone body is going to go for the natural look, or relaxed look, or weaves. It all about what you can work with and what is easy to maintain.
February 18, 2011 12:41 pm
Its really ridiculous that hair is a hot button topic. This is my hair so its my choice as to how I wear it. For years women have put so much significance into their hair and it shouldnt matter either way. Healthy hair is healthy hair no matter how you choose to rock it!!
February 18, 2011 12:49 pm
I think it’s straight foolishness! I’ve gone from relaxed, to natural, and I’m currently rockin’ with my weaves. It’s nice reading about all different types of hair care, but I must say I sometimes skip the comments section on hair care posts, because I know there’s going to be AT LEAST one ignorant comment.
Hair is hair!
February 18, 2011 12:53 pm
I too often avoid the comments on hair care products. I’m not lesser than because I relax my hair and don’t use Carol’s Daughter. I’m not trying to be white or not proud of my race….I just PREFER to relax my hair…simple as that. Its pretty sad because I doubt other races bash each other for those that perm, or blow out, or yes….get weaves too.
February 18, 2011 12:55 pm
***sigh*** What if you’re bald a la Badu or Amber Rose? What if your hair isn’t relaxed but you still wear it straight? How many boxes are gonna be built to put women in and divide us?? This topic is overdone like mushy spaghetti. But where is that pic of Naomi from in the classic 70′s chair??? She looks beautiful.
February 18, 2011 1:00 pm
I believe hair is a woman expression and however she wants to wear it is up to her ; just like fashion. I think one thing we wont argue with is black women dont feel cormfortable if their hair is not like they want it ..I mean if my hair not done im not going , and Im not putting on my new outfit lol
February 18, 2011 1:14 pm
i think black women have such strong emotions attached their hair because historically we have been discriminated against for the tightly coiled, kinky way it naturally grows out of our heads. all of this friction and debate regarding hair in the black community didn’t come out of vacuum. i think it always pays to be aware of how black hair (noses, lips, and skin) were dehumanized and denigrated to justify slavery and segregation.
however, i don’t feel the way i wear my hair is a political statement or an expression my level of social conciousness, and i don’t attribute any qualities to any other black women for the way they wear their hair. you can’t tell who or what someone is by their hairstyle.
February 18, 2011 2:03 pm
i think it would be a lot easier to think of it as “just a hairstyle” if natural hair weren’t widely considered unprofessional, unfeminine, inelegant, classless, etc… it’s not like these choices that we make with regards to our hair are made in a void, and those of us who DO choose to be natural are often up against a lot of bullshit. i think a lot of the more…strident…voices from the natural hair world are reacting against this. maybe a little compassion and perspective is called for?
that said, i’d much rather see people willing to support and respect each other & understand that we wear our hair the way we do for a large variety of reasons, not all of which are political or based in self-hatred. i would like to see the status of natural hair raised to be equal with the status of relaxed hair, but that doesn`t mean everyone has to be natural… it just means everyone needs to show some respect.
February 18, 2011 2:07 pm
I wear my hair how i wanna. Weave, relaxed or wash n go (in between relaxers) Nobody should care how another person wears their hair. black white or latino…period
February 18, 2011 2:25 pm
I agree with alot of the others here, it doesn’t/shouldn’t really matter how anyone wear THEIR hair. I am natural but I refuse to knock anyone who isn’t because I rocked a relaxer for years. I say to each’s own as there are so many other important things going on in life to worry about.
February 18, 2011 2:26 pm
Personally, I wish we would put all this time and energy we spend debating about hair to other avenues and important issues that needs to be talked about affecting black women. I am kind of over this debate because each woman holds their own personal philosophy about hair whether one think hair is just that HAIR or to where hair holds a significant meaning. But I find it odd, like someone mention a handful of women were either relaxed, natural or use a weave once in their lifetime or have friends and family that falls into either(or all) of the categories so I don’t get it. Why be biased? Can we just have team Fly Black Hair, I mean to each their own
February 18, 2011 2:28 pm
a woman’s hair is such a strong part of her relationship with herself. Women should be able to wear their hair however they feel. It saddens me to know that certain hairstyles aren’t excepted. I don’t think folks should judge others on their hair upkeep. Anyway you look at it, hair care is a very time consuming, expensive, and personal…if someone else isn’t spending the time or the money on the hair – they shouldn’t pretend to know or care.
February 18, 2011 2:35 pm
Everything is a hot topic when everyone has an opinon on it! And freely let it flow without thinking of what they are really saying.
Right here on this blog on the daily we have to deal with bombshells getting blasted because they dont wear their hair like “you” wear your hair….
“I think one thing we wont argue with is black women dont feel cormfortable if their hair is not like they want it …” But how do you know if it (their hair) is not like “black women want it”?
That “done” look can mean many different things. Open your minds folks. #teamhealthyhair
February 18, 2011 2:41 pm
I personally do not care, never have and never will care about how others choose to wear their hair it’s their’s not mine.
February 18, 2011 2:58 pm
The test of a first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function
for one, i don’t like big afros, if i had the $$ i’d wear a fabulous wig a couple of times a week, and my hair’s been in locs that i looove since i was in my teens. natural, processed, store bought – why deny yourself?
frankly, you can’t please all the people all the time, so you do you. one of the things that bugs me is african americans taken to be an expression of the experience or viewpoint of all ‘blacks’ (often unintentionally, but it happens all the same). there is nowhere near this level of politics over hair in sub-saharan africa (or generally where the majority of the population grows naturally kinky hair). hair is often taken as just another means of showcasing your style or wealth (i.e. if you can afford a new hairstyle every week) etc but not whether or not you are oppressed or liberated.
February 18, 2011 3:34 pm
i’ve always been in support of the “freedom to do whatever the bleep i want with my hair” rights, and so i try not to get into silly heated arguments about it all. however just to put another perspective on things, i dont think people should use this right as an excuse to walk around looking unkempt and nowhere near presentable and then start complaining when they aren’t taken seriously in the working world. in some professions the way you look is a BIG factor, so if you come in with some badly kept dirty looking dreads, or a dandruff-y afro that isnt combed properly or a hot mess of a weird coloured weave, don’t be surprised if you don’t get the job. do whatever you want with your hair but remember that looking presentable is important for a lady, especially when you wish to be respected or taken seriously.period.
February 18, 2011 4:41 pm
I see what Danielle is saying but……relaxed hair and weaves are not simply “choices”. They are embedded in social, cultural, and political contexts- simply put- wearing some of these styles upholds a standard of beauty that is totally contrary to what we black women are born with. Relaxers and perms are also damaging and the chemicals can’t be good for scalps or skin. So sorry, while I see the point that we shouldn’t be fighting, we also can’t just turn a blind eye to it!
February 18, 2011 4:44 pm
If it were ‘just hair’ it wouldn’t be a multibillion dollar industry. That’s like saying fashion is ‘just clothes’ – true perhaps, but still a multibillion dollar industry.
Hair has been used as a way to culturally monopolize Black people and deem them inferior for centuries. It’s a psychic wound w/visible scars to this day. Hair prejudice STILL exists against curly/kinky people. As we address and eradicate this prejudice, like all others against Blacks, then this ‘debate’ will lose it’s significance like Blacks in fashion.
February 18, 2011 5:01 pm
BTW Top Model is working that bandeau and Naomi looks precious!!!
February 18, 2011 5:47 pm
I love all types of hair…whether it’s perm/natural/straight/weave…. it just has to be healthy!<—Keyword: HEALTHY
Quick Short Story: One of my FB friends put on her status, "Should I get Dreadlocks?" and her responses were rude. They left comments such as "H*LL NO girl, those are so ugly!"
"Hot mess"
"I'm going to call you mop head"
They could of either said Yes or no….not all that extra stuff they said. (SMH)
And I agree with Danielle…can we all just get along?
February 18, 2011 6:41 pm
If the only time you see your haur and scalp is when you are about to get a sew in, yes there is a BIG PROBLEM. There is nothing wrong with changing it up, i love to change it all the time, I’m natural, but sometimes weave helps me get the color that I want or rocking a shorter style because I don’t want to cut my hair. I don’t live in weave and perms are not my friend. Too much of anything is bad, find a balance.
February 18, 2011 6:49 pm
I think your hair is a personal statement and I am so tired of everybody acting like one is better than the other. Natural hair is beautiful but so is my beautiful permed hair. I have toyed with going natural, I have also toyed with getting a weave (which I have never had). Just stop all the madness. I love your natural hair but I love my perm as well.
February 18, 2011 8:39 pm
I think the media is the one creating a problem. In everyday life, I just don’t see where black women are at odds with each other because of the way they choose to wear their hair. I am natural, but I also relax my sisters hair when they request it. The only thing I am against is them wearing human hair from some stranger. I sat them down and explained why it is not fitting for them to wear these women’s hair and they got it, and now stick to synthetic.
February 18, 2011 10:17 pm
Hair is Hair, whether you purchased it, left it kinky or have it processed. Who cares? Next topic please…..
February 18, 2011 11:51 pm
The only people who care are women w/too much time on their hands. I’m natural and I have to say the negativity comes mostly from natural girls, they seem overly concerned with anyone who isn’t “natural”. I’m not the bitter natural girl who name calls and preaches to women who wear relaxers and weaves. I wear sew ins, blow outs, braid outs whatever I like. It IS just hair. So typical of Black people to be at odds over something so simple. Nobody cares about the crime in our community but folks are beefing over hair….
February 19, 2011 5:26 am
i dont think its just hair.
however i know plenty people who get hired for jobs with natural(looking) hair. like someone said, look presentable.
however i dont need someone telling me about opression this and that. yeah we know that but some of us are trying to get our hustle on and if yall wanna fight a civil rights war about hair,
yall go do that. and all that aggressive recruting? gonna get you nowhere, because YALL look like yall forgot what yall were so firedup about in the first place
February 19, 2011 7:59 am
I love that different women have different hair, and all kinds of hair gives a different look. when i wear my hair natural i feel ( and have been told) look most beautiful, when i wear my hair in a weave, i feel fabulous, when i wear my hair in braids, i feel ethnic, when i wear my hair relaxed, i dont like it lol! truth is, we all have our different tastes, and my advice to women in to please let your hair be a reflection of what you think of yourself. if you feel you are a goddess, then wear it so, if you wanna be noticed, then wear it so, just remember that the hair is part of the look, its what finishes off an outfit. It gives more of an impression than your clothes do.
February 19, 2011 9:01 am
@kitana go sit down somewhere pls. Sounds like you are the one with too much time on your hands generalising and stereotyping natural women like that. MOST natural women dont care whether other women relax their hair or not. We are concerned about the hair on our own heads and loving ourselves as we are.
February 19, 2011 9:14 am
honestly, I don’t mind however a person wears their hair. As long as they keep it healthy. I prefer women to be natural because the more I see natural hair I really enjoy how unique it is. This is because there is no afro that is alike! But that is my preference. I just wish people would learn how to take care of their hair. It saddens me seeing black women with broken edges, breakage in the nape area and thin hair. I don’t see any other ethnicity with such atrocities! I am glad that more women are learning how to take care of their hair. As for the weaves issue, I never did like it. But if it doesn’t look like plastic or messy, then rock it!
February 19, 2011 10:39 am
To each its own. I went natural as a result of damage and preferred to have healthy hair as opposed to having no hair at all. I sometimes wear weaves to switch it up. However, if your hair is healthy and u relax, cool beans. My only issue is these girls (some of which are my friends)earing these 14+ inch weaves which LOOK LIKE WEAVES…now that looks foolish!
February 19, 2011 11:06 am
i’M so over it. once you are able to see the beauty of your own natural hair do whatever you want but I can’t stand ppl who denigrate natural hair.
My hair is “texturized”. I can wear my hair str8/ curly. I am content.
Please…DO YOU!
February 19, 2011 9:19 pm
To be honest, I hate the stereotype that all black women have relaxers. the truth is its not true. my hair is naturally straight and when I flat iron it , it comes out very silky ! Im mixed so it doesnt matter, if your hair is nappy, curly, straight or in dreads your hair is beautiful and it fits to who you are as a person so forget what the media saids about black women only getting weaves, because truth be told other nationalities get weaves just as bad as black women so it doesnt matter. be you if it makes you happy and comfortable in your own skin
#naturalhair
February 19, 2011 10:21 pm
i’m so tired of this argument! i’ve been natural, had a relaxer, worn weaves and guess what…i’m still the same person lol! women have worn fake hair through out history so how can black women be looked down upon for wearing fake hair? i’m over it and i hope we can get over this whole hair/skin color issue soon. i say do what you wanna do, don’t judge others and keep it moving :)
February 19, 2011 10:22 pm
I’m all for keeping hair healthy. I’m fortunate to go to a great uni that has a great diversity of students. We have students from various places from Africa. There was one Nigerian girl who had a small fro which beautifully accentuated her round features – her full lips, round nose, almond-shaped eyes. She was a stunner for sure. There’s also another girl – African-Canadian – who worked her kinks. She did different and interesting styles each day and she had a lovely face and style sense to boot. And I’ve also seen very dark Somali girls with naturally straight, long dark hair. All of this adds to the variety of gorgeous people at my school. I swear, I always feel like I’m walking amongst models or celebs. How could the majority of a school population be so damn good-looking??
February 20, 2011 1:05 am
I’m feeling Naomi with that ‘fro :-)
February 20, 2011 2:25 am
I think a woman should be able to wear her hair in whatever fashion she chooses. Yor hair do not define you as a person. Too long we have made society dictate to us what the acceptable hairstyle is.
http://junglebarbie.blogspot.com
February 21, 2011 8:29 am
I grew up in Africa. People rocked braids, relaxers, green weaves…. there never was any debate about hair. In America, I feel like I always have to defend or justify my blackness. We need to learn to just be.
February 21, 2011 10:10 am
Hah! Try being white with black hair! I am the whitest girl you are ever gonna meet skin color wise (not in other ways: black butt and can dance, think Tom Jones as my father).
For years I was in agony with my hair, no white salon ever knew what the hell to do with it! It was misery, and you could tell the beauticians just hated to touch it.
They always cut it wayyyy to short, and it would shrink up.
I don’t have fine hair, I have very coarse hair and very think hair. I’m looking at the model in the karma loop ad in the lower left corner and thinking, yeah, hair kinda like that…not quite as kinky judging by the hair right by her scalp.
I’ve seen Jewish women with hair kinda like mine, but theirs is never nearly as coarse.
Anyway, finally when my son got married I went to a black stylist and she rocked my hair!!! She used a flat iron and some pomade, and it looked great.
Then, I found some latin stylists and they put moraccan oil and blew it straight. Wow!!! Another option.
Finally, I was at the beach (I’m wearing it kinda Rhiaana with the short one side long v over the forehead) and I let it go natural and my daughter’s like:
Mom wear it like that all the time!
Mostly now I do and put Marc Anthony curl lotion on it. It just sets the curls nice and doesn’t weigh too heavy. And, I don’t get flaky product from it.
So, sisters, at least you have each other to talk to! I got nobody!
But I do love this site!~!!!
xo
February 21, 2011 1:16 pm
I’ve been relaxed, texlaxed, natural, weaved and everything else in between. I have trichotillomania which is the primary determinant for why I choose to wear my hair most often in weaves. Not social pressure or self-hate or anything else.
People can be so judgmental. I hate when someone tries to tell me the “reason” why I keep my hair weaved. I’m more fluent in hair biology and hair care compared to most people so it really bothers me when other people try to project their opinions about hair as reasoning for another person’s choices. Get a life, worry about your own hair and everyone will be happy.
February 22, 2011 10:40 am
Are we part of the problem by continuing to engage in the discourse about natural vs straight hair? (not saying that’s what we’re doing in this thread) If we (as black women) don’t engage in the useless talk over hair styles and hair texture, the issue may not be such an issue anymore. Idk, just a thought….
August 16, 2011 5:44 pm
I believe my hair is mine. The debates that continue around length, texture, color and price of hair maintenance seem to outlast the hair trends and hair knowledge. There have been so many advances in the way hair can be cared for. I agree that looking presentable no matter what style you’re rocking is important, and that if there is any socio-political undertone to the argument about what’s considered “presentable”, it has more to do with the fact that slaves were not allowed to be made presentable unless they were up for auction. Most of the time, those slaves had unkempt hair due to the restraints, not because they had no pride or integrity. You’d think every woman I run into was a certified trichologist when I’m asked about my hair. I love it short, I love it long, but most of all I LOVE IT. My mam’s phrase ” I ain’t GOT to do nothon’ but stay black and die” reminds me to just be myself. We can’t change our races, but it’s cool to change up your thought process sometimes. I’m sure you’re all very lovely women no matter what you look like, so here’s to loving healthy hair!
October 17, 2011 10:02 am
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