Search Results: Vanessa Osbourne
Inspiration is everywhere and all you have to do is be open to finding it, receiving it, and letting it move you to action. I was first introduced to Karla Ferguson through a short feature entitled Queen of Arts in TXTURE, a lifestyle magazine for naturals. The feature gave a brief overview of Karla and how she came to open her art gallery, despite being told such a venture was destined for failure. Karla didn’t listen to the naysayers, however, and credits her stubbornness for helping her block out her haters. Read on to hear what Karla has to say about how a library card helped her development, why she decided to open an art gallery and how she remains focused and motivated to achieve her goals.
I grew up creating and appreciating art. My parents made sure I was exposed to all forms without my even realizing it.
We were often surrounded by positivity, love and creative people. It had nothing to do with money because we didn’t have very much, but a library card was free and there is inspiration all around, you just have to open your eyes.
There was a void to fill, a lack of art that spoke to me personally as well as others that looked or experience life from a similar perspective. It was difficult to experience exhibits that were more aware of our diverse city and culture as well as socially engaging in Miami.
What fueled me to start Yeelen Gallery
I studied Political Science, International Relations and the Law (I also managed to fill all my elective credits with Art History, various studio art classes and classes rooted in sociology.
These factored into my decision to start Yeelen because I would draw from the many theories and historic perspectives to inform the types of shows I would create or invite into the space. Yeelen means Brightness in Bambara which is a dialect spoken in Mali (West Africa”>, it also has a magical quality of light as a force to drive out ignorance and elevate consciousness.
Fortunately for me I can be a bit stubborn, and I am also a black woman so if I listened to people every time they told me I couldn’t do something I wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning.
History and society has not been fair to people that look like me–I was never expected to amount to much if you look at all the negativity out there towards women, and especially women of color. It is a personal mission of mine to show the world differently, to offer solace and protection to those in need whether it be through the arts, my voice or just in the way I try to carry myself.
To walk in grace is a path I have chosen, and an example I wish to set for my daughters…and all daughters.
I just remember all the moments in which life seemed so difficult and I look at where I am now and how what seemed to be misfortune was often a blessing in disguise, it just took time to reveal itself. I truly believe that I walk alongside my ancestors and that they have been guiding me before I was ever aware of my own existence. Besides resting on past accomplishments eventually leads to boredom, and I dislike that feeling.
Just don’t be afraid to fail; fear is an immobilizing force and you must keep the energy flowing.
My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs in 2017
Set a goal, write it down with the steps you feel may be required to achieve it. Don’t worry if it doesn’t flow in a smooth line, life often doesn’t and nothing is set in stone or guaranteed and remember we usually learn the most from our failures.
There is more than one way to reach a finish line, what is important is learning from the journey and pushing through the obstacles. Just don’t be afraid to fail; fear is an immobilizing force and you must keep the energy flowing.
Visit the Yeelen Art Gallery website for more information on Karla and her gallery, and check it out during your next visit to Miami. Follow the gallery’s social media pages to get all the latest information:
https://www.facebook.com/YeelenArtGallery
Ditching the sulfate shampoo in favor of a tea rinse is a great way to add shine, reduce shedding, fight dandruff and stimulate hair growth.
How to use a tea rinse
A tea rinse is not only economical, but also very easy to prepare. You simply add your tea or herb to boiling water and let it steep for at least 15 minutes. Let the tea cool and then pour your it over your hair after shampooing. If you prefer, you could also spray the tea onto your hair instead of pouring it. Depending on your personal regimen, you may use your tea rinse before or after deep conditioning. Let the tea soak into the hair for at least 30 minutes before rinsing, or leave it in for added moisture benefits. Here are a few tea rinses to try.Green tea + black tea + coffee rinse
Most teas–actual teas and not herbs–have small quantities of caffeine. Caffeine is able to penetrate the hair strands and help stimulate growth by increasing the flow of blood to the scalp. There are also antioxidants and amino acids in teas. Antioxidants and amino acids help to strengthen the hair, increase shine, soften the hair and increase manageability. Black tea has even more caffeine than coffee and the caffeine from these brews help to combat hair loss by blocking DHT (the hormone that causes hair loss”>. Black tea and coffee rinses will darken hair naturally.
Rooibos tea rinse
Got red hair? Rooibos, aka red bush tea, is an herb from the rooibos plant grown in South Africa. Rooibos tea has benefits similar to green tea, except rooibos is caffeine-free. This makes rooibos an alternative for those who need to avoid caffeine, such as women who are breastfeeding and children. Rooibos tea is enriched with minerals such as copper, potassium, zinc, and calcium, all of which contribute to healthy hair growth. Red bush tea has anti-inflammatory properties that fight dandruff and soothe the scalp so this is the tea for you if you’re looking for a little relief from scalp irritation.
Rosemary tea rinse
Rosemary tea conditions the hair and boosts its shine and body. It is soothing to the scalp, fights dandruff and stimulates the follicles to promote hair growth. To use the tea as a cleansing rinse, massage it into the scalp after applying. A rosemary tea rinse will leave your hair smelling fresh and clean, which makes it a great option for cleansing the hair and scalp after you work-out.
As always, it is important to listen to your hair in order to determine what rinses it likes best and provides the improvements and benefits you are looking for in your hair.
Have you done a tea rinse?
What were your results? Let us know on Facebook.
Weaves, wigs, and extensions. Do you know your hair pieces?
I admit that I sometimes use the terms ‘weave’ and ‘wig’ interchangeably, but there is a difference, and in Zendaya’s recent YouTube video she explained that difference with some basic definitions. What may seem like a frivolous beauty video to you actually carries some significance because this is a greatly misunderstood topic for the general public.
Natural hair movement or not, women–in particular, black women–still wear wigs, weaves and extensions quite often. This means that little black girls see extensions and weaves all the time, not just on TV, but in real life as well. Women of color traditionally come under all kinds of scrutiny because of our hair. Weaves have become another way to put black women in a ‘box’ so to speak. That does not mean it is fair or right, however. It is almost a case of damned if you do or damned if you don’t; if your hair is natural, it may be viewed as unkempt or unprofessional. If it is not worn in its natural state, be it relaxed or enhanced with extensions, it may be viewed as fake. Additionally, it is sometimes seen as trying to be ‘white,’ ‘loud,’ ‘ghetto,’ or whatever else. This is due to perception and prejudice, which say much more about the other person than it says about you.
I’ve read a couple of pieces about the significance of Zendaya’s video and this is the one, written by Kathleen for Lainey Gossip, I enjoyed reading the most. It may seem like much ado about nothing to assign the video any importance at all. However, young girls, who make up the bulk of Zendaya’s fan base, need to see celebrities for what they are: individuals with more means and access than the average person to make sure they always appear at their best. This is a healthier outlook than viewing them as people who are just more beautiful, with perfect skin and impossibly shiny, healthy, long and beautiful hair.
If your goals and standards are unrealistic, you will never attain them and that may leave you feeling like a failure.
They need to understand that they are not failures. Zendaya’s video is all part of pulling back the façade that is portrayed with airbrushing tools like Photoshop; hair pieces are just as much a part of creating an image and since that image is not real, we should not hold ourselves up in comparison to it.
Black women are often judged for wearing extensions while white women pretty much get a pass. It is totally overlooked that most celebrities enhance their natural hair either to increase its volume and density or to create length, and the majority of these celebrities are white. No one bats an eyelash, but let a black woman wear a wig and the scrutiny is ridiculous. Somehow, a negative impression is created that is primarily assigned to black women.
Zendaya’s transparency on the topic helps to bring attention to the fact that pretty much all female celebrities wear hair enhancements at some time or another.
This, in turn, will help young girls feel less inadequate about their hair. They will realize that the long, full lengths are for the most part not natural and so put less pressure on themselves to attain this unnatural standard. And it will open their eyes so they stop viewing hair enhancements as a black woman’s affliction. Because it’s simply not.
Watch Zendaya’s latest video here
Don’t forget to subscribe to the NaturallyCurly channel on YouTube
After reading up on the benefits, I am ready to go steady with turmeric. Will you join me?
I bet this alone will make you want to add some more turmeric into your life: there are more than 300 antioxidants in it. I have been using turmeric on and off and I have definitely seen a difference, especially on my skin and face. After reading up on the benefits, I am ready to go steady with turmeric. Will you join me? Let me convince you why you should try it.
What is turmeric?
A common ingredient in many Indian dishes, turmeric is a powerful healer. It is a popular choice for its skin care prowess. In fact, traditional Indian culture uses it a key ingredient in bridal beauty treatments for brides-to-be leading up to their wedding day. Here is an overview of some of the many benefits of turmeric for your overall health as well as your skin and hair care routines.
With repeated use, turmeric loosens facial hairs without causing any pain. If you are a frequent facial hair tweezer, your whole process just became easier.
Health benefits of turmeric
According to medical professionals at Authority Nutrition, the health benefits of turmeric are derived principally from curcumin, its active ingredient, which belongs to a group of compounds called curcumoids. This is what gives turmeric its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Turmeric also fights chronic inflammation, an ailment believed to play a role in most major diseases including autoimmune disease, some cancers, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. Research suggests that turmeric is comparable to many anti-inflammatory drugs in fighting chronic inflammation without the risk of the side effects of using drugs. The curcumin in turmeric can lead to improved brain function and therefore reduce the risk of brain diseases.
Additionally, turmeric blocks the effects of free radicals and boosts the activity of our body’s own antioxidants.
Benefits of turmeric for the skin
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Treats acne
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Controls oil skin
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Evens skin complexion
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Fights the signs of aging and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
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Soothes burns
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Lightens stretch marks
Benefits of turmeric for hair growth
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Treats dandruff
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Lightens hair and may be combined with other yellow hued flowers and herbs including chamomile tea, calendula and saffron.
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Prevents hair loss
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Treats scalp conditions sue to its antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory details.
Using turmeric to remove body or facial hair
With repeated use, turmeric loosens facial hairs without causing any pain. This means that if you are a frequent facial hair tweezer, then your whole tweezing process will become a lot easier. If the hair is thin and fine, you may not even need to tweeze in order to remove them as they are likely to fade away or fall out on their own.
Note that the results from using turmeric to remove facial hair are not immediate, but that fact that this is a chemical free, pain-free and gentle method of hair removal more than makes us for this fact in my mind. It also helps the overall appearance and health of your skin will improve due to all the many benefits of turmeric for the skin. Here are the directions, courtesy of The Indian Spot:
1. Combine the following ingredients into a clean bowl to form a smooth paste. If mixture is runny then more turmeric powder may be added.
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1/2 cup of cold milk
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1/2 cup of gram flour
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2 tablespoons of turmeric powder
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1 teaspoon of salt
2. Apply your paste to your unwanted facial hairs and rub onto skin in a circular motion for at least 5 to 10 minutes. Let the paste dry, then rinse off with warm water.
Have you experienced the hair, skin, and health benefits of turmeric yet?
Let us know in the comments below.
Co-washing is the practice of cleansing your hair with conditioner in place of a shampoo. Due to the popularity of the practice, product manufacturers began providing co-washes and cleansing conditioners as products to replace the traditional conditioner when co-washing.
Due to its gentle effect on natural hair, co-washing is the primary cleansing method for many naturals. However, sometimes co-washing can lead to unexpected and negative outcomes. Here are some signs that your cleansing conditioner or co-wash is not working properly–and how to address them.
3 major signs that your cleansing conditioner or co-wash is not working properly
1. After you co-wash, you see white residue on your scalp
This is a definitive indicator of product buildup. It also means that your co-wash or cleansing conditioner is not up to the challenge of removing the products that remain on your scalp. A stronger cleanser–and maybe even a clarifying shampoo–may actually be necessary in order to provide the thorough, deep clean your scalp requires.
It is a good idea to deeply cleanse your hair every few months (or weeks, depending on the type of stylers you use in your regimen”>. Even if you do not notice product buildup on your scalp, it is a good idea to give your strands a deep every so often.
2. Your hair feels drier throughout the day
This can be due to a lack of response to your usual moisturizing products and is likely an indicator of product buildup on your strands. Once your hair starts being affected by product buildup, it will become drier over time–additionally, more buildup reduces the amount of moisture that actually makes its way to your curls.
Pay careful attention to your hair and if your tried and true regimen starts to fail you, try a clarifying shampoo or apple cider vinegar rinse.
3. Your hair feels limp and spongy
Is it possible to over-moisturize the hair? Absolutely. This issue usually occurs to the veterans in the natural hair game, since we tend to focus on boosting moisture levels as one of the steps in promoting hair growth and can tip the scale when it comes to moisture-protein balance, which is essential to maintaining healthy hair. Typically this happens after we have been using too much protein and our hair starts feeling hard. In an attempt to recalibrate, we start avoiding protein upping our hair’s moisture intake to the point where it becomes overdone.
If your hair feels limp, spongy, and softer than what you have become accustomed to, it’s probably over-moisturized. If it keeps stretching and stretching without breakage, this is also an indicator that the protein-moisture balance is compromised and must be addressed.
Cut back on the frequency of your co-washing, especially if you do so several times a week. Introduce a mild protein treatment and go from there, based on your hair’s response.
It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation.
Over-moisturized hair does not occur the same way with each natural. What causes over moisturized hair in one individual won’t necessarily have the same impact on another. Lifestyle, environment, and other factors also play a part. As always, the key is to pay close attention to your hair. This way, you will notice early warning signs that products are not being effective or are causing unintended results.
Have you had issues with co-washing? Share yours below
Let the NC community know what works for you.
Lawmakers in Illinois are mandating hairstylists to complete one hour of training, every two years, on recognizing the signs of physical and emotional abuse and sexual assault. Will this be effective?
Beginning this month, lawmakers in Illinois are mandating hairstylists to complete one hour of training, every two years, on recognizing the signs of physical and emotional abuse and sexual assault. As the training is compulsory, licenses will not be renewed without completion of this training. Nail technicians and aestheticians are also affected by this new law.
Why lawmakers are making this a requirement
The rationale behind the law is that women often form bonds with their hairstylists and therefore, in theory making the professionals well-positioned to offer up advice on how and where to seek help. While this certainly is true in many cases, it is by no means all-encompassing. During my relaxed days, I saw the same hairdresser consistently, sometimes once a week and yet, I never shared anything about my personal life with her. I loved her skills and she was affordable, but that was it for me. I am sure there are many other clients out there like me, and with abuse being such an uncomfortable topic for many women, I personally do not think it is fair to make it mandatory for all hairstylists to get training. Many abused women tend to refuse help from family and friends, so will a hair stylist render any different results? Perhaps, but that is to be determined.
How effective will this new law be?
It is clear that lawmakers are trying to do a good deed by requiring salons to get mandatory training, but it seems that forcing a hairstylist to get training in an area so unrelated to their field is putting them in an unfair position. One in four women are abused by a partner, as are one in every seven males. The law was not stated that barbers are mandated to be trained as well–why is that? Are abused men just supposed to fend for themselves? Many spouses and partners who are abused are also kept closely guarded from the outside world. Once word of this new Illinois regulation gets out, there is a chance that the victims will be forbidden to visit a salon whatsoever.
It also seems to me that it is also putting the stylist in such a position makes them a target for the abuser should their victim confide in a hairstylist. If an abuser finds out that they have encouraged the abused spouse to leave, they could retaliate against the hairstylist. What safeguards are going to be put into place to keep these good samaritans safe?
We need to keep standing up and speaking out against abuse of any kind.
We also need to ensure that women and men who are abused are made aware that there is a way out and help is out there. We also need to ensure that the shame and stigma that are carried around by the victims of abuse is counteracted, or putting their issues out there in an environment as public as a hair salon may do more harm than good. Many people want to help, and some salon professionals would gladly display posters and have flyers available for victims or suspected victims of abuse to access. However, we must consider the fairness of a stylist’s livelihood being challenged by a government attempting to legislate good will? What group of professionals will next be forced to be trained to identify the signs of abuse? Controversial or not, this new law has sparked much needed conversation on domestic abuse. Please, join the conversation and share your views below.
What’s your take on this new Illinois law?
Let us know in the comment section below.
Porosity is an important, though often ignored, factor in your hair care. In simple terms, your hair’s porosity level refers to its ability to absorb–and hold on to–moisture.
How to lock in moisture
Layering products and using heavier butters are ways to lock moisture in and keep it trapped. Look for sealing butters with key ingredients such as castor oil. The higher up on the ingredient list these heavier oils and butters are, the better. Olive oil helps to penetrate the hair shaft, while ingredients like aloe vera and apple cider vinegar help to seal the cuticles of the hair shaft by balancing the pH level of your hair.
If you are unsure of the porosity of your hair, click here to take our porosity quiz.
Top 10 Hair Butters for High Porosity Hair
Here are the top 10 hair butters that naturals with high porosity curls tend to find the most successful.
1. Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine
This blend of butters has an amazing citrusy fragrance and does exactly what the name promises: nourishes and enhances shine by providing your hair with nutrients from butters such as shea, kokum and illipe. Nourish & Shine will add a nice luster to your texture without making it feel greasy.
2. Darcy’s Botanicals Organic Coconut & Cupuacu Natural Hair Butter Pomade
This pomade will help to smooth the hair shaft and control frizz (a natural consequence of having raised cuticles”>. It contains ucuuba seed and shea butters and lists castor oil as its top ingredient.
3. Karen’s Body Beautiful Butter Love
Shea, cocoa, and mango butters are amongst the many beneficial ingredients in this hair butter. It’s a natural hair community fave for many reasons.
4. Naturally Smitten Moisturizing Hair Butter
This butter is especially recommended for high porosity hair types since shea butter is the principal ingredient and in this product, has been combined with castor, coconut and sweet almond oils.
5. OBIA Naturals Twist Whip Butter
Obia Twist Whip Butter is formulated with shea, tucuma and mango butters, to seal the hair and lock moisture in. You hair will be protected after use of this pH balanced butter that also boasts lavender and lemongrass essential oils among its key ingredients.
6. Jamaican Black Castor Oil Loc & Braid Butter
High porosity hair is often particularly prone to breakage, so this butter is formulated to increase hair’s resistance to that. At the same time, it will control frizz and provide moisture and shine to the hair and scalp with shea butter, mango butter, sweet almond oil, and coconut oil.
7. True by Made Beautiful Hydrating Hair Butter
This moisturising butter contains castor oil and honey to seal and add moisture to dry hair. Other beneficial ingredients include coconut oil, shea butter, and mango seed oil, which will nourish and further help to smooth a raised cuticle.
8. Pure Oils Hair Butter
MuruMuru, cupuacu, mango, and shea butters are combined with coconut oil in Pure Oils Hair Butter. Using this rich blend will smooth and tame your frizz while locking in moisture, improving shine and manageability. Since high porosity hair can sometimes lose some of its elasticity, products containing murumuru and cupuacu butters are particularly beneficial, as they help to restore elasticity. This butter also contains coconut oil which is known to help strengthen the hair and boost its resistance to breakage.
9. My DNA Moisturizing Hair Butter
This moisturizing hair butter adds moisture and helps enhance curl definition. This butter adds weight to the hair to help seal moisture in and counteract shrinkage. Monoi de Tahiti (Monoi oil”> and shea butter combine to create a unique product that leaves high porosity hair looking and feeling nourished.
10. TGIN Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer
Shea and cocoa butters are united in this product as well as vitamin E for shine, manageability, frizz reduction, and healthy hair growth.
High porosity naturally curlies, do you have a favorite hair butter?
Let us know if we missed one.
Feel like your hair is always dry? This is how to condition high porosity hair and KEEP it moisturized.
Here are 6 Things You Can’t Do When You Have High Porosity Hair. Are you doing one of them?
Read: 3 Reasons Why 4c Hair Is Different Than Other Texture Types
For more inspiration, make sure you’re following us on Instagram.
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If you are the mother of a naturally curly kid, consider reading books about other children with their hair type to help yours develop a healthy sense of self.
Reading to–and with–your natural kids often is very important not only for language and educational developments , but also because they shape the values and attitudes of your children. As a mother, I know that many school-aged kids have required reading, but there are other stories that are important to tell our children, as they encourage them form a unique identity and belief system. Christians may read bible passages to their kids; if you are the mother of a naturally curly kid, consider reading books about other children with their hair type to help yours develop a healthy sense of self. Here are 10 books you need to read to your little naturalista.
1. I Love My Hair
A BlackBoard Children’s Book of the Year, this one tells the story of Keyana with an aim to teach coily-haired children to feel good about their hair and heritage. Get this $6.08 paperback now.
2. Chloe’s Coily Curls
This book is a celebration of curly hair girls everywhere and shares a story that hopes to remind us that we’re beautiful as we are. The paperback is $6.25–if you are a Kindle gal like myself, it will set you back a mere $1.25.
3. Curlies Color Too: A Coloring & Hairstyle Book For Mommy & Me
This is a great activity book for mommy and daughter. Learn to style your child’s hair while they enjoy coloring. There are other fun and educational activities that will help your kiddo learn everything from the alphabet to writing their names to learning how to count. The cost is $12.00 for paperback.
4. I Am Mixed
Join twins Jay and Nia as they explore life as children of mixed heritage. I Am Mixed is printed on 100% recycled paper which is something that the environmentalist in you can feel good about. It costs $10.58 in a hardcover and $4.49 for Kindle lovers.
5. The Adventures of Penny and the Magic Puffballs: Volume 1
Penny wanted to be able to wear her hair “down” like the other girls in her class. Then, her mom styles her hair in two puffs and the fun and adventure begins. This book is perfect for any child who is into super powers and heroes. The paperback is $12.04 and the Kindle is $9.99.
Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.
6. Big Hair, Don’t Care
This rhyming picture book tells the story of Lola, a miniature naturalista with big hair. Despite the fact that her natural hair has caused her to lose while playing Hide and Seek, Lola manages to remain positive about its texture and therefore, showing appreciation to it for giving her individuality. Lola knows that its ok to look different from the other children in school and still feel great about yourself. Get it on Kindle for $0.99 or as a paperback for $11.63.
7. My Hair Is So Happy
This story follows Hope, Faith, Grace and Promise: four girls with natural curls of varied shapes, sizes, colors and lengths who invite us on their adventures while promising that we will discover why their hair so happy. $11.99 is for the paperback, and $7.99 is the cost on Kindle.
8. I’m a Pretty Little Black Girl (I’m a Girl! Collection”>
This story is about Mia and her friends. Everyone has different tastes and are good at different things when she realizes that being pretty is about more than what you see in a mirror. Spring $10.80 for the paperback or $9.99 on Kindle.
9. Emi’s Curly Coily, Cotton Candy Hair
This children’s book features techniques and tips for caring for natural hair with a focus on little seven-year-old Emi and her coily cotton candy hair. With a big imagination and positive talks about her hair, this book is worth a read. Get the $8.99 paperback now.
10. Dancing in the Wings
Fame! If your little one dreams of becoming a dancer one day, this story loosely based on Debbie Allen’s experiences as a young dancer is sure to become a favorite. Dancing in the wings features Sassy, a future ballerina who is willing to work hard to achieve her goals. The hardcover is $16.99 and the paperback is $6.99.
Which books have you read to your little one lately? Share below so other parents can check them out!
Amandla Stenberg is an 18-year-old actress and activist who has been making waves in the entertainment industry and on social media where she boldly and thoughtfully shares her thoughts and beliefs on various issues of note in today’s society.
Amandla made her blockbuster film debut in 2010’s Colombiana, in which Amandla plays the young version of Zoe Saldana’s character. Amandla may now be all grown up, but I for one will never forget the awe with which I watched the opening scenes of that movie where she was jumping off buildings, staring down and outrunning bad guys. I am no less awestruck now than I was then. Amandla also played Rue in the first Hunger Games movie. That she has presence and talent is undeniable. Amandla also understands that a place in the spotlight provides her a platform with which she has remained mindful about using.
Here are 3 reasons why Amandla Stenberg should be on the radar of every young, black, and natural teen.
Don’t Cash Crop My Cornrows
Amandla’s video, which she did for a school project, breaks down cultural appropriation and explains why it’s an important issue in the black community. This teenager was able to eloquently and thoughtfully explain an issue many adults haven’t been able to. I cried when I watched this video because of the way Amandla handled this topic and because I felt so darn proud. Watch!
Amandla is talented
Amandla is clearly an exceptionally ambitious and talented young lady. She excels at so many things that speak to her discipline and focus. The actress turned activist is also a musician who plays multiple instruments including the violin, drums, and guitar. She is coauthor of a comic book series called Niobe: She is Life.
She’s socially conscious
Amandla takes her activism seriously. She is vocal about her stance against cultural appropriation, as seen in her Don’t Cash Crop My Cornrows video. Additionally, Sternberg serves as the youth ambassador for No Kid Hungry and supports the Ubuntu Education Fund, which takes care of children in Port Elizabeth, South Africa who have been orphaned or are otherwise vulnerable.
We all have some power and a platform. Even without social media, we have families and friends and colleagues over whom we have even a little bit of influence.
In 2016, Amandla was named as one of the 30 Most Influential Teens by Time Magazine. Amandla uses her formidable presence on social media to promote her activism. She has 985,000 followers on Instagram which is no mean feat. Her social media platform is a mix of her interests and shows her in work mode, posing for magazines and on the set of various acting projects. At the same time, it shows her looking like an everyday teen. Which makes it all the more impressive that she has achieved the things she has–and continues–to do.
“I think something that’s really important to me is trying to do what I can from my position of power that comes with having a social media platform to dismantle certain systems that I think are really gross and harmful” – Amandla Stenberg on Elle.com
Social media has given us all a voice. We all have some power and a platform. Even without social media, we have families and friends and colleagues over whom we have even a little bit of influence. One of the things we can learn from Amandla’s confidence is to use whatever power and platform to help right the wrongs we see everyday.
Many type 4 naturals who wear twist-outs often swear by frequent re-twisting for preserving definition as well as combating frizz and shrinkage.
If you are a new or transitioning natural, you may wonder: is re-twisting nightly necessary?
To answer that, it really depends on your individual situation. When it comes to natural hair the one size fits all approach almost never works. Depending on your hair type and the humidity levels of where you live, nightly re-twisting might be absolutely necessary. Your current hair length could also be a factor. Our hair has a tendency to change throughout our natural journey, and hair that required re-twisting at one point may no longer need it (and vice versa”>. When my hair was shorter–maybe six inches or so–I had the option of using either anything or nothing, I could twist my hair up, let it dry for a day, and be left with banging definition that lasted and lasted for days. Now that my coils are longer, my definition is not as fly. It certainly doesn’t last for long, either–maybe a day at the most., or two if I am lucky. Perhaps gravity pulls on my coils and loosens the definition more quickly. There are few products that provide me with the hold my hair seems to need now, and I am not one to go the Eco Styler route for a twist-out or braid-out.
Like many other questions in the community, there will be those who are for and those who will be against, re-twisting night.
I suggest that, unless you a super into definition and frizz free hair, you should pineapple, create mini puffs, or even a low ponytail in order to maintain your twist-out and help prevent tangles. Unless your natural hair is suitably long though, doing a pineapple can stretch your texture and create a weird dent or shape.
Will re-twisting cause breakage due to over manipulation?
As stated before, the answer to this question varies by your personal hair type and preference. While it is true that the less you manipulate your hair, the lower your risk of damage and breakage becomes, many naturals choose to moisturize their hair nightly, and this involves some sort of manipulation. Unless you are applying a lot of tension or your hair is extremely weak and vulnerable, re-twisting really should not result in breakage. Therefore, over manipulation should not be an issue. Loose, medium to chunky twists will work just fine for maintaining your desired definition. The length of your hair will play an important role in the size of your twists and how many you need too. If you practice re-twisting every night, create as few twists as possible. When due care is exercised, in my opinion, your risk of damage is minimal. The overall health of your strands and whether they are fine or otherwise, will have an impact. Everyone’s hair is different and you know your hair better than anyone else. Therefore, this makes you the ideal person to determine what your hair can and cannot withstand. Even if your coils are thriving while you re-twist every night, it does not hurt to try going a night or two without re-twisting then seeing how that works for you.
Does re-twisting hurt natural hair more than it helps?
In my opinion and speaking as someone who re-twisted her hair nightly, particularly during the first year or two of my natural hair journey, there should be no negative effects from re-twisting your natural hair provided you follow good twisting practices, such as, ensuring hair is properly moisturised and being gentle during the process so as to prevent tension on the hair and scalp. If you are not careful when handling your hair, almost anything you do can result in damage. Allowing your hair to tangle and matt certainly won’t help and if your hair is short and requires multiple pineapples, you could end up putting stress on your edges. Your hair may even wrap around your ponytail holder. My hair always does and I use hair ties that are free of metal and obvious seams. My hair just likes to wrap itself around stuff. My point is, depending on your hair type, density and strand thickness re-twisting could help and be the lesser of many potential evils.
Are two-strand twists considered a protective style?
Two-strand twists are indeed considered to be a protective style, and there are necessary precautions to take when installing them. Start protective styles on hair that is clean, conditioned and moisturized. Be gentle and take care to not stress the hair and scalp. There is no point in pulling your strands from the follicles just to get the base of your twists tight–your twists will loosen anyway.
Because she is still so open with me, I can address certain issues before they get a chance to fester.
There is no easy way to address this topic because there are still many of adults struggling to accept their own hair. Maybe we secretly wish we could change our texture or that our hair was longer. The fact is, self acceptance is always a work in progress., and there will always be something about ourselves that we wish we could change. However, as parents, we must take care to ensure that we do not pass down those insecurities to our children. The one thing I am sure of is a child’s ability to sense things that perhaps we might not have even admitted to ourselves yet. In helping our kids to love themselves and their hair, we can also achieve an enhanced sense of self-acceptance.
What we realize as mothers
After my daughter was born, I became more philosophical. I had this feeling of accomplishment–she was my gift to the world and if I never did anything else or achieved anything more, she was enough. One day I realized that I needed to be myself in order for my daughter to learn to love herself. I knew I could not help her love her hair if she saw me constantly straightening my own. The decision to be an example came in handy in helping her accept herself, starting with her hair.
Here in Canada, most of my daughter’s classmates are white. The minute she started school, it affected the way she viewed herself. Thankfully, she is still at a stage in which she tells me everything, including all of her current crushes which is something I did not think I had to worry about with a six-year-old, by the way. Because she is still so open with me, I can address certain issues before they get a chance to fester. I also try to make a point of listening to her even when I am tired or busy or just in need of a few minutes of silence, because I never want her to feel as though she can’t come to me with anything that is on her mind.
The conversation starts at a young age
You would not believe how often these little kids discuss things like hair. Oftentimes, my daughter comes home and out of nowhere says something like, “Mom, you know I’m not the only one with this type of hair in class, right?” Or sometimes, she says, “Mom, I told my friend’s about Kezia and they asked if she has the same hair as me and I said, ‘of course not!’” Kezia is a one-year-old girl with Jamaican parents that my daughter is absolutely obsessed with. Six-year-old kids are having conversations in school and hair type is a central focus for them–go figure!
Addressing their desire for straight hair
A few weeks ago, she said, “Mom, I want my hair to be straight” and I said to her that her hair is like magic. I told her that her hair could be straight, or it could be curly. I reminded her of all the styles we could do with her hair and how some of her straight-haired friends could not do the same styles.
I remember saying, “You know, we could straighten your hair and it would like theirs, but there is no anyway for their hair to look like yours. Your hair is special.” She perked up immediately and said “Yeah, you’re right!”
I know the issue will come up again. It probably will never really go away because just like we were–and still are–bombarded with the Eurocentric ideal of beauty, our kids are too. I anticipate it will be much worse for her because I grew up in Jamaica where most of the kids looked like me, and while we did have our ‘good hair’ issues, my type 4 natural hair was considered the norm and not the exception.
Here, my daughter is the exception and she knows it.
The key is for me to help her feel exceptional. I do not have all the answers, but I know there are simple things that can be done to help your own kids: encourage them to build their self-love by appreciating what is in the mirror. Repeat these things in the morning or even before bed at night. However the conversation gets started, we cannot let our little girls down–we should help them feel beautiful. Although protective styling is important, creating styles that are fun and playful and make them feel especially positive about their hair is equally important.
Try these affirmations
Below are some simple, short and sweet affirmations that can be easily remembered by young kids. Encourage them to sing these affirmations, write them down in a journal, and live them. They may be short, but the message and power of these words runs deep, so women of all ages can benefit from speaking these.
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I love myself.
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I love my hair.
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I am unique and my hair is too.
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Everyone is beautiful in their own way.
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Healthy hair is good hair and my hair is healthy.
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God made me and that makes me perfect because God doesn’t make mistakes.
How do you encourage your little one to love their naturally curly and coily hair?
Let us know in the comment section below on Facebook.
How far is too far?
Schools in The People’s Republic of China are showing students they mean business. It has hired barbers to stand guard against trendy hairstyles in an effort to cut down these ‘hairy’ beasts in them name of preventing “negative social influence.” Got curly or blonde hair? You’ll need a doctor’s note to prove it or else it is getting chopped. Fashion-conscious Chinese students are being made to toe the line and adhere to a policy that forces girls to wear their hair longer than just below their ears while boys should sport either flat tops or crew cuts.
While I understand and appreciate the need to prevent distractions in learning environments, the idea of everyone being required to look the same is really freaking me out.
Modern day Chinese students are being heavily influenced by foreign hairstyles while exercising their teenage right to dye and fry their hair just like any other disastrous teenage rite of passage. Schools are having none of it; they don’t even care that attesting to a student’s legally blonde-ness or curly hair card is probably not the most productive use of a doctor’s time. They want their students to show up with the doctor’s note as proof of their hair’s authenticity. The schools are so committed to avoiding the dangers of trendy hairstyles that if a student cannot afford a barber, one will be appointed to them. Consider it a hair-ing aid, if you will.
One school released the following statement through the Shaanxi News Website:
“A small number of students were found to be affected by the negative social influence of dyed and permed hair, which affects their comprehensive development. In order to create a positive and healthy learning environment for students, the school has ruled that boys should have crew cuts and girls should grow hair down to the ear, to ensure they can focus on their studies.
The rules at Xiamen Industrial and Commercial Tourism College, in China’s south-eastern Fujian province, say boys’ [sic] should have hair no longer than six millimetres in length, while girls are banned from having a fringe.”
Is there someone actually responsible for walking around and measuring the length of boys’ hair? And 6 mm? Seriously? How is a fringe distracting?
Students of the school are up in arms about the rules.
Some of them are even refusing to go to school or college in order to keep their trendy hairstyles. This strict set of rules is clearly having a negative social impact. Kids will be kids; they will try to explore and push boundaries, as growth and realization is a normal part of the developmental process. Things are never more appealing than when they are forbidden– kids are likely to try a trendy hairstyle once, hate it, and never try it again.
As the mother of a little girl with beautiful kinky hair, I’m not sure that I can support a school deciding to give my child a haircut. I certainly wouldn’t appreciate if her school took it upon themselves to ‘groom’ my child’s hair to suit their rules. I would much rather be called first, then asked to take my child home and make whatever decisions I thought were in the best interest of my child. Here in the west, we are used to seeing black people being disadvantaged by these hairstyling rules and now, instead of racism, we see ageism playing a role in such an extreme reaction to trendy hairstyles. Perhaps, what the schools are really fighting is a perceived negative social influence of the west.
What are your thoughts?
Is the school taking it too far? Let us know in the comment section below.
The same adults who have been entrusted with the task of helping you grow and thrive have tirelessly attempted to tear you down. Do not let them.
Dear Pretoria School Girls,
Like many others around the world, I have been following your story. After hearing your complaints, I saw your bravery in speaking out and I have two words:
You rock!
I applaud you for speaking up and letting it be known that you’ve had enough and will no longer be quiet in the face of injustice. I applaud you for letting it be known that you will not be made to feel that it is wrong to be yourself or embrace your cultural roots. I applaud you for using the internet to call attention to an issue that needs to be addressed home and abroad.
There will be many who will raise their voices against you.
Some of the voices will be people who are privileged enough to have never been in a position of encountering discrimination. Other words will spoken from people who look just like you. Although this may come as a surprise, it only means that they have been conditioned to think as their oppressors. They want you to think that you are not good enough, you are not cute enough, or you are not smart enough. The same adults who have been entrusted with the task of helping you grow and thrive have tirelessly attempted to tear you down. Do not let them.
Some will say this is not about race but discipline and preparing you for life in the world of work.
We know this is not true. When did spending your downtime speaking to friends in your native tongue become an ‘indicator of indiscipline’? Why is it wrong if your hair hides your hair tie or ponytail holder? That is what your hair does, naturally.
Continue to be strong; the process is not over.
Your courage will help embolden other young, black women to speak up and to be strong in the face of adversity. Your protest has done much to reignite and in some cases initiate the discussion about race in South Africa and everywhere because we know that an attack on black hair is about more than hair. You are beautiful. Black is beautiful. And being black should not subject you to naming calling, insults and unfair treatment. You are no less than anyone else.
To those who would want to accuse you of crying wolf, of playing the victim, or of playing the race card, I include this quote from your headmistress:
“We do not have a problem with hairstyles,” Anthea Cereseto, the school’s headmistress, said in an email. “We believe the hair issue is the superficial manifestation of something deeper in the country which needs to be dealt with.”
Clearly, this issue goes beyond hair.
It is clear that there is something wrong but because of your bravery, a necessary discussion has begun. You are inspirational leaders. This is how you take action and this is how you effect change. Keep moving forward because the journey will be long.
-Vanessa
Ever wondered why so many of your favorite products are named after food? From SheaMoisture’s Curl Enhancing Smoothie to Kinky Curly’s Curling Custard to Camille Rose’s Aloe Whipped Butter Gel, and all the butters, jellies, milks, soufflés and puddings in between, it seems you can’t read the name of a product for naturally curly hair without being reminded of food. Add to that the fact that many of these products smell like tropical fruits, chocolate, baked goods or something equally yummy, it does make you wonder why companies seem to want us to associate their beauty products with food.
To shed some light on the subject, I reached out to fellow curly girl, Dr. L . Vasquez, who has years of experience in the cosmetics industry and is currently focused on scientific communications and science education awareness for young girls.
Why do personal care product companies use food names?
“To answer that question we need to consider the very common, yet understudied practice of Food Imitating Products, which is basically the use of food names or appearances to identify hair products. According to Basso et al., when presented with these products, consumers are more likely to think automatically and positively about food than about an unpleasant chore, in our case wash day.”
Naming beauty products after food is not unique to natural hair products but it does seem to be more prevalent within this sub group. Another group of products that use food names to great effect is lipsticks. In fact, a study entitled Truly Toffee and Raisin Hell: A Textual Analysis of Lipstick Names concluded that most lipsticks are named after food, sex, beverages or romance. The researcher Debra Merskin, states that “names draw upon the imagination first, then memory.” This statement echoes those of Basso et al., as referenced above by Dr. Vasquez. Basically food names are associated with good things and are easily referenced by our imaginations and our memory.
Dr. Vasquez explains that naming products after food may cause consumers to forget that these products are made of chemicals and think of them as inherently safe.
Dr. Vasquez explains that naming products after food may cause consumers to forget that these products are made of chemicals and think of them as inherently safe.
“To put it in context of the modern day, we are seeing changes in consumer behaviors towards more ‘natural’ products, so it is only logical that certain social communication aspects of advertising tend towards that direction as well – and what feels more natural than food?” On the downside, there have been requests from members of the scientific community to regulate this practice because it has created a false sense of safety for the consumer, portraying the product as more “natural” than “chemical,” and by association safer. However, in reality all matter is made of chemicals and whether something is naturally harvested or synthetically created does not tell us how safe a product actually is. Food is a safe place for most people and food terminology is universal and easily understood by everyone.
Is there a connection between the name and the appearance?
“That depends on the product, but there should be” Dr. Vasquez says. “If a product cannot deliver in its physical description, as a consumer I would feel hard pressed to trust that brand. If a hair milk is advertised, the consistency should be more fluid, if it is a pudding, it should be less fluid. The consistency of a product will change the results for the end user, so I think it is important that it at least makes sense for the buyer.”
Interested in delving further into this topic? Check out the references below and sound off in the comments section. Also check out Dr. Vasquez’s blog, The Hair Lab and follow her on Instagram.
References
Why People Drink Shampoo? Food Imitating Products Are Fooling Brains and Endangering Consumers for Marketing Purposes
Frédéric Basso , Philippe Robert-Demontrond, Maryvonne Hayek, Jean-Luc Anton, Bruno Nazarian, Muriel Roth, Olivier Oullier
Published: September 10, 2014http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0100368
Social Communication in Advertising: Consumption in the mediated marketplace
William Leiss, Stephen Kline, Sut Jally, Jacqueline Botterill
Hair styles that are extreme, distracting, or attention getting will not be permitted. No dreadlocks, cornrows, twists, mohawks and no jewelry will be worn in hair…
Another day, another arguably racist school policy that specifically discriminates against wearing natural hair.
If you have been dialed into the trending topics of the last week, you heard about the latest instance of a school policy forbidding styles popular amongst students with curly and coily-textured hair.
The recently updated dress code for Butler High School in Louisiana states that “hair styles that are extreme, distracting, or attention getting will not be permitted. No dreadlocks, cornrows, twists, mohawks and no jewelry will be worn in hair.”
In its new policy, Butler High School targets personal grooming. Not surprisingly, the system targets the banning of natural hair and black hairstyles in particular. I have no doubt that we all appreciate that in an educational institution, distractions are to be minimized in order to facilitate learning. However, I do not find a legitimate reason to suppose that dreadlocks, twists, mohawks and cornrows are inherently distracting. Banning natural hairstyles significantly reduces the hairstyling options for students with natural hair.
With the long list of similar incidences and school policies that have received their own share of disapprobation in recent months, I would think that someone would have nipped this issue in the bud long before it was released to unsuspecting parents.
To think that a classmate or parent had no choice but to take to Twitter to grab the public’s attention in order for the policy to be temporarily suspended is sad and shows how little progress has been made on the subject. Can we really consider the policy’s temporary suspension a victory when a group came together with the shared belief that it was appropriate and necessary to implement in the first place?
Saying hair must be clean and neat at all times before highlighting natural hairstyles is offensive. Furthermore, neat for curly hair types is not the same as neat for those with straight hair. Our hair types just are not the same and do not behave in the same way. It is clear that there is an inherent bias against black hair and black hairstyles. Typically, issues like this arise when all parties concerned are not represented. I have no idea how this policy came into being and whether there were any black persons involved in the process. I do know that there are plenty of blacks who also share the view that dreadlocks are dirty and natural hair is unkempt, unprofessional and unclean.
As a former educator at a school in a predominantly black nation, I have heard fellow educators–with relaxed hair, no less–speak of natural hair in the most unflattering terms. If your own won’t look out for you, how can someone else be expected to? It just underscores the efficacy of the campaign that has been going on for hundreds of years that has resulted in blacks hating ourselves, how we look and the texture of their hair. This is why bleaching creams and relaxers were so popular for many generations. Now that black people have started embracing their true heritage, we are being specifically targeted for discrimination.
The battle is on to get us to return to the days of feeling bad about who we are, naturally. However, we must remain vigilant and not feel defeated. Our children need to know that they are beautiful just the way they are. They should not feel like they are less than anyone else because they are black or have dreadlocks, twists and cornrows.
To be Young, Gifted and Black. Oh, what a lovely precious dream.
What are your thoughts?
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If you are anything like me, life gets busy and the aim is to maximize the use of time as much as possible. Wash day is already long enough for most of us, so why not wash and treat process for one day and go through the color process a few days later. Being able to do everything in one day would certainly simplify things, but is it safe? That is what NaturallyCurly community member Simplee_dee wanted to know when she posted this question on our Curly Q&A:
Question
Can I use a Clairol Semi Permanent hair color rinse the same day as issuing ApHogee’s Two-Step?
Answer:
Yes.
Permanent hair color lasts much longer than a semi-permanent treatment. But more important is the fact that while permanent hair color requires the opening of the hair shaft in order to add color, usually with bleach or ammonia, semi-permanent color does not require the hair shaft to be open and involves only depositing the color on the hair shaft. Read more about semi-permanent hair color here.
So, can you apply semi permanent color after the protein treatment? The answer is yes.
How to use a protein treatment and hair color safely
ApHogee recommends that you use Two-Step Protein Treatment before using a semi-permanent hair color, “Wash hair with ApHogee Shampoo for Damaged Hair, rinse and towel blot dry. Follow general directions for applying ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment. After rinsing, towel dry & apply the depositing tint as usual. Place a plastic cap over your hair and check every 2-1⁄2 minutes. A warm dryer may be used. When the tinting is complete, shampoo thoroughly from hair. Apply ApHogee Balancing Moisturizer to help restore natural moisture balance to your hair. Rinse and proceed with next service or style as usual.”
We took our reader’s question straight to a Clairol Professional brand representative, who said the Beautiful Collection products are “a traditional semi-permanent color and can be used after any chemical service. For longer-lasting, more vibrant results and enhanced gray blending, cover hair with cap and process under a warm dryer for 10 minutes. Cool 5 minutes and rinse well. Do not shampoo. Heat is not recommended immediately after a relaxer.” She also said that the Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection line safely colors natural hair, “keeping delicate hair moisturized with a gentle, ammonia free formula.”
If you have gray hair, then give the Advanced Gray Solution a try as it provides “longer-lasting gray coverage than traditional semi-permanent hair color for up to 50% gray blending. Advanced Gray Solution features Advanced O2 technology, meaning the color actually air-oxidizes to penetrate into the cortex to provide better coverage on resistant white hair.” Advanced Gray Solution is a great color choice for gray coverage on chemically relaxed hair because it requires no developer or ammonia. Heat is not recommended with Advanced Gray Solution.
Do you have a question for the NaturallyCurly community? Ask away here.
The place to be for curly hair essentials and options in the product and services arena would be Toronto.
Curl Bar Beauty Salon
Curl Bar Beauty Salon is a Deva inspired hair salon, with stylists trained at the Devachan academy in New York. These guys have a 7-day guarantee and if you aren’t satisfied they will adjust it as long as you return within 7 days to have the adjustment done. All of Curl Bar’s services include hydration and styling and they send you home with the know how to take care of and maintain your hair.
The Curl Ambassadors
The Curl Ambassadors Salon opened in 2006 and caters to all curls all typed or curls, coils and waves. This salon also has Devachan trained stylists to give your curls the perfect shape. They will walk you through the products, tools and techniques to help you get the best results for your hair day in and day out.
Nanni’s Natural Hair Studio
Nanni’s is the place to go if you have locs or are interested in transitioning with loc extensions. Looking for a loc wig? Yep, Nanni’s got you covered. If you need loc repair and maintenance, Nanni’s got you covered as well.
The Jonathan Torch Curly Hair Institute
The Curly Hair Institute doesn’t just offer styling services, this salon offers scalp treatments as well. What’s more, 2-3 PM is happy hour and hair services are discounted by 25%, Monday to Thursday (as long as you pay with cash”>. This salon offers everything from chemical treatments to formal updos. Jonathan Torch is the creator of beloved curly hair product, Curl Keeper.
Kinks Hair Studio and Spa
Kinks Hair Studio and Spa is quite literally a one stop shop for head to toe beauty. Get all your hair needs met and treat yourself to a spa day while you’re at it. Kink’s owner has also developed a brand of vegan products formulated with the highest quality ingredients. The Kinks philosophy is that healthy hair comes first and they strive to ensure that all clients are satisfied and their environment is warm, welcoming and relaxing.
If you’ve been to one of these salons let us know how you enjoyed your experience or share your recommendations for curly hair salons to visit in Toronto.
Read more: Top Curly Hair Salons in the UK | Top Natural Hair Salons in Houston | 4 Certified Curly Hair Salons in Florida
What area would you like to see us spotlight next? Tell us in the comments.
Don’t forget to leave a review for your recent salon experience.
Growing up in Jamaica, we used to say that there’s a Jamaica in every country you can think. If you’re from a large country like the US with hundreds of millions of people, it might not seem like a big deal. But Jamaica is a small, tropical island with a small population (less that 3 million people”>. Therefore, a Jamaican in Alaska for example is, to say the least, very interesting. Learning that Adriana was a type 4 naturalista living in Korea was like hearing of a Jamaican in Alaska; I was intrigued and I couldn’t wait to learn a little more about her. I reached out and found her to be as warm and inviting as a tropical breeze.
How my journey started
I was a sophomore in college and pretty much all my life I had been holding on to severely damaged and broken hair. Around this time, going natural was becoming pretty popular so I just decided to go for it. With encouragement from my best friends, I got the scissors and went to town.
My transition actually wasn’t on purpose. This sounds pretty bad, but I was too busy and clueless to deal with my hair. I just so happened not to have had a relaxer for almost a year and I could see curls growing at the roots and I was curious to see more of them and that’s when I cut it.
Coming to Korea–with natural hair
I first applied to come teach in Korea during my last semester of undergrad.
But my first time applying I ran into some bumps. I applied again that fall and passed all the steps to become an English teacher at a Korean public school. I always wanted to see more of the world and it was amazing that I was finally given the opportunity to strike out at it on my own.
I won’t lie–being natural in Korea is a definite challenge.
When I first arrived, I was in a good place in regards to my hair. It was finally starting to retain moisture and I had gotten much better at twist-outs. But I think the new environment was a shock to it. My edges seemed much thinner and my hair was constantly hard and dry—more so than usual.
The technical, social, and cultural issues
If you aren’t in Seoul, most of the Korean people you meet have probably never seen a black person in real life before.
When I first arrived I always wore my hair in a very stretched, almost straight, style. Admittedly, I was worried about the reactions. However, I got tired of trying to keep up the façade every day and began to wear my barely stretched curls and puffs. My co-workers and students were amazed and curious. Most of the younger teachers seemed to show restraint, but my older vice-principal had no shame touching and pulling my hair.
More than a few times, I’d arrive to the office in the mornings and she would come up to examine my hair, a look of wonder and amusement on her face. I never gave permission, but I never told her to stop either. I just stood there feeling completely uncomfortable as she played with my hair. My students were worse. I expressly told them no, I did not want them to touch my hair, but that resulted in sneak attacks.
When my back was turned I would feel hands grazing my hair.
If I bent down near a student’s desk fingers would stretch out. Even in the cafeteria as I sat and ate my lunch I would get “grab-bys,” giggling girls grabbing a good handful then running away. Since I moved to Seoul it’s been much better, but I still get looks and have my hair talked about on the subway or in my classroom.
My current regimen
I have difficulty finding something that really works well for me. My hair is both very fine and low density—a combination that is rarely featured on vlogs or Instagram posts.
And I have always been pretty clueless when it comes to hair and beauty, so for girls with hair like mine, it can be difficult to find a perfect style or an icon to follow. I am inspired by any girl who is doing her thing and rocking her fro, twists, braids, locs, or curls.
I try to keep my hair stretched lately because it mats and tangles less that way. My hair tangles terribly, but I’m not good with protective styling. That leads to me reaching for the scissors often. I typically pull my hair back into a puff and go. When I’m not feeling lazy, I’ll partially blow-out my hair leaving lots of volume and do a messy twist-out. I like my hair big, undefined, and a little wild. I don’t have any set regimen. I usually wash once a week, wear twists, twist out, and then pull it back until next wash day.
Some products I like to use are raw shea butter, Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In conditioner, and Shea Moisture’s Jamaican Black Castor Oil Hair Masque.
[prodmod]
My hair has been difficult to manage in South Korea.
Sometimes I just want to cut it off and just wear wigs. But I know I would miss it after a week. And although it can be burdensome at times, I do love talking about black women and their hair, it was even the subject of my senior thesis. If someone is genuinely interested in learning more I don’t hesitate to help them along. I’ve had long discussions about it with Korean friends, my co-workers, and other foreigners to Korea.
It’s a little weird too, being, in a way a representative for black women and being asked to speak on our hair. But I try my best to leave the person a little more educated. For the most part, the experiences have all been positive. The general reaction is just genuine interest and surprise for all of the different styles we can have on a day-to-day basis.
Learn more about Adriana by following her on Instagram and reading her adventures in hair care on her blog.
