Despite the hundreds of resources that are out there to educate us on black hair, I find there are still hundreds of black hair problems which are unaddressed and sometimes “glorified” on many hair blogs. It is because of these problems that I have been provoked to write this post in hopes of getting you to let go of some of these “crazy” issues which you or someone you know might be facing.
Even though there are many issues, I have only listed a few of the ones that I think deserve your attention So, here they are, in no particular order:
Proposed Solutions:
– Trying all sorts of curling cream in the market so as to achieve girl B’s curl
– Putting your hair through all sorts of abuse all so that you can achieve a wash-n-go and other styles your hair doesn’t like to be put in
My thoughts: If you weren’t born with girl B’s genes, you WILL NOT achieve the same “out” style she achieves with certain products and techniques; but you may be able to achieve similar styles. Rather than wasting your time, effort and money trying a WnG, you can instead opt for “predictable” styles which will turn out well. I often achieve a “frizz out” instead of a twist out on most days, but I don’t deem this failure on my hair styling skills or a particular product since I already know my hair is very unique and will only do what it wants to do.
Obsession with laid edges
Proposed solutions
– relaxing the edges so that a cornrow or weave will look neater
– using a hard gel to lay it down
My thoughts: I find this is a very popular problem with Americans as I don’t come across this issue too often on non-American websites. My edges don’t coil up much and so I don’t have much to say. But one thing you need to realize is that your hair is no longer relaxed, it is now COILY and it wants to remain that way. Instead of forcing your hair to do what it doesn’t want to do, I suggest you rock your hair loud and proud!
Proposed solutions
– use of anti frizz products or eliminating certain products totally
My thoughts: Again, I find this issue is mostly talked about by Americans. As I’ve mentioned above, your hair is no longer straight, it is now COILY and will be more prone to frizz. It’s easy to battle with frizz when your hair is straight, but a bit more challenging when it’s curly/coily. Coily hair will not always be smooth like straight hair and is more susceptible to environmental changes. So instead of fighting frizz which is out of your control, EMBRACE IT. And if you have OCD and cant do this, then keep your hair in braids, a great anti-frizz hairstyle. Your hair doesn’t have to be perfectly sculpted each time.
Read the rest at The Mane Captain
What are some Natural hair problems you often come across that you don’t see as a problem? I’ll be happy to read your thoughts in the comment box below.
The Mane Captain is a blog run by Adeola, a Toronto based natural hair advocate who empowers women with the knowledge needed to take control of their hair. She also holds regular meet ups in and around Toronto where Naturals can network and support each other while on the journey.
30 Responses
These are real “issues” that one may face once you go natural. As one guest author pointed out (https://www.naturalhaircarenews.com/2015/01/26/so-you-want-to-go-natural/), some people will judge you for your hair. The good thing is, you don’t have to be hard on yourself. Just take it one beautiful step at a time!
It is imperative for us naturals to embrace healthy hair at whatever cost opposed to longer hair at whatever cost. It would be even better if both were achieved, however healthy hair is still at the top of the chart. Realizing the uniqueness of our own hair and not comparing our hair to the next girl is important. Embrace You! Personally I am a 4C. I consider my hair the tightest of tight. Major shrinkage, for me I find all sorts of style-outs to stretch it out, however Healthy is always my fine line.
Rachel J.
http://www.hairtritionconsulting.com
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Curly hair seems to be more attention grabbing and way out there in the media. It’s everywhere. You see in in magazine pages, on commercials, at the supply store and on product brands. Of course, some women are obsessed with curls because that’s what is in. Until we can get an advocate or a inventor to produce products that lean more towards kinky hair, 4c women are stuck with curly models. I think one thing that can be annoying is the long hair motto and flat ironing to achieve waist length. What happened to patience? Why are we creating more products to make hair grow longer? Why not healthier? Some of you are probably like,”shush. You want long hair too, don’t tro.” No, I like long natural hair but what happened to enjoying the versality of medium hair? If we want to inspire another generation, we are going to have to go good with doing this.
I agree with most of the article minus the “laid edges” tid bit. I like my edges to look neat. #shrug. Not slicked back all the time, per se, but I don’t want them to look unkempt. For me, neat edges are like arched eyebrows. 🙂
The laid edges is really a weird obsession when I see it written down as one, but the thought of it doesn’t sound weird and I wont lie frizz really does irk my nerves sometimes if I came out with a twist out and now it looks a mess i must admit it irks me a bit lol.
And the texture thing is the biggest problem everyone who comes to me with advice on going natural always talks about their texture. ALWAYS!. They obsess over it and ask me what I think it is and hopefully it’s loose and I tell them if that’s what you care about that right now is not the time for you to go natural.
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Being a “B curl girl” due to mixed heritage has made my life a misery in the African communities I’ve spent in, living in South Africa and visiting America. People are often in love with my hair, not wanting to really talk to me, but rather being interested in my hair. I am not exotic and neither is my hair. People tell me all the time that they wish they had my hair and for me it is not a sign of “wow, I have amazing hair”, but rather a sign of “I want these women to love their own hair”. I encourage women to love their texture whatever it may be. Trying to attain and maintain an unnatural hair texture can be depressing for some women and even young girls. Your diet does affect the quality of your hair and so does your emotion and general happiness, in my opinion. As for someone posting about frizz being due to dryness and dehydration, I can tell you that parts of my hair are super frizzy (I have 3b and even come 3c curls), that refuse to curl nicely like the rest of my hair and this is something I’ve had since my hair grew as a baby. Sometimes, no matter what you put on your hair, and once you rinse it off, some hair will still just frizz. It’s something that even white girls with the straightest hair even have and are born with and have to deal with. The difference is that a lot of them just blow dry and put generic salon serums and other things on their hair. It’s something that’s natural to some people’s hair and there’s nothing we can really do about it. If more women were accepting of their length and more accepting of what their hair can do naturally and what it wants to do naturally, I believe women would be a lot happier with their hair. Even for me, my hair only grows a certain length and I’m happy with it because I have accepted what my hair can do. That longing for waist length hair is just not healthy for those of us who can’t have it. If there was more advice on shorter hair and cool styles for shorter hair, I think a lot of naturals would feel more comfortable with their hair. We need to do our best to keep hair healthy and loved. We need to accept our appearances and what our hair for what it can and can’t do. As I said before, it can be depressing when your hair does not fulfill your unrealistic expectations and a lot of damage can be caused to hair when you try to hard to make it do what it’s not meant to. I find that some newbie naturals are ao deluded about their hair types and they’re lying to themselves about their hair type. Be honest with yourselves. If you can’t be honest with your hair then why go natural, right? Accept what your hair can do and embrace it, love it, take care of it and you will be much happier.
Nothing at all….I just let it do what it do!
Eh. I think the author was spot on. The biggest struggle for a lot of naturals, in my opinion, is the obsession with length and a certain “texture”. Sure, we’ve given up the creamy crack, for loose curls and waves. Acceptance of one’s texture and (lack of) length, is something that we have a long way to go. I remember searching youtube for videos of girls with short hair, and coming up with only 1-2 videos here and there. Oh, but there were tons of videos of naturals with long or waist length hair.
As for frizz, I don’t agree with the other poster, that frizz is a representation of dry or dehydrated hair. Our hair is NATURALLY frizzy, because we have coily kinks and it is NOT meant to have perfect defined curls.
You must have missed the point she made about healthy eating, exercise etc have no effect on hair…she has deleted about 3 of her points so I guess it now makes it difficult to have a discussion about the article…
“Dissatisfaction with one’s own hair texture and the comparison to others”
This right here is the truth for a lot of naturals, especially newbies. And it’s so detrimental.
Although length obsession was removed, I have to say I agree with that one as well. Or, for some, it translates to growing a BAA.
Nothing wrong with wanting long hair, of course, but I find some of the things people do to achieve it are unhealthy for both their hair and self-acceptance.
I appreciate all the viewpoints, both supporting and those that are in the contrary. These are my personal viewpoints as I still don’t understand a lot of natural hair problems which women struggle with.
I appreciate all the comments and personal experiences that are being shared. For the full list, please click on the link above to be redirected to the blog where you can also share your opinion.
Thank You
https://themanecaptain.blogspot.ca/
It looks like the author has removed “length obsession” from the list after everyone complained in the comments. In my opinion, drastic edits like that should be noted rather than just quietly removed. I mean, if you wrote it in the first place you should either be able to stand by what you wrote or apologize for your error. Well at least that’s how I am.
Tyler
https://onelittleblackdress.com
COMPLETELY agree. I was wondering why there were only three points when the title of the article says there are five…
The prevalence of frizz isn’t as insignificant or outside of one’s control as the author makes it out to be. Frizz, especially high frizz, can indicate that one’s hair is dehydrated or that the cuticle layer of the hair is raised, which can affect the hair’s ability to retain moisture.
Also, frizz caused by a lack of moisture is definitely something within naturals’ ability to control. For instance, after I shampoo my hair, I allow it to partially air dry before I apply my leave-in. If my curls have high frizz, I know even before I touch my hair that the cuticle layer is raised and that I have dried out my hair by setting the water temperature too high. If my curls have low frizz or virtually no frizz, then I know that the cuticle layer is flat and that I was able to retain moisture by setting the water temperature at an appropriate cool/cold setting. (I verify this visual test by touching my hair.) If it’s dehydrated, I do a cold water rinse and let it air dry again. Once I apply my leave-in, I end up with frizz-free hair.
If fighting dehydrated hair means fighting one of its most visual indicators – frizz – then it’s definitely worth the fight.
Well our hair is naturally dry, so if you are piling loads of product on it to “hydrate it” then you aren’t really wearing your natural hair, just as if someone wears a highly gelled up washngo that’s not really what their hair is like. I moisturize my hair enough for it to stay healthy and grow not to take out the natural frizz which looks amazing! if it’s not for you cool, but frizzy hair is not unhealthy hair. That’s how our hair is.
I don’t think Tameka suggested that frizzy hair is unhealthy hair. Frizz does come with the territory of natural (and healthy!) hair and there are ways to reduce frizz. But I hope you truly don’t think that hair products like leave-in conditioner and gel- let alone simple cold water- makes coils, curls and kinks suddenly unnatural. Because that doesn’t make sense.
Your natural hair will still be natural if you rinse it with cold water; but it will only take out the frizz until it dries unless you put a great deal of product in it( in my experience) which in my opinion does alter the natural state. Again; nothing wrong with healthy frizzy hair! Don’t understand what all the frizz hate is for; how about you do you and I’ll do me.
They’re just deluded by the anti-frizz propaganda used to make money off of exaggerating women’s “imperfections” and media making them think they need this or that product to solve they’re supposed problems. Now some women do actually have unhealthy type of frizz, due to damage or unhealthy habits but there’s a difference between that and natural afro textured (frizzy) hair.
I disagree. Taking pride in your hair is caring for it and wanting it to look its best. Good care only enhances what one naturally has. Products wont give you what you dont already have. Most never had a problem styling and caring for processed hair but now since one is rocking natural hair they must roll out of bed, make no effort and look a hot mess just of be considered 100% natural BS
naturalstupid, I mean “cutie”, this is what I’m, talking about. I do take great pride in my hair, take great care of it, and think it looks it’s best with my natural afro texture. I deep condition my hair once a week, detangle with kinky curly, wash with shea moisture and braids afterwards, sleep with a satin scarf and pillow case. I swear I am OBSSESSED about caring for my hair and wanting it in it’s healthiest condition. And my hair is still an afro, yes I could define it if I wanted with loads of product$$$ but I think I look better with it undefined. If you prefer curls rather than an afro, that’s your opinion; not a fact of life. Am I allowed to have my own opinion or do I have to conform like kids in middle school who make fun of people who don’t? I mean really? Plenty of white women, Asian and Hispanic women wear their “roll-out-of-bed-hair” and if my hair is straight it would be okay with you. You do not what condition my hair is in or what it looks like. Do you know how ignorant and deluded you sound equating natural un-manipulated afro hair with someone who doesn’t care about their appearance or hair? You are one of those women who went natural for the wrong reason. Following a trend wanting curly hair but still having this view of our hair as something messy, wild, and ungroomed. I honestly don’t see a difference between your view and the “why don’t you perm hair hair” and “why don’t you get your hair done” type of comments deluded people make about natural hair. You still have the same mindset as a permed hair women except with natural hair. I swear I’m so sick of your type of attitude I would rip your shit right out of your head if you said that to me in person and I’m not even close to a violent person maybe that would teach you vanity highchair morons to keep your twisted thoughts to yourself. Why don’t you exchange some of that vanity of yours for a higher IQ and some business of your own.
naturalcutie, sense when is wearing an afro not something to take pride in? They didn’t think that way in the 70’s! So our texture to you is something that is uncared for? That doesn’t even make sense. Is our skin brown because we’re unhealthy too? Just like I said, deluded you’re living proof right there. I’m sure all women want to look their best whether they wear an afro or those pseudo curls!
PREACH MIKA!!! Funny how no one says anything when you have a perm no matter what state the hair is in but when natural everyone and their momma wants to become your personal hair consultant. Most permed hair women I know just wake up comb their hair a few seconds and go. Whoever thumbs you down and that demented comment up is one of those crazy ghetto women who would spend their kids food money on hair weaves, fake nails and smart phones and next months rent on a designer belt. They were the relaxed women who talk down on natural haired women and now they go natural following the fad and try to tell us women who have been doing it way longer than them how our hair looks, how to wear and what to do with our hair. The internet is infested with these these “naturals”. They just need to be locked up in a mental hospital so they can stop harassing other people who’s natural hair isn’t acceptable to them. I’d rather hang out with white women any day, I can understand wanting to look your best but black people take it way too far and are way too hung up on appearance. GET THE FUCK OFF OF HERE WITH THAT BULLSHIT.
So, Mika, if you put products on your hair, it’s no longer natural? BS!
wow was my numbering off by one lol i missed that the first one was Length Obsession. I’m unapologetically guilty as charged on that one, and i won’t get over it til my hair is at my goal length of WL lol do i take supplements for hair growth and has it improved my diet and water intake? No. but if it did, that would only be a plus!
as for number five? I agree with her that all the hype about products that can make your hair grow is misplaced. and that products do not grow hair. most people that claim a product grew their hair don’t document it, so it’s really all a matter of hearsay and i think most of it is fabricated.
1) I will say that i noticed the first to be prevalent on blogs as well as in real life. I can kinda relate to this, in having aspired to more straight and wavy types. I think it hits a lot of us hard.
2) It was a big deal for one of my aunts to always have them edges *laid* but i myself was never plagued by it after a certain point. Especially when i figured out fast that no matter how much gel i used, or what type, my edges always found a way to make a mockery of my efforts. Which, now, i could care less about. My hair looks cuter fuller and a little “unruly” anyhow, so it’s def no longer a concern. In the world at large, i notice a lot of missing-in-action edges, edges that are mid-flight, i kid you not. This one lady i saw had alopecia to the max, her hairline starting way back at her crown. and what little bit of hair she had she had tightly braided with heavy blond extensions. it was so bad my husband pointed this madness out to me, because i didn’t notice her at first. but man, when i saw how GONE those edges were, i nearly CRIED. i kid you not. and then, y’all, i was MAD AT THIS WOMAN. Like, how can you not care that you’re literally pulling your hair out, and when your hair is gone, you’re STILL trying to put those long, heavy, TIGHT-ass braids in it?!?!?!? and i don’t even cuss, yet just thinking about it makes me mad. So, yeah, moral of the story, is i’m thankful for my edges, and i am always thankful to see them on other black women because lord knows a lot of us have a LOOONG way to go if we’d rather have no edges at all than frizzy/fuzzy/nappy edges. hellz….
3) frizz. see number two. and…for four and five, i shall come back and comment after following the link to the source to read the restlol
Correction: ” *couldn’t* care less about”. was typing too fast
I disagree fully with number 1. Exercise and diet do affect hair quality and growth. There is s reason why malnourished people have brittle hair that’s thin and wispy and a reason why healthy and active people have healthier hair. It may not give you an inch a month but your hair will grow at
It’s optimum whether that’s a quarter inch or half an inch. Your hair and nails are the last parts of your body to get nutrients, so if you are not eating right hardly any will go to these parts…
I disagree with number 1, my obsession with length led me to increase my protein intake and MY HEALTH HAS IMPROVED, my hair had been breaking off severely for years.
I thought that maybe I lost hair because of poor detangling, normal 100 hair shed-a-day untill I found out I had a dietary defiecient, if I did not care about length, I probably would have never noticed, improving my health has led to hair growth, I feel better and plus my face is glowing!
That’s great! I’m so happy for you 😀
I totally agree with you, my “obsession” led me to better health and hair practices. More exercise, better products ect. But I don’t think it’s an obsession, just hair care. Its not even a natural hair “issue”, I’ve seen all types of races with straight hair who do the same things. Massages, exercise, drinking more water ect. I personally don’t see it as an issue, it’s not like they think about it every waking minute.
Good article. I think the writers’ thoughts are conveyed well…but blogs aren’t a litmus test of society.
I’m always amazed at how out of touch the commentary on blogs and other forms of social media seems with people I’ve met who don’t live in the narrow fishbowl that some virtual communities can become and represent. I believe that using them to gauge who we are and where we’re at (any group) can distort perceptions of reality.
A good deal of the language and experiences I’ve read and watched from SOME Black women on SOME sites – I was clueless about. Also, my American self and other Americans I know have neither had discussions nor given a good, gosh darn about “edges”. I’m sure there are those who do, but I’d hardly let blogs and comments sections lead me to guess that it MUST be a culturally-specific issue.
Also, can some space and time be allowed to actually go through the growing pains of re-introducing ourselves (from the 1970s) to our hair? We’re still cracking eggs in the kitchen, we know. White and Asian women are still dealing with a mountain of hair-related drama as well, and they’ve had the benefit of feeling more ‘relaxed’ with theirs for a lot longer than us. I appreciate always keeping issues to the forefront but I also appreciate that we’re still taking strides and have come a long way. Even with all of the knowledge and love out there, it’s still going to take time.