By Apryl-Joi of sisterswithbeauty.com
When it comes to natural hair, there’s a lot to talk about—products, hair regimens, washing techniques, moisture retention, and many other things, but one thing that seems to shoot to the top of the conversation charts is achieving and maintaining long hair. Before you give the infamous deep sigh and skedaddle over to another page, let me advise you that this isn’t your typical post about how to grow your natural hair to BSL (that’s bra strap length, in case you’re new to this) and 10 different styles you can rock with your 18 inch hair. Nope, that’s just not about to happen.
I will say that many of us drool, hoot, and holler over Tracey Ellis Ross’s big, bold curls, Ledisi’s luscious locs, and Corinne Bailey Rae’s amazing mane, but for many of us, the road to having these beauties’ hair length is extremely long. The ultimate question is why should you sit, dream, and wait until the day that you can rock amazing styles, when you can enjoy it now? I know, I know….you’re rocking a TWA…there couldn’t POSSIBLY be anything more than a wash-and-go on your hair styling menu. Well I’m here to tell you that you’re wrong. Let’s take the 31-year-old Lupita Nyong’o as a prime example.
This Mexico-born Kenyan actress sheds a whole new light on short natural hair. By rocking a side part, 2 middle parts, a brush cut, a tiny curly fro with tapered sides and lots in between, she proves that short natural hair can be just as versatile and fly as any long coiffure. Her hairstyles are proof that sexy comes in all different shapes, lengths, colors, and it doesn’t need anyone’s permission to be fabulous. However, no matter the length of your hair, it can only be as fabulous and fly as you allow it to be. Let’s face it….we’ve all seen a natural or two with a head full of long tresses who does absolutely nothing funky or exciting to it. You wish it were yours and she’s totally disinterested in it and wonders why you’re so pressed to have long hair. While you’re sitting there wishing, waiting, hoping, and dreaming about styling your long hair, you’re missing out on the beauty of having short hair and the amazing things you can do with it.
I encourage all my short naturals to take the breaks off. Let it roll! Let your imagination and creativity take your hair to all new heights without having to wait until it grows. Have some hair confidence NOW…don’t wait until later. You don’t want to look back and regret passing up the opportunity to rock the most amazing TWA you could’ve conjured up. Embrace your hair NOW and get on the Lupita flow to rocking miles of sassy styles that punch the idea that short hair isn’t versatile right in the face. Check out all of the ways Butterfly Lupita has styled her hair. Can you still sit and say you can’t do a thing to your hair at its current short length? As many praise Butterfly Lupita for her outstanding talent, beautiful skin, intelligence, grace, and overall beauty, we can’t deny that she is a great example of rocking your natural hair and styling it no matter the length.
Have you made having short natural hair a deterrent to doing amazing things with your hair? How have you jazzed up your TWA in the past? What do you do to get over your “long hair dreams”? Leave your comments below—we promise we won’t judge you.
Butterfly Apryl-Joi has a true passion for natural hair and fitness. When she isn’t crafting up original content for www.sisterswithbeauty.com, she’s training clients on new fitness workouts and knows how to meet the demands of both the body and hair with hard work and dedication.
75 Responses
As someone who used to have waist length locs for nearly two decades & recently chopped down to a TWA, IMO long hair is SO overrated! I was just going to start over with a healthier head of hair, but I’m loving the freedom of my TWA so much I’m keeping it short! Also I was one of those nervous about chopping because I wasn’t sure if I had the head or face for short hair–but I look so much better in it than I thought I would (actually better than with hair, lol–who knew)?
Even though we say we’re proud to be natural, many still are brainwashed into the long hair/”good hair”mindset–obsessed with long hair, curl definition, laid edges, etc… it just makes me roll my eyes at the so-called natural hair community & not want to be bothered. I’ll just be over here loving my short, beautiful kinks–and enjoying life instead of spending hours in the mirror with tubs of gel trying to achieve a “defined wash & go,” lol.
I love Lupita and the standard of inimitable beauty she represents for black women around the globe however her hair is relaxed in a few of these pics. It is not natural. Yes she looks jaw dropping and freaking stunning but she’s not repping attainable styles for natural women. I have a twa and had braids put n out of frustration. It honestly appears as though the ole wash n go is the only real “style” for new naturals. I wish we had more alternatives to motivate us on this journey.
I’d really like there to be more love for the in betweener’s I’ve started to hate my hair because I feel like there’s nothing I can do with it. Which I’m sure is not true. There’s just not much mainstream ideas and it’s a hell of a lot MORE work when it’s not that short but definitely not long enough. And let me not get started on salons. Why would you charge me the same amount as someone who has 3 times my hair?? Help a sista out!!!!!
I have just did BC #2 yesterday, and I must say…I am soooo loving having short hair! I had very long hair all my life and the first time I went natural, I didn’t really appreciate the versatility of short hair. Three years later, I was feeling very uninspired and even cutting my hair to neck length and coloring it still didn’t do anything for me. So when I BC’d this time, oh wow, I love this look on me! My high cheekbones look stunning and my short neck FINALLY looks graceful and longer. Even my fiance love this look on me and hopes I keep it for a while. And call me crazy, but my curvy body actually looks even curvier and more proportioned for some reason LOL!
I am looking forward to styling and coloring my TWA. I like to turn heads wherever I go, and this will definitely be the thing to do that! This edgy short hair is definitely going to be my go-to look for a while.
I am so very tired of all this drama about why people want long or short hair. I personally like long hair & was on my way there…like I had when I had my curly perm…. till I had to do hard trims last winter due to split ends & breakage. Went back to using old school grease on my ends, then started Carol’s Daughter anti breakage Monoi line in June. Right now all my hair is about 6″-7″ long & I’m wearing my usual summer KinkyCurly do which looks nice. I personally LIKE long hair on me; it looks better than the longer than short hair I have now. I can do a lot more with longer hair; always had it as a kid. I like the natural twist styles ,updos, braided styles,etc that I see. Has nothing to do with being brainwashed by society or any other such nonsense. I’m past 50 now & retired. I started wearing afros & cornrows in the 60s so I have none of these stupid hair nazi hangups mentioned in this article. I’ll use whatever works on my hair, including grease !! What’s wrong with working diligently to retain length ? In doing so YOU LEARN ALL ABOUT YOUR HAIR, WHAT PRODUCTS WORK BEST & HOW TO TAKE THE BEST CARE OF IT ! Why does this article seem to degrade those of us who want our hair to grow to its max? Seems like black folk always need to be tearing each other down & b*tching about things that are in the “mind your own business” category,putting themselves in stupid little insular boxes defined by what “they” say you can & cannot do or should or should not do ? Waiting around like sheep waiting to be led !! I you like short hair WEAR IT ! If you like long hair GROW IT OUT ! But leave other people’s choices alone
I find this article humourous based on the fact that this site BARELY has any info or cute styles for women with less than 3-4 inches of hair, and most of the articles are about length retention and whatnot. Or they highlight mostly long or medium haired naturals. but whatevs.
THANK YOU!!! LIKE FR FR. HOW THEY GONNA TALK!
I remember when I BC’d and had my hair at about, 1 1/2 in – 2in, I loved the freeing experience of short hair. It was a cute look, and because of the short hair I had to adjust and experiment with my overall look. There’s something about short hair that made me carry myself differently, it gave me more poise, I held my head up a bit higher to show off my neckline.
Short hair allows for subtleties that go unnoticed with longer hair. Your profile, décolletage, neck and even your nape can become very elegant and graceful. I found that I looked great in medium sized colorful and playful stud earrings instead of the long dangly ones I’d bought in preparation. I enjoyed my short hair phase thoroughly and took each growing inch as they came.
You don’t need long hair to be feminine but if you have it or want it, it shouldn’t be considered a crime.
I know this is old but I loved everything that you said!
I feel like these articles have to tear someone down, just to let those ‘TWA’/’Short hair” girls to feel better. You’re tearing down the people who actually have worked hard for length or maybe didn’t have to work as hard. I will never cut my hair, due to religious reasons. Good job for you people who can cut you’re hair, your cookie is in the mail.
I wish there were pix of others with twa. Liputa is gorg but honestly she’s is one in a million with the look that gives twa such a classic graceful style. As many have said to each his own.
OMG!!! As I see it, you couldn’t be more wrong. Lupita is not one in a million. I see beautiful sistas like her all of the time. There’s nothing special about her face that allows her to look good with a twa and not anyone else. I hate when women say, “you can wear that…you have the face for it.” Nonsense! You don’t know what you have the face for until you try it. I’m so sick of Black women putting ourselves in a restrictive box before anyone else. It will be a lovely day when we finally wake up and remove our own knee out of our backs, get up and walk tall knowing that WE ROCK…twa or not.
I personally look at hair as a God given gift…your crown and glory. I realize not everyone believes that or feels that way and you are entitled to your opinion. You can wear your hair short or long. I think it’s personal preference. Like many have said short hair doesn’t look as flattering on everyone. I prefer long hair. I just think it’s beautiful, especially when it’s natural.
Cosign the author. It seems like a lot of naturals are obsessed with length. Black people have more excuses for why they can’t do x, y, & z with their hair, instead of just admitting that they’ve been indoctrinated with what it means to be beautiful and feminine- which is long hair. I remember big chopping a little over 2 years ago, and there were hardly any YT videos with black women w/ short hair. It’s almost as if they keep their hair hidden, or transition, in hopes of achieving that bsl or waist length hair.
When I big chopped (Ive done it twice over the past 4-5 years), it was the most invigorating feeling ever! I never thought about whether a style or length was flattering. I loved watching it go thru various lengths and stages, it taught me so much about my hair as well as my own natural beauty. I’ve had long hair my entire life, and it’s so crazy to see that you can still be beautiful in different lengths and hair styles. I no longer had to view my beauty in a one dimensional way. It’s definitely a teaching moment imo. SN: I’ve gotten way more compliments over my short natural hair, then I’ve ever gotten for long straight hair. Folks would be surprised if they just allowed themselves to take and enjoy the journey.
I agree with gypsy life. After having long hair the most of my life and now I am in my fifties I feel beautiful and cooler in my twa. I love it and I owned. I was beautiful with long hair and I am beautiful with my twa. We must learn to love our hair regardless of the length.
I agree with what others have said. Not everyone has the face for short hair, and besides I have worked very hard over the years for the length I’ve achieved and I enjoy it very much.
Tyler
https://onelittleblackdress.com
I love short and long hair. I’ve cut all my hair off before, and right now my long hair is in a faux big chop style. I had to utilize my 80% shrinkage to get the look, and I love it. Still love my long hair, I just don’t want to cut it.
sooooo true about naturals with long tresses who do absolutely nothing with their hair. when I started to regain some length, I went online looking for hairstyles and found nothing but “dry” wash and go dos that I have no time to detangle lol or exquisite cornrows I’d only see in hair shows. I gave up and decided to style my hair my way 🙂 ..Hair accessories work wonders for all hair length
The picture with her in the red dress!!!!!!!…I love everything about her look in that picture.
Short or long,rock it as you want. Don’t forget it is just Hair !!
https://blossomcotton.blogspot.fr/
The less I care about length the more I enjoy my hair. Nice to see a fellow Kenyan pictured in this post.
I’ve been natural since ’97/ ’98, so I’m a veteran who has been trying to give advice for a while. My advice to ALL naturals has been to find at least one or two styles that work for you at each phase of your hair’s growth. That way, you are less likely to want to revert back to a perm, and when you are in that everlasting middle stage, you are less likely to want to cut it back down. Our hair is so beautiful and versitile and its frustrating and disappointing when naturals see their hair as a problem when its such a beautiful gift. Leave the hating to everyone else that sees our hair as ugly or undesirable. Let them live and die in their ignorance, but we are supposed to know better. If you take care of your hair and its healthy…. its good hair. I love to wear my hair big and out because it makes its own statement that if black women put as much energy into the hair God gave them as they put into weaves, they could have beautiful and healthy hair too that they wouldn’t want to cover up with some one else’s hair that could NEVER be theirs. There are exceptions to this, as i know that sometimes you want a sleek look…okay…i get it. But I have never seen a white, Asian or Hispanic person walking around rocking weave that looks like our hair. But I constantly see us rocking ridiculous weaves that attempt to mirror theirs. Wonder why?
It has been years since I had a boy cut. I enjoyed it. It takes a level of confidence and boldness to pull it off. I found out just how prettyy face is. Plus I learned out quickly hair actually grows.
I love lupita!
I wish she was around when I went natural 9 years ago. 🙂
Then maybe I wouldnt have transisioned, but just shaved it al off.
I didnt knew you could do so much 9 years ago,there were no examples like Lupita.
But I dont think only natural girls want long hair.
I think its a woman/girl thing. I mean look at Al those ANTM cicles when the make over episode comes: Even the white girls with the long manes who can “easy” grow long hair are afraid to get the short hair cut. 🙂
And I think that we girls like seeing long natural hair because we were always told that kinky hair could not grow long (and healthy) without chemicals.
But that being said I think that with Lupita natural girls will defintly try more TWA styles.
I firmly believe it stems from a comfort level and what is seen as feminine. That coupled with the fact that if their hair is long they “must be doing something right,” and are therefore seen as more credible in the natural hair community, which is hogwash.
Genetics, diet and health are all determining factors for hair growth.
I’m personally done with my shoulder length hair. It’s flat, takes entirely too long to do at just about two hours, and, just doesnt have the shape I want.
just because my hair ain’t down my back, doesn’t mean I don’t know anything about hair health and how to maintain it. It’s preference and choice.
Love it!
Def if I ever have to big chop again I’m doing it Lupito style for a year before growing my hair out!! She is gorgeous!!!
This is why I keep my hair shaped up anyway and when it grows out too much, I always get it cut/trimmed up. I love it because it’s so easy to care for and on me just looks better.
My motto as it pertains to natural hair is, “to each its own.” Some people just don’t like short hair on themselves–to me, it comes down to what YOU like and how YOU see yourself. I know that I prefer my hair at the length that it is now versus when I had a twa but that doesn’t mean that my face wasn’t suited for a twa, I just prefer longer hair on myself. I have a friend who refuses to grow her hair past 1-2 inches (MAX)because she’s in love with her twa. That twa is going nowhere!She’ll probably wear her hair like that forever, and kudos to her because she loves it.That’s honestly what’s most important. In this community, I almost feel like it’s taboo to say that you want longer hair because you will be perceived as being insecure. Of course, I understand the history of our hair and why some may get that perception, but DAMN! What if I just want longer hair so that I can experiment with updos,pontails, BUNS and the such??!??! What if?!?!?!
Lupita is stunning. TWA, Long hair don’t care–it would not matter. Length is obviously not a determination of beauty.
I agree. My sister want longer hair for the variety of styles. I want to keep the twa because I love it. To each its own but the majority of the articles that I see are discussing long hair. It’s nice to read about twa once in a while.
People can wish and want for whatever they want. Not a fan of the title but I get the point of the article.
This is all well and good but not everyone has the had for a twa. I have a really high forehead and it looks like my hair sits way back on my head, so no, I will not be rocking a twa. I am extremely jealous of anyone who can rock one though and i wish daily that I could.
I bet you are BEAUTIFUL! Ain’t nothin’ wrong w/ a “high” forehead =)
I personally enjoy short and long natural hair. But in my opinion short hair of any kind is work and if you don’t have the time or the funds to keep it up it can prove to be more trouble then intended.
I want to point your attention to black men (those other black people with natural hair). Your statement that short hair requires time and funds is illogical. The trouble that you speak of is really limited thinking and a very corrupted aesthetic. I’m confident the longer natural hair is seen and explored this will all be corrected. Keep it natural ladies!
Thank you for this article. When so many ladies go natural the first thing they want is long hair. I have never really liked long hair so I don’t let my hair go past shoulder length. Many people that have seen me for years now ask me why my hair isn’t long do have problem growing my hair. My answer to them is no this is the length that I like and is manageable for me. Everyone has to do what is comfortable their lifestyle. My hair is currently shoulder length straightened about ear length with no manipulation.
You’re welcome..:) we share many of the same feelings about it.. Be sure to visit http://www.sisterswithbeauty.com ..:) Butterflies Up.. thanks #BGLH
Thanks so much BGLH for re-posting the blog. Truly appreciate you for seeing quality content from SistersWithBeauty and sharing it with your followers..:)
Butterflies UP
Diana
Head Curl in Charge
http://www.sisterswithbeauty.com
Do you!!! If you want short hair, rock it until you can’t anymore. If you don’t, do the same. I cut my hair once when I texturized (way before going natural). While I enjoyed it, I got over it because I missed my long hair. So, short hair was a short affair back in the day for me. I love it; but, I knew it wasn’t what I was looking for in the long run. It’s a matter of loving you and what you like.
Natural hair is versatile no matter if its short or long. It really boils down to a persons level of creativity and confidence, not about having –the right face– and all that jazz.
If you have super short hair there is a lot of cute stuff that you can do sure, but I’ve had short hair since 2007 its not a crime to want a longer length. I’m not saying butt crack length, but just a little longer. I want to try some of the styles that you can do with longer hair its not a crime.
I love short hair. It can have versality. I thought this revelation was about celebrating your own hair and doing what you can do with it. Look at this lady:
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/image-7.jpg[/img]
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/image-8.jpg[/img]
Another beauty w/ a TWA! Werk!
i’ve always loved the short look on chrisette michele. she looks fabulous. if i were to TWA she and lupita would be my role models! I actually have that first pic of chrisette saved to my computer, come to think of it lol
What am getting from this article is to be creative with your TWA. A lot of us are not creative at the twa and are not embracing that stage. i know I didn’t at first even when I got used to it I didn’t do much. I now past the TWA stage but plan on chopping it off in 2 years when I complete my masters. When I do I’ll make sure to be more creative.
Meh. Natural is natural. Whether you have the world’s biggest Afro, longest locs or a cute fade do you. It’s not that serious. There are 10 001 different ways to wear natural hair. What might work for one black woman might not work for another. Know what suits your face and curl pattern as an individual and represent Team natural.
I look back at my TWA days and realise I was SUPER gorgeous but I didn’t realise it then cause I was too self consious about the new(different) look, but now I’m absolutely sure some day I will rock my TWA again(unashamedly) but first let me see if these kinks can reach BUM length lol.
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_20140118_0071446.jpg[/img]
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_20140106_00144233.jpg[/img]
Hey Made in Africa…you INDEED look gorgeous w/your TWA! But I hear ya about the “first let me see if these kinks can reach BUM length lol”. LOL!! So many ppl have made excellent comments and provided food for thought, but I had to give a shout out to you and your pics!
awesome pix! I favor the second pic, but you look nice in both. Thanks for the added perspective. It def makes sense that at the time you don’t see yourself clearly through the discomfort of looking different. i hadn’t thought of it that way before….in my case, even when i look back at pictures….lol
Thank you Anastasia and Chalise 🙂
darn, i’m part of the crew that really, really, really, really really wants long hair 😛
I’ve had every hair length from TWA (one inch) to 18 inches MBL, and i’m pretty sure that in my case short was never a good look. While i’ve been told i’m pretty, i know for a fact i don’t have the face to be able to pull off hair that short. I didn’t like my hair short when it was short, and i didn’t really become comfortable with my hair til it was long enough to pull into a convincing sock bun at about 8 or 9 inches lol The longer the hair, the better i look. Lupita looks regal and radiant. Those adjectives describe me when my hair is at some length down my back, from personal experience. It also has to do with confidence. TWAs don’t suit everybody the same. A good number of naturals i’ve seen in real life with TWAs i personally felt would look cuter with it longer, although i’m also aware that long hair is a process and would always encourage someone to go the TWA route if unkempt, chemically over processed/damaged hair was the starting point. I’ll echo that not every hairstyle suits everyone, and with that said, i appreciate the place this article is coming from. because even though i didn’t like the look of short hair on me, there were some aspects of shorter hair i took for granted that i now look back and remember fondly. Such as the ease of styling, handling, the fact that i never started getting breakage until my hair reached lengths past the shoulder, etc. So there really are perks to every hair length, TWA included.
I would be very careful with this line of thinking. The “I or she would be so much cuter if she did this or that”. If you don’t think you look good no matter what where does it end? I would hate to be stuck in a self confidence hell for months and years cause my hair is short. Beauty is not all about hair. We women do have other assets to focus on. Also its always assume all look good with some length. Just as you have see real life naturals who could use the length I have seen plenty who could use a hair cut. Some people ‘s hair doesn’t improve as they grow it out. Ive seen lots of Cousin Its out there who are too small framed or in some sad instances too lazy to have that much hair. Long hair does not have a Cinderalla affect on everyone. You don’t have to love short hair but lets not pretend that it will transform your looks if your hair grew. Outside of plastic surgery we only get one face.
But at least with hair if you mess it up you can cut it off and start again. It’s an Artist’s never ending canvas. Its a great way to express who you are. Well unless you are in the military like I was then you had to tone it down until you get out. lol
well it’s a perception thing, of course. i’m not saying i thought they were ugly with short hair. i simply imagine longer hair would flatter them more because i’m biased to longer hair in general, and pretty much always have been. you’re right that long hair doesn’t have the Cinderella effect on everyone, particularly if it’s not healthy or if it’s improperly styled (though the latter one could assert of short hair) I feel as though hair is merely an accessory, a complement. It’s my opinion that short hair like pixie cuts and buzz cuts and the like don’t complement the majority of women, but that longer hair does, whether it downplays features or calls them into focus or what have you. On the other hand, I’ll grant that not everyone “needs”/wants long hair (which is subjective), which is perfectly understandable.
and lemme clarify, I wasn’t going around thinking i looked atrocious when my hair was short. if anything, at the stage at which i had the TWA i was in high school and definitely feeling self conscious for other reasons far greater than my hair being short, which wasn’t remotely the thorn in my side that my scarring and jarring acne was. I had way more to focus on, as you said, and apart from these negative aspects still enjoyed a full, engaging period of time. I’ve also voluntarily (not due to chemical abuse, that is) chopped my hair off to short lengths before, several times following my big chop, so it’s not that I hate short hair by any stretch of the imagination. I’m all for versatility in any of the stunning, mind-blowing forms it may take. and yes, i’ve seen plenty of people i felt were in need of a haircut, though with that said, none of them happened to be naturals.
I hear ya. I have had really short hair and I felt that my hair was just too round to wear it, so I can rock short, but not really short. It just doesn’t work with me. How ever My hair was a bit rougher to deal with when it was rougher. I don’t know why, my hair is a rebel. I couldn’t do wet and goes and just keeping my hair from locking up and was a nightmare, so when it grew out the curls started to relax more I guess cause now there was some weight to it. So yeah that’s my pennies for the thoughts. I guess.
i’ve noticed that about some icons and YTers, that when their hair is shorter it appears tighter and then with length their curls appear to loosen. i’m not sure if this is just a visual effect of it looking looser than it is, or if the hair in fact does weigh the curls down.
This is totally me… Unfortunately it doesn’t seem that my type will ever be able to show length the way I want it.
I do agree with this article however as someone who has never had ‘long’ hair (longest I’ve had was shoulder length) and has never been able to grow my hair long I can understand why people dislike short hair or perhaps are fed up with having it. I don’t know if I’m alone on this one but it’s just from my own experience, I would love longer hair. However there’s is nothing wrong with short hair, as I have come to realise. Long hair doesn’t make you beautiful.
Lupita is one of the reasons why I’m rocking short hair I swear. She looks so regal and I look put together in my uniform.
I love long hair. I had short hair a couple of times and both times I hated or grew tired of it fast. I find that awkward length far more diverse (with or without the use of heat) than short hair. Because with my level of shrinkage combined with my type 4 hair, I can easily fake a short style, and then stretch to creat a medium style. I would like to see short hair do that, not going to happen. Also I know I just don’t have face that looks good without framing. But commend people who look great with very short hair/twa. But for me I like the very feminine look and there is nothing wrong with that.
I have long hair past bra strap length. I started cutting my hair short before I went natural. Now that I am natural, I have just had a second big chop. I love my twa and have plans on keeping it..
Jacqueline you are a RARE natural
“This now means we get a mixed bag of folks who don’t really like natural hair but are ” suffering” through just so they can grow it long and flat iron it to death.” Absolutely Jennid!! You ae speaking the absolute truth!!!
I’m of the opinion that short twa don’t really look good on everybody BUT neither does long hair. My biggest issue with growing long hair is that saddley many have went natural just cause they think that’s the quickest and best way to do it. This now means we get a mixed bag of folks who don’t really like natural hair but are ” suffering” through just so they can grow it long and flat iron it to death. This is a hard topic to do because many will feel attacked for their preference. My thing is preference doesn’t matter as much as what you can realistically maintain. I hate when naturals with waist length hair bad mouth natural hair and say its hard when texture isn’t the issue. Its the length. If you are a super busy person but love long hair then your gonna have a time cause long hair no matter what texture is time consuming. Short hair would suit most peoples life styles but because of personal hangups many refuse to let go. Yes you can be cute long or short but what can you realistically maintain?
Might I just add that the whole long hair thing isn’t as fun as it seems, my hair has grown a lot and I’m not sure if I like it which is weird cause I’ve been coveting long hair all my life
Yeah, if you have the face for short hair.
I do not know why Naturally Lovely’s comment was thumbed down because it is the reality! Not all faces suit TWAs, mine included! If you want to transition fast, then you do have to get comfortable with a TWA for a while but this does not mean that you will think that a TWA is for you and this is fine!
I think to me the core message should be that short hair should be something that you arrive at because you intentionally cut your hair. This is as opposed to thinking that your hair cannot grow past neck length, so you decide to style it short. For that reason, I like this article because it encourages you to love your hair at all lengths but if you are waiting for the day you get to BSL, believe me it is coming and you are not wrong for wanting longer hair.
It is also a matter of personal style. I love Lupita and I think SHE looks really cute but would I do any single of her hair styles, NO ma’am! None of them would suit me, my face or personality.
Side note, you can see one of Lupita’s first acting gigs here – https://www.shuga.tv/tv-show-season/shuga-series-1/
Oops, I missed that one, lol. All right, I’ll bite:
Would someone care to explain or demonstrate what the “right” face for short hair looks like? Pictures, though not necessary, would be appreciated. (Lupita’s pics don’t count.) 🙂
Also, piggybacking on Jenni’s comment below: Is there a “wrong” face for long hair? keeping in mind what “long” represents when we’re talking about natural Afro-textured hair versus natural hair of other textures, of course.
should i contribute my face under: wrong face for short hair
lol. i can’t think of celebrities for whom this would apply but i know my face would be a sure contender. I have a longish, angular face. not a soft, baby round one. I think soft baby round ones are the most ideal, but the person’s features play a part too.
i don’t have sculpted brows (kinda sparse and uneven) and i don’t have any other features that would play up the hair cut in a flattering way. if i had a short do’ i’d feel like i had to compensate somehow/where, that my face would be sorely lacking in the feminine department all by itself. this is probably psychological but even looking at pictures of myself with my hair at varying lengths, i can say with certainty that anything shorter than shoulder length (stretched or shrunken) is not a good look
Just as some people don’t have the face for big hair, some don’t have the face for a twa. All faces & bodies don’t go with all styles ! Why else do you see ads for eyeglasses /hairstyles for round faces, heart shaped faces,long faces,
thin faces,etc ? And styles made to bring out your best features & fashions for women who are top heavy,bottom heavy, boyish figures, plus size, very thin,etc?? I’m one of those who DOES NOT have a twa face. When I did the BC & saw how it looked, I got a wig immediately. My BFF & sis in law said, “you look better with more hair”. Lupita has a gorgeous face & can wear a twa flawlessly, but a lady in my social group has no business wearing one. She is short & stocky & one of those women whose face has become masculinized in midlife. Her hair is extremely thin & cut down to almost bald so that the general effect is a large shiny scalp with thin black & grey fuzz on it. It is extremely unflattering but she wears it like that & is confident. If she likes it like that, it’s fine with me. I’ve seen many women who don’t look good with extremely short hair & others that do.
@LBell
Loved your response!
LBell – Actually YES there are faces that do not suit long hair or simply look significantly better with short hair. An example – Halle Berry. She can wear long hair (and she has worn long curly hair) but short hair emphasises her facial features, so she is much more suited to short hair (MY opinion, emphasis on MY)
In my eyes, a face which is round with full cheeks and angular at the chin, suits big hair. Gabrielle Union (not a natural but her face matches my description) simply would look much cuter with a big afro. It would work with the fuller features and angled chin.
There are some people who can rock short and long hair too because in my eyes, their facial features are not particularly strong (slight oval shape, not angular, not round, just somewhere in between) e.g Solange
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder though so you are welcome to disagree with my views.
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/berryhallepeachdress.jpg[/img]
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Halle-hair-hit-new-lengths-2002-Catwoman-premiere-where-she.jpg[/img]
*gasp* I can’t believe BGLH is actually addressing the possibility that short hair needn’t be a style death sentence… 🙂
Women will give every excuse in the book to avoid wearing short hair.
— “I don’t want to look like a boy” (what are those two puffy things on your chest, exactly?)
— “I don’t want to be mistaken for a lesbian” (because all lesbians wear short hair *rolling eyes*)
— “I have a big head” (trust me, it’s not nearly as big as you think)
Etc., etc…and of course the topic this article addresses, which is “I can’t do anything with it!”
There’s no rule that says the TWA has to be one length all around. Afro hair is the only texture that can be sculpted with few or no additional styling products. Add to that the shrinkage factor and how that affects the types of shapes you can create, the ability to change colors relatively easily (up to and including the ability to shave it all off and start again) and yeah…there’s a TON of flexibility in short natural hair. Lupita ain’t the first to discover it either…I’m just sayin’…
Also, I have to add this: My first TWA cured me FOREVER of the notion that so-called “black” hair doesn’t grow. I couldn’t go longer than three weeks before the cut would lose its shape. I lost the fear of short hair from that moment on. For that reason ALONE I recommend the TWA…never mind all the OTHER reasons listed above.
“what are those two puffy things on your chest, exactly?” *DEAD*
I know this article is about her hair but can we take a minute to admire her LUSH FLAWLESS skin. OMG!