Thursday, May 9, 2013

As Black Women, Why Do We Think We Need Weaves To Be Beautiful?

I have been watching a lot of  Bad Girls Club episodes on Oxygen Channel and I think I am hocked.  Most of these girls have installed weaves in their hair which in my opinion make then look totally fake but that does not seem to bother them.  

And lets not talk about the cost of these weaves!!!  There is one girl in particular that attracted my attention - her name is Nancy - she did not have any weave in her hair, if it was not flat ironed it would be wavy - I liked that look.  I will continue my discussion about Nancy's hair in another post.

I want to divert my attention to Caribbean Next Top ModelCaribbean Next Top Model is a franchise of the American show - Next Top Model (hosted by Tyra Banks) - and it is hosted by Wendy Fitzwilliam -1998 Miss Universe.  I saw the first episode and thought that she could have had her hair styled more elegantly than she did on that day.  It was pulled back in one with a stick in pony tail.

Yesterday (May 8, 2013) I saw another episode and I was pleasantly surprised.  Her relaxed hair (shoulder length) was opened out.  It was a refreshing change to see someone of her stature to have her natural, even though it is relaxed.  In that same episodes the girls had make overs where some of them had their hair cut which was devastating to some of them but they went along with it and adjusted to their new look (actually they did not have much of a choice).  

One model, that I could remember had a black weave installed (with bangs) that fell to the middle of her back.  She was super happy with her new look.  When she walked down the mini run way to the judges, for the elimination session for the week, right away they saw a positive difference attitude and her walk!  Her new found confidence was very obvious.  

It concerns me that installing artificial hair would make an already beautiful woman more confident.  Why couldn't she have that confidence with her natural hair.  She said that she felt like the next Naomi Campbell.

Speaking of Naomi Campbell, I read an article about the receding of her hairline due to the constant installation of weaves and braids in her hair.

There is another aspect to this debate, I am learning that Asian women are growing their hair to extra ordinary lengths so it can be sold.  This is big business and guess who is the largest buyers of this natural Asian hair?  Black woman!!!!

I love this photo of Wendy, if she has any additions to her hair, it looks totally natural.  Wendy Fitzwilliam won Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe in 1998 and became the second Miss Universe in history from Trinidad and Tobago and was the fourth woman of African heritage to capture the Miss Universe crown.


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