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 Model.  Caribbean 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.

I Wore A Half Wig For My Son Wedding

My son got married on February 9, 2013 and as mother of the groom I wanted to have a really nice hairstyle.  Now you know your girl don't like alot of styling gels in her hair but this event was an exception.  I went a bit further, I purchased a half wig.  This is a hairstyle that I always liked.  The front half of my hair was styled in a hump and the half wig was attached at the middle of my head.  Now that is so funny, in order for the wig to stay firmly in my hair, my hairdresser had to braid my hair in a semi circle.  When she started doing the braid, I stopped her and asked her what she was doing (I thought she was doing a set of braids).  I relaxed when she enlightened me. 

I was very pleased with the results.  What do you think?  Unfortunately I did not take any more close photos, I was so busy entertaining my family as they were in Tortola for my son's wedding.

This photo was taken with my mom by my co-worker and friend.

On Sunday February 24, 2013, the eve of my birthday, I had brunch with my son and a friend and my son complimented me on how nice I looked and he also mentioned that he like to see me with my hair without any gels, weaves, etc (I had just relaxed my hair a few days ago so the styling was still in effect and I had my hair opened out)!  I always respect my son's opinion.

Wore My Hair Down This Time

I had another function to attend on November 12, 2012.  It was the official opening of the BVI Tourist Board Photo Exhibition.  I submitted some of my photos and one was awarded first place and another got third place.  To read more, click here.

Anyway I did my hair differently, I decided to take a chance and just leave it down even though I sweat alot.  I washed it the night before and went to the hair dresser the next day to have it styled.

The hairdresser who did my hair the last time was off so I had to let another lady do my hair and to be honest she was not very creative, I had to give her some instructions how to style my hair.

Looking at this first photo,you will notice that my scalp (I am on the left) is showing a bit and you maybe wondering if I am loosing my hair.  Well I relaxed my hair about two weeks prior and my hair was limp and straight when it is freshly relaxed.  When my hair begins to grow out it is a bit more thicker.

This is the front look (photo below), you can see a bit of the length.  This is my grandson, you can tell I am a proud grandmother!

My next big event would be for my son's wedding and I would definitely be putting my hair up.  I expect to be very busy that day and maybe sweating alot.

Natty vs Rasta

My husband and I had breakfast at the Trellis Bay coffee shop yesterday and during one of our conversations, he was speaking about a guy that he worked with and he first described him as a Rasta (short for Rastafarian) and quickly corrected himself and said "Natty".  Right away I knew what he meant.

In the Rastafarian community Natty Dreadlocks aka Natty Dreads is the term used for the wearer of the Dreadlocks.  Natty means cool, smart and it also means natural, which more appropriately describes the usage of the word in the term Natty Dreadlocks.  Dreadlocks is the twisting of the hair in its natural and is basically left uncombed uncut.

Rastafarian in an individual who follows the Rasta Movement Spiritual Beliefs.  There is a huge Rasta Community in Jamaica.  The people in this community do not eat meat, strictly vegetables, food from the earth, water that is pure (for example water from high in the mountains where it is clean and fresh).

Now there are people who wear the Natty Dreadlocks but do not follow the Rasta Movement Spiritual Beliefs.  Personally I do not like to see individuals with their natty Dreadlocks because they are worn so untidy and with ugly mounts of netted hair on their head.  Ugh!!  Today alot of people are 'locking' their hair as a style.  The hair is natural, well kept and tidy.

How My Relaxed Hair Was Styled For Grandson Dedication

My grandson was dedicated on Sunday October 28, 2012 in St. Thomas USVI.  He was born there July 23, 2012.  Of course your girl had to look 'fly' for the event, so I went to the hair dresser the day before and had my hair styled.  My hair needed relaxing (that's the reason for the waves at the side of my head) but I decided to let a few more weeks pass before doing a 'touch up'.  

 

Anyway I must say that my hairdresser did a great job.  Her price was quite reasonable and I paid a little more as a token of my appreciation.  I initially asked her to style the back of my hair in a donut but she did something different and I was extremely pleased. That is a 'hump' at the front - actually I got the idea when I went to a coffee shop in town and I saw a lady's hair styled like that.

I was originally thought of maybe getting a wig as wigs are in style now but don't know if that is really for me plus I sweat alot and know I might feel uncomfortable.  So I choose an up-do.  Styling my natural hair would not have lasted because, again, I sweat alot and my hair would have flopped.

 

Everyone at my work place, loved my hair style when they saw me the next day.  But you can bet by Wednesday I had taken down my hair.  My hairdresser put alot of hair styling lotion in my hair and I really do not like alot of these chemicals in my hair. In addition, she had to use a rubber band to hold my hair together - I don't like rubber bands in my hair either, they damage the hair. 

I will do these fancy styles with styling lotions, gels and rubber bands for a special occasions and after about two days, I will wash out my hair.  Not to mention, these chemicals damage the relaxed hair.