LettHers Take Pride in Hair Dignity

                                                                                         

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/appreciation-letter/

Dear Readers, 


This letter is for those who have read my previous post on my experience wearing a wig for the first time. Please note that I was no way trying to disguise my true identity. I love my culture and all of the fruitful things that come out of it. I am, however, not afraid to try different things and then give my views on such things. As stated in my description, natural hair is so diverse that there are so much to talk about. 

Sometimes many things are lost and some on the other hand are miscommunicated or altered in the transporting outlet. Whether it is by a person or thing (tangible and intangible) alike. I am so thankful for the honest feedback I received. It will, in turn, promote my blogging experience in a positive way. I try my utmost best to be open-minded and I believe that it is the only way that this blog will be relevant. 

Because of the feedback that I encountered, I am now able to expand on some things that came about while chatting with several persons on the topic of natural hair and protective hairstyles. The four points were; 


1. Emulating a Culture that does not Emulate your Beauty

2. Norm of "Hairstyles" - Protective Hairstyles

3. Gave Rise to a Booming Industry 

4. Don't wanna Wash your Hair? Wrap it!


1. Emulating a Culture that does not Emulate your Beauty.
It is said that black women try to emulate a culture that does not intensify or emulate their true beauty and identity. This was a very powerful statement because there is a lot of truth to it. However, living in a society where specific elements of one's race or culture is seen as 'beautiful,' while other aspects are seen as 'ugly and unacceptable' is very contradictory. For many years, the things that are considered of African or black culture are ridiculed. On the flip side, if another race embraces it, it is seen as wonderful. 

The above analogy creates a superior/inferior complex. To me, everything in life has a structure and every one of us are placed in such a structure whether we like it or not. However, many people are consciously aware of this and try to do something about it. Conversely, others just go wherever the winds blow...they could care less. 


2. Norm of "Hairstyles" - Protective Hairstyles 
For many years there has been an ongoing debate on the effectiveness of protective hairstyles used by women; particularly black women. As previously stated in my first blog post a couple weeks ago, how a person chooses to wear their hair is totally up to them. I can only give my perspective based on research I have done and the stance I take on any topic; hair related and non-hair related. I gave my honest opinion on my previous post which I completely stand by. I did not disregard or neglect my natural hair for a wig. I simply wanted to try a style that I never considered or thought I would ever do. 

 I took a risk on one of the biggest days of my life, my graduation. Even if I did not like the outcome I would have had to live with it for the rest of my life. The choices we make today can affect our tomorrow. However, one way to grow and learn is by asking questions and learning from our own mistakes and the mistakes made by others.  Speaking to people who are genuinely invested in us can also affect the lens we choose to look through our world with. Is your lens bias? Is it foggy? Unrealistic? unapologetic? Humane? Open-minded? Some of us might have more than one. Sometimes we have to agree to disagree. 

3. Gave Rise to a Booming Industry
This is another strong point that came out of discussions with persons based on my previous blog post. It is often said that the hair industry knows how to target black women into buying their products because we see it as a necessity. 

This point is very complex. Even though black people are not the benefactors of such industry there is no denying that women for a long time do not know how to upkeep their natural hair. Many of my 4 C naturals are unaware of the ways that they should treat and style their hair. Some are frustrated and resort to protective styles which are completely their choice. 

On another note, many hair salons and professionals involved in this so-called industry do in fact benefit from it. Whether it is buying products in bulks to sell in retail markets or buying, selling and also utilising the products and hair in their salons and beauty parlours. Additionally, even if some may see it as betraying their cultural identity others may see it as an alternative. A way to enhance their financial endeavours, create opportunity for others or even further develop a skill. 

4. Don't wanna Wash your Hair? Wrap it!
Mention must be made for this point that many women now are wrapping their hair as compared to years gone by. Anyone who knows me knows that I wrap my hair for almost everything. I wrap my hair to sleep, if I do not feel to comb it, to go a rehearsal, to the grocery, market, church or if I am just in a wrapping mood. 

There was this one time ah man in ah maxi taxi saw my head wrapped and asked me if I was ah Baptist. I simply did not answer he nah because yuh doh have to be ah baptist to wrap yuh hair. 

To add, for my graduation I had envisioned a particular look and that is what I wanted to achieve. By wearing a wig it does not insinuate that I dislike my natural hair or that I am quick to jump on the wagon and do what others are doing. I take pride in all that I do and everything I do can be justified. 

Disclaimer 
Please note that everyone is entitled to their own opinion/s and even if we have differing views we should always find common ground and "take our pride in our dignity."

Sincerely Yours,

Natural Curl Girl

Mirror Mirror on the Wall...Its a Wig. Ease Meh!

The Controversy Behind My Graduation Lace Frontal Wig

Overall Experience

A few months before my graduation ceremony there was a contemplation upon 'wigging it out.' Mind you, I never wore a wig before. I thought that being able to wear one for the first time would have been a good decision. Two days before my graduation I was still looking for a non-synthetic lace frontal wig. The clock was ticking. I was panicking. It seemed as though the days were getting shorter and I was out of luck. I looked in the mirror and whispered to myself;

"Would I get a wig?" 

"Is it worth it?"

"Am I making the right decision?"

"Will I have to put together a hairstyle for my natural hair?"

                                                           The above pictures were taken before my Wig Installation

The hardship I went through just to get a good quality wig was worth it in the end. Even though most people were used to seeing me with my natural hair I wanted to look a little different. I wanted to give my natural hair a rest. It is not easy to keep up with a natural hair regimen at all. I was doing my hair every week or every other week. It was time to relieve my hair for a while from the workload of washing and combing. I am pro natural hair and I would try my utmost best to protect my hair from any harm at all cost. However, I do believe that wigs are good protectors for natural hair. 

How did it Feel? 

It was evident that I wanted to wear a wig for the very first time. I will be honest and say that it felt weird at first. My head felt lighter than usual. It took me a little while to comprehend that I actually had a wig on my head. Anyone who has ever used extensions, weave or any additional pieces to their hair for the first time would feel the same, or similar. 

Reactions

The comments I received for my lace front wig were both positive and negative. The majority of positive comments came from friends and a few relations. Looking at myself in the mirror I could not fathom how beautiful I looked. Some may say that self-praise is no praise. However, the society we live in today is so bitter and brutal that you have to be strong emotionally and psychologically. On the flip side of the same coin, many will bash, slam and overall criticise every single thing that you do. It is important to be confident in your own skin and be true to who you are. 

The flow of negative comments came from my mother expressly stating her point of view and it was implied by other relatives. I admire my mother for giving her honest opinion before I even bought the wig. On Saturday, I asked her again because I knew what my other topic for this blog was going to be. The answer remained the same. "I did not like it," she replied. Conversely, when I asked her if she preferred that I permed, relaxed or wear weave she could not answer. The entire room became silent. The suspense was killing me. I did feel a type of way but she was completely honest from the get-go. However, her silence when I asked the question demonstrated that she had contradictory views. Needless to say, I never said I wanted to chemically process my hair. I just wanted to wear a wig which is the better alternative to me. 

I saw the eyes of those who did not like my wig. They did not have to say a thing. Their behaviours and overall reactions towards it, I could tell. I saw them. I saw yall. To be honest I did not give a millisecond to acknowledge their reactions because I was beaming. I was glowing. 

Will I wear it again? Why?

The answer is yes. I would definitely wear a wig again. I consider it one of the better protective styles for my natural hair. However, it must be human hair, a style, length and colour I prefer. 

Any changes to be made?

The only thing that I would change or alter is using the hair glue to stick down the hairline/front of the wig. If there is a foam, adjustable strap or band that can work effectively for lace frontal wigs then I would prefer that instead of the hair glue. I live in a tropical region which means that it is extremely hot at a particular time of the year. That being said, using the hair glue in the sunny season only makes it sticky. For the wig to be more durable an alternative would work better. It would also be less messy, more manageable and natural-looking.

Steps I took to remove my Wig

• I applied baby oil at the hairline so that it would not tamper /ripe off the little baby hairs I have. 
• I carefully lifted the wig slowly until the entire thing came off.
• I then removed the cap.
• Afterwards, I took out the thread and proceeded to unplait my hair.
• I used a head massager for a couple minutes. 
• I did a pre-poo (pre-shampoo and condition) using my favourite oils. 
• I then covered my hair with a plastic cap and let it sit overnight. 
• The next day I removed the cap, washed out the oils then applied my clarifying shampoo, moisturisers (conditioner and deep conditioner), leave-in and then placed my hair in some twists for a few days. 
• I also shampooed and conditioned my wig. 

                                                     Picture Taken on the 20th of April 2020. It is still in good condition

Therefore, the controversy was never with me or my wig. It was with some people who never saw me with a wig and then some who are too closed-minded to at least learn about it. 

The contemplation upon 'wigging it out' was 'unbe(wig)ably' fulfilled and  the mirror on the wall was thrilled.