You're either here because you're in need of inspiration and ideas, or you want to know what others are doing with theirs and how, or you're curious about Black/Brown women's hair and why we're so anti having our hair touched by random hands!
I talked about my teen hair journey (sort of) in a previous post here but, in this entry I'll share with you the products and methods I use to look after my hair in its current form and I'll also speak on the reality of managing (my) afro-coolie hair.
In my mid twenties, I decided to stop trying every recommended product and the many suggested ways to 'look after' my hair. Instead I tested (on strands at the back of my head) products I had researched (ingredients, compatibility, benefits) and stuck with whatever had me see positive results. Since then the relationship between the fro and I is good. We still have a way to go, but, as of 2015, we're on the right path and I'm seeing results (albeit super slow). I went from having a pixie cut (due to how damaged my hair was) to a mini Sideshow Bob afro! My hair grew fast, curly-wavy and thick!
 |
| Sideshow-Charley at home |
Ove the years, I have preferred wearing braids. Simply for the fact that they're a lot easier to look after and I can just get up and go. We each treat our braids differently (hair extensions plaited into our natural hair). For me, it works to apply a teeny bit of pure coconut oil (or the equivalent) to my roots as and when I feel my head is dry, to massage olive oil into my scalp, have a steam (weekly/fortnightly) and then spray the hair every other day. I use both of the oils to treat my natural hair too. I usually keep my braids in for about 3 - 4 months and am likely to have washed it (with Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula conditioning shampoo) at least once during that time. I also allow my natural hair to breathe for up to 2 weeks. I also wrap my hair in a bonnet for sleep.
 |
| Some hair products I use |
In my youth I started to realise that I was spending a lot more time and money on my hair than my non Black/Brown (female) friends. All of the experimenting, treatments, magazines and hair shows attended saw me damage my (natural) hair quite badly which is why I had to cut (not trim, CUT) it really short more than once! However, that struggle was nothing in comparison to having my hair be misunderstood. Not just by those outside of my race but also by fellow Black and Brown people too!
 |
| Pixie Charley |
The desire to touch my hair, be that in its natural form, or braids, I find weird. To reach out and do so without my permission? RUDE!! Black and Brown women's hair can be very sensitive, like a person's skin can be. The wrong hand might cause increased dryness, lead to breakage, or weakness. NO JOKE!!!! Even if that were not the case, we're all well within our rights to not allow some random individual to touch our hair 'out of curiosity'. Nobody has ever seen me try to touch anybody's overly made up face just to see if my finger will sink into their cheek past the layers of slap they're wearing! Choopse!
Black and Brown people's hair is part of their identity. Not a statement, or a flag to be flown for all other Black and Brown individuals. Nor is it to be worn or styled the way any other person, regardless of their race, believes it should be so as to have the Black/Brown person 'fit into' someones ideal. Once upon a time, Black and Brown women were encouraged to adopt a more european look, hence the use of relaxers (chemicals used to straighten natural hair) and now there's a not so subtle pressure for us to 'return to our roots' from all types of people, for whatever reasons...
Black and Brown people's hair is part of their identity. Not a statement, or a flag to be flown for all other Black and Brown individuals. Nor is it to be worn or styled the way any other person, regardless of their race, believes it should be so as to have the Black/Brown person 'fit into' someones ideal. Once upon a time, Black and Brown women were encouraged to adopt a more european look, hence the use of relaxers (chemicals used to straighten natural hair) and now there's a not so subtle pressure for us to 'return to our roots' from all types of people, for whatever reasons...
 |
| Braids |
The choices you make about your hair is entirely yours to make and (to a degree) depends on your lifestyle because, hair management, as you know, is no quick step!! It's time consuming, takes a lot of planning, prep, strict routines (to see real benefits), money, and the world of patience (especially if you wear your hair in its natural form). So, while all of the related/relevant YouTube videos, Instagram pages, Facebook groups, etc., are 'showing' you 'How To Do This', when, why and telling you what the so-called results would be, know that your goal must be realistic, affordable and the success you'll see (if any) will be a reflection of your lifestyle not just (if at all) the tutorials you follow. No 2 heads of hair are the same; there is no one size fits all.
 |
| 2017 |
 |
| 2017 |
Written by Charley Jai - @charleyjaiuk (formerly charleyrealtalk)
All details and information correct and up to date at the time of publishing.
2 comments:
Very good reading and I agree no one size fits all when it comes to hair!
Thanks for stopping by to have a read and for taking the time to leave a comment, Caroline x
Post a Comment