So, every blue moon I do an opinion/observation post. This is just a post stating my random thought on a particular matter in the natural community.
On a number of occasions, I have noticed a number of girls with relaxed hair trying to obtain the "natural" look. Here are a few cases: (1)This past weekend, I was in Zaxby's with my sister and I noticed this pretty girl wearing her relaxed hair blown out. (2)On Facebook, a friend of mine washed her relaxed hair and let it dry and said she was going "natural" today (3)My sister's best friend washed her relaxed hair and said that she was going to go for the "natural" look today.
Honestly, when ladies with relaxed hair wear their hair in the "natural" look, it never looks natural to me. I think it looks weird. When it comes to relaxed hair, the hair is void of its natural curl so, the resulting hair are these straight pieces. So, even when the hair has not been flat ironed or straightened with heat the ends of the hair will still look straight.
Many relaxed ladies obtain that "natural" look by either doing a wash n' go or just blowing out the hair. I feel that these are the looks that turn out looking the weirdest. It would probably be best for them to wear a roller set/bantu knot out and let it gradually get thicker and fuller. Or they could wear a twist-out with the ends curled. These styles better imitate the "natural" look than the wash n' go or blow out on relaxed hair (even though the hair will still not look completely natural).
Obviously, there is an appreciation for the look of natural hair but, there is not a motivation there to simply wear the hair in its true natural state. I am happy that natural hair is being accepted more but, I just desire for more people to truly go natural. But, you never know maybe they will get tired of faking the funk and simply go for the real thing one day.
I have noticed this trend as well. I don't like it very much. Can't we just accept our hair. It's like they think, I want to be natural but not be natural. I don't get it.
ReplyDeleteSo true, so true...
ReplyDeletei think some of the natural movement people are just a LITTLE BIT too concerned with the relaxed vs natural debate. why is what other women do with their hair such a big deal anyway? what's the point in preaching self acceptance if you have to be hatin' on other people's choices? that would suggest to me some unresolved tensions that are being projected - no better than these awful girls with weaves who hate on naturals. come on ladies - it's not a fight. love yourself and support your sisters, no matter their choices. that would be the most enlightened way forward, no? variety is the spice of life, and goodness knows, sometimes it's hard to-be-a-wooo-man. the last thing we need is to make it harder for eachother....
ReplyDeletepreach
Deleteand lets not forget, NOBODY'S hair would look like this 'naturally'. twist outs, braid outs and such are all forms of styling the change the hair's natural appearance, they just do it in a gentle way (if done right). how many women do you know, of ANY race, aged over say 15 who really embrace their 'natural' hair and don't manipulate it in anyway? if we weren't ALL manipulating our hair somehow, we'd be lookin' like cave men pretty damn quick...
ReplyDeleteand just so you know, i think you look GREAT!
Thanks for sharing Anon. We are all entitled to be very passionate about our opinions. You are obviously passionate about yours, Miss Cee C and I have the right to be the same with ours. Everything is open to commentary. Is it really being judgmental, or just having an opinion? Maybe both. It's not like we're about to throw paint on someone's afro wig. Just an observation. Again, Miss Cee C's blog, she has the right to commentate on the things she sees. Peace out.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your opinion, Anon.
ReplyDelete@Auset Abena, so true, so true.
I have noticed that ppl with natural hair seem to have a superior attitude to those of us who choose to remain relaxed. Why? How is us faking the natural look any different from natural girls faking the relaxed look by killing their hair with a flat iron and extreme heat??? We choose to fake the natural look because(and this will piss you off) being natural is a fad right now. Sorry but the truth is what it is. This fad will run its course and many natural girls will go with relaxers. People get bored and are forever changing their hair. Staying relaxed is a very good alternative for many women because it doesn't make sense to change a method that has proven to be healthy for our hair and start up a new regimen that may sacrifice the health of it. Many women are now seeing that being natural is not what they thought it was and are experiencing many issues that they did not have to deal with before. Yes people scream perms are bad, but many people who know how to properly apply and maintain it are thriving. If you want people to be openminded to natural hair, then please show the same respect for relaxed women and their hairstyle choices.
ReplyDeletep.s. and you know something is a fad when you are constantly being bombarded with it
ReplyDeleteI've been relaxed my entire life and no matter what happens (flat iron, roller sets, blow dry) it's never been straight like the other relaxed girls. It's always been natural looking. Why can't we just do our hair the way we want it to? Whether it's blown out, natural, relaxed, curly, straight, none of it really matters. A hairstyle is a hairstyle. No real debate needed.
ReplyDeleteI'm relaxed as well; however, I care for my hair as if its "natural" hair... (wash, oils, leave-ins, bantu knots all the time) all but the relaxer of course. Am I faking the natural look. NOPE! I correct people every time they ask and I get asked that A LOT! I'm always getting compliments. Even "natural" girls want to know "how'd I get my hair like that" relaxers don't take well in my hair but I use them for manageability. Just like the post above says... "A hairstyle is a hairstyle" Being "natural" is about being "you" AND YOU are who YOU define yourself to be. relaxed girls wearing a twist out is no different from natural girls wearing a press out. #IMjustSaying#
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a pic of your hair jerewatson!
DeleteBut really...trying a natural/curly look with relaxed hair is no different than trying a straight look with natural hair. Attempting the former doesn't necessarily mean someone wants to be or look natural permanently--or that relaxed ladies are unmotivated fakers, lol. Most people like variety.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm being sensitive but this kind of upsets me. While I would like to try and go natural again, it's just not feasible for me right now. The relaxed style is sooo much easier and cheaper for me to deal with as I'm in school and don't have enough time or money to have natural hair. However I have been getting back into working out and am looking for an alternative hairstyle that will keep it protected, especially since we're heading into the winter months. When I tried going natural before, the transition was expensive and my hair just looked awful on a regular basis. Once I get my big girl job and can find a GOOD hairstylist who can maintain it without hurting it (which right now seems impossible, I've gone through about five stylists that were all either way too expensive or just weren't good), then I'll be able to go into transition again. But right now, lightly relaxing my hair and finding a protective style for my workouts is more economical for me. There's such a strong hate between the relaxed-haired and natural-haired girls and it's really upsetting.
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