With the pandemic, a lot of women free from the corporate 9 to 5, are going for the big chop. Here is how to let go of the natural hair myths surrounding African hair and embrace your own beauty.
When it comes to natural hair myths and truths, loads of misinformation is passed around by so called experts. In the Daily Nation’s Saturday Magazine, for example, a trichologist went ahead to advise a naturalista to try a ‘light relaxer’. This was supposed to help her manage her hair, no mention of conditioning and regimen. While there exists a vibrant natural hair scene, the ignorance on care is still rampant.
Natural hair is hard
“I would go natural if my hair was as soft as yours”, is something I hear all the time. After years of being told how natural hair is coarse and hard to manage, most women are afraid to take the plunge. Ours is hair that is to be tamed and flattened with smoking blow dryers and no lye relaxer kits.
One of the more common natural hair myths, is that the natural look is best suited for those with loose Tracie Ellis Ross curls. This hair type has been popularly classified as “good hair” but over time and as the natural movement has grown many have come to appreciate hair with tighter coils.
For example, my hair is not loosely coiled, but conditioner and a good regimen keep it supple and yummy to touch. Do some research on porosity and texture. You cannot continue to use the same petroleum and heat once used for permed hair and get the same results.
In addition, natural hair is not hard; it is actually the most fragile of hair types and needs TLC not harsh treatment and scalding heat. Once you understand this, you can then start looking for the products that work for you. Which leads us to our second natural hair myth…
Natural hair is difficult to maintain
A common natural hair myth. A lot of women planning to go natural may look at all the terms and products involved and shy away. Too much work! What is pre-poo? what is this curling pudding?
For women who have always had someone else retouch or treat their hair, this can be understandably daunting. And to be fair, quite a number of naturals have gone through the “product junkie” phase.
My product junkie phase came about as a result of a scarcity of natural hair products locally. This consequently led me to try out many different products in search of something that would work for my hair. Thankfully, there are a lot more products to choose from today.
The bottom line is, your natural hair regimen can be as hard or as easy as you make it. I know naturals who stick to simple products and others who prefer a plethora of products. For some, it all depends on the mood they are in. The trick is to find what works for you and stick to it.
If I go natural my hair will look like…
One of the first things you should learn on your journey is to: “accept your texture”. Many women look at naturals who wear their hair confidently and without apology and want the same. No shame in this.
However, the hair that’s normally held up as the gold standard is looser curled or straight hair. This still plays out today. Many have been disappointed that their hair does not wash and go as seen on Youtube. Meanwhile, other naturals may be shocked to discover that their hair does not form the swinging 70s halo. It chooses to fall and curl downwards no matter how strong their afro pick.
Accepting your texture means learning how to love your hair all over again. Understanding your hair and embracing it, even when it does not look like the hair you see on Instagram. It means taking the time to nurture it, finding out what suits you and wearing it proudly.
If you are struggling, search for pictures of women with hair that is similarly textured to affirm yourself. Google is not always on point so search for sites like lecoil.tumblr.com for styling ideas. Good hair is healthy hair. Learning how to treat your hair well will pay more dividends than chasing length and certain textures.
It is unprofessional
I think I will just blame this on western beauty ideals that deem our hair primitive and unattractive — a natural hair myth. Finding a Kenyan newscaster wearing their natural hair on TV is impossible. Magazines like Glamour SA in a bid to ride the natural hair wagon have pages titled “ethnic hair”.
It is almost as though the way our hair grows out naturally is considered wrong. Or there can be only one way to look neat and presentable. Some people view natural hair as a political statement harking back to the American civil rights movement.
But then again, if loving hair which has often been derided, despite its rich African history, is revolutionary, than so be it. Thanks to natural hair YouTubers, bloggers and Instagrammers, there exists a plethora of styles to choose from. Style it and wear it proudly. Don’t be fooled, there are many successful women who choose to wear their hair natural.
If you are looking for some natural hair inspiration, check out https://lecoil.com/ a great resource for style, natural beauty and a boost of confidence with all textures represented.
Words and photos: Naliaka Wafula