THE NATURAL HAIR MOVEMENT

Before we get started...Happy Mother's Day to all the beautiful women who are past, present, or future mothers!

Nadirah’s Perspective:

Is the Natural Hair Movement a fad or a long overdue welcoming ideology to the African American standard of beauty?   I was shopping in the mall with my hubby and the sales clerk welcomed me by exclaiming proudly “Team Natural!”  Caught up in the shared pride of my hairstyle, I graciously replied yes and we briefly chatted about our hair regimes.  My husband just looked on from the side and smiled.  He later confessed to me that he witnessed a beautiful moment between us.  Honestly, total strangers conversing in a positive conversation while exchanging compliments on their natural hair styles.  How cool is that?!  I personally loved it J  Anyhoo, the point of this little story is that more websites, blogs, hair products, commercials, resources are embracing and supporting women of all ethnic backgrounds to learn and love the natural state of their hair.  No more running to the hair salons begging hair stylists to perm, Brazilian blowout, flat-iron, etc. to meet a traditional European standard of beauty by straightening the hell out of our hair.  Personally, I applaud all women who can say aloud that enough is enough and have taken an interest in what they’re putting on their scalp and hair.  Don’t get me wrong…I still color my hair but I had to learn the hard way that a Brazilian blowout isn’t temporary, perms and color doesn’t equal a happy head of hair, and pressing my hair everyday with an extremely hot comb can cause severe heat damage.  After getting my hair back to normal (healthy), I gotta have one vice!  So carry on ladies and be proud of the natural crown of glory growing from our scalps.   Rome wasn’t built in a day, so we know it’s going to take some time to learn, care for, and style our reacquainted friend.   Forget the talk of a fad …keep the movement going ladies!!!

Troy’s Perspective:

When I was first introduced to the Natural movement by my wife, I was like most males up-at-arms with the whole thing… very resistant. I did not want my wife to have her hair just plopped on top of her head. As a man that strives to keep a professional look, I was afraid that it would be hard to have a professional natural look for my wife. With my wife relentlessly researching and instilling all trust in her, I helped her to execute the big chop. That was very hard to do. By looking at testimonials and young girls with perms/braids before they could walk and talk, it made me realize that I was blinded by the facade of beauty that has been marketed to us. The true beauty that a person has is what God gave you. Women have permed their hair for decades with harsh chemicals and now like never before putting someone else’s hair in their heads (weave). That is ridiculous! What I once thought was the epitome of beauty, I have lived and learned that it is the true façade of self-hatred. Women begin to go to the hair dressers so much that they don’t know the first step in taking care of their own hair. On top of that, they perm their hair so much that it becomes brittle and breaks off never discovering their true beauty and sophistication that they were created to have. To my beautiful women, please take care of yourself and your hair. Embrace the gift that you were given and your magnificence will truly enlighten others.

TWIST OUT

BRAIDED BLOW OUT (FRONT VIEW)

(REAR VIEW)