Tyra Banks: Mixed Messages About Natural Hair

Written by Anti-Racist Parent editor Tami Winfrey Harris

- While I believe that hatred for natural hair is bad, I also believe that women have a right to control their own bodies and appearance. Sometimes we want to try a different style or color, just for fun. But I can’t help wondering, as I watch Tyra Banks with her hair cornrowed especially for this episode, what message black women who constantly relax and weave and wig send to black girls. It is disengenuous of Banks to point to her braids to show her young guest that a black supermodel and media mogul is proud of her black hair, when in reality, Tyra would never rock those rows on the red carpet. When Banks is looking “fierce,” she’s usually sporting a long, straight blondish weave or wig. Everyone “tsk tsked” at the little black girl who loves her Hannah Montana wig because she thinks it is prettier than her real hair, but doesn’t grown-up Tyra do pretty much the same thing?

How can black mothers, most of whom, like Tyra, straighten or hide their natural hair, demonstrate to their daughters that curly to kinky hair can be just as beautiful in its natural state as that of other races? I am not asking this to be confrontational. I honestly am interested in hearing from black moms who perm their hair. What are the steps you take to ensure your child does not absorb the belief that straight is better? How do you address what your child may see as a contradiction: “Honey, natural black hair is beautiful, but none of the women in our family wear their hair naturally, because…”

Read the rest here…

Updates On The Hair Care Products I Use

In viewing my stats, most people come here for my review of Curly Pudding or for my use of olive oil in my hair.

I just wanted to update you on a few things. Since I’ve started this blog, I’ve tried a few products, including natural ones, and some of them I still use, some of them I don’t. Here’s what has changed since I’ve started this blog:

• Olive Oil: I found it to be heavy on my hair after a while. I think this was because whatever repair my hair needed, it happened and the olive oil was no longer needed. I now use it as a treatment only, which may be once a year.
• Vinegar: I no longer use it as I found that it was mainly good for getting rid of dandruff and once it did that, I really didn’t need to use it anymore.
• Shampoo (sulfate free): I didn’t use it before but now I do. I shampoo only once, making sure to get my scalp primarily.  It strips my hair of valuable oil so I don’t overdo it. I use Live Clean shampoo.
• Conditioner: I didn’t use it before but now I do. I use Blended Beauty’s Quenching Conditioner.
• Aloe Vera Gel: I didn’t use it before but now I do. I use it to detangle my hair and put the balance back in my pH levels. It’s really great for my hair and makes it so easy to style. Since I’ve been using it, I haven’t had any split ends. NONE. Any regular AV gel will do, online or at the natural food store.
• Hair oil: I don’t use any hair oil anymore. There’s no need. I find all the moisture I need from not using heat, keeping my scalp and hair pH balanced, which would be slightly acidic between 4.5 and 5.5 on the pH scale, and using silk/satin pillows or scarf. Plus oils only coat the hair, they don’t really moisturize.
• Combs: I no longer use. I use a Denman brush instead. If I want to part a straight line, I still have to use a comb, but only after it’s been fully detangled with the brush.
• Curly Pudding: Won’t touch it. Ever. Again. My review was much nicer, but seriously, the ingredients in that product make me run for the hills. So no, after using it that one time and having to spend months to repair my hair (hence use of olive oil), it is NOT for me.
• Blended Beauty’s Butter Creme: Nope. Don’t use that either. It wasn’t as damaging as the ‘Pudding’ but still, I don’t do styles that would support that type of product.
• SOMA Solace Anti-frizz serum: I still use it occasionally when I want to reshape my curls.

So there you have it, some much needed updates to my hair care routine. I’ve had this blog up for a little over 6 months and have had over 10,000 views. To me, that says a lot.

So thanks to all of those who comment and participate here and around the natural hair care community. I have found so much support and tons of resources that would have been too hard to find offline.

Been Away

Sorry all, I’ve been away for a little while.  It’s been a little busy.  I will be back soon…

Natural Hair in the Blogosphere

There’s a really great post over at Anti-Racist parent about the experience of having naturally curly hair, especially with those of West African roots.  Although I don’t agree with using the term nappy or kinky to describe my hair (as they derive from tragic historical roots), Tami makes some good points about how we are raised to not love our hair.

They learned that having black hair cared for naturally hurts. And they learned that the tools used to care for straighter, finer hair should also be used on hair with West African roots. They learned to trust companies whose minimal knowlege of us doesn’t stop them from wanting  to make a buck with beautifying (and damaging) miracle lotions and potions. They learned and they passed that “knowledge” on to us–their daughters. And we continue the cycle of pain and struggle against our hair.

When some of us do try to turn things around and go natural, we don’t even know how to take care of it and end up following hair rituals that are not designed for curly hair (loose or tight) and ziggy hair (z-pattern).

My own experience of going natural has shown me that loving your natural hair is a process that doesn’t happen overnight.  It takes a lot to continually deconstruct society’s messages and my own internalized negative understanding of my hair.  For me, once I begun to see that there is nothing wrong with my hair and that treating it differently doesn’t devalue the beauty of it, I was able to feel good about my new look.

It will take a long time before the magazines begin to reflect the way I look.  It will take a while for society to begin to accept and appreciate all kinds of hair and beauty.  I am by no means a pioneer, but I am happy to be able to reflect my natural beauty and acceptance for myself every day.

Okay…so where are the pictures?

I’m sorry. I am a little nervous. I’ve been dragging this thing on for a while now. I should be wearing my hair curly, like I promised, but something is holding me back. Could it be the reaction that I fear, or the inexperience with my new do? Whatever it is, I better get over it soon. I’m going to jump into this pool at the deep end.

The Journey Starts Now

My hair is almost all natural. I just have a few more inches of straightener in it to grow out, then I’ll be finished my transition.

I just need to get over some emotional hurdles and get ready for the reactions. I still blow-dry it straight, so I haven’t experienced much yet.