Natural Hair Talk #1: Does wearing weave equal self-hatred?

I really wanted to post my opinion on different natural hair issues and this was one that cropped up recently. I plan to post these monthly or every other month...depending how it goes.

This question was asked on Instagram and Twitter both were asked by two black males. So I thought I would provide my answer:

The main reasons (in no particular order) women wear weaves are because:

a) It is easier than having to care for their natural hair

b) They like the versatility of different hairstyles

c) They think it makes them more attractive

d) As a protective style to improve hair growth retention

e) They want to *shrugs*

I have worn weaves on and off since the age of 19. I originally got a weave because my friends chose to so I did to. Back then I did like the ability to swang my hair back and forth! I also liked the ability to have long 18inch hair then a 10 inch bob with a bang then long hair again. I did not continually wear weaves sometimes I would wear braids too. But I would NEVER wear my natural hair, the only time I saw my natural hair between 19 and 22 years old was when I saw my reflection in the mirror when I took my weave down lol. Yes I hold my hands up in shame I know better now *hallejuiah*

 Fast forward to the present and the weave game is serious. Competitive. One weave bundle could set you back as much as £100+ (no I haven't paid that much). You now have Peruvian, Chinese, Malaysian, Brazilian, Russian, Indian and even Native American. So why do I still wear weave?

Well firstly, I just want to clarify black women are not the only race to wear weaves, no no no the Kardashian sisters do as well *shock horror*. 

As well as many English celebrities who choose to add extra wefts whether sewn in or clipped in. Back to the matter...I wear weave because of reasons B, D and E. Let me explain:

B) I like having different hairstyles. I get bored. I haven't worn weave or a wig on a daily basis since March and I have been rocking my natural hair everyday. I rarely wear the same natural hair hairstyle two days in a row. I have a serious hair decision making disorder - yes I made it up. On the weekends, if I want to wear a huge afro kinky curly wig and then a wig with a bang then a wig and then an afro puff- who gon stop me? Which brings me onto E). One of the BEST things about going natural is the increase in confidence I have. People stare sometimes (hey my type 4 hair can produce a huuuge puff) and probably think !why am I wearing it? Where is my weave and why do I think it looks good?" My head, my hair. Simple. Ain'tnobodygottime to spend worrying about people think, okaay!

Finally D)- weave for me has seriously helped me with my natural hair growth. Do you know how hard it was transitioning for 11 months and handling bone straight ends and type 4 roots? Girrrll. So I am so happy I had my wig to help me through! And yes, I love my wigs/weave in the Winter this enables me to protect my natural hair from the cold and snow. 

I can't speak for all women. But please don't judge a book by its cover. Not ALL women wear weaves because of self hatred. SMH. I repeat- I have not worn a weave or a wig to work since MARCH. Funnily enough when I stated I wear natural hair AND weave to one of the males who stated black females wear weave to be white. I got no reply. I guess we can't all handle it when someone proves you wrong *shrugs* ;)

Images from Celebritypop.com and aliexpress, rapgenuis.com, weddingbycolor.com, rollingout.com

All about my Kinky Curly Yaki Install

Okay...first of all let me say that creating this wig was drama! I resewed it two and a half times- yes it took me hours! Firstly I sewed one bundle on a wig cap which was wrong because it wasn't sturdy enough. I undid it. Secondly I sewed both bundles (I have two 16" wefts) on a weaving cap and cut the U to make a U part. Now it wouldn't blend- two different curl patterns and colours. Now I really wanted to cry :(. Finally, I asked for advice and sewed both bundles on a weaving cap using Poisonflowerivy's no closure method. Omg she is a genius! I was smiling when I finished it. This is what the hair looks like:

I have left the perimeter (my edges out) to enable me to do a part if I wish or to brush it back. I will just blend it with ecostyler gel. The only product I have used on this hair is Suave Naturals conditioner and coconut oil and water I fingercombed the hair to detangle. I thought about cutting it/thinning it but I thought no WAY not after how much I paid for it. One third of a bundle has been cut for the front. Otherwise I used every single strand of hair and I did NOT cut any wefts. I used the flip over method click here (again Poisonflowerivy's video) to see. No ma'am was I cutting any wefts- nope! I sewed over the wefts (NEVER sew through). I also sealed the wefts twice (was probably a bit heavy handed because some of the wefts have a white residue on it :/). Anywho I will be doing a video about how the hair is holding up in due course.




Hope this has been helpful.
I knew the results were in when my brother said "Is that actually your hair?" when I told him no he said "It looks like your own hair, you should keep your hair that way it looks like it's growing from your own head". D'aww!
 
For more info on where/what I purchased click here

Weave Sale!

Yep I'm selling off most of my hair stash. If you click here you can get to my store at Ebay. They are alll sold except for the Virgin Brazilian  Hair

See below for my details:
14 inch Lace Front Kinky Straight

Selling: £59 $89

 2. 14 inch Lace Front Kinky Curly

Selling: £55 $83

 

3. 16inch, 18inch, 20 inch Virgin Brazilian Hair

Selling: £140 $213

 

 

Making My Lace Wig WITH Closure and Straightening My Closure

If you would like to see how I made this wig then please watch the video below (plenty of info in the bottom bar :)

I straightened my closure using the Remington Keratin Therapy Pro S8590 Ceramic Straighteners I mentioned here. 

It straightened really well as you can see below. Before:

 After:

 Of course I used heat protectant. The closure is a 14 inch body wave closure. If you remember here, I stated this is Virgin Brazilian hair I am wearing to test before selling it- I love it so far and it curls so well.

How I Made My Wig:

Hair Plans Week Beginning 30/05

Hi tomorrow I am due to (finally) take my weave out, honestly I feel like I don't want to wear a weave till Winter, it's too hot in Summer and also I work out 3x week. In total I have had it in for 6 weeks (well 5 weeks 6 days) and washed it a total of 4 times. The washing process (washing, putting leave-in conditioner on my real underneath, drying, caruso roller setting then wrap) took aaages at least an hour and a half. So I am glad to be rid of weave at the moment. I am basically 5 months post. I almost bought ORS no-lye relaxer box perm to self-relax yesterday but thought I should wait to take my weave out before deciding on relaxing. This is my new growth by the way (underneath my weave):

Yup I am not looking forward to tackling this!

My hair plans for tomorrow is to take down my weave (I do use scissors to cut the weave thread) and then undo the braids underneath. I plan to wet my hair - there's no way I am going to attack my new growth when dry - and do a protein deep conditioning treatment (ORS deep replenishing treatment) then clarify my hair.

On Saturday (4th June) I plan to use a moisturising DC and detangle with my wide tooth comb. I plan to shampoo and then air dry.

Here are my pros and cons of weave as a summary:
Yays:

• Great protective style- hair is not manipulated could help to retain growth
• Quicker and easier to style daily, less time consuming
• Using human hair means you can wash, tong, flat iron
• Adds length if you're SL or CBL (like me)

Nays:

• Not versatile if you have a sew-in you can't do ponytails or bantu knots etc
• Human hair can be quite expensive (esp Remy hair)
• Tight sew-ins can lead to hair breakage especially on your edges
• If you wear a weave during Summer or work out a lot it can get very hot/dirty
• Washing and gaining access to the scalp is difficult/time consuming
• Hair can tangle/mat very easily if you do not wrap the hair consistently

Detangling Transitioning Hair/My New Weave/Weave Regimen/

Detangling Transitioning Hair
Ok so after the previous post, my hair was freshly shampooed. I divided my hair into four sections and applied my leave-in conditioner (Herbal Essences LTR) to each section and tied them with a hairbands. I braided the hair that was left out, tied it up and put on my satin bonnet. My hair airdryed overnight in these braids. I wanted my new growth to be nicely stretched and detangled in preparation for my weave install today. It worked like a charm, no tangles and minimal shed hair :)

My New Weave Install
I used 100% Human Hair and it is about armpit length (I bought one pack of 10 inch hair and 1 pack of 12 inch hair). I won't name the salon where I got it done, because it was really cheap and not the best experience.

Basically it's a side fringe with layers in the front. I am hoping this weave will last 6-8 weeks so when I take it out I will be 5 months post relaxer :O!! The last weave I had was a year ago and I did nothing to it except to flat iron it and maybe shampoo it twice. Wow what a difference a year can make. Here is my weave regimen I am going to follow for the next 8 weeks in order to look after my real hair and the weave:

Moisturise and seal at least 3x week using a spray bottle filled with Elasta QP mango butter & carrot oil, this will be sprayed on my braids underneath

Moisturise my weave at least 3x week using Elasta QP mango butter

Wash my weave bi-weekly using a bottle filled with water, Elasta QP creme conditioning shampoo & Tresemme Naturals conditioner

Flat iron my weave bi-weekly and use heat protectant beforehand

Add my leave-in conditioner to my braids underneath after each wash

Wear low maintenance styles such as buns/ponytails during the week for work

Sleep with a satin bonnet nightly

Wrap my hair the night beforehand if I wish to wear my weave straight the following day

:)