Natural Hair Overkill?

[MissAlinaRose]

This is an honest question: Is there a natural hair overkill going on or will there always be room for someone or something fresh?


The reason why I ask is because I was about to record some hair maintenance videos when I thought to myself, "Why?" If I type in twists, updos, straightening, weaves, braids, etc. into youtube everybody's kinfolk pops up in the search results. Seriously, what else could you do?? What else could people want to see that hasn't been done thousands of times? This happens EVERY.SINGLE.TIME I sit down to do it. I just stop.


*note: I realize that women will always have a need and/or desire to keep their hair, skin, body, style, etc. in check and that people are always searching for an easier way to do something. To me, however, it just seems like the bases are covered. What do you think?

 

[jessicarabbit]

yeah i agree. i wanted to get into uploading videos etc, but what could i possibly bring to the table that hasnt already been covered. with the blogs, forums, websites, videos, all the info is basically out there. not saying that no one can upload anything new, just my opinion.

 

[kittenz]

As for YouTube vids there is an overkill of low quality videos I can't manage to sit through but if you're making quality videos then there's always space IMO. There's only a hand full of people I watch repeatedly becuase something always irks me about the others. And by low quality I don't just mean bad lighting and such, it also includes speech, setting etc. I know everyone isn't a professional but you can't be popping gum, smacking and using awful language for ME to watch. End rant lol. Go ahead a make your videos I'm sure you'll have viewers

 

[SkySurfer]

I agree. The scene, especially the Youtube scene, is very saturated :/

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

It helps to see it on different lengths, textures, with different products, style options etc. so post away.

 

[JudithO]

lol.. Agreed... but remember that depending on strand size, texture, density, length, the same set of twists will look completely different...

I think mostly... people are subscribed because of who you are... I dont think my channel has much more than twists, curls, washes, reviews etc.... Same thing every other natural has... but when people start watching u.. I think they start following you and your personal journey instead of how much of a guru you are... Even though I relaxed my hair, most of my subbies still stayed (a few cursed me out tho.. lol)... I think if I went bald... some will still stay too...

The people I follow... I follow mostly cos of their personality... Even though they havea different hair profile ... Regardless of what they do to their hair.. I'll still follow... just my 2 cents.. So feel free to do the exact same thing as others... People care about how @MissAlinaRose will look in twists, not really how to do 2 strand twists..

 

[jessicarabbit]

all great points. i like this thread OP.
Je Ne Sais Quoi your siggy is killing me lol

 

[MissAlinaRose]

As for YouTube vids there is an overkill of low quality videos I can't manage to sit through but if you're making quality videos then there's always space IMO. There's only a hand full of people I watch repeatedly becuase something always irks me about the others. And by low quality I don't just mean bad lighting and such, it also includes speech, setting etc. I know everyone isn't a professional but you can't be popping gum, smacking and using awful language for ME to watch. End rant lol. Go ahead a make your videos I'm sure you'll have viewers

Omgoodness, yes!! Time and time again I have clicked on a video and I've seen:
1. hour long intros
2. volume that sounds like Janet Jackson's voice (you have to turn the volume up on high)
3. Loud music (you can't hear the voice so you turn it up, but your eardrums are on the verge of bleeding because some loud, spontaneous music comes on)
4. Rambling/off task
more


I definitely see what you're saying here.

 

[Meritamen]

I think there is an overflow of videos, blogs, etc that repeat the same thing. It is nice to see what ladies with different textures and lengths do to care for and style their hair but there isn't much fresh new content esp. on Youtube. What I'm hoping to see esp. as more women grow their hair out to longer lengths is more interesting and intricate hairstyle tutorials. I would love to see some elaborate buns, braided styles, period-inspired styles...

 

[darlingdiva]

If you want to make hair videos, I think you should do it. You have lovely hair, and viewers would benefit from what you have to offer. Yes, there are several hair videos on Youtube, but everyone presents messages differently. It is that difference that makes the videos worthwhile.
Plus, viewers react differently to different vloggers. Viewers may have more of a positive response to you than they do to other vloggers.

If nothing I said above convinced you, then do it because there are plenty of Youtube junkies like me who like watching hair videos.

 

[MissAlinaRose]

I think there is an overflow of videos, blogs, etc that repeat the same thing. It is nice to see what ladies with different textures and lengths do to care for and style their hair but there isn't much fresh new content esp. on Youtube. What I'm hoping to see esp. as more women grow their hair out to longer lengths is more interesting and intricate hairstyle tutorials. I would love to see some elaborate buns, braided styles, period-inspired styles...

It's really not, and another thing that gets me is that it seems presented in the same way. It's like I'm watching the same videos and hearing the same recycled information!! This is why I had to totally revamp my blog. I felt like a broken record.

I guess this all boils down to the matters of creativity.

 

[RegaLady]

I don't know about other people but I don't get tired of seeing information about natural hair out there. But then again, its one of my hobbies. Post away, I would love to watch what you do to your hair.

 

[MissAlinaRose]

If you want to make hair videos, I think you should do it. You have lovely hair, and viewers would benefit from what you have to offer. Yes, there are several hair videos on Youtube, but everyone presents messages differently. It is that difference that makes the videos worthwhile.
Plus, viewers react differently to different vloggers. Viewers may have more of a positive response to you than they do to other vloggers.

If nothing I said above convinced you, then do it because there are plenty of Youtube junkies like me who like watching hair videos.

:Rose: You're so sweet!

Thanks for responding.

 

[30something]

There is a saturation of carbon copied videos of the basic of taking care of natural hair and very basic styling. However there is still little videos on other aspects or say alternative natural regimens like straight hair naturals and/or heat training. If you think you got an unique journey and prospective on hair that isn't quite textbook I think there is enough room for you. I personally would like watch what you have to share on youtube going by the information you have shared about your HJ...your blog is also very interesting.

 

[FlawedBeauty]

I love watching videos, both relaxed and natural, but I prefer the videos that show people actually doing their hair. Like if someone posts a vid that is entitled, say, "How I Blow Dry," I'm more likey to watch if they are showing the process. I don't want to see a ten minute video on someone talking about how they do it. I get bored lol

 

[Ltown]

I don't think its over kill, your routine and procedures will be different. I like the styles you post here so please share.

 

[SheenaVee]

I agree with what others have said, that it's helpful to see products and hairstyles and methods and stuff tried on different hair types and textures and length.

However, yes, I do think there are so many videos on the same thing. And really, after a certain point there's not much left to make a video about! Like, I am running out of ideas for hair videos so I have started adding other stuff.

But I still get people asking me to make videos of things that are already out there, and asking for advice that has been said a thousand times already, because there are people starting hair journeys everyday who haven't seen the millions of vids out there that will still find your vids helpful.

 

[Kay.Dee]

I hate when people blatantly copy other vids and add nothing to it.

I was subscribed to someone who showed her method of top knotting her hair, which I had never seen. I swear within that week everyone else I was subscribed to had a video doing the same exact thing.

 

[cutenss]

When I go to YT, I lok for people with hair like mine. And not necessarily the length, but the texture, and the density. I have fine, natural hair. And not alot of it (IMHO). So I would like to see braidouts, twistsout, and other natural styles, for hair that looks like mine. Now don't get me wrong, I loves me some hair porn Long, thick, shiny hair, curly of straight. But it does not do me alot of good, if my hair will not replicate the same results.

Does that make sense

 

[manter26]

I think this market and others will take care of itself via supply & demand. I do see tons of videos on the same thing. Some YTers succeed because of their personalities and other intangibles. Some I watch because they have pretty hair. Chime for example just seems like a strange girl IMO and lhdc has a poor attitude for YT and crazy makeup and bad lighting but I watch because I like the hair only- not the styles, just the hair.

There are lots of factors for why individuals do well and you can't always pinpoint them beforehand. I think few posters have it all- beautiful hair, innovative routines and styles, great personality and production- I think Whitney is the only one who falls into this category.

If you aren't going into the YT vid game for stardom and feel you still have something to offer...I think you should go ahead and make the videos. You never know what someone might get out of it. Maybe you do something slightly different. Recently, I watched MsDanti do her bun and thought, I would never think to do it that way.

 

[LongLeggedLife]

I like to see different heads of hair and would love to see yours-its lovely!
Natural styles can come out differently based on technique, product, hair type/thickness, etc., so one person could inspire me differently based on their results.
This is like asking-'Isnt there enough music in the world, why should I make a song?'

But I will warn you, I already know how to do most popular styles, so Id just be perving it up for hair porn

Just make sure u have a good cam, pleasant background, good lighting & put on some makeup....I dislike the raggedy shower curtain, poorly lit, just woke up & didnt wash my face feel:/

 

[SmilingElephant]

I just wish there was more naturals on youtube with longer hair...not that there's anything wron with twa's,NL-APL....but i wish there was more BSL+ youtubers for styling purposes.

And yes...there are thousands of tutorials on braid/twistouts!

 

[Hairness]

MissAlinaRose Just looking at your hair, I would watch YOUR videos! I would be curious as to what you did to grow your hair that long. I can watch YT Natural hair videos for hours! Now in the interest of full disclosure: I've only been natural for 11 months! I'm looking for everything...styles, hair care, recipes, hair accessories and so on!

I just went through my first winter with natural hair longer than a twa since my teenage years! My hair was soooo dry! YT and natural hair blogs (and this site of course) saved my hair from looking like a bird's nest!

Yes there are a lot of videos out there, just don't do all the negative things the others do!

It sounds like you already have some videos out there, could you please post the link? tia

 

[MissAlinaRose]

There is a saturation of carbon copied videos of the basic of taking care of natural hair and very basic styling. However there is still little videos on other aspects or say alternative natural regimens like straight hair naturals and/or heat training. If you think you got an unique journey and prospective on hair that isn't quite textbook I think there is enough room for you. I personally would like watch what you have to share on youtube going by the information you have shared about your HJ...your blog is also very interesting.

This is why I liked the Youtuber "SistaWithRealHair." Granted, I may not use heat as often as she does, but I appreciated the fact that she said from day 1: I don't care about the "rules" and what everyone else is doing, as long as I love my result it's all good. Her hair is natural but heat trained.

I love watching videos, both relaxed and natural, but I prefer the videos that show people actually doing their hair. Like if someone posts a vid that is entitled, say, "How I Blow Dry," I'm more likey to watch if they are showing the process. I don't want to see a ten minute video on someone talking about how they do it. I get bored lol

You are preaching to the choir. My attention span is about centimeters long.

I hate when people blatantly copy other vids and add nothing too it.

I see this often too. I don't have to click their link to know they will say the exact same thing someone just said.

When I go to YT, I lok for people with hair like mine. And not necessarily the length, but the texture, and the density. I have fine, natural hair. And not alot of it (IMHO). So I would like to see braidouts, twistsout, and other natural styles, for hair that looks like mine. Now don't get me wrong, I loves me some hair porn Long, thick, shiny hair, curly of straight. But it does not do me alot of good, if my hair will not replicate the same results.

Does that make sense

Makes perfect sense. I do it all the time.

I think this market and others will take care of itself via supply & demand. I do see tons of videos on the same thing. Some YTers succeed because of their personalities and other intangibles. Some I watch because they have pretty hair. Chime for example just seems like a strange girl IMO and lhdc has a poor attitude for YT and crazy makeup and bad lighting but I watch because I like the hair only- not the styles, just the hair.

There are lots of factors for why individuals do well and you can't always pinpoint them beforehand. I think few posters have it all- beautiful hair, innovative routines and styles, great personality and production- I think Whitney is the only one who falls into this category.

If you aren't going into the YT vid game for stardom and feel you still have something to offer...I think you should go ahead and make the videos. You never know what someone might get out of it. Maybe you do something slightly different. Recently, I watched MsDanti do her bun and thought, I would never think to do it that way.

Not at all, that's the last thing I want. I asked moreso because when I first started my fotki album, my intentions were to do videos to show my progression in my hair journey. But I was a poor college student then and didn't have a good cam. So I waited and now I'm like....ehhh what's to show? I see my texture/length here and there on Youtube so I figured what I wanted to show was covered. Once I had the thought to do it again, I pulled back. I figured if my pictorials were doing an okay job then why fix it? These are all good responses though and food for thought.

BTW:manter26 Who is Whitney?

 

[manter26]

^sorry, Naptural85's name is Whitney.

 

[Bublin]

Well, I'm still hoping to see someone with a texture like mine..............

 

[mscocoface]

Girl post. You may one day inspire someone who has the exact same hair type wondering can she grow natural hair. Your video may be the ONE for her.

If you can help one person you may be helping others she is around.

Post away!

 

[melisandre]

It's true that there is a lot of repeated natural hair info on youtube, but I still enjoy watching natural hair videos -- usually because of the youtuber's personality and the quality of the video. I mostly enjoy tutorials (there's more than one way to do similar styles / techniques), hair progress (inspiration for my own journey) and product reviews (I want to know if it works before I spend my own money ).

 

[SophieDulce]

I really love good quality videos and good cameras lighting ect.. I wish so bad that chime had better lighting and a bettter HD camera

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

Do your thing, honey! Fuzz everybody else.