OoOoh...Drastic wanna-grow-hair-so-will-cover-it-up attempt...

[DarkDesire]

I'm gonna be going away for my course at university - I'll be living in Granada, Spain for a year (providing I pass).

I'm thinking, that when I go abroad, I may spend the entire year with my head in a silk scarf ... whilst keeping it entirely moisturised and unexposed beneath (I originally grew my hair 6in. with the C&G technique, but the constant need to re-braid was too much.
I will keep it in braids underneath, and I will keep it completely moisturised the whole time with paltas BKC (works really well for me) and conditioning the ends. Which means that I will go to class, hang with people, make friends, dance etc, which wrapped up hair.
I figured that I would do it when I go abroad, because no one knows me, so no one will really question my motives, like it's a change of character. However, I wonder what effect it will have on my character, since scarves tend to carry their own significances in society. I know, that at the end of the year, my hair will have grown an incredible amount, but it may change the way that I approach things - I'm a person who tends to rely quite a bit on their appearance . It would be an interesting challenge for me, what do you think?

 

[CHECKMATE!]

try a wig instead

 

[Tenacious]

I wear scarves often. Usually when my hair is freshly washed, in a bun, and I don't wanna use products. But I have been stereotyped before wearing a black, silk scarf. Some though I was the "Black Power", militant type. Others thought I was Arabic (scarf + bushy eyebrows + brown skin = sterotype!)....


I've done the scarf and braids before. It helped me transition to natural in 8 months. I used WGO on my scalp with the braids, but I couldn't wash as often as I do now, which is essential to growing hair at a good rate. It did help minimize breakage and the best part, no one could see my hair! So I didn't have to do it. How about a good protective style???

You should do this! (Regardless of what ppl say....lol, you may have a few run-ins)

 

[Lovelylocs]

Are you relaxed or natural? I wouldn't do this for Spain , esp. since u won't know anyone. You will want to make a great first impression since u will be there for a whole year. Maybe u could learn how to do a simple everyday style...

 

[Endlesslegs]

I agree with the try a wig option, the scarf sounds almost impracticable especially with the humidity in spain. What happenes when u make friends and you head off to the beach? or the club? or when that fine ass man walks past and you just want to bat them lashes and swang that hurr?

 

[CHECKMATE!]

Are you relaxed or natural? I wouldn't do this for Spain , esp. since u won't know anyone. You will want to make a great first impression since u will be there for a whole year. Maybe u could learn how to do a simple everyday style...

my point exactly

 

[Lovelylocs]

my point exactly

Not to mention the racism factor... Racists will be racist, but how will u know if u look toe...

Don't worry, DarkDesire. You have plenty of time btwn now and then. U should be able to learn how to do a style that is not too time consuming. Plus, I think there should be some Dominicans in Spain.

 

[Kurlee]

Not to mention the racism factor... Racists will be racist, but how will u know if u look toe...

Don't worry, DarkDesire. You have plenty of time btwn now and then. U should be able to learn how to do a style that is not too time consuming. Plus, I think there should be some Dominicans in Spain.

 

[malachi74]

Um, I think it would be great for your hair and a cool social experiment. People will prob perceive you as earthy, modest, and/or having a particular religious view b/c of the scarf, but who cares! It's not like you know anyone over there anyway.

I don't know why Lovelylocs said you couldn't make a good impression wearing a scarf. It's not like it's going to be a raggedy do-rag or something. I'm sure you'll sport beautiful wraps and alternate colors, etc.

I wish that I could try this for a year or even half a year but the folks at work wouldn't be able to handle it, not to mention ?s from friends and others like "why u wearing that sracf all the time all of a sudden? YOu muslim or something now?"

 

[nakialovesshoes]

I did exactly what you're talking about using the Wanakee routine (www.hairoil.com) & products. I had phenomenal hair growth & my hair felt like silk & it was the most healthy it had ever been. Good luck!

 

[Lovelylocs]

Um, I think it would be great for your hair and a cool social experiment. People will prob perceive you as earthy, modest, and/or having a particular religious view b/c of the scarf, but who cares! It's not like you know anyone over there anyway.

I don't know why Lovelylocs said you couldn't make a good impression wearing a scarf. It's not like it's going to be a raggedy do-rag or something. I'm sure you'll sport beautiful wraps and alternate colors, etc.

I wish that I could try this for a year or even half a year but the folks at work wouldn't be able to handle it, not to mention ?s from friends and others like "why u wearing that sracf all the time all of a sudden? YOu muslim or something now?"

Spain is a different environment than the US. How could it make for a social experiment if she never wore her hair in public in Spain before? She would need to try wearing her hair both ways- covered and uncovered for the experiment to work.

Plus, I didn't read anything about beautiful head wraps. I read "silk scarf ". The " " made me think that maybe this scarf isn't so special.

It's prossibly to make a good first impression w/a beautiful head wrap. But, I think that she would probably make a better impression by showing her real hair than by wearing a "silk scarf " that she is on the fence about wearing in the first place.

Have u ever been to Spain?

Dark Desire, who will you be living w/in Spain?

 

[Lovelylocs]

Plus, head wraps look extemely informal. What will she do when she needs to get dressed up? Even a "beautiful" silk scarf will not be enough for every occasion for a full year. And even for casual everyday events, after a month or so people are going to start to wonder, think MTV's Sway...

A beautiful silk head wrap worn by the o so stylish J.Lo



Sway


That's why I said it. It's not like she is already in Spain and has been wearing nothing but a scarf for the last few months. She is thinking about doing it and asked for our honest opinions. That was my honest opinion. Besides, I think that DarkDesire's hair is pretty enough to be shown and does not have to be covered for a whole year to gain optimal length. She can gain just as much length w/out hiding it under a silk scarf.

 

[kittenz]

Um, I think it would be great for your hair and a cool social experiment. People will prob perceive you as earthy, modest, and/or having a particular religious view b/c of the scarf, but who cares! It's not like you know anyone over there anyway.

I don't know why Lovelylocs said you couldn't make a good impression wearing a scarf. It's not like it's going to be a raggedy do-rag or something. I'm sure you'll sport beautiful wraps and alternate colors, etc.

I wish that I could try this for a year or even half a year but the folks at work wouldn't be able to handle it, not to mention ?s from friends and others like "why u wearing that sracf all the time all of a sudden? YOu muslim or something now?"

ITA. Change of atmosphere, personal challenges, new perspectives...umm i don't see anything wrong. Your hair will grow and so can your outlook on the world. Take the time to get to know yourself to the fullest while your around new people who won't hold you to their expectations and ideas of who you are or should be. Great opportunity.

 

[malachi74]

people are people wherever you go. Whether she is traveling to Spain, Jamaica, The Bottom...if it's her first time there, IMO that in itself is a social experiment. To embrace a new hairstyle, scarf, wig, whatever to me is yet another experiment.

Everybody on this forum, including myself , has some level of vanity so I automatically assume that she wouldn't play herself out like that and sport a do-rag in the streets, here or there.

 

[Lovelylocs]

people are people wherever you go. Whether she is traveling to Spain, Jamaica, The Bottom...if it's her first time there, IMO that in itself is a social experiment. To embrace a new hairstyle, scarf, wig, whatever to me is yet another experiment.

Everybody on this forum, including myself , has some level of vanity so I automatically assume that she wouldn't play herself out like that and sport a do-rag in the streets, here or there.

people are people... but different cultures can have different perceptions of things. America is America. Spain is Spain. Their attitude towards blacks in Spain is somewhat different than in America. Their attitude towards head wraps and scarves is different too. Usually in experiments there is some sort of "control" to compare to, but I digress.

Maybe DarkDesire will show us a pic of some of the scarves she is planning on wearing. Hopefully there will be more than one if she plans to do it for a whole year.

 

[malachi74]

Maybe DarkDesire will show us a pic of some of the scarves she is planning on wearing. Hopefully there will be more than one if she plans to do it for a whole year.

I agree! Let's see exactly what she's talking about and then decide!

DarkDesire, exactly what kind of scarves are you thinking of using while overseas?

 

[turnergirl]

It sounds like a great idea. I would do that too if I were away but I would not wear my hair covered for a year around people I know.

 

[Lovelylocs]

It sounds like a great idea. I would do that too if I were away but I would not wear my hair covered for a year around people I know.

Why not around people that you know?

 

[PassionFruit]

I did similar before... some made assumptions about my religious or ethnic background but I never experienced anymore racism than when I didnt wear my scarves everyday

Good Luck in Spain!

 

[JustKiya]

I've lived in Spain - I don't think anyone would blink an eye, personally. People might assume that you are Muslim and/or Strict Christian, and I would suggest that you have a simple, pat answer as to why you are wearing a scarf, but I think it's a BRILLIANT idea, personally. You don't have to worry about bad hair days, because your scarf will ALWAYS look fly.

Of course, I also grew up Muslim (fair disclosure) so that might warp my ideal of beauty - I've seen/met/lived with women who were DROP. DEAD. GOR-GE-OUS - without a STRAND of hair showing.

I'll go ask my girlfriend who is from Portugal now how people would take a woman in a headscarf.

The best place to get nice scarves at is - a fabric store, actually. You can get iron-in seam tape as well, and whip up 15-20 scarves in a couple of days - all sorts of colors & patterns to match any outfit - and if you needed to re-up while in Spain, you could swing through almost any flea market or fabric store once again.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[foxieroxienyc]

OOOOOOOOOh Spain!!! I LOVE Spain. I lived there for a little while back in 2001.

First off, the Spaniards LOVE beautiful black women. There wasnt a time that I could go outside and blend in or be ignored because everyone was fascinated with my look. If you're confident and you're friendly you'll be fine and I dont think anyone will blink an eye. I even had locs at the time, and I was never ostracized about going outside the norm and being different. When I hear you say you want to wear scarves, I'm thinking you mean really pretty printed silk/satin ones with nice colors and patterns. I would go that route not just a plain ole boring scarf. In fact I have this amazing scarf I bought in Barcelona, a nice watercolored printed aqua/blues blend thing. It's one of my favs. Your difference may be the thing that makes you stand out and make people in general gravitate toward you, so have lots of fun and be fierce.

 

[abordeaux]

I wish I could wear scarves everyday to grow my hair out. I love wearing scarves but I'm not allowed to for my job. I think it's a great idea and will be great for keeping your hair healthy and moisturized.

 

[morehairplease]

hi there,

I wear both scrafs(silk only) and full cap wigs ALL the time! I love them both. Have you looked into get curlformers, ladies here have gotten some EXCELLENT results with them. Also, look into minute curls(IIRC naturallady used these) her hair looked amazingly beautiful! I wish you well in your studies and HHG sweetie!

 

[hothair]

try a wig instead

u're not right!

OP scarves can look really nice and I do rock them quite a bit for cultural and religious reasons (well that's my story) and people are generally a tad more respectful but honestly I get bored with one look so check out some wigs to change up your style. I mean over here in Europe I think the scarf stands out less anyway...so u can still be u

 

[Lovelylocs]

When will DarkDesire come back and tell us what she is going to do? I wanna know now. Every so often is okay, but I still don't think that EVERY DAY for a whole year is a good idea.

 

[Fine 4s]

I've lived in Spain - I don't think anyone would blink an eye, personally. People might assume that you are Muslim and/or Strict Christian, and I would suggest that you have a simple, pat answer as to why you are wearing a scarf, but I think it's a BRILLIANT idea, personally. You don't have to worry about bad hair days, because your scarf will ALWAYS look fly.

Of course, I also grew up Muslim (fair disclosure) so that might warp my ideal of beauty - I've seen/met/lived with women who were DROP. DEAD. GOR-GE-OUS - without a STRAND of hair showing.

I'll go ask my girlfriend who is from Portugal now how people would take a woman in a headscarf.

The best place to get nice scarves at is - a fabric store, actually. You can get iron-in seam tape as well, and whip up 15-20 scarves in a couple of days - all sorts of colors & patterns to match any outfit - and if you needed to re-up while in Spain, you could swing through almost any flea market or fabric store once again.

Good luck and have fun!

What is the min. amount of material one can buy at a fabric store? I'm sure diff. stores have diff. policies. Last time I wanted to buy some material for a head scarf a la J-Lo the min. was 2 yards!

If a group of folks wanted to buy it with me that would be different!

 

[JustKiya]

What is the min. amount of material one can buy at a fabric store? I'm sure diff. stores have diff. policies. Last time I wanted to buy some material for a head scarf a la J-Lo the min. was 2 yards!

If a group of folks wanted to buy it with me that would be different!

I've never heard of a MINIMUM - unless you were working with remnant pieces, or something. I've brought as little as a 1/4 yard of fabric......

 

[Fine 4s]

To avoid getting bored with yourself/hairstyles/looks and in the hopes of remaining consistent I would change my hairstyles monthly.

Not necessarily in this order...

January- Wig month
February- Bun month
March- Scarf month
April- Twists month (two weeks one protective style another two weeks another protective style- no twist outs)
May-box braids month
June- Cornrows month(You can find someone to braid it for you)
(couldn't think of anything else)

Repeat for another six months and voila one year gone!

The last couple days or the last day, you can do a twist out like BAM I'm out!!! This is how I make the time pass quickly at my job...planning my hairstyles by the week. And boy do I have a 'BAM I'm out for these folks'

Because it's a temporary situation, I wouldn't concern myself with social experiment, racism or anything of the like. Go with an open mind and open heart, study hard and give back what you get to whomever you chose and just think about how much healthier your hair will be on the other side. A former classmate of mine started her locks when she lived abroad in Barcelona, Spain.

 

[Fine 4s]

I've never heard of a MINIMUM - unless you were working with remnant pieces, or something. I've brought as little as a 1/4 yard of fabric......

Yeah, I want a small piece not a whole yard. If they gave me 1/4 of a yard I'd be OK. I guess I need to keep looking.
Maybe check a remnant store....

 

[CurliDiva]

Sounds like a GREAT idea!

As long you feel BEAUTIFUL, people will respond positively to you! Just you take care of your hair underneath and you should have great growth.

Also, do not limit yourself style-wise! Take some a few beautiful WIGS (culry, straight, long or short) along with you so if you do want a change - you have easy options.

Enjoy your travels!