Korean hair salon offering "Afro Perms"

[envybeauty]

It is REALLY hard for me to believe that Koreans are soooooo used to seeing Black people that they want to imitate Black people (with NATURAL hair to boot as MOST Black women straighten their hair anyway).


HECK, even I am not used to seeing BLACK women with 4b hair everyday as again, MOST Black women have relaxed, flat ironed, or weaved hair -- i.e., straight hair.


So I find it hard to believe that Koreans are trying to imitate Black folks when Black folks ain't walking around with afros (men or women).

 

[neks4u2c]

This is not a surprise to me at all!!! I have a very good friend who is Chinese and thinks that kinky-curly is beautiful. In fact, she got her hair permanently curled several years ago because she says she can't stand straight hair. There was even a certain time that she asked me why we get our hair relaxed in the first place and I had to explain the history behind it. Anytime she sees an ethnic child/adult with curly locks, she always exclaims how pretty it is and wishes hers would be that way.

Now that I am transitioning (16 weeks post ) she has actually touched the new growth and cannot belive how thick and curly it is. I think everyone should take this new trend as a compliment- the world is begining to express what it's always known: OUR HAIR IS DA BOMB!!!!!!

 

[neks4u2c]

I think the model looks pretty. No wonder when I go get my sushi the little man be in there skinning and grinning at me. It must be my naps

LOL!!!! Too funny!!! That's so awesome!!!!

 

[Valerie]

Oh No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ashiah]

I doubt they actually care about black people. They might listen to hip hop or whatever, but I'm sure this is just a style to them, the same way straight hair is just a style to us.

I remember one time when I first started transitioning, an old Asian woman pointed specifically at my new growth and said, "That's so cute!" Another time my ex-roommate, who was Japanese, and I were flipping through a magazine when we came across a pic of a black model with natural hair. She pointed at the picture and said, "You should be like her," which I thought was strange at the time (this was pre-LHCF).

In conclusion, everyone wants what they don't have.

 

[aloof one]

Exactly. Everybody wants to act black until the cops come. They don't really want to be black.

Wow, that was well said

 

[aloof one]

Everyone in the world wants to be black, but black people

Lol... and that was even better said.

I think that was my reaction, but I couldn't really verbalize it---- here we are getting relaxers to get away from that and all the while the Japanese were brewing up a way to get to it. Now that I think of it, I'm glad they're doing it: At least somebody out there wants hair like that, because most African Americans dont.

 

[Hair Iam]

I've seen it before, but on Japanese. They have a big dancehall and reggae culture over there. Hey, take it as a compliment!

that's how I see it

 

[LondonDiva]

The only good I can see from this is maybe black folks will stop relaxing as much? If I was relaxed and I saw a bunch of white/asian/caucasian hispanics sporting these awful attempts at afros... I would transition with a quickness to show them that our natural beauty can't be imitated.
Which reminds me, I'm definitely still transitioning...

PLEASE black folks are going to relax because they want to relax. Not because a bunch of asians are sporting chemical afros.

And at the bolded, if that scenario were true I'd advise to ALWAYS make a hair choice YOUR choice and not to prove a point to others who probably wouldn't give a f*** about what you did to your hair anyway.

 

[lollyoo]

Yeah, its not a new thing though. When I was in australia in 2004, asian salons were offering a similar service.
I guess, we all want what we dont have.

 

[PeggyFair]

PLEASE black folks are going to relax because they want to relax. Not because a bunch of asians are sporting chemical afros.

And at the bolded, if that scenario were true I'd advise to ALWAYS make a hair choice YOUR choice and not to prove a point to others who probably wouldn't give a f*** about what you did to your hair anyway.

*APPLAUSE* This sums up how I feel about this. And to add, I am neither impressed nor do I feel "flattered", as it takes more than this to flatter me. I am just "indifferent" to these Japenese sporting Afros. I just don't care either way and I don't think they want to be Black.

 

[LondonDiva]

Lol... and that was even better said.

I think that was my reaction, but I couldn't really verbalize it---- here we are getting relaxers to get away from that and all the while the Japanese were brewing up a way to get to it. Now that I think of it, I'm glad they're doing it: At least somebody out there wants hair like that, because most African Americans dont.

Can you please STOP speaking for a bunch of black women who are comfortable in their skin, and relax simply out of preference and not a reason for self hatred.

I see tons more black women in London with their natural hair than relaxed. One is not blacker than the other in my opinion. When I was sporting my afro and locs I wasn't any less 'down' as a black woman than I am now who choses to relax a few times a year.

Some people need to see hair choices for different ethnicities as just that. A friggin hair choice. And not try and delve into the non exsistent depths for a reason that stems back to history and self hate. I guess we should all be wearing grass skirts instead of silks, cottons and nylons too.

Nothing irks me more than transitioners and naturals 'having a go' at others for something they themselves used to do. Flippin heck there's even a level of natural these days. I've heard of some black women getting verbally chewed up if they use a pressing comb or a blow dryer.

 

[LondonDiva]

*APPLAUSE* This sums up how I feel about this. And to add, I am neither impressed nor do I feel "flattered", as it takes more than this to flatter me. I am just "indifferent" to these Japenese sporting Afros. I just don't care either way and I don't think they want to be Black.

ITA

People who want to be black don't bother me. They could recite every important date in our history, cook the best African, West Indian, Southern Food, dance to the damn beat, sport a fro. They aren't what I am except a poor imitation. And you know something I wouldn't even have to do all of the above, it wouldn't take away my race and ethnicity nor add to it, even though there are tons of people who think even when you are black you have to tick x amount of boxes to remain in the 'society'.

So like you looking at this I'm not offended nor flattered. It's interesting but I'm like **shrugs** OK if that's what they want to do. I can't be mad at people trying to be something (if that's their intention) that they're never going to be. And if it's a fashion trend choice. Then I hope they enjoy it.

 

[aloof one]

PLEASE black folks are going to relax because they want to relax. Not because a bunch of asians are sporting chemical afros.

And at the bolded, if that scenario were true I'd advise to ALWAYS make a hair choice YOUR choice and not to prove a point to others who probably wouldn't give a f*** about what you did to your hair anyway.

Uhh... the point was if I was... sheesh...

 

[aloof one]

So you're in London right?



Cause I could have sworn you were responding to something I said about America as if you were here and knew the statistics or something. Nobody said everyone, I said most. And by most i mean the majority, and by the majority I mean more than half, more than 75% even, get relaxers.

I didn't say it as a self hate or anything else--- I just said they relax to get straight hair.... they don't want natural hair so they relax. I didnt say you werent comfortable in your own skin. The fact is if you didn't want straight hair, then you wouldnt relax to get it and relaxer kits wouldnt have women with straight hair smiling on the box. No i dont think everyone does it to look white, Im just saying... if most women HERE are relaxing, obviously they dont want natural hair. So if there are Japanese out there getting kinky hair at least someone is getting kinky hair... cause most of US arent.

And honestly I dont give a damn about London stats because I'm in the USA... And I was talking about the USA. Not london. Maybe if I was in London I would be posting about London... but I'm not.

Can you please STOP speaking for a bunch of black women who are comfortable in their skin, and relax simply out of preference and not a reason for self hatred.

I see tons more black women in London with their natural hair than relaxed. One is not blacker than the other in my opinion. When I was sporting my afro and locs I wasn't any less 'down' as a black woman than I am now who choses to relax a few times a year.

Some people need to see hair choices for different ethnicities as just that. A friggin hair choice. And not try and delve into the non exsistent depths for a reason that stems back to history and self hate. I guess we should all be wearing grass skirts instead of silks, cottons and nylons too.

Nothing irks me more than transitioners and naturals 'having a go' at others for something they themselves used to do. Flippin heck there's even a level of natural these days. I've heard of some black women getting verbally chewed up if they use a pressing comb or a blow dryer.

 

[anon123]

Of course it's an imitation of black hair. They didn't develop that look completely independently and it just so happens to look just like black people's hair. They saw it on us (and sure it's visible, even there; I lived in Korea for totaling over 2 years and I was a natural there) and copied. Having lived there, I can say that, though Korea is a comparatively culturally isolated country, there are plenty of Koreans that know good and well that that's "afro" hair. In fact, I can read Korean so if when I went to that website, they called that hairstyle "afro." They know it's of African hair. Oh, I just looked at the website again. It even says "nappy hair" in English.

Does that mean they want to be black? I seriously doubt it. I mean, individuals vary and maybe it's true for some, but I doubt it's true as a whole. I mean, I may wear a Chinese dress. I know it comes from China, I appreciate its beauty, doesn't mean I want to be Chinese. You can borrow from other cultures w/o wanting to be of that culture. Like I said, individuals vary, Koreans don't all have one mass mind, so I can't claim to know what all Koreans think (I hope no one thinks they can) but I'm just saying it isn't necessarily true that copying/borrowing a particular hair type/style, dress, music, anything means you want to give over any other identity you might have had and adopt 100% of stuff from that culture.

I still think it looks . . . odd, but maybe if I saw it more . . . iono.

 

[LondonDiva]

So you're in London right?



Cause I could have sworn you were responding to something I said about America as if you were here and knew the statistics or something. Nobody said everyone, I said most. And by most i mean the majority, and by the majority I mean more than half, more than 75% even, get relaxers.

I didn't say it as a self hate or anything else--- I just said they relax to get straight hair.... they don't want natural hair so they relax. I didnt say you werent comfortable in your own skin. The fact is if you didn't want straight hair, then you wouldnt relax to get it and relaxer kits wouldnt have women with straight hair smiling on the box. No i dont think everyone does it to look white, Im just saying... if most women HERE are relaxing, obviously they dont want natural hair. So if there are Japanese out there getting kinky hair at least someone is getting kinky hair... cause most of US arent.

And honestly I dont give a damn about London stats because I'm in the USA... And I was talking about the USA. Not london. Maybe if I was in London I would be posting about London... but I'm not.

So are there not black people over here?
Because I'm in London my observations on black women are null n void because you live in the USA?
Because you are an American, I'm not allowed to comment on your posts?
Should other posters in the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Middle East not respond either?


I've clocked some of your posts here for a while now, and you know something, you have a seriously ugly attitude, especially in the way you address people. I've read many of your posts in threads and purposefully not commented, because most times other posters I've seen get on your case, I wouldn't want it to be deemed as bullying. You don't know how to speak to people, PERIOD. And I use the term speak loosely as this is a written messageboard, and knowing you' you'd come back with a sarcastic reponse (How are you going to ask am I in London when I've been on the board since 2003 and am known as LondonDiva??) Don't act like you've never seen me around here before.

You're not even up for an adult debate only a confrontation, which some people are willing to give you, and you respond like you're having some battle.

Always on the defensive and the attack, and I can see why. (But I'll keep that one to myself).

You want to be rude to me publicly, I'll call you out publicy. Respond if you please, I'll never see it, onto the ignore list.
ETA: The feature works perfectly.

Apologies to the other posters, you can get back on topic now.

 

[aloof one]

Hey... you walked into it like that.

I said something about African Americans and you decided I was wrong because you see different in London.

That is like saying most people wear shorts in the summer America, and an Inuit chiming in saying that this isn't true because her family is always covered up to fight the snow...

Its like dude... I understand there is a different situation. That is why I didnt bring London into it. This is USA, where relaxers fly off the shelves and 4b women with natural hair are not the majority.

I don't care what you think of me or my posts... you came at me acting like I was talking about you or your country when I clearly said African American. Sure I've seen you, doesn't make me a fan, not like I'm folllowing all your posts like you are me. And its not like you didn't see the big arse TEXAS in the location at the top of all my posts... Get over me. Believe me, I know you'll view post regardless of putting me on ignore.

So are there not black people over here?
Because I'm in London my observations on black women are null n void because you live in the USA?
Because you are an American, I'm not allowed to comment on your posts?
Should other posters in the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Middle East not respond either?


I've clocked some of your posts here for a while now, and you know something, you have a seriously ugly attitude, especially in the way you address people. I've read many of your posts in threads and purposefully not commented, because most times other posters I've seen get on your case, I wouldn't want it to be deemed as bullying. You don't know how to speak to people, PERIOD. And I use the term speak loosely as this is a written messageboard, and knowing you' you'd come back with a sarcastic reponse (How are you going to ask am I in London when I've been on the board since 2003 and am known as LondonDiva??) Don't act like you've never seen me around here before.

You're not even up for an adult debate only a confrontation, which some people are willing to give you, and you respond like you're having some battle.

Always on the defensive and the attack, and I can see why. (But I'll keep that one to myself).

You want to be rude to me publicly, I'll call you out publicy. Respond if you please, I'll never see it, onto the ignore list.

Apologies to the other posters, you can get back on topic now.

 

[neks4u2c]

I agree that most don't want to be black- but rather admire, whether secretively or openly, certain attributes such as our hair texture. It may also be related to pop culture and TV. ( This is just a guess... I may be wrong!)

Our hair is wonderfully versatile, whether relaxed, natural or texlaxed. Please let us all continue to set a good example for all black women through the amazing practices acquired through LHCF. Through this, we can can eliminate any and all misconceptions about our hair and just be beautiful like we already are!!!! (hope that final sentence makes sense!!!erplexed)

 

[envybeauty]

I agree with this. My hair is my hair and whether I relax, color, or not, it is simply a choice. Not because I hate what I have or want to imitate another ethnic group.

Add to my earlier post the fact that not every Black person has 4a/b hair that coils into an afro. On this site, there are plenty of BLACK women who CANNOT get their NATURAL hair into an afro state.....celebrities too....

Can you please STOP speaking for a bunch of black women who are comfortable in their skin, and relax simply out of preference and not a reason for self hatred.

I see tons more black women in London with their natural hair than relaxed. One is not blacker than the other in my opinion. When I was sporting my afro and locs I wasn't any less 'down' as a black woman than I am now who choses to relax a few times a year.

Some people need to see hair choices for different ethnicities as just that. A friggin hair choice. And not try and delve into the non exsistent depths for a reason that stems back to history and self hate. I guess we should all be wearing grass skirts instead of silks, cottons and nylons too.

Nothing irks me more than transitioners and naturals 'having a go' at others for something they themselves used to do. Flippin heck there's even a level of natural these days. I've heard of some black women getting verbally chewed up if they use a pressing comb or a blow dryer.

 

[aloof one]

I want someone to scroll this thread and paste where I said I thought every woman who relaxed hated herself. I'm curious. Then maybe I'll STOP like she thinks I need toerplexed.

I said women relax to get straight hair. And by relax I mean fully process with lye or no-lye, not straightening with heat or curly perms or anything else.

I challenge anybody to come forth and explain to me that relaxing your hair is not to make it straight. I mean... what fool gets a relaxer and thinks their hair is supposed to get kinkier? I am 100% sure it is to make the hair straight, that is the motivation. If that is so wrong well sue me, put me on ignore, throw a fit and act like I personally attacked you or whatever...

And since it has obviously driven people up the wall me joking about relaxers...

ETA: BTW before anyone gets heated, I really am just poking fun at it. I still think the girl is cute... she does need a trim and some Motions Spray or something though...

I mean if you can't pinpoint the irony of them doing this to their hair and us doing it to ours then that is your own problem, I guess. Im not saying your goal is to look white or Asian, I'm saying the outcome is your hair is straight like... guess who's hair? Exactly.

 

[luxe.li.]

There is a book called Dreads that talk about Asians and White people getting a chemical put in their hair to make it course so they can get Dreadlocks, so this isn't surprising. If that's what they want....go for it.

 

[blue_flower]

Bombhead is the correct title for that website. Someone dropped a bomb on their heads and it exploded. You can only image what they're hair will look like when the pin straight new growth comes in. A hot mess.

 

[Junebug D]

That's hawt!

 

[yuriko]

It looks great on that chic, very edgy look

 

[LongCurlz]

nothing wrong with wanting to imitate beautiful afro-american hair, at least someone sees our hair as attractive becuase we sure dont

 

[yuriko]

Woah, how interesting, I liked the imitation fro, it looked very authentic.

What I find interesting is that some people here are putting down the choices or fellow black people because a few asians decide to sport a fro? A bit silly

But I want to add that their fro is not my fro. That imitations fro will be very easy to comb, will not matt and knot up as much as mine, and will not break combs when I am trying to comb it, So it may look the same, but its just an imitation

 

[yuriko]

I want someone to scroll this thread and paste where I said I thought every woman who relaxed hated herself. I'm curious. Then maybe I'll STOP like she thinks I need toerplexed.

I said women relax to get straight hair. And by relax I mean fully process with lye or no-lye, not straightening with heat or curly perms or anything else.

I challenge anybody to come forth and explain to me that relaxing your hair is not to make it straight. I mean... what fool gets a relaxer and thinks their hair is supposed to get kinkier? I am 100% sure it is to make the hair straight, that is the motivation. If that is so wrong well sue me, put me on ignore, throw a fit and act like I personally attacked you or whatever...

And since it has obviously driven people up the wall me joking about relaxers...


I mean if you can't pinpoint the irony of them doing this to their hair and us doing it to ours then that is your own problem, I guess. Im not saying your goal is to look white or Asian, I'm saying the outcome is your hair is straight like... guess who's hair? Exactly.

Just a point to note. Even when I leave relaxer on my hair for 50 minutes (which I will never do again thanks to LHCF), its never straight, my hair has never processed straight my whole life. I relax to get looser hair; when I want straight hair I have to flat iron

 

[LaidBak]

People...its just hair. If they want to take their hair from extreme straight to extreme curl then more power to them. Kinky hair does not equal blackness. Blackness is so much more than that. And BTW, the afro is not exclusively the domain of black folks. I've seen more than a few Jewish people with hair so kinky it grows out as a 'fro.

 

[that_1_grrrl]

Now I know how they feel when we try to get their hair.



Close, but no cigar. It looks like heat damagd 4b hair. She's cute, she needs some moisturizer or something to tighten it up though.

LOL, it really does.

Well, this is for all the people who find it hard to believe that Asian hair is hard to damage.