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Myths about Natural or Growing Natural Hair

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I do have to admit that I was concerned about black men not really liking my hair in it's natural state.

I also say when I lose weight than I will sport the natural. Thinking that my face being slimmer could carry the natural look better.
 
[ QUOTE ]
sbaker said:
I do have to admit that I was concerned about black men not really liking my hair in it's natural state.

I also say when I lose weight than I will sport the natural. Thinking that my face being slimmer could carry the natural look better.

[/ QUOTE ]

Gurl, ANYONE can sport a natural!!! It's all in how you not only take care of your hair but ALSO, how you take care of yourself. I don't know about others, but I got some "Pep in my step" as my grandmother would say, when I BC'd last April. I was FREE...my mind was free and my body was free. That's one reason why I say that going natural is a mental transition BEFORE it's a phyisical one. I got of the best compliments from my coworker a few months back. I had been playing in my hair ALL day and so, to me anyway, it was looking jacked up and I had to meet a cute guy friend for dinner. I went into the bathroom, turned on the water at the sink and stuck my head under it and wet my hair! I massaged it, patted and squeezed out the excess water with a paper towel, picked it a little and then used a small sliver of pantyhose (tights- YES, the kind you wear) to gather it into a puff. It was cute too if I say so myself. Kim looked at me, smiled and said "You have styling options that we don't have...and for that, we hate you"...She then helped me make sure I was neat and we left the bathroom. That tickled me for the rest of the week and even now, I think about it and smile.

As for the men, GURL, coming out the woodwork okay!!! I've gotten so many compliments and it feels great!!! They also like to play in my hair and I don't mind at all...shoot, I get a free scalp massage out of the deal!
grin.gif


I'm saying all of that to say this, it's all about your attitude. Like my signature says, "What I think of you will NEVER be as important as what you think of yourself".
 
Myth: I am related to Angela Davis
Fact: who is Angela Davis? nah j/k but they looked at me like i was stupid when i asked who she was (i know who she was BTW just acting ignorant to the ignorant folks)

Myth: Seeing that my hair is a curly texture people assume that I have a texturizer
Fact: Okay I explanied to them that I cut of my relaxed hair to about 1 inch, so why would i go and put more chemicals on it?

Myth: I am a lesbian, who came out of the closet when I cut my hair
Fact: no comment
nono.gif
Im tired of explaining myself to people.

Myth: Just because you go natural, you are on a journey to search for your african roots.
Fact: Not all people go natural becasue of that reason.
 
[ QUOTE ]
patience said:
Micarae, LET IT FLOW!!! FOLKS NEED TO HEAR THIS!!!

And where is AFashionSlave with the Natural Hair Myth Buster Committee????

[/ QUOTE ]
HERE I AM!
This is my type of thread!
smile.gif


You guys basically got all of the good ones but how about these:
Hair typing will help you manage your natural hair better. This is a huge misconception! Just because you and someone else have the same hair type does not mean that you will both like the same products. Just because you have the same hair type as someone else does not mean that you will get the same results using the same products they do.

On this board I always see tons of topics that start off like this “Natural 3Cs please help me.” Although I am not a natural 3C sometimes I see the responses to the thread and I laugh to myself because they are often recommending her to use products that I already use on my napps.

I once worked with a white woman who had very long bone straight hair. She used crème of nature shampoo, olive oil pre shampoo treatments. She even would sleep in 2-strand twists if she wanted to wear her hair in a wavy style. This woman and me basically had the same hair routine but our hair types were very different.

Natural women are not glamorous.
This is another myth. People always seem to believe that natural women are all Birkenstock having, no make-up wearing, hemp bag toting chicks. This myth drives me crazy. I love to keep my nails done. I love sexy clothes, and dangerously high heels. I don’t even own a pair of sweat pants.

Natural women go natural because they couldn’t grow long relaxed hair.
Everyone goes natural for different reasons.

If you can’t manage your natural hair then locs are the best option for you. Locs require no maintenance.
I don’t know who started this crazy myth but they need to be backslapped. Loced hair requires care and maintenance just like everyone else’s hair.

Natural hair hurts to comb
I think this myth comes from those distant memories of our mothers yanking out hair back into braids and ponytails when we were children. If your mother hurt you when doing your hair, then chances are that your mother had no real clue on how to comb, brush, or style natural hair properly.

Healthy hair is shiny hair
My natural hair does not really shine very much but it is still very healthy. I have no split ends or broken off hair. Some of us have natural hair that does not reflect light. Everybody's hair is different.

Pressing is the only way to get natural hair very straight
This is another myth. It does not take a lot of heat if you want to wear a straight style from time to time. In general people believe that the nappier your hair is the more heat you need to use to get it straight. That's why so many sisters lose their napps permanantly.

Natural hair is not for everyone.
Natural hair is for everyone because it grows out of your head that way. God don’t make mistakes. That statement should be changed to “Everybody does not want to wear their hair naturally” – that makes more sense.

That’s all I got right now. I’m sure that I will come back with a few more later. The crazy thing is that I used to believe most of these myths back in the day.
 
[ QUOTE ]
AFashionSlave said:
[ QUOTE ]
patience said:
Micarae, LET IT FLOW!!! FOLKS NEED TO HEAR THIS!!!

And where is AFashionSlave with the Natural Hair Myth Buster Committee????

[/ QUOTE ]
HERE I AM!
This is my type of thread!
smile.gif


You guys basically got all of the good ones but how about these:
Hair typing will help you manage your natural hair better. This is a huge misconception! Just because you and someone else have the same hair type does not mean that you will both like the same products. Just because you have the same hair type as someone else does not mean that you will get the same results using the same products they do.

On this board I always see tons of topics that start off like this “Natural 3Cs please help me.” Although I am not a natural 3C sometimes I see the responses to the thread and I laugh to myself because they are often recommending her to use products that I already use on my napps.

I once worked with a white woman who had very long bone straight hair. She used crème of nature shampoo, olive oil pre shampoo treatments. She even would sleep in 2-strand twists if she wanted to wear her hair in a wavy style. This woman and me basically had the same hair routine but our hair types were very different.

Natural women are not glamorous.
This is another myth. People always seem to believe that natural women are all Birkenstock having, no make-up wearing, hemp bag toting chicks. This myth drives me crazy. I love to keep my nails done. I love sexy clothes, and dangerously high heels. I don’t even own a pair of sweat pants.

Natural women go natural because they couldn’t grow long relaxed hair.
Everyone goes natural for different reasons.

If you can’t manage your natural hair then locs are the best option for you. Locs require no maintenance.
I don’t know who started this crazy myth but they need to be backslapped. Loced hair requires care and maintenance just like everyone else’s hair.

Natural hair hurts to comb
I think this myth comes from those distant memories of our mothers yanking out hair back into braids and ponytails when we were children. If your mother hurt you when doing your hair, then chances are that your mother had no real clue on how to comb, brush, or style natural hair properly.

Healthy hair is shiny hair
My natural hair does not really shine very much but it is still very healthy. I have no split ends or broken off hair. Some of us have natural hair that does not reflect light. Everybody's hair is different.

Pressing is the only way to get natural hair very straight
This is another myth. It does not take a lot of heat if you want to wear a straight style from time to time. In general people believe that the nappier your hair is the more heat you need to use to get it straight. That's why so many sisters lose their napps permanantly.

Natural hair is not for everyone.
Natural hair is for everyone because it grows out of your head that way. God don’t make mistakes. That statement should be changed to “Everybody does not want to wear their hair naturally” – that makes more sense.

That’s all I got right now. I’m sure that I will come back with a few more later. The crazy thing is that I used to believe most of these myths back in the day.

[/ QUOTE ]


clap.gif
couldnt have explained it better
up.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
ayeshia said:
Myth: I am related to Angela Davis
Fact: who is Angela Davis? nah j/k but they looked at me like i was stupid when i asked who she was (i know who she was BTW just acting ignorant to the ignorant folks)

[/ QUOTE ]
lachen70.gif
 
I don't mind at all. I actually think it would be a great thing for you to do so that we can dispel A LOT of myths surrounding natural hair.
 
the biggest myth i know of is that natural hair is hard to manage. It really isn't if you know how to do it. Relaxed hair is harder to manage to me.
 
[ QUOTE ]
syoulee1 said:

Myth: Natural hair is difficult to comb
Fact: The comb glides through my hair like buttah baby!
my relaxed hair would get tangled if I didn't use the
right products.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is what I'm finding with my transition. The brush/comb glides through my hair right until I get to the relaxed part and then it's whoooa, baby!! Get that comb away from me!! It never stays untangled. I may be coming back on here after it's all gone singing a different tune, but right now - I love my new growth and my daughter's natural hair a whoooooole lot better.
 
Sadly, I believed some of these myths. Have you ladies noticed (especially in the D.C. area) more ladies sporting their natural hair.
 
[ QUOTE ]
sbaker said:
Sadly, I believed some of these myths. Have you ladies noticed (especially in the D.C. area) more ladies sporting their natural hair.

[/ QUOTE ]

In my building there are quite a few, but I haven't talked hair with anyone as of yet.
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
AFashionSlave said:
Pressing is the only way to get natural hair very straight
This is another myth. It does not take a lot of heat if you want to wear a straight style from time to time. In general people believe that the nappier your hair is the more heat you need to use to get it straight. That's why so many sisters lose their napps permanantly.


[/ QUOTE ]

How else can u straighten natural hair???
huh.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Poohbear said:
[ QUOTE ]
AFashionSlave said:
Pressing is the only way to get natural hair very straight
This is another myth. It does not take a lot of heat if you want to wear a straight style from time to time. In general people believe that the nappier your hair is the more heat you need to use to get it straight. That's why so many sisters lose their napps permanantly.


[/ QUOTE ]

How else can u straighten natural hair???
huh.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Roller setting, banding, and flat ironing are a few ways...
 
[ QUOTE ]
patience said:
[ QUOTE ]
Poohbear said:
[ QUOTE ]
AFashionSlave said:
Pressing is the only way to get natural hair very straight
This is another myth. It does not take a lot of heat if you want to wear a straight style from time to time. In general people believe that the nappier your hair is the more heat you need to use to get it straight. That's why so many sisters lose their napps permanantly.


[/ QUOTE ]

How else can u straighten natural hair???
huh.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Roller setting, banding, and flat ironing are a few ways...

[/ QUOTE ]

shoot even a blowdryer
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
ayeshia said:
[ QUOTE ]
patience said:
[ QUOTE ]
Poohbear said:
[ QUOTE ]
AFashionSlave said:
Pressing is the only way to get natural hair very straight
This is another myth. It does not take a lot of heat if you want to wear a straight style from time to time. In general people believe that the nappier your hair is the more heat you need to use to get it straight. That's why so many sisters lose their napps permanantly.


[/ QUOTE ]

How else can u straighten natural hair???
huh.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Roller setting, banding, and flat ironing are a few ways...

[/ QUOTE ]

shoot even a blowdryer
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

smile.gif
Yup, What they said.
Old Fashioned pressing combs get extremely hot. You don't need to use that much heat to get your hair straight.
 
You ladies are going to push me into the big chop!! I cna feel it coming. BC look sexy to me now if worn right!
Natural hair is provinging itself here in Memphis to not be a bad thing.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Tonya said:
You ladies are going to push me into the big chop!! I cna feel it coming. BC look sexy to me now if worn right!
Natural hair is provinging itself here in Memphis to not be a bad thing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Let me know if you know if you want me to PM you the tips on cutting your own TWA...
 
This is a wonderful thread. I definetly agree with the posters here. Forgive me if this has already been posted but I wanted to share this article:


GETTING OVER THE NATURAL HAIR MYTHS

Last May I graduated and entered "Corporate" America. Every natural haired woman's nightmare…or is it? I, probably like most other people, thought that straightened hair was the only hairstyle acceptable in Corporate America. In fact, the summer months that preceded the start of my career I wondered if I was going to be restricted to wearing synthetic braids so that my colleagues would accept me.

As the day to start work grew nearer, I was overcome with frustration about what to do about my hair. I did indeed decided to get braids put in my hair and for the first four weeks of work I styled my LONG braids each morning before work. However, I soon grew tired of wearing the braided style. I had been wearing braids for an entire year and I felt like I was suffocating my hair.

It was late Sunday night when I finally finished unraveling my braids to reveal my pitch black tightly curled hair. It felt so good between my fingertips when I washed it but I was still at a lost as to what to do next with my hair. I had to have something presentable for work, so I brushed it back into a ponytail.

This was not easy at all. It took me almost half an hour to first comb through, oil and then collect my wild strands into a ponytail holder. Then when I was finished there was a big lump in the middle of my head where my hair had bunched up. I was exhausted so I wrapped a scarf tightly around my head in hopes that it would force the lump down.

The next morning when I awoke the lump was still there and my hair was super fuzzy. I was so tired and didn't' really want to wrestle with my hair so I decided to just tie a black scarf around my bun and head to work. I wore my hair in a bun with the same black scarf for a week. It really wasn't cute at all but I didn't know what else to do.

By Friday of that week I was seriously contemplating making an appointment with my former stylist to get a RELAXER. I told myself that by me getting a relaxer I was not making a socio-economic statement nor was I letting down anyone. It was just a matter of what was easiest!!

Fortunately, I couldn't even convince myself that by getting a relaxer I would be letting anyone down….because I would…myself. So that Saturday, I washed my hair and twisted it and wore that all WEEKEND. I still was a little afraid to conquer the office with such a doo. So I asked a friend to cornroll my hair into a bun. I thought that that was conservative enough not to cause too much of a ruckus at work.

I wore that hairstyle for a week but by Friday it was a little fuzzy and I didn't think it would hold up for another day. I decided to twist and then untwist my hair for the weekend but I wasn't sure what I would do on Monday. I really liked the crinkly afro I was rockin' and got so many compliments; enough to give me enough courage to wear it to the office.

So the very next Monday, I wore my fro to the office. As I stepped off the elevator a pack of butterflies began flapping their wings in my stomach. I was extremely nervous about what types of looks or stares I might encounter from my colleagues so I headed straight from the elevator to the bathroom to reassess my style.

It still looked good to me so I headed to my seating area. When I arrived, to my surprise no one even seemed to notice my hair. Not even one person on my team said a thing or even gave me funny look. In fact, a few ladies from other departments said it was beautiful. I felt proud and was happy that my "natural" was accepted in the corporate world.

It seems that I had finally grasped the concept of diversity in the workplace. Prior to this experience I thought diversity meant assimilating as much as possible as to not bring attention to your differences other then skin color. For so long I had been tricked into believing that a relaxer is more professional than a natural, but now I realize that it was just a question of wanting to be just like the people in power so that maybe they will share a little of it.

I know realize that the power is in being confident about every aspect of your being. Although, I may not be VP of a major fortune 500…I am damn sure on my way…and when I get there…I will know it had nothing to do with my hair.

Article written by former "Relaxed Slave"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Edited to add: If anyone is interested in the "Relaxed Slave" article that the writer of the above article on corporate america wrote here is the link.

http://www.emergingminds.org/march03/relaxedslave.html

( I really hope noone gets offended at the title of this article. I am not implying that all are slaves to a relaxer. I did find the article interesting however)
 
[ QUOTE ]
GodMadeMePretty said:
[ QUOTE ]
syoulee1 said:

Myth: Natural hair is difficult to comb
Fact: The comb glides through my hair like buttah baby!
my relaxed hair would get tangled if I didn't use the
right products.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is what I'm finding with my transition. The brush/comb glides through my hair right until I get to the relaxed part and then it's whoooa, baby!! Get that comb away from me!! It never stays untangled. I may be coming back on here after it's all gone singing a different tune, but right now - I love my new growth and my daughter's natural hair a whoooooole lot better.

[/ QUOTE ]

You CANNOT comb transitioning hair if it is dry. This is the reason why many would say it would break off it you tried to grow out the perm.
 
[ QUOTE ]
babyblue said:
Loving this thread. I have nothing to add everyone has made such great points.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree 100%
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
nurseN98 said:
[ QUOTE ]
babyblue said:
Loving this thread. I have nothing to add everyone has made such great points.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree 100%
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Here, here!
up.gif
 
myth: naturals wear their hair that way because they are too lazy to care about doing their hair. ( asked of my by my 13 year old cousin.)
fact: naturals care as much as the next person. all hair takes attention.

myth:naturals care less about looking nice.
fact: looking nice is not reserved for non-nappy hair.

myth: naturals harbor frustration and resentment for permies.
fact: hey some do, but not all. everyone's different.

myth: naturals are less attractive in general, especially to men.
fact: child that's ridiculous! btw, men find it sexy that im natural BECAUSE it reflects i have the confidence to be different (i have been told this upon many occasions).

myth: natural hair is unkempt and unpresentable.
fact: it can be as unkempt and unpresentable as chewed up perms, tacky weaves, raggedy dreads, or any other style that reflects AN INDIVIDUAL lack of maintenance. it is indeed presentable and appropriate and not as avant garde as some people think.
 
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