unmanipulated hair in its ABSOLUTE natural condition

[BlackMasterPiece]

I'll be the odd woman out and say I wholeheartedly understand where the OP is coming from. I've posed the same question of myself on numerous occasions. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming and akin to imprisonment to feel that you must style your hair or stretch it in order for it to be presentable. If you have thick mbl-wlish hair like me that can be a long drawn out exhausting process to detangle(in sections) then wrangle your hair into some sort of state where it can be stretched. I actually dread it at times and have to prepare myself for it because its such a huge production.

OP I understand what you mean, why don't more Black women feel comfortable just rocking their shrunken unmanipulated texture? I have on a few occasions, I washed, conditioned, combed out and rocked it, but I don't keep it that way for long because I'm leery of knots, but hey, maybe my hair was meant to knot up if I have to fight my hair's nature this vehemently at every turn, this leads me to believe that down the line my destiny might just be locs.

Thankfully, when we're feeling frustrated by our hair we have protective styles to give us a nice vacation from being so concerned about our hair, two excellent styles that can provide the carefree wash and go lifestyle are mini braids and locs/loc extensions, so I will definitely be installing one of the two very shortly. I love the way that with mini braids, you have the freedom of a TWA, you can wash/rinse as often as you like, you dont have to be concerned about what to do in the aftermath of washing, its weather-proof, it shows off alot of length, it kinda looks like your hair is just down and straight from afar, but your hair is actually in its completely natural state. Its a dream for water sports as well and it can last up to 3 months if you really want it to. Locs are awesome for similar reasons.

So the bottom line is, we always have options, and if in your heart of hearts you just wanna wear your hair in its completely natural state, I say go for it and dont pay any attention to what others think. What matters is what makes you happy.

 

[CurlsBazillion]

I figured it out, I think what spongebob wants is free form locks. I can't believe no one else picked up on this, well it could be my psychic powers Ain't nothing wrong with that girl. Do your thing, be brave and express yourself. People will stare but let that be what holds your head up even higher. I saw a man in Savannah with free form locks down to his feet and I didn't think, "dang look at that unmanipulated hot mess dirty hair!" I said, "Ma! Look how long his dreads are, thats really different!" So don't be afraid Spongebob, you can do it!!

 

[getoffmylawn]

Around the house I just wash and leave it if I have other things to do. I have done it once or twice to run into Walgreens or something but it certainly would never be an everyday thing. It's much easier to do if your hair isn't dyed or dry, at least you get fewer tangles

 

[SimJam]

Um no..

I would look like this

not saying its ugly, but not my cup of tea

This hair has been manipulated. I don't think hair just stands up like that.

It doesnt look as if its manipulated to me (a few pieces stretched out, maybe for the pic to make the fro a little uniform) .... but hair absolutely "stands up like that"

case in point my hair almost 2 years ago, freshly washed no product. Now it's just bigger and more lumpy, but looks very similar to the quoted pic.

as for heading out on the road like that .... I would and have - except I shaped it to make it look uniform and added a head band

 

[NaturalfienD]

Great question OP but me wearing my hair out with no nothing on or done to it ...
.
.
.
Girl boom.

 

[nucienuce1]

Hey I've worn my hair in its natural state and I looked like a curly haired Fredrick Douglas lol never again!!!

 

[SimJam]

and I agree free form locs would be the result (on any type of hair) of washing and not manipulating at all.

we obviously not talking about regular locs because my friends with locs nowadays spend a whole lot more time grooming them than me (with loose hair)

 

[halee_J]

If I did that I would have a giant matted tangle.

 

[yorkpatties]

I'll be the odd woman out and say I wholeheartedly understand where the OP is coming from. I've posed the same question of myself on numerous occasions. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming and akin to imprisonment to feel that you must style your hair or stretch it in order for it to be presentable. If you have thick mbl-wlish hair like me that can be a long drawn out exhausting process to detangle(in sections) then wrangle your hair into some sort of state where it can be stretched. I actually dread it at times and have to prepare myself for it because its such a huge production.

OP I understand what you mean, why don't more Black women feel comfortable just rocking their shrunken unmanipulated texture? I have on a few occasions, I washed, conditioned, combed out and rocked it, but I don't keep it that way for long because I'm leery of knots, but hey, maybe my hair was meant to knot up if I have to fight my hair's nature this vehemently at every turn, this leads me to believe that down the line my destiny might just be locs.

Thankfully, when we're feeling frustrated by our hair we have protective styles to give us a nice vacation from being so concerned about our hair, two excellent styles that can provide the carefree wash and go lifestyle are mini braids and locs/loc extensions, so I will definitely be installing one of the two very shortly. I love the way that with mini braids, you have the freedom of a TWA, you can wash/rinse as often as you like, you dont have to be concerned about what to do in the aftermath of washing, its weather-proof, it shows off alot of length, it kinda looks like your hair is just down and straight from afar, but your hair is actually in its completely natural state. Its a dream for water sports as well and it can last up to 3 months if you really want it to. Locs are awesome for similar reasons.

So the bottom line is, we always have options, and if in your heart of hearts you just wanna wear your hair in its completely natural state, I say go for it and dont pay any attention to what others think. What matters is what makes you happy.

The bolded. You "combed out". Does this not count as manipulation according to OP?

 

[Leeda.the.Paladin]

Here's my hair detangled with no product. Look fast because it will probably be another few years before I let it dry like this. I don't hate the way it looks, but I hate the tangles, knots, etc.

 

[Leeda.the.Paladin]

The bolded. You "combed out". Does this not count as manipulation according to OP?

OP said combed or uncombed. If I didn't comb, I would just have a head full of free form locs.

 

[LadyRaider]

Why was this question asked? Even my dad runs a comb through his itty bitty afro before he goes out.

Who doesn't comb their hair? I don't understand the implication behind the question. What is it you really want to know?

 

[Nonie]

It doesnt look as if its manipulated to me (a few pieces stretched out, maybe for the pic to make the fro a little uniform) .... but hair absolutely "stands up like that"

case in point my hair almost 2 years ago, freshly washed no product. Now it's just bigger and more lumpy, but looks very similar to the quoted pic.

as for heading out on the road like that .... I would and have - except I shaped it to make it look uniform and added a head band

@SimJam what you posted and what you're quoting are two different states. If that hair you quoted had not been manipulated and was just washed and let be, first it'd have more clumping because the coils are large and it may either be more shrunken or floppy. I'm thinking it would look more like this:

^^That's @Poohbear's hair unmanipulated (her coils are much smaller than the image you quoted but you can see how unmanipulated hair coils back on itself and clumps...so much more on larger coils)

Or the hair you quoted would look like this unmanipulated:

This ^^is @Amoreofcurls' hair dry and unmanipulated after being washed.

This is her hair manipulated from a WNG.

To me the photo you quoted looks like her hair here^^ only hers flops more. If you look at the hairs sticking out, those are elongated coils like would happen if someone with coily type 4 hair or part 4 stretched hair with twist or braids and then fluffed it out.

 

[Nonie]

OP said combed or uncombed. If I didn't comb, I would just have a head full of free form locs.

KCcurly combed unmanipulated hair is an oxymoron. If hair is combed, it's manipulated.

 

[Nonie]

Why was this question asked? Even my dad runs a comb through his itty bitty afro before he goes out.

Who doesn't comb their hair? I don't understand the implication behind the question. What is it you really want to know?

LadyRaider I think OP really was wondering if she'd have company if she was daring enough to venture out looking like who did what and why. She doesn't get headaches when she does this so to her it's a "comfortable" state to be (but only privately). Methinks she was hoping it's a done thing so she could enjoy the state more. Not sure; just guessing. I don't think there's anymore to read into the question than what she asked.

 

[Leeda.the.Paladin]

So if I wear a twist out for a week and then wash it without combing it, let it dry with no product, does that count as unmanipulated?

 

[LadyRaider]

Well I go out looking like who did what and why all the time. But it's not because I didn't do the best I could. Heh. I guess if you don't like your hair you can go around and let it get all dry. Shudder... I like my hair.

 

[manter26]

I walk around like this (I think I had gel in it a week before- the right side looks like it but the left side is what my hair looks like just free/no product).

I actually had a loc in this pic (it's on the bottom left of the picture). I left it in for about 7 or 8 weeks, avoided water and product...treated it oh so nicely. I thought it was mature but one day I was playing with it and it just came out. So it's official- my hair can't loc even if I tried (I didn't try that long but still. It came out with no combs/brushes or conditioner). I was able to pull it apart while dry and with just my fingers.

 

[Zaz]

because it's messy/ugly/unappealing/ and quite obvious, with black women's hair. It has to be manipulated in some form or shape for you to be able to walk outside. Even a wash and go gives you some form of manipulation, with out without product. I live in area that is heavily ethnic populated, and even within this area it is not accepted. Forget outside, inside the home my mother tells me 'do something with your hair' every single day, as in fix it, braid it, do something, don't just leave it as it is. My hair is combed, not too tangled, it may not appeal to people. I just wish it wasn't negatively perceived

Spongebob I'm confused by what you're trying to seeerplexed Maybe you have seen unmanipulated hair and just didn't know it. In all honesty my hair looks the same with or without products, products just allow me to keep the style longer and avoid tangles. I've worn naked wash n gos before, no manipulation just wash my hair, shake out the water and leave the house if I'm in a hurry. You wouldn't be able to tell the difference from when I throw something on it. Just doesn't last as long *shrugs*

But again, I'm not sure I get the point of this woe is the nappy headed negra thread. That's like saying, I wish more people would walk around with ashy elbows and knees. And in the winter time, I just wanna see dry, cracked and bleeding lips. Why oh why do we gosta moisturise

 

[Second2None]

@Spongebob I'm confused by what you're trying to seeerplexed Maybe you have seen unmanipulated hair and just didn't know it. In all honesty my hair looks the same with or without products, products just allow me to keep the style longer and avoid tangles. I've worn naked wash n gos before, no manipulation just wash my hair, shake out the water and leave the house if I'm in a hurry. You wouldn't be able to tell the difference from when I throw something on it. Just doesn't last as long *shrugs*

But again, I'm not sure I get the point of this woe is the nappy headed negra thread. That's like saying, I wish more people would walk around with ashy elbows and knees. And in the winter time, I just wanna see dry, cracked and bleeding lips. Why oh why do we gosta moisturise

I don't think that is experienced by the majority. I, for one, can watch my hair change from one apparent length and texture to another as it dries, and it definitely does not look the same.

I think several posters would agree.

 

[faithVA]

That's like saying, I wish more people would walk around with ashy elbows and knees. And in the winter time, I just wanna see dry, cracked and bleeding lips. Why oh why do we gosta moisturise

That's hilarious

 

[faithVA]

Is OP even participating in this thread? Or did she leave after she had the PM with Manter26? She rested her case about something.

 

[manter26]

Is OP even participating in this thread? Or did she leave after she had the PM with Manter26? She rested her case about something.

yea, I think she's good. I sent her some pics and stuff. I'm team do whatever you want to do with your hair.

 

[faithVA]

yea, I think she's good. I sent her some pics and stuff. I'm team do whatever you want to do with your hair.

I think most people in the thread are team do what you want. Glad she can move on.

 

[afrofaithful]

Isn't a wash and go hair in its natural state if you put no products on it?

 

[Leeda.the.Paladin]

yea, I think she's good. I sent her some pics and stuff. I'm team do whatever you want to do with your hair.

This

 

[Ogoma]

no @manter26, just your natural hair without washing it/putting product into it/flat ironing it/twist outs/etc

Never seen it, I know why. But I just wish I could, without getting stares from everyone and everybody

I think people are missing the OP's comment. Even washing would be considered manipulation to her. I have co-washed, oiled, and gone. Quite frankly, it is one of my weekend looks. Despite the shrinkage, I don't mind this look at all, but my hair is just way more unpredictable. When going to work, I need to know I am looking as close to the same in the morning as I do in the evening with no surprises. But, to not wash my hair and just go around to prove my naturalness: no ma'am.

 

[empressri]

Hell even ladies that are relaxed run a comb or brush through their hair.

It's called grooming. Akin to brushing your teeth, washing your eye boogers off and washing the white crud out of the corner of your mouth in the morning.

 

[toinette]

just did it this weekend. It was my first and LAST time. I co-washed tonight and went through a 2 hour detangling and twisting session. My hair was dry as hell But the few times i had to go out with my hair like that, I used small bobby pins to pin back some of the front and it looked cute. My mom said the back of my hair looked like worms

 

[yamilee21]

... I have never combed or cut my son's hair. It is a big fro with lots of pencil sized dreads throughout. ...

leiah, now that is something I wish I could see. No haircut *ever*? How old is he? I have a boy who HATES getting his hair cut. The never-ending nonsense we hear about him "needing" a haircut is unbelievable, even though his super-shrinkage hair doesn't get much bigger than a 1 inch 'fro whether it has been 4 months or 14 months since a cut. I do pat it into shape when we leave the house though, much to his dismay.

... However I'm not hateful enough to say, when you are going to wear your waist out. ...

I have gone out with shampooed but not conditioned/no leave-in/absolutely stripped naked, uncombed hair before... on Halloween, when the "wild" look is rather normal. It was really hot, and the follow-up detangling session was so not worth the fun pictures. I favour the benign neglect pattern of hair care, but I have to wear buns most of the time since my littlest one is a hair-puller.