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Truth about Natural Hair Discrimination

Written By Bold Apps - December 25 2014

Posted by HMH Blogger

By Patience Muia If you are a bi-racial or black woman who has made the decision to return to being natural, then you belong to the natural hair community. Everyone defines the term “natural” in a different way.

1. Devout Naturals

These are women who pass on all chemicals from relaxers and colour treatments to certain product ingredients. 2. Technical Naturals

These women no longer wear relaxers, but rock blowouts and weaves happily on a regular basis. Apart from the two, there are those who don’t mess with weaves but rock colour. There are also those who live with protective lifestyles with box braids, crochet braids and other trendy styles. But the truth is that some naturals are being eliminated or discriminated in the natural hair community.

Initially, going natural was a way of breaking free from European beauty standards and starting a journey to embrace one’s natural hair. But a lot has changed recently, and now some natural hair sponsors ignore certain types of natural hairstyle while at the same time praising a certain type. Women with the type 4, kinky textured hair seems to be experiencing texture discrimination in and outside their workplace. If you haven’t realised it, the wavy and curly girls dominate the branding in products marketed to natural hair. Look across the beauty industry and you will find that kinky and coily hair naturals are being under-represented and are not being celebrated as compared to the others.

From my experience of running multiple natural hair focused media accounts, I think that images of kinky textured naturals doesn’t get much shares and likes compared to the others. This might be just a new type of natural hair discrimination.

Reasons Why People Fail in Their Transition to Natural Hair

Written By Bold Apps - December 18 2014

Posted by HMH Blogger

By Patience Muia For most people transition to natural hair is not an easy process. Some have two trials before success, while others have up to eleven trials to finally embrace the new hairstyle. From experience, I have realized that it is usual to find people struggling with natural hair especially in the early stages. Here are some reasons why transition may be difficult and regarding how to handle such difficulties. • You are not comfortable with the reflection in the mirror Some people were lucky enough to grow up with natural hair and therefore they have no problem seeing themselves with natural hair. If you were relaxed at a young age, it is obvious that you are used to the image of straight hair. If you were used to relaxed hair, you might find it difficult dealing with the idea of embracing natural hair as it appears to be a relapse to childhood. If you need a smooth transition, you have to spend time looking yourself in the mirror so that you can learn to embrace your new hairstyle. Accepting that new image might take seconds for some while others might end up struggling with it for years. • Negative Feedback from Family and Friends

You should learn to deal with people who keep on telling you how your hair look like especially if the comments are negative. It is your hair and therefore you should be proud of it. It is always your choice to select your reaction to negative comments, and there are different ways of dealing with such people. You might decide to ignore them or simply educate them. Educating the person is the best option especially if the person is a close friend or family member. • Lack of Proper Research

Information about natural hair is available on many blogs, vlogs and forums. It is not always a good idea to stick to some small set of information, and emulating someone else’s routine might make natural hair transition totally difficult.

Three Myths about Hair Growth Remedies

Written By Bold Apps - April 03 2014

#Number One - Eggs in your hair

Eggs - Do they really benefit our hair? Arguments for eggs: -Contains a lot of protein and conditions the hair - Strengthens the hair - Increases thickness - It's natural - Rich in Vitamin A, D and E (vitamin A helps in the production of sebum which works to cure dandruff, vitamin E helps increase the absorption of oxygen and vitamin D helps promote hair growth) - The yolk makes the hair glossy/shiny Arguments against eggs: -It's meant to go in us, not on us. - Doesn't contain hydrolyzed or quanternized proteins (small enough to penetrate hair, less than 2500MW). - Egg protein molecules are too large to repair/change/penetrate the hair. - Doesn't change the condition of the hair - just coats the hair strand. - natural/unprocessed proteins have a negative charge, hair has a negative charge as well, therefore there's no natural attraction to adhere to the hair. - No lasting effect. #Number Two - trimming Makes your hair grow faster Trimming - Does it really make your hair grow faster? Arguments for trimming: - hair stops growing or slows down when cuticle layer thins - trimming triggers new growth -regular trimming can make your hair look longer because the ends of your hair tend to be thinner as they are the oldest parts of your hair so regular trimming makes the ends appear thicker and therfore more visible = longer looking hair Arguments against trimming: - your hair folicles determine how fast and how long your hair grows - trimming does not affect this #Number Three - you can 'Repair' damaged hair Can damaged hair be repaired? Put simply - no. Products that claim to repair split ends or repair damaged hair are lying to you. Damaged hair is damaged forever. Products can only alter theappearance of damaged hair. So please don't try to 'save' split ends because they can travel up the hair strand and damage the whole strand if not cut off early.

SPOTTED - Natural Haired Beauty on Facebook

Written By Bold Apps - March 27 2014

ANDREA - #hugmyhairbeautyspot

H: Introduce yourself

A: Hi everyone! I am Andrea aka Dreya... I'm a 25 year old mom of one, Baker soon to be Pastry Chef and flourishing business owner and ofcourse a Naturalista!!!

H: Describe the moment you were spotted by Hug My Hair

Hahaha... chatting about Erykah Badu's 'fro pic and how I can't wait to replicate that pic!

H: Have you always liked your curls/kinks/coils? if not how did you come to embrace your natural hair?

A: I never minded my hair, which I believe was my biggest problem...it was just there! Growing up relaxing seemed to be a right of passage (kinda like a black barmitspha - transitioning from child to teenager/adult), so as soon as I turned 13, I pestered my mom if I could relax my hair... I didnt enjoy the whole process though as despite my following the hairdresser's advice...dont comb hair the day of the appointment etc, I still ended up with ma-hu-ssive (covered my entire scalp) burns! After that I only relaxed about 2-3 times a year and then did my first big chop in Year 10.

I rocked my 'fro in puffs and twist until in college I started experimenting with the hair straighteners and by the time I left college... dying my hair became a major staple. I found a really good hairdresser, who was my neighbour at the time, and everytime I had the urge to do something different... her house( when she wasnt at her salon) was my first point of call. She did my next relaxer, as I wanted a bob, which was not possible on afro hair (trust me I tried)... I loved it for a while and got bored (story of my life), started wearing extensions and unknowly transitioned.. which was easier as I started working as a receptionist at a Natural Hair Salon. I continued dating natural hair then cheating with relaxer (one time I relaxed my hair myself, and both sides fell out - I ran over to her house and had her shave some more off the sides and rocked my hair with both sides missing) until my daughter was a few months old and I realised how much of an impact I had on her life and the way she would feel towards herself.

I wanted her to believe that she was beautiful even with the kinks that grew out of her scalp and the only way for her to see that - was to fully embrace who I was when I decided to stop with the relaxing and keep my kinks. So on December 31st 2010, I did my BC... my motto was New Year, New Hair!, and I have not looked back since. Trust me it was not easy... I looked in the mirror and I looked like I was a cross between Tito Jackson (during the "I want you back days") and Wanda Sykes... after the 2 months I wore my hair constantly in braids as it was hard not having hair in my face. But I did enjoy washing my hair, shaking it and then leaving the house... Now I can't see myself without my 'fro... though sometimes she doesgets on my nerves... I love her...!!

H: How would you describe your hair texture?

A: My hair texture is confused...LOL... Its curls in some places... and in some it's like cotton. My hair is a mash up of all textures! LOL

H: Tell us one 'Do' and one 'Don't' for your hair type

Do- Moisturize Moisturize Moisturize Don't - Don't wear your hair out toO often... protective styling is a must!

H: What advice would you give to somone considering going natural?

A: My advice is do it... But remember that your natural texture is alot different to your relaxed texture. Enjoy it and become your own hair whisperer... listen to what her hair needs and do it... having a routine is good, but knowing what your hair needs is better. If your hair feels dry, that's the time to moisturize it. If it feels dirty, thats the time you wash it!

H: How do you love to wear your hair?

A: I love wearing my hair in high buns or high puffs and recently updo's has become another staple hair style of mine!

H: How often do you wash your hair and what products do you use?

A: I wash my hair, when it needs it and for co washes - Herbal essence hello hydration has become the must for me or when I'm doing the works... I will deep condition on dry hair with mizani deep conditioning mask or have a a hot oil treatment with a mixture of oils - coconut oil (love love love holland and barretts organic coconut oil), jojoba, olive and argan oil. After washing I use my Direct Giovanni Leave in conditioning spray then anorganic shea butter mix on my hair , seal it with argan oil or coconut oil and twist or braid.

H: Describe your WORST hair day

A: My worst hair day is when my hair (at that time I call her Eva) decides not to work with me... so those times you will find her in a puff or bun or headscarf or a combination of all the above.

H: Is there a blog or website where we can find you?

I don't have a blog or anything about hair... But you check out dessert business facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sweet-Hibiscus/202188803189328

SPOTTED - a Natural-Haired beauty in South London

Written By Bold Apps - March 20 2014

Michelle - #hugmyhairbeautyspot H: Introduce yourself M: My name is Michelle. I am 27 years old and I recently relocated to Abuja, Nigeria. I BC'ed (Big Chopped) in May 2011, it was a very emotional transition for me as I previously always kept me hair long and usually chemically straightened. I didn't take into account how big a part my hair played as part of my identity. I also didn't consider the drastic change a transition from long and straight to short and curly would be. I quickly got used to it though and now I cant remember having different straighter hair. At the moment my hair is very 'wild' as it is at that in between stage were it is not very long but not short and I love experimenting with it. H: Describe the moment you were spotted by Hug My Hair M: I was 'spotted' by Hug My Hair on a night out for a mutual friends birthday. It was at a restaurant called Ping Pong at Southbank. My hair was in a 'messy slicked back afro puff', my 'go to' hairstyle for a work to night out situation. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Dalilah during the dinner and she complimented my hair. I complimented the amazing scarf she had on and I am still waiting for details so I can go get mine :). H: Have you always liked your curls? if not how did you come to embrace your natural hair? M: I love my hair, 'she' has a mind of 'her' own but like I said it was a journey, an emotional one too. Hair has become such an important part of our identity, the confidence you get from a well executed hairstyle isn't something to be scoffed at. With time I have learnt to appreciate it so much more. I believe it feels how hair is supposed to, healthy, alive, strong instead of limp and lifeless. I embrace all of it. H: How would you describe your hair texture? M: My hair has so many different textures and moods, 'she' is more wavy than curly now that 'she' is longer and gets quite frizzy if I don't treat her right. I notice that the shorter I go the curlier it gets. H: Tell us one 'Do' and one 'Don't' for your hair type M: One big no-no for my hair is using a towel after a wash. It immediately frizzles it up. I find that it's better when I let it drip dry, or If in a hurry I use an old tshirt and try to get it as dry as I can without frizzing. Moisture is key. I like to make sure my hair is hydrated without all the oiliness that comes with most lotions. H: What advice would you give to someone considering going natural? M: Do it! And don't get discouraged. I think it is so worth it. Plus after watching a few documentaries on hair and hair products, it can't be good to put a substance that can erode a coke can in a few hours on your head, so do it for your health too

H. How do you love to wear your hair? M: I usually have it in a fro hawk. Hair pins are my friends! I leave a trail of them everywhere I go. I think a fro hawk is versatile. It can be neat and formal or messy and stylish.

H. How often do you wash your hair and what products do you use? M: I wash my hair very often, I think it was a factor in my decision to leave London as I couldn't wash it as often in the winter. I don't use any heat on it And Wet hair in winter is just suicidal. In the summer or in a warmer country I wash my hair everyday or every other day. I love clean smelling hair and the feel of water in my scalp. I usually co wash and only use black soap as shampoo about 3 times a month. I use the treseme silicon free naturals conditioner to co wash and condition. After washing, I use a little almond oil or coconut and a whipped raw Shea butter concoction I made up. Then style and leave to air dry. H. Describe your WORST hair day M: I have a bad habit of going weeks without de tangling when I am wearing my hair out. It is because I am lazy and can't be bothered and I have really full thick hair that takes ages to detangle. After about 2 weeks of this, my hair starts looking more and more a tangled mess and I usually just put it back in a messy slicked back Afro puff to keep it out of the way without looking too bad. Usually when I have my hair in this style I am having a not so great hair day. H. Is there a blog or website where we can find you? M: I don't have a blog but I do have a tumblr page, it isn't all about hair although I occasionally blog hairstyles I will like to try or hair tips that I come across. My tumblr address is mishadventures.tumblr.com

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Truth about Natural Hair Discrimination

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Reasons Why People Fail in Their Transition to Natural Hair

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Three Myths about Hair Growth Remedies

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SPOTTED - Natural Haired Beauty on Facebook

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SPOTTED - a Natural-Haired beauty in South London

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