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Real Life: I'm Being Pressured To Straighten My Natural Hair for My ...

Posted: 31 May 2014 03:05 AM PDT

With graduation, prom, and weddings in season you may be feeling the pressure from others to straighten your natural hair for one of these special occasions. (See 69 Formal Natural Hairstyles Below)

Now if you want to straighten your hair, go for it! But should you change your natural hairstyle just to appease others? I don't think so.

This article is coming from a personal place as I have had a recent experience with this. This June I will be having my wedding ceremony celebration and I have decided that I have my heart set out on a natural hairstyle.

Word got back to me about a family member's comment and this is what they had to say, "Don't get me wrong I love Ariane with her natural hair but for the wedding she's going to have that hair laid right?"

YES, my hair will be laid alright in a natural style of my choosing.

The sentiment that natural hair cannot be worn for special events is similar to the thinking that natural hair is not professional. I personally will never straighten my hair to impress an employer because I feel my texture is beautiful as is. Plus, if we are talking about a job offer I rather show them the real me from the beginning instead of surprising them and being asked annoying questions about my hair later.

I think it is a shame that many people still feel the need to hide their natural texture to look pleasing or presentable to others. It's one thing if straight is your styles preference, but to do this just to feel worthy is a whole other issue.

I just find this funny being that you would never see someone with a loose or straight texture being told to make their hair look curly so they will look acceptable (it just wouldn't happen).

There is nothing so inherently wrong with kinky or curly textures that they have to be altered in order to look professional, acceptable, stylish or fancy. If a natural look is what you want don't let others opinions stand in your way as there are many natural styling options to choose from.

Here 69 Brides Who Wore Their Hair Natural (This definitely has given me some inspiration!)

What are your thoughts? Do you feel the need to press your hair for a special occasion?

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15 Fab Black Hairstyles: My Short, Coily, Curly, Kinky, Twisty ...

Posted: 05 Apr 2013 02:59 PM PDT

April 5, 2013 • Hot Topics, Lifestyle, Product Reviews, Self-Love, Spirituality, Video • Views: 2828

Yippeeee! Caring for my curly coily African American hair has become a spiritual exercise of self-care, body acceptance, love and compassion. Pantene sent me their Relaxed & Natural shampoo, conditioner and moisturizer to play with. Check out my photo gallery of my current go-to styles for my short Afro hair. Then, in the video below, find tips and advice from Pantene Dermatology and Hair Expert Dr. Amy McMichael, MD from Wakeforest and the Pantene Hair Institute.

Hey Lovies,

A year ago I was flat ironing my hair like crazy every single day. It was broken, damaged, uneven with knots and split ends. In other words – a hot tress mess! Let's not even talk about the attempted keratin treatment that resulted in clumps of hair loss. Heat damage is real, people. So is hair neglect.

I had to cut my hair off to give my head a fresh, healthy start. — and to be presentable I don't consider this a hair big chop because my hair was already natural. I have eczema so I am allergic to relaxers and most chemicals. I was trying to mitigate damage. At any rate it was half devastating, half fun to start from scratch with a fresh new crop about 7 months ago as I continued to throw straight and curly wigs on for protection while doing TV appearances.

My Current Natural Hair Care Regimen

In the summertime I co-wash my hair (wash with only conditioner) 1-3 times a week. In the winter I shampoo it (with shampoo) every 3-4 weeks. I pantene relaxed and natural don't blow dry or flat iron my hair anymore, although I am not opposed to flat ironing in the future. I find the whole hair typing system useless but one stylist told me that my coily hair was 3c, another said it was 4a. It's probably mostly 4a but They're both right. I'm pretty sure that there are some 3b and 4b strands too.

It used to annoy me that my natural hair texture is a "weird," soft, frizzy "in between" texture instead of being lush, thick and "nappy." Now I am just loving and appreciating what my hair is — rather than hating it for what it isn't. My sister and I realized that we even have some strands that grow stick straight from the scalp. Que sera sera, right? I love my hair!

Twice a week I redo my chosen protective style. The day before I wash my hair I pre-poo by lavishing my hair in Extra Virgin Olive Oil and detangling it. I use my fingers to detangle as I haven't used any combs, brushes or other hair utensils (beside bobby pins) in about a year. I then baggy it or fold and scarf it for the night.

My daily regimen is the LOC Method: liquid, oil, creme. I spray with water, oil my scalp with a natural oil like Tea Tree Oil or Coconut Oil. Coconut Oil is my fave for the Summer. Tea Tree Oil is very soothing for my dry, flaky winter scalp. Then I use a hair creme product and flat twist, cornrow or bantu knot my hair with bobby pins.

My favorite styles are vintage-look, 40s and pinup inspired. I love a wash and go Afro as much as I enjoy structured kinks. I talked more about hair and self empowerment in last summer's documentary, "In Our Heads About Our Hair." So am I Team Natural? It works for me but I can't speak for anyone else. I am Team Whatever Makes You Feel Gorgeous. #TeamBeYourself #Loveclass

Truly Relaxed and Truly Natural – Two collections From Pantene for healthier hair* no matter what your style. *Vs. non-conditioning shampoo.

Hairstyle #1: The Pompador

Hairstyle #2: The 40′s Pin up

Hairstyle #3: The Coily Sue

Hairstyle #4: The Queen's Crown

Hairstyle #5 The Wash and Fro

Hairstyle #6 The Conditioner Stretch and Twirl

Hairstyle #7: Soft Curl Twist-Out Girl

Hairstyle #8 Twisty Coils

Hairstyle #9 The Dry Twist Out

Hairstyle #10 The Bantu Knot Out

Hairstyle #11: The Leave-In Conditioner Afreux

Hairstyle #12 Flatiron in the Fall

Protective Styles — #13 and #14

And Of Course, Hair With Friends…

Love, Coach Abiola

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Pantene via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Pantene.

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