#i wear wigs bantu knots and sometimes box braids

[fenderguitar]

I can't wait to stop working food service so I can finally wear my hair down.

[creeroleplays]

- creeroleplays does a guide -

Black Hair: How to describe texture and style in roleplay

Introduction: I want to start by saying that black hair is one of the most- if not the most- diverse hair groups in the world. What is in this guide may not apply to everyone, but it may give you some insight on the culture surrounding our hair and how it applies to your character. I didn’t fully edit this, so you might see typos, inaccuracies, etc. I’ll update it the more I pick up on things. Enjoy!

history.

Black hairstyles have been passed from generation to generation for thousands of years. From Ancient Africa to Black America, styles such as locs, bantu knots, braids, afros and twists have adorned our heads as symbols of identity, culture, politics and status. They have inspired fashion, music, movements and art, and defined cultures as we know them today. 

During colonialism, black people were often forced to conform to European ideals of beauty- turning them to harmful chemicals and equipment to achieve what some would call “good hair”. During the civil rights movement (and even some time before with the Rastafarian movement), people were encouraged to turn away from damaging practices to embrace their natural textures, reestablishing their identities by shunning conformity and returning to their roots. In the years following, black hairstyles became symbols of pride and rebellion- as it was considered daring for black femmes in particular to wear big afros and long braids. 

Today, black hair care is a billion dollar industry- from oils to equipment, we invest quite a bit of money and time into our crowns. The reasons why may vary- some see their hair as a symbol of pride and identity, others simply dig the aesthetic. Whatever the reasons, black hair is always evolving while simultaneously serving as a reminder of where we come from.

types of styles.

There are hundreds  of styles that I could detail, but I’m going to stick to a few of the most popular ones. Many black hairstyles are often protective styles -styles used to protect our hair from natural detriments such as the sun, wind, rain, our own hands, etc-. Some even wear these styles beneath wigs for further protection and style options. Below, I will list a few that I know of personally with accompanying pictures.

cornrows

Cornrows were named because -well- they look like rows of corn. They are a protective style worn by braiding the hair in an underhand, upward motion. In Ancient Africa, they were considered a symbol of agriculture and order, while today they are used for a myriad of purposes whether protective or fashionable. The process of braiding can take anywhere from minutes to hours. When I was a little girl, it took approximately four hours to braid my full head of hair- for those with longer and more intricate styles, it can take even longer. These braids can be done in different angles and shapes. I personally liked to have my braids angled into stars.

locs

Dreadlocks, locs, goddess locs, faux locs, twists- there are so many different variations of this style it is mind boggling. The most basic one involves sectioning off the hair, twisting it and leaving it uncombed until it mats and turns itself into a loc. 

Beginning dreadlocks can be an arduous, costly and time consuming task, but most who get them claim that it’s the best decision they ever made. Some incorporate weave into their locs for longer styles while others go for a shorter approach (thank you Michael B. Jordan in Black Panther). My big mama (grandmother) had locs all my life and they grew until they reached her waist- they required a lot more care and attention than my own hair did, with weekly retwisting, washing, oiling, etc.

microbraids/box braids

The reason I put microbraids and box braids into the same category is that they’re basically the same thing. Small sections of your hair are braided until they cover the entire head. Microbraids are very, very skinny and mimic strands of hair, while box braids are thicker and more defined- earning it’s name from the box-like way the hair is parted into sections. If someone plans to get box braids, they can plan to spend anywhere from 3-10 hours getting their hair braided. When I got mine a few years ago, I showed up to the shop (hair salon) at 7am and didn’t leave until 6pm. I also chose to incorporate weave into my hair for a bulkier braid and more of a protective style.

afros

Afros are, for the most part, exactly how our hair grows out of our heads. Some of us (me) don’t have the ability to grow afros that go upward or have volume like traditional afros do. This particular style involves maintaining healthy hair, and often picking it out with a pick comb. Those with afros usually have kinky, high volume hair textures that enable them to unravel their natural curl pattern to form their fros. I am not one of those people. While I have thick hair, my curl pattern is not as kinky as others, thus is tends to lay flat. 

how to describe black hair

Black hair is incredibly diverse. It can be kinky or coily, loose or big, long or short. There is no set standard or expectation for our hair, it simply is, and every kind is beautiful. 

When describing texture it always helps to keep in mind that there have been very harmful stereotypes to avoid. Words like ‘nappy’’ are generally best kept far away in describing your black character’s hair. Instead, aim for descriptors that give light to the features. Fluffy, crimped, coily, poufy, spirally, etc. It can also helps to simply describe the style they are wearing, as cornrows and afros create their own visual presence in your head.

ex. 

“My hair, which someone had tied back into a puff in an effort to control it, broke the tie and clouded loose behind me.“  (The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemison

“I got the crown of his head at first, and marvelled as always at the feel of hair like my own — soft-curled, dense but yielding, thick enough to lose my fingers in. The first time I’d touched him I’d thought he was one of my people, because only Maroneh had such hair. (The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemison

That’s not to say that black people don’t have days when their hair is less than immaculate. For instance, my hair is currently piled on top of my head with curls popping out of my bun every which way. A good rule of thumb I have found when it comes to describing black hair is to avoid harmful stereotypes and to focus on shape, style and color.

ex.

“Dark spirals coiled around my face, the frayed ends frizzing from my night of tossing and turning. It would take some kind of miracle to free the knots that surely hid in the thick mass of curls and scalp.”

Black men and women often cut their hair short- sometimes in styles known as fades, where parts of the hairline fade to the skin to create a gradient effect. The hairline is always incredibly important, as a straight and well-angled hairline is often seen a sign of self care. Describing the hairline as sharp is always a good place to start off, though you could also go on to say that it is clean, precise, or smooth. 

ex.

“He was good looking- dark skin, full lips and a clean, fresh cut.”

tips.

Avoid harmful stereotypes. Black people do wash their hair- whether it’s in locks or not-. Our hair is not nappy and “othering” our textures or styles is never okay.

It’s okay for your character to wear wigs, weave, etc. Despite what some people might say, there’s nothing wrong with weave. Taking care of our hair every single day can be exhausting and sometimes you just wanna throw that shit in a wig and call it a day.

When in doubt, do some research. It’s easier to do research than it is to offend someone. If you don’t have a way of describing a particular style or texture, just refer to the resources you have on hand. Or ask a black person that you’re friends with. More than likely, we’re not going to be upset at you wanting to accurately and respectfully portray us.

While there are many differences between our textures and different textures from various ethnic groups, we also have a lot of similarities. Don’t think you have to go above and beyond to get an accurate description of our hair, sometimes less is more.

Shrinkage is a thing. Because of how tightly curled our hair is, sometimes our hair can see shorter than it actually is when you stretch the curl out.

Have fun. Seriously, black hair is so incredibly expansive and beautiful, portraying it in anyway can be very exciting. Enjoy the experience.

This wasn’t exactly what I had in mind and I may make this into a series, but if you have any questions, feel free to message me! I’m always happy to clarify whatever I can! 

[jessicakehoe]

Texture Talk: 4 Canadian Black Women Open Up About Wearing Wigs

Welcome to Texture Talk, a weekly column that celebrates and deep dives into the dynamic world of curly hair, from crowns of curls that are free flowing to strands that are tucked away in a protective style. In today’s day and age, it shouldn’t be a secret that wig-life is alive and well, especially within the Black community, so this week we asked four local women who love rocking extensions on what wearing wigs means to them and their wig routines.

Sadé Powell, freelance writer and illustrator

Courtesy of Sadé Powell

On wig life:

“I’ve been wearing wigs on and off for six years. I love experimenting with colour, so I always purchase blonde wigs, which acts as a blank canvas for whatever colours inspire me that month. My favourite thing about wearing wigs is being able to change my style at a moment’s notice. If I’m bored of long pink hair, I’ll purchase and dye a short blue wig. It’s like being an avatar in a game! For me, hair is a means of expression. There are a lot of ways to transform hair to accentuate your style, but when you then start to incorporate wigs and extensions, things can get really creative. Being able to continuously change my hair colour using wigs, and without damaging my natural hair, has been such a fun hobby of mine. I love scrolling through Instagram for inspiration, buying the different colours I need to mix the perfect shade, or sometimes just using the colours I have at home, and experimenting. You can always cut your hair, grow it back, curl it, buy a new wig or add extensions.”

On her go-to protective style underneath:

“I typically cornrow my hair as a protective style.”

On the non-negotiables of her wig routine:

“Weekly washes and deep conditioning.”

On her hero wig care products:

“I just recently discovered Silicon Mix Bambu Hair Treatment. It’s great for restoring moisture into my wigs when they start to get frizzy.”

On her hair inspirations:

“It was @heathersanders_ who I first saw on Instagram rocking coloured wigs in blue, pink and ombre designs. She inspired me when I first started colouring my units back in 2015. Lately, I look to influencers like @nyane and @nikitadragun for colour inspiration. I love that they use wigs to create their own characters for that day, whether it’s for a party or just to grocery shop. These girls are constantly switching things up with their wig, makeup and outfit combos to create these striking fantasy looks that I really admire. They’re both very over the top and dramatic, but it reminds me to be playful with how I express myself through clothes, hair and makeup.”

Courtesy of Sadé Powell

On navigating mainstream beauty standards:

“I’ve definitely felt pressure to conform to Euro-centric beauty standards. Especially when you grow up not seeing girls like you represented on television or in advertising, you start to think that there is only one type of beautiful. You then, without even realizing it, adjust your outward appearance to fit in, and reject the parts of you that don’t. I feel like this was mostly true for me before high school, but I was lucky to be from a very diverse neighbourhood where I would see the older girls, especially Black girls, constantly experimenting with their hair. Sometimes the styles were bold and edgy, while other times they were questionable, but creative. Having their influence really helped me find my own style through hair and made me feel like I could try anything.”

Aurore Evee, bilingual communications and creative services specialist

Courtesy of Aurore Evee

On wig life:

“I bought my first wig six years ago. They’re a way for me to push my fashion style even further and play. I see them as accessories, or like makeup, and wear them when I have a specific style in mind that I want to recreate. Nine of the ten wigs I own are synthetic, and I mostly wear them for a day or two in a row. I try my best to take care of them by not applying anything on them, by combing them only before and after wearing them, and by putting them back in their boxes before going to bed.”

On her go-to protective style underneath:

“Braids, always.”

On the non-negotiables of her wig routine:

“Moisturising my own hair before doing my protective style. That way I know that when I remove my wig, I can wear my natural hair as an Afro right away.”

On her hair inspirations:

“Influencer Ambrosia Malbrough. She has been such an inspiration since the beginning of my hair journey and is still my favourite. She is so good with her hair. I love that she does everything herself and changes her hairstyle very often. I wish I had the patience to do so as well!”

Courtesy of Aurore Evee

On navigating mainstream beauty standards:

“My hair is everything to me, and I’ve had such a hair journey, like many Black women. I have felt the pressure to conform to a certain standard when I was in college; I remember wanting to have straighter hair. That’s probably why I started doing weaves back in college. Accepting my natural hair wasn’t easy, because I didn’t even know where to start. I didn’t have examples of women in magazines or on TV with their own natural hair. I didn’t know what products to use and how to avoid damage. I grew up in France where the Black community is big, but it was difficult to find hair products for my 4C curls. Some of the products I bought back then were even bad for my hair! But eventually I started going on YouTube and seeing all of these beautiful women rocking their natural hair, and I started having hope. When I started actually taking proper care of my curls, I understood that: the more I knew about my texture, the more I loved it. This has been my mantra.”

Chinenye Otakpor, rehabilitation specialist by day, fashion blogger by night

Courtesy of Chinenye Otakpor

On wig life:

“I have been rocking wigs for about 10 years now. I started in grade 10, buying my first bundle and watching tutorials on YouTube on how to make a U-part wig. My go-to wig style is always big and sassy, like my personality. I love curls, but I also wear straight hair looks that have volume. I love the versatility of wigs. They also have the ability to provide a certain kind of confidence you cannot explain. I’m sure other Black women understand what I mean by that. As a fashion blogger, my wigs complete my outfit most of the time, and allow me to project the attitude I want that outfit to give. The best part of wigs is it allows me to properly take care of my hair and maintain length without constantly exposing it to heat. The funny part that I also love is that wigs also gives me the ability to continuously confuse people in 2020. People who do not understand the concept of wigs and how it is impossible for me to be blonde today and jet black tomorrow!”

On her go-to protective style underneath:

“I normally have my hair in cornrows to keep my wig installs flat. And when I do not have my cornrows, I do Bantu knots to get that curl and volume for when I wear my hair out.”

On the non-negotiables of her wig routine:

“I would say securing my wig down with wig glue is non-negotiable. I cannot be out here getting my wig snatched and becoming a meme for the Internet! Another significant part of my routine is not over styling it or overloading it with product. My trick to refresh a stringy-looking wig is using dry shampoo.”

On her hero wig care products:

“I normally go for the Tresemme Volumizing Dry Shampoo. It adds the extra little boost my hair needs in those ‘refresh’ times. And my hero haircare product is the Giovanni Frizz Be Gone Super-Smoothing Anti-Frizz Hair Serum. I swear by this product because it leaves your strands so smooth and silky, especially when I straighten my wigs. It always makes my wigs so luscious and luxurious that I’m almost convinced it is my hair! Another product I use first after washing my wigs is the Beyond The Zone Turn Up The Heat Flat Iron Protection Spray. This is one of the best heat protectants I have tried in a while. My trick when using it is spraying it on my hands first and then working it through my hair. Because it’s an oil-based product, it can make your hair look greasy [if you apply too much].”

Courtesy of Chinenye Otakpor

On her hair inspirations:

“First and foremost I would definitely let Neal Farinah, Beyoncé’s hairstylist, bless my head with his hands. Others are @anthonycuts and @tokyostylez for wig installs. No one can slay a wig like these two talented human beings! I wish I could get my hands on one of their creations but my bank account continuously tells me to relax every time that thought crosses my mind. @romeofashionfix is also a huge hair inspiration. She has made me want pink hair or just any bold signature colour for the last year or so. I love that she has a signature hair colour and it never gets boring.”

On navigating mainstream beauty standards:

“I have definitely felt pressure to conform to the mainstream definition of beauty because it provides comfort that does not always need to be disturbed or questioned. I love my natural hair, but I cannot lie and say that I do not notice the difference in the way people look and treat me with my natural hair versus a wig. There are days I do wish I never started wearing wigs because it has conditioned this insecurity in me that makes me question my beauty and self-worth when I do not wear one. It then becomes a moment of continuous self-affirmation: to remind myself that I’m born beautiful just like my mother and that wigs never defined her beauty during her time, so why should they define my image — my self-worth? I have not fully been able to overcome that feeling yet. I just maintain a balance, and continuously remind myself that my natural hair is my crown. I think it’s our job as Black women to continuously remind each other of the beauty in our natural states.”

Francilia Odame-Nyarkoh, elementary school teacher and entrepreneur

Courtesy of Francilia Odame-Nyarkoh

On wig life:

“I’ve been wearing weaves and braids since I was ten and full head wigs since I was fifteen. For special occasions, I love to slip on my Brazilian lace front wigs. The hair is much softer and lighter, and it provides me with a look that I will never get on my own. For an everyday look, I love natural kinky hair wigs. I find that style blends in very well with my own hair. Plus, I don’t have people asking me if it’s my real hair. As a mother of four young kids, I never have time for my hair, so I love the convenience of wigs. I can just get up, slip one on and go. I don’t have to worry about pressing my hair, combing my hair, etc. Maybe in the future, when the kids get older, I will wear my hair natural.”

On her go-to protective style underneath:

“Straight cornrows to the back. Sometimes I leave a little bit of my own hair out to blend into the wig.”

On the non-negotiables of her wig routine:

“I always wear a cap underneath the wig before placing it on my head.”

On her hero wig care products:

“Got2b Glued Gel. My lace front wigs can’t survive without it. I also love using natural oils on my natural wigs made with human hair.”

On the best wig tip she’s picked up from a hair pro:

“Unless your wig is human hair, only use products labelled for synthetic wigs. Using products for real hair will stress and damage the synthetic fibres.”

On navigating mainstream beauty standards:

“My mom first relaxed my hair when I was six years old, so that right away gave me the notion that Afro hair is not beautiful. As I got older, I began to have an appreciation for natural hair. There was one major experience that gave me that ‘Aha! moment’. I had a student in my class, a beautiful Black girl with amazing Afro hair. One day she drew a picture of herself with straight hair. When I approached her to ask her why she didn’t draw her own hair, she responded by saying, ‘Because, I wish my hair was like yours.’ I was extremely saddened by this experience. I literally came to school the next day with my natural hair and didn’t even care that it wasn’t done! But in all honesty, after wearing my natural hair for a few days I realized I wasn’t really comfortable with the maintenance and look of it. So, I went back to wearing wigs. But we did have a very thorough lesson on acceptance, and we had a discussion regarding what my natural hair looks like and why I didn’t wear my natural hair. This experience taught me that, as adults, we really need to be careful of the information that we put out there (even if it’s subconscious). Ever since then, I’ve developed an appreciation for more natural looking wigs as well.”

And if you missed last week’s column, click here.

The post Texture Talk: 4 Canadian Black Women Open Up About Wearing Wigs appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Texture Talk: 4 Canadian Black Women Open Up About Wearing Wigs published first on https://borboletabags.tumblr.com/

[raven-555]

Hello everyone 😃. How are you all doing?

I recently posted my current hair state on Snapchat and got so many questions. From transitioning, to how I grow my hair. My hair journey so far has been fun, adventurous and full of new discoveries . So I want to share with you all, my tips on how to grow healthy, thick, long hair. My hair is below collar bone length and I can’t wait for it to get much longer, Yaaayy.

This post should answer all the questions I have received and I hope that you’ll benefit from it.

PS. These are the things I do and have done in the past to help my hair. It’s basically all about trial and error. Learn to discover what works for your hair type. I have changed a lot of the routines i started with when i first went natural and that is because now, i have learnt how to take care of my hair and i know what it needs. So my routine is way shorter and quicker.

Transitioning

Transitioning as opposed to the big chop is when you allow the new growth to sprout and you still have your relaxed hair attached because you still want the length or you’re just not sure how you’ll look with a very short Afro.

I transitioned, and it was not the most pleasant experience ever. It was hard to maintain both textures (curly & straight). I had to do styles like Bantu knots or flexi rod sets to try to blend both textures but it never lasted for more than 2 days.

What I recommend 

Invest in a good leave in conditioner as this will make combing easier

Always comb from the bottom upwards as this will reduce breakage 

Always use a wide tooth comb

If you are like me and both textures start driving you crazy, embrace it and cut off the relaxed ends using a hair trimming scissors.

Wear protective styles. For example, I wore a lot of box braids whilst transitioning. But you never want to leave a style in for more than 1½ months.

Deep conditioners are your friends. It’ll help with moisture and manageability.

Already Natural

Afro in puffs

If you’re at this stage, you’ve fully embraced your curls and are rocking your Afro. But I’m always asked on what do I use to grow my hair. Well here are the things I do;

I stay away from heat as much as possible. The last time I flat ironed my hair was in 2016 and I’ve decided that the health of my hair is better than damaging it. So no more heat for at least 2 years.

I trim the ends of my hair at least twice a year. One at the beginning of the year and another at the end. I also make sure to use scissors specifically designed for hair cutting.

I finger detangle my hair for knots before I use a comb.

I stopped wearing weaves.

I recently just bought a wig which I’ll wear once in a while but prior to this moment, I never wore wigs.

I stopped going to the salon, instead i decided to learn about my hair and style/braid it myself.

I stopped using shampoos with sulfur in them. Instead, I have invested in shampoos and conditioners designed for natural hair.

I give myself scalp massages at least twice a week, and these last for 2 minutes or at most 4 minutes.

I use growth oils. I have in a bottle a mixture of peppermint oil, rosemary oil, jojoba oil and Jamaican extra dark castor, wild growth oils (the white and the yellow bottle), essential 17 (by Alikay naturals). All these oils are pre-mixed by me and in a plastic bottle. To use I boil some water and pour in a bowl. Then I put the bottle in the hot water to heat up. When it has cooled down a bit, I shake it and pour a little bit on my palm. Then I use my finger tips to distribute it around my scalp and massage. And this has definitely helped with my hair growth.

sunny isle extra dark jamaican black castor oil

miaroma peppermint oil

miaroma rosemary oil

sunny isle jojoba oil

I take Silica complex vitamins. This contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, skin & nails. It contains calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron, horsetail extract, and many more. I believe it works because I’ve been taking it for a year now and have seen some general improvements in the areas it targets.

I make sure my protective styles are not too tight and are not pulling at my edges.

I wash my hair at least once a week. 

I don’t use brushes to comb through my hair and for my edges I use a soft boar bristle brush. Use the proper hair tools for your hair type.

I try to maintain a healthy diet and exercise. Don’t forget to drink a lot of water.

I moisturise my hair a lot focusing on my ends as they are very fragile. 

My hair loves water. So sometimes, I hop into the shower without a shower cap and let the steam do get my hair moist. Or if i have braids in, I spritz it with water every morning.

My hair is pretty much always in either twists or braids so I don’t play with it too much.

PATIENCE

That’s it. That is how I have managed to maintain the health of my hair and it’s length.

For more information on the specific products I use, click My current hair care favourites

If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to ask them 😃.

As always, have a lovely day and I will see you next time 💙.

How to maintain and grow thick, strong, long hair. click on the link below :) Hello everyone 😃. How are you all doing? I recently posted my current hair state on Snapchat and got so many questions.