The first
and most important thing to remember with African hair is that it is just the
same as any other hair, in that it grows like any other hair and it too can
reach amazing lengths. Quite often with a hair journey there are moments where
you feel frustrated and at your wits end. In my own experience
I have looked at
the scissors as the solution to all my problems.
The only
thing with our hair texture is our approach in handling. The term your hair is
your crown really does apply in this case. Hair adorns our head and should be
treated like a Hermès scarf. The more love you show it, the more love it gives
back the more you will be treated and rewarded. This circle of life is what
will give beautiful, strong and rich hair that you've always envisioned for
yourself.
I remember
when I started with my own hair journey I had no idea what to do and what to
expect. Hair had never been a struggle because I used to have this beautiful
afro, but as beautiful as it was stunted in its growth and it perpetually
remained at one constant length. Yet it was still gorgeous and strong.
Eventually I grew tired of my afro and decided to go for a short hair cut and
for most of 2011 I had a cute little Bob.
My first
year of varsity was an education and it was filled with a cacophony of
hairstyles. I had many hair firsts. My first weave, my first micro braids as
well as my first fresh cut which was blonde and for the first month it had pink
tips. Through all those hairstyles I eventually decided to cut it all off and
go bald.
Refreshing
is the one word that I can resonate with being bald. You have nowhere to hide
and it’s just you as you are. Sometimes I fell into the trap of
overcompensating with jewellery and make-up, but that passes fast; the moment I
embraced it for what it was, was the moment I felt free to be who I am.
2013 was my
mediocre year in hair. All I focused my spirits on was just getting the god
damn hair to grow, and flourish it did. I did some research on to healthy hair
journeys but it was superficial and I just focused on the basics of it.
Protective style was the theme of the year and by December I had relaxed hair
that I had put into micro braid twists which looked beautiful but were not
without their setbacks.
2014 I was
bushy tailed, eager and decided to start with a real hair journey. I recovered
my dearly departed hairline after the curse of the twists. And my hair just
looked so pretty. I did a lot, actually extensive, no wait borderline stalker
research on healthy hair practices. I had two setbacks though. The first was
protein overload after my relaxer, but after going through a tub of deep
conditioner all was well. The second was that after my first home relaxer in
June I decided to jump ship to texlaxed hair. Even now I have relaxed hair I
bleached and coloured hanging on, and in time they will meet the wrath of my
shears.
Going
forward I have a lot of hopes for my hair, a course I want the whole waist
length hair shindig, but more than anything I want to retain the health and
structure of my hair, I want to embrace it for everything it is.
