Natural Hair Myth #1

Before straightening



The result



Everyone has their opinions about straightened hair, whether it's chemically relaxed or heat processed. It's a personal decision to straighten your hair with either process. Although some favor these processess for different reasons than others, this does not justify one person more than the other. We are bombarded by images in the media of celebrities with images that often copied by audiences of all ages. In particular, we are faced with ideals of what is beautiful in the African American/Black community. Our youth are mimicking these celebrities for popularity or self-esteem issues and older audiences are copying to fit a mold that men have for our black women. The women portrayed in these videos or movies, are oftentimes airbrushed or edited to appeal sexier and more flawless than the people are in reality. As a result, men are desiring these characteristics in women and raising standards of how a real women should look. What is the thought process that I am trying to transmit to your mind? You do not need straight and luxuriously flowing hair to be beautiful. There is not a problem with having your hair straight, wearing straight weaves, or having it natural, as long as you are comfortable in your skin.

Myth #1

Natural hair can't be straightened.

Before blow drying

I have to admit, I had no clue that natural hair can be straightened and be just as beautiful as chemically treated hair. It was not until I became natural and watched videos, read blogs, or scanned photo sharing sites that I knew this was possible. Once I relieved myself from the "creamy crack" I became apart of this web of naturals. My opinion in regards to this myth is that natural hair is more versatile than many people think. I always hear this comment when talking to someone with chemically treated hair, " my hair is too bad to go natural." I hardly thought this about my hair, because I never got the chance to see my natural hair, so there was no way of knowing whether my texture was "good" or "bad." Reverting back to the top of straightening hair, there are ways to straighten natural kinks and curls without harsh chemicals in perms/relaxers.

Styling the straight hair

Here are some things you can do to prep hair before straightening.

1. Shampoo or co-wash hair to cleanse hair.

2. Deep condition hair to add lots of moisture(and spoil your coils!)

3. Braid or twist damp hair to stretch OR blow dry hair. Make sure you add a moisturizer to hair before braiding or blow-drying. If you are blow drying hair PLEASE add a heat protectant to your hair.

4. Once braids or twists are dry, blow dry your entire hair or sections(whichever you desire).

Ready, Set, Straighten!

1. Be sure to add heat protectant if you have not already done so before adding heat to hair.
2. Separate hair into 4-6 sections with clips or ponytail holders.

Before combing curled hair

3. You can use the Maxi-glide, ceramic flat-irons, or a hot comb.Straighten small sections of hair, around 1 inch at a time and slowly straighten from root to ends. You may have to go through each section a few times, but this depends on how straight you want YOUR hair. Once you are complete, you can add some glosser or a little oil to add sheen.

End result

Wrap hair at night in a circular pattern around entire head and cover with silk scarf and/or bonnet. You can find numerous videos on youtube about how to wrap hair. I have added a before and after photo of my hair straightened.

I can be curly, kinky, or straight,

I do not intend to instill self-hate.

I am weakened and in need of strength,

Please strip the chemicals and go the length.

Natural you, can cure me naturally.