Cosmetology School Wig project Afro Hair Update Part 1

Journal 6: The road too often travelled

Of course, I have not made the decision about cutting my hair, but I have been thinking about all of the common misconceptions that are floating around about haircare. From a young age, black women are told, “you wash your hair every two weeks”, without questioning our mother’s/grandmother’s/aunt’s advice. To accompany this advice, we are also told that the consequences are less than positive if we are to stray from the biweekly regime. Seemingly innocuous, this advice has been with me for years. I had to gather the courage to defy the figures in my life. For the past month or so, I washed my hair every three days. EVERY THREE DAYS! One small step for me, no? Not only is my hair softer, it is still manageable even though I do not straighten regularly. The humidity of Indiana is also an encouragement to not put forth any significant effort. Right now, I am content with my decision and my hair. With that being said, I suggest you question your routine and determine if it fits your life or the life of your maternal lineage.

Journal #5: Crossroads

Time is an interesting entity. It feels like I haven’t straightened my hair in a month, but I cannot be certain. I can be sure, however , that I have been wearing my version of an afro for about two weeks now. Why am I indecisive? It is the same issue as before. I am still contemplating doing the big chop, but I have not cut my hair (not since the bob). My hair is still two textures and I cannot recall my hair texture from my youth. I wonder if it was always this way, if there is still a residual affect from the relaxer, or is the chop will not change anything. Here is a list of my pros and cons:

Pros

Removal of damaged hair

Starting with a clean slate

No more ambiguity

I would be able to do a wash and go without compromising

Cons

I cannot cut it (Scissors can only cut so much)

Stress has prevented my nails from growing, and I am concerned that the same will happen to my hair

• Brief side note: My nails normally grow long without breakage/chipping. They have grown as much because this has been a very challenging school year

I couldn’t change my hair style because I wouldn’t have hair

• I enjoy change, but I would be forced to chill and see the same hair style week after week, month after month

The possibility of nothing changing is also preventing me from cutting my hair

I will continue to wait on Debra to see if her texture has reverted to its tru state of oneness. Once I get that confirmation, changes will be made. I will keep you posted!

Hair + Knowledge = GREATNESS!!

It is amazing how knowledge spreads. The excitement from my hair growth gave me the confidence to approach several members of my family about hair care. The first person was my mother, but that was a battle that I had a sneaking suspicion that I would lose. She still believes in the infallible power of hair grease and Sulfur 8. When I visited her, the second thing she would say was “I can make your hair grow”, which was a slap to my face. This implied that I failed and that she knew better. It was a war between carrot oil and the blue jar, but I wasn’t falling for the ever-flowing hate. I informed her of what I was doing and why I didn’t need grease, but like a pit bull, she would not let go. I walked away, letting my hair do the talking. She had no response to the Afro puff that peeked from behind my head. The next person, who was very responsive, was my aunt. She took my advice and ran with it. She tried the suggested products, but she does not know how to wrap her hair. Another obstacle is her addiction to “creme crack” (I apologize to those who truly love their relaxer, but it is not healthy. Think about it, the person applying it to your scalp has to wear gloves because it will burn their skin…), but she is trying to break away. My cousin was another member who I spoke to about my hair regimen. She absorbed my advice like a sponge, but she couldn’t afford the change. Isn’t that upsetting? I hope finances do not impede you from successful hair growth…