“We all have the option of how we want to express ourselves through our life, hair, style or whatever we decide. We shouldn’t be pigeonholed into any one category.”
–Solange Knowles, Essence Magazine- May 2014
More than ever before, there has been a natural hair movement. People call it “going natural,” while others simply say, “we are returning to our natural state.” Natural hair is more than a movement, it is a statement. A way of not conforming to society’s idea of what beauty is. In my opinion, our children, teenagers and adults have been brainwashed to believe that they’re not as beautiful in their natural state. We encourage perms and weaves at very young ages to the point where this practice becomes the norm. We look at celebrities in their long flowing weaves and think that is the look to emulate. Is there something wrong with having a weave? Absolutely NOT! Let me be the first to say I religiously weaved my hair every month in my early 20’s. Not to mention, most naturals wear weaves as protective styles. A weave is an easy escape; a great go-to for versatility and the perfect protective style for the winter and summer months. People wear weaves for different reasons. Maybe natural hair is not for them, and that is okay! Perms are not for me. I feel my hair does not look good straight. Even in my natural state, when I blow it out, I look horrible! Please be clear, this is not an anti-weave post, it is pro expression. Expression through hair and style- in its natural state.
Whether natural or not, hair is tons of maintenance. While I don’t have the luxury of just wrapping my hair every night to go to bed, I also don’t spend hours in the salon on a Saturday morning. Natural hair maintenance is tedious. Every single night I dampen my hair, put my leave-in conditioner, apply my Eco-styler Gel, two strand twist my hair and then seal my ends with my Ani & Coco Shea Butter Cream. I do this every single night. I decided to go natural because weaves were becoming too expensive for me and my hair was completely damaged from years of perming, glue-in and sew-ins. I had just moved out on my own at the age of 23. By 24, I decided to stop perming and go natural under the weave. In 2008 I grew loccs. Fast forward to late 2012, I combed my loccs out and decided it was time for an afro. At this current moment, I LOVE my hair. I rock a nicely tapered curly fro. While the maintenance is tedious, it is what God gave me. I feel more versatile in how I dress because of my hair! I decided to get a few natural hair beauties together to get their story. I inquired about their personal style, how it affects their hair style and why they decided to return to their natural state.
Milah-
Why did you decide to return to your natural state?
It’s hard to believe there was a moment in time that I did actually perm my hair. A short time, but it is part of my hairstory. I wanted my hair to look like my peers and what I saw on television never fully embracing the frizzy wildness of my hair. Back in the 90s and early 2000’s I simply looked “crazy” with my hair out. But one day I looked around and was tired of looking like “everyone else”. To take it a step further I was also rejecting the idea of looking like a stereotype. I started to understand how my hair communicated who I was without me saying a word. From that moment on I was free.
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is tomboyfemme. I didn’t really embrace the softer side of myself until post college. Now, I think my style is a blend of both worlds. Essentially, my style is Brooklyn.
How does that affect how you do your hair?
Generally it doesn’t. I style myself around my hair most of the time. It depends on the occasion and mostly my mood as to if I want my hair to be wild or more controlled.
Irene-
Why did you decide to return to your natural roots?
I decided to go back to my natural roots because for a while I was honestly tired of perming my hair. I was tired of getting my hair blown out every week or every other week. After I really did research on perms and the chemicals that are in it, it really scared me like, “wow I am putting this in my hair” then I started to think “what if one day this gets into my eye” all these nerve wrecking thoughts… also I was curious to see what my natural hair looked like. I wanted to know what my “curl pattern” was. I found old photos of me as a child (before the perm) and my hair was so thick, long and just overall healthy… I wanted that back!
How would you describe your personal style?
I would honestly describe my personal style as very laid back, I am very sale friendly lol… I love a great bargain and thrifting is my thing… to me it doesn’t matter how much you spend on an outfit or item of clothing but how you wear it to make it look great.
How does that affect how you do your hair?
Learning my hair more and more, I’ve learned not all styles go with what I wear.. Let’s say I am going to an event that requires me to dress more formal or dressy I would most likely do my hair in flexi rods. On the other hand if I am having a casual day I’ll do my hair in a twist out of flat twist out, if I am feeling lazy a puff is definitely my Go- To.
Aneesah-
Why did you decide to return to your natural state?
Firstly, I got REAL tired of relaxing my hair! I remembered having thick hair as a kid and I didn’t necessarily love how thin my hair looked when I was relaxed towards the end. Some would say it was “straight”, but I wanted it full. Secondly, I’ve ALWAYS insisted that my daughter stay natural – I would tell her that she didn’t need a relaxer, her hair is beautiful, BUT I had a relaxer…um…Lastly, I must say that when I purchased my home, I felt a sense of evolution, freeness, “grown ass womanness”! Something needed to be different! This was my liberation.
How would you describe your personal style?
A little bit Rihanna, A little bit Mad Men = In my 30s I’m secure in who I am and so I will always be a rebel at heart, but just with big button vintage earrings
How does that affect how you do your hair?
A fro will ALWAYS do, but above all, my earrings and lipstick definitely define what I may want my hairstyle to look like.
Champagne-
Why did you decide to return to your natural state?
My mom didn’t allow me to have a relaxer, so I learned to work with what I have! It’s made me very acceptable of myself at a young age.
How would you describe your personal style?
Ever heard of Denise Huxtable? That’s me. I ironed maybe one outfit the whole school year.
How does that affect how you do your hair?
My hair is big, it’s always been big so my style is likewise big & bold
Shari-
Why did you decide to return to your natural state?
I always admired natural hair and after struggling with breakage, thinning and other effects of relaxed hair for 28 years, I decided to cut off my relaxer and see how it would grow. It also seemed that my relaxer would not hold up after 2.5 weeks of being relaxed, as though my hair was rejecting the chemicals.
How would you describe your personal style?
Comfortable, casual & urban
How does that affect how you do your hair?
My hair is usually simply done to match my laid back style
Dana-
Why did you decide to return to your natural state?
I just got tired of perming my hair. Period. I wasn’t re-defining myself, getting in touch with my roots or making a political statement. Nothing deep. I love the diversity of styles natural hair gives me the option to explore. Plus, I’d never seen natural hair that looked “bad”. HOWEVER, I’ve seen PLENTY of permed heads look terrible.
How would you describe your personal style?
I’ve never really been able to describe it. Not because it’s so unique but because it’s as undefined as I still am to myself. As cliché as it sounds I’m growing and changing everyday and so are my style choices and inspirations. I guess I can safely say I don’t like putting a name or title on something for fear it may later be interpreted wrong if it changes. My style is also strongly motivated by what’s clean because I wait like 6wks to do laundry lol
How does that affect how you do your hair?
Thankfully, not much. Jeffro (my hair) wants what she wants when she wants it. I’ve learned to listen to my hair when it comes to styling. I start with assessing what my hair is currently doing then slide to “how much time do I have before I’m disrespectfully late?” Lol Once I have an answer to those two questions I can choose a style.
Peggy-
Why did you decide to return to your natural state?
I had my first relaxer when I was 4 years old. Therefore I never knew what my natural hair looked and felt like. In addition, I was tired of spending money on trips to the salon and relaxing my hair with harsh chemicals. After researching and reading books about the history of my natural hair. I decided to embark on a natural hair journey back in 2008 -2009, when there wasn’t as much support as there is today. I felt it was best for me to stop relaxing my hair and embrace my natural hair.
How would you describe your personal style?
My style is very versatile, but for the most part it is relaxed yet fun. I also dress according to my mood of the day. I don’t put too much thought into it, if I like an outfit and feel comfortable, I will wear it.
How does that affect how you do your hair?
My hair styles are always pretty easy. I wear my hair out 90% of the time and for the most part it goes with anything and everything I wear. My hair and outfits compliments each other pretty nicely, and represents my style.
Makeup for Champ, Shari, Dana, Marsha, Irene and Peggy done by Camille Mattem. For more inquiries contact FacesbyCam@gmail.com
Makeup for Irene, Milah and Aneesah done by Coco Bella. For inquiries contact CocoBella0427@gmail.com
Photography by Maria Gilbert
Shoot sponsored by Ani & Coco and Beads of Hope
Marshbar's Closet 
