On tuesday, I did the flexi rods again but (single strand) twisted the tips before rolling.
Wednesday, I did a twist and curl, thursday a braid and curl and on friday I cornrowed it before bed and wore it wavy the next day. On sunday I put it in medium twists which are currently sitting in a bun on my head. I combed it out most nights before styling and loved the big hair effect... Made me feel very rawwrrrr hehe...
The reaction at work was quite subtle, I noticed a lot of approving looks and everyone assumed I'd gotten a weave and/or relaxer. When they found out I hadn't, I was encouraged to get a relaxer. The conversations went something like this.
" You look different. You relaxed your hair?
"No I straightened it"
"Do you dye your hair? Its so black and so full"
"Thanks, it's natural"
"Why don't you like to relax your hair?"
"Because I'd like to stay very black and very full"
*confused stare*
Or another variation:
"Ooh your hair is lovely, is it brazilian?"
"Nope it's Nigerian"
"Huh?"
"It's my hair"
"Your real hair?"
"Yup"
Proceed to check for tracks.
"Wow it's so long and so thick. How?"
"Because I don't relax my hair"
"Why don't you relax it?"
"Because it's so long and so thick and I'd like it to remain like that"
"You should relax it, it will be very nice and smooth"
"But you JUST said it was nice...?"
And so on...
My hair also inspired some fierce debates. I walked into a store and as I was making my purchase, two women broke into a fierce argument, speaking rapidly in a northern Nigerian language. They kept glancing at me and I wondered if I'd inadvertently offended them by walking in. Eventually, one of them walked over to me and barked "is that your real hair?", I nodded. She turned to her partner with a triumphant "ehen! I no talk am?!" (I.e. I told you so). I quietly made my exit.
It also prompted an impromptu photoshoot right in the office. One of my colleagues is into photography and happened to have his camera with him one day. It was a few minutes before I noticed him snapping away. He loves Stef... So I wasn't too surprised and I let him take all the pics he wanted. He's promised to let me have some to put on LITK.
Mostly I got a lot of "is that your hair?" And a lot of jaw dropping.
I sent pics to my friend who is trying to go natural and she thought I was trying to make her jealous. I explained to her that I wanted her to see where her hair could be in the next two to three years, and that I'm not the exception but the rule. With proper care, natural hair can grow to unprecedented lengths (or heights). I'm quite lazy when it comes to caring for my hair so if I could get to here with little effort, imagine how far you can go!
**please forgive the crappy picture quality**
5 comments:
Yes, apology definitely in order for this picture quality. Apology accepted.
I love Stef.
I should be in naij soon and although my hair is shorter than yours i intend to wear it out for the most part because i have no intention to be struggling with a weave in that naija heat.
It'll be interesting to see all the different reactions. Starting with my parents of course.
AWWW you look so pretty! I love how you're repping for the naturals in Naija. The reactions you had are hilarious but I like how your educating folks.
Grlll you sound JUST like my mother.She has reelaxed hair but she only relaxes it..maybe 4 times a year and she NEVER straigtens it.She doesnt know how to style natural so she just relaxes it and puts it in a protective hair style.No heat..nothing.So when she does wear it down people ask if its a weave becuase its so long and thick and when she tells them it isnt they get offended.Like WTF,stop.lol
Grlll you sound JUST like my mother.She has reelaxed hair but she only relaxes it..maybe 4 times a year and she NEVER straigtens it.She doesnt know how to style natural so she just relaxes it and puts it in a protective hair style.No heat..nothing.So when she does wear it down people ask if its a weave becuase its so long and thick and when she tells them it isnt they get offended.Like WTF,stop.lol You look fantastic! And because you dont over do the straightening your hair is soo lovely and thick!
I can NOT believe you managed to keep it straight(ish) for a whole week with this humidity! I really like how you modified it as the week went on and the poofiness set in. Maybe I should be less scared and experiment more. Hmm...
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