Beauty
Six Black women on the trials and triumphs of finding the perfect wash-day routine.
Ive been getting braids my entire life and have never run into this issue.
Yet, there I was, suddenly ineligible for a style designed specifically for my hair punch in.
The unfortunate part of this experience is that its athing.
Plenty of braiders have goneviralfor having unreasonable, anti-Black expectations that simply dont exist for people with straighter hair.
Braids are supposed to be our safe space.
Id rather not have hair than continue to be rejected in the salon chair.
Its not the first time that my afro-textured hair has been misunderstood by a stylist.
While white folks can walk into most salons and be served, the Black experience couldnt be more different.
In 2020, I taught myselfhow to do box braids so I could isolate safely.
Waist-length, medium sized box braids tooktwodays to install.
She points out that braiding is an intergenerational, social tradition that predates capitalist labor demands.
I wash once or twice every couple of weeks.
Last night, I oiled my hair and scalp a bit before bed with argan oil.
This morning, I conditioned, washed, and conditioned again with SheaMoisture.
Im still trying to find a daily moisturizer that works for me and it hasnt been so easy.
I struggle with dry scalp and build-up.
I also look for something that wont weigh my hair down because its soft and fine.
I dont know that I have so many explicit inspirations.
I know anywhere there are Black people, theres bound to be some folk with locs.
Its the same in Louisiana.
Traditional locs are really popular.
Once I got to college, I started my first loc journey.
But I came to love them.Junglepussyeven complimented them once.
I venture to make my wash day a really important self-care day.
I feel like we as Black women always dont have the time to do a good self-care day.
So, I take a stab at give my hair some real love.
I wash my hair withCarols Daughters Goddess line.
I useAussies Three Minute Deep Conditionerand it works like a charm.
I use another deep conditioner from SheaMoisture, theManuka Masque.
After that, I let my hair air dry because I dont like to put anything on it.
I use a t-shirt [instead of a] towel.
Then, I [follow] the leave-in conditioner, oil, and cream (LOC) process.
I also put a little conditioner in a water bottle and spray it on.
Janet Collectionused to always be my favorite.
I loveBetter Length Hairbecause they have really good afro-textured hair.
The coils come out perfectly.
The crown is 4A, the middle is 4C, and the nape is 4B.
Its changed so much since having a baby because it takes so much more planning.
I moisturize with water and [something] likeSoftsheen Carson Care Free Curl SnapBack Curl Restorer.
Lastly, I re-twist my hair to wear under silk-lined turbans or wigs.
Easy, quick, tension-free styling matters most to me.
I had some new cornrows that were just beautiful.
However, with the postpartum shedding, the tension was just too much.
They had to go!
Retaining length due to split ends and, of course, postpartum shedding.
Setting a proper trimming schedule also makes a big difference in retaining length.
I wash my hair with shampoo twice a week.
My mid-week shampoo is not super intense; its just to wash out the build-up from leave-ins.
Normally, I dont condition in the shower for my mid-week wash.
I apply either a leave-in or conditioner daily, and I oil my scalp every night.
Now, Im optimizing for time.
I used to optimize for comfort at Barnard.
It was annoying to be doing something normal and then have to answer questions.
I almost feel like baby me is the hair Im working towards.
In Haiti, its traditional to make ribbons with leftover dress fabric.
Ive had to overcome a lot, and I wanted to honor that journey of mine.
I want to wear my hair how I used to as a kid.
My pre-poo is a Pantene conditioner, the big white bottle.
Next, I wash that out and put its Rice Water Deep Conditioner on it.
I let it sit on my head for an hour to 24 hours.
Then, I wash it out and make the Chebe powder.
My dad is Fulani.
Theyll leave it there for three to four hours, or longer periods of time.
The longest Ive done it is for three days; the shortest Ive done is six hours.
[After] I wash it out, thats when Ill style it.
There are so many challenges.
Natural hair is not easy.
Still, I want to see how long I can grow my hair.
The top of her head is coarse and kinky and the back is more coily.
I really like wearingheadband wigsfrom Her Given Hair.
All I gotta do is slap it on.
People were very complimentary.
People thought this was my hair, hair.
It does not give ‘wig’ at all.
It’s so cute and a really great color for my skin tone.
If you’re anti-one [sulfate product] ,you do have to be anti all of them.
you’ve got the option to’t be usingBlue Magicand not have sulfates in your shampoo.
It’s not going to come out.
you might’t use Blue Magic and then co-wash.
