(Hair & Beauty) "I AM NOT MY HAIR" African American women

TheFIGURE sheds light on African-American women who are tossing relaxers and going "Natural", how to care for it, and most importantly accepting it!

Neo-soul singer India Arie tells all in music video "I AM NOT MY HAIR" Feat. Akon

"Going Natural"

Sure, many black women are still using chemicals, but all of this sheds light as to why we are seeing such a big rise in the number of them who are going natural. It's not only because black women are tired of damaged hair from using chemicals (which is a major factor), but it's also because natural hair is much easier to maintain. Are more black women seeing their natural hair as inferior or a curse? African hair is more versatile than relaxed hair or naturally straight hair. If you want to straight it, all you have to do is blow dry or use a hot comb, but if you want to go natural, you can wash your hair and let it air dry. You can braid it, curl it, lock it, twist it, turn it, or whatever!

 "Black women going natural today should be the norm, not a trend. More and more black women are returning to their roots because of chemical damage due to relaxers and more. I think there is nothing more beautiful then a black woman with natural hair. We as black women shouldn't let society define what beauty is. And we should teach our children to love themselves for who they are, to appreciate what god has given us naturally. " Says Moor, fan of natural hair.

Treatment

Homemade & Organic recipes for Natural Hair

"Avacado Deep Conditioner"
Ingredients:
1 small jar of mayonnaise
1/2 avocado

Directions
Peel avocado and remove pit. Mix all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl with your hands until it's a consistent green color. Smooth into hair being careful to work it to the ends. Use shower cap or plastic wrap to seal body heat in. Leave on hair for 20 minutes. For deeper conditioning wrap a hot, damp towel around your head over the plastic, or use a hair dryer set to a low to medium heat setting.

"Chamomile Brightener for Blonde Hair"
Ingredients
6 Organic Chamomile tea bags
1/2 cup plain yogurt
oil of Lavender

Directions
Bring one cup of water to boil and steep tea bags for 15 minutes. Discard teabags. Combine yogurt and 7 drops of lavender oil with chamomile tea, mix thoroughly. Apply the mixture to dry hair, working through to ends. Cover head in plastic wrap and condition for thirty minutes. Shampoo hair.

 Earth friendly products such shea butter and coconut oil are favorites of those treating their natural manes. The perception of "fearing the fro" needs to be changed. Truth be told, having natural hair is the most feared hairtype in our communities.

Top 10 Ingredients of Natural Hair Products

1. Shea Butter

2. Coconut Oil

3. Aloe Vera Juice/Gel

4. Vegetable Glycerin

5.Jojoba Extract

6. Extra Virgin Olive Oil  

7. Castor Seed Oil

8. Honey

9. Avocado/Avocado Oil

10. Tea Tree Oil

 

Embracing the Natural

 For those who are indeed transitioning into the natural hairstyles of today, TheFIGURE is here to say that hair doesn't have to be straight in order to be beautiful. It simply has to be well-groomed. There are books by natural hair care specialists that take you through every step of transitioning from chemically-straightened hair to healthy natural stylish hair. There are also support groups all over the country to help people cross over and maintain their natural hair. Wigs, weaves, extensions and chemical relaxers are examples of how hair is socially, psychologically, and culturally significant to the black female experience.