“Don’t bring your natural hair to my event!”
Those sentiments, expressed by Nigerian entrepreneur and content creator Oluwabusayo Victoria Abiri on the Bhad and Boujee podcast, echoed a “rule” that is known in the Black community the world over.
“If I’m going to the beach, I can wear my natural hair, if I’m going to church, it’s OK. If I’m going to play with my niece, it’s cool. If I’m in my house it’s OK … But why would I want to wear a nice ass dress, expensive dress … at least I’d do a ponytail,” Abiri, who goes by Khloe on social media, went on to say.
Khloe is getting a lot of backlash, and rightfully so, but she simply said the quiet part out loud. Many of us grew up getting our natural hair straightened for special occasions. It was almost a given that, if we were going to a formal event, we had to get our relaxer touched up or get our hair pressed. I competed in pageants for more than 10 years and did not wear my natural hair a single time. It had been tacitly ingrained in my mind that my natural hair was certainly not polished enough to win a beauty pageant.
I’m so happy I grew out of that sort of thinking and even more happy to see more and more Black women wearing their natural hair for special events, in pageants, and in the workplace. Natural hair is extremely versatile and can be worn in many elegant ways for special events. You can always bring your natural hair to any event I’m hosting.’
Read more: How to stop hating your natural hair
Below are a few styles I’ve done myself and are easy to recreate.
Blown out or straightened with soft waves
For my first wedding (yes, I had two), I opted for getting a weave using blown out wefted hair with a little leave out. I was getting married on the beach in the Caribbean and I knew my curly hair would be somewhat unpredictable.
I was so excited when I came across the brand Heat Free Hair, which has a range of 100% human hair extensions in curly, kinky, and coily textures. Wearing a weave doesn’t mean you have to wear a texture completely different than your own.
Using the Blow Out Wefted Hair, I was able to get a completely natural look. I know what you’re thinking: How in the world did my hair stay smooth in the humidity?! My secret weapon is the Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray. This spray works and kept my hair smooth and straight the entire night!
Read more: How to make a silk press last a month
Up do with face-framing pieces
This has been my go to look for events lately — partly because it’s so easy to do. This can be done on a twist out or wash and go. Simply section off two pieces in the front to frame your face and the slick the rest up like you’re doing a high puff, but instead of using a scrunchie, secure your hair right below the “puff” with a small clip.
I created this look with Kinky Curly Curling Custard and a Scunci No-Slip Grip Claw Clip.
Curly ponytail
When it came time for my Hindu wedding, I wanted to give my hair a break. I had been doing A LOT to my hair that year and didn’t want to straighten it again and get heat damage.
For this look, I purchased the For Kurls Drawstring Ponytail, also from Heat Free Hair. It was so easily to style and matched my texture perfectly. Anyone who says natural hair isn’t glamorous clearly doesn’t know what they’re talking about!
Natural hair is appropriate for special events, the workplace, and everyday life. Anyone who tells you otherwise is simply projecting their insecurities onto you. I have no regrets looking back on my wedding photos, seeing myself on some of the happiest days of my life thus far, fully embracing myself.
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