by Terisa Thurman
@sfterisa
Now that I've got my 4C hair into shape there’s now the issue of style; which mine lacks. There are a plethora of YouTubers with tutorials for techniques but technique doesn't equal style; especially when your hair may be a different length, texture or thickness. And just because it’s cute on them doesn't mean it will be cute on you.
So here it is; I have a head of healthy hair but no style. I use headbands, bobby pins, hair combs to shape it but it isn't the put together look that fits with my personal style which makes me feel like I’m at the mercy of my hair. I never know what it will do.
My solution would be to go to a stylist but every so called stylist I've ever had always asks the question; what do you want? I know that I can’t answer that. Even when I had chemically straightened hair I found this answer difficult because what I wanted was length which I didn't have. So, at the point of admitting to not knowing what I wanted the stylist usually hands me a book of styles in which over half are photos of women with long hair and the other short styles are just outlandish. In the 90’s hair that was gelled down to the head was a thing that I never cared for and then there was the glam hair that was a wild style with an even wilder color which wasn't practical or appealing to me. So, I often ended up with something I didn't like.
And now with natural hair it’s even harder to find another natural with my length and my type; seems impossible especially with 4C. I see a lot of 4A’s and 4B’s but with 4C’s it seems there are a lot of photos of the big chop and then magically they have long hair. Where are the mid-length photos? Maybe mid-length is just an awkward phase but I wonder if a stylist might make it better? However, thinking back on my first visit to the salon as a natural has me hesitant towards reaching out.
THE FIRST VISIT:
I personally had an issue when I unexpectedly stumbled into my Natural Hair Journey. I had been braiding my hair again and again I think for 2 or 3 years straight. I like to keep busy and having my hair in braids gave me an easy wash and go situation. It was already styled perfectly every day! And then I finally realized through a series of events that keeping your hair in braids isn't healthy because the added hair can strain your real hair and eventually pull it out. So once I took out my braids out I made an appointment with a hairstylist for a haircut through a receptionist. Once I arrived for my appointment the stylist’s face just dropped and he became incredibly rude. I was horrified and traumatized and I left disappointed without getting my hair done. I thought since he was a man who wears his hair natural why wouldn't he be able to help shed some light on natural hair care. Unfortunately, the conversation never fully developed because I was instantly discouraged by the look in his eyes. I was in a fragile state and this dramatic reaction really frazzled me but somehow didn't leave me discouraged to continue my hair journey. (Definitely speak to your stylist about going natural before making an appointment.)
THE BIG CHOP:
So I was doing my best to tame the frizz when I saw a girl with natural hair; a rare sight in my town. At that point I was still traumatized and was so afraid to reach out that I literally asked a friend to walk up to her and ask where she gets her hair done. Luckily, my friend is awesome and she did. She recommended a stylist who would eventually give me the Big Chop. My hair was the shortest I had ever seen it. She had twisted it up and in her own words I left looking like a Pickaninny. She didn't mean to insult me; it’s just that my hair needed to set to take the twists. At that point I had done a twist out before and it came out great so although I was slightly insulted I was not deterred.
MAINTENANCE:
On my journey; I discovered how to cut my own ends but as far as cutting it into a style, I am clueless! As my thick 4C hair is growing; the twist out has become less defined especially at the root. People say braid then twist; I am not trying to spend that kind of time on my hair. I still have an active lifestyle! Plus with my eczema I have to wash weekly. Kudos to all those girls out there that go weeks and even a month without washing; it is not an option for me. I’m cool with a wash n go but it tangles a lot!! Keeping the hair stretched while washing means less tangles, less cutting and faster growth.
As my hair is growing out I think a cut may help me achieve a put together style. I grabbed a Black Hair Magazine and didn't expect to find much but I found a look I might be able to achieve so we’ll see what the stylist says if I can work up the nerve to give her a call. Hopefully, I won’t leave with people saying that I look like a Pickaninny!
