Oprah Embracing Her Natural Hair
Oprah Winfrey posed for the September cover of O magazine with her natural hair- no blow dryer, flat iron, press etc.. Oprah’s natural “do” is making headlines. Her hair looks fabulous! It is sad though, that an African-American woman wearing natural hair in 2012 would make the news. Some articles are discussing how “natural” is her hair -does she have a mild relaxer? I’m not concerned with if she did a braid out, twist out, air dry, I’m happy that a public icon would embrace her textured hair for the world to see.
As a natural curly girl, my journey has been a long one. I wore my hair relaxed and straight for most of my life. It was the standard that I grew up with, that long straight hair was beautiful and short kinky hair was not. I began to question that reasoning when I could not remember what my natural hair texture looked like. After my son was born I stopped relaxing my hair, and I have never looked back. What I found most interesting is that my friends and family were most concerned with my natural hair transformation. I had to explain that I was not making a political statement and that I was not against European inspired hair styles, I was just embracing my authentic self.
Gigi with flat ironed hair
Gigi rocking her natural curls
British Nigerian film maker Zina Saro Wiwa’s hair documentary “Transition” chronicles her journey to wearing her natural hair and the natural hair movement taking place with women of color who are now embracing their natural hair and all its glory.
Interesting article and video. by Zina Saro Wiwa
What are your thoughts on Oprah’s “natural” hair on the cover of her magazine?
xoxo,
Gigi
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I think its much to do about nothing, Oprah rocked a natural fro before it was kool. Like every women she has many dimensions. I love her!!!
Yes Fashionistachic, You are right Oprah has rocked many “do”s, braids, curly, fro,straight, color etc. I find it interesting how the media has jumped on this one. I guess the message is when an iconic figure does something “different” it is news. Thanks for stopping by.
xoxo,
Gigi
It’s personal preerfence, really.Some guys LOVE the natural look, and other guys prefer the fake everything.How much you let this concern you really depends on how interested you are in having a guy that is attracted to you for how you look as compared to someone that wants you to look like every other bleach blonde, makeup covered thing that walks around in a miniskirt.Someone that needs for you to look a certain way to please them usually needs you to act a certain way, as well. If you’re okay with parading around as trophy wife’ then more power to you. I prefer au natural.
Lijo,
I too prefer au natural. At the end of the day I want to know that at night when I go to bed, that I wake up and I can still recognize myself.
Thanks for stopping by,
xoxo,
Gigi
when i met you you were a silky wilky. now you have transitione to a (what did you call it?) nappy wappy? both are beautiful.
Greg,
Thank you. I’m not anti straight hair, but I do think women of color should be able to embrace their natural hair as well.
To start, Hair weaves and wigs, are as sick to me as plsitac surgery. I don’t see them as a hair style or changing your natural hair .However,not many people, in all races, wear their hair natural. Hair Coloring, Curling Iron, Braiding, Straighting Perms, Curling Perms, Straightning Iron, Hair Gel (for spikes) etc . are ALL changing your hair from it’s natural format.Why is it specially wrong for black people to change their natural hair?
Luigi,
It is not wrong for African-American people to alter their hair, but if a person feels unworthy, unattractive with their natural hair–do to beauty images in the media, that is where the problem lies. Yes. Everyone does something to their hair, but historically African-American women have had challenges with being excepted based on hairstyle ie. hairstyles that were European inspired were always more acceptable. If someone flat irons their hair, or adds on a “long” pony tail etc. there is no problem, but if a person feels like this is the only standard of beauty and that their natural hair is “ugly” there lies the issue. Oprah embracing a “natural” look on her magazine cover, makes a statement that natural hairstyles are beautiful too. Thanks for stopping by.
xoxo,
Gigi
My hair is being to thin a little and know that ntaural is best. Tired it last year but got fed up after while, with the process. It is just above my shoulder and would prefer not cutting my hair. My sister told me to twist it after washing, however since never being the type of girl to do my own hair, wasn’t able. Would like to be ntaural, however ntaural hair isn’t very straight. What is the best style for hair besides; ntaural; that will not cause breakage, hair to thin, more stress? Since sweat a lot in my head at night need a style, that when get up in the morning my hair isn’t nappy, and able to go and exercise without worring. What is the best style for hair besides ntaural? Braids Press, or Relaxers, and since on a budget cannot always get the a professional, and must professionals have meet always want to relex my hair. Please help.
Ismail,
Everyone has a different natural hair journey. You have to do what makes you happy and feel good about yourself. No matter what style a person wears their hair it must be conditioned on a regular basis. Eat a vitamin rich diet, drink lots of water and experiment until you find a look that you are happy with. I had quite a few “bad hair” days when I started my natural hair journey. Good luck.
xoxo,
Gigi
I love the fact that Oprah is wearing her natural hair, I think that we as black women need to be comfortable being us…
Best hair for you,
So true. It is about being comfortable with self. Thanks for stopping by.
Xoxo,
Gigi
Best hair for you,
So True. thanks for stopping by,
xoxo,
Gigi