I went natural around the same time as you but I did it within college (my college was all about natural/vegan everything). So I was largely unaffected by comments but outside of the college bubble, people are crazy. I used to do “wash n gos” with Shea butter lol so it was an undefined Afro. The Afro definitely brings out the foolishness. I have many stories. My favorite was when an old black man came into a convenience store. Upon seeing me he repeatedly hollered “ Angela Davis in the house! Alright Ms. Angela” I was mortified. Even still today when my hair is undefined, after a style has worn off, my professionalism gets questioned by coworkers. All of a sudden people are unsure if I will have my hair done by the next conference just because my curls aren’t defined for a day or two. I think people don’t even realize what they are doing. I like your point about black women not being able to even define beauty on our own terms. In my opinion, an Afro gets negative comments because it definitely means that we are being rebellious. We are trying to go against the status quo by defining beauty on our own terms and that’s not allowed. That is one of the reasons why I embrace the natural hair movement. Even though it is still affected by other people’s perspective of beauty, it largely gives black people the room to embrace, enhance, and celebrate our unique features which the conventional beauty standard doesn’t want us to do. I don’t think other hair care practices in the black community allow us to do that.
When you said, "it will not bring me revenue. it will not bring me subscribers" all I could think was "but it will bring you joy." I went natural 25 years ago and I still remember the moment of power and joy when I realized that living my natural hair life was my testimony to my true beauty - defined by me and on my terms. That's what I hear you advocating - shake up the world by embracing the unique beauty that only you can define. And while we're shaking it up, let's support the younger women on their journey. I recently complimented a young girl - maybe 7 or 8 years old - on her beautiful afro and she responded with a smile that rang joy around the universe. Yeah, let's remind each other of how beautiful we are.
I am 66 years young and wore an Afro in the 60’s and 70’s, it wasn’t that deep at the time. We just got tired of relaxers breaking our hair off. Interesting!
Funny cause it was that deep for the kids I went to school with. We were so proud to stand out and show ourselves as unapologetically black. My hair was thriving relaxed but I got up for school one morning and cut it all off after seeing my first television actresses with an Afro. I followed the Black Power movement and Angela Davis. We protested at our high school to get Black history classes and more Black administrators. It was about so much more than changing up my hair. It changed how I viewed myself and other Black people. That has lasted to this day.
I love this video. Thank you. I’m 65 so I wore an Afro in school, most of us did. My sister and I set ours mostly every night with water and grease. We braided it, pin curled, and picked it out in the morning. I’ve always loved seeing women in Afros. Since going back natural, I’ve mostly worn my fro, whether it was faded, an undercut or a full round fro. The white people I’ve worked with loved it and wanted to get their fingers in it. The black people give black power signs or call me queen, Cleopatra Jones or Angela Davis lol. I’m glad you are wearing yours. Glad you see it as an important option where so many You Tubers and naturalists don’t see it as attractive. Keep inspiring us.
I was thinking the very same thing. I wore an afro throughout my school years too. It seems what was old is new again. The afro is a symbol of "black is beautiful" once again. lol
I'm 55 years old and I've been wearing my hair naturally since I was 15 years old( mainly cornrows). What's amazing to me is how people feel they have to explain themselves. Some of these women with You Tube channels are on the verge of tears afraid to be natural or afraid to show their natural hair to their boyfriends. It's embarrassing to me to see black people ashamed of their hair. To make a big issue of it. I've never been ashamed of my natural hair. Black folk seeing the world through their European eyes is the problem.. What black people need to do is look at black images for 90 days straight or more. To develop the eye that will keep you alive. An apple is not an orange and yet they are both beautiful. Visually You Tube has so many images of beautiful black people from all over the world. The things I have learned about hair care have been great and the aloe, caster oil,rice water,coconut oil and so on has helped me tremendously. The wig and weave community, you guys have amazing skills, it's an amazing art form. It's hard to keep it up. What I see on the streets is not good. Wigs and weave require a lot of up keep. When you wear wigs and big weaves, you must wear makeup or it just looks off. I think it's amazing the things we can do with hair and we should respect the choice others make and learn.
Girl, these fools in the world have "Afro Envy". They are MESMERIZED by it and it scares them. It resonates POWER and they are intimidated by it. Our beautiful fros are everything. It sometimes takes our sisters a minute to accept and embrace, but we always eventually get there. There is a moment, a movement happening for Black women right now. The energy is palpable!
Also has anyone noticed most church women who make unsolicited comments about having our natural hair out be having some messed up wigs on 😂😩😫🤔. Been wearing the same one for years, like ma'am you mistreating your natural hair AND the wig. Don't mind me, I'm petty sometimes😩😂
Wow, haven’t experienced that. A ton of the older women at my church, including myself (I’m 65) are wearing our fros. I think I may be the youngest lol.
@@mswtaz94 yeah 95 percent of the women who have made negative commentary on my hair fall into this category. Of course I know that's not representative of everyone
Very interesting video. As black women everyone judges our appearance - damned if we do, dammed if we don’t. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head; we need stop judging ourselves and each other and be who we are with confidence. It’s a journey though because other people’s judging can have all kinds of negative affects (eg. In the workplace or not being shortlisted for a job).
I feel you. Wearing my hair out in a twa, I really did not care what people thought. I strictly did it for me! If they liked it, cool. If they didn’t, I’m still doing it. 😄 I was on my own journey and it was so eye-opening! 💕
I’m a beginner 12/12/20 🥰day one I got 3 negative comments! Today is my one week anniversary 🥰not going to lie I get lots of looks 👀but , I’m grateful that God has given me the opportunity to wear an Afro with a smile😍I’m a brown 4C Afro girl✨and proud
Hey there love, I wanted to take the time to let you know that I really loved everything you shed light on and talked about in this video. I don't know if you are familiar with my natural hair watch parties on my channel (as you have been featured a couple times already lol) but I wanted to get your permission to share this video of your in it's entirety. Normally, I skip through lengthy videos, but I feel that this needs to be shared with so many others in our community that struggle with learning to appreciate the perfections and faults of their natural hair and they need to hear every single word.
Love it!!! Reminds me of when someone would say I don't like that outfit on you. My response has always been, "I didn't buy it for you." Our hair choices are the same!!! It's about me💕💕💕💕
I think you are doing a great job representing the afro. I grew up seeing my mother wearing afro as a regular hairstyle in the 70's and 80's and it was acceptable in the Jamaican society. That hairstyle has always been near and dear to my heart.
When I tell you I got my whole life watching this video...... trust and believe! I was literally getting ready to wash my hair and came across this video first so ON THIS WASH DAY, there will be NO twist out and NO curl defining; I’m wearing my AFRO! I am a fire sign too, a Leo, and I’m with you when you say let’s just make people uncomfortable! I don’t mind making people uncomfortable, actually I enjoy it and on top of that I like being myself and not worrying about what other people think. Thanks for this and please continue your type of content.👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I can relate to what you are saying. I had more black women say something negative about my hair. And the more they said something, I would wear my hair natural. I love your hair. I been natural for over 25 years.
You are incorrect about one thing. You said videos like this won’t bring you subscribers. Well, I subscribed during this video. I love your genuineness. I love your beautiful thick mane. I know people who would love to have your hair. Thanks for sharing. God bless!
Loved this brilliant talk. I'm always so disappointed to see 4c naturals especially, divest from the the community. It's not perfect, but shrinking, disappearing, or bowing out doesn't propel us forward. 4c IS. Period. Love it or not. Having watched your channel for years has helped me in ways that are immeasurable down to having the confidence to wear my natural confidently at work. I just thought..."I Am and my hair is" and I'll move in the world as close to my authentic self as I feel like. The rest of the world can make a big fuss about it, but I'm just gonna be me. Keep up the great work.
Omg I remember in high school, when the natural hair movement was literally just starting to become a thing, having conversations about which one of us would look right going natural. How foolish such conversations were.🤦🏿♀️ But yea I agree I’m often one of the few naturals in a room who would be wearing an Afro instead of a wash n go, twist out, braid out etc and I think many naturals have come to see “styled” natural hair as defined curls and I don’t see styling products ever target people who want to wear afros.😕
I knew there was a reason I was drawn to your channel. I'm a fellow Aries and a corporate executive rocking my natural hair and dealing with the same struggles. You are awesome and amazing!!
Loving that you're plowing through with wonderful content despite less engagement and revenue. I'm someone who rocks both my natural hair and wigs and let me tell you, you hit the nail on the head when you said someone will always have something to say! I'm so glad I've gotten to a point where idc but jeez! When I'm natural: I normally get compliments whether it's defined or a curly fro. However, I've also gotten the "when are you gonna straighten it or do something different?". Or one dude said my hair looked too messy. I get the hoteps who call me queen but won't call me that when I'm wearing a wig. When I wear a wig: "why are you wearing a wig, you actually have hair!" Also, yet again, a man who I went on a date with commented about me wearing a wig after seeing me with my natural hair first, saying I didn't have to wear one. Me:....... I want to wear it, I sometimes don't wanna deal with my hair, I like changing my look, and last time I checked, I don't do my hair for you 🙄. I've also noticied I get hit on by mostly older men with natural hair and guys my age pay more attention with a wig on, again idc either way but it's something I've noticed. It's also sad to see how this commentary leads to those women and children who feel ugly or uncomfortable with their hair out. It's one thing for that to be a preference and a whole other thing to be ashamed.
@Go Jojo yasss sis I'll be like ok imma be natural today, few weeks later.... straight wig to curly wig to now faux locs or braids back to natural. Not to mention different lengths, colors, looks. There's so much we can do and we look good in all of it!
you have said a thing thing! now I need you to follow up with the pointers decreasing single strand knots and shrinkage. and don't even think about leaving the you tube space
I am experiencing a similar journey. I decided to choose the health of my hair (moisture balance) over definition (twist out) . And i find my hair reverting to an afro everytime i wear it out. I am learning to embrace my afro because i know the reason it is there is benefiting me in the long run. Even in the natural hair community we are brainwashed to think curls are better than kinks and coils. This process is helping me break from that way of thinking.
Oh This Space, This Space right here is uplifting, inspiring, wonderfully introspective! Thank you for sharing your prospective and allowing us to tag along!
Loved what you said and I subscribed because of it!! I live in a predominantly caucasian area and am used to being stared at for wearing my natural hair in twists, when I rock my 4C frohawk it's on another level!!! 😊😊, and I care not what anyone thinks🖤🖤🖤
"I guess I am doing something right...if a big afro is that surprising I need to do it more...I have to wear an afro more often...I need to shake some sh.. up" - Thank you for being you #Introvert and #Aries
I watch your content regularly however, I never comment. I had to say something today. This is an amazing video with so many need gems. Thank you for your cander, point of view and willingness to keep the natural hair community uplifted. Keep doing content that is true to you whether that be natural hair or life content, I'll watch them all. You have so much to offer. Thank you so much. You're so wonderful. Love from Toronto Canada.
I’ve watched many of your video content; however, this was my favorite. You were heartfelt and brutally honest about wearing your hair and not caring what others think. Your words were inspiring and valuable for others like myself staring this natural journey. Keep your content coming and thanks for Not giving up. Appreciate You Sis!
Newer subscriber when you went into your Afro season. My confession has always been to get to the Afro & stay there, Period! No matter the defined style i attempt, my hair seems to always convert within 2 days to the afro-ee style anyways, so I am just going to stay "in it awhile". I find myself following Tubers like you & Alexus Crown for that exact reason, Afro Afro Afro...its not easy, but when i get it right with my hoop earrings, you better believe there is a conversation to be had.
I wish I could love this video instead of just like. The fact that our hair as it grows is such a point of contention for society is why this journey is so important, and far deeper than hair health. We learn to love ourselves in its glory rather than view ourselves as a 'defect' that needs to be fixed. I'm thankful to have discovered your channel, we NEED black women like you to help support each other in this journey! I'm in the process of evolving past the curl defining obsession and am looking forward to content that enriches us as black women.
I too live in the 'burbs of ATL and you have inspired me to (once I take my braids out at the end of Dec) rock my fro and "shake some sh*t up" out in these streets.😂 It's the one style I've shied away from because I hadn't yet mastered it. But, as you said, I spent umpteen hours perfecting my twist-out, why not do the same for my fro?
I'm not wearing an afro right now, because... I don't want to, lol. But I still love and appreciate your content, I still watch your channel, enjoy your expertise and I still support this community. You are appreciated, Achia! ✊🏾 Rock on!!! 😁🎉
Natuarals, our hair growing out of our head should not be a debat for others. I love the afro. For me it means that the person who has a fro loves his hair and accept itself. But I am a 70's baby🙄. I am a subscriver now✊🏾✊🏾
This is my opinion and my opinion only- I think to really accept your natural hair, you have to wear it in an afro for 7 or more consecutive days and from this learn to wear it with confidence. As well as how to take care of it. Truth be told - the Afro is the "real" wash no go - at least for me.
Stay strong my BLACK SISTA! You are not alone. Even when you feel like you are...We are carrying you & supporting you. In D.C. there are bigger Afros than yours, Bell bottom pants, suits, business casual, etc. People like you are the Muhammad Ali's of the world. Doing what is right, what feels right no matter what others think. Quiet people never make History. You are making HERstory. Keep it up. The world of Independent thinkers support you. Never be a follower! You are a leader.
One day two months ago I looked at myself in the mirror and asked what I am doing and so I cut my hair off. TODAY my hair has grown four inches and is more beautiful than it has ever been. I am going for an Afro and do not care what anyone says about it. I am going to let my hair do what it does. I am black, beautiful and free. I wear my hair with pride and grace. It is my crown. I do not follow what anyone else does because my hair is me. I am still figuring it out, but has got it down pack to washing it every 5 days. My hair can not do wash and go. It is too thick to just get up in the morning, thrown some products in it and go. I have to really work with it. I have to braid it up at night into four sections before bed, if not it will be difficult to comb in the morning. Any who, I love my texture and I really like this video. Thank you for sharing.
Loving it!!!! Aries❤❤❤One thing about us we will give people something to talk about and you best believe the reason they are talking about us is because they are jealous😘😘😘
Completely relate...didnt even consider wearing my hair in a picked out fro for years. Then I had an epiphany moment where I thought, why am I trying to get curls all the time? I had also seen a few women wearing their picked out undefined fro and it looked incredible. I realized that my hair looks its best picked out, big and undefined, and it also is so low maintenance that way and I get much less breakage. I also feel so powerful and proud and get so many compliments with it like this. I wish the natural hair community (well on RUclips anyway) would divest from the bloody twist out, curl definition crap and embrace the picked out fro again.
I wish I could like this 4,000 more times! Thank you for creating such a community for us. I will make sure to rock my medium sized afro more often (I like to shake ish up too, even tho Im #LibraNation lol).
When I wore an Afro in the 70’s I was the only one in my family who wore one. My mom hated it, she thought I looked like Angela Davis which was considered militant.
Such a beautiful message! I’m sitting under the dryer right now attempting your Afro shaping/drying technique and smiling. Thank you so much for sharing your light on this platform 💖
You popped up on timeline and I'm so happy. I loved this video. Yes we need to take the time to see what out hair can do. I say our grows up and out towards and like the sun.☀️ Yess!Im working on being more comfortable with rocking my natural hair out even more. Keep up yhe content. So good
First, you look Amazing! I'm not on an Afro journey right now, but Man Im telling you even with tight coil wash n go up North, I Definitely get those range of reactions lol. Some good, some bad, and at the end of the day it just brought me closer to Me. It forces you to Own it or Hide it. Not hiding me for nobody ❤️ Your message is beautiful, your voice is Heard over here
Such powerful statements. I hope your confidence is contagious and that more of us 'catch it'! Thank you for continuing to advise on natural hair care. You deserve a boatload of money for giving of your time and insight. And BTW, your hair is stunning! I just subscribed..thanks
Excellent points made as always! I love your personality and authentic spirit! Thank you for being unapologetically black and proud to be you. You are an inspiration!
Wow, you are amazing and so is your fro 😍 I started watching your videos because of your love for type 4 hair which is rare in the natural hair community. When I went natural 3 years ago I got a lot of negative reactions and comments from people too, but that only made me fall in love with my type 4 hair even more. I went natural for ME, not anybody else. Once you understand that, it makes all the difference in the world! Great video, really love your vibes 😍
Natural hair is definitely an element of self love. I cut my hair on my 18th birthday and haven't cut it since l'm 43 now but my hair has been different lengths during that time. Cornrowed up to the age of 33 then wore an afro for 3 years and since 2014 l've had locs which are now down my back. Experienced a lot of positive and negative comments during my journey and it shows that our hair is the most misunderstood but at the same time the Most special of all the nation's on earth. Revelation 1:14-15, Numbers 6:5, Judges 16:13, Ezekiel 8:3, Song of Solomon 4:1-3, Song of Solomon 5:2 & 5:11
This video was the equivalent of opening all the windows in the natural hair community, for me. Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful commentary. Girl, you got me eyeing my hair for an afro 🤣 So many spot on points here! I will definitely be reflecting. Already shared with some of my friends and family! TFS!!🤗🥰🥰🥰🤗
You are so beautiful and down to earth !! Enjoyed this video . loving yourself is important the whole package . Its funny when I see women wearing there natural hair i always smile 😊
My father is 3b, he loves afros and picks out his curls cause even he wants to taste the beauty of 4c hair. He praised my type 4 hair from birth. It makes me cry watching my sisters hate our hair in real time all around me daily. Please break free. Being fully in love with your hair is a joy i cannot express in words, so i want you to feel it. Wake up ✨
BLACK people need to EMBRACE AND WEAR THEIR NATURAL HAIR PERIOD WE HAVE THE MOST UNUSUALLY UNIQUE HAIR THEN ANY OTHER RACE NOBODY HAS HAIR LIKE OURS ....ROCK IT ROCK IT ROCK IT
You are such an inspiration for a young, dark skinned, kinky-haired black girl like me. I’ve been binging your videos. You’re so classy, confident, and beautiful ✨thank you for making videos 💖
I cut mine off at age 25, I'm 33 now. Some people told me I looked better with my long hair, some said I would look "gay", some said I would look more like my mom. I just wanted a change. Something I'd never done before, and NOT to be in mirror doing my hair for at least 1 year. I experimented with color, and kept the "Anita Baker" short tapered cut for 2 years. I loved it! And I decided to gro my hair hair out and wear my fro! I tried to loc my hair and after 2 months, I took them out. I missed my fro! Fro life is where it's at! You look FAB!!!
I used to be uncomfortable when I started my journey 2003. Comments such as "want me to buy you a box of perm?" or "did your hair fall out?" was ripping me to shreds back then. After many TRYING years of getting to like my hair I finally LOVE it now. Yes this journey has had its miles of Jekyll and Hyde interludes but it's all good. Great video sis!!! Looking forward to watching more Keep it up!!!👍
I have been wearing my afro out for the past two months...I felt great but at the same time scared that I would be stared at or laughed at.. I just want to embrace who I naturally am...of course I don't get as much attention as when I had braids but at least im true to myself
Wow! Your features are beautiful. Your Afro is boss👍🏽 When I started my natural hair journey my man didn’t like it at all. He would say “ why don’t you straighten your hair” When he would see me with twist, he would make buck wheat jokes.This is why a love for me is so important to me. One day I hope to figure out how to wear an Afro, but right now I’m still transitioning and learning about my hair. When I watch your videos I’m encourage to love , my natural hair, myself and the journey. This is a decision I made for myself, and I didn’t do it for anyone else. I can’t thank you enough❤️
I love this video! I'm with you, at this point in my life I give zero craps what people think. I will not conform to any standards but my own! New sub here! And your hair is BEAUTIFUL! 😍
Love, love, love your Afro. Keep doing you! Have done the Afro on and off most of my life. i am now wearing a Afro again at 70. It is shorter and gray. The gray part was a big adjustment! I have gotten some funny looks but I ignore them and keep it moving! But have gotten some very positive comments which has help me to embrace the gray!
Love, love, love this video and your hair. I too returned Natural in 2004 here in Georgia. I big chopped and it was just long enough to cornrow. I bought a bun to put at the back of my braids. Once it grew I began wearing 2 strand twists. I got lots of stares and men began to ignore me. I thought I would be single forever or as long as I wore my hair naturally. I began learning different styles and ways to rock my hair, including my big fro. Well in 2010, I was rocking my fro when I met my now husband, who loves natural hair. After 13 years of being natural I took the plunge and locked my hair. So now I am on a new journey, 3 years and loving it. It is definitely a lot more naturals rocking their hair now than in 2004. 😍. However, when I go home to visit in Michigan it feels like I am back in 2004. Believe it or not we are more free in the South when it comes to our natural hair. Peace and love! Oh I am an Aries as well!
Fro hair, don't care! Excellent. Self acceptance is the key. I started watching natural hair youtubers in 2009 but gave up for several years and having come back this year it's great to see more videos made by people with hair that looks and behaves like mine! I live in the UK and seeing white women staring at me in horror whilst smoothing their own hair down is amusing (once I have let go of the annoyance!). The way to go is to feel and project confidence and keep being ourselves without apology or justification.
I went natural around the same time as you but I did it within college (my college was all about natural/vegan everything). So I was largely unaffected by comments but outside of the college bubble, people are crazy. I used to do “wash n gos” with Shea butter lol so it was an undefined Afro. The Afro definitely brings out the foolishness. I have many stories. My favorite was when an old black man came into a convenience store. Upon seeing me he repeatedly hollered “ Angela Davis in the house! Alright Ms. Angela” I was mortified. Even still today when my hair is undefined, after a style has worn off, my professionalism gets questioned by coworkers. All of a sudden people are unsure if I will have my hair done by the next conference just because my curls aren’t defined for a day or two. I think people don’t even realize what they are doing.
I like your point about black women not being able to even define beauty on our own terms. In my opinion, an Afro gets negative comments because it definitely means that we are being rebellious. We are trying to go against the status quo by defining beauty on our own terms and that’s not allowed. That is one of the reasons why I embrace the natural hair movement. Even though it is still affected by other people’s perspective of beauty, it largely gives black people the room to embrace, enhance, and celebrate our unique features which the conventional beauty standard doesn’t want us to do. I don’t think other hair care practices in the black community allow us to do that.
When you said, "it will not bring me revenue. it will not bring me subscribers" all I could think was "but it will bring you joy." I went natural 25 years ago and I still remember the moment of power and joy when I realized that living my natural hair life was my testimony to my true beauty - defined by me and on my terms. That's what I hear you advocating - shake up the world by embracing the unique beauty that only you can define.
And while we're shaking it up, let's support the younger women on their journey. I recently complimented a young girl - maybe 7 or 8 years old - on her beautiful afro and she responded with a smile that rang joy around the universe. Yeah, let's remind each other of how beautiful we are.
I am 66 years young and wore an Afro in the 60’s and 70’s, it wasn’t that deep at the time. We just got tired of relaxers breaking our hair off. Interesting!
Funny cause it was that deep for the kids I went to school with. We were so proud to stand out and show ourselves as unapologetically black. My hair was thriving relaxed but I got up for school one morning and cut it all off after seeing my first television actresses with an Afro. I followed the Black Power movement and Angela Davis. We protested at our high school to get Black history classes and more Black administrators. It was about so much more than changing up my hair. It changed how I viewed myself and other Black people. That has lasted to this day.
I love this video. Thank you. I’m 65 so I wore an Afro in school, most of us did. My sister and I set ours mostly every night with water and grease. We braided it, pin curled, and picked it out in the morning. I’ve always loved seeing women in Afros. Since going back natural, I’ve mostly worn my fro, whether it was faded, an undercut or a full round fro. The white people I’ve worked with loved it and wanted to get their fingers in it. The black people give black power signs or call me queen, Cleopatra Jones or Angela Davis lol. I’m glad you are wearing yours. Glad you see it as an important option where so many You Tubers and naturalists don’t see it as attractive. Keep inspiring us.
I was thinking the very same thing. I wore an afro throughout my school years too. It seems what was old is new again. The afro is a symbol of "black is beautiful" once again. lol
The thing that get me about black men is that they have the same hair.
I'm 55 years old and I've been wearing my hair naturally since I was 15 years old( mainly cornrows). What's amazing to me is how people feel they have to explain themselves. Some of these women with You Tube channels are on the verge of tears afraid to be natural or afraid to show their natural hair to their boyfriends. It's embarrassing to me to see black people ashamed of their hair. To make a big issue of it. I've never been ashamed of my natural hair. Black folk seeing the world through their European eyes is the problem.. What black people need to do is look at black images for 90 days straight or more. To develop the eye that will keep you alive. An apple is not an orange and yet they are both beautiful. Visually You Tube has so many images of beautiful black people from all over the world.
The things I have learned about hair care have been great and the aloe, caster oil,rice water,coconut oil and so on has helped me tremendously.
The wig and weave community, you guys have amazing skills, it's an amazing art form. It's hard to keep it up. What I see on the streets is not good. Wigs and weave require a lot of up keep. When you wear wigs and big weaves, you must wear makeup or it just looks off.
I think it's amazing the things we can do with hair and we should respect the choice others make and learn.
Girl, these fools in the world have "Afro Envy". They are MESMERIZED by it and it scares them. It resonates POWER and they are intimidated by it. Our beautiful fros are everything. It sometimes takes our sisters a minute to accept and embrace, but we always eventually get there. There is a moment, a movement happening for Black women right now. The energy is palpable!
Yessss! And I am here for it all!!
Also has anyone noticed most church women who make unsolicited comments about having our natural hair out be having some messed up wigs on 😂😩😫🤔. Been wearing the same one for years, like ma'am you mistreating your natural hair AND the wig. Don't mind me, I'm petty sometimes😩😂
🤣💀💀💀
Preach!
Wow, haven’t experienced that. A ton of the older women at my church, including myself (I’m 65) are wearing our fros. I think I may be the youngest lol.
@@mswtaz94 yeah 95 percent of the women who have made negative commentary on my hair fall into this category. Of course I know that's not representative of everyone
@@rynd9974 That’s too bad. Wow. I haven’t had any negative comments. Not sure how I’d respond.
This reflection is amazinggggg.
RIIIGHT!? Sis, I was just thinking the exact. same. thing!
Very interesting video. As black women everyone judges our appearance - damned if we do, dammed if we don’t. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head; we need stop judging ourselves and each other and be who we are with confidence. It’s a journey though because other people’s judging can have all kinds of negative affects (eg. In the workplace or not being shortlisted for a job).
I feel you. Wearing my hair out in a twa, I really did not care what people thought. I strictly did it for me! If they liked it, cool. If they didn’t, I’m still doing it. 😄 I was on my own journey and it was so eye-opening! 💕
I’m a beginner 12/12/20 🥰day one I got 3 negative comments! Today is my one week anniversary 🥰not going to lie I get lots of looks 👀but , I’m grateful that God has given me the opportunity to wear an Afro with a smile😍I’m a brown 4C Afro girl✨and proud
Hey there love, I wanted to take the time to let you know that I really loved everything you shed light on and talked about in this video. I don't know if you are familiar with my natural hair watch parties on my channel (as you have been featured a couple times already lol) but I wanted to get your permission to share this video of your in it's entirety. Normally, I skip through lengthy videos, but I feel that this needs to be shared with so many others in our community that struggle with learning to appreciate the perfections and faults of their natural hair and they need to hear every single word.
Thank you so much! You are so kind❤️. Yes, feel free to share. I look forward to watching your stream.
Your hair is absolutely gorgeous!! Love what you're saying!!👍👍
Love it!!! Reminds me of when someone would say I don't like that outfit on you. My response has always been, "I didn't buy it for you." Our hair choices are the same!!! It's about me💕💕💕💕
If folks don’t like your hair it’s cause they are jealous and want what you have. The hair. The courage. The everything! You Be you, young lady !
Or they were taught to not love their hair......
I think you are doing a great job representing the afro. I grew up seeing my mother wearing afro as a regular hairstyle in the 70's and 80's and it was acceptable in the Jamaican society. That hairstyle has always been near and dear to my heart.
When I tell you I got my whole life watching this video...... trust and believe! I was literally getting ready to wash my hair and came across this video first so ON THIS WASH DAY, there will be NO twist out and NO curl defining; I’m wearing my AFRO! I am a fire sign too, a Leo, and I’m with you when you say let’s just make people uncomfortable! I don’t mind making people uncomfortable, actually I enjoy it and on top of that I like being myself and not worrying about what other people think. Thanks for this and please continue your type of content.👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I can relate to what you are saying. I had more black women say something negative about my hair. And the more they said something, I would wear my hair natural. I love your hair. I been natural for over 25 years.
You are incorrect about one thing. You said videos like this won’t bring you subscribers. Well, I subscribed during this video. I love your genuineness. I love your beautiful thick mane. I know people who would love to have your hair. Thanks for sharing. God bless!
❤️❤️❤️
Loved this brilliant talk. I'm always so disappointed to see 4c naturals especially, divest from the the community. It's not perfect, but shrinking, disappearing, or bowing out doesn't propel us forward. 4c IS. Period. Love it or not. Having watched your channel for years has helped me in ways that are immeasurable down to having the confidence to wear my natural confidently at work. I just thought..."I Am and my hair is" and I'll move in the world as close to my authentic self as I feel like. The rest of the world can make a big fuss about it, but I'm just gonna be me. Keep up the great work.
We are the Afro PERIOD ✊🏾✊🏾
Omg I remember in high school, when the natural hair movement was literally just starting to become a thing, having conversations about which one of us would look right going natural. How foolish such conversations were.🤦🏿♀️ But yea I agree I’m often one of the few naturals in a room who would be wearing an Afro instead of a wash n go, twist out, braid out etc and I think many naturals have come to see “styled” natural hair as defined curls and I don’t see styling products ever target people who want to wear afros.😕
I knew there was a reason I was drawn to your channel. I'm a fellow Aries and a corporate executive rocking my natural hair and dealing with the same struggles. You are awesome and amazing!!
Loving that you're plowing through with wonderful content despite less engagement and revenue. I'm someone who rocks both my natural hair and wigs and let me tell you, you hit the nail on the head when you said someone will always have something to say! I'm so glad I've gotten to a point where idc but jeez!
When I'm natural: I normally get compliments whether it's defined or a curly fro. However, I've also gotten the "when are you gonna straighten it or do something different?". Or one dude said my hair looked too messy. I get the hoteps who call me queen but won't call me that when I'm wearing a wig.
When I wear a wig: "why are you wearing a wig, you actually have hair!" Also, yet again, a man who I went on a date with commented about me wearing a wig after seeing me with my natural hair first, saying I didn't have to wear one.
Me:....... I want to wear it, I sometimes don't wanna deal with my hair, I like changing my look, and last time I checked, I don't do my hair for you 🙄. I've also noticied I get hit on by mostly older men with natural hair and guys my age pay more attention with a wig on, again idc either way but it's something I've noticed. It's also sad to see how this commentary leads to those women and children who feel ugly or uncomfortable with their hair out. It's one thing for that to be a preference and a whole other thing to be ashamed.
@Go Jojo yasss sis I'll be like ok imma be natural today, few weeks later.... straight wig to curly wig to now faux locs or braids back to natural. Not to mention different lengths, colors, looks. There's so much we can do and we look good in all of it!
you have said a thing thing! now I need you to follow up with the pointers decreasing single strand knots and shrinkage. and don't even think about leaving the you tube space
I am experiencing a similar journey. I decided to choose the health of my hair (moisture balance) over definition (twist out) . And i find my hair reverting to an afro everytime i wear it out. I am learning to embrace my afro because i know the reason it is there is benefiting me in the long run. Even in the natural hair community we are brainwashed to think curls are better than kinks and coils. This process is helping me break from that way of thinking.
I can’t say enough how much value you bring to our community online. Thank you, a thousand times thank you.
Oh This Space, This Space right here is uplifting, inspiring, wonderfully introspective! Thank you for sharing your prospective and allowing us to tag along!
Loved what you said and I subscribed because of it!! I live in a predominantly caucasian area and am used to being stared at for wearing my natural hair in twists, when I rock my 4C frohawk it's on another level!!! 😊😊, and I care not what anyone thinks🖤🖤🖤
"I guess I am doing something right...if a big afro is that surprising I need to do it more...I have to wear an afro more often...I need to shake some sh.. up" - Thank you for being you #Introvert and #Aries
'People are too comfortable with a particular look of a Black woman' THAT right there! 💣
I watch your content regularly however, I never comment. I had to say something today. This is an amazing video with so many need gems. Thank you for your cander, point of view and willingness to keep the natural hair community uplifted. Keep doing content that is true to you whether that be natural hair or life content, I'll watch them all. You have so much to offer. Thank you so much. You're so wonderful. Love from Toronto Canada.
Your hair is beautiful! I happen to associate an afro to confidence and pride. So when I see an afro it makes me smile. 😀
I’ve watched many of your video content; however, this was my favorite. You were heartfelt and brutally honest about wearing your hair and not caring what others think. Your words were inspiring and valuable for others like myself staring this natural journey. Keep your content coming and thanks for Not giving up. Appreciate You Sis!
Newer subscriber when you went into your Afro season. My confession has always been to get to the Afro & stay there, Period! No matter the defined style i attempt, my hair seems to always convert within 2 days to the afro-ee style anyways, so I am just going to stay "in it awhile". I find myself following Tubers like you & Alexus Crown for that exact reason, Afro Afro Afro...its not easy, but when i get it right with my hoop earrings, you better believe there is a conversation to be had.
I wish I could love this video instead of just like. The fact that our hair as it grows is such a point of contention for society is why this journey is so important, and far deeper than hair health. We learn to love ourselves in its glory rather than view ourselves as a 'defect' that needs to be fixed. I'm thankful to have discovered your channel, we NEED black women like you to help support each other in this journey! I'm in the process of evolving past the curl defining obsession and am looking forward to content that enriches us as black women.
I too live in the 'burbs of ATL and you have inspired me to (once I take my braids out at the end of Dec) rock my fro and "shake some sh*t up" out in these streets.😂 It's the one style I've shied away from because I hadn't yet mastered it. But, as you said, I spent umpteen hours perfecting my twist-out, why not do the same for my fro?
I'm not wearing an afro right now, because... I don't want to, lol. But I still love and appreciate your content, I still watch your channel, enjoy your expertise and I still support this community. You are appreciated, Achia! ✊🏾 Rock on!!! 😁🎉
Natuarals, our hair growing out of our head should not be a debat for others. I love the afro. For me it means that the person who has a fro loves his hair and accept itself. But I am a 70's baby🙄. I am a subscriver now✊🏾✊🏾
Well said
This is my opinion and my opinion only- I think to really accept your natural hair, you have to wear it in an afro for 7 or more consecutive days and from this learn to wear it with confidence. As well as how to take care of it. Truth be told - the Afro is the "real" wash no go - at least for me.
Stay strong my BLACK SISTA! You are not alone. Even when you feel like you are...We are carrying you & supporting you. In D.C. there are bigger Afros than yours, Bell bottom pants, suits, business casual, etc. People like you are the Muhammad Ali's of the world. Doing what is right, what feels right no matter what others think. Quiet people never make History. You are making HERstory. Keep it up. The world of Independent thinkers support you. Never be a follower! You are a leader.
Love your fro! I wear my fro year around. Twist outs and keeping definition doesn't work for my frizzy hair. It's easier for me to rock my crown.
Came here by way of AfrikanHairGod's live stream. Love your video Sis!
Thanks for coming over ❤️
One day two months ago I looked at myself in the mirror and asked what I am doing and so I cut my hair off. TODAY my hair has grown four inches and is more beautiful than it has ever been. I am going for an Afro and do not care what anyone says about it. I am going to let my hair do what it does. I am black, beautiful and free. I wear my hair with pride and grace. It is my crown. I do not follow what anyone else does because my hair is me. I am still figuring it out, but has got it down pack to washing it every 5 days. My hair can not do wash and go. It is too thick to just get up in the morning, thrown some products in it and go. I have to really work with it. I have to braid it up at night into four sections before bed, if not it will be difficult to comb in the morning. Any who, I love my texture and I really like this video. Thank you for sharing.
Loving it!!!! Aries❤❤❤One thing about us we will give people something to talk about and you best believe the reason they are talking about us is because they are jealous😘😘😘
I saw this on AfrikanHairGod’s watch party. This was great! Love your perspective and afro, this is the content our community needs ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much 🤗
Completely relate...didnt even consider wearing my hair in a picked out fro for years. Then I had an epiphany moment where I thought, why am I trying to get curls all the time? I had also seen a few women wearing their picked out undefined fro and it looked incredible. I realized that my hair looks its best picked out, big and undefined, and it also is so low maintenance that way and I get much less breakage. I also feel so powerful and proud and get so many compliments with it like this. I wish the natural hair community (well on RUclips anyway) would divest from the bloody twist out, curl definition crap and embrace the picked out fro again.
I wish I could like this 4,000 more times! Thank you for creating such a community for us. I will make sure to rock my medium sized afro more often (I like to shake ish up too, even tho Im #LibraNation lol).
Great video you made so many good points 💯❤🙌🏾
When I wore an Afro in the 70’s I was the only one in my family who wore one. My mom hated it, she thought I looked like Angela Davis which was considered militant.
Lol. I loved Angela Davis and her fro. I had posters of her all over my bedroom walls.
This vlog was poetry to my ears. Well stated, Achia. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Such a beautiful message! I’m sitting under the dryer right now attempting your Afro shaping/drying technique and smiling. Thank you so much for sharing your light on this platform 💖
You popped up on timeline and I'm so happy. I loved this video. Yes we need to take the time to see what out hair can do. I say our grows up and out towards and like the sun.☀️ Yess!Im working on being more comfortable with rocking my natural hair out even more. Keep up yhe content. So good
Thank you for clicking ❤️
Powerful message queen..... makes me want to take down my box braids and rock my fro✊🏾.
Beautiful hair btw 😍
Loved it! You brought up so many points that I resonated with. You are rockin that fro!!
First off the kinks look gorgeous😍😍😍 also we love you sis✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾
First, you look Amazing!
I'm not on an Afro journey right now, but Man Im telling you even with tight coil wash n go up North, I Definitely get those range of reactions lol. Some good, some bad, and at the end of the day it just brought me closer to Me. It forces you to Own it or Hide it. Not hiding me for nobody ❤️
Your message is beautiful, your voice is Heard over here
Such powerful statements. I hope your confidence is contagious and that more of us 'catch it'! Thank you for continuing to advise on natural hair care. You deserve a boatload of money for giving of your time and insight. And BTW, your hair is stunning! I just subscribed..thanks
Excellent points made as always! I love your personality and authentic spirit! Thank you for being unapologetically black and proud to be you. You are an inspiration!
BEAUTIFULLY STATED!!!!! FROTASTIC!!! FROAMAZING!!! BEAUTIFRO!!!
You so beautiful sis. And your hair💞
Wow, you are amazing and so is your fro 😍 I started watching your videos because of your love for type 4 hair which is rare in the natural hair community. When I went natural 3 years ago I got a lot of negative reactions and comments from people too, but that only made me fall in love with my type 4 hair even more. I went natural for ME, not anybody else. Once you understand that, it makes all the difference in the world! Great video, really love your vibes 😍
Pause... your fro is divine 😩😍... ok, back to the video... 💜
😘😘😘
I wish I could wear my hair in an afro. The back of my hair is 4a and the top of my hair is 3b so it looks really weird when I try to pick it out.
Wearing my Afro like you for that past 3 weeks - we are lionesses 🦁 🐯
Such an inspiring content 👏 love 💘 💖 it
It’s crazy cause that was the whole point. I think our own community will always have the most to say while a few cheer us on.
Natural hair is definitely an element of self love. I cut my hair on my 18th birthday and haven't cut it since l'm 43 now but my hair has been different lengths during that time. Cornrowed up to the age of 33 then wore an afro for 3 years and since 2014 l've had locs which are now down my back. Experienced a lot of positive and negative comments during my journey and it shows that our hair is the most misunderstood but at the same time the Most special of all the nation's on earth. Revelation 1:14-15, Numbers 6:5, Judges 16:13, Ezekiel 8:3, Song of Solomon 4:1-3, Song of Solomon 5:2 & 5:11
This video was the equivalent of opening all the windows in the natural hair community, for me. Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful commentary. Girl, you got me eyeing my hair for an afro 🤣
So many spot on points here! I will definitely be reflecting. Already shared with some of my friends and family!
TFS!!🤗🥰🥰🥰🤗
You are so beautiful and down to earth !! Enjoyed this video . loving yourself is important the whole package . Its funny when I see women wearing there natural hair i always smile 😊
I love your Afro and your comments! I am glad to find your channel.
Excellent video!!!
Thank you for sharing your experiences and journey. The fro is it! 🤎👍🏾
Very positive message. Thank you!
This is the second time watching this video and your hair is Beautiful. It looks like a well bloomed Flower!
I’m 63 and your fro! The density is off the chart. Question...what do you do at night to keep the density this awesome
Check out this video ruclips.net/video/Sg-_ar2rOE4/видео.html
Your Afro is the best! I need to rock mine!
You are so beautiful! Your hair is so blessed to be YOURS ♥️
Love the talk girl we need more videos like this one too upleft our black women and our beautiful natural afro,♥️♥️
Your afro is absolutely beautiful ❤️.
You’ve always been inspirational. Love it 😍 Many Blessing to You💚
Thank you friend!❤️❤️❤️
Yes I love my afro but I'm currently starting my locs
Love your hair. I am also a natural 4c for the past 8 yrs.
How do you keep your hair from getting knots wearing the fro? I love it.
My father is 3b, he loves afros and picks out his curls cause even he wants to taste the beauty of 4c hair. He praised my type 4 hair from birth. It makes me cry watching my sisters hate our hair in real time all around me daily. Please break free. Being fully in love with your hair is a joy i cannot express in words, so i want you to feel it.
Wake up ✨
BLACK people need to EMBRACE AND WEAR THEIR NATURAL HAIR PERIOD WE HAVE THE MOST UNUSUALLY UNIQUE HAIR THEN ANY OTHER RACE NOBODY HAS HAIR LIKE OURS ....ROCK IT ROCK IT ROCK IT
You are such an inspiration for a young, dark skinned, kinky-haired black girl like me. I’ve been binging your videos. You’re so classy, confident, and beautiful ✨thank you for making videos 💖
Thank you so much for watching
I cut mine off at age 25, I'm 33 now. Some people told me I looked better with my long hair, some said I would look "gay", some said I would look more like my mom. I just wanted a change. Something I'd never done before, and NOT to be in mirror doing my hair for at least 1 year. I experimented with color, and kept the "Anita Baker" short tapered cut for 2 years. I loved it! And I decided to gro my hair hair out and wear my fro! I tried to loc my hair and after 2 months, I took them out. I missed my fro! Fro life is where it's at! You look FAB!!!
I used to be uncomfortable when I started my journey 2003. Comments such as "want me to buy you a box of perm?" or "did your hair fall out?" was ripping me to shreds back then. After many TRYING years of getting to like my hair I finally LOVE it now. Yes this journey has had its miles of Jekyll and Hyde interludes but it's all good. Great video sis!!! Looking forward to watching more
Keep it up!!!👍
I have been wearing my afro out for the past two months...I felt great but at the same time scared that I would be stared at or laughed at..
I just want to embrace who I naturally am...of course I don't get as much attention as when I had braids but at least im true to myself
Love, love, love your hair!!!
Once again, that's a gorgeous fro. I LOVE seeing it.
Go ahead and “shake stuff up” love it
Wow! Your features are beautiful. Your Afro is boss👍🏽 When I started my natural hair journey my man didn’t like it at all. He would say “ why don’t you straighten your hair” When he would see me with twist, he would make buck wheat jokes.This is why a love for me is so important to me. One day I hope to figure out how to wear an Afro, but right now I’m still transitioning and learning about my hair.
When I watch your videos I’m encourage to love , my natural hair, myself and the journey. This is a decision I made for myself, and I didn’t do it for anyone else. I can’t thank you enough❤️
I love this video! I'm with you, at this point in my life I give zero craps what people think. I will not conform to any standards but my own! New sub here! And your hair is BEAUTIFUL! 😍
GORGEOUSLY, GORGEOUS.🌹
Love, love, love your Afro. Keep doing you! Have done the Afro on and off most of my life. i am now wearing a Afro again at 70. It is shorter and gray. The gray part was a big adjustment! I have gotten some funny looks but I ignore them and keep it moving! But have gotten some very positive comments which has help me to embrace the gray!
Nothing but facts spoken here!
Love, love, love this video and your hair. I too returned Natural in 2004 here in Georgia. I big chopped and it was just long enough to cornrow. I bought a bun to put at the back of my braids. Once it grew I began wearing 2 strand twists. I got lots of stares and men began to ignore me. I thought I would be single forever or as long as I wore my hair naturally. I began learning different styles and ways to rock my hair, including my big fro. Well in 2010, I was rocking my fro when I met my now husband, who loves natural hair.
After 13 years of being natural I took the plunge and locked my hair. So now I am on a new journey, 3 years and loving it. It is definitely a lot more naturals rocking their hair now than in 2004. 😍. However, when I go home to visit in Michigan it feels like I am back in 2004. Believe it or not we are more free in the South when it comes to our natural hair. Peace and love! Oh I am an Aries as well!
Fro hair, don't care! Excellent. Self acceptance is the key. I started watching natural hair youtubers in 2009 but gave up for several years and having come back this year it's great to see more videos made by people with hair that looks and behaves like mine! I live in the UK and seeing white women staring at me in horror whilst smoothing their own hair down is amusing (once I have let go of the annoyance!). The way to go is to feel and project confidence and keep being ourselves without apology or justification.