With graduation, prom, and weddings in season you may be feeling the pressure from others to straighten your natural hair for one of these special occasions. (See 69 Formal Natural Hairstyles Below)
Now if you want to straighten your hair, go for it! But should you change your natural hairstyle just to appease others? I don’t think so.
This article is coming from a personal place as I have had a recent experience with this. This June I will be having my wedding ceremony celebration and I have decided that I have my heart set out on a natural hairstyle.
Word got back to me about a family member’s comment and this is what they had to say, “Don’t get me wrong I love Ariane with her natural hair but for the wedding she’s going to have that hair laid right?”
YES, my hair will be laid alright in a natural style of my choosing.
The sentiment that natural hair cannot be worn for special events is similar to the thinking that natural hair is not professional. I personally will never straighten my hair to impress an employer because I feel my texture is beautiful as is. Plus, if we are talking about a job offer I rather show them the real me from the beginning instead of surprising them and being asked annoying questions about my hair later.
I think it is a shame that many people still feel the need to hide their natural texture to look pleasing or presentable to others. It’s one thing if straight is your styles preference, but to do this just to feel worthy is a whole other issue.
I just find this funny being that you would never see someone with a loose or straight texture being told to make their hair look curly so they will look acceptable (it just wouldn’t happen).
There is nothing so inherently wrong with kinky or curly textures that they have to be altered in order to look professional, acceptable, stylish or fancy. If a natural look is what you want don’t let others opinions stand in your way as there are many natural styling options to choose from.
SEE ALSO: 5 Cute hairstyles for An Special Occasion
Here 69 Brides Who Wore Their Hair Natural (This definitely has given me some inspiration!)
What are your thoughts? Do you feel the need to press your hair for a special occasion?
I am getting married in September. I have had several people tell me to straighten my hair for the event or suggest it. However, I do not feel this came from a place of hate for my natural hair but just a came from a result of culture and upbringing that has been ingrained in us as African-American women for so long. Straight is the way deep down in our psyches. The people who told me are natural! I do not think they meant harm. However, my fiancé LOVES my natural hair and even if I considered it I wouldn’t because I want him to see me in my natural state when I walk down the aisle in the way he loves me most. Its our day and I feel its about us not what other people think. Thanks for this post!
Congrats! My wedding anniversary is Sept. 28. It will be 9 yrs for me.
On my wedding day in June of 1991 I wore my natural hair. I had it pulled back with a thick braid tucked under and wore a pill box hat. Natural hair is beautiful hair. You just have to learn how to work with it. I also sported the double twist braids and single twist braids. I’m one who doesn’t like to comb their hair and/or style it much so natural is best for me! 🙂
Several years ago I was told that if I wore my hair natural to my mother’s funeral I was being “disrespectful”. I wore it natural and looked quite sharp. I realized that person confronting me was coming from a place of self-hatred, since then I have seen certain members of my family evolve and embrace their natural texture; now some family members still will not be seen without a wig or weave down their backs complete with gelled down baby hair. Fix it Jesus. We have agreed to disagree and love each other anyway.
Bwhwahah @ Fix it Jesus!!! Debi, I’m glad you did what was right for you. Thank you for sharing!