“You’re going to look like a man!” This is one of the most common phrases you’ll hear when you declare that you’re going natural. I can relate to this reaction because many of my family members said this to me when I said I was going to do the big chop in 2008. Despite their criticism, I did the big chop and actually I felt more feminine and confident than ever before in my life. So why is natural hair considered masculine?
Natural Hair Discussion
In latest episode of BK Supernaturals, several industry personalities (SheaMoisture’s Brand Ambassador Diane C. Bailey, Jenell Stewart of Kinky Curly Coily Me!, Imani of Tribe Called Curl and Rhadames of Follicle Film) share their views on the femininity (or lack thereof) of natural hair. A few of the points that were brought up about why natural hair is viewed as masculine included the internal stigmas we have, ideas of beauty beginning at a young age and the type of women that we look up to in mainstream media. A comment that was made by Rhadames, the male of the discussion, was that “if most men were all about natural hair, we honestly wouldn’t be here talking right now” and the women agreed. So why do we as women, allow our beauty to be defined outside of ourselves?
Watch the BK Supernaturals episode and share your opinion on why natural hair is viewed as masculine in the comments!
Share this:
Blog Comments
Angel
January 28, 2015 at 10:53 am
I went natural 9 years ago and one thing I’ve never heard or had anyone say to me was that “I’m going to look like a man” or any other statement to suggest that I’d lack femininity. I think feminine and masculine is all in how you present yourself. If you want to give off a more masculine vibe, then your going to convey that on several aspects not just on your hair alone. The same with femininity.
Natural hair is masculine if you want it to be. However, one thing we can’t do is control how all people perceive us. And maybe some days the lines are a little more blurry than others. The question is…How do you feel or what do you believe about your natural hair/your natural self and how do you want to project those feelings and beliefs?
Beauty is defined in so many ways. As much as we may want to say that culture and society don’t play into how we define ourselves but it does even in the most subtle ways. Even when we think we aren’t letting outside forces influence us; I believe we can never fully escape. Do your best to be your true self.