Our hair is more than just strands; it embodies our identity, culture, and even politics. It tells stories that are deeply intertwined with our sense of self and the perceptions we carry, consciously or not, into the world.
For me, embracing my natural hair has been a transformative journey. It took time to genuinely love my natural hair and the coils that are so uniquely mine. There are days that doubt creeps in, questioning my hair's beauty, but I have learned to recognise those whispers as echoes of past conditioning and let them go.
I stand proud of my hair, just as it is—a reflection of my journey, my heritage, and the resilience that defines me. Embracing my natural hair has become an act of self-love and defiance against a world that often tries to fit us into boxes.
For a significant part of my life, I straightened my hair with relaxers. Even when it showed signs of damage, I vowed never to cut it or leave it natural. The influence of Western beauty standards led me to believe that my natural hair wasn’t beautiful. I felt compelled to fit into an ideal image, one that included not just straightening my hair but also hiding behind wigs. While there's nothing inherently wrong with wearing wigs, I used them not out of choice but out of shame about my identity as a Black woman with coily hair.
The turning point came when I did the "big chop." It wasn’t planned; it was a necessity after months of neglect at the peak of my mental illness. During this period, I experienced the throes of mental illness, which caused a mental breakdown, and my hair suffered as a result.
My sister, a beauty entrepreneur, helped me cut my hair, as I couldn't even loosen my cornrows, which had been left unnurtured for months. In that moment of cutting my hair, something shifted, and I saw myself clearly for the first time. A weight was lifted off my shoulders, and I felt a liberating sense of freedom. I had done something I swore I would never do, overcoming decades of insecurity and fear that I wouldn’t look or feel beautiful. Yet, in that moment, I felt powerful and beautiful.
Since then, I have let my hair grow naturally, cherishing every strand and nurturing every look. The thought of relaxing my hair does not appeal to me and holds no power over me. Today, I stand proud of my hair, just as it is—a reflection of my journey, my heritage, and the resilience that defines me. Embracing my natural hair has become an act of self-love and defiance against a world that often tries to fit us into boxes.
Through this journey, I have come to embrace not just my hair, but my identity and my place in the tapestry of stories that all our hair signifies, making each of us uniquely beautiful.
With my story, I am excited to announce our Hair Story editorial series. This compelling collection of narratives invites you into the deeply personal and culturally rich journeys of women and their hair. The Disruptors Hair Story editorial series is one that's so close to my heart.
Over the coming weeks, we will share stories of women across the globe exploring their hair journeys while addressing themes such as health, equality, mental well-being, identity, inclusion, and representation. Our aim is to create a space where every woman can see her story reflected, feel understood, and find the courage to celebrate her authentic self while also sparking a conversation that leads to positive change.
Disruptor members will gain full access to all the stories. You can subscribe for a Disruptors membership below:
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