Search Results

Last night I went to my second session of yoga 🧘🏽‍♀️ And I loved it just as much as I did the first time. Yet, this experience was a bit different. On my way into the building, I saw someone come in behind me and naturally I give a friendly a hey and smile. Which was met with silence, a swift brushing past, followed by a glimpse of a familiar woman quickly moving past me to get down the stairs. I thought to myself, “how weird?” But I also realized that I may know this person, specifically from her hair. Once I got downstairs into the class, there was one more spot for me to lay my mat out, and of course it’s by the same familiar woman that brushed past me just a few minutes ago. Immediately, I recognized her and started to understand why silence was her answer to my hi.  Some time in the beginning of my business I had the pleasure of having this beautiful, light spirited woman in my chair to cut her curly locks. The inspiration she gave me being a full, trapezoid- ish cut, which I thought that day I delivered on. Through our appointment we got to know each other and shared a few laughs here and there, but that same silence she shared with me by the stairs, she also gave me once she saw her results. Not much was said, from what I remember, but I do recall feeling the energy shift. Especially when she commented on her length not feeling as long as when she came in. She still was kind and allowed me to take her after pictures, but that’s when I noticed the most that the results I gave her was not what she anticipated. She never left a bad review, never told me outright that she hated her hair, but I understood that she was not happy, despite how accurate of a cut I felt  I gave her. Then, fast forwarding to yesterday, that same understanding was reiterated.  Image not owned by platform As the session went on and we took a deep dive into the flow of our bodies My mind and ego began to go to war with each other. I thought, “Does she really hate me, I wonder why she didn’t tell me she disliked it that much?” “I don’t remember taking a lot of length off, but maybe that’s why she didn’t like it.” “Maybe she just wasn’t used to seeing her curls shrink that much.” “Maybe I’m just a terrible hairstylist, and I deserve her silence.” Back and forth my mind went, trying to justify her feelings and mine. I know I’m a human capable of making many mistakes, and I have admitted to many as well. Yet, her hair appointment didn’t feel like one of them. Still her reactions towards me I couldn’t play down or shrug off. If I had not met her expectations, I was 100% open to hearing her out and seeing what I could do to repair the damage, once I knew what it truly was. Halfway through the session, I allowed my brain to let all the excuses rise to the surface and each emotion have it’s moment. My conclusion is that she had  and has  every right to not like the haircut I gave her. Even if I felt I did exactly what she asked for, it is not my place to control her feelings about the results.  Image by Allison Snowden I believe my ego couldn’t allow me to believe she didn’t like her hair so much That she would ignore me, because I’m not used to being disliked. As a recovering people pleaser, I always take any chance to overly please the people in my life, clients included. I hate the feeling of letting people down, even when it’s out of my control. So, when I recognized at yoga how much she disliked the service I gave her- without offering me the option to help rectify it later on- I felt that I had failed her and myself entirely. In my industry, working on someone’s crown, there is little room for error, regardless of the fact that mistakes are more than common. When I worked in my old salon and made a mistake or didn’t deliver to someone’s standards, the reviews or shame of it all used to eat me alive. Some of my coworkers would try to soothe this ache by complaining about the client’s pickiness, and too high of standards. Whether that was true or not, I knew that was not the proper response to a client or for myself.  Image not owned by platform Of course I knew I wasn’t a robot I’m not always going to deliver perfection. Yet, the standards I projected onto myself was accentuated when someone wasn’t pleased. However, I’ve learned that two things can be true at the same time. I can feel I did my best, while also giving my clients the space to not like what I’ve given them. It’s not about being right or making a point. As much as it hurts to know there is someone(s) out there that does not like the services I’ve given them, this doesn’t make me a failure. It also does not make my clients wrong for their perception of their experience with me. As we neared the end of our flow with our guide, I discovered what my people pleasing tendencies are rooted in. Me feeling defeated because she didn’t say hi, or tell me she didn’t like her cut so I can rectify it, is not just about me people pleasing. What's more is my need to control. When I can’t change how someone feels about me, my services, or anything else, I feel a loss over many things: the narrative about me, how people may perceive my work, not feeling good enough. The list could go on forever, if I allowed. Image not owned by platform I left yoga still feeling a little heavy about letting someone down While simultaneously understanding she is justified in feeling that way for as long as needs to. Right along with allowing me the space to free myself from unrealistic expectations of perfection that I placed upon myself too. In my journey, I will succeed as many times as I fail and neither will fully define me. What will define me is the way I handle situations when they don’t go my way, and when I am in the wrong. Doing my best to amend situations, when the opportunity is given. Then, continuing to let my flaws- intentional or unintentional- guide me into showing up better than the woman I was the day before. These actions will be the reflection of my true character, not the failure of showing up perfect- which doesn’t exist for anyone. I came for my second session of yoga to relax my mind and body, and departed understanding the balances of my own human nature. Thus, with that being said, Namaste. Image not owned by platform

Do You Keep Killing Your Plants? I am ashamed to say, I’ve never been a great mother… Plant mother, that is. I always end up killing them no matter what I do. More water equals wilted, less water equals burned, and so on and so forth. I could never figure out the perfect balance of hydration for my babies to THRIVE! Funny enough, it was like that with my hair for years—wilted and burned. The struggle to play the balancing act between the proper amount of hydration was a game I was losing at. That is until I understood porosity. Just like plants, all of our hair has a unique formula for receiving and retaining moisture. Depending on your hair makeup, too much water or lack thereof may leave your hair wilted and dried just like our plants. Allow me to break it down for you! Porosity is the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. The categories are high, normal, and low. High porosity acts like a sponge to hydration, but loses it just as quickly as it gains it. Meanwhile, low porosity struggles to accept moisture, and water sits on top of the hair like water droplets on spiderwebs. Putting these findings together can help you understand your hair’s specific needs, especially when it comes to moisturizing for the best hydrated curls! Since our hair is just like plants, I chose some cool plants that need similar care as our various porosity types. That way, we can keep our hair and plants thriving. Lilacs and High Porosity The first plant we'll discuss is the Lilac plant. This beauty loves lots of moisture, but too much water can cause the plant to wilt and become soggy, similar to high porosity hair. High porosity is hydrophilic, meaning it also loves water. However, over-moisturizing with conditioners, shampooing, or getting it wet too often will cause the hair to become limp and lifeless, eventually breaking off. Just like Lilac, you will "water" or shampoo your hair 1-2 times per week. The picture located on the right of the Lilac plant represents the amount of water your hair likes to absorb. In this example photo, high porosity hair absorbs abundant amounts of water very easily, causing the hair to fall to the bottom. This is a great experiment to find your porosity if it's challenging to know from previous routines. Snake Plants and Low Porosity Then we have the Snake Plant, everyone's favorite because if you forget to water it for a few days, it will still be alive and well! Since it's easy at retaining moisture and tends to keep it for a long period of time, Snake Plants only need a light amount of moisture just like Low porosity. Keeping your ingredients light with high impact moisture is amazing for this hair type, because the molecules will be small enough to penetrate the hair strand. Once the moisture is in, it can stay there for a good amount of time. I recommend washing your hair and watering your Snake Plant every 7-10 days. The picture located on the right of the Snake Plant represents the amount of water your hair likes to absorb. In this example photo, low porosity struggles initially to absorb moisture, causing the hair to stay afloat. Pothos Plants and Normal Porosity Lastly, the Pothos plant. It thrives with moderate, routine moisture. Pothos can go up to 1-2 weeks without needing to be watered. It requires just enough water to keep it hydrated due to its easy adaptation to wet and dry climates, like normal porosity. I recommend washing your hair every 1-2 weeks for the best results. The picture located to the right of the Pothos plant represents the amount of water your hair likes to absorb. In this example photo, normal porosity hair absorbs and retains water steadily, resulting in the hair strand staying in the middle of the glass of water. Conclusion Plants are the best way to understand our hair needs, because our hair - just like plants - communicates what it needs all the time, all we have to do is listen. So, if your hair is lifeless and dry or limp, try to reflect on what you're currently doing to it. Are you giving your hair enough hydration, getting it wet too often, or constantly guessing as you go? There is another way; everyone is capable of achieving their version of healthy, hydrated hair, and the best way to start is by recognizing your hair's porosity. What porosity are you?

Often, I see the girls trying to understand their hair better with curl typing You know, the type 4's, 3C's and more... However, only identifying this part of your hair leaves out other information that is necessary to truly knowing your hair. Let's first start at texture! I've heard the term texture used to describe adding layers, curls, or simply having a kink or wave within your hair. While this can be valid as well, the true definition of texture is "The diameter of each individual hair strand." There are three main types of texture: fine, medium, and coarse. Fine hair has the smallest diameter, easier to manipulate, and is typically very fragile and thin. Whereas coarse hair has the thickest diameter and more resistant to manipulation. This type can feel very rough and bumpy throughout the entirety of the strand. Lastly, we have Medium texture, which is described exactly how it sounds- a perfect medium between fine and coarse. Sort of like Goldilocks and the Three Bear's porridge, "Not too hot, not too cold." Why would we need to know texture at all??? Hair texture can tell us the cuticle to cortex ratio. The cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair shaft. It's fish scale like layer(s) are the first combat of protection for your medulla and cortex. Fine hair having the most layered cuticle to makeup for it's thinner cortex. Yet, coarse hair has a thinner cuticle layer, because the strength in it's cortex is strong enough to withstand more impact. The Cortex is the "body," where all the strength and elasticity lives. Understanding this concept will allow us to understand how much physical and chemical manipulation the hair can take. So where does that leave hair typing? Well, first we have to understand hair typing's real definition and origins. Curl types fall into the group of hair patterns Which defines the shape of your hair strands. Typically classified with a hair typing chart created by Andre Walker consisting of a scale of 4 hair types ranging from 1-4, type A through C. Today, we'll simplify them into four categories: Straight, Wavy, Curly and Coily. These hair patterns are still important to keep in your pocket, because they can help indicate the amount of elasticity and moisture the hair is able to retain. The tighter the curl pattern, the less elasticity and moisture it can retain. Each bend of the curl creates "weaker," spots in the hair that can cause breakage and dryness without proper care. Coily hair has struggles with retaining moisture and elasticity the most, meaning it is the most sensitive hair pattern, contrary to popular belief. Let's recap to compare. Texture is defined as the diameter of each hair strand By the cuticle to cortex ratio. Whereas hair pattern is describing the shape of each hair strand that will indicate how much elasticity and moisture it may retain. Texture can be categorized into three groups called fine. medium and coarse. With fine being the most fragile and coarse being the opposite. While, hair pattern is categorized into four groups known as straight, wavy, curly, and coily. Coily hair can struggle more with the retention of moisture and elasticity versus their counterparts on the straighter or wavier side. It is important to note that you can have multiple hair patterns and textures throughout your head naturally or due to manipulation. The best way to work with diverse hair types is to have a great cut that supports all the various lengths. As well as either treating your entire head according to your dominant curly pattern or even better alter your routine to target the different curl patterns through the head. For example if your curls are looser in the nape, than the are the crown, try to go light on the product amount in the back of your head versus the crown. Or if your texture is coarser in the crown vs the nape, try to use more lightly moisturizing products on the crown to avoid build up, and maybe a light weight gel to add elongation. Now that you know the differences between texture and porosity, you should be two steps further to understanding your hair's ebbs and flows! Do you know your hair's texture or pattern?

* Pictures are not owned by this platform * Happy Spring Equinox!! We’ve finally made it through the rigidity of winter, and now it’s time to let our hair down. I’ve been keeping a look out for all the trendy, niche, and old reliable styles for us to pregame before the real event comes- summer! Not only are these styles extremely cute and mostly at home friendly, but I’ve also organized the styles for fine, medium, and coarse textures for both my natural and straight natural girlies. I explain what it means to have each texture of hair in my previous blog . So, If you don’t know where you fit in, I’d go check that out and then come back. Now, let’s get started! Fine Hair Straight Natural Blowouts Over Silk Presses First, on the inspo board is for my straight, natural haired queens. Fine hair, just like any other hair type has its strengths and its achilles. Strengths being, easy to manipulate and doesn’t need much heat in any scenario to smoothen out . Making it easier to bend to your desires. By the same token, fine hair is NOT a fan of high tension, high heat, nor being weighed down by heavy products or too much added hair . My spring style suggestion for you starts at blowouts . I loveee a blowout over a silk press or hard press for you guys, because blowouts promote lots of volume . Not only is minimal heat involved, but typically a blowout is done with a round brush and/or rollers (also called a wet set) on damp hair. Which provides curl memory , so your style lasts longer. In the event, you’d like to try this on yourself a lightweight, anti humidity cream and or spray, along with a heat protectant will be just enough to achieve this style. If you’re doing a wet set , a setting foam by itself would be all you need to be successful. Just make sure both styles are thoroughly dried all the way through, down to the roots for the best results. *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Feminine Pixie Cuts For my Amex platinum, face card holders, the pixie is calling- time to answer the phone. Pixie cuts can translate various energies to the world, but outside of it’s edginess, my favorite energy is the feminine kind. If you’re looking for something to bring out you features , while also providing softness to your style, a cute mid length or knuckle length pixie cut will do the trick! I, personally love to see pixie cuts either molded down into finger waves or styled in soft curls with endless baby  hairs around the entire face and nape . Think Teyanna Taylor or Dorothy Dandridge, two beauty queens that know how to deliver soft, feminine energy while still being the BOSS. The great thing about having fine hair is it’s malleability , so all you would need is a good setting foam and wrap strips, then sit under the dryer to allow your hair to fully set. Afterwards, you may need to go back in with a small curling iron or flat iron to add in your curls , don’t forget your heat protectant! *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Quick Weaves, It's In the Name Last, will be for my girls who like to flip their hair back and forth like Willow Smith. If I can recommend any extensions for fine hair- PROPERLY applied quick weaves win the game for me. Now, keep in mind the longevity of this style is in the name- QUICK! So, you would only want to keep in your quick weave for about 2-4 weeks , depending on how often you need access to your scalp. With that being said, quick weaves , compared to her sister, sew-ins, allows for a more fuller, natural look without the tension of tiny, tight braids or threads throughout the hair you’d have to cut out later. As a fine haired person, you want to do everything in your power to keep your strands from unnecessary breakage, even while being cute! Minimal leave out is always encouraged, but quick weave barrier, and/or a breathable wig cap is mandatory in ensuring no hair bonding glue gets onto your real hair. This will also make it easier to remove with just warm water, and possibly shampoo if it becomes needed. I would not suggest only using a wig cap and hairspray as a barrier from glue.  Afterwards, style your hair however way you desire- straight, curled, or waved. Again, just making sure a heat protectant is always present, and the irons don’t go past 385 degrees.  *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Fine Hair Natural   Flexible Flexi Rod Sets I hope my fine haired, natural girlies didn’t think I forgot about you!! Despite popular belief, natural fine hair, has as many options as any other texture, especially when we introduce curls into the mix! My first style is an old reliable- flexi rod sets. Flexi rod sets are amazing because they will give you more than what you bargained for. Not only are they versatile, but the minimal product involved offers soft, lightweight, consistent corkscrew curls throughout the entire head. This style can be done on both wet and blown out hair , but it is important to know which results you're seeking. On dry hair , more length will be saved in the final results as well as a quicker drying time. However, fine hair is susceptible to falling flat quickly . Therefore, starting your set on damp hair will provide the curl memory needed to lengthen the time you have to rock the style . Now, let’s get back to it’s versatility- already the style worn down and out adds movement and bounce - perfect for spring. But just think of the many updo’s you can do towards the end of your style too! Even if it’s a little frizzy, the volume will work even better with the height and fullness for your desired style. Great for any occasion you have coming up. To achieve this style all you’ll need is a setting or styling foam, along with your choice in size of rod, with a little patience. Damp hair will sit under the dryer 30 minutes to an hour, and dry hair will sit for a little under the same time frame. To finish the style, gently  pulling apart the individual curls then fluff with a pick at the root to create more fullness and volume overall. *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Low Tension Updos Speaking of updos , not all styles have to be intricate. Sometimes a couple dutch braids, satin scrunchy ponies, and simple twists can help add drama to the hair without over manipulation. I love for you, double buns, loose braids with pretty embellishments or high puffs with pieces left out to prevent tension around your hairline . Even the simplest styles can be done up with pretty colored satin scrunchies or beaded clips . Which would be soft and dainty, just like spring! Our hairline is our most sensitive part of our hair , so when attempting any styles that require sleeking or molding, be sure to leave out pieces around your hairline, or break your buns/ponytails up into smaller sections to distribute the weight. Any ponytails, buns or updos can last up to 3 to 4 days - typically wash day to wash day. Anything longer, can start leading to breakage and tension headaches. If you’re rocking your puff or a cute bun, sometimes just taking your hair down from the style and letting your scalp breathe can help. Have fun and remember to be gentle to your hair as you’re working through it to prevent unnecessary breakage, beautiful! *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Twist Outs Just like you don’t like to be smothered by that one talking stage you haven’t seemed to get rid of, fine hair likes her space too ! Let’s be honest, sometimes just wearing the hair down in a wash and go can feel repetitive and maybe even lead to more tangles, especially on fine hair. So, my last option for you would be the infamous twist out . Sometimes, stretching the hair like yoga can do wonders for overall hair health and beauty. While you’re picking out a cute, midi dress for a calm window shop around town, the twist out can help add a relaxed vibe to your outfit. With all you need most likely already in your back stock, this style is quick, straight forward, and easy to upkeep . I would either use a lightweight styling mousse, twisting butter, or light curl cream to add to the hair for prep. It’s not necessary to have perfectly parted twists all over , in fact the more organic the better. For fine hair , we want to save volume at the root , not add more work for us to diffuse the parts later. I suggest always styling your hair starting with semi damp, detangled hair (if high porosity, keep a spray bottle nearby) . As well as allowing the twists to dry completely before taking them down and minimizing going to sleep with a wet scalp. When it’s time to take your hair down. You’ll separate them gently, in the same fashion as we discussed for your flexi rod set. Don’t forget, about those style options we suggested earlier when the style is reaching its last days! Good luck styling, even though you won’t need it. *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Medium Hair Straight Natural Silkiest Silk Presses How does it feel to know you can do anything you want? That’s the epitome of having a medium hair texture , you can really do anything with it! The name of her game for your hair is don’t do anything stupid- just kidding- it’s more about maintaining balance . Medium hair textures land right in the middle of fine and coarse , but that doesn’t mean you can’t over do it. So, the real name of her game is whatever style you choose, don’t overdo manipulation of any kind; brushing, heat, and styling. With that being said, let’s still have some fun! My first suggestion for spring 2026, will have to be a good ol’ silk press . Seeing that your texture has a moderate amount of strength , and a smoother outer layer , pressing your hair out won’t take much heat. Nor will it be damaged after the fact with proper styling and maintenance. With spring still being on the cooler side- well on the days the sun isn’t angry at us for ruining the planet. Right now is the last few months before the heat and humidity cancels all of our pressed root dreams . In other words, go ahead and book that appointment TODAY! If you’d like to try this style out for yourself, I suggest a few things; an anti-humidity pressing cream, styling serum (a little goes a long way). If your styling cream does not provide heat protection, you will need a lightweight heat protectant as well. Rule of thumb , your products can be top of the line, but without a great moisture prep from shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, and a GREAT blow dry , your style will not silk out as best as it can. So, make sure to take your time, work in sections on moisturized hair, and getting your blow dry as smooth as possible from roots to ends. *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Bussdown Sew Ins For my 2016 reminiscers , fuller hair is most likely lurking around your Pinterest boards. Luckily, there’s a way to get the look without sacrificing strands- the sew in! Sew-ins have gotten a bad rep over the recent year for what it may do to some people’s hair type and/or density. Thankfully, your strands are strong enough to balance the weight of a properly installed, natural or full, traditional sew in . This look should only be worn up to 8-10 weeks . Some people may be able to wear it up to 12, even though I don’t recommend this for most people. Proper install looks like braids that are consistent and don’t tug , partings that are clean and distinguishable , as well as a net over top to help support the thread and tracks being sewn on. Bundles that match your surface texture (how much shine reflects from you hair) will be best. Though, you do have the ability to get away with that bone straight, pressed look in relation to your surface texture. I see you buss down, middle part, jet black! Eat 'em up girl. Sleek Ponytails Speaking of 2016 , what would life be like without a sexy, sophisticated ponytail? The pony can be worn in many ways; straight, fish tailed, wand curled . You can even add a hump to spice it up! Either way, your hair can survive the brushing and sleeking it takes to achieve this style, without falling off of the bone . We still have to remember balance, though! Ponytails are a quick style for the last minute club night, rooftop bar, or even picnic , but after the event is done that ponytail will soon follow. I suggest leaving ponytails in, only for a week MAX , if you can say goodbye quicker, I’d leave it in for less. You’ll need to start on blow dried or flat ironed hair (doesn’t have to be perfect), and you can use hairspray and a your blow dryer on cool to mold the hair into place. Some stylists use beeswax/wax sticks , then hairspray on top for a softer hold. If you're adding extra hair, be sure to use wrap strips around where you apply glue to your ponytail to protect your real hair from catching any on it . Also, always wrap your perimeter with your hair scarf when you don’t need to be out and about (or you can still wear your wrap in public, no shame here). *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Medium Haired Natural Sleek Buns Not sure if you caught my question to the straight haired, medium textured naturals, but I’ll have to ask you as well. How does it feel to know you can do anything you want? In all seriousness, just like the straight naturals, you can pretty much do any style you choose, it will just be about balance for you. When I think of spring, she says she’s dainty and soft, and she just wants to have good time while she’s here, doing whatever the day brings her. What better way to express this than a sleek, classic ballerina bun! Buns don’t have to be boring though. Inviting oversized satin scrunchies, or meaningful flowers in the bun , inspired by Flamenco culture are both great ways to literally bring spring into your hair. Your hair type doesn’t mind a little brushing and sleeking here and there, and is amongst the textures that can handle styling like this! My only advisory is that buns are a temporary style , they should not stay for residency like Usher in Vegas. 3-5 days or up to a week, max, is the sweet spot for you. Even letting your hair down every night before bed and wrapping it to keep it’s molding can ease tension off of your hairline and nape. *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Voluminous Curly Sew Ins Who doesn’t love big, full hair like Jill Scott or Solange ??? Another great style your hair has the ability to handle is a properly installed curly sew in . Now, depending on your density and porosity, curly hair sew ins work amazing since you typically don’t need to wash your hair as often , so you can get away with a sew in lasting 8-10 weeks, 12 weeks MAX. This is great if you love your curls, but still crave longer or fuller hair that you don’t have to wait on to grow. That being said, bundles that match your texture and/or hair pattern to a “T” will be the best option for you. As well as minimal leave out and proper foundations. Just like any other traditional sew in, curly sew ins will also need braids that are consistent and don’t tug, partings that are clean and distinguishable , as well as a net over top to help support the thread and weight of tracks being sewn on. Take care of your beautiful, added tresses the same way you’d care for your beautiful natural tresses, and this style will work wonders for you this spring. *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Good Ol' Wash & Go's My last suggestion is always handy for you and typically free of charge, if you’re doing it at home. The handy dandy wash and go! As simple as it seems, other textures sometimes have more upkeep to tend to while maintaining a wash and go due to being weighed down too quickly or easily tangling. However, with most medium hair textures , your hair can thrive in a wash and go , since you don’t have to deal with most of those inconveniences. Also, being able to get more styles than one in your wash and go by incorporating pins, clips or cute puffs will help prolong the style. While also being versatile to the events you may have planed. I love recommending the L.O.C. OR L.C.O method to you guys for your styling application. Let me know if you want a detailed video approach to these methods from my perspective behind the chair . Which one you choose will depend on you hair’s porosity , though! For volume, I’d reach for a cream styler, For elongation and definition, a gel, and for soft-medium hold with volume, a mousse. Don’t forget to fully set your style with a diffuser or under a hooded dryer, as well as your heat protectant for both. Now, go live your life like it's goldennnn! *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Coarse Haired Straight Natural More Curls, Please Of course I saved the best texture for last, and I’m not just saying that because it's also the texture on my head ; ). What our coarse hair texture is actually best at is retaining natural curl memory , it will not take much for our hair to do what we say- well sometimes, but we’ll get to that further down the article. Coarse hair loves volume, a little frizz (don’t kill me), and shaping. Therefore, my first suggestion for spring 2026 would be curled styles , either with curling irons and pin curls or with rollers . As a straight natural there’s zero things wrong with wanting your hair flat to your head. It's just that you and I both know, it's not going to stay that way for long . However, with the addition of heat from your curlers- Marcel or rollers - you can still get that smooth look. Again, remembering that coarse hair holds onto curls exceptionally well , so these curls will last you until your next wash day with proper upkeep! Just like if you were to silk press your hair, before curling with curling irons you will need to prep your hair wisely . A great, smooth blow dry will be the foundation to long lasting curls. As well as a great moisture prep from shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner. Stylers can include an anti-humidity pressing creams, styling serums (a little goes a long way), and if your styling cream does not provide heat protection, you will need a lightweight heat protectant too.  *Pictures are not owned by this platform * 2010's Bundles Everyone misses the mid 2010’s bundles because they were full, and the best stylists weren’t scared to stuff as many bundles they could into their client’s sew-ins. I’m here to tell you that if you ever get the itch for that Arrogant Tae, 3-5 bundles, walk away video sew in , you 100% have every right to just that! I’d just make sure your density can handle the weight too, if you have a lower density, sew ins can be slippery slope. I’d op for naturally full quick weaves or hand-tied extensions, better known as microlinks. Straight, curled, bumped, or waved , this style is one of the most versatile, especially if there’s minimal leave out , left out to blend. Any type of sew in will need a great foundation, but an install as full as yours needs to be able to bear the weight. Whether you’re DIY’ing or booking with an expert, a protective net should always be sewn down onto of your neatly installed braids, and the right braiding pattern to hold the weight of all of those bundles. Always consult with an experienced professional before committing to ensure the protection of your real hair.  *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Smoothing Treatments * Temporary* Last, but not least I have for you a smoothing treatment . Soothing treatments can be permanent, but unless that's what you try want, you can always go the temporary route . If you’re looking to wear your hair out smoother, prep for a sew in, or want more hydrated silk presses , smoothing treatments will aid in making your hair easier to maintain in its straight form without the commitment of relaxers . The treatment will still protect the integrity of most of your natural curl pattern , as you won’t have to constantly apply heat or over manipulate your hair . Especially on the warmer or rainy days of spring. I can only recommend you talk to a licensed professional that offers these systems, I would not recommend you try non-professional smoothing treatments at home and by yourself. In other words, “Get somebody else to do it!”  *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Coarse Haired Natural Natural Hair Fros “Twinnn, where have you been?” Hey hair twin, we’ve got a few things to discuss for our spring 2026 hair catalogue. The first being how our fros are the best thing on the earth! The fro has had many lives; defying gravity, then being picked out, and now super defined. All having a place in each era, and still having a place today. Either one you end up choosing, our hair deeply appreciates it! Coarse hair, in general, loves to be left alone to do what its was already going to do anyways. Yes, we have better curl retention than most textures when we do decide to shapeshift into another style, but one thing our hair loves to do is expand. What better way to do that than the fro? How you go about styling will depend on your taste, but I can share some tips with defining your curls . I love incorporating the L.C.O and L.O.C methods as a foundation for my product layering , but which one you choose will depend on your hair’s porosity . I have coarse hair, with low porosity , which means, the L.C.O. method works best for me! For super defined curls, I’ll always start on hydrated hair, with lots of water . Then, in sections of 4 I’ll first add in my leave in, then my cream styler- which my leave in may double as- cold pressed grapeseed oil, followed by humectant gel, and a little curl foam on top. That way, my fro grows throughout the week. If you want volume on day one , I’d ditch the gel and go straight for a curl mousse or curl cream. Hooded dryers are my bestie, so I sit under there with a light heat protectant over top if my leave in doesn't already have that included. *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Versatile Crochet Styles Maybe the fro is getting mundane , and you just need something new and low maintenance, I got you! Crochet styles are an amazing way of creating versatility without sacrificing the health of your hair. You can add braids, twists, or even individual pieces of hair that mimics your coarse texture . I think of this style for spring mostly for it’s updo capabilities, crochet’s don’t have to be worn down all the time or be boring. You can add color, lots of length of even cut it into a shorter style. The best part is, if you know how to cornrow well or willing to learn, you can achieve any of those styles right at home . You’ll need your crochet hair of choice, and a crochet hook- that’s about it! Just be cautious of too much tension when knotting the crochet to your braids and around your hairline. Our hair is strong , but it's still just hair glued down by the follicle at the end of the day. Since crochet’s are really just cornrows, depending on your porosity and scalp health you can get away with this style lasting up to 10 weeks , nothing longer than this. *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Down to the Booty Braids Now, my personal favorite style comes into play!! Down to the booty braids, Poetic Justice braids , or whatever you wanna call them. Long and preferably medium-thick braids are made for hair textures like ours. Since our hair strand is so thick in diameter , and has natural internal strength , we have the capability of  getting away with butt length individual or long feed-in braids . The thickness of the braid will depend on your personal density , though, so be cautious of that if you’re on the lower density end. But even if your density isn’t high, you can still enjoy beautiful long-ish braids, just make sure the size compliments your density. I’m honestly the wrong person to ask about self installing because I’m lazy and a huge believer in paying the experts, but I can offer care tips from my own experience with my 30 inch, buss down braids. Always leave your baby hairs out , our hairline is our most sensitive , and too much tension can easily promote traction alopecia . Braids of any kind should not be installed for more than 12 weeks , feed ins will most likely last 4 to 8 weeks . Anything more can cause too much stress on your hair strands as the braids loosen and your hair grows out. Also, you can and should wash your scalp as often as you normally do without braids, but at least every other week should keep your scalp happy and not smelling in the wind. All in all, our hair is versatile in nature, but enjoys when we leave it to be exactly what it knows how to. *Pictures are not owned by this platform * Are these styles making it to your mood board, if so which ones? Let me know below. Thanks for reading my breakdown for hairstyles for your texture in spring 2026, don’t forget the most important thing is to have fun with your hair no matter your preference!! I’ll speak with you next time, byeeeee ;)

(Good news, you don't have to burn with it.) I find myself in the waking of the moon ruminating On my purpose in the world of cosmetology. Ultimately questioning if it means anything at all. While predatory wars on humanity, genocide, and misinformation run rampant- what could a hairdresser do for the world while it’s burning? Turns out, this isn’t earth’s first rodeo. About 4 to 4.6 billion years ago our planet went through an era called the Hadean Eon. Coined from the Greek god of the underworld called Hades, this era is when the planet was initially formed due to “accretion of dust, gasses, and frequent collisions of larger planetesimals.” Resulting in the release of copious amounts of heat. At this time, nothing could survive - better yet, nothing was even alive. Yet, with the eventual development of earth’s crust and other variables, a few “ short ” billion years later in what we know as the Mesoarchean Era, “life” began to flourish. Microorganisms, better known as bacteria became earth’s first evidence of life. Acting as a catalyst of what is alive and exists today- You and I.  Wannabe kings, dictators, terrorists, assholes (whatever you like to call them) Attempt to create worlds where life does not move forward at all. In fact, the fear projected onto us regresses us further into the past. Like the heat that once suffocated the earth, humans like Trump or Netanyahu set out to do the same by removing clear pathways forward. Creating propaganda that divides and restrictions that kill; they are the antithesis of life. What men like them don’t understand is that evolution is inevitable. The fires and volcanoes that once scorned the land, solidified into crust, creating the foundation of our planet. Making room for microorganisms, sea creatures, then land mammals, and now us. Our planet’s relentless evolution is a testament of the bounds of our internal nature While the fear they use to attempt to paralyze us is persistent, our optimism continues to lead. The future we wish to see lies in the willingness to co-create with each other as we always  have. The sorrows we feel have always  existed heavily on our shoulders, waiting for the moment we slow down to feel the weight. Genocide of innocent children and other oppressed groups- as well as the propaganda against them- ran rampant in the dark well before 2023 . Psychologically unwell “leaders,” separating families from their homes, young people murdered in the streets by government sanctioned bootlickers, all again, existed well before the past three years. So what’s new now? Awareness and opportunity. Unlike those who did their absolute best to survive before us, we have the unique privilege of real time news, independent journalists, and the slow dismantlement of group like think. While paid and bought news sources attempt to bottleneck us with depressing half truths, we continue to become more resilient to propaganda and fear mongering. We have the opportunity in most countries to be forged by the shortcomings of senseless pain to become something way better, just like earth.  There are frequent moments where I feel inferior To the magnitude of the world. What is my purpose? What can I do? What is the point of life? Through my journey of my existential crisis, I found answers through a professor whose student asked him the same thing . Later on, I’d have a reiki session that would answer in a similar tone. Here’s what I gathered: The earth is symbolic to a school.There are no coincidences, everything is as it should be. While we’re here, our purpose extends beyond what we’ve been conditioned to think. It’s not our career, the statuses or money we can acquire, none of that directly relates to purpose. We are here to learn how to love and develop compassion for all, and to enjoy a life that supports our many senses. Reframe the questions, “What is my purpose? What can I do?” To, “How can I help move life forward?” We do this through practicing love in whatever form we can, unlearning inherited traumas, and dismantling broken systems. As well as protecting our planet, and most importantly, protecting the life within it- which includes each other. So yes, the evil that exists is setting the world on fire But we will not burn with them. The flames they create and fan will rise, but the ashes left behind will serve as a reminder that fire can destroy, but it also cleanses and rebirths. Leaving space for us to continue creating lives that exist without the suffocation of our freedom, much like our planet.  Free Palestine. Free Congo. Free Sudan. Free Iran. Free the world. Free Your Mind.

I grew up spending my Sunday’s Tagging along with my mother to church- Morning Star Baptist Church to be exact. My papa preached here and there, my granny ushered, and my mother filled in any position she could. Mostly helping welcome and transition new members into our community. Church for us was Sunday, Wednesday, and sometimes even Tuesday’s, so it’s safe to say I was raised with Christian values instilled into me. As a little girl, I enjoyed the older people giving me various compliments followed by purse peppermints and butterscotch candies. Even more, I enjoyed playing Red Rover, Red Rover, and eating soul food at what we called children’s church. Every 2nd and 6th Sunday, the children under the ages of 11 could go into the back area of the building to play, eat and learn, instead of sitting through long sermons we couldn’t yet understand. As much as I loved this option, soon enough I aged out of being able to dilly dally instead of listen to the word from our pastor. The rebellious spirit in me has always questioned the word- not just from my pastor, but from Christianity as a whole. We were taught things like the 10 Commandments, being kind to thy neighbor. Yet, these teachings felt obvious to me, not owned by Christianity alone. Soon enough into my later teens and early adulthood, life began to throw curve balls, weakening my faith and belief in my religion. As well as my faith and belief in God which would follow right after.  By 20 I started my career as a cosmetologist in the dead of COVID-19 Not the most typical groundwork for people who work hands to head. I met my coworkers with N95 and homemade masks on our faces, in a once busy salon, now under 50% capacity due to safety precautions. Despite it all, I just knew getting hand picked and hired to work at one of the most prestigious salons would set me on the right path in my career. Graduate, work in my dream salon for 2-4 years for experience, then open my own suite to eventually open my own school- that was the plan. I wasn’t religious anymore, but the little faith I had left wanted to believe that whatever higher power watching over me would allow me to achieve this mapping I created. Until, 7 months in of sweeping and cleaning at the salon turned nightmare, I was let go because of a model not showing up to my haircutting class. I knew it was the end of the road months before I was fired for something out of my control, so I marched out of that salon, looking only forward. It was tough for a little minute to digest the experience I had there, but it was truly a blessing in disguise. I scoured the internet- this time not looking for prestige, but for safety and real opportunity. That’s when I found the coolest urban salon, nestled in Omaha Benson. I didn’t know it at the time, but this salon would help me establish myself as a trusted hairstylist for the curly haired community. For three years, I’d call this place more than my job, it became my home, my faith in being heard by higher powers started to restrengthen. But I learned quickly and abruptly, that all good things truly do come to an end. Around the three year mark, I began to loose my desire to do hair entirely. Looking at my reality compared to the goals I had set didn’t seem to align anymore. I was burnt out, depressed, and drinking more than sleeping. Under the surface, I believed that I wasn’t far enough in my career, nor good enough to become better. Each time I didn’t nail the inspo picture or received a bad review, I would translate it to being a failure. I prayed to God every night for answers of what to do next and how I should go about it. Endless nights of begging for a new path forward, while demanding explanation of why it felt like I was being slowed down. I thought I was being punished by God or the sun had forgotten me, even after so much work and sacrifice I’ve put in. I still believed in God, but it felt like they had stopped believing in me. Soon after, rumors would begin to circulate Of our salon owner shutting down the salon for good, without our knowledge. Eventually they got back to us in many forms, but after confrontation, our salon owner would legitimize the rumors into truth. We had 5-6 months to figure out what our next step would be. Seeing how my experiences of working for others in the beauty industry went, I knew I couldn’t allow myself to just go get another job. It was time for me to step into ownership, however my fear of failure spoke louder than my trust in the opportunity that arrived. I continued to cry out to God, scared and angrier than before. I no longer wanted to keep proving myself through hair, but it was all my heart knew. What a weird joke? I would think to myself; I’m released from the job I started to despise, but given the chance to continue what I started in a higher position, while lacking the desire to do so. It felt like even when I prayed, my woes were always answered with a plot twist. Still, I knew I had to keep going on my path of cosmetology. The trouble now was figuring out if had the drive, resources, and know how to continue. Then, in 2023 Morpho Hair Omaha was born. Dramatically, I felt like a first time mother, unsure if I was ready to commit to the new role. Let alone, unsure if I was fit for the role at all. Even through opening my first salon business successfully,  I wasn’t sure of myself. God seemed to be asleep, so I called them by many names- God, universe, self. Hoping that one of the names called would bring back the inner luck and ambition I had at the start of my journey. Doubt would whisper to me that my business wouldn’t even make it past a week of it’s opening. My funds were always tight, network small, as well as my knowledge of business. While simultaneously I was still searching for my passion to do hair again.  As much as I wanted to let faith flatline I continued to keep what I had left of her around. As she felt safer than the higher powers who would felt like they lost faith in me. 3 years later into the present, Ive now been a cosmetologist for 6 years, with three of them including being a business owner. It’s funny to look back at everything I’ve accomplished, even through doubt. I still no longer consider myself a Christian, but through my highs and lows of my career, Ive been able to start cultivating my own understanding of faith and god. God, self, universe are all interchangeable to me. So when I doubted and lacked faith in God, I actually was doubting and losing faith in myself. I wanted to believe that God could make things happen for me because my life experiences groomed me to believe I was incapable of creating change in my own life. Every success began as humility and failure. Every loss felt like reflection of my value. Yet, each time I allowed myself to leap into the unknown, even when fear felt paralyzing, I prevailed. Through this I learned to trust myself, when I couldn’t trust god because I realized the two are not severed, they are intertwined- connected by the faith rooted within me. Faith, that when I jump I’ll fly instead of fall. That every harsh lesson is to set me up to not take for granted the powerful roles that have once failed me in the hands of others. Graduate, work in the salon for 2-4 years, salon suite, my own school. I told myself I wanted to be leader and the world opened up the path to become just that, through the light and darkness of my own inner world.  From being let go from the first jobs of my career to detaching from organized religion, these experiences showed me how to build trust within the self. To still be able to envision, create and follow through at times when the path is unclear. No matter the name I give my faith, I know I will always be the engine that keeps it powered, even when perfection is far from me. Trust is a relationship with self that is a slow burn, but I am learning to trust the timing within it. I hope my story will help you trust your timing too.

Cosmetologist, Salon Owner, Blogger. Welcome to my world! To understand Morpho Hair University We first have to to understand each word’s definition and representation. We’ll start with Morpho, which is a breed of beautiful, iridescent butterflies that I chose to represent my first salon business at 23, ‘Morpho Hair Omaha.” Here, is where I cater to curly crowns, teaching my clients the simplicity and beauty in creating routines that actually work with  your hair. I specifically chose the word Morpho to represent who I was then, and also who I was becoming slowly, but surely. The spiritual definition behind Morpho butterflies is said to symbolize transformation, personal growth, healing, and new beginnings. What better way to tie in everything I do for others at the salon that this? At 23 I began my entrepreneurship journey as a little caterpillar- anxious, just trying to survive by trusting my instincts. Even though it felt like I was always doing the opposite, I’d hope that my business would allow me the space to cocoon and transform just like the butterfly. That it it did, I needed Morpho as much as it needed me, if not more. Though, many lessons on trusting my instincts, being patient, and trusting my own timing was learned, I constantly find myself yearning for more.  I’ve been in the hair industry since 2019 I always knew that there was a calling that rang from beyond the chair. That’s where the, “University,” comes in. If you know me, I’m an astrology, astronomy obsessed girly, so creating my own universe was bound to come into fruition. Morpho Hair University is my official website that hosts everything new and old that I’ve created for myself this far. My booking site for my clients, hair tips and tricks for all, and now my first blog, “Beyond the Highlights,” for me. At first, the blog was just going to be about hair tips and ticks, beauty history and controversial topics, but like I said earlier, I yearned for more beyond the chair. I’ve been working on and off on the site for about 2 years now, uncertain about what I truly wanted to contribute to its world. Then, some time last year,  I got a reiki reading In it was a mouthful, but I was searching for clarification of my career’s direction. She said that I’d not only teach what I know about curly hair, but I’d also coach other beauty professionals on how to protect their energy while being in so many people’s auras. Funny thing about it is I also need to learn this for myself. We as beauty professionals work directly and what I’m learning to be called the “crown chakra,” which is located at the top of the head. This means we have direct access to how people think, feel and understand themselves. After connecting with so many different energies this can weigh heavy on our own crown chakras and bodies too. I feel that weight, and often don’t know what to do or where to turn to, to balance it. My journey of pouring into this website will also be a journey of rebuilding who I’ve known myself to be while protecting the energy that's created from it. The intent is to teach you how to do the same for yourself in whichever journey you choose. Not from a place that’s perfect or experienced, but through leading in my own journey, first starting here on Morpho University. Thank you for coming into my universe, please stay for as long as you need to!

Hi! I'm Chelle ;) Who Should I Become? For a long time... I aspired I'd become an obstetrician. I wanted to help deliver babies and was dead set on this idea for all 4 years of high school. Then, senior year hit me like a wall . Between makeup making millions and depression, I wasn't sure of much when it came to my future. After I graduated, I realized I didn't need to decide something so soon if I didn't have my heart in it. So, I worked at various mundane jobs. Still, knowing my purpose was needed somewhere else. My mother suggested cosmetology school, and, funny enough, I never even thought about it until she brought it up. I used to spend hours locked in the bathroom, meticulously slicking, sewing, gluing every strand together. I learned out of curiosity mainly, but as a black girl with tight curly hair in the middle of Nebraska, I learned out of necessity. So, it only made sense for me to go to school to learn about my curls. Missing Piece While I attended school... I went by the name Shawn. In our school if your name was too similar to someone else's you could choose a "fake" name. I loved this, I got to choose a new name, and a new start at life. After a year of being lost and confused on what I wanted to do, I finally knew what lit me up. Hair extensions, curly hair and fashion colors was on the top of my list to learn about. I wanted to be a stylist who knew and did it all. Especially with curly hair, if I was going to be a hairstylist and curly hair is a hair type, then I would need to learn curly hair. I found damn near everything in hair school- my purpose, ambition, and vision. Everything I'm thankful for to this day, but there was an essential piece missing. I went to school to learn about hair and that I did. Everyone's hair, but my own. Hair school Chelle via 2019 The truth is I never learned how to care for my natural hair until I cared for others. This took years of trial and error to achieve later on in my career. After 15 months in hair school being told we didn't need to learn about curly hair specifically, overhearing "I'll never do those people's hair anyways,"and about a couple years of working in salons whose products wouldn't work for my curls, it become almost mandatory that I understand curly hair. Imposter Syndrome It all started with... the simple question of "Do you want to leave curly?" Most clients were taken-aback from the suggestion. Some didn't even know they had curls at all, "just frizz". I barely knew anything about the curls on my own head, but I learned steadily about other people's curls through my very patient clients. Before this question I was just a baby stylist trying everything and most importantly- trying hard not to f' it up. Soon, I was getting the hang of it, just barely grasping the knowledge of my client's hair. At this point, I was given the title of "Curly Hair Stylist." I felt honored that someone would even consider me for the roll, but on the other hand I felt immense imposter syndrome. During this time what made me feel like an imposter was in the name itself. "Curly," then, hair stylist. If you remember from earlier, the point of learning curly hair is because curly hair is hair and I'm a hairstylist. The title made me feel othered similar to how I felt in cosmetology school. I wasn't styling, cutting and coloring people's hair in their natural form to be a Curly and then stylist. I did it because I'm a hairstylist just like anyone else. I felt our clients deserve the option to be styled natural just as much as any other style. The option I am very familiar with never receiving. In Conclusion The next couple of years... I'd continue my trial and error, then succeed my way into my current business, Morpho. A safe place for curly girls to be heard and understood. Through self education, failure, and free haircuts, I've learned how to love my own curly hair. The title is still a heavy weight to carry, especially at times when I think I'm not the right person to do it. However, that weight pushed me to bridge the gap with education on all hair patterns that's been missing in our industry and for me. I aim to normalize curly hair education with every cosmetologist because curly hair is hair and we are ALL hair stylists. Maybe one day every young lady slicking, gluing, and guessing circles around her hair can find a safe place to thrive like the one I've created.

Diana Ross 1969 Since high school, I was let free to roam in the knots of my own hair To create whatever I could with the little knowledge of my hair I had. As an African American woman, I noticed in our culture it is MANDATORY to keep our hair looking laid or presentable no matter what age. We do this for all kinds of reasons - protection, assimilation (also for our protection), pride, and always creativity. So no doubt, our mothers had us in the beauty salon getting our hair whipped up in braids, presses, and twisties before most of us could count to 10. Or you got the infamous creamy crack if your hair was too thick or unmanageable for your stylist or parent. There begins to form our first contact with our hair and what that should look like for a black girl. Not soon after, we all get to the age of 13-14 and our mothers have given up. Salon costs for two, even when one is half your size, still can cost more than your groceries. As well as parental figures in general not having the knowledge of how to work with their child's hair no matter the state of it due to no one teaching them. So, in return, most black girls go through their special stage of awkwardness called, "we got hair at home." If you're still confused by the term creamy crack Say thank you to your mother. In all seriousness, it's a term used within the black community referring to relaxers. Relaxers are not limited to, but pretty popular in our community and is a tool used to create straighter or smoother looks with the hair. They're not inherently bad in nature these days, in fact, it's an amazing medium for hair artists to create infamous pixie cuts and finger waves that are more manageable in the curl's "relaxed" state. So why do I thank God if you don't know what they are? Well, relaxers were introduced to us at very young ages, anywhere between 8 to 10 years old. Before we ever got the chance to connect with our hair at its purest form, it was permanently and chemically altered for manageability and presentableness. Mainly, to benefit everyone else but us while unknowingly putting us at the risk of certain cancers from the chemicals. I do not fault our parents or even the stylists at the time, they did what they knew was best for everyone. Better yet, they knew what was best from which they were taught. Black women have lineages of teachings of manageability and presentableness when it comes to their hair due to racism, time or resource constraints. But what does this teach young girls who are just getting to know their hair, and even deeper, themselves? The belief passed down that our hair needs to be managed and presentable At all times causes a broken relationship with our hair from the earliest of ages. Many conversations still continue on what is right or wrong with how black women choose to wear their hair today. Typically toggling between the styles of natural or straight. However, either way would not matter if the relationship you have with said straight or natural hair is one that barely exists. Our culture has thrived many years cultivating the most original hairstyles that trend every time. From braided beehives, natural fros, finger waves, and more our hair has proven its unique flexibility and beauty no matter what form it takes. This is what we should teach and show our young girls. That our hair is a canvas to paint anything we're capable of envisioning, not an obstacle to tame, manage, and please everyone else. The battle between straight and natural hair within our community is a battle we will always lose if we do not realize that anyone forcing us in a box of any kind is a slight to the freedom and flexibility our hair provides. In the late 1700s, Creole women in Louisiana Were forced by law to cover up their hair with tignons to refract excess attention from their dress. Towards the early 1800s, many women still chose to wear their scarves in protest, they had found power in expressing their culture and creativity through the same tool that was meant to silence them. Not too long after, the law was lifted, yet most still chose to wear their tignons. Let this reflect a lesson we all need to learn, the only right way to wear our hair is the way we decide we want to. No amount of limitations, restrictions, or fears have stopped the black woman from finding ways to express her individuality. Our hair does not have to be manageable or presentable to exist in this world. Nor does it have to fit into a box labeled "black." So, wear your hair the way that makes you feel good inside and out, as long as you do the internal work to make it your choice.

... To the conflicted curly girl within us all just trying to live. The first time I saw someone with my hair pattern Rock the big screen was when I was introduced to Issa Rae's Awkward Black Girl series on YouTube. There she was, a dark-skinned, short kinky-haired beauty freestyling her quirky, on-the-fly rhymes to herself. I resonated deeply and quickly with her traits. A few long years later, she comes out with the show Insecure, a sitcom surrounding the highs and lows of being a late twenty-something to early/mid-30-year-old, just trying to make it somewhere in life. In every episode, Issa's hair progresses with the seasons. First, starting with a cute TWA (teeny weenie afro), then moving up to classy and innovative updos all while staying natural, I had never seen representation like this before. Not just the natural hair portion, but the versatility in the styles as well. Around the time of the show, the most I saw done with our hair on screen was anything straight or some type of extension. Which I still love, but at the time I never knew what I was missing. Her ability to express a sexy, classy, or even adventurous style surprisingly complemented the awkwardness of her character. Even though Issa was always showcasing a woman who barely had her life together, and a personality that came off naive and childish, this didn't mean her hair had to be presented in the same way. Often you see in media black women's hair Reflecting their success and status in the world. Always, the super successful doctor with straight presses, or the well-known socialite with bone-straight extensions reaching past her waist. These examples are far more common to signal success in life, dating, and health for a black woman's character. To play the devil's advocate, there are times when black women are allowed to wear their natural hair. Three rules, though—first, your curls need to be looser than a type 4, you have to be racially ambiguous, or your character has to fit into a stereotypical box. Shows from the early 2000s and movies from the Blaxploitation era prove just that. Black actresses are only allowed to have short, kinky, or coily hair when their characters are meant to be seen as struggling and undesirable. I wondered in the recent past why we as black women struggle with feeling beautiful in our natural hair. Not because I feel it's the only way we should wear it, but because it's one of our most unique features. Hair that defies gravity should be given the same amount of admiration, right? When did we circle back to our natural hair coming second in priority to fun temporary styles? Here are some takes I've seen: It makes us look childish, instead of sexy Doesn't fit with chosen aesthetic/style Touching back on the show Insecure, if you have seen the show the entire series refutes these claims. Issa changes her hair often even when she's broke or busy. With each updo or wash and go she secures very attractive men (cough, cough, Daniel) who don't second guess her beauty when they see her kinks throughout the season. When she had hair barely past her ears styled in a pixie, her character was still able to tap into the sexiness and confidence of her inner self when necessary. So with that being said Why do we continue to believe the narrative that our shrunken curls cannot make us feel desirable, confident, or grown and sexy? I ask this question to myself as well, even as a curly hairstylist I am not exempt from the insecurities I have about my tight, type four hair. I am not a stranger to hot combs, quickweaves, lace fronts, and long silky extensions. For the majority of my life this is how I've chosen to wear my hair. Yes, for the beauty of a cute style, but digging deeper it was because I hated the way my hair looked on me. More specifically , I hated the way I was viewed in society when I wore it out and natural. When I had long, sleek weaves the attention I got was from everyone, including black men, was positive and abundant. Versus when I wore my natural hair, the lack of acknowledgment of my existence translated to me feeling invisible. In middle school, boys would tease us for our natural puffs comparing them to things like the head of broccoli or stubby bushes. Up until very recently, there were not a lot of safe spaces for kinky-haired girls to wear their hair out radically without the constant reminder that us natural will never be enough for the rest of the world. This is what I believe created the result of hating my hair. For a black woman, 80% of our lives will be trying to find a way to be accepted for our survival. So that means if jobs, potential partners, social settings, and more require an unspoken preference for our hair to be anything but kinky, then more than likely we will assimilate to protect ourselves socially. However, shows like Insecure give me hope Issa felt more than a fictional character to me. She represented a future where our hair is an extension of our creativity and individuality, instead of a prison with limited space to choose. She showed me that the reflected success and aesthetic we're craving is not cultivated in our hair, but originates within being yourself. These days I allow myself to indulge in all types of hairstyles despite what the world feels is best for me. Like India Arie sang, "I am not my hair" and however I choose to wear my crown will not lessen or increase my value to this world. Sidenote- I LOVE YOU ISSA xoxo