Black hair has always been a political thing. Our hair defines us, and it doesn’t conform to mainstream standards of beauty. Black hair stands out no matter what.

I’ve recently decided to stop pressing my hair. I don’t wear a relaxer, but most of my adult life I’ve been a press + flatiron queen. Years of  excessive heat usage began damaging my hair, so I’ve been experimenting with natural styling techniques from braid outs, to twist outs, to roller sets. Occasionally I hit my roots with the flatiron after a roller set,  but I’m drastically reducing the amount of heat I use on my hair.

The results of my no-heat hair styling techniques have been pretty successful for the most part, but a few styles didn’t turn out so well. My family thinks I’m going through some weird phase because I refuse to press my hair. My grandma thinks I’m going through something, and my mom thinks I’m being anti-establishment. They’re right. I am going through something. I’m tired of damaging my hair to make other people comfortable. My hair goes back to its natural state anyway, so I’m working with it rather than against it.

I haven’t pressed my hair at all in 2010, and my hair is healthier and shinier. I’ve flat ironed the roots a couple of times after a roller set. The small amount of heat applied to the roots after a roller set doesn’t compare to the layers of heat I used to apply to my hair with blow drying, pressing, and flat ironing. I’ve traded mineral oil and petroleum based products for organic coconut oil and olive oil moisturizers. And my hair LOVES it. It drinks up the moisture, coils into beautiful curls, and dances in the wind.

Finding a natural style that works is a journey within itself, but it helps me to listen to my hair and work with it rather than against it. I think we need to have more respect for our hair, and not abuse it with heat and chemicals. We need to cherish what makes us unique.

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