
This Woman Learned How To Properly Take Care Of Her Adoptive Daughter's 4C Hair, And That's All We Ask

In the black community, there's an unwritten rule to knowing how to do our hair. Whether we are natural, relaxed, or wearing our lacefronts, we have all got a process to our own self-maintenance. The wave of natural hair began roughly 8-10 years ago when women collectively decided we no longer wanted to subscribe to chemicals and seek growth through our natural follicles.
And from here, the creativity of how we adjust our crowns, has no bounds.
The rules, the products, the new terms that arised, generally, this is all very new to us. So, in many ways, we don't expect, or haven't expected anyone of other races to know wtf they're doing. Actresses like Monique Coleman, recently came forward and said that her High School Musical character wore headbands all the time because the stylist crew had zero idea in how to style black hair. Many other actresses have come forward to express the same sentiments, even saying that makeup artists were clueless on how to do their makeup, and they often would have to do it themselves. Ain't that a bitch?
Additionally, women of other races that adopt black children seek outside help when they get that wake-up call that our hair is precious, and takes time, effort, and work that no blowdryer or sleeping with wet hair can contain.
So, when YouTuber Christy Gior adopted her three children, who happen to be black, she knew she had to learn how to do her babies' hair. And now, sis has gotten so good, since the girls are old enough, she is now teaching her daughters to wash their own hair. And y'all, she gives some bomb tips too...my wig!
In a video titled, "Curly Kids Wash Day Routine 4a 4b 4c I Tips For Foster and Adoptive Parents", she documents the journey of learning to how to maintain their hair.
"In today's video, I'm going to washing my daughter Avaya's hair. The last time I washed it, I just did a cowash, so it's been a little over a month since I actually washed her hair. Yes, that's normal, that is our normal hair wash routine. Her style has been in her hair for about two and a half weeks now. I wanted to ride it out a little while longer because I've really been trying to concentrate on growth, but because my baby girls are going back to school in two weeks, I wanted them to have a fresh style for their back to school."
*Clutches pearls*
"I decided now is the time to take it out, get it moisturized, and back in a protective style, and right before school starts, I will do another fresh style so that they are confident and ready to go back to school."
*Clutches pearls, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets*
And listen, I am absolutely not saying that Christy deserves any praise for doing hair. Anyone can. The point I'm trying to make is Christy is one-of-one. She has genuinely taken the time to learn her daughters. She really knows and understands her daughter's 4C hair.
In so many ways, hair can be a disparity, or a disconnect between so many interracial families and the black community understands that. We know the loneliness many little black girls feel even without that component, so to add in a provider that doesn't understand who you are, can be damaging long-term.
The fact that Christy properly pours into her babies (even with just something as simple as hair), tells us that these girls, even through their differences, are going to be so loved, listened to, and protected.
And at the end of the day, that's all we ask.
Watch the full video here:
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Featured image via Christy Gior/YouTube
Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Ashley Versher is known for her work in the Tyler Perry's Beauty In Black series and more recently, she starred alongside Taraji P. Henson in the Netflix film Straw. But she is more than just her acting credits and stunning looks (her hair alone is everything). In an xoNecole exclusive, Ashley dishes on her first celebrity crush, how she spends her downtime, and her go-to haircare products because we need the deets.
Get to know Ashley below.
xoNecole: Where are you from?
Ashley Versher: San Francisco - BAY AREAAAAAA!!!!
xoN: What was your first major acting role?
AV: A 49ers Super Bowl commercial - I think I was 3.
Ashley Versher
Johnny Marlow
xoN: Have you ever had an embarrassing or funny audition story? If so, what happened?
AV: Yes! I was doing a self-tape once and I forgot to take off my bonnet. But the tape was so good I sent it in anyway.
xoN: Your hair is gorgeous. What has it been like navigating Hollywood with natural hair?
AV: Thank you so much! Navigating Hollywood with natural hair has definitely been a journey of self-discovery. Early on, I had to make a conscious decision about how I wanted to show up—not just in this industry, but for myself. Once I fully embraced my natural hair and committed to the journey, everything else began to align. It’s been nothing short of empowering.
Navigating Hollywood with natural hair has definitely been a journey of self-discovery. Early on, I had to make a conscious decision about how I wanted to show up—not just in this industry, but for myself.
xoN: What are your favorite go-to hair products?
AV: Ooooooo, right now I’m loving Camille Rose’s Jai Twisting Butter—it’s super moisturizing and gives me a fun, bouncy twist-out! I’ve also recently gotten into oils, and I’m especially loving sweet almond oil.
xoN: We know you as an actress, but what is another special talent you have that most people don't know about?
AV: I trained as a classical violinist for 13/14years.
xoN: Who is your hero?
AV: My mom. She’s incredible - full stop.
Ashley Versher
Johnny Marlow
xoN: How do you like to spend your down time?
AV: Ha! What’s that!? Jk jk, I love to travel, that’s honestly my favorite thing.
xoN: Who was your first celebrity crush?
AV: Prince.
xoN: What is your dream role?
AV: One day I will play a witch with Harry Potter-like powers!
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Feature image by Johnny Marlow