4 Black Women On Their Relationship With Their Hair

Hair

Jun. 05, 2018 10:26AM EST

For years, it's felt like our relationship with our hair has been an interesting one. One minute, it's our beauty, and the next, it's something we're self-conscious of.

I remember growing up and hearing my elders say never to cut my hair because long hair was beautiful. When I had a short cut, I remember flinching in the hair salon everytime a flat iron would press up against my scalp, but I endured it so my hair could be straight and my edges would be fly!

Then, I remember chopping off all my hair before I headed off to college, and the limitless stares I got as a result. Finally, I remember the day I went and got my locs started—two years later, and it's still one of the biggest decisions I've made in my life.

It made me wonder how other women see their hair, and if they feel these transformative feelings with it and what that relationship feels like. So I talked to four different women, eager to see how they feel about their hair:

1. Dayna Bolden

Name: Dayna Bolden

Title: Entrepreneur & Lifestyle Blogger/Digital Content Creator

"I would definitely say that I have a great relationship with my hair. When I first cut my hair, I remember walking out of the salon, looking in my mirror in my car and crying. I called my mom and my best friend and just cried like a baby to them explaining that I felt 'ugly' and 'I looked like a boy.' I was so dramatic. But thank God my family and my husband was super supportive of my new look. They all sung my praises and explained how good I looked with short hair, and that it fit my face well. After a few days, I got over it, accepted my new look, and rocked it! Since then, I have not looked back. I am obsessed with my hair cut, and wouldn't have it any other way!

"I definitely think there has been a cultural shift with short hair, especially short natural hair. These days, popular celebs are cutting their hair completely OFF. Short hair is looked upon as fierce, strong, beautiful, and unique. I think there is not as much pressure now to have long hair in order to be beautiful. Of course, we still live in a world where weaves and wigs are still a norm, but I also feel like women who embrace their natural, especially short natural hair is not looked at differently as they may have been 10 years ago.

"I am so grateful that I have built a platform where I can continue to inspire and uplift women to embrace their true, authentic selves. The number of messages and emails I have received from women over the past few years is such a motivation for me to continue to walk in my purpose. Cutting my hair was one of the BEST decisions of my life. Thank you for giving me this platform to share my story and hopefully inspire other women out there!"

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