(Blooming Entrepreneurs) “I have hypothyroidism, so my hair continues to get thin. At the time, it was getting hard to manage because I work out almost everyday…”
Baltimore, Blooming Entrepreneurs, Maryland, Women, Women Owned Businesses

Dawn is doing some amazing work in the Baltimore, MD area via her business, Compassionately Creative. Definitely make sure to check out her work and (of course) support if you’re in the Baltimore, MD (DMV) area! “I cut my hair around my birthday in April 2016. I’ve had it short before, but never this short. I have hypothyroidism, so my hair continues to get thin. At the time, it was getting...

“One day it was red then it was black. After the black, I forgot that I dyed it red and bleached it, so it went pink…”
Baltimore, Maryland, Women

“I cut my hair a few months ago, but I haven’t permed it in a year. I had to cut it because it was breaking off really bad. I dyed it different colors nonstop. One day it was red then it was black. After the black, I forgot that I dyed it red and bleached it, so it went pink. It’s a long story, but I had to start loving my natural hair and cutting it gave me a new beginning.

When I started wearing my natural hair, I realized that I really like this — that this is me. At first it was weird because everyone was used to seeing me with long weave, nearly 40 inches down to my calf. The Brazilian hair was always the big thing, but after awhile you get tired of hair. As a makeup artist for Accessmatized, everyone loves my natural hair. I really began to like keeping it simple when I started working with Takia because she keeps it mellow, so it makes you feel as though you can tone it down a bit.”

“I cut my hair two weeks ago and it’s growing back already. My sister is battling Stage IV lung cancer, so she lost all of her hair…”
Washington, DC, Women

Sending strength, love and healing energy to the sister of this beautiful lady. Thank you for sharing your story.

“I cut my hair two weeks ago and it’s growing back already. My sister is battling Stage IV lung cancer, so she lost all of her hair due to the radiation treatments on her brain. She’s only 27 and we’re both natural hair enthusiasts, so losing all of her hair was really hard. Essentially, some of her identity was lost because she’s really into beauty and fashion. She’s a makeup artist, so I could tell that her soul wasn’t fully ready for the change although hair loss is a side effect of the radiation. Losing her hair made the sickness real which made her feel sick. She’s been going through a lot this year, so I shaved my hair too.

My hair was bright pink prior to shaving it. One day my sister said, ‘you should dye your hair pink’ and I was like ‘okay, whatever makes you happy’ so we both had pink hair. After a while, the radiation treatments made her hair bone straight which was an adjustment because she always had really curly, thick full hair. It’s been a hair journey since she was diagnosed in December, so that’s why I shaved it all off. I surprised her and went to Richmond, VA where she lives. I went down there to shave what was left of her hair and then we took pictures together.”

“When I started wearing my hair natural, I wore an afro and it was a little intimidating because people didn’t know how to address me…”
Washington, DC, Women

“The first time I did the big chop was nearly five years ago. I just cut my hair for the second time because I wanted something exciting and new. I’ve dyed my hair so many times that I just wanted to stop and do it all over again. It’s a lot easier for me to deal with short hair because I can pick up and go.

When I started wearing my hair natural, I wore an afro and it was a little intimidating because people didn’t know how to address me. It kind of showed me the barriers and boundaries for certain jobs, especially when I started going through the interview process. People looked at me a bit different than they would if I had straightened my hair. It threw me off a little, but after a while I kind of learned to assert myself. I learned to be empowered and realized that if they can’t understand who I am and appreciate my personality then it’s just not worth it. Growing into it has been nice. I’ve found myself being sassier and way more confident.”

“I’ve big chopped three times….”
Washington, DC, Women

“I’ve big chopped three times. The first time, I cut all of my hair off to start dreadlocks. I had my dreads for about two years and then I got tired of them. After that experience, I left my hair natural for two months. I was pregnant and experiencing a lot of emotions, so I cut it all off again. We’re going to skip the second time, however. My current and third big chop happened because my hair was damaged. I relaxed it and mainly kept it in a ponytail.

My family is super Afrocentric and they come from the African culture, so I grew up in that type of environment. One day, I just decided ‘no more’. For what? I love my hair short because it feels free. Initially, when I cut my hair for the third time, I was going to continue to grow it out but I’ve been getting my hair cut for two months now. You don’t see many women getting the designs in their hair,  but I like to keep it simple while showing a little individuality. Not too much though.”

(Featured Post) “My mother wanted me to get a perm before going to school because she didn’t know how my natural hair would be perceived…”
Arlington, Virginia, Women

Patricia is another friend of mine. The kind of friend who you can talk to for hours about everything under the sun that’s related to being a black woman, race in America, politics, Afro-Latin culture and travel. We originally met while in a MBA prep program for women. She’s now pursing a higher degree in Italy! I’m sending her hugs and strength from afar. Thank you for sharing with me,...

“I’m still the same person, my hair is just different….”
Washington, DC, Women

K (on the left): ” I didn’t get a relaxer until I was seven, but I’ve had a texturizer since I was five.  I’ve been natural for three years. I initially went natural because fibroids are common in my family. At the time, I was aware of a possible connection between fibroids and the chemical straightening process. I noticed that quite a few of the women in my family had thinning hair as well as some balding, so I wanted to do whatever possible to be more gentle with my own hair. In my family, my sister paved the way with natural hair because she had locs. In the workplace, my boss was supportive of my natural hair. Now I work in a more conservative building and I’m the only woman who has natural hair and I’ve noticed that (often times) older black women are the least supportive of my hair.”

N (on the right): “I’ve had locs for 15 years. When I initially went natural, my hair was super, super short. So short that my mother thought that I looked like a boy and I should get a relaxer. I loc’d my hair after five years in and never looked back! I’ve embraced my natural hair journey and oftentimes make my own hair products using olive, jojoba and tea tree essential oils. I do not understand when people refer to natural hair as not being professional. I’m still the same person, my hair is just different.”

“I’ve gone natural several times in my life….”
Washington, DC, Women

L (on the right): “I’ve gone natural several times in my life. I cut my hair short and eventually wore locks to then wear my hair loose. My hair has changed with my health throughout the years and has turned grey as well. The whole process of being natural has really taught me that wearing my hair as it is represents who I am and if someone doesn’t approve of that then I need to go elsewhere. ”

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“I went grey at the age of 23…”
Washington, DC, Women

A (on the left): “I went grey at the age of 23. I’ve worn my hair natural my whole life. When I decided to cut my hair short, I loved it because it felt good. It felt natural to me. There’s something about women who choose to wear their hair natural. There’s a natural confidence and I feel as though I’ve passed that confidence on to my daughter. At times, she’s worn her hair relaxed, but has chosen to go natural again. I hope that I’ve empowered her to feel confident no matter how she chooses to wear her hair.”

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