Natural at Any Stage: Four Natural Hair Stories

What I love about natural hair is that it is a shared experience connecting people who may have never met. I have connected with women in bookstores, university walkways, family gatherings and work, just because of hair. And I love it. No matter your background, upbringing, education or profession hair can be a common ground to connect. And it is ageless. So, I wanted to share a series of stories featuring four women at different stages in life, and why they went natural.

Meet Reese, Nagawa, Yemi, and Olamide, and over the course of four stories starting today through Thursday I will highlight their natural journeys and what they love most about their natural hair.

Olamide, Early 20’s, Release Engineer @Snapchat

A current shot of Olamide with her natural hair.

When did you first go natural?

The first went natural was in the spring of 2013 and it was a complete accident. I was studying abroad in London for the semester. I had been wearing braids for so long that I had almost no relaxer left. So, I cut of all the dead, straight ends. I felt as though for the first time I could be comfortable being myself, and it happened away from my normal environment. Something about London made me feel free enough to be myself.

2013 after Olamide’s first big chop.

After a while I started wearing braids and weaves again and I found that I’d damaged my hair, particularly my edges. It was like once I wore a weave, I didn’t know how to go back. But even worse was that the weaves damaged my hair to the point where I felt embarrassed about wearing it out. I decided to treat my edges for a while, knowing I wanted to transition. Then one day in 2015 on an impulse…I cut off all my hair. I kept it very, very short for about 8 months, but then I got bored and started to grow my hair out again.

Olamide in 2015 after her second big chop.

How are you currently rocking your hair and why?

I currently switch up my hair between wigs and wearing it natural. It switches week to week. Sometimes I’ll wear a wig during the workweek and then wear it natural over the weekend. How I wear my hair is typically based on time I have to take care of my hair. If I have time, I prefer my hair out because, I truly believe I look more beautiful with my hair natural. But if I am just going to be busy all week, I’ll throw my hair into some braids and rock a wig during the week. In terms of growth I can’t tell you how much my hair has grown since I started wearing wigs, but I can definitely see the change.

Today Olamide rocking a wig.

What do you love the most about your hair?

The versatility. With my natural hair, I feel my bone structure comes alive. I just feel beautiful in every way. When I’m natural I feel like Olamide. With braids and wigs I feel well-rested because I don’t have to worry about my hair haha. But the braids and wigs give me, alternate identities. I name all of my wigs because well it’s fun, but also it’s indicative that I am multi-dimensional, like all black women.

What’s the one thing you want people to know about your hair

The most important thing for me is that people know I wear both my natural hair and my wigs. I have more pictures in my wig because, its generally easier for me to throw my wig on. But especially with dating, you need to love me in every and any hairstyle. I also am known to rock box braids and long Senegalese twists.

More thoughts about natural hair from Olamide…

Dating as a black woman who switches up her hair is…interesting to say the least. I had an ex who I met when I cut off my hair. He loved it, in fact most men did (much to my surprise). But eventually it was just clear that he qualified “good natural hair” as the 3c hair texture. Eventually I was made to feel bad about my hair texture and its length.

When dating now, if I meet someone with a wig on, I need them to know that it’s coming off at night. And that I have a short afro puff. Or that sometimes I’ll wear braids or a style that means no grabbing my hair. And that’s okay because it’s my hair, my body, and I should be free to decide what to do with it. It adds a layer to picking the right kind of partner. Black or otherwise, if I sense you’re uncomfortable with me in public with any one of my hairstyles, I’m not interested. Some men try to passively dictate how you should dress and look, especially when it comes to hair. I personally think it’s based on what they’ve consumed in the media. All I have to say is if your preference of natural is rooted in colorism, issa no for me dawg.

To keep up with Olamide at andshecodes.com and follow her on social at @andshecodes on Twitter and Instagram.

Do you have a natural hair journey to share? Did Olamide’s story resonate with you? Leave your comments below as we would love to hear from you.

Join us tomorrow as our next natural hair journey will feature Reese, a 30-something Crochet Stylist and Blogger. For even more natural hair stories check out Ndidi and Blacktavist as they share their loc journey, why they love them so much and what they wish they knew before they got them.

I hope you enjoyed learning more about these women! I appreciate you for reading ☺ To keep up with me follow me on Instagram @chantalkamya and on Medium medium.com/@ckamya!