GoogleMustKNow : IS NATURAL HAIR UNPROFESSIONAL?-(Part 1)

IS NATURAL HAIR UNPROFESSIONAL?

The following ladies represent Botswana

1. WHO AM I?

My name is Lady Bawss, I am from the beautiful land of Botswana. I started my natural hair journey last year when I realized how damaging relaxers were for my hair. Part of my decision was also influenced by seeing how gorgeous natural hair looked on other girls. I would get serious ‘hair envy’, Lol! So I was curious to see how mine would grow out and how I’d look too. I have a hair and beauty channel on YouTube  as well as a lifestyle blog 

NOTE TO GOOGLE:

Dear Google

I came across disturbing news that you think my natural hair is unprofessional. I didn’t really believe it until I checked it for myself. “Wow!” I thought. Not only was I disappointed but I was hurt. Why should my Afro hair be straight to look ‘professional’?

In case you did not know, that ‘unprofessional’ hair is the way my hair grows out naturally and unaltered. The only way I can look ‘professional’ is if I destroy my natural curl pattern through the use of a relaxer every 5 or so weeks. Mind you this could result in burning the scalp if Ieft on for too long, it could also cause hair loss and breakage. If you don’t believe me google it, ‘Relaxers gone wrong’.

Most of us ‘unprofessional’ have had a bad relaxer experience at some point in our lives. It’s not uncommon to be burnt by a relaxer. When I was younger the relaxer had burnt my scalp so badly, I had large and excruciatingly painful sores all over my scalp. Not only was it embarrassing, it was so bad that when I put my head on a pillow to sleep or hit a sore by mistake I would be in tears most of the night from the agony. So now I have to go through all this in order to look ‘professional’? Haha! You clearly have a sense of humour Google.

IS NATURAL HAIR UNPROFESSIONAL?

I think my natural hair looks pretty damn good and pretty damn professional. Its full of body, it’s luscious and it’s mine. My hairs versatility continually surprises me. When Jessie Williams said we are magic, it is definitely no lie. Having hair that defies gravity, hair that can shrink up to 65% of its length sure sounds like magic to me. So Google, stop hating on hair you do not understand. Just because it is different should not make it unprofessional. As I end my little rant, l look forward to seeing natural hair images on your ‘professional’ list .

2. From AfroMoriri

WHO AM I?

My name is Daffodils McKay and I’m a passionate natural hair blogger residing in Johannesburg, South Africa. However, originally, my family is from Botswana and that’s where I spent most of my school years and upbringing. I found love, passion and excitement for natural hair by accidentally damaging my hair through the extended use of heat. Due to the damage, my hair ended up literally falling off as I touched and combed it, so I was compelled to cut the hair to brush cut level and start afresh. Since that day, which was in Sep 2011 I haven’t chemically treated my hair; and I’ve consequently learnt to care for my natural hair; although the right (healthy) regimen for my hair only started in May 2014. I only actively pursued the journey of researching how to maintain healthy natural hair late 2013. So in May 2014 I was well equipped about this topic from YouTube and other bloggers, so made a decision to start caring for my hair properly. My social media accounts providing healthy hair habits/tips for African kinky hair are my blog: afromoriri.blogspot.com. Instagram: @afromoriri, Facebook: AfroMoriri and Twitter: @afromoriri .

NOTE TO GOOGLE:

Google doesn’t have enough knowledge or portrayal of natural African hair. When one searches for such hair, most of the search results show women with hair extensions, ancient/exotic tribes or the classic afro style. While it’s ok to show hair styles of braided hair, I think Google should understand that in Africa, natural hair exists before it is braided, weave’d, or wig’d. Additionally, natural African hair is broader than just exotic tribal hairstyles or the classic Afro.Therefore I’d recommend more photos showing actual hair in its variations (dreadlocks, plaits, afros, etc) as well as for different settings (formal, casual, arty, professional etc) and origins (tribal, traditional, historic, fashion etc) . Understandably, there never used to be enough bloggers, You Tubers etc who helped showcase natural African hair in its various states of styling and existence. But we now live in an era where Google should be up to date with the latest trends and therefore update their search results accordingly. Furthermore, natural African hair is celebrated in both genders, so it would be worthwhile to show results for both men & women. To illustrate, taking a look at African men, they wear their hair in dreadlocks, afros, brush cuts etc. Having results that portray that truth will help more eyes understand what
African natural hair at grass root level really looks like. Men also celebrate and style their natural African hair. Based on this, Google should show the norm of real communities, real life and real ways of living that masses can identify with.

IS NATURAL HAIR UNPROFESSIONAL?

Once Google realizes its role to society as an information provider, bearing in mind my suggestions in point 2 above; then Google can go another mile in helping correct the delusion that natural hair in women of color is unprofessional for the workplace. How can the very strands that  grow out of my head, in the shape and form genetically awarded to me by nature be unprofessional? Is this not discrimination just as bad as one based on color of the skin? Why should I be forced by corporate rules and platforms like Google to chemically straighten my hair so as to be regarded as professional looking? #GoogleMustKnow that it’s search engine discriminates and gives a false version of the truth about black natural hair, and therefore must update its algorithms. It’s unacceptable to still have such search results in the day and age we are in!!

Source: http://www.oliviazjournal.com/2016/07/18/googlemustknow-is-natural-hair-unprofessional-part-1/ 

Bounce Essential hair clip-ins review - increasing volume of Afro hair

I recently got myself some hair clip-ins from Bounce Essential, a hair extensions seller in South Africa. The specific extensions I got were the ones called 'B.E Afro  clip-in'. The following was my experience, and this isn't a sponsored review, just my opinion on hair I bought myself.

How the hair looks upon arrival
I loved the packaging that it arrived in, a satin bag that I now use to store the hair when it's not in use. As you may know, satin is good for hair and prevents matting and tangling. It also helps retain moisture, so the extensions won't end up super dry - in my opinion that's a great plus. Here's a photo of the packaging:

What I did to prep the clip-ins and my hair
When I used the clip-ins, I was still in the process of unraveling the mini twists I had on my hair. My head was half done when an unexpected opportunity for a business meeting came about, so these clip-ins were perfectly timed. Fortunately it was the front portion of my head that was done, and the clip-ins would fit in well. So all I did to my hair, the part I had unravelled, was twist them into chunky twists so as to get close to matching the curl pattern of the clip-ins. The clip-ins themselves were curlier than I preferred, so I combed them out. And I was pleasantly surprised by how little they shed.

My hair with the clip-ins
Here is the before and after picture. I tied up my hair into a bun and rushed to the meeting I had, looking beautifully groomed. On the left, a photo to show my half unravelled hair, with the clip-ins resting on my shoulder (so you can compare their curl pattern after I brushed it out with the hair to my front).  And on the right a photo showing the blended look with the clip-ins.

What I liked about the clip-ins

• Easily blends with my hair and gives a natural look. Many people kept complementing my hair's length and volume.
• One packet comes with 7 clip-in pieces but I only used 3. So there's a lot of hair, definitely worth the price I paid.
• If I want a fuller and bigger look, I could use all 7 pieces.
• Delivery was very quick, within 5 days.
• The company gives you updates at each point of your order, e.g, order received, order processed, order dispatched. Helps you plan properly and know exactly when you hair will arrive.
• The hair design is of high quality, the price you pay is worth what you receive, e.g. the density, quality of hair, wefting etc, attention to small detail is on point. I once ordered supposedly natural hair extensions from O'Natural wigs and received a pathetic, poor quality and rip-off quality& standard of hair. Which I returned and went through another hustle with the O'Natural owner where not all my money was refunded. Lesson learnt, buy cheap buy twice and get headaches in the process. So go Bounce Essential instead! This country needs more hair businesses like yours. 
• The service providers at Bounce Essential are professional and understand customer service, there was a minor complaint I had which was resolved speedily and with deserved urgency. There was also an extra touch of customer care they gave me, so I'd be happy to buy their hair again and recommend it too. 

What I disliked about the clip-ins

• I wish it was possible to use heat on the hair.

My recommendations to the seller

• Introduce sample sizes of the hair. Had I had the option to get samples I would have long bought this hair. I was initially a bit hesitant to pay what I deem as a lot of money for the whole set without knowing if I would like the hair and if it would blend well with my own hair.
• Work on minimal shedding of the hair when it's brushed. Not that I got too much shedding but if possible I'd prefer even lesser shedding. 

GO GET YOUR OWN BOUNCE ESSENTIAL HAIR AND ENJOY IT, LOVE, AFROMORIRI!!!