Source: Marsha B
In recent years, I’ve struggled to embrace my natural hair. It’s a hard truth that I confront every now and then. I rocked my mane confidently in my 30s. My defined curl patterned and lustrous tresses were thick, voluminous, and easily a source of pride. As I grew older, my hair started thinning and turning grey. To keep up with the fast pace of my job, I resorted to protective styles that helped me maneuver the unpredictability of my industry.
Black women and protective styles have an unbreakable bond passed down through generations. As a child, I remember getting my hair braided for summer vacations, my return to school, or whenever my mom no longer had the capacity to deal with my mane. I loved the ability to change my look at the drop of a dime and play with different styles and textures. Protective styling, whether it be a weave, braids, slick-back bun, or ponytail, fuels individual style and creativity while giving you a break from daily manipulation.
I was addicted to switching up my look, but my hair paid the price. During a style session at Ursula Stephens’ salon, the stylist showed me a growing bald spot in the middle of my head. She explained that the tension from my top knot buns stressed my scalp. I was devastated. I carried so much pride in my mane and I was destroying it by constantly styling it without giving it time to flourish on its own. With two hair reviews in the queue, I reluctantly fulfilled my duties with a half-braided, half-weaved style before I was able to let my mane breathe.
The journey to embracing my natural hair
By mid-July, I was weaveless and preparing for my vacation to Thailand and Singapore. I entertained the thought of doing a low-tension style like cornrows or a ponytail. I discussed it with my stylist, who suggested I take the natural route. That was an option I never considered, but if I wanted to save my hair, I’d have to lean in and fall back in love with the strands growing out of my head.
Source: Marsha B
I alternated between low buns and top knots, ensuring the ponytails felt loose on my head to deter potential tension. I attempted a twist out mid-trip, which was utterly defiant and unruly. Instead of accepting defeat, I threw it up into a curly puff that became my signature look for the duration of the trip.
Source: Marsha B
I leaned in completely and decided to go makeup-free as well. Besides an eyebrow pencil, concealer under the eyes and the occasional lipstick, I committed to a completely natural look. As a fashion and beauty editor, there’s a lot of pressure to always look put together. Because I spend a lot of time on camera or attending events, I’m used to always having my hair and makeup done. On this trip, I disconnected from the glitz and glamor, allowing me to reconnect my bare face and natural hair. I got a facial while in Thailand, which gave me a beautiful glow for the remainder of my trip.
Source: Marsha B
When my hair isn’t done, I feel regular and unfinished. But as I look at the photos from my trip, I feel happy and beautiful. The hair that grows from my head will be with me for the rest of my life, so it is vital that we develop a healthy relationship with each other. Not only does this help me recover from the damage of constant protective styling, but it also promotes a needed level of self-acceptance.
What do you think? Have you ever vacationed without a protective style?
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