I am not my hair, am I?
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am not your expectations (no)
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am the soul that lives within
Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person
Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend
Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity
Expressing my creativity
--India.Arie, “I am not My Hair,” Testimony: Vol. 1 Life & Relationship (2006), Universal Motown
I am fortunate to say that I get compliments on my hair frequently. And God knows I appreciate them. Rarely am I asked whether the hair on my head is mine. But occasionally, it happens. But when I am asked the rather forward question, I often ponder whether or not Beyoncé, Kim Catrall, or Gwenyth Paltrow are ever asked the same.
So, today, I am coming out!
Yes, I’m wearing hair extensions. I have been for a little over a year. My “real,” au natural hair is chemically straightened, sandy in color and now rests healthily below my shoulders. But when I made a long-term commitment to wear my “temporary” longer tresses, it was a drastic change. What was one day a short, cropped, Mia Farrow-pixie that shaped my face like a customized picture frame became what my ultra-conservative, demure mother calls an “unbeweavable” hair-to-there hair-peration.
I beg to differ. My chest-length extensions are trés believable. The store-bought locks match my hair texture and color perfectly. And their believability-factor was, at least for me, a prerequisite to wear them in the first place. My stylist, Carla Gentry Osorio, is the genius weaver. However, as evidenced by this entry, my intention is not to fool anyone about where my own hair begins and/or ends. After all, I am not my hair. Or am I?
I mean, I believe women like you and I (and India.Arie) don’t see our hair as a defining characteristic of who we are. Instead, I believe, our tresses are a mere extension (no pun intended) of our style, personality, our mood, a matter of self-expressio. Or perhaps, in my case, an equally important convenience that affords the comfort of working out four times a week without worrying about “my” hair becoming excessively dry or damaged.
So with the season’s celebrity “It” hairstyles all of which I love, running the gamut – from the...
And the…
And even the…Rock Star Rihanna:
What some might view as indecisive, I call cutting-edge. The asymmetrical cut has returned after a twenty-plus-year hiatus. But what remains hasn’t changed about this style? It’s still daring, funky, edgy, and rocker-chic!
I have to agree with
In the meantime, what hair-statement are you making now or thinking about making?
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Babe, your rock star quotient couldn't get any higher! I'd love to see you in the "Katie" cut!
No, we are certainly not our hair, our jobs, nor our cars. At least that's the story that I'm sticking to as I attempt to grow my perm out in the hopes of claiming more healthy locks. Hair is only hair, not our "crown and glory" as some have been told, just hair!
Hey Tai! I have a question that has nothing to do with hair (well, the hair you address in this post). My mascara makes my eyes very dry. I was wondering if it is just the brand I am using, or if maybe I'm allergic, or maybe I'm applying it wrong? Any information you have would be greatly appreciated :-)
**and I'm currently rocking the long, dark, straight Demi-Moore hairstyle by default (I'm too busy to get it cut into a style and it's naturally straight, so why mess with it!)
I too have gone to the weave. I not only find it very stylish but little to no maintenance is the best. However I still go to the salon once a week to keep my hair growing strong. I use SAGA Hair and no one knows its a weave unless I want them to. :)
Hi WVUgirl,
Thanks for the question. I'm going to do some research on this topic and offer a few suggestions. Eye and skin sensitivity in the eye area is more common than you know. And it's funny because over the last two months, I too have experienced increased sensitivity. Is it something in the air? Not sure...but I'm on it!!
Tai
I love this entry. I rock extensions as well. It's important for me to be able to change my look. Hair is definitely an accessory.
i luv extensions! i am very versatile. i like to change my hair style often that why wearing weave is so convenient for me. a couple months i can sport long stress. A couple months later a can wear a sassy bob! A Hair style doesn't define who i am it's just an extension of me !
I am a "naturally" long-haired girl... if hair can be naturally long??? Anyway, its what Im used to. I cut my hair last summer, and got the "Posh". Now Im in the grow back stage and am confused if I should be daring and go for the Rihanna rocker cut... Either way, we may not "be our hair" but it definitely makes a statement about us in some way or another!
I wish for once someone would credit Kelis. She really is the one we first saw with the rocker cut and she wears it better to me but I do think Rihanna looks better with short hair.