Question on black women hair and economy (conditioner, mens, dreadlocks)

[silverbelles]

Originally Posted by liliblu

The one thing that keeps getting lost when the subject of "black" hair is discussed is that our hair can not be easily categorized. It comes in several different textures from fine to course. Then there is the curly, kinky, wavy, and straight hair. Some of us have a combination of hair textures on our head.


I have a full head of hair that past my shoulders. I do my own hair most of the time. Sometimes I'll style my mother's hair or she'll style mine. If I feel I need a trim I'll go to Hair Cuttery and just get my ends cut. It should not cost more than $15-$16. The most money I spend is on my WEN. But it lasts for months and it allows me to only relax (mild only) once or twice a year. I have no desire to go completely natural at this time. But, I have a coworker whose hair is to the middle of her back now that's gone completely natural and it looks great. Her sister has gone short and natural. She can just wash and go because her hair has a natural curl. None of us have the exact same texture of hair. We all wear it differently but none of us spend $100 to maintain our hair.

My hair is a combination of corkscrews, z's (like, straight up z's, it's weird), s-curls, and this one straight lock that happened after this mall hair straighter tested the iron out on me. It's been like that since I was 15 and I'm currently 22. Thankfully, I just did a test!

I am in serious need of a trim, but I don't even know where to start down here. I'm thinking of when I move in a few weeks, I'll track down some Dominican or AA stylists to give me a serious cut. My hair comes down to my upper back in its natural state, but the ends are very rough and frizz very easy.

[Shysister]

Originally Posted by liliblu

A look of black women are using relaxers that are too strong and apply them too often. I have a friend that gets hers relaxed every four weeks. If you are relaxing that often you are only damaging your hair.

Not true. It depends on ones texture. When I got relaxers I only got them twice a year because I didn't need the relaxer to straighten my hair, instead I got relaxers to thin my hair out because its so thick. A blow out will get my hair straight so I never needed a relaxer to straighten my hair. However my friends who have kinky hair get a touch up every 4-6 weeks because the new growth need to be processed so it'll look and feel like the rest of the hair. Their hair is healthy and look nice, not damaged at all because the person applying their relaxer knows what they are doing. What damages the hair is when its over processed and that can happen with not only relaxers but hair color or any other chemical service as well as excessive heat.

My friends who get their hair relaxed hair looks just as good as my friends who are natural. I do not agree with people who have relaxed hair automatically has damaged hair. Yes there are lots of women who relax and their hair is damaged but there are also lots of women who do not have damaged hair that relax. Just like I dye my hair and it's still healthy while there are others who dye their hair and it looks and feels like straw.

[Shysister]

Originally Posted by sunkisses87

I do notice(and this is just based on personal experiences) that natural black women and relaxed black women have different maintenance regimens in many ways, and therefore it may have an impact in how the money is spent(whether it's on products, the salon, etc). For instance when I was relaxed in order for me to maintain it, I was going to the salon once a week to keep it touched up and looking nice. However when I went natural two years ago, I was able to stop going to the salon as much for hair care and upkeep, but then again I also started spending more money on products--instead of using Kera Care or Design Essentials, I was buying natural Evoo, Castor oil, Shea Butter, Sabino Moisture Block, Aloe Vera, and natural shampoos and conditioners from whole foods. I began cowashing, which meant I was using these products a lot more, and therefore having to buy them more often than when I was relaxed. So their was still money being spent(just not as much and not on the same things).

Now granted every black woman's experience is different. But I don't know that many black women going to the hair salon to get their natural hair done every week. That being said, I also know that there are some black women with relaxed hair that NEVER go to the salon and relax their hair themselves, have friends cut it, and use products from the beauty supply store. It's really just about your ability to take care of your hair, and your finances. When I was relaxed I knew very well, early on, that I needed "help"(LOL) so I went to the salon, my finances were fine so it wasn't a huge deal. When I went natural, unless I wanted a press and curl, I was able to manage my natural hair fine. But I know some black woman that go natural and have a VERY hard time trying to take care of their natural hair--whether it's not knowing what products to use, or just basic hair care.
But I think someone made a great point when they said that white women are truly not different when it comes to hair. There are some white girlfriends I had, that did their themselves--they cut it themselves, dyed their hair themselves, straightened it etc. And then I had white girlfriends that paid $200 for highlights. That got Brazilian treatments. That got their hair cut for almost $100. And when white women get extensions(fusion) they pay a TON of money to get it done. So the myth that black women are somehow spending more money(on average) for hair care, is just that. You have some that do, and some that don't.

Excellent post.

[Joy74]

Originally Posted by Shysister

Not true. It depends on ones texture. When I got relaxers I only got them twice a year because I didn't need the relaxer to straighten my hair, instead I got relaxers to thin my hair out because its so thick. A blow out will get my hair straight so I never needed a relaxer to straighten my hair. However my friends who have kinky hair get a touch up every 4-6 weeks because the new growth need to be processed so it'll look and feel like the rest of the hair. Their hair is healthy and look nice, not damaged at all because the person applying their relaxer knows what they are doing. What damages the hair is when its over processed and that can happen with not only relaxers but hair color or any other chemical service as well as excessive heat.

My friends who get their hair relaxed hair looks just as good as my friends who are natural. I do not agree with people who have relaxed hair automatically has damaged hair. Yes there are lots of women who relax and their hair is damaged but there are also lots of women who do not have damaged hair that relax. Just like I dye my hair and it's still healthy while there are others who dye their hair and it looks and feels like straw.

The chemicals in relaxers are damaging period, it doesn't matter how well it is applied, or how good it looks. Every one is free to make their own choices, but it is healthier both hair, scalp wise to avoid relaxers.

[Pear Martini]

Originally Posted by nyanna

when white girls dye their hair pink, blue, green and purple they are just being artistic and expressing themselves.

black girls who do the same thing are just categorized as ghetto and lower class

i hate those double standards imposed by white people

Really? This would have never crossed my mind. If the white girl was dressed like a punk..she would look like a punk or druggie. Same with the black girl.

If you see such inequality and problems in society...why not do something about it?

Just complaining and always pitying yourself because you are black is a shame. If I was black I would be embarrassed for you.

Originally Posted by nyanna

No, in general it is NOT costly. I am really offended how other people (nonblacks) keep reiterating how expensive it is to upkeep black hair when they themselves know VERY little about it. Especially after a few black posters chimed in and said that it isn't expensive nor troublesome to do our own hair.

If you are high maintenance and want to spend hundreds of dollars on hair coloring and extensions than yeah...it's going to be very expensive. Those black women may spend a lot of money on their hair. The expenses are the same for white women who spend $500 just for a dye job and to get their ends trimmed ::rolls eyes:

However there are just as many black women who simply relax their hair and do nothing else to it but wear it in a ponytail or flat iron it. It is not expensive nor is it hard to upkeep. Just wash, condition, and make sure your hair gets protein and that's it. I care for my hair every week just like any other race of woman. I am not spending hundreds of dollars every month on my hair either. Nor am I spending hours styling it. I know it probably makes other groups feel superior to think that black women are miserable and burning holes in their pocket because of their hair but no, it is not the case for every black woman. sorry to disappoint you

People are interested. I never noticed a difference between my hair and my black friends hair until it was summer in 8th grade and we were all running around in sprinklers and one of my black friends seemed angry all of the sudden. She said "You guys can run around and get wet in the water but I can't because of my hair"...she looked at us kind of pissed and that was the end of it. Obviously being in 8th grade I was selfish and continued to play in the sprinklers and she went home.

[nyanna]

Originally Posted by Pear Martini

Really? This would have never crossed my mind. If the white girl was dressed like a punk..she would look like a punk or druggie. Same with the black girl.

If you see such inequality and problems in society...why not do something about it?

Start a movement? I can't change other people's thoughts and feelings. It's not up to me to change the world.

Just complaining and always pitying yourself because you are black is a shame. If I was black I would be embarrassed for you.

I'm sure your parents feel the same way about having you.

People are interested. I never noticed a difference between my hair and my black friends hair until it was summer in 8th grade and we were all running around in sprinklers and one of my black friends seemed angry all of the sudden. She said "You guys can run around and get wet in the water but I can't because of my hair"...she looked at us kind of pissed and that was the end of it. Obviously being in 8th grade I was selfish and continued to play in the sprinklers and she went home.

That little girl's experience doesn't represent EVERY black girl's experience. I grew up on a block full of black kids, and we never hesitated to jump in the pool and get our hair wet during the summer. It wasn't a big deal. We all had kinky hair whether it was wet or dry so who cares. Or for those who were very conscious they'd just wear a swimming cap. But my experience may not be the same as someone else.

[Pikantari]

Oh good Lord, here we go again. Not one person has directly answered the OPs question. As for me, there is no way I could afford to go and have my hair done on a weekly basis. I think I had my hair cut and colored in May. It has been three months and I don't plan on going any time soon.

I shampoo and condition my hair every night and I do not heat style it by any means. The only time I pur chemicals on it is twice a year at the very most, color.

Even when I am working I do not get my hair done every week just like everyone else.

This is what the OP is talking about. With todays economy, how can one afford to go every week, or how can they afford to have braids or weave or whatever which may cause hundreds of dollars.

Pear Martini, the same thing happened to me as a child. At the pool and in the sprinklers, my black friends couldn't run through.

I am really starting to think that Nyanna and another poster are one in the same.

[winterbird]

In response to the OP, whether the woman is black is not the issue. If a woman has a high-maintenance style, regardless of the economy, she will find a way to maintain that look. It's a matter of priorities.

Anyone (black, white, or other) who has a need to maintain a fresh hairstyle doesn't want to get it wet. And depending on the era you grew up in, the styles for more textured hair may have trended towards a straightened/set look. Nowadays, more and more people are going with the flow of their natural hair pattern.

All summer long, the curly/kinky haired girls (and not just the black ones) in my community are getting their hair wet without hesitation and tears.

[Pear Martini]

Originally Posted by OngletNYC

I hated the documentary Good Hair. Rock interviews all these guys who act so put upon over the costs of hair relaxers and weaves... meanwhile black men are the only people who have ever actually stopped me on the street to suggest that I do something about my natural hair. I have even had "Go get a weave" yelled at me on the street. I like my natural hair a lot, but make no mistakes about it, men (of all races) respond to me much better when my hair is straight (bkt, so it isn't permanent). The difference is staggering. The perceived length might have something to do with it as well.

I can't believe someone would say that to you. I rarely see black women with natural hair but when I do see it (mainly in photos) it's striking. I think it's a strikingly beautiful look. I'm white hispanic and I get more attention from guys too when I straighten my hair out of its beach waves.

I don't think it's a race thing...I think guys just like how silky straight hair looks and feels.

[jerseygal4u]

To the OP,I guess if they don't get their hair "done" some would be out of a job. Some jobs still don't allow afros to be worn. Others don't want men or women with dreadlocks working for them.
I don't know why people consider natural hair as crazy looking or untamed.
Why is it okay to go to work with straight hair down someone's back but not okay to go to work wearing an afro?
Why should someone have to burn their scalp because someone else doesn't like what their hair looks like?
I notice you are in the south. Location plays a big difference in whether or not natural hair is accepted.
In Nyc its common to see naturals.
I say this with caution but it seems people of all races in the south still have a negative perception of natural hair.
This applies to the north as well,but it seems its more widespread down there.

Byw,I have never,ever heard of someone sitting 8 hours to get a weave done. Braids,yes. Weave? No
I know people who do weaves for $60 around here,and that's in beauty salons.. A relaxer costs $10.00?
Braids are $100 around here for micros. But guess what? You can keep them in for 4 to 6 weeks.
So add it up,and it comes to $20 a week. Same with weaves.

I question if the OP is real. It sounds as if he is being condescending.
How does he know they make minimum wage?
I can't imagine someone getting a hair weave every week.
I doubt some spend that much money a week to get their hair done.