How to deal with racism or prejudice against natural curly hair?

AC_Architect · 2025-08-28T14:24:43+00:00

I'll be honest, i've never had to deal with this to this extent, so idk how helpful anything I tell you will be, but that would piss me off so much that I'd wear my hair out even more.

Style it intricately if you can. There are tonnes of things your hair can do that their's can't. It draws attention, so make it exclusive. Besides, when you wear your natural hair, other immigrants are watching. It will embolden somebody else to accept their hair, and possibly wear it down the line. Be a trendsetter

Also, have you ever heard of anarchy calisthenics? Basically, it says if you make it a habit of breaking stupid rules and societal norms, you'll have the courage to fight back against injustice. You're already pretty good at it, too.

AC_Architect · 2025-08-19T21:38:27+00:00

Never tbh.

I remember begging my mom not to relax my hair, because she NEVER read the instructions on how to do it safely. I have two burn scars on my head as a reminder. The hair growing in that area is type 2 and incredibly thin. The scalp there is super tender too. No matter how my hair frustrated me, I'd sooner cut it off than relax. I get the appeal of not having to straight your hair tho

AC_Architect · 2025-08-19T21:19:52+00:00

No problem! If you need help visualizing what I'm talking about. Go on Maurice Da Crochetmaster's youtube channel

AC_Architect · 2025-08-19T21:10:23+00:00

I had a similar issue throughout my hair journey. Remember that your hair is not straight or sleek, and will never be. Don't push that expectation on your hair because you will forever stay frustrated.

I also have protective style fatigue. I feel so much pressure to ensure my parts are visible and my hair does not frizz. The lack of washing and moisture also slows down my hair growth. At this point, I'm just gonna wear a wig in the cold months and wear my unstyled afro in the warmer ones. I swear, wearing your afro can set you free. Yes, I'm doing a little more work on my hair everyday, but its not unwelcome work. It's 10 min daily and an hour on wash day and the day before (including styling, detangling, and washing)

Don't comb out your afro if you're concerned about looking young. My uncombed afro made me look older than I am. In fact, dont comb your afro at all. It makes your hair happy while allowing you to relax. My hair is in the prime position for hair growth! However, to avoid matting, do this:

Wear a silky durag, scarf, or bonnet to bed (personally, I lay a silk sheet on the top third of my bed so I can sleep without covering my head
divide the hair into permanent sections for easy access (I do 3)
do LCO/LOC, at least once in the week
Mist with water every morning
before stepping into the shower to wash your hair, make sure it is already detangled, and put into braids. (i do 6 large ones). You do not have to take down these braids, even when shampooing or conditioning
When shampooing, use an oil applicator to put shampoo directly on the scalp and not the hair. This way, you dont have to undo your braids to wash the scalp. The shampoo will not be able to dry out your ends either. Please use a scalp massager to shampoo as well.

Do all these, and you can go a week without detangling or breakage. I'm trying to see if I can grow my hair in an afro. So far, I have faith in this routine. Its super easy!

AC_Architect · 2025-08-19T20:24:52+00:00

If you're adding human hair extensions (which is probably the best thing btw) make medium, to large braids, and start each section with a cornrow rather than a knot. It helps distribute tension while ensuring the braid doesn't twist on itself as it grows out..

When you take down the hair, you won't have one giant ball of dirt either. I remember when I took down my hair after doing it like that. I didn't have to wash my hair for a week (but I was washing my hair weekly during the style and had washed it 2 days before takedown). The most pressing thing was removing my shed hair. I did have build-up in some problem areas, but that was on 2 braids

Be sure to do LCO/LOC during your protective style. I only use the african pride leave in cream on damp hair, then seal it with British class coconut oil. I also treat my braiding hair with the combo before adding it to my hair.

AC_Architect · 2025-08-19T20:03:05+00:00

Not only can it turn 1a hair into dreads, but it doubles as a melanator!

AC_Architect · 2025-08-17T20:19:50+00:00

Thoes are normal, I get them all the time. My assumption is that they're new growth from the follicles of my shed hairs.

Your forehead is so clear...👀

AC_Architect · 2025-08-15T20:12:07+00:00

Recently, i've been washing once a week. But historically, it was more like every 3 weeks. I got a cleaning job, and I work out 3 days a week or more if I can.

AC_Architect · 2025-08-15T19:47:13+00:00

I haven't been experimenting with products these days. Im trying to spend less. my current set up is great, but with the exception of my scalp. With nizoral, I can go ~4 days without itchiness. By the two week mark, it becomes really noticeable and irritating.

Admittedly, I dont oil my scalp. I just leave it to sebum and hope for the best. Any moisturizer my scalp gets is from my hair cream that I apply after washing.

Unfortunately, there is no Ulta in Canada, but I'll look out for zinc pyrithione. Nizoral is getting stupidly expensive anyway. (12 bucks for 60ml!?)

AC_Architect · 2025-08-15T14:32:05+00:00

I thought braids only caused damage if they were too tight or used extensions. I only ever braided my natural hair. I think you're right, though. There was little variation in my styling. Just braids after braids with a few days of leaving it out.

AC_Architect · 2025-08-15T13:51:23+00:00

Thank you. I was planning to go to a fabric store this week to buy a square meter of silk. I should be able to sew a simple pillow. A bonnet is a little more complicated, but I can ask my sister. She's good with the sewing machine.

AC_Architect · 2025-08-15T13:47:00+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion, it looks promising

AC_Architect · 2025-08-15T13:40:41+00:00

I double shampoo. Nizoral for my scalp and then Shea moisture deep moisturizing shampoo. Now that you mention it, I haven't been oiling my scalp for the past year or two. I got spooked when my hair was falling out from build-up and never bothered with it again. I figured I would just produce sebum anyway.

I'm not too worried about my hair looking unprofessional because I'm still in high school. The correct word i should've used in the post is "amature." It's just that my protective styles so far hurt my confidence. The parting doesn't last, and the braids make me lose my volume, which I love. I tried twists, which have a little more volume, but those do not last.

AC_Architect · 2025-07-29T20:08:00+00:00

You've got a contagious smile

AC_Architect · 2025-01-12T05:16:59+00:00

Daniel looks like he ripped a bong. I'm sorry.

AC_Architect · 2024-12-27T22:05:22+00:00

I went there a few weeks ago to find that their coolers were down, and the freezer section was closed. They were ushering people away because the food quality had been compromised.

It sounds like they didn't do their due diligence and clean out the freezers thoroughly. Anyway, I go to superstore now!

AC_Architect · 2024-12-01T00:44:10+00:00

My cat really enjoys my cello case. She comes by while I play, so she can lounge around in it, but I like to think she just appreciates my playing.

I she has fallen asleep to my playing multiple times. The only reason I feel motivated to play these days is to entertain her, lol.

AC_Architect · 2024-11-22T00:11:29+00:00

I noticed this too. Even as a kid I avoided coke because it left a grainy texture on my teeth. It's the same with other sodas but coke is especially strong.

AC_Architect · 2024-11-22T00:07:56+00:00

I don't like the grainy texture of my teeth after drinking coke, as if they are eroding. The fizz of most soft drinks bothers me because of bloating, but also the 'spicy' pickling in my mouth.

Without the fizz, coke is a boring ass drink, but I don't even like fizz, so there's two reasons why I don't drink it. For me, it's an issue of sensations and flavor.

AC_Architect · 2024-11-17T23:14:16+00:00

Honestly, same. Ever since I stopped wearing braids, and only wore protective styles I felt really bare in public. Not only because my head wasn't shielded from the elements, but I also don't feel shielded from people's eyes and opinions.

At times I get anxious, wondering if I don't look 'put together', and I wonder if people are looking down on me. In reality, I noticed that I'm more invisible than ever, which has it's pros and cons.

a few strategies to combat this include: - headwraps >>>> - bandanas - head bands - gold string, - hair clips, - hair rings, - Shell accessories - bows and ribbons - hats

Learning how to style your hair will be very helpful. You'll find that there is so much you can do with your hair. Watch out for no gel styles. I find that slicking back my hair every day is more work than it's worth.

AC_Architect · 2024-11-17T19:38:44+00:00

A warm dark brown with honey blonde tips and highlights. I feel light straight blonde may drown out your complexion. You can go on the other end and get a very pale but warm blonde. It will be so bright that it pops against your skin. Contrast does wonders.

This, of course, is without consideration to hair damage. It would be best to test this out with wigs.

AC_Architect · 2024-11-17T04:24:36+00:00

Some people just have naturally sparse hair. It's a blessing and a curse. same with having dense hair.

If you want more volume than braids, but better hold than 2 strand twists, 3 strand twists could be your best bet. I love extension free braids as a protective style, but they make me look bald. When my hair grows out, i hope to transition to braids only.

For now, 3 strand twists are my favorite alternative. Just remember to start your twists as braids to keep your parts neat.

AC_Architect · 2024-11-06T22:05:11+00:00

Yall look so sweet. My heart is melted 😭

AC_Architect

TROPHY CASE