Real, Fake or Self Hate?

    
        
If I got a pound for every guy who complained about girls being fake with their weaves, make-up, false lashes etc I would probably be on the forbes list. There is this whole debate of Natural beauty vs Fake beauty. On the extreme ends of the spectrum you get people who scream "Team natural" and believe that everyone should be 100%  natural. You also get those who believe in enhancing your appearance by any means necessary.

Firstly I will address the hair issue. Personally I love to wear weave (yes I admit I am a weave-aholic) and I like to wear make up on special occasions. However when I was younger I strongly believed in natural beauty. I never wore make up, my hair was natural and I wore it either in cornrows, twists or braids. My natural hair texture is very kinky and thick (4C type hair). I used to cry when getting my hair done because it was extremely painful (a few combs also got broken during the process). During my latter teen years I decided to relax my hair because I could no longer cope with the pain of maintaining my natural hair. A few weeks later I also got my first weave. 

Before I get attacked by Team Natural I do understand the origins of hair relaxing. Lye was used on the hair of African slaves as a form of punishment and it was later realised that Lye straightened afro textured hair.That is when the relaxer was born. Hair relaxing is also damaging because of the very strong chemicals it contains which can also cause burns to the scalp. Many females relax their hair because they find permed hair easier to maintain and more manageable. I do not believe that relaxing your hair is a sign of self hatred. However if the reason for you relaxing your hair is because you dislike your natural afro hair, then yes it is self hate. In regards to weave I think it is down to personal preference. It is a great protective style whether you are natural or relaxed. Though some argue that wearing a weave means you are conforming to the white standard of beauty. This is because a lot of weaves women wear mimick that of European hair (i.e long straight hair). Some natural people argue that we should leave our hair in it's natural afro state because that is how it is supposed to be, kincky and curly not bone straight.

The next issue I will address is make up. I believe that make up is supposed to enhance your beauty, not give you a brand new face. I hate seeing females who constantly cake their faces in foundation or have that "Clown" look. What's even worse is when a female takes off her make up and she looks like a completely different person.This is when the whole "deception" argument comes in. Those who never set foot outside their homes without make up I believe they either have low self-esteem or a deeper insecurity issue and need help. Do not get me wrong I love to wear make up and if I am going on a night out with friends I may wear  a bold lip colour. But I always aim to make sure that I still look like ME.

In regards to using surgical procedures to alter your bodies (i.e butt implants) I address this issue in another blog post "Body Image and the Black women" which you can read.

I do like the natural movement and I think it is great to exude your natural beauty. I also support enhancing your beauty whether it is by wearing make up, hair extensions, acrylic nails etc (as long as you do not go over the top like Lil Kim). To illustrate my view I will use Gabrielle Union as an example. Though she is wearing make-up and weave in the picture she doesn't look fake but still looks kind of natural.  At the end of the day, it is all down to your own  personal preference but it is also important for you  to be happy and comfortable in your own skin and not hide behind a mask.

Gabrielle
union

Written By Dinah