I have been natural for three years. Up until recently I have always rocked an afro, twists, twistouts, micros, boxbraids, cornrows..the list goes on an on. I am now wearing treebraids and love that I can swim with them and wash/condition my hair often while still maintaining the style. I like versatility. I do not have any self esteem issues contrary to some comments I’ve read here. I like have a protective style so that I maximize growth of my natural hair while having the fun of a new look.

As of right now, I started out wearing a sew in as a protective style. But now this is my second one, I must admit that I’m not comfortable wearing my own hair. At first I would rock my twa, but then I started getting comments from people that made me insecure about my hair.

I was wondering the same thing. But yes I do believe some wear them for the convenience, protect their hair, and the variety of options. Now some women out there I’m sure do wear them for other reasons, I know females that wouldn’t be caught DEAD without their weave regardless of their own hair situation. As for me, I’m 18 years old and just did my big chop the 15th of last month and I will rock my 4b/4c hair from here on out without weaves and wigs because they’re just not my steelo. I don’t wear weaves, wigs, nails, or false lashes but I’m not knocking anyone who does. Do you ladies but don’t be ashamed of what GOD gave you. Its beautiful (:

yes reign you may be correct. if someone is ALWAYS using a wig/weave to hide her hair, she may have some self-esteem issues. there may be some cases like that.

but i do think that it is still a free world and women should be free to do whatever they like to their hair. just keep it work appropriate for career (tidy and natural looking) and have as much fun as you want with your hairstyle during your weekends.

i think that if women feel comfortable wearing wigs or weaves, they should be allowed to wear them. the hairpiece should just look natural and nice, and not look ridiculous and rough. some weaves just look so fake and badly applied. yuck.

however, it is a free world and women of all types should be free to style their hair in a fun way at home or in a work appropriate way for career. if that includes being comfortable in a wig/ weave then so be it. we musn’t forget women may wear the wig/weave as an entertainer or for a fun weekend party or because she is suffering from hair loss.

I have three wigs in my closet. One made with barrell curls, one straight, and one with long waves in it.
On the days when my dry scalp is going crazy or days when I just want to get ready in 10 minutes or something like that, I wear the wigs. My facebook page is full of me wearing my natural hair and wigs too. Sometimes I feel fake in them because they are not even close to my natural hair texture and I prefer my textured hair.
I don’t do it because I have low self esteem, because I want a relaxed look, or because I hate myself. It’s all about convenience for me. When I get enough money saved up, I am getting braided extensions again. Believe it. I didn’t like dealing with my hair when it was relaxed and I don’t really like fooling with it natural either.

I view wearing wigs and weaves as top cover for protective styles when your hair is recuperating from damage and poor maintenance. However, I realize that some want to roc wigs and weaves simply as a method of change and hopefully without any hair damage. I don’t think weaves are all that healthy because you can’t wash you scalp the way it needs to be until you do a redo. Not good. Wigs on the other hand enable you to change up without residual damage if you take the time to maintain your natural hair properly and cover your hair underneath it.

I absolutely love my kinky curls. I wear braids, and kinky twists for convience, and it also helps my hair to grow during the winter months. I don’t think it means anything more to me than that. Be blessed naturally curly divas!

You know… I’ve been wondering the same thing :-/. As I see it, all hair has beauty potential, but not all women are willing or able to put in the time to make their hair beautiful on a consistent basis. From the posts, responses, and forums I’ve read over the course of the last year, I am suprised that women have chosen to use the term “protective style” as a title for their weave/braid/wig hairstyle choice. Ladies, trust and believe, there is no condemnation for wearing your hair (grown from your scalp or purchased) how ever you wish. But do understand that saying you want to rock straight hair, braided hair, or hair in a different texture than what you have is OK. Many of the respondents to the original question have attempted to justify why they like and wear wigs and weaves. As far as I’m concerned it would be better to say “I really like how this weave/wig looks on me so I’m going to wear it everyday, and it happens to protect my hair from the elements!” than “I really wanted a protective style so I decided to weave/wig it up!”. What ever you do just be real about it, for your own sake and the benefit of others who may be going through the same process or thinking about it.

You know… I’ve been wondering the same thing :-/. As I see it, all hair has beauty potential, but not all women are willing or able to put in the time to make their hair beautiful on a consistent basis. From the posts, responses, and forums I’ve read over the course of the last year, I am suprised that women have chosen to use the term “protective style” as a title for their weave/braid/wig hairstyle choice. Ladies, trust and believe, there is no condemnation for wearing your hair (grown from your scalp or purchased) how ever you wish. But do understand that saying you want to rock straight hair, braided hair, or hair in a different texture than what you have is OK. Many of the responses to the original question have done more to justify

I have been natural most of my life and I will be 50 in Jan. 2012. I have been pressed and permed and now I wear a big blond afro. I love it but would like to wear a protective style in the winter months, I am thinking braids but I have never had them before. I have french braided my own hair but never had professionally done braiding and the stories scare me. I have no issue with weaves and wigs, I just don’t think they are for me. NGR, please give advice on what to ask for and look for in a braider for my bushy, curly mass of hair.

I think that wearing a weave or wig is like picking out shoes… Wear what’s comfortable… Wear what you like… Do you! I’m an individual who has had long relaxed hair since I “graduated” from elementary school…. Now fast forward 36 yrs… I’m still learning how to work my natural hair (I bc’d in August). I’ve worn a couple of natural looking sew ins, some twists and braids mainly for experimenting and advertising, and I like the endless options while I await my “curly mop”. I will admit that it is an adjustment going from relaxed to natural especially w/ a big chop, but in no way have I nor am I suffering from self hatred or low self esteem as a result of going natural…. Stay up ladies.. ;)

One thing I love about black hair is that it’s so versatile. I wear weaves and half wigs in addition to my own hair. I transitioned for 7 1/2 months and wore half wigs during that phase. I recently did the BC and am still wearing my half wig. I choose to wear it because I’m still in the trial and error phase of figuring out what products works for my curls and what doesn’t. Everyone’s hair journey is different and I don’t think it’s right to judge someone and say they have psychological issues because they choose to wear wigs or weaves. I do it because I get bored when I have one style for too long. Wearing wigs and weaves help me to change my style without damaging my hair.

First let me say that I absolutely Love Natural Hair! Right now, I am in my transitioning stage and I am wearing extension kinky twists.. It is very convenient for me to wear them. I think that wigs and weaves can be a fashion statement for some I must say that I Love NATURAL Hair ( :

I have “went natural” twice. The first for 6 years. I then relaxed my hair and the relaxer did not take. So I have been natural for another six years. I will say during this time my girlfriend who was so versatile in her hair introduced me to wigs. It became one of our things to do. Go into a store try on different wigs and such. I still have one or two wigs. They come in handy when you don’t have time to twist or braid. Maybe you just want something different for a week or so. Again it is not a self esteem or self hatred issue. It is a matter of choice. I also still press my hair occasionally through the year. Does that mean I would like to go back to a relaxer? No it just means I like to change it up a bit. After all you get to know your hair by playing in it!

I love the look of just about every natural style I see,but I’m having a had time with my 4b/3c hair,more 4b! I’m doing my best to work with it,I would put a natural weave in,in a min but I live in a city that doesn’t offer much for naturals,what a shame,Ladies rock what make you feel good!!

That’s interesting! I think that some people where the wigs because there still not comfortable with the whole natural look because when I first did my BC I covered my head up with hats because I was so concerned about what others where going to say about my hair. However today I’m loving the natural me and wear it proudly!

I’m wearing a weave and its a natural style, I like to change up my look but I don’t want my hair straight I love my natural hair, I can do so much with my hair!

I have been going natural since june 2010 n before then n between that time I was wearing a sew in. Since, August ive been trying 2 get used to n wear natural styles n I simply love it! But yes the weave was a protective style especially if ur not used 2 dealing with natural hair. Because, these last,2 mths, have,been a challenge for me but i enjoy the learning experience

A good question that you pose. Being new to the natural hair world, I’am 2months natural and did the bc in June. I was recently told by my classmate in college that she thought “I was crazy when she first seen my hair”but now she sees it fits me. And even though she liked it, she still said “So ur not going to wear a wig or protective style?” I said “No!”. She says she likes it but suggested that I cover it up hmm… She has 99 cent braided hair in her head but says she just couldn’t do what I did. Well, Am good and at this time my hair is growing like a wildfire and I feel that I don’t need the protective styles but to each there own. Am loving it too! Much to cover it up at this time.

I have been thinking about getting something like a sew-in just for the winter months, but that is about it. I love dealing with my natural hair. Also for growth, but that’s it.

there’s definitely something going on out there with women wearing weaves and wigs. a lot of them NEVER show their own hair. to me, there’s some kind of psychological (self hatred or self esteem) issue. it’s real weird and crazy. it’s especially crazy that it’s a billion dollar industry and the wearer’s community profits “zero.”