There was the time I decided I wantedbalayage haircolor(a big mistake).
And recently, a hot comb experience that left me with seriousheat damage.
It was the last one that had me Googlingwigs.
Tiffany Dodson
My first time wearing a wig, I was nervous.
Did my hair look fake?
Would everyone know this wasnt my real hair?
Here was my first wig attempt. I actually made this curly hairpiece myself with the help of YouTube. It was the perfect summer protective style.
Would it fall off in public?
But after several compliments on my new style, I was hooked.
All I have to do is wash my hair every two weeks and braid it back down.
Here I am with my natural Afro. The coils and curls have a mind of their own, but I love them all the same.
It gives my hair a breather from the constant styling my natural hair requires.
That includes twisting it every week and slicking it back in the mornings before work.
If you ask me, really thats just making it too deep.
I get where theyre coming from, though.
As black women, there is a lot of emotion and negativity that has come with our hair.
My mom gave me a perm at 4 years old because my Afro hair was too hard to manage.
At the time Afro hair was mired in bad connotations.
It was too coarse, unruly, and unkempt.
Otherwise, it was a lot of weaves, wigs, and perms.
Then, in the early 2000s, the natural hair movement took off.
Women began to chop off their straight hair, grow out their perms, and style their natural hair.
Today, I see more and more women rocking their natural texture.
But I dont think we need to put all that pressure on our hair at all times.
Everything doesn’t have to be for the culture.
If you want to wear your hair natural as a statement, thats your prerogative.
Do you, honey!
One of the things I enjoy most about wearing my hair natural is that it is so versatile.
The same goes forBeyonce, who is known for her amazing wig collection.
Youd never question their black queenness, would you?
This weekend I bought my third wig.
Itswait for ita bob with big-barrel curls and I adore how it makes me look.
Yes, even though it makes me look like I got my hair straightened.
Going natural years ago made me feel free in a lot of ways.
I no longer had to spend hours in a salon getting my hair permed and set.
But wearing a wig gives me a throw in of freedom, too.
Freedom from the same ol' hairstyle I wear every day.
Freedom from my weekly, six-hour hair routine.
My wigs dont cover up who I amthey help me love who I am even more.
