Black Hair - Kew Gardens,NY

My boss I think perms hers and goes to the salon weekly or every two weeks. My student worker usually has a weave. She says that's easier to manage. And for spring break she had a wet and waivy weave that was very cute!!!! It all I think depends on how much time you want to take on it and how much money you have for the upkeep. Or if you know someone that will do it for cheap!

Black woman here. There are so many reasons. It really is a matter of personal style and preference. I relax my hair three to four times a year, because I like to wear it long and flowy, but I curl it with a curling iron and rollers. I also like ponytails, but I've worn it cut short (still relaxed). My hair responds well to that. I like some of the natural afro and twists styles, but it's not my thing. Maybe someday it will be. Especially as Houston gets hotter and more humid.

Yes, it does take effort and product to maintain hair health and appearance, but how much depends on how the hair responds to product and environment and lifestyle. No matter the style of the hair.

Many American black women do not like the afro look because they have been conditioned to believe that long flowing hair is the standard for beauty. They feel like they can't really compete or even "qualify" without meeting that standard. Some of us have hair that responds well to that treatment, and some of us simply do not. For some reason, we think that that makes our hair "bad", and it hurts our pride. Hair is not so important to everybody, but for many, especially women, hair is defining. A problem is perceived if the hair will not grow long. It wasn't until Halle Berry became popular that many black women felt good about wearing short hairdos. That was a time when women whose hair wouldn't grow long could feel good about having short hair.

There's so much negativity around even the language of a black woman's "kinky" hair that many of them want to avoid drawing attention to it. They would prefer to communicate that they are just like "you"--the standard. I think that all people should realize that there are differences and that every thing will not work the same for everybody. That includes hair processes and products. I need to do what works well for MY hair if I want the best results that I can get.

Disclaimer: I do not speak for all black women. I am generalizing based on what I have been exposed to.

Hair = work

Coming from a natural haired African American Woman.

It depends on what you consider work. I relaxed my hair for 20+ years and just went natural last year. I find it WAY easier with my hair natural. My hair sits right above where an average bra strap crosses the back, so its a decent length. I find it easier because I don't have to go to the salon as often, can go straight or curly. So if I'm feeling lazy I can wash, condition and go and still look nice.

I've never gone very short, but know lots of people who do and have. From what I can gather from them part of it depends on hair texture, so if your hair has nice natural curls they can just wash and go; all they need is a little gel or mousse. I know others where the cut it self requires that a stylist curl it and that is work. Did you ever watch divorce court when it first came out with judge Ephriam? Her style requires a lot of work.

Wigs are fun and allow you to change your hair temporarily, sometimes I want a short style for a few days, so I wear one. That's more for fun than ease.

When I want my hair straight I press it, it keeps for about a week or so unless it gets wet.

Braids are carefree, once they are in, but it takes a long time to get them in and the smaller the braid the longer it takes. Also individuals vs. a cornrow style takes longer. Plus it takes FOREVER to take them out!

Weaves, depending on the type, can be easier. Thing with them is that to get a nice one, that doesn't scream " I'm wearing a weave" can be pricey. You still have to take care of them although I see far too many people who don't :P

The biggest benefit of relaxing your hair is that it is straight so if your hair has tighter curls, that are hard to manage, it makes it easy to manage. If you have really thick hair, it can make it seem thinner and therefore easier to handle. My hair isn't super thick but once relaxed it's thin.

Relaxers are NOT carefree either. You have to get touch-ups on a regular basis b/c the curly growing against the straight causes a weak point and if left too long will break off. It is a chemical and often dries hair out and makes it weaker so deep conditioning etc is very important. It's also very expensive, at least in my area. To maintain mine, when I had it, was almost 300 a month: 120 for the touch-up( every 6-8 weeks), 60 dollars for a wash, curl every 2 weeks, plus tipping the stylist. So some months it was only about 180 but still.

Also not everyone looks good with short hair, no matter the nationality.

i dont think all women look right with short hair, black or white....so J. because their hair is harder to mantain wouldnt be a reason to cut it
i know if i was african american and had my current frame i would take the extra time to mantain it because i wouldnt look right with a shorter cut
short haior for all races are easier to mantain yet most keep their hair long because its attributed to being feminine, and if you dont have an overly feminine face and body you need the longer hair

I have wildly curly hair and I so agree with H Looloo. Depends on what you want, but ...... if you like short curly hair...... it's sooooo easy! My hair begins to curl the second I step out of the shower. It curls if it's humid outside. Now, if I want straight hair..... not so easy. Lots of work.

I think it may have to do with femininity. Long flowing locks versus short pixie. Many women may not feel sexy. Naturally curly hair is always healthiest, as is naturally straight hair....but of course, the grass is always greener on the other side. I have a step daughter with pin straight hair, I have a daughter with kinky curly hair. My son got the good hair, thick and wavy, he can do anything with it. My stepdaughter continuously curls and burns her hair. My daughter continually straigtens and burns her hair. Both hate their hair in their natural state, yet they both look absolutly beautiful in their natural state. It is alot of maintenancefor my daughter when it's straight. Hair products, wrapping her hair at night, re-straightening with the straightener, daily. Way too much for what it's worth. Naturally, her hair is gorgeous, wash, condition and go.

I have straight hair with a boyish cut and I think it's alot of work. Granted 15 minutes on my hair is considered work. BTW, I love the afro hair! So adorable. Especially on little kids.