Essence Natural Hair Feature – January 2012

Posted on January 11, 2012 by admin

So…..I figured that I should post the entire spread on natural hair and transitioning that appeared in Essence magazine’s January 2012 issue. You know the issue I’m talking about: the one that inspired many natural hair vloggers and bloggers to speak out and demand action. I posted about their natural hair “faux pas” here, and you can check out one well-known vlogger’s (African Export) response to the article here.

As you can see from the images, the article was framed as a guide for transitioners. First, let me say that I am not mad at the model’s hair on the cover page. You better work! I’m loving that color…..

There may be some truths in this feature (i.e. “Learning to work with your hair is a process”), but there are some opinion-based statements that leave room for debate (“Be selective about using the information you get from the Internet.“A lot of times YouTubers are speaking about their texture, which may not be yours”, says Martin. Instead, join natural hair communities like those at ESSENCE.com and naturallycurly.com, which are designed to help you learn your hair type and texture…”).

If you’re thinking about transitioning from relaxed to natural, there are some things you can learn from this issue.  Take the troubleshooting section. It highlights several issues that naturals commonly experience: dullness, shedding and breakage, and edge control. Don’t give up hope while transitioning. Stay encouraged, and experiment to find what works for you! A great resource is Chris-Tia Donaldson’s book and blog, Thank God I’m Natural.

There you can find some great tips for transitioners.

Related posts:

Essence Magazine’s Natural Hair “Faux Pas” – How It Should Have Been Said Essence’s Monthly Natural Hair Column – Will you be reading? Holiday Hairstyles for your Natural Hair – from Essence Magazine Oprah’s natural hair on the cover of O – September 2012 issue