Black Hair in Corporate America

When I was in Undergrad I wore my hair in various styles such as weaves, braids, cornrows, you name it.

In my Senior year I decided to ditch the braids and get a relaxer because I thought that was the "acceptable" way my hair should be in interviews and work.

I felt like straight hair, free of any weaves or braids, was "professional". Now, that's 20 years old Ms.D and my way of thinking has completely changed.

In the work place our hair should be neat, well groomed and clean(funky smelling hair is just nasty..lol).

What I find "unprofessional":

wild colors

bad weaves(tracks showing, not blending well..u know)

ugly wigs(very obvious, plastic looking, you know what I mean)
messy hair

*All of these are subjective to the individual and those around you. But ya'll know jacked up hair when you see it.  

Don't be afraid to walk in there with your TWA, rock a big twist/braid-out, wear some corn-rows with not too many designs, wear a cute wig or weave, single braids, twists and locs. Just make sure it's neat, neatness is key!

We as black women were not born with straight hair. We were born with textured hair that requires different technique's to manage and keep it healthy. Don't let Corporate America stop you from maintaining healthy hair and being who you are.

I work in Corporate America and go to work with the same styles you see posted on this blog and I'm consistently greeted with compliments. My manager and co-workers are amazed at how I do my own hair and style it. They find it fascinating. It's always a conversation starter and a small way I stand out from everyone else.

*For interviews I suggest a style that doesn't distract the interviewer. As said, neatness is key. I prefer a bun or if not too far in a stretch, wearing my hair down either straight or curly.

Cornrows and Twists

Twists with my own hair will most likely be my go-to low-maintenance/protective style during this transition...even when I'm natural!! 

I do plan on wearing my hair out 1-2 weeks a month, but as said in my regimen post... my hair will be in a protective style for 2 weeks as well.

This month I decided to do cornrows in the front with twists in the back.

In these photos I just finished doing my hair and purposely did not braid my edges tight. Once I wrap my hair the edges will be smoothed down.

If I wear my hair down, I'll probably curl the ends.

My Hair: Night Routine

I mainly roller-set because it smooths out the cuticles of my hair making it easier to manipulate through-out the week. The only issue is that my new-growth doesn't get that stretched so it's a little hard for that area of my hair to retain moisture. This is where my night-routine comes in handy. Although I don't wear my hair down through-out the week, I like to maintain the sleekness the roller-set gives me just in case I change my mind.

So EVERY night when my hair is OUT I:

 Finger Part My hair and spray my new-growth only with my Aloe-Vera Mix.



 Finger part my hair down the middle. If necessary I will put some moisturizer through-out the length of each section which is about 3 times a week.

Then I put my hair in 2 buns securing with satin scrunchies

Step 3: Wrap Hair with Silk Scarf

Re-Post- A Look Back at BLACK HAIR History

I saw this on BGLH and then LHCF and thought it was very interesting... so I decided to post here for others who haven't seen it.
This gives you an in-depth look of how others and we as black woman perceived our hair due to "society standards" .

This was originally on Naturally Curly. 

Whether it’s activist Angela Davis’s Afro or hip-hop diva Lil’ Kim’s “weave of the week,” black hair has long had the power to set trends and reflect societal attitudes.
Since February is Black History Month — a time to remember important people and events that shaped the lives of African Americans—we thought it was an ideal time to explore how hairstyles have been interwoven into that history. It is a story that continues to evolve. Here is a look back at some of the key events and people who shaped the black hairstory.

1444: Europeans trade on the west coast of Africa with people wearing elaborate hairstyles, including locks, plaits and twists.
1619: First slaves brought to Jamestown; African language, culture and grooming tradition begin to disappear.
1700s: Calling black hair “wool,” many whites dehumanize slaves. The more elaborate African hairstyles cannot be retained.
1800s: Without the combs and herbal treatments used in Africa, slaves rely on bacon grease, butter and kerosene as hair conditioners and cleaners. Lighter-skinned, straight-haired slaves command higher prices at auction than darker, more kinky-haired ones. Internalizing color consciousness, blacks promote the idea that blacks with dark skin and kinky hair are less attractive and worth less.

1865: Slavery ends, but whites look upon black women who style their hair like white women as well-adjusted. “Good” hair becomes a prerequisite for entering certain schools, churches, social groups and business networks.


1880: Metal hot combs, invented in 1845 by the French, are readily available in the United States. The comb is heated and used to press and temporarily straighten kinky hair.

1900s: Madame C.J. Walker develops a range of hair-care products for black hair. She popularizes the press-and-curl style. Some criticize her for encouraging black women to look white.

Click here to read the rest