Stay woke

There’s a uniqueness in black hair. It’s a symbol of power and strength and is something that we shouldn’t hide, but we’re proud, like a crown.

There’s a unique texture that we have tried to change in order to assimilate into American society but it makes a political statement when worn in its natural state. We should represent who we are and not be afraid to make a statement. We shouldn’t be afraid to be different and wear our natural hair unapologetically.

Many women try to go natural and discover that it takes a lot of time and patience to maintain their natural hair. Maintaining a wig or weave may have been easier but it’s not real. Many women give up on their natural hair because they don’t feel it’s that serious, but disregarding your hair is like telling yourself you’re not good enough.

Invest that same time and energy you put in fake hair in your own hair and learn your own hair texture and ways of maintaining it. It may be challenging and it may be time-consuming but it’s only yourself you’re investing in.

Take the time to love your self-image and own your natural hair.

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If you wear a wig or a weave; you are getting played…

If you are constantly spending your coins on fake hair, you are getting played. You are getting duped by the hair care industry into spending your hard earned money on something you don’t need. They are playing I to your insecurities about wearing your own hair and constantly ripping you off. You spend money on hair when you have hair that grows out of your scalp for free. The hair industry cares nothing about you and your self-esteem, they only care about their bottom line.

Stop getting played! Your hair is gorgeous. Learn to love your texture and learn how to manage your own hair so it can grow healthy and long. You can grow your hair from your own scalp for free and spend your money on other things like your children, a spa day or a vacation.

Be secure with yourself and know that you don’t have to change a thing. Self-care starts with self-love, so love your hair and take care.

What does your hair say about you?

Does your hair say that you are black and proud? 

When you wear hair weave, wigs, straight hair and relaxers you are saying that you’re not comfortable in your own skin and that you’re not proud of being black. 

You’re saying that you do not care for your real hair and would rather cover it up in order to achieve a more European style. 

You are saying that you don’t love yourself enough to wear your own hair. 

You are saying you’re not complete without hair wigs or weaves and you prefer someone else’s hair texture over your own. 

Start putting yourself first. Choose your hair instead and don’t be influenced to think a certain way or to follow the masses because it’s fashionable or trendy.

Show the world who you are and show them that you are black and proud.

Who told you your hair was not beautiful?

The word black has so many negative connotations associated with it and black hair has been labeled as “bad hair”

Growing up I was told that my natural hair was nappy, dry and ugly and I grew up seeing a glorified European standard of beauty. Well as a child I internalized those things and carried those beliefs throughout my adulthood until in learned the truth.

I’ve learned that those negative stigmas were placed on me because of the racism that exists. I’ve learned that my hair is tightly curled and with the right amount of moisture my curls really pop. Ultimately I’ve learned that my hair is beautiful and its okay to be who I am created to be. Who told you that your hair was not beautiful in your past and what have you learned along the way?

Happy to be “Nappy”

“Nappy” is considered a derogatory term to describe tightly curled afro textured hair. “Happy To Be Nappy” was a little phrase I would say to dismiss the haters but I was never really confident with my hair because of all of the negative attention it warranted. 

Eventually, I stared to believe the bad things and started to subconsciously hate my hair. After years of self-hate and an unhealthy relationship with my self- image, I learned to love my hair and in turn became confident with myself. I’ve titled the first Chapter of my book “Happy to Be Nappy” as I tell my story about how the self-hate started on my path to self-discovery. 

The Strength of Your Strands, out now!

More About the Author

Joshica Kiah Craig is a wife, mother, military veteran, CEO, author of The Strength of Your Strands, and natural hair advocate. Based in Los Angeles, California, Joshica began Joshica Beauty with a purpose-driven mission: to empower black women everywhere to not only embrace their natural hair but love their natural hair and begin living unapologetically black. Featuring a luxurious line of 100% natural hair care, soaps, body oils, and lip products; the Joshica Beauty line is designed to enrich and nourish natural hair, moisturize the body, and empower the mind.

Change your mindset before you change your hair

You have to change your mindset before you change your hair. You have to know that this is you and learn to love what you have. You have to be willing to go through the struggle of bad hair days, the high maintenance and dealing with the stigmas around black hair.  Learn to take your time and be patient with yourself. It’s easy to find the right product or visit a natural hair salon to find a style but  it’s hard to break away from the negative views on black hair and be confident in you own skin, so free your mind and your hair will follow.