OK, so imagine my apprehension when I walked in PAX last week and was assaulted on the approach of staff and clients by the Chief (before even the chance to order my sandwich) seeking boldly, "Is all yours?" First of all, I was wondering what he was referring to and if he spoke to me, but then I realized that his eyes were focused on my hair - well, my wig lacefront is. Shocked, I then found myself unconsciously caress my bouncy mane of F427 streaked, tendrils wound while I have fished for the correct answer. I mean, how one really answer this question? Technically, this is all mine since I paid for it and after all he is focused on my head, but in reality grows out of my scalp? HMMMM, no. Thus, I tell him the truth? If I say "Yes", it would be a lie some white, but I'm really not one to lie and if it ironically (with my kind of chance) bumps in me when I wear my own natural Mane is the 1 (b) the colour, the week next and much less shorter and less thick? I decided to go with the truth, so I replied "no, it is not." His eyes open in amazement as if saying "No way!" and quickly, I tried to change the subject by trying to order my sandwich. Then, he said "you look like you must be on the cover of a magazine". Noted by his appearance not disappointment or disapproval in my choice of false hair, I smiled and said "thank you", paid and left.
This incident set thinking me. First of all, I never would have expected a question like that to come to a man and another who know me even at that. Why he would care if my hair is real and not? But then I remembered all the small friends, I was obsessed with my hair for a reason any. They all feared my wigs and weaves and hated the idea that I liked even to wear extensions. One of them said, "it makes me think, what else is wrong?". After ditching my wig for a calming and Cap of the straight religious bone, another said even for me, the most relieved tone, "I thought that you were not the hair." I mean really? Is that serious?
I will admit, I used to be one of these girls who swore up and down that I would never wear armor still less a wig! "It is for the girls of ghetto." I would say. Most, I was ready to make however, a "room" and that it was! That all changed when I participated in the contest Miss World 2004. It was my first contact with the real world of extensions. All competitors wore it. I, except for rare were the only ones who were not displaying a head full of long flowing "hair pageant". Therefore when he told me that I would go to the contest Miss Universe the following year, my Director of competition and I decided to step up our game. He contacted Clem Lue Yat, a master Weaver of hair in New York to update my hair for the competition and this is that I was introduced to the hair of fusion. It is the addition of tiny strands of hair to your own hair with the use of the "fusion method" usually glue or micro cylinders. I couldn't believe the results. I could wash, style, colour and cut my hair as I would normally, without even the slightest detection. The hair moved and looked like just my own.
From there, it was no turning back for me. I started wearing weaves, half wigs, clip in hair and hair of fusion on a regular basis, and eventually upgraded to lacefront wigs. Although use them interchangeably, depending on my mood, the budget and event, extensions have become a part of my lifestyle and is the best thing that happened to me for these very practical reasons:
1. My own hair gets a break damaging chemicals
My own natural hair (Yes that grows from my scalp) is probably the longest and the healthier it it has ever been in my life and it is because I am able to relieve my hair damage the relaxers using the wigs or extensions. I relax now wait only my hair somewhere around every 4 to 6 months rather than weeks. Many of us including black hair, don't realize the damage that it is for our hair by the chemicals present in many of our products of hair on the market today.
2. It gives me versatility and freedom
This is particularly true of wigs lacefront, that you can buy in different styles, colours and enough much daily change of your eyes if you so choose. It is also a quick fix for those time when unsuspecting, unforeseen events can pop up that does not give you the time to make the hair salon.
3. It gives me a different appearance
The good and bad on the hair, it is that it can determine your mood. Ever notice how your mood is all funky if you hair is not looking right? With the extensions allows you to leave your home with great hair and a great attitude without stepping foot in a hairdressing salon.
4. It saves time
For those of us, like me, who fear to spend hours at the hair salon or a time in the mirror style our hair in the morning, extensions or a lacefront wig eliminates all this time you spend usually on your hair. Now, you can use this time to do other things like spend more time with children, or have well deserved sleep-time in the morning.
5. You can save money
This is my favorite part! With my own hair, I must see my hairdresser at least once a week, or I will walk with flat hair, without life, which is a "poorly perceived." Wear extensions or a wig, however, it is a one-time purchase of shot that can last for months!
Then a word or two for the guys I last, who insisted that I did not "impress" through the port of false hair, I say: "Is not on you!" and it was never, because as my hair to suit to me! Extensions have come a long way over the years (they are virtually undetectable done and well worn) and women of all backgrounds and all ethnic groups wear their. This is true, is not only a thing of the black woman, or I am doing a crisis of identity. Even white and latino women are. To make all my goodness, rockin' Beyonce and Rihanna celebrities are ' extensions and wigs lacefront all day, every day. Joan Rivers same deleted his on live tv in an episode of the Wendy Williams Show.
Extensions have become a way of life, because it is practical and cost-effective, and the best part of all, made us feel and superb! If judge us because we choose to wear a wig here and clip a few hair there. Our hair do sets not we, whether "real" or "false" does not matter. We need to lose the taboo. In the defence of my colleague, black extension of divas and the rest of you bold, daring women who joined this wonderful world of hair extensions I say: "you go girls!