The Chignon
I’m sportin’ a classic “Ballerina Chignon” — Just shampooed hair, blown out and QB Heavy Cream worked in. The ends are safely tucked under and protected. I don’t have problems with “knots”, that often bewilder those of us with naps/kinks, because I don’t constantly wear my hair in a napptural state. My hair likes to be stretched out, occasionally. I don’t have short, broken off sections either, because I blow out my hair, before trims. It allows me to see the condition of my hair.
There are those who argue that napptural hair doesn’t need to be trimmed evenly, because you really don’t notice it. Well, I beg to differ. I like the look of even napptural hair, when it’s in two-strand twists and twist/braidouts.
It’s all about knowing your texture and what your hair can tolerate. I have NEVAH had to do a “big chop” during my napptural years, due to mysterious breakage — AND I heat style. If you don’t straighten your hair for political reasons, then that’s great. But I think it’s terribly misleading to imply that if someone heat styles napptural (not chemically relaxed and/or peroxide colored) hair, they’re going to be plagued with split ends/breakage. That’s just not true for everybody.
One of the FIRST books I read (on the way to napptural hair), was Pam Ferrell’s, “Where Beauty Touches Me”. She featured nappturals, with blown-out (not pressed) hair, as well as those with unstraightened hair. I’ve managed to grow and maintain length, with the occasional use of heat. I know my hair and everyone has to know their own hair.
A Nappy Girl
Your hair looks so healthy.
Unfortunately for me, I have issues with knots and tangles due to the extremely tight coils in my hair. That can be reduced by me wearing “protective styles”. (which I hate!) Sometimes, I like to wear it in it’s napptural state (mostly due to laziness). However, its not the BEST thing for my hair. And like you, I MUST have my hair trimmed AND it MUST be blowdried before trimming. That’s the only way I can see the condition of my ends. I can’t get with the twist and trim method…..doesn’t work for me.
I can’t wait to sport this hairstyle, when my hair gets “long” enough, I will be on this, believe it!!!
God bless!
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@Erin,
Thanks, girl! I couldn’t get with the “twist and trim” method, either. You can really see just how “jacked up” your hair is (or isn’t), when you blow it out — just like growth is hard to see, on napptural hair, so is breakage (sometimes). You can go for months, and not notice your hair is breaking off. Then one day, you notice your hair thinning out in spots, but by the time you see it, it’s too late in the game. Now, you gotta do a “big chop”, and start from scratch. Right back at square one.
I ain’t knockin’ those who can’t/won’t use heat — but you gotta do you, and let others do what’s best for them, cuz the proof is ALWAYS in the results. Talk is cheap. A lot, if not most sistas want to achieve length (some act like there’s something wrong with THAT), with minimal breakage. Many are frustrated, cuz they’re following the advice that’s been hammered in their heads, from day one (so many rules)…but they’re not getting the results they want. Then, folks wanna make them feel like “sellouts” or whatever, because they want to try an approach not sanctioned by the “Nappy Police”.
Everybody’s hair is different. Learn what makes your hair thrive, and go with it — despite those who wanna revoke your “Card-carrying napptural” status.
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Your hair is beautiful. And I love the chignon. Sometimes I think about cutting my locs but when I remember the work that goes along with maintaining (not that you don’t have to maintain locs) it I change my mind.
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Thanks for visiting and the compliment, Renee!
locs! But I think locs would be harder for me to maintain.
I
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Heeyyyy,
I was lurking NP and ran across one of your posts and realized I had seen you in awhile. My eyes are bugging cause I love, your chignon. It’s very elegant. Too funny that we would both have posts on chignons on our blogs. I recently pulled of a nappy version, it’s smaller than yours because of shrinkage of course.
I too recently gave in and put heat on my hair so I could go get a blunt cut. I wore it for awhile like that, but in the end, I have to say that I honestly do now prefer my hair in it’s natural state and I missed my naps fiercely. Couldn’t wait till I had time to wash my hair and play in my naps again.
Anyway, good to see that you’re doing well. Take care and God bless,
~Nappyme
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Hey!
How are ya’??? Good to see you too. My hair is in two-strand twists, now — my preferred style.
Thanks for stoppin’ by! Visit anytime…
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