Really Shea Moisture? ๐คฆ๐พโโ๏ธ In my Charlemagne voice, “I give you Donkey ๐ of the day!” (More like a lifetime because I’m sure you just lost a lot of customers!)
If you are not familiar with the recent events with the Shea Moisture brand, read a magazine, go on YouTube, social media etc…)
The recent coverage surrounding this well known brand led me to thinking about another topic since I had previously used their line on my son’s hair…
BOYS WITH HAIR IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY!
African American boys (and maybe even in other cultures) are known to get their first hair cut at the age of one 1๏ธโฃ. Before then, babies heads are really sensitive and not ready for the harsh reality of chemicals and clippers! For us, I think it also symbolizes the act of a little boy entering toddlerhood. At one years old, they are usually walking and beginning to talk. That first haircut has them looking like a “big boy”…It’s like a right of passage from being a baby!
You see, this transformation never happened for my son. He was born with a head full of hair and as months passed, his lucious locks turned into the cutest curly fro!
He came out like this ๐คท๐พโโ๏ธ He was actually hairy all over- I called him “My hairy little monster” (And nope, ๐
๐พ I didn’t experience any heartburn during my pregnancy!)
We got many comments on his hair- “His hair is amazing”, “He has more hair than me!” “Don’t ever cut it, it’s awesome!”
I loved his little Afro and a huge part of me was reminded of my late southern born daddy who sported an Afro until the late 90’s! (No I’m not kidding- maybe even into 2000 ๐คฆ๐พโโ๏ธ)
Washing my son’s hair was easy as it got washed in the bathtub ๐. His Afro was still manageable at this point- just a simple wash and condition and he was good to go!
As time went on, the fro got bigger and bigger so I began to twist it to keep his head cool (We live in Florida โ๏ธ) I am the furthest thing from a hair dresser but I would put in single braids while he was sleeping. At this age, he was not disciplined enough to sit between my legs to get his hair done (Another staple in the African American community)
To define his look a little I attempted to get him his first “shape up”. I thought he was the cutest thing ever but another barber advised me not to do it again until he was about three 3๏ธโฃor four 4๏ธโฃ years old. He explained that his hair line still needed time to grow and would get pushed back with continued shape ups.
Washes began to become a struggle as well ๐ฉSince his hair was so long, it began to get tangled so I had to condition and comb it out. He began going to a hairdresser who neatly did cornrows. He HATED the wash, but he did sit for the blow dry and braiding without much fuss (on my lap of course) I made it a point for him not to go too often because I didn’t want the heat of blow drying it straight to cause him to lose his natural curls. I also felt the price was a little steep for a two year old (approx $40-$55) but I guess I can’t complain given the screams she had to deal with and his hair came out amazing every timeโ!
โ
Hairstyles by @naomimonroe at All Jazzed up Orlando, FL
As his hair was in the middle of his back at only two years old, and I didn’t think it was fair for him to have to go through tough washes, I thought it was definitely time for a haircut! I researched a few styles that I thought he would look so handsome with! I prepped him by reading books about the barber shop, (Bippity Bop Barbershop by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley) however when it was time for his cut, he was even MORE hysterical than when getting his hair washed and braided. He screamed “I don’t want a haircut!” He ended up getting an edge/tapered cut which I DID NOT like! They had my baby looking like a grown ass man- sideburns shaped up and all!
As of last week, I attempted a new method and washed, conditioned, and untangled his hair in four sections. It took much longer โฒ but this was the first in a long time where there were absolutely NO tears ๐๐พ
So here we are now- a three 3๏ธโฃ year old boy with more hair than a teenager!
I was previously in a Facebook group called “Moms of black sons” and when I posted a pic of him, some ignorant person commented “Are you raising an androgynous child?” I was pissed ๐ก What does his hair have to do with how he is being raised? What about the characteristics of being loving, caring, understanding and optimistic? Besides, my son CLEARLY knows that he is a boy! I don’t remember my comment word for word, but it was something to the effect of “his hair does not define him…” Of course I am no longer a part of that group!
This was the pic I posted- I had just taken down his braids and was getting ready to wash it (He hardly ever wears it out like this)
So talk to me, how do you feel about boys having hair? Is it time for a cut? Any tips on making this process run a little smoother?
โจModernDayBlackMamaโจ
Oh. My. Days! How gorgeous is your son! So cute! Sorry, I don’t have any tips on hair (you should see the dry shampoo mess I’m currently sporting) but I just couldn’t resist commenting. I love his hair, must be hard work though. If he likes it long then keep it that way ๐ It’s beautiful!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much! It’s a toss up between my love for it and the hard work ๐ฉ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. I don’t have a son but I love the hair. I also think they should get their first hair cut after 2 years old. I think cutting it before messes up their texture of their hair
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Yes I feel like his hair went through a few changes as far as texture!
LikeLike
Your son is so cute! And his hair is amazing! I must say that I have gone through most of what you talked about in this post. The discussion of a haircut makes my son sad. He’ll be 7 soon and he still loves his hair. Of course I have family members who thinks a boy should have a haircut ๐ But who cares what anyone thinks. If he’s happy with his hair, then that’s all I care about. On the other hand, the maintenance is no joke being that I have two curly hair babies ๐ณ But it’s so worth it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Queen! Having hair is all he’s ever known so haircuts scare the shit out of him! With two, I’d probably go crazy- more power to you โ๐พ lol… what products are you using? I have been using Mielle kids line but recently mixed it with some products from Cantu kids line. I miss the days where it was just water and go ๐ฆ
LikeLike
What kind of products did you use when he was 1? My son has curly sandy brown hair and it can sometimes get dry especially with our weekly swim lessons. We currently use the Shea moisture head to toe but I think he may need something new.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When he was younger he actually had cradle cap but it was hard to see because of all the hair! His doctor had us using selsum blue! I honestly then used any conditioner and kept it out because a hair routine really wasn’t needed until he was older. I currently use a mix of Mielle kids line and cantu kids line. I started with shea Moisture as well and it didn’t do much.
LikeLike