If we had a dollar for every sista who hated on Solange’s fro’ wig, we could acquire a few small countries, or maybe a few colors of the new YSL palais pumps. Solange’s “boho” transition was received with a slew of buzzworthy reviews, but when she showed up to her deejay set at Tao Beach in June wearing a faux textured twist-out over her recently natural low cut, the look sent sistas into something like Badu “Mama’s Gun” loc extensions fury.
Many of us went from praising her new naturalistic, boho, hipster transition to bashing her for not being authentic.
I mean, what’s wrong with a weave or a wig here and there when we so desperately want those coveted natural hair looks overnight? As long as it looks good, what’s the problem, right?
When Indie Arie sang, “I Am Not My Hair” lest we forget in braided extensions, did we really internalize her message?
Why is it okay when Ciara wears lace fronts and extensions, and it’s some how against the “Book of Natural Hair Order” when Solange rocks her fro’ wig?
Do we still assume Black women with natural hair project this real veritable Blackness over sistas rocking a Remy weave 16 inch?
What do you think our love/hate relationship with “natural” wigs and extensions are really about? Sound off!
–Geneva S. Thomas
OMG I think that solange looks TOO FLY! If i could find the right texture I would add so track to my fro. I love it : )
hisandher.com
Thank you!! I just told my husband that I wanted to find a way to protect my hair this fall, and I need to find me a Solo wig.
I say rock the real and the fake hair. It’s all about preference. What’s wrong with variety? Aye if they hate it … then I love it.
TheStylist~
I’m not crazy about the wig. It looks so unkept/costume-ish. But if she wants to walk around with an unkept wig on her head, more power to her!
All of her “transitions” just remind me of growing up. She’s a really young girl and a Mom whose still trying to find herself. I do think she tries a little to hard to be as contrary as possible, but I just wish more women would embrace her. We all have that akward homely little sister in us somewhere.
Whatever, she’s living her life. . . People make judgement calls about everything.
It’s annoying.
Unkempt? Wow, you are ignorant.
co-signs…since when does an afro wig look unkept? that’s so “colored” of you to say that, but w/e.
High five to everyone who put Glamarazzi on blast. Solange looks great. Kudos to her for following her own path.
Hmmm please dont be a natural hair snob.
The weave is cute, and, Solange is cute, but…I really don’t get all of the Solange love. I mean, what exactly does she *do*?
She is a prolific songwriter and producer. Check all of Bey’s singles and see who the producer was!
Anyone who is truly hung up on her wig needs better priorities. There is definitely a sense of superiority from some black women who wear their hair in its natural state, but I generally believe that there is a movement towards “wear it how you wanna” as we begin to accept and embrace the diversity amongst us. With that said, Solange looks beautiful and hey, that’s her hair, she bought it!
CHUUUUUCH!!!
Acceptance is the goal, here. Natural or not, being comfortable to wear and do what you want with confidence is all that matters.
I think the looks Fantabulous on her. I don’t see why ppl are so up in arms about what she does or how she does HER hair/outfits/body!! Chile Please there are better things to be up in arms about & Solange’s styles are NOT one of them.
She looks great & I wonder where I can get a wig as I do my natural hair transition & can’t wait for 6in of new growth to rock my “Natural” TWA may not be for Solange b/c it’s not for me. I want a faux fro too
I say wear your hair whatever way you want to. Though Ciara’s lacefronts are not ok, for the record.
My only issue is with the superiority that curly haired natural sisters (i’m natural but choose to press my hair) have toward straight weaves, but a weave that mimics natural hair is ok. I say do what makes you happy, one hair type doesn’t make anyone better than another.
But didn’t she say she went natural to get away from the ‘hair slavery’ black women put their hair through?
So doing a ‘fro’ weave is just as stressful for the hair as a ‘straight weave’ – eeermm ok Solange.
Love the look though.
I agree, I like the look.
And yes she did the interviews talking about how she was freeing herself from weave bondage. That lasted like 2 weeks. Insincere. If the plan is to re-weave, skip the anti-weave rhetoric.
I just want one too! to give my hair a break and I can’t find one anywhere!
They have some on http://www.hisandher.com
I dislike solange’s weave because in an oprah interview, chris rock good hair episode, she said the reason why she went natural and big chopped was because she was tired of the weaves. She mentioned that she was spending like 50,000 dollars a year on weaves, and she thought why am I doing this, so she decided to stop. Clearly she hasn’t stopped, it’s still a weave, if you say you are bc’ing and going natural to stop wearing weaves, then don’t wear weaves of any texture, not stop wearing them for a couple of months then start again.
Hm, I saw that interview and I could have sworn she said she just needed a change and a break from her weave. She said she’d do whatever she felt in the future, including a weave.
I say rock it girl!!! I am natural and I still sport more natural textured wig every so often. She said she want to to be free from the weaves well I feel that a wig is different! Be Free Confident & Be You!
Hisandher.com has afro textured weave and I have rocked it a few times myself (during my natural hair transition). Hotness!
Here’s the direct link to the afro textured extentions: http://www.hisandher.com/Tight_Afro_Kinky-b-list.aspx
Thanks! Are they good quality i.e. don’t shed like a cat?
She looks good, and it’s her life, but I do have an issue with it. In one interview she said dealing with her short natural was basically too challenging, and the weave made things easier. I just think that she and her family have a history of using fake hair. She needs to get to know her real texture and reconnect before going back to “old faithful”. It’s just like when many people go from relaxed to natural. You have to reacquaint yourself with your texture, experiment with products, maybe look a little crazy…until you find your groove. I just don’t think she gave herself enough time. Also, as a woman with a sexy, short natural do (disclaimer: i’ve never had a weave), i just cannot fathom how a weave is “easier” than a natural. it’s expensive, you have to change it, it itches…
Do. Not. Care.
Also, isn’t it actually healthier to braid your natural hair down and wear an afro wig instead of wearing your own hair in an afro? It’s very cute but wearing an fro regularly is a great way to damage your ends and lose length.
*I can’t say the same for tracks. I’m not sure how that kind of weave works.
Yes Monet, I have found that to be true with my hair at least. I think thats why it’s important to keep my hair in a protective style. My hair gets dryer when worn free, so I try not to wear it out often.
I love my natural hair, my wigs, quicks and weaves….I like variety. People know me by versatility!
for many people who go natural, its a political statement , proud to be black, proud of our roots, all that good stuff. its like an exclusive club, and they hair is like a rite of passage, club emblem. So i understand when they do feel offended at fake fro’s and locs. (kind of like when white ppl try to act all black )
But not everyone is natural for those reasons, some its just a styling preference, different look, or for healthier hair. They wouldn’t mind rocking weaves or wigs, or even straightening their hair.
i think there should be a distinction between these to groups of naturals. moreover, i think alot more women would be willing to try out their natural hair, if they didn’t feel it was such a taboo to wear weaves, straighten( as perpetrated by group 1). i have nothing against group 1 , they are strong, amazing individuals, the natural hair movement woudn’t be where it is without them.
Black hair is amazing , and we should appreciate its versatility,
so rock on Solange
It’s oversimplifying things to assume you can group people with natural hair into two categories and you are making a lot of assumptions. I have natural hair, I didn’t GO natural I’ve always had it. It’s not a political statement or rebellion, it’s how it grows out my head and I choose not to go relaxed or anything else.
However how other people choose to wear and style their hair is their business, it doesn’t bother me. What does bother me is the assumption people make about my views or attitudes based upon my appearance. It’s hugely reductive to categorise or label people based on their hair choice and it is worrying that people make value judgements from this and see this over the person.
Speak from your own perspective rather than on the behalf of others when you are clearly demonstrating a lack of knowledge or experience with natural hair yourself.
I just want to let everyone know that I found this HUGE fro at at vintage store (THX lil 5) and I sport it er’where! I notice the response I get from our sistah is “That’s HOT, I wish I had the BALLZ to do that!” More along those lines…..So, It isnt a LOVE/HATE thing, just some of us LACK the confidence to STEP out the NORM from time to time and talk about the ones that have that ability to “Just do whateva the HECK they wanna do!!”
Stay BE-YOU-TO-FULL ladies, Wigz and all!!
love her, I actually like how she wear fake Afro (her natural hair is much straighter and longer before she practically shaved it). She has such a funky and appealing style and so much musical talent, I can see her surpassing her big sister.
I think wearing a textured wig that matches your natural hair vs. a wig that mimics the hair of another are two totally different issues. There is really no comparison. Who know what Solange may be going through regarding her big chop. Give the woman a break.
It cute on her, I don’t see the problem it is her hair and she is not hurting anyone with her style choices. Sometimes, when you do the big chop you don’t realize how short it is and how much you miss length to play with so that is why I know plenty of newly naturals who rock tracks and wigs to mimic their hair so I don’t see the big deal as long as you are taking care of your hair while wearing it then do you
I love it! I think it makes her look cute and hip.
Is it better for her to wear a fake, straight wig from India? At least it looks like something that could grow out of her head.
Chile, please…If I could find a wig that texture, I’d definitely not be spending every other day perfecting my own twistout!!! Me thinks I shall Tweet Dame Solange and find out if she’ll reveal her beauty secret…And a wig is a weave is a track…get over it, it’s meant to be fun. It’s only hair!
Personally I don’t see the problem with her choosing to wear the afro wig. It looks cute and it’s on her head not ours. Why can’t we ever be happy for other females instead of always bashing the next lady. We all have the right to make choices and this is hers. Must we always try to make what we choose the rule. Why does the have to be classicism in naturality? Aren’t there enough groups who exert their superiority. Some people will just not be happy unless everyone looks and acts just like them. This is one reason among many that some sisters will not try to be natural, because of the natural hair nazis. Do you and let her be!
I love her fro. Unlike the sea of sew ins and lace fronts I have been seeing, her’s look real. I mean like I, thought it grew from her scalp real. Everything out there is what needs to be talked about. Instead of looking at her, we need look at all the nameless, faceless, and celebrities out there rocking 18 inch yaki in which non of it looks like it grew from their scalp and please lets not forget those fake closures. Harsh but true!!!
I love it. It doesn’t matter if its a wig or weave she still embracing the natural look. Its not a straight or remy weave.
I am surprised at some of the harsh comments. I like that whole look: the hair is hot, the outfit is cute and shoes are fresh. Like it all. Come on y’all, don’t you think the style icons of the 60s and 70s didn’t rock wigs What is the problem? I am pro natural because I think it is healthy and beautiful, but I don’t hate on sisters who wear relaxers or weaves. My biggest concern is that we love ourselves with our natural hair. I don’t know about any of you, but I was incensed when that beauty supply store owner in Good Hair said that black hair was not good enough for sale, but could be better used as packing filler. What the hell? I hope that natural hair becomes the norm, not for a political statement or rebellion, just because it is who we are.