Being that it was her first day of secondary school today and she’s getting all grown up on me, I had to think a bit harder about her back to school hairstyle this year. I’m all for protective hairstyles once we’re back in school mode because it’s less maintenance and lets kids just focus on enjoying themselves. Black hair loves a protective style. Because the coil pattern makes it fragile I tend to go for styles that require little to no daily manipulation.
The year before last we went for braids with added purple bits. It was a bit of her coming into her own spirit and owning her identity. She rocked the look well and continued to wear braids on and off for most of last year as well as the year before that. For the start of secondary school, she asked not to wear extensions. I’m not sure why, it would have made my life easier had I just had to take her to the hairdressers. Less maintenance on a daily basis for her, and less anxiety on me choosing a hairstyle!
Because of the discriminatory policing of black boys and girls hair, I was a little cautious about what reception she’d receive had she come to school with hair extensions. There are far too many stories of black girls being sent home because of their canerows or extensions. Both styles are worn as protective hairstyles. They are traditionally acceptable ways to keep afro hair neat and tangle-free, yet too many schools feel it falls foul of their uniform policies.
Part of me was keen to meet any potential issues regarding the way I intended to do my daughter’s hair head-on, at the beginning of the school year. But as she didn’t go for the extensions we’ll have to wait and see how culturally aware the school is another time! I’m not expecting problems, but I wouldn’t be surprised by it either.
I wanted something that didn’t take too long as I was plaiting with a bouncy toddler next to me. We went for a simple hair style for her back to school look. A slightly wavy canerow at the front and the back out. It wasn’t meant to be half in plaits and half out, but we had to run out of the house for some last-minute school shopping when we were half way through braiding. Princess said she really liked having the back in a bin and being able to switch it up and wear it out during the week. Obviously, I put it out to the hive mind on social media and other mommas agreed that the look worked so I let her keep it!
I think this back to school hairstyle is the perfect marriage of neat and fun. It’s a semi protective style. The back is still going to need to have some daily combing, brushing and general tlc. Princes is sleeping in a satin headscarf, but I might buy her a couple of satin pillowcases instead as she tends to fidget a lot during the night and lose the scarf. The aim is to keep this style in for at least one week, possibly two – no longer. I’ve yet to find the perfect balance of products to keep her hair moisturised and shiny for long so by then, no matter what products we use, her hair will be begging for a deep conditioner.
My daughter has begun to ask for certain hairstyles for school I accommodate time permitting. If I can’t then I tell her I’ll style for a day out. It’s awesome that Princess wants to rock her natural hair as is. I like the style she choose. Very cute!
Ahh I lov Val’s hairstyles, you do such a good job. It’s lovely when they start to know what looks they like.