Some black women often subject themselves to risky hairstyle practices to either follow the fashion, give in to societal pressure or because of low self-worth linked with images on television, which often tell black girls that they are more beautiful if they have a more Caucasian look.
Eryca Freemantle, one of the leading makeup and skin care consultants in the industry, shares, “Research has made us aware that the problem with WOC [women of colour] sometimes goes very deep; much deeper than just wanting to have long hair, thicker hair. Sometimes it’s the pressure of society.
“In the UK, we do not have many role models in society that represent WOC, and if we do, they tend to be wearing hair extensions, weaves, wigs, and the like.
“There are only a few, actually maybe two or three in the media that look like me. Based on that, some WOC take extensions and weaves a little over the top, whereas many wear them because it just makes life a lot easier.
“Commercials and the media reflect white women to be beautiful and superior to WOC. Of course there is going to be a deep-rooted complex for some WOC seeing this. There are no TV commercials promoting shampoos, soaps, or skin products specifically for WOC, so on the surface alone, some WOC are going to want to be like their white counterparts,” she said.
“Braiding the hair over the course of history does not cause damage to the hair or scalp. However, what you will find is that part of the root of the problem is, I have been told, that the tighter the braids, the more it pulls on the skin, the more this can make the nose look straighter.”
She added that too many black women have grown up seeing white girls or girls with lighter skin tones receive better treatment—even if it is getting to play the princess in the local school play.
“At a very young age, the black girls (are being subconsciously told) that they were not worthy of being the main character in their class plays, and the boys were made to understand unconsciously that black girls were not that pretty.
“At this time, the lighter-skinned girls walked like they were goddesses because it was obvious that they were the symbol of beauty. This was the time our girls wished for white dolls for Christmas, as if they were wishing that they could play Snow White some day.
“Some say beauty is just skin deep, but it is actually an economical and political factor. We should maintain our hair and our natural given beauty by being a little gentler on ourselves.
“No need to use such harsh products and chemicals. Only we can make the difference in the beauty industry for ourselves.”
