MANE VOL.1
WELCOME TO MANE We are a cool ass zine that embraces the beauty in black hair Whether you have curly or kinky hair just know that it slays.
YASS CURL
TO SLAY THE MANE OR TO BURN THE MANE As a child, I always thought I would grow up to have long straight gorgeous black hair like Beyoncé or Naomi Campbell. A young me at one time even use to think that once you got to a certain age your hair just magically went straight. Silly; I know, but not unbelievable for a 6-year-old of my race. Growing up I hardly saw any black women around with kinky curly hair. While attending primary school, there wasn’t many students of the African/ Caribbean culture. So, little me just wanted to be a part of the ‘flick my long hair’ group while I was still stuck with the same old cornrow look. Although other girls use to compliment me on my cute hairstyles, I always hated that my hair wasn’t out. It was sad to know at that time that I favoured a Caucasian type hair rather to my own. If only I saw the beauty in my curls then. All the women of my family or most black females on TV and magazines all had this glorious long hair, which to me seemed normal, but little did I know a little creamy crack and a couple weave tracks was the perfect illusion. Creamy crack. Something I and a million other black women was a victim of. I bet you guys are thinking “Creamy Crack?! What the Hell is that? Is that a new drug or something?” To be honest it is as addicting as a drug and quite satisfying too. Now let me explain exactly what a relaxer is to all those people that is puzzled by the word.
A
relaxer
aka
creamy crack aka
nap antidote aka Sodium Hydroxide
Hydroxide is hair product which comes in a thick cream like form changes a person natural curl pattern chemically so its straight. Which can last from about 3 to 6 months. Relaxers are done in hairdressers and purchased from black hair beauty supply shops where women can do there relaxing within their own homes. Now don’t be fooled by the comforting name, relaxer. There is nothing relaxing about it.
Let me go through the steps so you know how unrelaxing it is. STEP 1 – Put a huge amount of Vaseline around your whole hair line and in your ears. Yup I said ears This stops the relaxer from burning your skin and Yup I said Burning. STEP 2 – Splitting your hair into 4 parts then working in one area, apply the product like you would if you were colouring the hair except the chemicals are 10 times worse and the fumes can damage your lungs but it’s okay because in a couple of hours you’ll have straight hair. STEP 3 – Once you applied half a bowl of relaxer on your hair leave on for about 15 to 20 minutes or for a tingling sensation to a burning horror. STEP 4 – Wash out relaxer until it’s all gone then use a neutralizing shampoo to stop the relaxer from developing any further. STEP 5 – After about 3 to 4 hours your hair will be nice and straight and never get your curls again. J
So now you understand the process of a relaxer, I bet your wondering why would women do this whole process every couple of months? I’ll tell you why, it’s because we get to see ourselves in a look we have never seen before and we love it. To be able to flick your hair and see it bounce while you’re walking. At least every woman knows the feeling of when she just comes out the hairdressers and walks down the road feeling like a runway model. Well that’s the feeling how us black women get when are hair is relaxed. We feel beautiful. But why can’t we feel beautiful with our curls, kinks and coils? Yes, I am pro natural hair and always will be. Since transitioning from relaxed hair to natural, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The natural hair movement has made a huge success on helping women love there fros (afros) and it’s great that it has become mainstream again. One of the main reason why the black culture is promoting and feeling proud of their heritage is because the world is finally more open to accepting different cultures as the world has become smaller through social media and Online activity. For the last couple years, black hair tutorials have populated YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, for tips and tricks on helping young women and even men on understanding their natural hair. There’s a lot more people of colour with natural hair in the media and now women don’t only have something to look up to but can take pride in their natural appearance. It is unfortunate that still many women don’t feel comfortable with their natural hair. Although we can’t fully love our hair if it isn’t accepted in society. Throughout the UK, US and other countries it has been reported that “afro hair is unprofessional”. Why is our hair unprofessional and other races natural hair is okay? Why must we have a weave to be equal? A small fro, a top knot bun and a low pony must be one of the craziest hairstyles around then, if there not professional, sarcasm aside we’re here to tell you girl that your hair is beautiful and it must be celebrated as its not only a part of who you are but your rich cultural history.
but dat hair doe
HEY CURL
WORK YOUR MANE
NEW CURLS ON THE BLOCK Interview with Shivon Oshodi A new Natural
Is your hair natural or chemically straighten? Shivon – Natural How long have you been natural for? Shivon - A few years’ now Why did you decided to become natural? Shivon – Because I didn’t want to have relaxed hair anymore, I wanted my natural hair back so I could look after it and be healthy. Would you ever relax your hair again? Shivon – No. What’s your opinion on relaxers? Shivon – urm, my opinion? I just feel that it’s really bad for your hair and I’ll rather no one relax their hair Are you familiar or aware of the natural hair movement? Shivon – Yes, I know it just like encouraging black girls to feel comfortable with their natural hair and loving their curls What’s your opinion on wigs, weaves and extensions? Shivon - I feel no way about it, I love them. I’ll rock a wig one month and braids the next. What does your hair mean to you? Shivon – It means a lot cause like that’s me, like my background is African/Caribbean
so having my natural hair is something I’m proud to have. How would you feel, first impressions, if you work up one day and all your hair was gone? Shivon – I would cry, hahaha, I can’t. I’m not amber rose out here. I would have to have my hair, cause it means everything to me, I love styling my hair and stuff so… Okay so how do you think you feel if you were bald for a while? Shivon – I’ll probably get used to it, but I can’t have my hair short forever. As a child, how was your hair styled? Shivon – DooDoo plaits, hahaha. Okay well it wasn’t doodoo plaits but it was in cornrows or bobbles OR the beads, hahaha Shivon – ha-ha yup As a child, did you ever wish you could have straight hair or long curly hair like other kids? Shivon – urm…I don’t remember me thinking that way ya know Or how about secondary school times? Shivon – I only started wearing weave. Literally in year 9 OMG SAME Shivon – yeah before I never use to wear extensi- , well I wore extensions but I never use to wear weave though. And like I only had extensions not because I wanted longer hair but because it was something different. So, did you have straight weave? Did you ever feel like you had to have it like that to fit in? Shivon – well I just liked it, back then too it was easier to have my hair in weave and it was easier in the mornings cause you had them 9.00 o’clock starts, hahaha What do you think about girls who embrace their natural hair? Shivon – I love them Aww Shivon – ha-ha yeah it encourages me as well, especially where were from a lot of black girls are uncomfortable with themselves. Having people to like lookup to is good. And last question, what do you love about your hair? Shivon – I just love the naturalness and the curliness and that’s its mine.
curly crazy cool
CURLY AF Is your hair natural or chemically straighten? Hazel – My hair is natural How long have you been natural for? Hazel – About 3 or 4 years
and I would feel a bit self-conscious Okay, so those would be your first impression, how do you think you will fell after a while? Hazel – once I got used to it I think I will be okay.
Why did you turn natural? Hazel – I felt like I didn’t need to relax my hair As a child, how was your hair styled? anymore, because it was getting thinner and it will Hazel – Plaits, twist… be manageable Was it your natural hair? Hazel – yes, my natural hair How long were you relaxing your hair before you So, your mother never relaxed your started transitioning? hair? Hazel – Oh gosh (laughs) urm.. Hazel – no, that didn’t happen till I was 10? 16 Hazel – Over 20 years Did you decided to do that or your mum? 20 years!? Hazel – it was a joint decision Hazel – yeah 20 definitely Did you ever look at other kids as a Are you familiar or aware of the natural hair child and wish you had their hair? movement? Hazel – Maybe straighter hair cause I Hazel – Not really had tightish curls Would you like me to explain it ? Hazel – yeah What do you love about your hair? The natural hair movement is a movement which Hazel – what I love about my hair now encourages women of African/ Caribbean is because its so versatile, ca n either background to keep their natural afro textured have it straight or curly and I actually hair enjoy my curly hair more now. What’s your opinion on wigs, weaves and extensions? So do you prefer curly hair rather Hazel – Me personally wouldn’t use any of them, I than straight? think they do look good on people that use them. Hazel – yeah definitely So, have you tried it? Nope, never had a wig or extensions Will you ever? Interview with hazel williams Nope …unless I had to, like if I went bald tomorrow I a happy natural that loves her would definitely wear a wig. curls That’s actually a question How would you feel if you woke up one day bald? Hazel – I’ll be devastated if I didn’t have any hair left
------SLAY CURL -------
THESE ARE BANTU
KNOTS NOT MINI BUNS
Interview with l’oreal haughton gordon A full natural thats never had a relxer Is your hair natural or chemically straighten? L’Oréal – Natural How long have you been natural? L’Oréal – All my life Would you ever get a relaxer? L’Oréal – never Why? L’Oréal – Apparently, it damages your hair and I love my hair as it is, I have quite reasonable long hair and its healthy and thick. So yeah, relaxer is defo not an option. Are you familiar or aware of the natural hair movement? L’Oréal – I know it’s like celebrating black hair cause I’ve seen pictures on insta and Tumblr of girls with their afro hair out and not straighten or not doing anything that could damage it. What’s your opinion on wigs, weaves and extensions? L’Oréal - I mean, obviously not everyone has nice hair. I feel like if its makes people feel good then do it. Have you ever done wigs, extensions and weaves? L’Oréal – yeah, I’ve gotten extensions, locs and all of it disagreed with my hair. It started pulling on my hair. I had a wig, in fact I HAVE a wig and I like them. What would you do if you woke up and all your hair was gone? L’Oréal - I would be so gutted. I don’t even know. I would be crying so much cause the way I love my hair. Do you feel like your haiL’Oréal - it’s me like Like its apart of you L’Oréal - yeah As a child, how was your hair styled? L’Oréal - My mum always use to cornrow it. Never straighten I only got to straighten my hair until secondary school. The only heat used was the blow dryer and it wasn’t often like a every 3 week type of thing. As a child, did you ever wish you could have straight hair or long curly hair like other kids? L’Oréal - No, people use to look at me and said I wish I had her hair ha-ha what do you love about your hair? L’Oréal - I love that its thick, full, easy to manage and I love it
i don’t need no creamy crack
YAS
YAS
HAIR TERMS Natural – when your hair isn’t relaxed Kinky – when your hair texture has a naturally tight curl or coil Head scarf – any piece of fabric that’ll cover a black girl’s hair at night Co wash – conditioner
washing
your
hair
only
with
TWA – Tweeny Weeny Afro Big Chop – cut off all your relaxed ends while keeping your natural hair or new growth
Twist out – unravelled two strand twist. A basic beginner style for new naturals Bantu Knot – unravelled create big defined curls
china
bumps
that
LAID – when your hair looks really good, or when your edges are living their best life Hair type – the texture of your hair Deep conditioner – most naturals do a deep conditioner weekly to prevent damage to hair Stretch – when you pull to straighten your curls to show how long your hair really is