I’m a visual person. I’m inspired by words I read and images I see. When I’m not feeling as patient towards my hair growth and need some inspiration, I look at other ladies pics with similar hair to me. If you are like me and need some inspiration or just want to ogle, here you go:
All images courtesy of Tumblr
I’m always on the lookout for new protective styles, as I usually have a protective style about 90% of the year.
Recently I’ve been thinking of getting crochet braids done. I’ve thought of doing them on my own, but I’m not great at plaiting cornrows on my head, let alone crocheting pieces of hair into them. So I’ve decided to search for hairdressers in Harare who do it, I heard that there are a few.
What is crochet braiding?
A crochet needle is used to weave packaged, usually synthetic, hair into natural hair that has been French braided or braided into corn rows. Crochet braids, despite the name, are actually closer to sew in weaves than actual braids.
What is the difference with sew-in weaving?
Sew-in weaves are hair extensions sewn into tracks, placing more tension on the hair. Crochet braids use crochet needles (latch hooks) to loop bulk pieces of hair extension onto cornrows.
Advantages
• Low cost and low maintenance way to protect hair
• Give better access to the scalp than other protective styles, such as sew-in weaves
• Don’t require hair glue or caps, making them easier on the scalp
• Place less stress on edges
• Look very natural, especially with natural looking extensions
Here are a few pics:
All images can be found on the Tumblr page.
It would be awesome if I could go to work with my hair, looking like this since my hair grows out naturally like that: 
No matter how beautiful she looks, it just wouldn’t be acceptable where I work. Although Zimbabwe is a southern African country, and one would think that in Africa, where the majority of the population is black, there would be more acceptance of natural hair. This is not the case at all. Mostly due to the damage from our colonial past, natural hair especially in a formal work environment, is frowned upon. I’ve heard people at my workplace say that if your hair isn’t relaxed or weaved, you are not groomed. Adding to the fact, that in general Zimbabwe is still quite conservative, going to work with hair that does not look sleek is considered untidy. I am trying to figure out how I can have my hair done for work without having to get box braids or wear a wig. HR hasn’t complained about my afro puffs or braided hair, but I do occasionally get comments such as ‘I thought you were paid enough to get your hair done’ or ‘you really should straighten your hair, it would be so long’. For those who struggle with workplace hair, here are a few ideas that I also look forward to trying:
With short hair it’s more acceptable and not as much is needed to make it so
Perfect for work, from waist up 🙂
I will definitely try bantu knots outs on a Friday
I’ve done two flat twists around my head, which seemed ok. Will try this one see how it goes
This might be pushing it…
Cornrows are worth a shot too
And… For when my hair gets longer
There are definately going to be more pics as I get more ideas for work.
I’ve met a few new naturals with type 4 hair who struggle with their texture and loving their hair at the beginning. I too at the beginning wished my hair looked curly like this:
OR 
My hair curls but not in a defined way throughout my head and I seem to have different textures too. Plus my hair is fine and not thick, which I’ve always known and should be used to by now. I’m growing to love my hair as I get used to taking care of it and discovering what works and doesn’t work. It’s a journey.
Through the media we see a lot of naturals with the looser hair texture, yet there is a lot of inspiration of girls rocking their type 4 natural hair:
Source of all pics is Tumblr
Some more yarn inspiration for hair:
I LOOOOVE yarn twists, braids, wraps, locs or genie locs. I think dreadlocks are beautiful and yarn twists, etc are beautiful too, especially after a few weeks and look like dreadlocks. I presently have yarn twists that I did myself so I looked for more inspiration for y’all to look at.
Enjoy…
All images are courtesy of Tumblr
The world’s largest afro officially belongs to… 38 year old social worker Aevin Dugas of New Orleans in the US with 4 feet 4 inches in circumference of natural hair.
Aevin Dugas and her huge afro
Whoa, that’s less than a foot shorter than my height!
She’s had natural hair for now 13 years, so naturally, I was curious about her regimen:
Her hair interview via Naturally Curly:
How long have you been natural and how did you wear your hair before you did so?
I’ve been natural for 12 years. I wore my hair in relaxed various styles before.
What was your transitioning process like? What spurred the change?
I transitioned for a year—getting my hair braided, rodding, etc. Then, after a year, I was comfortable with my length, so I finally cut the ends off. It was easy once I figured out how to style it, and then I was ready for the big chop.
Many women experience a negative reaction from friends and family when they decide to go natural. What has your experience been like?
I did have a negative reaction from one family member, but other than that everyone loved it! Needless to say, that family member’s spouse ended up going natural too! Haha!
What is your current regimen and what are you go-to products?
My regimen is pretty simple. I shampoo with Suave Clarifying, then follow with Suave Almond and Shea and Garnier Fruictis Triple Nutrition. Then I condition with Aussie Moist, Garnier Fructis Triple nutrition, Pantene Nature Fusion Moisture Balance, Pantene Beautiful Lengths and Dove Intense Moisture. During the week I work out, so I leave the conditioner in and put my hair up into a donut or a French braid. Then by Thursday, if I have plans for the weekend, I’ll rinse the conditioner, shampoo again with the Triple Nutrition and then style.
Believe it or not, I use a lot of over-the-counter products. One of my favorites is Aussie 3 Minute Miracle!!
So many women struggle with the grow-out process: breakage, shrinkage, moisture, and even lack of ideas for hairstyles! How did you handle those issues?
Back then, there weren’t any sites that I knew of to help or offer advice, so I had to be creative. For styles, I would just think of a style and try it, and luckily it would always come out cute! Thank goodness!
What are your go-to hairstyles, and how do you get your signature ‘fro?
My go-to hairstyle is either a donut, French braids or a two-strand twist. As for my afro, in the winter is the best time to wear it! My own personal earmuffs!
I shampoo, condition then put it into two French braids. Let them air dry, then take them loose, add a little moisturizer, then pick them out one at a time. I spray a little water on it to shape it to my liking.
Has your natural hair empowered you or helped you to find yourself in a way that relaxed hair never did?
Actually, it has to a degree! I’ve gotten to a point where any black woman I saw, I was trying to convince her to go natural.
How do people react when you wear your Afro?
They love it, want to touch it and take pictures of it!
As far the touching, there is definitely a natural hair fascination in our culture! What are your thoughts on boundaries when it comes to touching without asking?
I didn’t mind at one time, but recently I had someone pull it. With that being said, I don’t think too many people will be allowed to touch it anytime soon.
On a different note, this is the first year that the Guinness World Records has recorded the world’s largest afro category. Do you think that this is a major marker in the natural hair movement, reinforcing the idea that natural hair is not just a trend, but a lifestyle?
At first I thought it was just a contest. But now that I see how people responded to the record, I think it’s wonderful for the natural hair community! All races were excited about the afro and really showed a lot of respect for our natural hair.
What advice would you give women who are just beginning their own natural hair journey?
Patience, deep conditioning and creativity!
The key word I got here is PATIENCE!!!
Tafi's Tresses 
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