I had come to realize that my baby girl having "good hair" that she can be proud of, enjoy and show off, was important. Now I had to decide what to do and where to go.
So, I started calling the top African American hair salons in the city to see if they could see her for a consult or if they could recommend a place that did children's hair. I was led finally to Kiddy Cuts in Hyde Park! When I called on the phone to make an appointment for my daughter, I explained the situation and they were totally nice to me. I brought her in. It is a salon centered on African American children, similar to Snippet's in the suburbs. They had children's decorations and toys. It is a half hour drive or so from our house, 20 minutes no traffic and I gladly make the trip.
The stylist take the girls behind the curtain and the parents cannot go back there. At first, I was nervous and I felt a little strange. I didn't want these women to judge me for not doing her hair right. I was the only Caucasian in the salon but that was okay. It occurred to me that this is what I am supposed to be doing for our daughter. Not just the hair part but putting myself in situations where I am the minority and feeling that feeling. This is something my husband and myself vowed to do often. Our whole family needs to seek out minority experiences where we are the minority and our child is in the majority on an ongoing basis.
Most of the parents drop off and the staff at the salon will call them on their cell phone when it is time to come back and pick the girls up. The process takes over 2 1/2 hours. I stayed the whole time the first 2-3 times because I was afraid she wouldn't stop crying or she wouldn't sit still but and also because I love absorbing the culture!!! The moms that came in were very nice and offered good advice. I learned that having satin pillowcases were good for her to keep her braids and her hair moisturized. I found out why the little girls I saw at the zoo had more hair than Arielle. The braiding helps the hair grow and often the stylist will add extensions to create those beautiful styles with beads with the little ones like our Arielle until their hair is long enough!
The style I choose most often is two ponytails with extensions and cornrows leading up to them. The ponytails of braids have beads in them that click click when she moves. I buy the hair at an African American hair salon (for about $1.99). You are told to bring the hair in. They loaned me some hair the first few times until I figured out where to get it.
The braids last about 2-3 weeks. I have gotten quite proficient in taking them out myself with a tweezers and a scissors and that saves us about a 1/2 hour at the salon and I then keep her hair natural for two to four days to last out the beauty shop visits. The style I have chosen costs $45-$55. I think I could do something simpler if I wanted to save some money or if it was summer and she would be swimming a lot.
Even though she is young, Arielle LOVES her hair!! She likes how her hair makes music when she moves and she is proud of all the compliments. When she is finished at the salon and they bring her out, she screams "I am beautiful!!" She likes going to see the "ladies" and doesn't cry during her visits.
There is a special book about self-acceptance titled "I Love My Hair!" written by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley and E.B. Lewis that I would recommend that you read with your little one. There is also one called "Bippity Bop Barbershop" for those with little boys.
It is good for her to be surrounded by all these little girls who look just like her and guess what.....her hair is growing!!
I am sure there are other salons throughout the city that while they may not just specialize in kids styles, will style and braid little ones hair do's. Please reply back here any you might want to recommend it the city or the suburbs.
Hair Salon:
Kiddy Cuts Salon
5229 s Woodlawn, Chicago 60605 Manager: Donna Johnson
773-288-1426 (they also have a Chicago heights location)
Hair Supply Store:
Lake Beauty Supply
1463 E. 53rd st, Chicago 773-493-8584
Viking Beauty Supply
1459 E Hyde Park
773-324-0674
Hi Ann Marie,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. It's clear that you are such a loving and caring parent that is trying to do everything for your daughter and give her everything she needs. I just wanted to offer one little correction-- the phrase "good hair" does not refer to hair that looks nice or pretty. It actually refers to hair that has more white or Native American characteristics as opposed to "nappy" African-American hair. So for example, a stylist might say about a girl with very thick, kinky hair, "she doesn't have good hair," while a person whose hair is more curly or easy to manage is called "good." That's why the title of the Chris Rock documentary is meant to be somewhat ironic-- his point is that there is no such thing as "good hair," and that all of us should love what we were born with. In a sense the phrase is a little negative because it suggests that those of us born with thick hair are less beautiful than those of us with curlier, more European-textured hair. Many people in the African-American community are trying to do away with that concept.
Good luck in the continuing hair challenge! Your girl is adorable!
P.S. Here's a video you may enjoy with Arielle if you haven't already seen it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enpFde5rgmw
Thank you for your comments. I see now the irony of the title and the situation with "good hair" much clearer. I am constantly learning and am grateful for any feedback and advice that individuals can share with me!!
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