Shingai & Me

The braids are coming out after a grand total of 3 weeks. Normally I have them in for as long as I can get away with, but for some reason, I'm itching to get this load off my head. Maybe it's the heat or perhaps I've braided my hair one too many times this year.

Anyway, thankfully I am not fussing about what my next style will be or what my 'Christmas hair' will look like. With more knowledge and fellow naturals whose hair I can admire, this year has seen me explore more options. At the same time, I think I've developed a signature style, which is different from my signature dos in the years past.

This change in style has in part been due to the singer Shingai Shoniwa. She has gotten a lot of attention on some hair blogs this year, but I first saw her earlier this year when the group she's a part of - The Noisettes - had a single Don't Upset the Rhythm playing everywhere in the U.K. Her hair is a similar texture to mine and she wears it long, though from some photos I've seen that she's not averse to incorporating extensions in some of her looks.

I paid particular attention because of her natural hair and the way she wears it, which is in a very laissez faire, casual way. The less-schooled would be tempted to think she rolled out of bed and forgot to do her hair, but I know better. The earthiness of her pompadours and puffs belies the careful sculpting and pinning that must have taken place.

I do have to say that some of her styles are not for the faint of heart. Some might even say that they fit better into the pages of magazines and the ultra-glam life of celebrities, since no one expects them to be 'normal' looking anyway. Well, I suppose being natural is not for the faint of heart either.



Introduced to this new option, I've made best friends of my bobby pins, clips and bands to twist, mould and secure my hair into new and interesting styles. These rarely take more than 15 minutes. I'm happy and I think my hair's happy too.