My life, through my hair Celeb hair journeys

Wearing my natural hair at the 2012 Oscars was a revelation because we’re told so often how we’re ‘supposed’ to look like. We’re told natural hair isn’t formal. We spend our entire lives with memories of straightening combs, weaves that take seven hours to put in, trying out a myriad of different products. To finally dare to step out with my hair was my way of denying all of that. It was a redefinition of a definition. It catapulted me into my quest for authenticity.

I find that there are not as many people – men – who pay attention to you when you’re natural. Notice I said ‘many’. This said, ‘many’ depends on the tightness of the curl, the length of the ‘Fro, whether you’re dark skinned or light skinned, and how old you are. But when people do see you, they really see you. My husband, Julius Tennon, loves my natural hair. I tell single women all the time, “All you need is one person who loves you.” It doesn’t matter if the whole room pays attention to you.

I simply see my hair as me. My hair is my way of belonging to myself. It takes so much effort to put on that mask of acceptance. It’s so much work – there’s less energy to love and be present in your life. When I wear my hair natural, I’m giving myself permission to be authentic. – VIOLA DAVIS, ACTRESS

When I was a little kid, my mom would trim my fringe when it was time to get school pictures taken. If I knew that was coming, I’d get the scissors and cut them myself. I thought I was being so helpful. I thought I was going to make her so proud. I have so many funny pictures because I’d have these chops all around my face. I cut my own kids’ hair, too, and I knew they’d reached a stage of grown-up-ness when they’d say, “Uhm, mom, I would like to go to the salon.” I think hair represents periods of time: just like an item of clothing or a song can take you back, so can a hairdo. It’s like a little time machine. I think it’s wonderful when anything can jog a memory.

I have curly hair, and I’m wearing it like that [more often]. I think that’s very representative of the fact that I don’t want to feel like I need anything. We’ve all gotten to a place, once or twice, where hair becomes overwhelming, like a second job you don’t get paid for. Now it’s a mystery what’s going to happen when I get out of the shower, and I like that. Do I have a little more swag when my hair is purple? I’d like to think so, but no one has given me that compliment. – NICOLE RICHIE, ACTRESS