Like I promised last week, here is another Unbeweavable Story. I promise to keep them coming! And without further ado, this is Tamisha’s story.

Please give a little background information about yourself.

I’m a black twenty-seven year old cardiovascular sonographer. The old me would have said, “independent woman” but all that [...]]]>  

Like I promised last week, here is another Unbeweavable Story. I promise to keep them coming! And without further ado, this is Tamisha’s story.

Please give a little background information about yourself.

I’m a black twenty-seven year old cardiovascular sonographer. The old me would have said, “independent woman” but all that has changed with me getting married next month!

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! So should I ask if you are wearing weave on your wedding day?

Of course! Normally, I like to wear my hair with lots of body, jet black and with tons of layers. For the wedding, I’m thinking an updo—but nothing stiff and old-fashioned. Definitely something soft.

In the picture, your weave is right at shoulder-length. Some may ask why even bother to wear it if it’s not long.

That’s the thing, most people think you have to wear weave because you want super long hair. With me it’s just the opposite—my hair is shoulder-length and I wear weave for added body and fullness.

Are you embarrassed to wear weave?

I’m definitely not embarrassed, I actually feel more comfortable with it. My weave has become a part of my everyday attire. I would even go as far to say it’s the most important accessory to my outfit. You can dress up a t-shirt and jeans with fabulous hair, but you can’t throw on an evening gown with your hair a mess. So, no I’m not embarrassed, how could I be when my weave keeps me looking fabulous?

How do you feel about women that pretend that their weave is their natural hair?

Honestly, I don’t feel anything because that’s how I feel! Sometimes I have to remember that I’m wearing a weave, I treat it just like my natural hair. Most people just assume that it’s my hair, I guess because the length I wear it is attainable for most women. So I just let people assume it’s mine, no harm no foul. I really have to give the credit to my stylist though. She keeps my weave looking so natural that it’s hard to convince people it isn’t mine!

Are you open and honest about the fact that you wear a weave?

To a certain extent I am. I mean, my friends and family know I wear a weave. But I don’t go around announcing it. If someone compliments my hair, I simply say, “Thank you,” and keep moving. No reason to give full disclosure with everything.

Do you hate when people ask if you are wearing a weave?

It really depends on where I am and the circumstances. Women can be catty, so if a woman asks me if I’m wearing a weave just to clown me, then I get upset. But if someone genuinely likes my hair and wants to know how they can achieve the same look, I give them the number to my stylist. It just depends on how tactful they are when they approach me.

How do you feel when someone tries to “root” you? (When someone feels your hair/scalp for tracks.)

VIOLATED! That is the ultimate no-no! Touching a woman’s hair is not something you do on impulse. People need to ask permission to touch my hair.

What is your friends/family reaction to your weave?

They absolutely love it! Some of my family members now wear weave themselves because of how much they like my hair. My stylist sure is happy!

How does your husband/spouse feel about your weave?

He loves it too! Which is really surprising because you hear all the time about black men, (or any man for that matter) hating their woman wearing a weave. But I feel very fortunate, he loves my hair and loves how I really take care of myself in that way. Nails done, hair done, pedicure done—he’s a happy man! But it’s more than that, he loves me and understands that this is a part of who I am. He must love it because we’re getting married in two weeks!

I know you are so excited! Name a celebrity whose weave you admire and why?

I really like Nia Long’s hair. I know she cut it recently—and it looks great short—but I really liked her hair the way it was styled in that movie, Love Jones. 

That length, and sometimes a little longer with more body—those two looks are my favorite styles.

And I know she has a few pieces in there somewhere! Trust me, a weave can spot another weave!

So true! Tell me, since you love your weave have you ever had a bad weave experience?

Once I got braids—I hated it! They really didn’t look good on me, and even worse it broke my hair off around the edges. Maybe, it was the stylist, but either way I won’t ever be doing that again.

You keep talking about this great stylist you have—does she give you any tips to take care of your hair at home?

Of course! She knows how much I love my hair to move and to have body so she told me to just add a few velcro rollers at the top of my head while I’m getting ready for work. It does the job, giving me fullness without looking like I’m about to enter a beauty pageant! Also, she reminds me never to go to bed with my hair wet—something I don’t have to worry about because she shampoos my hair every week!

Some women feel that women who choose to wear a weave want to be “white” or are denying their heritage by adopting long locks. What are your thoughts on that?

First off, great question. It really upsets me when women judge one another based on a hairstyle. It’s ignorant and immature when you get right down to it. Everyone has a right to wear their hair how they want—to express themselves and their personality through their hair. If you are wearing a hairstyle that makes YOU feel good and look better, then why not wear it? People will have something to say no matter how you choose to wear your hair, so wear your hair how you want to. As far as I’m concerned, women should wear their hair to please themselves. It’s not a competition. Only you know who you are, and who you come from, and that stems from something deeper than hair. That stems from the heart.

Thanks Tamisha for your lovely and insightful answers and congrats on your upcoming wedding!

Unbeweavable is a term I’ve coined that describes a woman who loves her weave. Do you love your weave? Addicted to your weave? Love the versatility that your weave provides? Contact me and share your Unbeweavable story. Have questions? Feel free to share your thoughts and views in the comments section.