TK

My hair is the most important part of my body for me. As a young mixed black girl it is HARD to love your body when every image of beauty you've grown up with is contradictory. Black women are curvy and dark and beautiful. White women are thin and light and beautiful. Im yellow colored, skinny as a rod with no shape to be found, but my hair is gorgeous.

Its gotten long over the years as I baby it and take care of it. The curls are bouncy and defined when I tell them to be. The volume is loud and elegant when I tell it to be. My hair shines and even changes color in gradients that I never knew they could have. It's thick. Every braiders' chair ive ever sat in has said the same thing: "Girl you got a lotta hair."

It reminds me of my dad, who was more melanated and holds my connection to my African American roots. We're both Leo's, our birthdays two days apart. The pride of being a lion comes from him. My mane is my hair and girl it is a MANE. I groom it, wash it, braid it, twist it, slather it in healthy oils and conditioners and clean water. My hair is what makes me feel beautiful whether it be my usual fro, twists, knots, or braids.