Rediscovering My Natural Hair: A Quarantine Journey
How social distancing led to self-discovery and reconnection with natural hair, resilience, and inner beauty.
I’ve Never Had to Take Out My Own Weave—Until Quarantine
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill and, for many, left far more than roots exposed. For over a decade, I had managed to sidestep my natural hair. Life was a dizzying cycle of appointments and deadlines, my look streamlined by tightly sewn-in weaves that shielded my curls from sight and my schedule from chaos. But when lockdown orders hit, salons shuttered, and I was overdue for a take-down, there was no stylist to call—just me, my hands, and the unraveling seams of an old comfort.
When COVID-19 Stopped Everything
This time was different. Like so many others, I found myself battling both the emotional strain of a pandemic and the tangible disarray of daily life. My energy, usually bottomless, was spent. All I could do was rest—a novel feeling for someone so used to running on fumes. Self-care became less about beauty routines and more about survival, from homemade immunity tonics to coconut oil massages for overwashed hands.
But the question of what to do with my hair loomed. After years of relying on extensions and protective styles, I stared down an uncomfortable fact: I hadn’t truly styled or even touched my real hair in more than ten years. The notion of maneuvering through a weave takedown alone was daunting. My stylist, who had become an anchor through the years, was now on the other side of a phone line, unable to help as tracks dangled by literal threads.
The Weave: A Shield and a Shortcut
Weaves had been my salvation. Sew-ins fit my frantic schedule; they didn’t demand much daily styling and helped me meet the beauty expectations I had internalized from the start of my career. Long, straight extensions projected an image of poise and polish—attributes that felt essential in early-2000s publishing, a realm where very few Black women, let alone those with natural hair, stood in editorial boardrooms.
- Low maintenance
- A ‘polished’ appearance for professional environments
- Minimal day-to-day effort
There was an unspoken pressure: to be polished, to fit in, to look the part. I had long ago accepted that my natural hair, in all its coily unpredictability, just wasn’t ‘enough.’ I internalized that sleek, straight, and manageable hair was what success looked like, not my untouched curls.
Rediscovering My Real Hair in Quarantine
Quarantine stripped away all that noise. No more packed schedules, no more hiding behind extensions. With nowhere to go, I finally gave my natural hair—and myself—some attention. At first, it was intimidating. The hair I’d kept hidden for years felt foreign. And yet, as I gently unraveled my braids and released the tracks, there was an undeniable sense of relief. I began experimenting, gingerly at first, then with increasing curiosity:
- Loose plaits on relaxed days
- Two-strand twists for protection
- Free curls left to air-dry on lazy mornings
- A sleek, blow-dried ponytail when routine called
Without deadline pressures or perpetual visibility, I could genuinely get to know my hair—its texture, needs, and moods. Each new style was a small act of reacquaintance, sometimes awkward but always honest. I found beauty in imperfection and freedom in embracing what I had long concealed.
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Unpacking Beauty Standards: Why I Hid My Natural Hair
Looking back, it’s clear that my attachment to extensions went deeper than convenience. For Black women in professional spaces, hair often becomes a silent battleground—one fraught with judgments, assumptions, and the constant negotiation between authenticity and acceptability. When I started my career, there were hardly any visible editors or executives who wore their natural texture. The unsaid rule was clear: straight, smooth hair was the currency of credibility.
This pressure didn’t just shape my image—it shaped my sense of worth. I convinced myself that my natural texture needed to be hidden and controlled, both in the mirror and in the world. Only now, with time and space to reflect, could I see just how much I had internalized the belief that my real hair wasn’t good enough.
The Emotional Journey: Frustration, Discovery, and Acceptance
Unlocking my natural hair wasn’t just a physical process—it was deeply emotional. There were days of frustration, wrestling with detangling sessions, uneven parts, and unpredictable textures. But there were also moments of discovery: realizing the versatility of my coils, the unique patterns that formed when left unmanipulated, and the sense of pride that bubbled up, quietly but insistently, with every new experiment.
With practice, I started to appreciate the rituals of care, the time spent nourishing my scalp, and the gentle patience that curls demand. Quarantine, for all its hardship, became a rare window of kindness: permission to slow down, to learn, to undo years of self-dismissal with each style I tried.
Reclaiming My Narrative in Beauty and Beyond
Social distancing meant no office meetings or industry events—no external gaze to judge whether my hair passed muster. For the first time, my hair didn’t have to be “presentable”; it only needed to be present, to be itself. This relief allowed me to shed old narratives and recalibrate my relationship with beauty, worth, and authenticity.
| Old Belief | New Perspective |
|---|---|
| Straight hair equals success | Confidence comes from embracing myself, not conformity |
| Natural hair isn’t professional | Authenticity is powerful in any setting |
| Extensions are easier | Managing my curls is an act of self-care |
This process wasn’t easy, but it was empowering—a slow, often clumsy journey toward self-acceptance that extended far beyond hair care. I was learning to wear my real self, not just my real hair.
Tips for Starting Your Own Natural Hair Journey
- Be patient. Detangling, moisturizing, and learning what your hair needs is a practice, not a one-off event.
- Experiment with styles. Try twists, braids, or wash-and-gos to discover what feels best for you.
- Invest in hydration. Curl patterns thrive when moisturized; deep conditioning treatments can be transformative.
- Protect at night. Use silk or satin scarves, bonnets, or pillowcases to reduce friction and breakage.
- Seek community. Online groups and hashtags like #QuarantineCurls make it easier to find support and styling tips.
The Silver Lining of Lockdown
Social distancing has brought pain and loss, but it has also granted space for self-examination. In learning to embrace my own curls, I found unexpected joy: the softness of natural hair, the thrill of a perfect twist-out, the reminder that beauty need not be dictated by external standards. Being on lockdown offered the gentle courage to reclaim parts of myself long pushed aside.
Perhaps most powerfully, time alone fostered deeper self-compassion. My hair, just like the rest of me, is worthy of love—messy buns, shrunken twist-outs, errant edges and all.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is it hard to take out your own weave or extensions for the first time?
A: For many, yes. It can be physically tricky and emotionally charged, especially if you haven’t dealt with your natural hair in a long time. Take your time, use good tools, and don’t be afraid to call a friend or stylist for advice.
Q: What are some beginner-friendly styles for natural hair?
A: Simple two-strand twists, loose plaits, wash-and-gos, and sleek ponytails are all approachable styles if you’re just getting to know your hair texture.
Q: How do I keep my natural hair healthy while trying new styles at home?
A: Prioritize moisture, gentle detangling, and protective styling. Avoid excessive heat and harsh treatments, and always shield your hair at night with silk or satin accessories.
Q: Is it normal to feel nervous or insecure about wearing natural hair?
A: Absolutely. Many people experience anxiety about stepping outside beauty standards they’ve internalized. Find support, take small steps, and remember that your natural hair is worthy of being seen and celebrated.
Final Reflections: After the Unlock
As salons reopen and routines resume, I know I’ll likely return to my stylist one day. But I carry something precious from this pause: a genuine relationship with the hair I once hid, and the resilience to nurture and protect it. The journey back to my natural hair wasn’t planned, but it was long overdue—and beautifully worth it.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a32225846/quarantine-natural-hair-essay/
- https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/04/9670394/coronavirus-natural-hair-curls-quarantine
- https://fashionista.com/2020/11/natural-curly-hair-texture-essay
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a32380411/box-braids-social-distancing-essay/
- https://coveteur.com/2020/08/18/natural-hair-damage-essay/
- https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/05/9779123/coronavirus-natural-hair-afro-quarantine
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