Natural Hair at Work-My Personal Journey Being Natural in Corporate America

Have you ever been nervous to wear your natural hair to an interview or your first day of work?  Do you wonder how people will react to you switching up your hairstyle at work? My personal journey has taught me to embrace my natural hair in any and every work environment.

My experience with natural hair at work

Today’s post is pretty personal to me, and I know many of you have had a similar journey. Natural hair is one of the most beautiful things in the world to me & I love being in a room full of Black women embracing the versatility of our hair. How Black women wear their natural hair at work has been a huge topic of conversation for years.

The beginning of my experiences with Corporate America started right when the natural hair movement was picking back up in full steam. Of course, many people, me included, were wearing their hair natural prior to the movement but this is when we started to see an influx in natural hair products and YouTubers teaching us how to care for our natural curls.

I’ve never had a perm but I would get my hair pressed on a regularly during my teenage years. The summer after my freshman year of college I started wearing wash & go’s because they were easier to maintain in the heat. I was applying for summer jobs and a few days before a big interview, my friend’s mom suggested I straighten my hair to look more professional. I talked to my mom about it, and she agreed. I battled with myself on what to do; I didn’t want to risk being rejected for the job, but I didn’t want to compromise how I felt about myself. Why would my natural hair be the determining factor in whether or not I got the job? Why not my skill set and personality? I found common ground by pulling my hair up into a bun and wearing it that way for a while after I got the job.

My boss was a black woman, so she was all for me wearing my natural hair at work. She made me feel comfortable trying out new styles and I truly appreciated that. I didn’t have to wonder if she would think I was unprofessional for trying the styles I found on YouTube. Throughout college, I went back and forth between wearing my hair natural, straight, & different protective styles.

When it came time for my first post-graduate job, I wore my hair straight for a LONG time. Since it was my first real job, and I was the only Black woman, I was compelled to play it safe. I wasn’t ready for the awkward conversations that come with people not understanding your culture. I’m not sure when I finally started wearing my hair natural at work, but it was not the awkward experience I anticipated. I don’t even recall anyone commenting on the difference between my natural and straight hair.

By the time I moved back home and got a new job I was more than comfortable wearing my natural curls. From twist outs, to braids, twists, and weaves—I’ve switched my look up quite a bit and still keep it professional. I think the key to being comfortable with wearing your natural hair at work to exude confidence. When you wear your hair and your clothes confidently, people can’t help but to respect it.

If you struggle with feeling comfortable wearing your natural curls just know that the way your hair grows out of your scalp is beautiful, unique, and deserves to be flaunted for the world to see.

Do you switch up your natural hair at work? What are some of your favorite styles to rock? Comment below!

Until next time,