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.

Dress: Marshalls (similar, similar) | Shoes: ShoeDazzle (similar, similar)

Hello Lovelies!

Today’s post is pretty personal to me and I know many of you have had a similar journey to mine. 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! 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, myself 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 regular basis throughout 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 a friend of mine told me her mother 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 for my summer job was a black woman so she was all for me wearing my natural hair. She made me feel comfortable trying out new styles and I so appreciate that. I didn’t have to wonder if she would think I was unprofessional for trying out all the styles I was finding 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! With it being my first real job and not having anyone at the office who looked like me, I was compelled to play it safe. I did’t want anyone asking me questions about my hair or even worse, trying to touch it. I wasn’t ready for the potentially awkward conversations that come with people not understanding your culture. I’m not sure when I bit the bullet and started wearing my hair natural, but when I did it was not the awkward experience I thought it would be. I don’t even remember 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 fro and switching things up as I please. Of course I make sure not to cross the line of doing anything that can truly be deemed unprofessional, but I’ve worn every hairstyle I’ve ever wanted to. From twist outs, to braids, twists, weaves, I’ve switched my look up quite a bit and still keep it tame enough for the workplace. I think the key in becoming comfortable with wearing your natural hair to exude confidence. When you wear your hair and your clothes confidently, people can’t help but to respect it. If you’re still struggling with feeling comfortable wearing your natural hair 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 all switch up your hairstyles a lot at work? What are some of your favorite styles to rock? Comment below!

Until next time,