Is Wearing a Weave For Everyone?

November 14th, 2011 - By Charing Ball

Gayle KingTo weave or not to weave: that is the question.

No seriously, that is the question least thought about when considering whether or not to extend your tresses.  I can’t really blame folks.  The reality is that the popularity, convenience and the accessibility of hair weaves and wigs in mainstream culture has made the hair extension the informal “hat” for bad hair days.  And we just assume that if it can be sewn, boned or capped into your hair, than it is a natural fit.  Plus it doesn’t help that everyone from Beyoncé to the First Lady to your average chica shopping through the mall sports some very impressive hair extensions in different forms, styles and colors.

But just because some folks can pull a weave off, does that mean that everyone can?

Like recently I was reading an article about Gayle King (you know, Oprah’s best friend) and her new gig as co-anchor for the CBS “Early Show.” I thought that it was a good move for King, who will finally have an opportunity to shine, coming out from under the shadows of her famous gal pal.  But then as I glanced at the picture attached to the article, all the praise for her professional achievement seemed to overshadowed by the same the burning question I have always wondered about her for years and that is: “Why can’t she ever get a decent weave?”

I could understand if it is a once and a while instance. I mean, after all, not every woman can be at the top of her game at all times.  However, King’s weaves and wigs appear to always have this awkward thing happening with them. No matter the texture, the style or the color, it always looks so fictitious, so awkward, so… well, unnatural.   It probably doesn’t make sense that I used “unnatural” and “weave” in the same sentence — but a good weave is suppose to have people guessing whether it is real or not.  And a better weave shouldn’t offer any obvious distinction between your natural hair and where the weave begins.  I can always say that is NOT true for King.

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  • uniquefashionista

    I personally like wearing “weaves” or “hair extensions” or whaever you fancy to call them. I wear my hairstyle in a bob. My natural hair is not thick enough to achieve the look I want. A weave helps me to make my hair appear thicker. Because my bob is short, it all looks like my own hair. When I tell people I have a few rows added in, they are shocked. What harm is this?  I believe that whatever makes a woman feel more beautiful about herself, she should do it. Why do people get cosmetic surgery, colored contacts, fake nails, push-up bras, SPANX, make-up, etc..? These things make certain people feel better about themselves. All of these things alter a person’s true looks because it enables them to have something they are lacking. Who are you truly hurting by making yourself feel better? No one. Honestly, I have seen women of all colors with some jacked-up hair (and its their own)! But as we all know, a peson’s appearance will always be of importance to our society. If you are a celebrity or in the public eye, there will always be someone to criticize something about that person.

  • guest

    Apparently the author thinks that throwing around terms likes “wet and wavy” and spotting obviously bad weaves makes her an expert on the subject, but her very approach reveals her lack of knowledge.  I think what the author means to say is that just because a weave might require less maintenance than caring for one’s own hair, great care and effort still apply. All hairstyles must be maintained by good initial styling, products, and daily upkeep outside of the salon- price and celebrity status are not positively correlated with any of those factors or the understanding that an overly shiny or dry and mangled weave is just as bad as nappy roots that need to be relaxed or dreads in need of retwisting.

  • Ssljc

    OMG, this article had me rolling on the floor. dont forget ppl, weaves werent originally made for us. whites have been wearing weaves for decades and still do, just as much as any other race.

  • Nefijones1

    Michelle Obama does not wear a weave. 

    • astodghill

      I know she says she does not. I also think she uses clips with hair pieces to make her hair seems fuller. Sometimes it just looks like she has a little help. Not a weave per se…

    • Sofi

      Why the hell would Michelle Obama wear a weave???

  • J A SASSY

    First of all .. i always get angry when folks and the media and ignorant people refer to black women as  the  only weave wearers .. NOT TRUE.. white women wear them , and always have.. even though they prefer to call it “extensions” and leave the word weave to black women.. ITS THE SAME DAMN THING AMERICA fake hair. I dont know why pale women fail to face up to their mis-comings.. oh i know they like to put them off on black women,,,Can we get a post on non black women who  opt  to flaunt fake bootys and fake lips instead of always on black women hair, or interacial dating or something to anger black women????

    • Ssljc

      AMEN!

    • Love_Sexy

      Preach it!….Co-sign too

  • JayeTravels

    To correct one factual error, the First Lady does not wear a weave. This error and the overall tone of your article indicate your disdain for those who chose to wear weaves despite your claims to the contrary.

    It is neither your head nor your hair and thus you have no business passing judgement on the persons choice. If you can’t say anything nice, shut it.

  • locked2God

    i think they can be fun… but when they cause damage, become an obsession, a financial burden, something you can’t leave the house without, then you have a problem.

  • JustAshley

    I don’t think that thing on Serena’s head is a weave.  I think it was a lace front wig that was missing some patches. LOL! How can you be THAT rich and walk out the house like THAT? And she can’t even blame it on some sort of intoxication or substance abuse issue. Where were her girlfriends? Is this what happens when you end a relationship with the rapper Common? LOL I would be so mad at my girlfriends for letting this happen to me. LMAO. 

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