Woman with the broad rim hat whispers: Girl you see what she got on and oh that hair, you think she would do something with it when she enters the house of the Lord.

Woman sitting next to her with an equally large hat whispers back: Girl I know, I don’t know why these young people think they can come up in here just looking any kinda way. They call that style a twist out or some nonsense, she need a comb and a brush and some good old grease. Let us pray for her!

Both women clasp hands and bow their heads in prayer for the poor girl with the twist out.

Ooh chruch folk, gotta love em right? Now that exchange was not meant to offend, it is just good humor but we have all been there. We might get a side eye for our choice in hair style as we walk daintily down the isle between the pews, we might even notice someone else getting it and shake our head hoping she just hurries up and sits down. The question is should we choose conservative styles for church?

Believe it or not this is not just a church problem. There are women in many workplaces getting those same dirty looks whether from black women or of other races because despite the explosion of the natural hair movement, not everyone is smitten with ‘the new’ styles nor accepting of them.

The reality is that as free as the fashion world might be, there are extremely close-minded individuals who don’t live according to the trends or what’s hot, they live in a colorless bubble and if that’s not bad enough they want you to live in it too.

To answer my own question above, I would say a resounding ‘no’ but that’s me, I enjoy my right to privacy, pursuit of happiness, and hairstyle should always be my own decision despite what anyone else might think.

For other women though, they might decide, ehh why rock the boat while others feel there are other more important things to fight over. Wherever you fall, the decision must be yours on how to approach the problem of not fitting into a conservative atmosphere.

Now do not think that I am a prude I know there is a time and place for everything, and while I might not wear my roller set to the beach, I might prefer a conservative style for church it just depends. The thing is, our natural tresses are so versatile we can in fact create some amazing conservative hairstyles that will almost everyone happy.

With that said, if you are looking for a more conservative look for church here are a few tutorials that we think can really help:

Defined Curls TWA Pixie Hairstyle on Natural Hair

Carmen from My Natural Sistas has got a great style for naturals in the TWA stage. Some women feel TWAs are limited but they are only as limited as you make them. The magic is in the method and all that’s needed is a water bottle, gel, a comb for parting and your denman brush*.

This curly style (whether natural or created) is lovely and looks like old Hollywood glam that will be great for church, work and even an evening out.  Conservative and classy and still very trendy.

Natural Hair: Easy Milkmaid Twists

Jess aka MahoganyCurls has got amazing hair and beautiful styles that are easy to recreate and rock anywhere. Her milkmaid twists are so easy to make, as well as beautiful.

She starts with stretched hair (not bone straight so a blow-out is perfect) and she shows us how easily a very trendy hairstyle can be achieved that’s perfect for church.

Your hair doesn’t have to be as long as Jess’s hair to achieve this style and can easily be created with added hair or just as far as your hair can go as long as your twists meet in the middle.  This look can be dressed up even more with pretty barettes, sparkling bobby pins*, flowers (for a wedding), ribbons, or even some bows.  Let your creativity flow girls!

Natural Hair: Conservative corporate interview style

Ok, this is not aimed at church directly but it works. Nik Scott of LHDC-TV is not just a great author but a natural hair lover that knows our hair can be whatever we want it to be, buns are classy, classic, and chic. They an be dressed up or down and are always perfect for any event you are attending. There’s the high bun and the middle or side bun but the low bun is by far the most classy of the three and perfect for church or a work function.

Nik explains how this look can be achieved on stretched hair (but it doesn’t have to be) and how the focus on the look is the sleekness of the crown. This look also can be created on long or short hair, you can add hair if your hair is short or you can add a donut bun* but if your hair is long enough so that the bun is even bigger.  It doesn’t matter how you achieve the bun because a low bun is ultra conservative but ultra sophisticated.

TWA Natural Hair High Puff

shlinda1 is hilarious and talented with her hair. She shows how a TWA can be a hot high puff that’s not only cascading over your front and eyes but conservative and perfect for any special occasion.

Great for the natural who are maybe somewhat bored with the short look and want to play with some hair extensions*. In this video you will get step by step directions on creating a very classy style that’s great for a few days, even up to a week with proper nightly maintenance and can take you from work to church with ease.

Well that’s it ladies if you want some conservative looks give those a try and in the mean time if you want to just rock your hair the way you rock your hair, you won’t get any arguments from me. Happy Sunday!