"The Natural Hair Community Is Toxic" | Biancareneetoday

Sheila Carter: Glad you made this video. I have a 10 year old daughter who has tighter curls than mine. For years I've been trying to justify why her hair doesn't look like mine so that she can learn to love her hair. For her birthday last month she asked for a special hairstyle (braids) but dad was totally against it because he didn't want her to think that adding weave would make her feel prettier. It was a proud moment for me to hear her tell him that she loves her hair the way that it is and that trying something different every once in a while wouldn't change how she feels. I've even challenged her to find hairstyles she can try herself to get comfortable with doing her hair. She is also learning how to properly wash it.

Takara Oneá: This video was much needed! Such a good convo. I agree with everything you said

Catherine's Curly World: Being Dominican and traveling back home every other year with to visit family, having straight hair was the definition of beauty. Feeling left out because my cousins would go to the salon on a weekly basis to blowout their hair and me not being able to keep mine straight due to the humidity and heat. My mom would look at my hair sometimes and say I had “big hair” or say I have “bad hair” none of which are compliments it made it hard for me to embrace my hair until I was an adult and took the time to learn and understand. I’m glad I stepped out and showed my family that I’m just as beautiful with my natural hair as opposed to my straight hair and ever since then I’ve never looked back Thank you for people like you. Although you gave us your opinion it made me realize that I should care all around about the products I use and what’s in them ❤️❤️❤️

Lisa Langhart: As a child of the 70s, I can say that the term “natural” originated from the concept of not using a relaxer or perm to straighten your type 4 hair. We actual used the word “natural” to also represent a hairstyle which was basically an afro. If you wore an afro, you were “rocking a natural”. The definition of “natural hair” has changed a lot since then. I always think of myself as belonging to the “curly hair” community. I have stopped blowing out and flat ironing my hair and I use whatever types of product work in my hair. If it has silicones and it works for me, I will rock with it. If it is completely pure, clean ingredients and it works, I’m with it. I think that probably knocks me out of the “natural” hair community and why I consider myself more part of the curly community. Honestly, at the end of the day, everyone should embrace their hair and rock it in whatever way makes sense. It’s all love!

Bryana Camille Braxton: I define a natural hair curly as someone with curly, kinky, or wavy hair that isn’t relaxed or straightened. The movement started as black women trend (to defy the historic trend of straightening our hair to fit in with the majority) but now I’d include curlies of all races and shades. I follow so many amazing white curly hair influencers and their curls are very similar to mine. Mainstream media says long straight hair is the beauty standard. Let us curlies defy that narrative ✌ I agree with what you said there’s beauty in every texture!

Vanessa Hinkle: You were the first person I ever followed when I started my transition back in 2018. I knew we didn't have the same curl pattern, but I learned so much of the basics from you. I cannot thank you enough for that! On top of that, I was able to find other women who do have a similar curl pattern as mine through you. Using the knowledge I got from the curl hair community, I was able to use my own judgment through trial and error to figure out what works best for me. Curly hair is curly hair. It doesn't matter if you're black, white, yellow, or purple. We need to just be accepting of each other because this curly hair business is no joke! We need all the support we can get!

Marissa Vazquez: The natural hair movement started with black women, and was originally intended to empower black women with curl patterns that are not typically considered the “standard” of beauty. It’s disheartening that so many companies and brands are capitalizing off of the movement and still only representing or targeting one type of curly hair. I also think including wavy hair in the natural hair movement is just not necessary and again takes away from the original point of the natural hair movement.

Medina Que: Perception is everything. There are millions in the natural hair community. It's easy to generalize to say that a community is toxic when it's only certain parts.

Akeyla Barbour Porcher: I think it’s important to remember the word “curl-friend” and use it as often as we can. When a person, no matter their ethnicity, feels beautiful the way God made them that should be celebrated. All hair types are beautiful and all textured hair people should be curl-friends. As someone who has 3C/4A curls I get approached A LOT and asked how I got my hair to look the way it does, by women who had completely different hair textures. I found myself responding with questions about their hair. “What does your hair like? Do you know the porosity of your hair? How do you love on your curls?” And this would completely change the dynamics of the conversation from comparing hair to how important it is to have a loving relationship with their hair. Such a great topic Bianca! It’s difficult to be self aware, proud of your own curl journey and avoid being judgmental.

Kelsey Arias: can we all just be thankful that we have hair

candlesandcarnage: I think the natural hair movement was originally devoted to tighter hair types whose hair was never celebrated who didn't know how to care for their loose hair, sans relaxer, etc. So when people say natural hair, I think that's who they are referring to specifically. Looser hair types co-opted the term and then became the face of the community, which was not the point of it. Now tighter hair types are not the face of the 'movement' and some looser types are lying about their actual type to get more views and sort of gaslit the tighter types. This is where I think the 'gatekeepy' behavior started and escalated from there.

RockingTy: Growing up in Puerto Rico curly hair was called "pelo malo" or "bad hair". I remember wishing I had straight hair because I believed it was more beautiful. I didn't know how to take care of my curls so yeah, straight hair was more beautiful, but just because I didn't know how to take care of the beautiful curly hair I was born with. Now that I know how to properly style my hair, I love and embrace it and only straighten my hair maybe once a year just to switch it up. I'm glad there are channels like yours that taught me how to take care of my curls because now I can teach my daughter (who already has beautiful curls at 9 months) how to love her curls and take care of them. I can't wait till she's older and we can deep condition our hair together and make it a mom & daughter bonding time ❤️

Jermaine Au Natural: I am Extremely selective with who I consume on YT so my experience has been more positive within the natural hair community than the few toxic people I bypass . IRL the "toxicity" has mainly been outdated terms used to describe tightly curled hair aka nappy by older people (which I gently check) The key point that is missed, ignored or people don't know, that you mentioned is that being natural was coined by us breaking away from baseless, forced, false and weak standards. So the phrase being/going natural has very different context then the technicality of just wearing your hair as it is without repercussions. I'd suggest googling The Crown Act for deeper context. Other than that, I'm here for people doing whatever they want to their hair, that ain't my business but if you ask for help with technique, products or maintenance I'll share what I know. Also, there are tons a people like myself with various tight/ kinky curls that promote working our curls as they are! No change or altering needed, they are perfect from the tightest to the not so tight to multi-textures. P.S. Miche is pronounced MEEsh The owners name is Michelle

Lilly Yarney: I'm glad you addressed this. I used to be a member of the international curly girl method group on Facebook and anytime black or biracial women pointed out the racial issues of the group or the toxic traits they were called problematic. So I'm glad this is being addressed.

NaturallyTD -: People just need to stop. The issue comes when some feel excluded. Truth be told black women who have a tighter curl pattern felt some kind of way when black women of a looser curl pattern or perhaps biracial women started getting more attention. It’s that simple. We don’t want to admit it, but it’s true. The kinkier textured women have always been ridiculed and when this “movement” started gaining traction, they had a place in this hair world. I’m type 4 and fortunately but then they got moved out by the looser textured folks. I’m type 4 I love my hair. I straighten it, I do a fro, I wear curls, I wear twists, I do whatever I want. And I’ve never wanted anyone else’s hair. Isn’t this world divided enough? Why do we divide ourselves even further? I say do what you want with your hair and don’t listen to the outside noise. Natural hair videos used to be about hair hair, now it’s about selling products. I rarely watch natural hair videos anymore. If I do, it’s for the entertainment factor only. I used to watch a lot because I didn’t know how to actually take care of my hair. Now that I do, I don’t need the vids anymore.

Marsha's Journey: I feel like the "movement" became necessary because there was not enough products or representation for people with tighter/kinkier textures and it's has been hijacked by people with looser textures who didn't have that big of a problem in the first place. I can understand the ppl with looser hair who were forced to straighten wanting to grow out their hair in it's natural state. But I do feel like the people who started the movement have been shoved to the back.

Em-2013: I define it as someone who has naturally textured hair- so that’s curly, coily, wavy, kinky hair - no matter the colour of your skin. ‍♀️ it is very hard to define though. I have curly hair but always wear it in braids or a bun, I don’t wear it out because I’m lazy and I don’t like hair in my face I remember when I was in High school about 20 or so years ago, I was using Pink and I told my friends and they were like “no, that breaks your hair, you shouldn’t use it” and some of them didn’t believe I used it ‍♀️ I don’t get many comments these days but when I was younger I had long thick hair, and used to get comments and people touching my hair ALL the time. Teach your kids not to touch or judge other peoples hair!!!

Melle Sol: there is a difference between the Curly Hair Community and the Natural Hair Community The Natural Hair Community has traditionally been a black space... those of us who experienced the damage and self hatred of internalized racism and how it has played itself out in our ability to love and care for our hair, self love, self expression.... the Curly Hair Community is just that... any/everybody with curly hair. so to equate the two is inaccurate and diminishing. so, to me the real toxicity comes from the CO-OPTING and COMMERCIALIZATION of the NHC...the selling off of long standing black owned businesses, the patronizing token-ized fake "inclusion" in marketing... you acknowledge your privilege and it's great to have self-awareness and empathy. In what ways have you used your privilege to leverage inclusivity and address, reduce or rectify toxicity?

SneakerTeacher89: Natural hair. Unchanged; simple. I don’t dictate none of the mess. Healthy hair is the most important.

Alicia Scott: I've been overwhelmed by the number of rules. I just do what my hair likes.

Lenuuh: As a dark skin girl with waist length looser type 3b-3c hair, I can’t even recall the amount of times someone would start touching my hair and ask “where’d you get the weave from?” or “is this your ACTUAL hair?” And even “you don’t need to perm you hair to be beautiful!” I understand that it’s not very common for a dark skin to have loose curls, but it’s very disrespectful when people worry so much about MY hair and assume I don’t love myself. I just want people to know that different ethnicities can have loose curls/waves even when your not exactly light skin or mixed. Stay positive guys!

Asha Vere: Story time! So I was on a date, and a girl behind us in line for the event my date and I were attending did the typical internal misogynistic thing by giving a backwards compliment and then contradicting it. She said she liked my hair but when I thanked her she interrupted me and asked if I used products on it or styled it a certain way to make it that way. I felt a bit awkward because why would that matter or be any of her business, but I told her yes. She continued pushing by asking what I did to make it that way and so I awkwardly told her, but she interrupted me and said "Oh okay" in a fake chipper voice, then walked off with a smirk on her face. For the record, I'm white and this woman was a different race from me. I've noticed this is very common, that women who use products on their hair or brush style it are said to not actually have curly hair. That coily hair is the only type of hair that's curly and nothing else is actually curly. I've also heard that ww wearing their curly hair is cultural appropriation. Which doesn't make sense to me because I thought the whole point of the natural hair movement was for people to not get shit for wearing their hair how they want to and not be told to wear and style it a certain way. You also mentioned it on your cancel culture video, but I personally saw on fb where a bw said she was going to stop using Shea Moisture because they were catering to ww now. I want to support black owned brands by buying their products, but I feel self conscious if I do because I get judgmental looks because those products aren't meant for women like me and the people who give me those looks don't think I have curly hair in the first place. I want to try and do my edges but I'm afraid of being accused personally of cultural appropriation. Even though I don't want to do designs, just make it look thicker so my hair line doesn't look like it has two bald spots on their side. In terms of representation, I see either one extreme or the other. In drugs stores it's two sections of products. The products for straight hair with sulphates and silicones. Even the "curly" hair products in that section have sulphates and silicones, so I don't use them. Then the other section focused on thick and coily hair, which I don't have, so I can't use most of the products in that section. In the adds I see it's the same way. One extreme or the other and no in between. And anyone in between is given shit on social media and told they don't have curly hair. Another personal experience I had was in middle school where a girl who had been bullying me was behind me on the risers one day in chorus class. She randomly started playing with my hair. Joking and saying how soft it was. I felt extremely awkward and was freaked out because of the unexpected touching. I tried to play it off, but I knew she was purposely trying to make me uncomfortable because her friends who also bullied me, were giggling and smirking at me. It wasn't until I was in college when I heard of how some white people ask to touch black peoples' hair. Which I never understood and never did because I respect people's personal space and want the same for myself. So I figured that's why they did this as a "joke" because I was white and an easy target for their bullying. So yeah, that's just a few of my experiences. I'll probably get hateful comments under mine for saying all this but my experience has been my experience and I won't be gaslit into thinking these things haven't happened or twisted into somehow making it my fault. Also, if you read this mini novel, thank you for your time and attention lol

♡BUNNY♡: I think you've always been a positive influencer overall. I think there will always be gatekeepers to any community, it's inevitable... but even within some individuals toxicity I see someone who is defensive because they were put in a corner so long. I think all we can do is pray for them that one day they can feel safe enough that they don't feel the need to lash out at perceived "enemies".

Joeli Awemazing: I forgive you Bianca. You were the one who made me not want to straighten me hair for the health of my hair. So thank you for being a little mean about it. It's what I needed to hear and now I haven't straightened my hair since July 2020 because I choose not to. And all the heat damage is gone and I have healthy curly hair now. So again thank you!

Ellen: The BiancaRenee Today experience has always been a positive encounter . Your sense of humor, knowledge and positive attitude always . Your hair looks beautiful.

Brianna F: I just bought regular grease the other day bc I was too overwhelmed in the hair store. Everyone is selling a product now and most of them are trash. Also, you need a 15 product “set” just to wash your hair lol. I’m done!

Tristan Towns: This conversation needed to happen. Thank you for speaking on this. It’s time for us all to come together. Embrace your hair and do what works best for you. ❤️

Carol Schneider: And maybe we all need to get behind the CROWN ACT !

Sophia Aloeristok: I appreciated you starting with the definition of “natural”. To me its always meant wearing your born with texture and rocking your natural texture. The problem I have with the exclusivity of some definitions is like you said the discouraging of others natural journeys. I do recognize that the community started with the intent of celebrating black and poc natural hair. But because it has grown beyond that, I dont understand why people should be excluded. Everyone is here to learn and improve and feel more confident in their hair, we should celebrate that

ShonnaB Curly Naturalista: I can agree with the pressures of being judged if I want to straighten my hair from time to time or not using high end products. I feel like as long as I'm focusing on the health of my hair, that's all that matters

Michelle Rojas: This was such a nice video!! I was so happy to hear you mention the Latino/Hispanic community because I am part of it and I grew up feeling and getting the message that curly hair wasn’t beautiful.

Failedpuberty6x: Just one thing bugs me about the "lack of representation" argument when it comes to the natural hair community. Whenever I google Type 4 hair or 4C hair, I get THOUSANDS of blogs, vlogs, images, websites, etc., all speaking on 4c hair and yet..when I ask people if they've Google researched their hair...silence. Too many of the people complaining are the same ones who can't be bothered to do a 5 second Google search. They *won't look* for the representation where they can find it nor will they support the representation that is there, so it gets buried. Then they will talk about about how it doesn't exist but really, they just keep clicking on the same videos with the same hair textures with the same styles and pushing those textures to the front even more. It's like when Think Like A Man came out and the all black cast had to basically beg our people to support a black film. If we supported people like Star Puppy or GreenBeauty as much as we click on all the loose curl videos, companies would see that and start including more types. We won't support our own but then get pissed at others for not supporting us. We out here gatekeeping a village that we don't even live in >.<. But every single community has toxicity, it's our choice if we entertain it. /TedTalk.

Melinda Steele: Personally, I love watching the videos and tutorials for product ideas and for styling techniques. I don't give a flying fig about "natural hair communities" and which one I fall in. I began wearing my hair natural when the pandemic lockdown happened. But throughout my life I have straightened my hair, because that's what your mama did when she burned your forehead ears and neck. I have had braids, hair cuts, wigs, curly hair, different colors, and blow outs. I think I have pretty much covered the spectrum of what you can do to your hair. When I see people on the street they don't say oh you must be part of the curly hair community. I think that pretty much falls on the influencers because you all are the ones we see and unfortunately you all are also the targets of the backlash as well as the accolades, and the backlash can be really harsh. And that's not fair to you all as influencers. Again, I could care less about "the community". I just enjoy watching you, my other favorite influencers, your product reviews, and your styles and that's what I will continue to do and the rest can go have several seats.

The Twisty T: This is such an important topic for so many reasons! I personally want to live in a world where differences are celebrated rather than positioned against one another. Differences in hair types, similarly to skin color (like you mentioned) is literally not in anyone’s control, we are born with what we are born with. I believe the toxicity that exists in the natural hair community is unfortunately just another are of divisiveness our world as a whole has yet to work through. I’m so grateful you bring up topics that are so much larger than just what ingredients are heaviest for your hair, because it brings awareness and more importantly creates conversation around systemic root issues in our world. Thank you for choosing to celebrate all the differences in everything on your channel, it’s beautiful and it makes me feel happy inside!✨

Tatianna Irizarry-Melendez: I’m glad you provided all the definitions for “natural hair”. To me natural hair was no alteration of your texture by heat or chemicals and only using natural products. I never knew that it meant something different depending on who you are. I have never bleached or dyed my hair. Have never changed the color of it in its entirety. Did highlights just once years ago (to try it and didn’t like them) but other than that…been natural! because of you: I haven’t straightened my hair since I found you I live a silicone & sulfate FREE lifestyle One thing that surprises me is to see how every so often (once in a blue moon) I see comments of some of your fans approve of the use of silicones and that’s them and that’s fine!

KassieMaeLove Curls: I love when you do hair styles and talk about controversial things! It’s fun to listen while I do my makeup ❤️ Thanks for talking about this! As a white person within the curly space, I understand that while I may have had a hard time getting a GOOD haircut there are many Black people who have been turned away from a service all together because of their texture. Hopefully as more and more people are wanting to wear their natural hair textures it puts more and more pressure on cosmetology programs to provide that as basic education!

Lady Andrews: Great content. I appreciate that we can acknowledge that there is so much toxicity and bullying going on in the natural hair community. I started out following the 20 steps and all the madness. The process was overwhelming and time consuming. The moment I started educating myself and found a routine that works for me, my hair began the thrive and grew down my back. I plan to reach tailbone by years end. Now, that said I am an old exclusive straight natural. I wash, deep condition, and flat iron my hair once a month. The process takes me about 2 hours start to finish. That said, I stay ready to pop off on a bully because I lived both realities and I switched to what works for me. So if have never grown tailbone hair I don’t even listen. It takes someone who has been on the journey to blaze the trail period. I broke all the “rules”and followed what works for me and my crown.

KATE M MONTERO: Omg omg! I was waiting for a moment in the day when I could truly sit down and watch you. Bravo Bianca! I fall into that unknown community. I am Afro Dominican. I fight on a daily basis with the entity I grew up with enforced from the Dominican culture that I have “Pelo Malo” or “un pajon” ( bad hair and Afro respectively.) since I decided 2 years ago to do the big chop I have had 3 big chops since then. My hair is so healthy and shiny and strong since I did it . I have accepted all of me and embrace who I am. This convo soo needed to be had. I totally can see where I fall into discrimination because I follow the thought that to be natural is not straight. Going forward I will correct myself and be the example for others to follow. Thank you soo soo soo much for having this convo and shouting out the toxic Dominican culture that I try to change within my family, friends and neighbors. Love yah girl!! And your hair is fiyah!

Krystal Steed: I've been on my curly hair journey for about 4 years now. I'm still learning on what works for my hair and what techniques are better to make my curls. I definitely see how the natural community is toxic based on curl types. I follow another curly girl influencer and she once brought up how people bashed her for her curl type. That it was not curly. It kinda discouraged me because I felt my hair was most similar to hers.

Tiffany Lynn: Thank you Bianca for talking about this! Your entire channel is very positive and a I’m glad you also tell it like it is. Your transparency is a HUGE reason I respect your hair advice. I’m thankful for you and appreciate you! I’m loving these new style and chats. It’s kind of like being in the salon chair and talking to the stylist.

Palmundo91: It's so interesting to me how the very same people who were part of this whole community and making it popular on social media all of a sudden now want to act like they're not a part of it or they didn't contribute to some of the issues with it

Brittany Lugiano: Another amazing hairstyle! thank you for being open honest and getting the conversation started about these tougher topics.

Cynthia Carr-Brown: I once was told by a beautician in passing when I wanted to have my hair re-roded that she would love to do it for me... I told her this was my natural hair. She said black people don't have natural curly hair like that... wow!

Jeisy Coro: Bianca… so trying this hairstyle. Love the conversation! I believe i’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by people that have helped me embraced my curly hair (and yes, as Dominican, I was also raced in an environment where straight = beautiful; curly = treated as less). However this topic made me think about something. I live in NC so most of my friends are American so my curly hair is cute and different and mostly hear “I wish my hair could curl like that or have that much volume”. I get so many compliments and I embrace it 100%. But I wonder if i lived in DR if I would be strong enough to deal with the different treatment and not take the easy way out and straighten my hair or even consider starting the journey? I really dont know sad to even think this.

elioraimmanuel: I am over 50 and never knew I had curly hair until I was over 28. I never knew how to care of it until 50. So…..I brushed it out wet, used curling irons and the like. I am a white woman with naturally curly hair. I no longer wear my hair up in a ponytail or messy bun 95% of the time! I love my curls. I haven’t died my hair in 20 years. I rock my curls, wearing them down or with a few tiny claw clips and I LOVE IT! I had always wanted curls! For decades I had permed and then curled my hair and never achieved what I have now (after recovering from nearly loosing it all to DC.) Use whatever works for YOU, despite to whom it is marketed or what any group or”manual” says! HUMANS are Toxic! Far too many focus on the .01% of DNA that separates us and not on the 99.99% that Unites us! Show love, not hate! That doesn’t mean you have to agree! It means being loving and kind to others! Bianca, you are a gorgeous woman with a sweet spirit. Thanks for all the love, sarcasm, en and knowledge!!!

Ossie R: As I remember my generations natural hair movement was about loving the hair that came from our head and seeing ourselves as beautiful without the need to straighten our hair. It was about Black beauty. Even back in the day the negativity towards my natural hair came from Black women.

Lydia Dixon: Hair is hair! regardless if I listen to everybody in my lifetime about how my hair “should” “could” look I would not get anything done! It’s very disheartening that women really feel like this over their own hair based on what other people think I wish I would!! I love people like you! I’ve been natural for 10 years I found within my self at the time my hair was not where it was supposed to be! I made the change for myself for reasons I missed my natural hair I was done with the braids and my hair being short because I was using a flat iron to straighten out my natural texture to make it easier on my hair dresser even though I knew Jack shit! About my hair, how to deal with it at the time I made that decision myself I don’t care what other feelings are based on my hair nobody knows your hair better then you!

D.C.H D.C.H: Yes y’all too strict! I rinsed my natural hair and secretly felt ostracized. Then I wanted the manic panic color out so I used ‘Color Opps’ in the red box (smelled like lye and rotten eggs for a week) then I thought I completely lost my curl pattern. ‍♀️ BLACK WOMEN need something because we are completely abandoned in mainstream google searches just seeking hair styles or anything else.

Marleen G.: There was a time where I stopped using all silicones (thankfully I had put the products aside in a little cupboard in the garage) and all sulfates, and I had terrible hair. Then I realized and just continued to do what I have *always* done. Sulfates & silicones, and my hair is not dry, not damaged, it is super nice! Exactly Bianca, you do you!

amdp2121: I’ve been watching your videos for 4 years now and you have helped me so much to look after my hair. I am white with 3a hair and I cannot recall the number of times I have hated it and felt helpless in making it beautiful. I love your channel and I think you’ve been great for the ‘I want to wear my hair natural because it’s beautiful’ community!! Irrespective of skin colour you have been incred love you lots xx

Shae Poppinkurlzdc: This video was so good! I’ve enjoyed the chat and style videos keep them coming! I’ve definitely felt discriminated against for several reasons. I’m learning to not care about what “they” think or say about my hair.

Hannah Grace: I always thought that "natural hair" was just our God-given hair. I'm white, born into a family who know NOTHING about curly hair. My hair journey started when I was 14 and I ran across Lorraine Massey's Curly Girl Handbook. I can't tell you how excited I was! I finally had a starting point to make my hair halfway likeable. It's been in the past few years that I realized that I'm not allowed in the "natural hair community" because I'm white, even though black women have way more experience with curly hair, so obviously could have the most information that could help. But we've let it divide us by race. We are all different but still all women who are beautiful. Can't we celebrate our beautiful differences and use them to fight society's ridiculous beauty standards? I saw a video on tiktok of a white girl with extremely curly hair who got attacked for using products designed for black hair. She apologized for it but why should she ever feel like she's not allowed to use a conditioner that works well with her hair?

Arelis: This was such a good topic! I certainly been guilty of being against straightening curly hair but mostly when is done to kids (and I talk to the parents about options they could use, to the child I usually say they look very pretty with both their curly and straightened hair). Mostly because I know how impactful are the reactions of the adults to a kid who all of the sudden has straight hair...and so they can drive said kid to want straight hair merely because of the way others are reacting to them. Also, good thing I saw this video before I suggested talking about the media jumping into the curly hair trend because you did touch on it for a bit. I think it could be a topic to expand maybe on a different video. :)

Ruffina Rector: Gurl you be hitting all the bases!!! Love this topic!!! You are absolutely right. It shouldn’t matter your ethnicity or tightness of your curl or lack of!! Personally I feel fortunate to have found your channel. I have learned so much!!! I started my natural or curly journey in the nineties!! But when my daughters came along they did not appreciate the natural look. So they begged me for perm. Now we are all natural!! It’s amazing how times have changed!!! Personally I love my curls, but I an not a creature of habit when it comes to my hair!!! I love that we can switch it up!!! I wear it curly, I braid it, and I am seriously thinking about sister locs!!! So as a community of natural we should embrace our differences and celebrate each other!!!

Nneka Wiltz: I heard someone say (a while back) that the natural hair community has been hijacked by girls with type 3 (a, b, c) hair and has further divided us....similar to our "light skin/dark skin" issue. I think it was Chrissy, on YouTube, who said this. Not sure if she's making videos on here anymore.

Alyssa Ashley: Bianca you have always been positive hair influencer when I started my curly hair journey 2017 I started with your videos and when there is a new product lol I’m always waiting for a video ❤️. And just because a product doesn’t work the same on my curls as it does on yours does not mean it’s your fault it’s just didn’t work out period . Everyone has there own opinions and you never put anyone down . The knowledge that you have given about the ingredients and curly hair is really good an appreciated you have showed everyone nothing but love . I have learned to love my curls God made me this way he chose my hair and I have had so many people say Comb your hair and it’s like it is Combed this is me God has used you to help women love how he formed us ❤️ thank you for all that you do ❤️

Shelly Brown: I need to add that you are one of four of the people I like to listen and watch. I’ve LEARNED from you. We all need to be open to learning. I once criticized someone, an acquaintance, for spending her time making funny videos. I said something like she must have a lot of time on her hands. It made her feel bad and she addressed it. She never pointed me specifically but I realized that she meant me and possibly others that judged her. I apologized because I had to understand that she needs her creative outlet. I have enjoyed her humor more ever since. I hope that makes me a better friend. Thank you for your contribution to helping us all better ourselves. ❤️

Maritza Moreira: Love this!! As a white hispanic I was told my whole like that straight hair made me look prettier and slimmer. And I’m judged by the products I used bc I’m not a woman of color and my curls aren’t that tight . It’s always makes me question myself but I know it works for my hair. So thank you for this video because I don’t feel alone in being judge and to remember there isn’t just 1 set way for curly girls.

Kurly Breeze: Much needed video You’ve been on a roll Bianca!! I’m so glad you’re trying out Miche (mee-sh)! Your channel has always been super helpful and very encouraging! Your statements about your experiences as a mixed woman really resonated with me. Growing up a multiracial child of color (Ethiopian, Latina & Middle Eastern), it was very hard for me to “fit in” because I was never ______ enough and almost felt like I didn’t belong to a particular group. I don’t say this to lessen or discount the experiences of non mixed people. Members of the natural hair journey has been a way for me to connect with my culture and equip me with the knowledge to fix my hair and my future children’s hair. It’s also been eye opening to learn why texture hair wasn’t celebrated historically and why bills such as the Crown Act are still so important to fight for. It’s important that within the natural hair community, we truly LIFT and CELEBRATE all hair textures. Thank you for always keeping and I cannot wait for next week’s videos!

Jennifer Ekwonye: I have 4c hair and a lot of the tutorials online show how to make my hair not look like 4c hair, which I guess I don’t mind, but it’s kinda not fair that looser textures have tutorials that showcase their curls.

Erica K: So I have worn my hair "natural" my whole life. I am a light skinned afro-Latina. I had a dark skinned friend who was "going natural" during one of the first natural movement moments almost a decade ago. She was very proud of her hair but also very insecure and also hung out with a lot of ignorant white people who used to try and pet her head...but whom she also allowed to pet and smell her head sometimes??? Like I said, she was proud and insecure... So one day we were at an event in Harlem (many afro Latin ppl in the area) she and I are outside a bar and this latino man walks up to us and compliments our hairs. And she goes ballistic talking about how he is being stereotypical and rude and she had a full say. So the man took a step back and said "yo. My mom was wearing her hair natural before all this became a thing. She was a Latina woman who wore her hair proud and nobody is trying to diss you." He then went on to say some things about her attitude that were triggering and how she just needed to learn to take a compliment... After he walked away, she directs her anger at me, mushes me and says "this is why I don't like hanging out with you. Because I look like 'the angry one' (angry black woman I think she meant) and you get to look like the cool one." Our friendship ended that night. I had once invited her and another friend to party with me and afterwards, she said "I don't know why you needed me, you already invited another afro friend." (The other friend was another afro-Latina.) And this is the part that answers one of your questions. I never considered myself part of the natural movement. I wore my hair as it was, styled it, blow dried and flat ironed (using heat safe products) and never named my experience---which I realize is the privilege of many other afro Latinas. Yes some of my peers have permed their hair but many of the afro Latinas I knew used gel and mousse products to do their hair and it was never called "natural." It just was. I grew up in a black community and after the natural hair movement, I was lumped in. I still don't know how to feel about it because I don't identify with "going natural" .... I feel like the "natural" movement is for people who have notoriously been put down for their curls and have decided now to embrace their curls. I know a white woman who has curly red hair and never wore it natural to avoid being bullied but has gone natural only within the last couple years. She has like 2B hair type. Is she not a part of the movement? She identifies with being singled out for having curly hair. She wears head wraps to bed. Is she appropriating? Manes by Mell is Italian and talks about her seesters journey going natural. Is she not a part of the natural movement because she is Italian? It is complicated. I think the natural movement is a touchy topic because it deals with and addresses an issue of suppression of self which is essentially black history in America. So I find it to be touchy grounds talking about natural hair with others because it ends up not being about hair but about belonging and cultural ties. I wear my hair natural but do not identify with the natural movement because even when others made fun of my hair, the answer wasn't to perm my hair. I would wear it in a bun or make sure it wasn't frizzy. I think the natural movement is for people who are still discovering a part of their identity-their hair. And that is why there are so many strong opinions--I think like my afro-sensitive friend, people want to think they are confident about themselves but remain insecure about their hair because they still don't understand that part of their identity.... And that is a deeper rooted problem than hair...

Aliyah Johnson: I was always told growing up by other kids that were my age or older that I had to be mixed with something because I have a looser curl pattern. They always told me that I couldn’t be fully black or majority black

Amanda Adams: When I was in high school, the moment I got a hair straightener, I straightened my hair EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I thought my curly hair was part of what made me ugly. As an adult, I discovered the natural hair community, and it helped me learn a lot and gain confidence in my hair as it is. I know the natural hair community was initially established to empower black women, but it feels like it made an even bigger, overall impact on today’s beauty standards in general.

Anfani Vincent: I loved this video/conversation. I’d love to see an IG live on it with other curlies with different hair types. In addition, professional is subjective. So there i no such as thing as not professional when it comes to protective styles and your natural hair ladies and gentlemen. That’s why The Crown Act is extremely important. Thank You Bianca for this conversation

corinne spanelewski: I left those groups years ago. I think they kept me thinking I wasnt doing something right because I didnt get their results. I kept buying products that never worked for me trying things that were not right for me. My curls are the best I can make them because I do color my hair and I do use sulfates and some silicones but guess what I dont suffer any damage or very little from doing those things because I do know how to care for my hair. I am as natural as I can be to be happy with my hair. I do agree to go with the best products and routines you can but it still has to work for you and be affordable for your budget.

Hope Nation: I’ve always been self conscious about my hair because of the lack of representation & amount of ignorance about type 4 hair. I’m 4a with random patches of 3c and I’ve had MEN (of course ) call my hair nappy. And again the curly hair community doesn’t help situations like this because looser curls is praised .

Kaelani Amputch: I love my natural curls & following you has helped me keep them healthy & beautiful… but sometimes I dread having to maintain it. Straightening my hair on occasion or wearing protective styles feels like lifting a weight off my shoulders. Being able to wake up & just go about my day without thinking about my hair does wonders for my mental health. But I love my curls and it’s so important to me to keep them healthy. It feels like a weird mindset to have while trying to find a place in the natural hair community

Emily Allen: Girl I love you so much!!! Thanks for always being straight up!!!

truly_troyonna: I love that you brought this topic to your channel. I never felt judged by you; if anything I've only felt inspired and encouraged. At the end of the day this is all based on perspective for the individual. As a community all we should be doing is showing support and being respectful. Much love! ❤️

patoguadia: Somebody had to address this, it was long overdue. I'm glad it is you!

nomical: I've never felt any kind of called out from your channel. I don't really interact with many people, so I don't think I really count as being part of the community. But I've always thought of myself as being part of the curly haired community because I know the term natural has its roots in the Black community, and being white I didn't want to insert myself in a space that isn't meant for me. I've always found your channel and content to be a welcoming space. My curls are looser than yours and my hair is much finer, but I learnt the basics from you and found some great Black owned brands to support.

whoah an ant: I can say I've only had positive experiences so far. I hid my hair for a long time in ponytails, hats, hoods ect. Because I got so many comments of "you look like a rats nest" "go fix your mop" "brush your hair" (I brushed my hair already it's just poofy now because of your "advice") needless to say I hated my hair. My family is all blonde straight haired types but my brother and I are the only 2 ginger curly haired ones. (Father was Irish/Scottish but parents divorced early in our lives). Since I started watching curly videos I've had far more happiness with my hair. So I can only say I have the curly/natural hair communities to thank.

Gabi Maza: Small story: I cut my hair short back in November after my hair was longest it’s ever been in my adulthood. I cut it because it was a lot of maintenance and I’m not an overly feminine person and I don’t have a lot of patients that curly hair requires. Anyways I cut it and I didn’t like the cut on me. Because I have two different curl patterns so the cut just looks weird on me. So I straightened my hair. And when I did I though if you Bianca. I was like dang she’d be so mad at me or like disappointed. Like I really thought that. But the truth is I liked the way my hair looked better straightener with this cut then I do with my curly hair. But because of what I’ve learned from you here on YT and IG I didn’t straighten it more then that one time because I want / need my hair to grow out already. And adding heat ads damage and slows down the already dreadfully slow growing our process. But yeah I did think of you and felt like I was letting someone down by straightening my hair. But I don’t feel bullied by you but you did okay a part in that choice I made and how I felt about it

Chris Astacio-Felix: I have 4C hair and i just want to thank you for creating your channel for us curly/coily hair community, I appreciate you so much and keep doing what you're doing. It's amazing how as we progress in something that's encouraging and positive, we always find a way to tarnish all that progression to the point where we become divided AGAIN. That's why these conversations are important to have, especially in the curly/coily hair community. What helped me is discovering that natural ingredients in the products I use actually improved my hair health, as well as discovering the different hair textures that i have, instead of just one type which is normal. The judgement and discrimination NOW is insane. Its to the point if you use a "canceled" hair product, you're immediately CANCELED. We need to show love to each other by not judging each other but having discussions like this often so we can educate each other and not discriminate each other, let us be willing to understand and be more aware.

Leanna Haynes: I’m a long time subscriber but I’ve been natural (no relaxer) since 2008. Before NH became a trend I was praised for the ability to switch it up and go from a blow out to curls in a days time. When it became trendy to wear natural curls I felt judged for getting a silk press- it was so mind boggling for me!

default: in reference to the argument that one hair type is better, all hair is good hair. type 4 hair is gorgeous, straight hair is gorgeous. you know what is ugly? the mindset that there is ugly hair.

Karen Duncan: This was a very interesting video. Thank you for posting it. I'm sorry, this is long. I was born in the 50's. We wore our hair in braids. Once I moved to Chicago in 1960, my mom got my hair relaxed. After high school, afros were in. I wore them for a while and then went back to relaxers. After I got married at 23, I tried to wear my hair without relaxing. The products weren't there that I could use for my hair. Periodically, I would try the natural look using perm rollers. After I curled it, I didn't know what to do with it. Fast forward to 2022, I've been wearing my hair natural because there are products that work. My problem now is to find someone who can cut my curly hair so that my hair can look it's best. Down where I live, hair stylists do silk presses, weaves, wigs, and braids. No one down here cuts curly hair.

Marie Smith: I was told once I’m not natural, despite the fact I have textured hair, don’t use chemicals, don’t straighten my hair, don’t color it etc. but because I “alter” my hair by wearing braids, or twists, I’m not natural because that’s not how my hair naturally grows. Like huh?

Ginnie Howell: I also call my hair wavy, and it’s because it looks super different and wears different than curly and coily hair. It frizzes like crazy, the waves change shape so quickly depending on the time of year/products used/etc. I used to hurt my self-esteem by trying to emulate curly hair and failing, before learning about the typing system and accepted my hair for what it is: wavy! It’s still a long road for me but accepting my hair for what it is helped a lot.

Annissa Amegbe: You have taught me a lot. I have learned what ingredients work for my hair. Products with silicone were drying out my hair so I decided to stay away from products that have silicone. My hair is so much softer now. Thank you for that. I stopped using sulfates years ago because it was damaging my scalp. I had people who did make comments about the way my hair look but I did not listen to them. I had to go on a journey to discover what my hair likes. People like to give unsolicited advice not really understanding what the person is going through. My motto is if you are not given me the money for my hair your opinion does not matter to me. I thank you for all the products you have shown like Briogeo and Curlsmith. I have discovered products on my own that I love like Seen shampoo and Frize-Frize products. I purchased them because of the ingredients that work on my hair. Thank you for your videos. I really enjoy them.

Nadia Spigner: I definitely think that there is discrimination in the hair types. Growing up I was never black enough because my hair isn’t type four but type three. I always wished to have type four hair too fit in better.

Tia Davis: Hi Bianca, I will say I started watching your videos because I wanted my hair to look like yours. Only after a few years of experimentation did I realize my hair was never going to look like yours, and that’s OK. I remember when I was younger and used to get relaxers if I drenched my hair with gel and conditioner I would have a loose curl pattern like yours and I thought I was the bomb, lol! That was until it dried into a little Afro (if I didn’t use enough gel), or stayed stiff like Ramen noodles (if I used too much gel). You encouraged me to get my first devacut and learn more about what it was going to take to get my natural, unrelaxed but still terribly heat damaged, hair healthy. I very much enjoyed when you did collaborations with other curly girls and that’s how I branched off and found some techniques that finally worked for me and my curls. The fact that people are out here hatin’ is such a waste of time and energy. Just be happy that all curl types and textures are living their best life and FINALLY being able to wear their hair the way it grows from their scalp without shame. ♥️♥️♥️

Patricia Phillips: Thank you for making this video. You discussed a lot of important topics. I've been on healthy hair journey for about 6 years now, and just big chopped last May. Used many of your recommended products, while I was still relaxed. Now that I'm natural, I know my years of watching natural hair influencers are helping me accept my 4c hair more easily. I agree that many 4c women seem to try to change their appearance of their curls by doing twist outs, braid outs and other stretched styles. Thankful for the positive voices like yours, that help me to be happy with my hair in a wash and go!

Jennifer White: So glad to hear your take on this topic. I remember the inception of the natural hair movement back in 2010 in college. I knew a few girls who would say to get on YouTube and learn how to rock it, but I wasn’t in the headspace to take that journey. I heard over the years and my sister even encouraged me to at least check out the natural hair space. Was damn near forced to once March 2020 hit and I actually had the time to see what was what and unfortunately that was around that time that the viral video was going around about why this one YouTuber was leaving the community and the videos that followed after made me really discouraged initially because it wasn’t the support I was expecting/looking for. Thankfully I found Bianca and Faye who are literally 2 of the last bright lights in the community who are all about positivity and transparency. I was already on the no heat train prior to my natural journey but I def bend the rules on silicone. There are different types of silicone and as long as I don’t feel a film or my hair consistently being dry, products with silicone get a pass. Def use one hairspray with a parabens but that’s also like a once every 6 months thing. Moderation is key in all things and seeing a professional stylist will help keep the damage at bay!

Teetee In the house: For me, “natural hair” is hair that has not been chemical altered . The natural hair community was started by black women because nobody was celebrating natural hair with a tighter curl pattern . A loose curl patterns was always acceptable. It’s saddens me to know the people who created the platform are now being overlooked.

Yhineidy: Bianca, finding your video was a blessing. I was struggling girl. I didn't know how to take care of my hair. I come from a family that doesn't know how to care for curly hair. You have provided so much information that has helped me put more effort into taking care of my hair. You motivated and inspired me to wear my natural hair proudly. I never felt bullied by you. I did feel guilty for using hair products that contain silicone and sulfates. All I thought was that Bianca won't approve of it. I only used those products because it was recommended to me by a hairstylist at a curly hair salon.

Emmilean Cardoza: I haven't witnessed any judgment, if anything I love being able to share my routine when asked because I want others to love their curls after spending so many yrs struggling with mine.

Lateasha Parish: Love this video. I have three daughters and not a one of the women in my family have the exact same hair texture. Plus we wear our hair "natural," in our own way. I've always defined natural hair as hair texture that has not been permanently altered by a chemical. So that would be whether that chemical made curly hair straight, therefore relaxers, or made straight hair curly like the "perm" some straight hair women use. I've never considered someone's hair not natural because they changed the color, but technically in my mind that fits the description as well basically because the hair has to grow or be cut off in order to really be back to "natural" state. So I can see how some would say permanent hair color change is also not natural. I have discouraged my daughters from using texture altering chemicals completely, heat and color altering chemicals too much only because it can cause serious damage to their hair. Let me also say though that it doesn't really matter to me how others wear their hair as long as they are happy and feel good about their look and themselves. I mean if we were REALLY going to get crazy about the "natural" thing, then only the state of your hair growing out of your head without ANY product is truly natural. No oils, creams, mousse, heat, I mean NOTHING. But who does that? Not a single race, creed, or ethnicity that I know. Anyway, I agree with you Bianca. We all just need to stop already. If you are worried about anyone's hair besides your own, get back in your lane. That just perpetuates negativity among the human race and the young people are watching and listening to us. Let's be good examples and show them how to love themselves while accepting others!

Cherrish Pryor: I stopped getting perms years ago, and started getting my hair straightened. But when COVID19 hit I started rocking my natural curls, and straightening my hair very infrequently for length check and for trims. I was so disappointed when I wore my straightened hair and someone said to me, ‘now I like your hair straight like that’. I told them they ‘shouldn’t have said anything and I prefer my curls, I just needed to do a trim so don’t get used to the straight hair because the curls will be back’. The kicker is the person that said that to me is natural and has been much longer then me. There I no need for others to be mean and negative towards us. We do it to people in our community often enough. Between that and our personal selfishness, well…let’s just pray we do better and learn to support our community.

Jeeae Vee: There are too many rules I always thought natural hair meant embracing what you were born with; in any way you want!

Julia: Love this content and how you explain your thoughts! Thank you for addressing this elephant in the room!

Otmarah Kortram: I believe these type of talks are very important for us all to have. If I would have known this growing up an my mother maybe the perm thing would have stopped with my mother years before I came along. Knowledge surly is power❣️✊✊

Lorain Orosco: Thank you for making this video it’s so true about the curly hair community. I have to experience some of this since I have salt and pepper hair and wear it naturally curly and people think I should straighten it since now that it’s salt and pepper and medium length. In this community you should have short hair when it’s gray you shouldn’t wear it long or medium which I think that should change.

Bridget Dandeno: I really liked this video and I’m the same as you as a mixed woman I was told I’m too black for the white people or too white for the black people. I feel like I was claiming the natural community in more of a racial way that it’s for the black people but I got my hair texture more from my white mom and I’m helping her embrace her curls so I definitely needed this as a reminder to check myself and keep the community friendly ❤️

Stephanie Solingen: Yes, I used to relax my hair. But that was when I started to go to junior high. No more hours of tugging on my hair, by my mom and using a bottle of conditioner just to detangle and combing it. Sitting for hours to get my hair braided. The products for textured hair were very limited, then. And yes, that was in a time when society "made" us straighten / relaxed us for whatever reason/ belief. When I was pregnant of my son. I stop relaxing my hair, due to chemicals that could hurt him. After that I grew my hair natural (read: I stopped relaxing) and started to trim my ends so I would grow my textured hair back. I did not do a big chop. When I met my partner, he said he likes curly hair, with a tight coil (read type 3) I told him I have such hair, but it was hard for him to imagine since he only knew me with relaxed hair. Just making it wet and using a curl activator was enough, by now to show him. He even felt more in love with me. And that also helped me to do more research in the products that are now available for textured hair. Once all my hair was textured and no relaxed hair was left anymore. I started my curly hair journey. I use tips from #manesbymell, you, #curlycriss and #chellis and develop my own hair routine, based on all your tips, tricks and advices. Yes, I am of multiple ethnicity (not just biracial). And just listing or using one method, without taking your body, knowledge of self, and own values and beliefs into account is never a good thing. When I feel like it, I flat iron my hair, but that doesn't mean I don't love my curls. People always tend to look at the differences. I think the curl/natural community and even the world, would be much more in a happy place if we looked at the similarities.

Crystal Pelham: Thank you for calling this out! It’s horrible and exhausting to see so much discrimination in the community. I feel that we all should just do what we want with our hair and leave other people alone. We’re all great just the way we are!

Shelly Brown: Thanks so much for doing this video. Imma do me. I hope your subscribers will do the same. The only time I felt victimized by BiancaRenee is when you called mixing your own ingredients was “messy.” I love watching your channel.

dudeitsstacy: I haven’t paid any attention to any type of community. I watch your videos to get the info I need and then go about my business. I have 4c coils and I let it do whatever it wants, I’ll get it done and I’ve also looked into getting a silk press. I just mind my own business and care about my sometimes nappy head

Valerie Coverdale: You know what's funny. I have been natural my entire life. I had my hair flat ironed one day. I wanted change. A few naturals commented. They assumed it to be a relaxer. Which; if it were, would be if no consequence to anyone. People are very judgmental.

Tiffany Gil: Thank you for addressing this. We all want what we can't have. My best friend has straighten her hair forever. After leaving the relaxer world she straightens it every week. However, she is out of the country and is trying to go "curly" or "natural." She has type 4C hair and I'm 3C. She has told me she is jealous of my hair and I'm jealous of her thick hair as mine is fine. Your comments have given me more fire power to support her properly. Thank you.