Tag: BaldBlogger

How To Care For Your Bald Head

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You may think that shaving all of your hair and rocking a bald style is easy to maintain, yes you are partially correct.

With that being said, many often mistaken this for no longer cleaning the scalp. Not true at all. To put things in perspective, let’s say that you are someone who never wears makeup, this will cut down on using any sort of makeup remover on your face, but you still need to wash your face. Why? Because when you are particularly outside, at work, or anywhere that exposes you to pollution to the air, you need to cleanse you face on a daily basis. Washing your scalp is a similar concept. Plus majority of us have dandruff, we workout so therefore we sweat which then equates the purpose of cleaning dirt from you bald head.  This is part of taking care of your style. Here are some ways to take care your baldness.

 

1. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

The benefits of being a bald chick are endless, but moisturizing your scalp will be a beneficial factor in the long run. This avoids razor bumps, possible ingrown hair, and just the smoothness of your scalp. People will want to rub it whether you like it or not (unfortunately).   Any moisturizer will do, you don’t need a specific product, just one that works.

 

2. Sunscreen for Those Summer Days

With the top of your head being bare skinned, it is being exposed to the harmful UV rays that the sun emits. We all know what this may lead to if the SPF is not on all parts of your skin. So please do not forget the scalp area!

3. Wash the scalp

I did explain the importance of this, plus you will feel better afterwards.

 

4. Schedule Your Cuts on a Regular Basis

Of course as a baldie, you want to maintain your look. Whether you own a pair of clippers, or prefer to see a barber cut your hair, scheduling your haircuts on routinely basis will  aid in maintaining your style. If you are one who uses razors, shaving cream will be the best option.

 

—So get to snipping!

The Power of Being Bald

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Now before I start about this topic, I will state that this is not a dig to those who chose to style their hair in any particular way:

I am just speaking to encourage women to go outside the standards of beauty. A lot of us are scared to do just that because we care what other people think, more so if you are a women. Being beautiful sometimes is the only ideal of being a woman especially of colour. What is usually attached to beauty?

Our hair.

Yes, I have no hair, right now I am bald because that was my choice, but some don’t have that privilege in making a decision that may seem minuscule to some, and a big deal to others.

Articles on being a bald women (or female identifying) are slim to none, majority of the time it is usually actresses cutting of their tresses all in part for a movie which means that this is all temporary, a trend that at times prove that women will go back to the long flowing hair eventually because it is not normal to have no hair. You see we to an extent, look up to celebrities (I try to steer clear from trends), especially when younger. I can speak to being a little girl and only seeing commercials of women who didn’t look like me, or seeing the typical token black girl who usually adorned a wig that was long, flowing, straight to the bone, no curls to arise. She was usually ‘sassy’, loud, had no back story, not the main character in a major film screen, and basically had no depth to her character whatsoever, just a stereotype. But I always observed the hair because I knew for a fact that it did not resemble mine.

I can go on and on about blaming society in particular for how black women are viewed, but sometimes it becomes ingrained in some, not all… of our conscience.  We worry whether or not we will get that job based on our looks, and yes it is important to look the part ( I can’t stress that enough), but when you go against the grain of what beauty looks like… that can be daunting.

When you cut off your hair, this is a process, externally and internally. Yes, you have literally have nothing to hide but your face, but you are cutting off way more then just hair. There is baggage where all that hair came from. From the time you are just a kid to becoming a young adult, the baggage women carry in terms of attaining beauty standards become enormous and ridiculous at times. We all fall into that trap whether we want to admit that, whether we like it… or not. The constant need to looking a certain way because this is the way it should be can be detrimental to anyone’s self esteem. So yes I do believe that shaving off your hair can be brave but to an extent.

Are you brave enough to maintain the look? Even when you get the questionable stares, creeps who have bald fetishes or older women who will put you down and ask why you are still bald when they don’t even know you well enough… can you handle that? Kids will stare at you, that is in their nature and you can’t blame them, they are sponges that will absorb anything. Or if a guy tells you that he likes his women with hair, or even requests that you grow your hair back because again this is to appease him and his own insecurity… can you handle that? Can you even handle going into a barber shop with a bunch of men there while you’re the only woman in the whole shop?

I know some can’t.

But I also know that all above those ignorant comments, there are people who will admire you for the look, including older women. I point this out because there has always been a stigma surrounding bald women. The standards of beauty has been around for years, decades, centuries and beyond that. I don’t even get offended when someone states that they can never shave off their hair because I have been in that position, I usually ask them why they feel such a way and I encourage them to just do it. A lot will say it’s because their head it not as smooth, or that they are not pretty enough which breaks my heart when I hear that. Again… beauty always comes to surface. I love a good compliment on my look, what women doesn’t like being called beautiful? But, I will never understand when women for example, will call you beautiful for having no hair, then put themselves down at the same time. I will never get that, this is one of the reasons why I am writing this post. If you want to cut it all off, all the baggage, all of the bullshit attached to what a woman should look like, I say go for it. Yes, some people who you don’t even know will ask you if you have Cancer, or if you are a Lesbian (nothing wrong with this), hate men, shaved it for Cancer awareness (which is a great cause) or trying to look like Eve of Amber Rose.  Some can’t picture a woman cutting their hair just for the reason that they wanted to do it. That’s on them. People who judge you for being different in whatever way will say horrible things to you because they are shedding their insecurities on you, not the other way around…remember that.

Being a bald woman will intimidate some, weed out all of the haters and attract the right people in your life. If that manager didn’t want to hire you for a position based on you being a baldie, well it’s their loss and why on earth would you want to work for an organization that discriminates a person based on their appearance? On that note, when you are bald (both men and women), you are as groomed as one can be… clean cut. So I will never understand to whole double standards towards a woman’s appearance compared to a man’s. Being a bald women will encourage other women to do it, or to just be themselves because in itself if a hard feature. We as women need to encourage and uplift other women… period. You never know who you will inspire, it could just be that woman who was going through chemo, ready to come out to her family and friends, or the one who is scared of what her husband might say about her new look, or even men will be inspired by this.  Some just can’t grow their hair out, which is Alopecia, I just can’t imagine that frustration.

You see, there is power in the baldness of a woman. The power in not giving shit on what others think about you. The power of being yourself knowing that you matter in this world. The power to uplift, inspire and encourage. The power to question what is beautiful and challenge that notion that one standard is the standard of all standards, well that is courage.

That’s the power of being bald.

Reasons Why You Should Be A Baldie

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So you’re considering being a baldie?

Hey I get it. After the last blog post, How To Be a Bald Chick,  you were reading how to be one, now this is just another push to show why women (in particular) should take the plunge even if it is just a one time event. Yes it is daunting especially going into a barbershop where the environment is male dominant. Yes you will have people within your close circle convince you not to cut it (since it can be deemed as crazy). Yes you will probably be missing your tresses. But if you have been, and I know there are some of you who have considered shaving your hair off to a crop/bald style for years, why not just go ahead and go for it! You have one life to live and it’s too short to care what anyone thinks especially when it’s on you. If you’re not convinced yet. Here are a few reasons why you should be a baldie.

1. It’s Easy

Ah the joys of low maintenance: no comb, no brush, not a single single strand of hair. You won’t even need to spend much on hair products if any at all. Life is easy and so is being a bald lady!

 

2. You Will Stand Out From the Crowd

For all the right reasons… this is something you are doing for yourself so you’re not hurting anyone. You just may change a life too. Not many women sport this super cropped look, so when you are out in a crowd… trust me you stand out from the rest of the pack. You’re going against the grain and challenging what beauty if supposed to look like, pretty much a middle finger to beauty standards. And who wants to blend in anyway?

 

3. Keeps You Cool In The Summer

For all those three months of heat and humidity, you want to keep as cool as possible, and hair can be a hinderance. When you cut it all off, you just kept yourself cooler. Plus guys do it, so why can’t you do it?

 

4. It’s Edgy (You Will Look Badass)

There is something quite fearless and bold about a woman who for whatever reason dons a buzzcut or a bald look. Again, even in today’s culture where style can be fluid, the stigma against bald women still prevails. Also, whether it be in a movie or t.v. show, a bald woman is always the badass out of the crew. They are either a warrior, someone who has major powers or just that chick who can fight til kingdom come. Pretty badass if you tell me.

 

5. You Can Change It Up

Yes this is true: you can rock the bald look by using the zero guard on a clipper, you can dye your hair in numerous colours and bleach it without any worries of… it all falling out (yep remember you have no hair).  Patterns come to thought as well, or even having the sides of your head more closely shaved while keeping the top of your head longer to create an elongation with your face. If you love tattoos and is considering to tattoo your head, I know that this would look pretty cool (yes I have tattoos but mom no I will not tattoo my head don’t worry). If you want to rock the wigs, then I say by all means all the power to you. Scarves are also another consideration to the styles. I told you, the possibilities are endless.

 

6. It Will Be a Liberating Moment

You know the hardest process of going bald will not be the shaving process, it will be after when you go out in the world. When you go to work, or head to the mall, you may need to visit your doctor, or even out on a date, your family will have those summer barbecues, or getting ready for a gala… you will get the stares. But those who judge you wrongfully are projecting their insecurities on you. Therefore it is none of your business what strangers, your family, friends or coworkers have to say about your no hair style.

When you go beyond all of this and you believe in yourself, this will be the liberating moment that I am talking about:  all those invisible shackles that you have on yourself when coming to beauty will start to melt.

Oh how emancipating!

How To Be a Bald Chick

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For most who know me, or recognizes my appearance, I have no hair.

No I don’t have Cancer or even Alopecia, but was my decision, yes… I am bald by choice. Now this concept can seem like a bewildering thought for many, but I am not the only one. In fact this article is not just geared for just the Baldies who chooses the style, but it is for anyone who yes is struggling with their health, all who identify as a women including queer women that it is not a stigma despite the margins that are directed towards them.

When you talk about beauty standards for women in general, hair is always at the top of the list. If you don’t have a certain lengths, certain people question that. Hair has been linked to health, fertility and a woman’s crown and glory. This is why when a kid, girl or boy, stares in shock when a badass bald lady walks down the street. A lot of the times all they are seeing on TV, the movie screens, books and of course commercials are women who have hair. It’s also one of the reasons why women are so scared of taking the plunge to just cut it all off. Being a bald women brings the automatic judgement of the whys, the whats and the wonderment that goes on in strangers’ minds: oh how bold she is. If I can give advise to anyone who sees a bald women, remember this… she is aware that you are staring her down, and she has to wake up every morning to look in the mirror to try and see value in her appearance. With that being said here is how to be a Bald Chick. Go ahead and take that chance… even if it may be a one time experiment.

 

Step 1: Go To the Barbershop

So if you are not someone who cuts hair, the first step that you need to do is just go to the barbershop and get the professionals to cut your hair. Yes this is one of the most daunting things a girl can do… walk into a place that is dominated by men, but trust me if you want to take the plunge, it will feel liberating.

 

Step 2: Shop Shop Shop

This may seem like a minute thing to consider, but once your hair is all gone, your style will change slightly. I am not in any way saying to change how you express yourself if you are a tomboy, girly girl, or whatever expression you desire to be, but there will be a few tweaks that need to be conducted. First thing to consider are accessories. Back when I had a full head of hair, I didn’t need to worry about wearing ear cuffs or earrings, but with no hair that was my forefront of thought. Plus I love jewelry and believe that accessories can make or break an outfit so consider that. Another factor to take in is the makeup you wear. Now this is for anyone who loves makeup in the first place. Your face is not on display, there is no hiding behind your hair as before. So you want to highlight your features like bringing out your eyes, the high cheekbones or enhance you lip shape, well rock that new shade of lipstick!

Step 3: Define Your Style

Now this goes hand in hand with step the las step, but as a baldie you do already stand out. But, if you want to add some pizzazz with your style, look in your closest and take the time to define what it is you like and don’t like. For me I like high heels but sneakers, running shoes and flats are apart of my style. I am a mixture of girly girl styles along with a sporty twist while applying funky patterns to the list. What is your style?

 

Step 4: Ignore all The Negative/Backhanded Comments

Now this can be tricky and complicated if it is coming from family and friends. You have to see them on an occasional basis. But this will make you a stronger person. To really go against the grain, question the pressure society puts on women and girls from such a young age will provide the strength you never knew you had. Plus when strangers want to comment you are prepared to hold your head held up high with confidence.

Step 5: Buy Clippers

I believe if you are someone who likes to experiment with different forms of creativity, is independent, likes to be frugal with your money, buying a set of clippers won’t hurt. Like any skill, this takes practise, and if you are a baldie, it will help you save money on those regular barber visits. Yes it is tedious. Yes you have to be careful especially when using no guard because you just might bruise yourself, but it’s a great skill to attain. And in an era that is digital, you have the tools and techniques to do the research on how to cut your hair. Plus this blog as a reference!

 

Step 6: Hold Your Head Up High

Out of all the steps this is the most crucial. There will be mean people who just don’t like you because of how you look. Some may not hire you, promote you because the fact that you are bald. Some may not even date you because they don’t want a bald chick on their arm. Family members just may not get it… a woman’s beauty is supposed to be attached to their hair. Others may suggest that you wear a wig so you can ‘change it up a bit,’ or to just fit in. You may even get others, people who pretend to be your friends, meanwhile they are laughing behind your back when there is any sort of insecurity regarding your lack of hair. You will get the long stares from children (but this is my favourite because I know at that point I affected their life in that moment). Creepy guys or women may just date you only to fetishize you (this so creepy), just because of your unique bald style. Despite all of this, all you need to know, and you do need to know this:

You are what defines your own beauty… not anyone else. That is your greatest power in being a bald, bold badass chick. Remember that.

 

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