“My hair was in a bantu-knot out that had been stretched via the blowdryer only because I decided to cowash about two hours before prom (BAD IDEA) and didn’t have to time to do my usual banding method. It turned out better than I thought, and I added some hair jewels to snazz things up.” ~Raquel
I thought these photos were too cute :) I had to do an interview…
BGLH: How old are you now?
Raquel: I’m 18 now – woo hoo!! My birthday was last month.
BGLH: How was your prom?!
Raquel: Prom was THE BOMB! … I had LOTS of fun dancing (with any and everyone, lol), and felt sorry for some of my friends who were concerned about sweating out their hairstyles. The bantu knot-out turned into a shrunken fro, but I didn’t mind. Not to get corny, but being natural really impacts so many random areas of your life. I can’t imagine standing on the wall the whole night to preserve a straight ‘do – life is way too short!!
BGLH: How long have you been natural?
Raquel: Technically, I’ve been natural my entire life… but I got into middle school, got my first press for 8th grade graduation, and the rest is history. I fell into a straight hair trap – I mean, I literally felt trapped and was very scared of seeing my naps. I pretty much flat-ironed EVERY SINGLE DAY, from 8th grade till the summer before junior year. It was breaking off, too, and stayed a little below shoulder length.
Then I joined the cross-country running team, found Nappturality.com and fotki.com, and decided that this was madness. I started to slowly trim off all the heat-damaged hair – I think I got the last of it last winter, so now I have a brand new head of hair.
BGLH: Do you know where you’re going to college?
Raquel: Yes. I’ll be studying English and Secondary Education. I want to be a high school English teacher.
BGLH: Aahhh, the memories. I rocked a tragic coil out to my prom… and an equally tragic self-designed baby blue, satin mermaid pants-dress. (Don’t ask.) But you know what? I was feelin’ myself, and my 16-year-old self thought I was hot. I guess that’s all that counts :)
What are your prom hair memories?
