Untamed

UNTAMED; Embracing natural hair being South Asian

How has your South Asian heritage shaped who you are as a person? 

I have always felt so close with my culture. It’s taught me so many values and has molded me into the person I am today. From the food I enjoy to morals I withhold, it all stems from my cultural background. It’s also given me a community even though I am far from home. Whether it be my online presence or friends I make IRL, my love for culture is at the root of it. I love meeting new people from different walks of lives so that we can all learn from one another. 

How has it shaped your relationship with your hair?

Curly hair is very common in South Asian culture however no one taught us how to care for it. It was also viewed as “untamed hair” because we kept brushing the curls out. This definitely made it hard for my to love my hair growing up. I would always think I had thick, frizzy hair that just can’t be maintained. I would spend hours drying and straightening my hair. Only to find out in 2020 when I am 21 years old that I have curly hair. Ever since I have been learning what products work for my hair type and love wearing it natural. It’s also so nice to see more brown girls from South Asian background, share their natural hair experience! 

What’s a beauty tradition from your culture?

Hair oiling! It’s such a deeply rooted practice with so many benefits in my culture. There’s also so much importance given to haircare, using good ingredients and caring for it gently. Hair oiling is the act of using a generous amount of pre wash oil (usually natural oils like coconut) to nourish and massage your scalp. Usually our mom or grandma applies it on us.