Y ese pelo malo??

Hi Guys!

Balancing a school, life, and a blog is hard stuff and I have A LOT to learn from my favorite bloggers who manage to do it all so effortlessly. I want each and every one of my posts to be genuine and for my readers to enjoy. My 22nd birthday just passed and I got a Macbook Air and a DSLR camera so Im ready to brainstorm and deliver! I hope to be blogging more frequently, please feel free to suggest any ideas :)

The term Pelo Malo is so normal the Hispanic community its uncomfortable. Why is everyone ok with saying it? Will it ever stop? Beauty to hispanic woman is HUGE and (almost) always has a universal definition. Beauty is fair skin, pin straight hair, and a small waist. Hair and weight is a big one in my family. My mother who is a hairdresser always encouraged me to straighten my hair because it was "easier" and my cousin is discovering her natural texture at 24 because my aunt permed her hair at a very young age. I do not doubt that our mothers love us, but I do know that their standards of beauty are deeep rooted and have affected us in ways they do not imagine.

My cousin who just came from Dominican Republic is still mentally there, and I am sure will be for a very long time. For the past two days she has wondered why my hair isn't straight and why I was wasting time watching youtube videos on finger coiling instead of getting a roller set. Today, she finally asked me when do I plan on fixing my "Pelo Malo" and I wanted to flip. I wanted to tell her my hair was not bad and it didn't need fixing. My hair is beautiful (even though its at an awkward stage right now). No my hair does not need a perm nor a flat iron, it needs a satin pillow to avoid breakage. Luckily, I practiced some self control and didn't flip because she didn't deserve it. Last time I was in DR my hair was straight at all times so I totally understand her "concern". Curly natural hair in Dominican Republic is not something you see often (unless its in-between salon visits). I told her I was staying away from heat and recovering my natural curly hair....she didn't care. She walked out my room saying I need to get my pajon (fro) under control.   SIGH....

She will be living in my house and I hope this "bad hair" will grow on her but I don't expect it to. The perception of beauty she has is very different to mine, and even my mothers who is now natural herself (go mami!). A lot has changed since I was growing up, curly hair is encouraged and even celebrated in my family. I still love my cousin weather or not she accepts my decision to go without heat. After all its my hair and I only need approval from myself.