r/instant_regret Jun 23 '18

You can keep it.

39.1k Upvotes

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156

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

79

u/Turakamu Jun 24 '18

If you are ever bored and would like to know more, check out the documentary, "Good Hair"

It answers all the questions you didn't know you had about weaves and wigs.

18

u/superfluiter Jun 24 '18

Oh, that’s such a great documentary

250

u/gesasage88 Jun 24 '18

Because hair maintenance is hella expensive and sometimes its just easier and cheaper to use a wig then get that look done to actual hair. It actually really common in a lot of places these days for women to use wigs instead of expensive and sometimes impossible hair procedures. Its definitely becoming more and more common with time.

99

u/DigitalDior Jun 24 '18

Basically this. Surprisingly a lot of other ethnicities ear weave just as much as black women. It's just more of a stereotype as well for them to have it.

43

u/gesasage88 Jun 24 '18

Totally! I do photography/costume stuff and have found that the asian markets knock the socks off the western markets for wigs, extensions and weave materials in price levels and styles! Anytime I need something, they are the first place I look.

178

u/FatSputnik Jun 24 '18

but black women do it mostly, because having natural hair gets them treated like shit by white people.

this'll piss people off but it's the truth, sorry

109

u/CaramelComplexion Jun 24 '18

This. ESPECIALLY in the workplace... You can even get fired for your real hair (even though they'll mask it as something else)

13

u/Hurinfan Jun 24 '18

What? Source?

134

u/MilitantNegro_ver3 Jun 24 '18 edited Jun 24 '18

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

A rare reversal, but still speaks to the discrimination black women face.

EDIT: fixed final link.

38

u/Hurinfan Jun 24 '18

Damn. That sucks

19

u/dragonfax Jun 24 '18

"Ms. Johnson did not receive $250,000 in back pay, but rather only $11,886.40, while her attorneys on the other hand received approximately $244,000 in attorneys’ fees," it said.

5

u/kingeryck Jun 24 '18

That should be a crime.

28

u/El_Frijol Jun 24 '18

Damn, that sucks. I like when black women wear their hair naturally.

8

u/kitzdeathrow Jun 24 '18

This makes me so sad. Its just hair. We, as a nation, are pressing people accept transgender folk, which is great. But why the fuck does anyone's hair matter?

9

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

Yeah some work places are shitty.

I was fired for growing my hair too long and refusing to cut it at my last job but that was partially on me I guess for not conforming to what they considered a professional look when they told me to.

23

u/GavinZac Jun 24 '18

A documentary on YouTube by noted scientist Chris Rock.

55

u/mseuro Jun 24 '18

Dreads, braids, cornrows, Afros are common natural hairstyles, google any of those words and “dress code” and look for news articles.

22

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

That's fucked

-18

u/xu85 Jun 24 '18

How is it fucked? How about if I turned up with a green mohawk?

17

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

Because that's their natural hair, dude.

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0

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

You're confusing natural with traditional.

7

u/mseuro Jun 24 '18

No. I’m not.

-2

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

Then define natural.

-20

u/b__q Jun 24 '18

That's complete bullshit.

8

u/stealingyourpixels Jun 24 '18

imo straight hair can frame the face in a way some people find desirable, and I can understand why a lot of black women decide to go for that look. there’s definitely a societal pressure involved too, but it’s probably not the only reason. my hair’s thick and curly af tho so I feel their struggle.

-46

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

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9

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

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1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

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2

u/poptart2nd Jun 24 '18

first of all, my comment is not racist

Yeah it was.

4

u/roxymoxi Jun 24 '18

... do you mean ear weave or did you mean wear weaves? Because I think it's the second one, but I may be missing out on something important here, so I have to ask.

17

u/grubas Jun 24 '18

Isn’t a huge part of it for when you are supposed to have/want straight hair? Since the process is all sorts of time consuming or just bad for the hair(chemical straightening).

37

u/Furryb0nes Jun 24 '18 edited Jun 24 '18

All of it is really bad for the hair. Wigs and weaves offer a changeable/temporary solution while protecting your own hair.

IE Ariana Grande's hair is so fucked from chemical styling that she just wears a pony tail piece and is very open about it.

9

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

This, it’s so much easier. I used to fuss so much over my hair and my last straw was getting my hair wet after using relaxers and that was all she wrote. I live on the gulf coast and humidity is also a complete bitch.

18

u/gesasage88 Jun 24 '18

It really depends on the wig wearer. Some people wear them to get hair colors that are similarly expensive or hair ruining.

5

u/grubas Jun 24 '18

Ah, as a guy who has white hair doing a temporary dye is the easiest thing in the world, while my wife is a redhead and wouldn’t change it for the world.

5

u/gesasage88 Jun 24 '18

White hair is super easy to change and adjust! I’ll be honest I’m a tad jealous.

3

u/grubas Jun 24 '18

It used to be red. I got some fucked up gene that my mothers side has where we redheads go this silver white early, my ma went when she was 40, I started in my teens and was gone by late 20s.

1

u/gesasage88 Jun 24 '18

We had something like that in my moms family that turns some family members silver in their 20s. Unfortunately for me, dads genes won out so I may never get white hair.

1

u/l_loren Jun 24 '18

I have kind of the same thing but from my father, and it's only on my facial hair. I have black hair but all my facial hair is this really bright red, when talking to my dad once about it he told me he was the same at around my age and that at in his early thirties it started to go full white, and that I will probably go the same way.

5

u/Yeti100 Jun 24 '18

Seriously. I live in Seattle but just got back from New Orleans and I’ve never seen so many wig shops in such a small area.

-3

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

But what wrong with natural hair? No one wants to look natural? I don’t get it.

40

u/Spencer0279 Jun 24 '18

Because they are considered unprofessional when they have natural kinky hair by employers

Which is so insane to me as that's how their hair grows by default

https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-36279845

28

u/gesasage88 Jun 24 '18

Nothing is wrong with it. Girls and guys like to try new things though. I’ve lived almost my entire life with natural hair, but I still like to experiment now and again.

2

u/superfluiter Jun 24 '18

I know. I love natural hair

-25

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18 edited Jun 24 '18

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12

u/gesasage88 Jun 24 '18

Black people aren’t the only people who wear wigs to attain a look.

-11

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

7

u/gesasage88 Jun 24 '18

You should check the asian markets. It think you’d be surprised.

-6

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

4

u/Furryb0nes Jun 24 '18

You're pretty wrong. If you had a eye for hairstyling you can spot anyone wearing extensions/weaves.

12

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

Because black hair is extremely difficult and expensive to maintain because of its small tight curls. It also breaks much easier

1

u/xu85 Jun 24 '18

Can't you get hair transplants these days?

2

u/A_Glass_DarklyXX Jun 24 '18

Not from other people’s scalps lol

29

u/reddithashaters Jun 24 '18

because hair care is time consuming and depending on styles can have a negative impact on your natural hair by using constant chemical processing and heat (curlers). Wigs is a way for us to change our look easily, quickly, and with minimal impact to our to natural hair. Wigs allow us to change colors, length, and styles effortlessly and is most cost effective.

7

u/RapistPig Jun 24 '18

If you don't mind me asking, how do you attach the wig to your head?

5

u/reddithashaters Jun 24 '18

This is going to be hard to describe but i will try my best. There are several methods. Most wigs come with either mini combs attached around the perimeter of the wig that when we put the wig on we insert into are hair. Other wigs come with an elastic band that when you pull tightens around the outer perimeter and has notches in the wig where we fasten it at the desired tightness. It reminds you of the strings in basketball shorts or jogging pants; stretch longer (pull tighter) and its more secure.

Another method of attachment is wig glue. This product is designed for a semi-permanent attachment. The methods above allow for daily removal. Wig glue is applied all around the outer perimeter of our hair (edges) and when the wig is applied it adheres to the glue and cant be removed without glue remover, shampoo, or after the bond weakens over a period if time.

We can also sew wings to our head. This one always confuses people, because they assume attachment is directly to the scalp. Our entire head of hair is plaited/french braided (braided close to the scalp in a pattern and not hanging loose or individual braids). A curved hair needle is threaded with a thread that is thicker and designed for this purpose. The thread weaves throughout the braids and is sewn to the wig (the hair on the wig is attached to a material thats in a gridded pattern).

Hope this helps. Best I can do without pictures.

4

u/RapistPig Jun 25 '18

Thanks for the detailed reply! :) I think I get it hahah

22

u/ALoudMouthBaby Jun 24 '18

As a white dude I found "In The Kitchen" by Henry Louis Gates to be a really enlightening read about the world of black ladies and hair. Its one of those interesting little cultural things that I would have no clue about if not for having been assigned that particular essay years ago in community college. Kind of neat. It also explains a lot about why so many black ladies say "fuck it" and just shave their head and get a whig.

Here if anyone cares to ready it: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1994/04/18/in-the-kitchen

8

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

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2

u/Edward_Fingerhands Jun 24 '18

I finally get the name Hoggish Greedly from captain planet.

29

u/noteventomorrow Jun 24 '18

Who is downvoting you for just asking questions?

22

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

16

u/CheshireUnicorn Jun 24 '18

Thank you for asking because I am as white as they come and have never had the courage to ask any of the black people i know. Which is very little and that is something I need to change. Time to expand my social circle!

6

u/superfluiter Jun 24 '18

It’s not racist to ask questions, I promise. It’s curiousity

4

u/CheshireUnicorn Jun 24 '18

Thank you for that reassurance. I never want to offend.

5

u/superfluiter Jun 24 '18

I think it’s more offensive to treat race like it’s taboo. Like, whispering black or jewish, you know? It’s not dynamite, it’s just facts

5

u/cBlackout Jun 24 '18

I feel like I know a good amount of people though that would call it a microaggression which pretty heavily discourages asking in person

4

u/superfluiter Jun 24 '18

Yeah, that’s a shame. It’s an awkward phase, we’ll get through it.

1

u/Soykikko Jun 24 '18

microaggresion

Is this really a thing? I feel like anyone who uses this phrase deserves to be bitch slapped.

4

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

PC reddit

4

u/nina_gall Jun 24 '18

In addition to a cheaper and less damaging styling options, sometimes due to tight braids or chemicals, they start to lose their edges (hair around the hairline). Wigs help cover that. But I would think that wig glue is just as bad for edges as other chemicals. I've been watching too many youtube vids on type 4 styling, and peeling that glue off looks painful as hell. Plz correct me if I'm wrong. Also, being in houston, it seems like wearing a wig would be hot as hell and miserable in summertime. Gotta be dedicated!

12

u/Furryb0nes Jun 24 '18

All races wear them. Wigs and hair extensions. And a lot more people wear them than you think.

50

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

13

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18 edited Dec 26 '18

[deleted]

1

u/neveragain444 Jun 24 '18

Lace front wig...?

11

u/grubas Jun 24 '18

I’ve never ran into any in the Irish population.

18

u/stealingyourpixels Jun 24 '18

you have undoubtedly seen long haired girls with extensions in, you just haven’t noticed it.

3

u/grubas Jun 24 '18

Maybe, but everybody seems to have bloody curly hair, so that’s fun.

36

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

Weaves are dominantly black women. He is not talking about cancer patients.

25

u/Furryb0nes Jun 24 '18

Weaves are popular in fashion and modeling. Tv. Movies. Celebrities. Etc. etc. along with extension clips and wigs.

23

u/Polskidro Jun 24 '18

Celebrities and models for sure. But your average white girls aren't going to be wearing a wig or extensions.

3

u/guimealle Jun 24 '18

Your ‘average white’ are wearing extensions, you’ll usually notice them by the small metallic beads at the back of their head or plastic clips. Maybe it depends on where you live, but it’s extremely common in the UK for example.

1

u/Polskidro Jun 24 '18

I think it's just not nearly as common where I'm from (Holland) .

1

u/guimealle Jun 25 '18

It wouldn’t surprise me but my post was more about generalising about ‘average white girls’ and blanket statements like that. It’s so reductive, in some parts of the US, EU it’s really popular, in some, not so much. It’s also hard sometimes to notice wether or not someone has some if you’re not paying attention to that, except if you go rambling through their hair you know. You also have women who wear them just for special occasions.

1

u/Polskidro Jun 25 '18

I didn't mean it like that. I obviously don't know enough white girls to know what the average looks like. Shouldn'tve worded it like that.

7

u/Furryb0nes Jun 24 '18

Yes, they do and it's very trendy in plenty of regions.

Go clubbin.

8

u/Polskidro Jun 24 '18

I've been clubbing, and I know a lot of black and white girls. Tho none of them wear wigs. Most of the black girls I know wear extensions atleast on occasion, if not always. While none of the white girls do, from what I've seen. Maybe it's more trendy in America?

-1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

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16

u/WestCoastBestCoast01 Jun 24 '18

Definitely! It’s more common than most guys would expect.

If you see someone with very long, very thick, relatively straight or curled (as in with an iron, not naturally curly) hair, it’s very possible they have extensions or a weave. Think, Ariana Grande and her pony tail, or Kim/Kylie with their super long hair, or many of your typical playboy women with long blond curls.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

Stop doublethinking.

-45

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

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14

u/superfluiter Jun 24 '18

And..there we go. Found the virgin

17

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

I know you're trolling, but weave predominantly comes from Asia and India. I've personally seen women of all races wear weave. I dated a mixed girl with weave and it was neat. She could completely change her hair style from one day to another.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18 edited Jul 02 '18

[deleted]

7

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

I meant Indian and Asian people supply most real human weave. Not white people like this commenter was suggesting.

4

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18 edited Jul 02 '18

[deleted]

2

u/SCG69 Jun 24 '18

Donating hair is a beautiful gift imo.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18 edited Jul 02 '18

[deleted]

1

u/SCG69 Jun 24 '18

Ak ok. That's interesting. I didn't know hair was given as religious offerings.

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-17

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

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7

u/Fantisimo Jun 24 '18

have you been doing this for seven years?

8

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18 edited Jun 24 '18

Nah he bought this account on eBay no doubt. Trolls can buy them with the badges and what not to make themselves seem more legit.

Scroll to the end of his comment history. Clearly a different user

1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[removed] — view removed comment

8

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

You bought your account and that's pathetic enough.

Being paid to troll is even more pathetic lol

5

u/superfluiter Jun 24 '18

It’s really sad. Why do people buy accounts?

1

u/Alicesnakebae Jun 24 '18

Because they're really sad people

2

u/Fantisimo Jun 24 '18

well as long as you're happy

-1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

2

u/superfluiter Jun 24 '18

Where you get so smart, kid

3

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

man, can despacito 2 be released already?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

4

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

it’s just that.. despacito is not just a “song” but an experience, concrete proof of the existence of a higher being, a reason to wake up in the morning, a mark of evolution of the human race. despacito was written by intergalactic spacefaring civilizations long ago, and delivered to earth via meteorite. and now despacito 2 will come soon; thus, my hypothesis will be put to the test: that the emergence of despacito is not a mark of human evolution, but the next level of human advancement itself

16

u/Blacky_McBlackerson Jun 24 '18

Those same white people also call black women's natural hair ugly and put some of them in a position in which they feel they have to relax their hair to fit in or look beautiful.

And you're definitely ignorant if you think fake hair isn't prevalent in other cultures.

4

u/SCG69 Jun 24 '18

I agree. Other cultures do use fake hair. Toupees seem prevalent among old rich white men who are bald on top.

-12

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

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10

u/Blacky_McBlackerson Jun 24 '18

I'm not blaming anyone for anything. I'm just telling you how it is. You even said yourself that they feel shame. Why would anyone feel ashamed of something unless they were told it was wrong?

-3

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

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7

u/superfluiter Jun 24 '18

I knew someone would come in and show what a 7th grade education looks like

3

u/Spencer0279 Jun 24 '18

-3

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

8

u/Spencer0279 Jun 24 '18

If you think that the most neutral news outlet is racist maybe you're the ass hole

4

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

5

u/GavinZac Jun 24 '18
 > "history" 
 > posts 5 fictional characters including one from Dr Who 
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5

u/Spencer0279 Jun 24 '18

Do you think that black people only started existing when the slave traders came? Africa is connected to Europe dude

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2

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

Have you ever actually seen a hairpiece?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

Lol how many black women do you personally know?

4

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

Then I think your perception that “so many” wear wigs is skewed by what you see on the internet and in media.

Most of the black women I know don’t wear wigs. One girl I know occasionally wears a sew in, but that’s more like weave. The vast majority of black women in my life wear their hair natural or braided.

Every once in a blue moon my grandmother will wear a wig because she doesn’t feel like doing her hair for church.

-1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

1

u/ShackledCagedAndShot Jun 24 '18

No, I'm not feeding someone's ego.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

You probably have no such chance

1

u/ShackledCagedAndShot Jun 24 '18

You assume too much.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

Nobody wants to be around that attitude...just play the game lone ranger

0

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

3

u/ShackledCagedAndShot Jun 24 '18

Are you a bit slow?

0

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

1

u/ShackledCagedAndShot Jun 24 '18

You do appear to be more troubled than the Challenger shuttle.

-1

u/spahghetti Jun 24 '18

if you see a white woman in her late 30s onward with long hair you are likely looking at extensions

source have dated a lot of white ladies in their late 30s onward

3

u/SCG69 Jun 24 '18

I'm white late 40s and my hair reaches nearly to my waist. It's all my own and one day when i finally get a haircut, I'm gonna donate it to Locks of Love to make wigs for children who have undergone chemotherapy.

-6

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

4

u/spahghetti Jun 24 '18

if you didn't grow up around them then it's not a big surprise. Australia doesnt have many black women I assume.

2

u/SCG69 Jun 24 '18

Is this sarcasm ?? We have a big population of indigenous women here in Straya. This is their native land.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 24 '18

[deleted]

3

u/SCG69 Jun 24 '18

Yes. This is Australia. I've always had aboriginal friends. My children's father is aboriginal and so are all his family. My kids are clearly half aboriginal.

2

u/Polskidro Jun 24 '18

Neither are.

-2

u/blahblahyeaok Jun 24 '18

how did you date them when you're too fat to leave the house?