Much is said about Meghan Markle's hair, does she use extensions? Here we tell you the truth about her perfect mane.
Women's hair matters a lot, since it only expresses our identity to us, but it also says a lot about whether or not we fit into some beauty canons that, although less and less, are almost always exclusive, leaving certain prototypes of women. outside. Does Meghan Markle wear extensions? Here the truth about her hair.
The hair of women of color in the United States – as well as in many other countries around the world – is one more mark, as is the color of their skin, which distances them not only from aesthetic models, but also from many other possibilities. For this reason, many of them resort to wigs and extensions that make it possible to show off Caucasian hair that is more in line with the "prevailing" model in society.
The hair of women of color is very curly.
It seems obvious, but it is not. Its curl grows upwards as a result of its own undulation, for this reason it seems that it does not grow when doing it as if coiled.
«African hair is difficult to straighten and requires specific knowledge that understands its characteristics and the care it needs, different from that of hair from the rest of the world.
To smooth it, you have to resort to very aggressive products that do manage to stretch it, but it is left without flexibility, rigid. For this reason, to achieve the desired finish, wigs or extensions are used," says Rafael Bueno, a hairdresser from Malaga.
Not very inclusive beauty canons
Not fitting in with some beauty stereotypes is much more than an aesthetic issue, it's also a political one. And in these cases in which the reasons are ethnic, they can affect personal identity, self-acceptance, although to this is added that they can be an impediment to social advancement.
“Most women of color in the United States hide their natural hair to avoid feeling discriminated against at work. Taking it natural can mean not being selected in a job interview, or even being fired. In some states there are laws in this regard, because values are attributed to African hair, such as being difficult and unprofessional.
That is why Michelle Obama wore it plain during the eight years of her husband's presidential term and she began to wear it natural when she left the White House. Discrimination reaches all spheres, including leading women”, explains M.ª José Llata from Santa Cruz de Bezana (Cantabria).
The business of African American hair
The option that manages to emulate the hair of white or European women are the extensions, specific for African hair due to its characteristics, although it is also the most expensive possibility. One more element of discrimination that enriches a cosmetic industry that moves millions of dollars.
“The extensions that women of color wear, and we include everyone here, regardless of their origin, are very expensive, first of all, because they are natural black straight hair, mostly from women in India. To apply them, your own hair is braided and covered with a net. From here the extensions begin to be sewn, a task that takes up a lot of time. This service has an approximate cost of 1,000 dollars a month, which many women assume so as not to lose their job, so as not to feel discriminated against, as well as to feel beautiful”, says Raquel Saiz from Torrelavega (Cantabria).
The truth about Meghan Markle's hair
Models of beauty are cultural constructions that, when they are exclusive and cause pain, must be modified. However, sometimes discrimination is so ingrained that it is found in the one who looks as well as in the one who is looked at.
«Women like Kamala Harris or Meghan Markle have great social relevance, as well as the power of influence, but they do not use it with their hair, they hide their afro hair behind extensions or wigs, thus demonstrating their need to fit into the image people have of themselves. who is in power And deep down they lose the opportunity to claim true beauty, that of being and not that of pretending. Playing with the image seems very healthy to me, but here we are talking about hiding your origins, "says Mª José Llata.
