Recently, as I was preparing for a scheduled video interview, I started freaking out. Wash day was 3 days ago and I don’t have the time to go through the process of straightening my hair. I’m wearing my 3-day-old wash and go, which means my fro is huge and, if I put any more product in my hair, the build up is not going to be cute. That also means a braid-out is a no. So, now I’m thinking to myself: “Is my fro appropriate for an interview?”As a college student, I’m constantly on the job hunt. What field do I want to go in after graduation? What internships are best to gain experience? What business professionals are coming on campus? Who can I network with?
The last interview I went on, my hair was in it’s natural state and I got the job, but it was gelled up in a high bun. If you’re a natural girl, you know once you do that, that’s the style you’re sticking with until wash day comes back around. The day after my scheduled video interview, I had a trip to New York planned and I didn’t want to make that gel commitment. In New York, I would be meeting with another company, with BRAG (Black Retail Action Group). I kind of knew my fro would be okay because everyone I was going to be with — well, is black! I wasn’t too sure about my interview though. As I’m freaking out, I start thinking to myself, again, I know other people have the problem.
When you’re in college, or maybe fresh out of college, you really want to accepted into your field. My field is fashion and branding, so there’s already a lot of wiggle room with it comes to “professional” appearance, but would someone who is not African American still see my fro as professional? I know it’s 2017 and being natural is in style and, supposedly, no one can tell me my naturally styled hair is unprofessional, but that’s not always how it works. And, even though they might not be able to say it, I don’t really want them to think it either
I started searching natural hairstyles on Pinterest, as if I haven’t seen thousands of natural hairstyles before. I read online magazine articles. I really just wanted to get in the shower and start all over, but I didn’t have time for that. Finally, I just decided to wear my fro just like it was, in my wash and go state. I refreshed my curls a bit and called it a day. I did pin back the front of my hair so my curls weren’t in my face — I remembered reading that in an article somewhere.
I made up in my mind, if this company sees what I know is in me, my natural hair won’t matter. Even though, somehow, my fro was a lot smaller that morning. I just made sure I looked neat, put together, and my highlight was poppin’ (lol).
I find myself having this debate most of the time when I’m entering a professional environment. Do you think your natural hair is appropriate for work? If you have certain styles you do, comment below and let me know what they are!
XO,
Sydney
TayloredbySydney 
I think we need to stop thinking in the concept of whether, as African-Americans, our natural hair is appropriate for the work place….it’s simply our hair. As a society we apply the European standard for everything, beauty, body type and hair. Our European sisters never ask themselves this question. I work for a Fortune 500 company in a very visible position…I am often the only Black person in the room…I struggled with this question and will admit often caved to society’s standards. But my hair, whether the big bush or it current short and sassy is my hair…and in either state is appropriate for the workplace
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