Name: Jacquette Smith

Occupation: Disability Specialist/part-time blogger

When and why did you start growing your hair?

I started going natural and growing out my relaxed hair in March 2008. I decided to go natural because I was I wanted something different, and little
did I know, I would gain so much more than a change in hair style.

Who does your hair?

I generally style my own hair. But when I want to be pampered, I take a trip to the salon.  I’ve gone to Shi Salon in St. Louis, Missouri.

Have you ever been stereotyped because of your hair?

Of course…lol. For some odd reason, when I went natural, it’s like my entire lifestyle was expected to change. I’ve been asked if I wear deodorant, if I eat pork, etc. It’s almost as if I was immediately type-casted as some type of “Naturalist”. Most people think that women with natural hair do all things natural. I have adapted some traits from going natural, such as being an ingredient stalker, and have gotten into essential oils, but for the most part, I was already into most of those things years before I went natural. However, I still dabble in my pork-rations from time to time, and I still use a lot of commercial products.

What does your hair mean to you? Would you cut your hair or change the style
for a job?

My hair is a representation of who I am. I am strong in appearance, but can also be very delicate and fragile. I’m beautiful and I have a history that goes much deeper than any hair follicle can tell. My hair makes a statement of confidence and going against the grain without me even opening my mouth. With that being said,  I would not cut or straighten my hair for a job. I will, on the contrary, wear hair styles that are environment-appropriate, but I will not alter my texture because of anyone or anything outside of my
own accord.

Are you single/married/dating? If you are dating or married what is her hair
like?
Single.

How important is a woman’s hair to you?
How someone else chooses to wear their hair really isn’t important to me as long as it’s worn with confidence.

Do you prefer relaxed, weave or natural hair?
For myself, I prefer natural hair, but I’m not biased to other styles.

What is more important in a woman: that her hair looks good, smells good or feels good?
All of those aspects are important for my hair. At the top are the look and feel and smell comes last. All of these are characteristics of healthy hair.

Do you think you should see a woman’s real hair before marrying her?
Yes! That’s like seeing her without make up before you marry her, or seeing a man without a hat before you marry him. It’s not really about seeing that person in their “natural state” just to see them physically, but it’s more about seeing how comfortable that person is with themselves in their natural state.