"Naturally fun"

I am currently sporting a natural afro style consisting of cornrows crowned by a mass of afro kinky twists to help my hair recover (transitioning) from the effects of having my hair texturized (relaxing). I have yet to find the ‘holy grail’ of afro hair salons here in Stockholm but I have found a couple of places that are good with natural hairstyles and are better equipped to deal with the different textures of afro hair. Watch this space for my guide to finding a good hair salon in Stockholm.

I was not sure how people would take my new funky hairstyle as natural hairstyles seem to be a novelty here. The trend for chemical free hair has not really hit the ladies of colour here in Stockholm who seem to have succumbed to the Western ideal of beauty - long, straight locks (I have even seen blonde - it is Sweden). Maybe if more of these women started to wear their hair natural then Swedish people wouldn't think it was strange.

My boyfriend absolutely loves it but then he thinks I look great with most styles and there have been many. I have had a lot of strange looks but most people’s reactions have been positive. I was quite surprised when a Swedish man sitting opposite me on the tube actually complemented me on my “fun” (his words) hairstyle after looking at me curiously for most of the journey to my SFI course. Swedish people are quite reserved and would usually shy away from any form of social interaction with a stranger, so this was a first.