“I am not my hair, I am not this skin, I am not your expectations,” sang India Arie, a Grammy-winning R&B singer-songwriter. She added the rhetorical question: “Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person?”
Hair can say something about who you are, perhaps even give you confidence. Many locals make a statement by having hairstyles that fit outside the norm. But in a series of interviews, most said that while their hair is an essential part of their being, it does not determine their integrity or character.
Durangoan Kelli Lewis has adorned her strawberry-blond dreadlocks for a bit more than four years. She dreaded her hair when she turned 18 and has sported the look since, she said.
Lewis went through many phases, and said she constantly changed her hair in an effort to conceal who she was. She didn’t like her natural-red hair, and she dyed it just about every color. She wanted anything but red, she said.
Her hair has been black, brown, blond and streaked with purple accents.
Now, she embraces the loudness of her hair.
“I’ve become more patient and more comfortable with who I am.”
Though she’s found inner peace with her new life philosophy of “letting it grow,” she has faced adversities, including racial discrimination.
She recalls getting condescending stares from Rastafarian African-American men when she lived in San Francisco because she is a Caucasian woman with red hair.
She said she was never trying to undermine their religion or spiritual beliefs, she just wanted to express herself.
Additionally, she’s been the victim of a few negative stereotypes regarding hygiene and drug use, while others compliment her unique fashion statement.
She’s not sure what is next for her hair, but she does feel that it is a strong asset to her personality and believes that it may change as her philosophies change.
“Consider it as something that is temporary and appreciate it for what it is. Hair is not something to focus on,” she said.
Liz Nelson, a barista at Durango Coffee Co., another Caucasian woman with dreadlocks, has a specific routine to care for and maintain her locks.
She said that using soap to clean dreadlocks is an amateur’s mistake.
“That’s why so many white people have gross dreadlocks,” she said.
She explained that soap doesn’t quite rinse out and can leave behind mildew. She cleans her dreads with baking soda and apple-cider vinegar. She also uses Moroccan oil to moisturize her hair as the maintenance process can dry it out.
She chose the look for a simple reason: “I just was really attracted to (dreadlocks).”
Alayna Mathews, owner of the Lemon Head Hair Salon at 145 E. College Drive, said hair means different things to different people. For her, looking well-put-together makes her feel confident. Hair expresses who people are and forms part of their confidence, she said. For the most part, people’s hair matches their personalities, she said.
Mathews has dark-black hair and considers herself to be edgy. She said she could never imagine herself being a blonde.
“You are your hair,” Mathews said.
She’s enjoyed giving funky and edgy haircuts, but advises people to consider their options if a requested hairstyle seems unflattering.
Once a man asked her for a mullet and, confused as to why someone would want such a ridiculous haircut, she asked him why. It ended up being part of a joke; the man planned on shaving his head after a few days of walking around his school with a mullet.
Mathews said it’s important to be honest when a hesitant client asks for advice. Additionally, it is helpful to extract information from the client regarding lifestyle and profession, especially if it’s regarding an unnatural hair color.
“Do you really want orange leopard hair if you are a banker?” she said.
Tyler Lovato sports a 6-inch black curly beard along with long brown hair. Though he may be perceived otherwise, he would describe himself as goofy and friendly. He’s even a philanthropist. He recently donated 12 inches of his hair to an organization that makes wigs for cancer patients, he said.
He began growing his hair after his aunt died, and thought cancer patient wigs would be a good cause.
His love for “ridiculous” facial hair stemmed from a young age. Lovato began experimenting with his facial hair at 13.
“I’ve come into my personality a lot more,” he said.
He’s also participated in the Snowdown Durango Beard Competition, and he has received encouragement from his friends.
He does encounter creative nicknames like “black beard” and has recently had onlookers tell him he resembles the characters on “Duck Dynasty.”
“Jesus comes up every once in a while,” he said.
He realizes that he probably couldn’t be a politician or CEO and have a 6-inch beard, he said, but he does hold a regular 9-to-5 job, and his employers don’t mind his look.
Beard upkeep also is important. Though he has encountered the “unhygienic” stereotype, he assures that he washes his beard twice a week and has three different combs for it.
Lovato has occasionally encountered people who have asked to stroke or pet his beard. He finds that flattering.
Also, his girlfriend has never seen him without a beard, and he joked that she would probably break up with him if he shaved it.
His philosophy when it comes to hair?
“Let it be,” he said.
vguthrie@durangoherald.com
