Andre Walker Clarifies Comments He Made About Kinky Hair
The natural community went bananas after reading an interview in ELLE Magazine with Celeb Hair Stylist Andre Walker. In this article Walker refers to kinky hair as “limiting” and goes on the say that kinky hair is the only hair type that he suggests altering chemically.
I guess Andre Walker caught wind the of the negative response to his article and took to his website to respond:
Recently, in an interview with Elle Magazine, I repeated my professional opinion about caring for Type 4 hair, often referred to as kinky hair. Here’s what I said in Elle:
“I always recommend embracing your natural texture. Kinky hair can have limited styling options; that’s the only hair type that I suggest altering with professional relaxing”.
That statement is a very short version of what I also said in my book all those years ago, but almost immediately after the Elle article, the internet was abuzz with people questioning why I would recommend chemically relaxing a particular hair type Some even said my advice suggests that kinky hair is “bad” hair.
Let me first say that there is no such thing as “bad” hair, and I have long ago freed myself from being afraid to use the word “kinky” and also from being accused of not liking natural hair. We have become a multi-cultural society that embraces many different looks and styles when it comes to hair. It is my Mission to help you grow strong, healthy hair, and wear it in the style or styles that best suit your likes and particular hair type.
When it comes to curly and kinky hair (there is a difference), I leave the political correctness of “going straight” or staying natural to a woman’s personal preference. Once again, my advice is based on how to best achieve strong, healthy hair. So for those who would like to engage me in a debate about who has more racial pride and self esteem, based on hairstyle preference and use or non-use of chemical relaxers, know that I believe in personal freedom, and in the use of advanced technology when it yields positive results, which many of today’s (versus yesterday’s) chemical relaxers do deliver.
It is a fact that kinky hair (my Type 4 definition) is extremely fragile and breaks easily. Even when you are very careful, something as simple as combing can break this texture. It is very difficult to achieve a longer length when the hair breaks, even with simple combing. That being said, there is the style option of wearing braids, dreads, or twists, which allows the hair to grow longer because it is combed less often. Another style choice is to simply wear a shorter cut, which is very attractive on some women but just not right for others.
So when I say to embrace your natural texture, but consider relaxing kinky hair, am I contradicting myself? I don’t think so! You see, even relaxed hair can still be worn naturally. If you want a natural look, but find that your kinky hair is difficult to manage, breaks too easily, lacks shine and luster, and limits your preferred styling options, I say feel free to consider a mild chemical relaxer, sometimes called a texturizer, that eases your hair to a more manageable texture and allows you to Make Peace With Your Hair.
We’ve come a long way in the ability of chemical relaxers to gently relax the hair. In fact, I notice that my book is somewhat dated in that respect. When I wrote it, I was not a fan of no-lye relaxers. But now they are much improved, and I use them when I know it will help a client to maintain either a “natural” or a straight look — whichever she prefers — with more ease.
Mandatory for all hair types, and extra mandatory for curly, coarse, or kinky hair — Condition, Condition, Condition !
My Mission in the products I develop and in the professional advice I offer to Everyone of all hair types — Make Peace With Your Hair.
My Message for everyone who questions the integrity of my advice regarding coarse/kinky natural hair — All hair is GOOD hair. Healthy hair is BETTER hair. I will always offer you my BEST hair advice.
Make Peace,
Andre
I don’t agree with a lot of what Andre has to say in his letter. Sure, kinky hair is drier, but it is not impossible to grow. You can have a head of healthy, kinky hair. It’s all about knowing how to care for it. Instead of directing women to relaxers, perhaps Andre should teach women with kinky hair how to properly care for it to avoid breakage when styling. And what’s with the whole “make peace with your hair” deal? Last I checked my hair and I weren’t in a fight. I’m sorry, but Mr. Walker needs to have a seat.
Category: Natural hair
Yes, he needs to sit down with a quickness! I say BOO to his “politically correct” message.
LOL at “with the quickness”.
Smh. Yes, its true, kinky hair types are fragile and break off easier but this is only an issue when the hair isn’t being properly taken care of and when a person is being rough with their hair. If you read and understand about the way relaxers/texturizer affects the hair, putting one in your hair and not properly take care of it will cause your hair to break more than if you continued to care for it in its natural state.
“So when I say to embrace your natural texture, but consider relaxing kinky hair, am I contradicting myself? I don’t think so! You see, even relaxed hair can still be worn naturally.”
Yes you are contradicting yourself. Embracing your natural texture mean, your natural texture without chemicals. Im sure many of us who are natural did not go natural just because we wanted to wear natural hair styles. We went natural to crease the production fanfare, dangers and etc of perming our hair.
[...] was on TheManeSource’s blog and ran across this article. She is hilarious. Andre [...]
I’m gonna be honest. All this did was make him sound dumber than he originally did.
F*ck that b*tch and all he stands for. You’re a professional but won’t direct women on how to properly care for a specific texture…basically he caters to textures he deems more “manageable”. Eff outta here. My hair is perfect and wonderfully made. Who gon’ check me boo? No damn body. He needa fall back just like that hairline of his.
LOL!!!!
LOL @ who gon check me boo.
Well said Xena, his punk ass has no idea (and doesnt want to have no ideas) on what to do with 4 type hair. Instead of exploring the science behind it, he just wants to slap relaxer on top of it.
Sad, this is why so many women feel they can’t go natural, when “professional hair stylists” shame their natural hair texture and suggest relaxers.
With all do respect Mr. Andre… I don’t subscribe! I think it’s totally contradictory to say “embrace your natural texture but relax them naps because you know how ya’lls kinky hair breaks…” like a relaxer of all things will halt breakage… 0_o I’m not anti-relaxer by any means if that what you choose to do more power to you, but OWN IT.
I dont know yall, first of all he has the right to his opinion. We have to stop believing we need to go up in arms about every negative comment that someone makes regarding natural hair. Not all natural hair is created equal, and not all natural hairstyles are truly suited to the individual. He has his preferences and its better to know where u stand with someone than not to.
His advice for chemical services to make hair more maneageable is not wrong, it’s just not right for everyone. In college i got a texturizer and that was the only time in my life my hair was healthy outside of age 4 and less (my mom started relaxing me at age 5, jheri curl age six and then a relaxer combination for the next years of my life until college). THe texturizer was applied by a woman who was known for geting the right amount of kink out so that your hair had the curls you want, and the kink you wanted. The straightened result was the same as achieved with all natural hair EXCEPT shinier and would remain straighter longer and also accepted conditioners and moisture (my natural hair laughs at conditioning treatments). I truly miss her doing my little texturizer, and NO one knew i had a texturizer, so if your general concern is that texturizers look too jheri curlish, that’s only if you dont consult a PRO. I would do a tex in a minute, but i continuously face hair issues. Perhaps if i consult a pro i can get a good tex that will let me see results FINALLY with conditioners and still get the natural look which is what i love… nothing like kinks, coils and curls. I especially love curls.
I’m mad at him for saying the “… there is the style option of wearing braids, dreads, or twists, which allows the hair to grow longer because it is combed less often. Another style choice is to simply wear a shorter cut, which is very attractive on some women but just not right for others.” There are plenty of women with long kinky hair that didn’t have to resort to braids, dreads, or twists to make it grow (need proof just get on youtube). Nothing against braids, dreads, twists or locs because because they do help the hair to grow but it’s not the only way. Kinky hair will grow when it it properly cared for.
Andre is just showing his ignorance of not knowing how to care for kinky hair and his unwilliningness to learn…and you call yourself a professional. Come on get with the program! I feel sorry for the woman that sits in your chair and wants long kinky hair without relaxing. You will basically tell her it’s impossible. SMDH!
I hate that people like him have the media’s ear and are seen as an authority on the subject. He is a stylist and I cannot question his skills as a stylist but that doesn’t make him an authority on best practices for achieving and maintaining healthy kinky hair. I’ve had many very could stylists who made my hair look amazing but knew absolutely nothing about how to get it and keep it healthy.
I find it interesting that he repeatedly talks about kinky hair being so fragile that “something as simple as combing can break this texture”, yes it’s true kinky hair is more fragile than other hair types. But why does he not mention that kinky hair is not designed to be pulled through combs designed for straight or looser curled hair types in the first place? I also didn’t understand how he believes one could have relaxed hair and yet wear their hair natural? o_O
I’m not one who feels that all women who relax their hair should go and have a talk with Jesus (it’s really NOT that serious and I believe in personal choice ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO OUR HAIR), but I’m perturbed that he uses relaxing/texturizing as the only alternative to achieve “healthy” kinky hair.
I agree with the first commenter that said “he needs to sit down with a quickness! I say BOO to his “politically correct” message”.
Andre’s message about managing hair is self serving….of course he would advise kinky hair clients to get a relaxer because it makes his job EASIER! Hair stylists are about themselves…they make your hair superficially “good” and manageable so they can quickly do your hair and move you out for the next victim. No wonder they hate natural hair and long hair we cut into their bottom line.
Another point is that Andre endorsed Dr. Miracles relaxer just by having it featured prominently during the Oprah show…..do you think he did that for free??? The hair/relaxer giants see their bottom line being threatened by the natural movement and who carries the most influence with the AA community??!! get one of Oprah’s gurus to endorse relaxing and hit pay dirt.
I find this whole debate extremely interesting. I have type 2 – 4 hair, meaning my hair has 3 textures. I shaved off my chemically treated hair in 1990 and wore it natural until a 2007 visit to a Los Angeles hair dresser suggested I texturize. my natural hair. I did and I have never been happier. I wear my hair natural but I can comb it through in under 10 minutes in exchange of my former 1 – 1.5 hours.
I love reading everyone’s opinions and think they are all valid. Natural or chemically treated hair we are all so diverse that we can all do what we like.
Remember all hair has a bad hair day…
[...] during TheManesSurce.com, Danielle wrote: “Sad, this is because so many women feel they can’t go natural, when [...]
What a way to eat Crow! and he didn’t do it that well!
I agree, He needs to take his S-Curl and SAT DOWN!
Well, there are many women with Type 1, Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4 hair that are in a fight with their hair type, just about every woman on the planet has something about her physicality that she doesn’t like. Also, we must encourage everyone who wants to have a platform to take it and to speak out. There is a saying that all progress is due to the unreasonable man. In this case, Mr. Walker’s opinion has led many women to prove him wrong, when they may not have otherwise tried to deal with their natural kinky hair, and therefore have discovered ways to do just what he says cannot be done: prevent breakage enough to grow kinky hair long while in a loose natural state. Peace.