Big and bouncy, with loose curls: that’s my idea of perfect hair.

The only problem is that hair like that takes time and dedication. Achieving that look was already a feat when my hair was relaxed, it’s even more of a workout now that I’m natural. Washing, blow drying, straightening and curling my thick 4C hair can sometimes feel like a part time job. One I don’t care for, nor did I ask for.

Still once in a while, I dedicated three hours to my hair, in the hopes of leaving the house with big bouncy loose curls. How many time have I achieved my desired look lately? Not once. I’ve blamed my blow-dryer, my straightener, my thick hair when the only one who’s really to blame is my talentless hairstylist, me.

A few year ago, I came across Frédérique Harrel – Freddie, pour les intimes – on Instagram. Something about her personal style – and yes, her hair – automatically drew me in. It is perfection: carefree, but also very intentional. But mostly, it is unapologetically black. It reminds me of Diana Ross’s hair – only more attainable.

Hair is where you get to be loud, where you can express your multiplicity. (Freddie Harrel)

Only it’s not her natural hair. Harrel wears hair extensions and wigs or, as she now calls them, RadShapes. When I first started following her, she had her own line of clip-in extensions that followed the 3C-4C curl pattern of black hair called Big Hair No Care. While her hair line has since changed name to become RadSwan, its mission remained the same: to offer hair that black women wouldn’t have to spend a ridiculous amount of time caring for or spend too much money on. Harrel has also mentioned several times that she no longer wanted human hair extensions as she felt grossed out by the reports she’d hear about women being abused in the sourcing process. All of her RadShapes are therefore made with high quality synthetic hair.

I’ve never been a wig girl myself, something about them always turned me off. Let it be the price or the necessary upkeep, I’d admire them from afar, convinced that they were not for me. But those RadShapes got me intrigued. Intrigued enough to want to give them a try…

Now only time will tell if I actually commit. But after having relaxed my hair, after giving weaves a try and after occasionally sporting braids, I finally feel ready to embark in the final stage of my hair evolution. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you posted. Unless I get one in the winter – we all know that I don’t blog in the winter.

✌🏾 Sergelyne