This story is a part of Lit Mag: The UNTOLD Issue.
I am more comfortable wearing fake extensions and braids rather than my natural hair. I’ve never been comfortable wearing my natural hair and it’s just something I’m not used to doing. I started to wear braids when I was 5 and weaves in the 9th grade. I was 14 years old. I didn’t think anything of wearing braids at that age because It was in style and it looked cute on me.
Recently, I did the “Big Chop.” I cut off about 6-7 inches of my hair. I don’t regret doing it at all because my hair is 100% healthy and my curls are coming back healthier than ever. As a protective style, I make my own wigs and get braids from time to time.
Dakota Hayes an 18-year-old upcoming make-up artist who lives in Oakland, California. She graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 2016 and is now pursuing to become the best makeup artist out of Oakland. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, styling makeup, and hair. She hopes to do makeup for celebrities one day and to reach that dream she plans to create her own Instagram page and show people her work and get bookings.