Jamila of CollegeCurlies writes;
Hey y’all. Came across this video today (via Jameka of Pretty Natural Divas) by vlogger Taren916, and wanted to know what you thought:
Jamila’s response: I have a few favorite vloggers and bloggers that I watch and read regularly, because I like the person who provides the information and also for the information that’s provided. I’m not a “new” natural, but there’s still a lot that I don’t know (I was natural for a year and a half before I knew what a twist-out was…) I’m not an expert, and make no claims to be, so I gladly welcome any opportunity I have to learn more. My favorite bloggers/vloggers are consistent in how often they post and the quality of content, so I keep going back.
What do y’all think?
This is so helpful. I know I'm totally late for this post but I'm glad I found it. I have been trying to find ways to improve my youtube videos. I love everyone's input.
www.youtube.com/olub20
I watched a ton of videos for the first few months after I made the decision to transition. I find that forums and blogs tend to help me a lot more. I am more of a "reader" than a "listener" though. It may have to do with a person's preferred way of taking in information.
i want to see more peoples insight on coloring their natural hair & bleaching it because i want to put a bright color in it something blond honey blonde maybe or a red or orange but anywas i do want to see how to bleach hair and what not so that would be great for me
I personally love Natural Hair videos! I love them so much that I started my own channel: www.youtube.com/celdrea!
I've been spoiled by many vloggers who edit their videos to make them entertaining, and less documentarialish-like (LOL). These YTers have some of my favorite edited videos:
Naptural85
MsVCharles
160Days2Lose2
Kimmaytube
NikkiMae2003
However, I do occasionally enjoy some raw footage, if the topic is of interest to me. I enjoy EllePixie's (denimpixie on YT, I think) product reviews even though they are not as fancy as some, because she's animated and not boring to watch. I do like Taren's "Reveal and Release" segments, because I find real-life topics interesting. It can't always be about hair.
I don't get why some of you seem to be jumping on the defensive already… this is a harmless question. No one said natural hair itself is boring. Let the speaking of the minds… commence. LOL.
I think that this question could be asked of a lot of things. Are natural hair products boring? blogs? websites? meet ups? etc. Many would answer that all or some of those other natural hair phenomena are boring. You know why? Because all hobbies get boring, and yes, I do think natural hair care has become a hobby for many people. No one needs all this stuff, its become entertainment/fun, and there is nothing wrong with that at all. But once something becomes a hobby, folks start to expect to be entertained.
No one who is just trying to keep their hair clean and organized is taking in all of this natural hair media, so they couldn't even get bored…
With all of that said as background, I think the videos aren't really so much about hair and are more about black women connecting with and supporting eachother for the most part. Hair has just become the vehicle. That will never be boring 😉
I agree with Anonymous 7:24pm. This can go for makeup, comedy, news, styling, cooking, hauls, and "favorites" videos as well.
I LOVE natural hair videos it has been a lifesaver. I've learned so much from various ladies. I'm forever grateful. If you think someone is boring just find someone else. There may be a million twist outs but not everyone has your hair texture or the personality you like so I'm glad there is a huge variety.
My only beef is with the ladies who come on and start yawning talking about they just woke up or they sick or sleepy. Huh? You be watching feeling like you interrupted their day, lol.
But there are so many beautiful sisters working hard on their videos and buying all these products just to help us. I love it! I like Nikkimae2003,naptural85,blackonyx,aliciajamesmusic (she looks exactly like kimmaytube weird) her voice and music is BOMB though. There are so many great personalities I just love it.
Why narrow it down Natural Hair videos its all about the person presenting the info…. Not the topic
I say do you… YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO TURN IT OFF. I still say there isn't enough info out there on natural hair and that everyone hair doesn't turn out the same even if it is the same style. Why hate on natural hair tutorials/ videos? I don't see people hating on relax hair styles or straightening hair tutorials. They all have the same principle. I swear anything to tear down a black community/ organization… "Natural Hair Videos TOO BORING" gtfoh. Taren916 videos are pretty much about the same thing so I hope she's taking her own advice.
I agree with what everyone is saying– too many people ramble without thinking about the length of their videos, and they don't edit their videos either. However, I will say that sometimes, I will watch videos because I enjoy the person speaking, and if that's the case, I could watch a 20 minute video and it would feel like 5 minutes. Take spicyeve, for example. She's hilarious without even trying. I watch allof her videos, no matter how long, even if they're not relevant to me, because she makes them fun to watch.
I subscribe to the vloggers I like so therefore, no, the videos aren't boring to me ie Kimmaytube, Naptural85, prettydimples01, BeautifulBrwnBabyDol, etc.
I, for one, am just glad that there ARE so many videos out there. Years ago, there was nothing. I say, keep the videos coming- long, short, boring, exciting, whatever. The more of a presence we see of natural hair in all media avenues, perhaps the more NATURAL seeing a black woman with natural hair will become. There are so many portrayals of an unrealistic beauty standard for us – especially those of us with natural hair. We need to keep flooding any avenue we can with natural hair images and information. We need to do this to catch up for lost time.
See, I really think it is about the editing and staying focused on the point of the video. I don't mind watching different people's versions of common natural styles if they are concise. Each person is different and standard styles will look different, too! Plus, it those little things that people do when styling that I like to see. I learn a lot of great ideas!
Naptural85, kimmaytube, prettydimples are examples (to me) of people who understand the power of editing. While some of their videos are longer than 5 min, they are put together well. That is the key, I think.
@ Naturally Nita: The problem with 10+ minute vids is that you don't know *where* the important information is. So yes, you can fast forward, but then you have to try to sift through 8 or 9 minutes(or more) of self centered monologue to find it. I don't waste my time on that anymore and only watch videos that are 5-6 minutes and under or by vloggers that I know that get to the point and aren't wasting people's time.
I would love to see more styling videos.
I don't expect everyone to have the same personality, but there are some videos out there that are just plain boring. I usually can't watch a video longer than 10 minutes unless it is very interesting, even then I have to scroll through just a little. I enjoy MahoganyKnots videos, the styles are very cute and the ladies are hilarious!
They can get boring. i watched on vid where the chick talked on and on and on and on and on then she finally proceeded to apply her products, with out even describing them, then she finally put styled her hair which took about 1.5 mins. I wasted 8 minutes!!! When it says "how-to" I expect to see how-to, not your improv stand-up comedy, etc. Just do the 'do!!
The endless rambling drives me nuts. I'll click to watch a video about a hairstyle and the first 5 minutes is rambling, blank stares and a bunch of "ummm". Omg. It's a turn off. That is kind of why I like to watch videos by Kimmaytube or even Tiashauntee (hope that is right). Professional and to the point. I don't want to hear your life stories. Sorry
–Shauna
Yes most are very repetitive and lack new information. They could do with a little creativity like she said do we really need to see another twist out or braid out? perhaps they should switch the focus to other styles or topics. The best vlogger in my opinion is Naptural85 she is precise and to the point and her videos are so dynamic and ever changing but its good to see such an array of natural hair enthusiasts…so encouraging……
I didn't watch the video, so I don't know if it was of Taren "fussing" over long videos. I just thought of this more as a post about whether people like short, to the point videos or enjoy the longer ones. I'm a quick, to the point youtuber. I want you to get to the point, show me how you do the style or pics of your hair journey and move on. My attention span is short like that nowadays. If prefer 2-4 minute videos. If it's over 6 minutes, and that's pushing it, I probably won't watch it unless I know it's a tutorial of a style I really want to learn how to do. Then, as Naturally Nita said, if the person seems to be talking a lot about nothing, I fast forward. I do like to watch Evelyn's videos though, regardless of length, because she is HEE-larious!
Shelli
I don't think they are boring…most of the time. I do have a problem with the editing and flow of most vids. Many natural hair vids are too long (Do you really need to look at the camera and ramble for 15-20 minutes?) or show the person doing her entire head (Just show me several flat twists and then edit to the completed look…please?); have chunks of time where the person disappears from the camera because she forgot something; have the background music playing too loudly when speaking; or have a WHOLE lot of text in the vid that flashes on the screen for one second.
I think if natural hair you tubers just put more care in the planning of their vids it would make a big difference in how we view them. I have a channel with about 20+ vids. Only two are over 6 min and I work very hard when editing. My goals are to make vids no longer than five minutes and to stay focused on the vid's theme. And I utilize my description box to cut down on time length.
I like watching Africanexport because it's always new and different with her makeup,clothes,hair tutorials and reviews. Naptural85 love her hair and just personality, good recipes, and innovative ideas. Whoissugar is so funny and has alot of different things to say, and her hair is gorgeous.
Agree with Naturally Nita.
I'm almost a year into my natural hair journey and I have watched probably hundreds of videos and I've learned a lot.
I guess the thing with me is when people don't like the length or content in a video the question that comes to my mind is why continue to watch it? Just because a person puts a video out there doesn't mean we have to watch it, right? And if it's too long you can always scan ahead to get to the point. The same goes for videos that have the same content (i.e. bandwagon reviews, like the Tangle Teaser) One or 2 reviews should be enough right? Why watch more?
The people I follow on Youtube I follow because they have a similar hair type to mine & I watch their journey for inspiration, encouragement, regimens, and styling techniques. Some I'm described to because I like their comedic personality. But I don't watch every single one of their videos, just the ones I'm interested in & have the time to watch.
I don't know, I guess it seems a lot of fuss over something totally in our power to control. To me it's like a bad TV show, if you don't like it, you don't have to watch it. (Shoulder shrug..)
www.naturallynita.blogspot.com
They are getting boring to me. Only because I was there to learn how to take care of my natural hair when I didn't know how. Now that I have shaved my hair down low, I don't need to see much hair videos unless I actually like the vlogger. Even products that were great on my hair makes no difference because my hair is so short-so no more product reviews!
Majority of video's are boring. They spend the first 2-3 minutes introducing themselves, etc.
I would appreciate a lot more fast-forwarding, editing, etc. Anything over 5 minutes overall is a waste of time.
Regarding product reviews, too much time is spent talking about what I don't need to know and not enough about what I do need to know.
I appreciate tutorials where no talking is involved. They just type out what they're doing on the screen, play music, and we can watch.
Some can be if they are not prepared. I appreciate the time and effort they put in sharing info with us however I just take the meat and leave the bones.
I think youtube videos are great for new naturals but for experienced naturals, they're more looking for what more you can do with natural hair. Experienced naturals are already set in what products they use and their regimen and that's where I think the feelings of "bored with natural hair videos" are coming from.
Yes, they're boring.
I mainly watch natural hair videos for tips on reggies, products, style tutorials, and/or to see someone's successes/growth. However, if I can just read the info under the video I don't even watch.
Another peeve I need to list here is the LENGTH of the videos. Some vloggers let the attention go to their heads and make 10 minute videos about nothing. Unless it's an intricate style or 'how to' video it usually shouldn't take more than 3-4 minutes. I never watch videos that are over this length of time unless the topic is involved(intricate style, etc.) because it's usually 2 minutes of useful information with 8 minutes of ego stroking. And I don't need to see that.
I'm really looking forward to reading these responses because one of my 2012 resolutions is to start a YouTube channel about natural hair, life, etc. But I've been wondering whether that market is just too saturated and I should find a new resolution, lol!
I really wish I could see this video, but my job has it blocked. But to answer the question, I wouldn't necessarily say the videos are boring, but they are often way too long. I often want them to get to the process and wrap things up but they go on an on. I mean do we really need to see someone sit on video and put 50 twists all over their head. They could show a couple of twists and edit to a full head.
I was never really a big vlog watcher. However, I know that i like that there is variety out there and that is great. I like the different hair style videos, but the hair styles that i like is more for kinkly hair that has a little poof. I would like to see what can be done with someone that has fine hair like mine, because when you put it back it is flat, and no volume.
Some of them really are. The person starts rambling on, talking about something else, etc. I just want you to get to the point in a clear, understanding, concise manner. I hate watching a product review video and they look at the bottle, smell the product (like you can smell what they smell…lol), read off everything that is on the bottle, tell me what they have used before, tell me how it worked on their friends, moms, daughters hair, etc. I just want to know if the product does what it it says it's suppose to do. In my opinion these videos should not be 10-15 mins long…I get bored! LOL! My favorite is Naptural85, she speaks clearly, she gives you enough information, she has a great attitude, and she is extremely helpful in a number of natural hair topics.