{"id":1625,"date":"2026-01-09T14:43:35","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T14:43:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/?p=1625"},"modified":"2026-01-10T08:20:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T08:20:07","slug":"natural-vs-artificial-beauty-what-men-really-feel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/?p=1625","title":{"rendered":"Natural vs Artificial beauty: What men really feel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by SAVIOUS KWINIKA<\/em>
JOHANNESBURG<\/strong> – A HEATED debate is unfolding across social media platforms and public forums over why many black women embrace artificial beauty while a significant number of African men say they are more emotionally and physically drawn to natural beauty.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discussion, rich with male perspectives and women\u2019s voices alike, has reignited long-standing questions about attraction, identity, health, and self-confidence in modern African society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of the debate is the contrast between wigs, artificial nails, eyelashes, eyebrow enhancements and heavy makeup, versus natural hair, minimal cosmetics and an unaltered appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many men argue that while artificial beauty may spark curiosity or short-term attraction, it rarely replaces the deeper satisfaction they associate with natural beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conversation gained momentum after award-winning Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin\u2019ono responded to a social media tag by Shonge Dzai, who challenged men\u2019s apparent contradictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMen, we see you cheating your natural wives with women with artificial hairs and nails. Men don\u2019t know what you want,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chin\u2019ono, reacting publicly, offered a candid male perspective shaped by decades of lived experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have been a man for the past 54 years,\u201d he said. \u201cThe average man, the ordinary man I have met during those years, loves women with natural hair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stressed that while men may still date women who use artificial enhancements, natural hair remains the preferred choice when a genuine option exists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGiven a choice, they will almost always choose someone with natural hair. I personally prefer natural hair,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chin\u2019ono also expressed discomfort with excessive makeup, describing it as unnecessary to genuine beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While acknowledging women\u2019s right to personal choice, he insisted that men equally have the right to express what they find attractive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBlack women are the only women in the world with hair that grows towards heaven,\u201d he said, calling natural African hair \u201ca gift from God.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legal practitioner Adv Sean echoed similar sentiments, noting that natural beauty communicates authenticity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is a quiet beauty and confidence in a woman without makeup that speaks more profoundly than any cosmetic enhancement,\u201d he said, adding that character and honesty resonate more deeply than perfection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several men framed artificial beauty as temporary and experimental rather than a foundation for commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luther Mungure remarked that relationships with women using artificial hair and nails are often \u201cjust for experience sake, not for commitment,\u201d while Pardon Chikohora lamented what he called declining confidence among African women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf only they knew how unique the natural African woman is,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others raised hygiene and health concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Takunda Takaendesa described artificial hair and heavy makeup as unhygienic, claiming wigs can develop unpleasant odors and facial cosmetics can appear awkward when women sweat or are exposed to rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond aesthetics, health experts have repeatedly warned that excessive use of beauty chemicals\u2014such as hair relaxers, adhesives, and skin-lightening products\u2014can lead to scalp damage, hair loss, hormonal disruption, allergic reactions, and increased risk of certain cancers when misused or applied over long periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spiritual and psychological dimensions were also raised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zwelihle J. Sibanda questioned the origins of purchased hair, while Edmund Mutondohori recalled being taught that excessive makeup can stem from insecurity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stephen Marima summed up a common male view: \u201cSimplicity and natural beauty stand out more. Confidence and comfort will always be more attractive than trying too hard to impress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Importantly, women also asserted their agency in the debate. Gracious Tshuma said she has never used chemicals, braids or wigs in over four decades, choosing natural hair and headscarves by preference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like my natural hair,\u201d she said. Junia Juju Fore added, \u201cI don\u2019t buy hair, I rock my own.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others emphasized choice over male approval. Sharael Mashy stated that confidence matters more than style. \u201cIf your confidence is in wigs and makeup, do it. I\u2019m team natural, not for men but for myself,\u201d she said. Gee Gee reminded men that women also have preferences, declaring she would not choose a man with dreadlocks or an unkempt beard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the debate continues, one message stands out: attraction is complex, but many men associate natural beauty with authenticity, health and emotional connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, women insist on the freedom to define beauty on their own terms. The conversation, as amplified by CAJ News Africa<\/em> <\/a>and its sources, reflects a broader cultural reckoning over identity, wellbeing and self-worth in contemporary Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– CAJ News<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by SAVIOUS KWINIKAJOHANNESBURG – A HEATED debate is unfolding across social media platforms and public forums over why many black women embrace artificial beauty while a significant number of African men say they are more emotionally and physically drawn to natural beauty. The discussion, rich with male perspectives and women\u2019s voices alike, has reignited long-standing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1626,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[81,85,11],"tags":[296,295],"class_list":["post-1625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hospitality","category-love-romance","category-must-read","tag-ms-francisca-ngulube","tag-naturally-beautiful-african-woman"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Francisca-Ngulube-1-150x150.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Francisca-Ngulube-1-300x253.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Francisca-Ngulube-1.jpg","large":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Francisca-Ngulube-1.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Francisca-Ngulube-1.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Francisca-Ngulube-1.jpg","post-thumbnail":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Francisca-Ngulube-1.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"administrator","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a3d5ebfe727f13fb325bd400aaaf5e789d3e2e20898883d9ae8e3d3d42d58cef?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"by SAVIOUS KWINIKAJOHANNESBURG – A HEATED debate is unfolding across social media platforms and public forums over why many black women embrace artificial beauty while a significant number of African men say they are more emotionally and physically drawn to natural beauty. The discussion, rich with male perspectives and women\u2019s voices alike, has reignited long-standing […]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["Hospitality","Love & Romance","Must Read"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":121,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":4,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Francisca-Ngulube-1.jpg",576,485,false],"medium":["https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Francisca-Ngulube-1-300x253.jpg",300,253,true],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Francisca-Ngulube-1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"administrator","author_link":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/?author=2"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a3d5ebfe727f13fb325bd400aaaf5e789d3e2e20898883d9ae8e3d3d42d58cef?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"Hospitality<\/a> Love & Romance<\/a> Must Read<\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1625"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1625\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1630,"href":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1625\/revisions\/1630"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/matabeletoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}