All Things Afro!
To finish up our series, we’re paying homage to the beauty and versatility of Afro textured hair!
From hair hacks and tips & tricks, to iconic pop culture moments, this edition is a celebration of all things Afro!
So before we dive into important pop culture moments, let’s talk vital tips & tricks!
TIPS & TRICKS
Moisturise! Generally, curly and coily strands tend to naturally be more porous, and can require more moisture to stay healthy and avoid breakage. Stick to detangling your hair while it’s wet and drenched in product!
Wraps, bonnets, Durags! – A lot of damage occurs to our strands while we toss and turn in our sleep, so always use satin or silk bonnets or wraps to minimise breakage!
Push out wash day for as long as you can! Every time we wash our hair, we strip away vital oils along with the germs we’re trying to get rid of. So if you wash your hair too often, your scalp will overcompensate by producing lots of oil!
These are just the basics, so if you’re after more tailored advice for your curls, ask one of our Afro hair stylists at your next appointment!
Pop Culture Moments
There have been countless pop culture moments throughout the decades that have showcased the unmatched beauty and infinite versatility of Afro textured hair! Here are a few of our faves;
HAIR CHAMELEON DIANA ROSS
The Supremes 1969 rendition of
“I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair”
But none of us could get that hair out of our heads!
From her classic beauty and undeniable talent during her run with The Supremes, to her versatility as Tracy Chambers in 1975’s Mahogany, Miss Ross has always been one of the first hair chameleons!
"Diana Ross expressed Afrocentric beauty throughout the '70s and has embraced full-bodied texture throughout the '80s to the present day. Seeing her in this light has inspired many women with textured hair to celebrate their natural beauty” — Emmy Winning Hairstylist, Araxi Lindsey.
GRACE JONES’ ICONIC FADE
With nods to Afrofuturism and Cubism in her unique style, Grace Jones always brought genius creativity and individuality. This, combined with her effortless poise and charisma cemented her status as the Beauty Icon we all know and love!
Her iconic fade made headlines and inspired other ‘80s style icons, such as singer Boy George and fashion editor André Leon Talley.
JANET JACKSON’S POETIC JUSTICE BRAIDS
Got Déjà vu? We discussed this look in our 90s Rewind!
Janet Jackson’s 1993 Poetic Justice braids led to a resurgence in protective styles! She also wore the look to the Grammy Awards that year!
LIL KIM, ORIGINAL QUEEN OF WIGS
Another original hair chameleon, Lil Kim ran with it so wigged queens today could soar!
Lil Kim has had so many unforgettable fashion moments over the years – I mean, can we take a moment for our camp Queen…
MICHELLE OBAMA’S NATURAL TEXTURE
When Michelle Obama was able to embrace her natural hair for the first time since before being First Lady, many spoke up about how they felt seen, and even motivated to embrace their own natural texture.
Michelle Obama has since discussed her decision to wear straight hair during Barack Obama’s Presidency; She talked about how Americans “weren’t ready” for her natural hair, fearing it would be politicised, or criticised in the media and distract from the issues the administration was trying to focus on.
In our Hairstory of Texturism blog, we discussed how assimilation is sadly often the safest option to minimise the otherness placed upon people who don’t fit into the arbitrary euro-centric beauty standards of our society.
SOLANGE’S DON’T TOUCH MY HAIR
Many also felt profoundly seen when Solange released her 2016 masterpiece Don’t Touch My Hair.
The piece has been described as “the song that defined a decade,” “a powerful pledge of personal identity,” and “an anthem reclaiming Black autonomy.”
If you haven’t heard this song, highly recommend blessing your ears with its beauty.
PRINCESS NOKIA’S MINE
This powerful (and extremely catchy) piece celebrates Black and Brown women’s hair of all kinds;
“I like the Dominicans who rock they weaves innocent
Shout out the Boricua girls who rock yaki ponytails
Big up to my Africans who braid, many hours spent
They own they own businesses and work while they care for kids
You know I love auntie girls with Sunday best bonnet curls
And love to my Asian chicks who make hair go straight as sh—
I love how West Indies do, it’s gossip with hair and food
I love how West Indies do, it’s gossip with hair and food”
The song’s hook is simple, but a total ear worm, with Princess Nokia repeating the words, “it’s mine, I bought it.”
Unfortunately this was later ripped off by Ariana Grande in her song 7 Rings.
In the words of Princess Nokia when responding to the alleged plagiarism, “sounds about white…”
Princess Nokia ends her song with the following spoken words;
“Please do not ask me or any Black or Brown women if our hair is real or not… If it’s a wig, a weave, extensions, braids - don’t f—ing ask it’s very rude, it’s extremely personal to be put on the spot like that. How we choose to wear our hair is our personal choice, ok? We bought it, it’s ours so have some manners and keep your curiosity to yourself…”
BLACK PANTHER
2018’s Black Panther showcased a stunning range of natural texture and protective styles!
Head of hair department Camille Friend, discussed her experience leading such an important project;
“I don't think black hair has ever been seen in a movie like this. It was an honor to do it and to have an open form to design and take hairstyling to the next level.”
She also mentioned that what she’d like people to take away from seeing this movie, is “that black hair is versatile and it's beautiful. With the right products, anything can be re-created.”
BEYONCÉ’S BLACK IS KING
In July of 2020, while the world was crumbling around us all, Beyoncé dropped her visual album Black is King. She discussed the album as a project “meant to celebrate the breadth and beauty of Black ancestry.”
In Variety’s review of Black Is King, Jeremy Helligar wrote:
“Written and directed by Beyoncé with various collaborators, ‘Black Is King’ reminds us that Black lives didn’t begin in chains. Those came relatively late, but they couldn’t erase a rich and complex past in the motherland.
‘History is your future,’ Beyoncé announces toward the beginning. ‘One day you will meet yourself back where you started, but stronger.’”
BEYONCÉ’S BROWN SKIN GIRL
Later that year, Beyoncé’s stunning video for Brown Skin Girl was released, using footage from her Black Is King visual album, and featuring fellow Black icons like Lupita N’yongo, Naomi Campbell, Adut Akech, Kelly Rowland, and Beyoncé’s own daughters, Blue Ivy and Rumi Carter.
The piece is a stunning celebration and encouragement of self-love and empowerment for Black girls and women.
“It was so important to me in ‘Brown Skin Girl’ that we represented all different shades of brown. We wanted every character to be shot in a regal light … It was important that we are all in this together and we’re all celebrating each other.” - Beyoncé
AND THAT BRINGS US TO TODAY!
Thank you for coming on this journey with us, from exploring the history of Texturism, the state of the hairdressing industry today, to the celebration of all things Afro.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for our next series!