Our glorious hair history

Written by Angela Fields

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Posted on October 17 2020

Our Glorious Hair History | CurlyCoilyTresses®️

How long have you been rocking your natural curls, coils and waves? Are you brand new, just starting to venture into finding the right products to keep your hair soft, strong, and silky? Or have you embraced your natural textured hair for years? Is this after a long journey of trying relaxers and other chemical treatments? Reply to this email and let us know!

While we love the natural look, we know not every woman does. Today, we want to celebrate all the ways black and multicultural women have worn their hair over the years.

Head wraps

“Head wraps have a long and colorful history in Sub-Saharan African cultures. Different countries referred to them in different ways. In Nigeria, the artfully folded wraps were known as geles. In Ghana, they were dukus. In South Africa and Namibia, they were doeks”, as described by Chelsea Johnson for NaturallyCurly. “Where, when and how headwraps are styled may represent wealth, ethnicity, marital status, mourning or reverence”.“Today the head wrap is in vogue yet again. As the natural hair movement gains momentum, many women are turning to them as a fashionable protective style option. Tucking kinky and curly hair away under fabric reduces the need to manipulate one's curls, and less manipulation means less hair breakage.”

Flapper cuts and finger waves

“Josephine Baker, a French entertainer, popularized the short flapper cut when she hit the scene in the 1920s. The culture had shifted periodically and these were the hairstyles women were gravitating towards”, as written by Jocelyn Caraballo for NaturallyCurly. “Finger waves also emerged during this time period.”Here's a finger wave tutorial!

Afros

"During the Black Power movements of the 60s and 70s, the afro rose back to popularity. Angela Davis (our Black feminist icon) wore her fro in the most unapologetic way possible", as written by Jocelyn Carabello for NaturallyCurly. "This inspired Black women all over the country to go natural and stop the relaxers. Self-love and afro-centrism were being preached by Black leaders all over. It was a moment of reclamation."

Cornrows

"Cicely Tyson popularized cornrows in the 1970s while she was promoting Sounder. Cornrows were around for centuries, but they became more commonly worn out in public as more and more women adopted the style," as written by Jocelyn Caraballo for NaturallyCurly.

Dreadlocks

"Locs have had cultural and religious significance to many communities along the African diaspora," as described by Jocelyn Caraballo for NaturallyCurly. "However, they were never really accepted. Especially when adopted without a specific cultural purpose. Whoopi Goldberg’s iconic locs changed that in the 1980s."Today, more and more women are learning the beauty of going au natural. I’m so proud to be a part of the natural hair movement and provide you with ways to keep your curls moisturized and hydrated.Whatever trends you choose to try, we hope you know you are beautiful just as you are!

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Sep 15, 20 • By Angela

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