Afro hairstyles represent a growing market in the United States. These styles have been worn for centuries, offering unique looks that can be achieved in countless ways. Various Afro hairstyles naturally originate from our motherland, Africa, including braids, cornrows, box braids, Bantu knots, locs... truly crowns that celebrate our coily hair. Afro hairstyles are undeniably beautiful and artistic. Yet, wearing Afro styles, our coily hair as it naturally is, can sometimes be challenging. Why? To understand this, we must look back in time to comprehend why, even today, we might be asked to style our hair differently for a job interview or be told that our hair is only beautiful when straightened.
Coily hair is beautiful and easy to maintain once you know how to do it. Be proud to wear it,
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Be Proud of Your Coily Hair!
Because I'm Nappy!
1 - The Transatlantic Slave Trade
In African communities, various hairstyles and braids were used to identify individuals based on their age, community, or marital status.
During the transatlantic slave trade, women twisted their hair into roadmaps and escape routes.
The intricate patterns woven into their cornrows were frequently used to convey secret messages. Braids were not only used as a method of self-expression; they also played a significant role in allowing many people today to enjoy the same freedoms we do.
2 - The Black Power Movement
In the 1960s and early 1970s, the Black Power movement encouraged African Americans to embrace their African identity and culture. This included wearing the Afro, which was considered a political statement at the time. The Afro became a symbol of Black pride and was worn by many famous African Americans, such as Muhammad Ali or Jim Brown.
The natural Afro became a powerful manifestation of pride, power, and resistance. Some people believed that straightening hair was a sign of forced assimilation, so embracing their natural textures was a way to reclaim their African identity.
3 - The Nappy Movement - Because I'm Nappy!
The Nappy movement was led by African American women who were tired of conforming to white beauty standards.
The natural hair movement aims to encourage women of African descent to embrace and appreciate the natural characteristics of their coily and curly hair texture, and to stop straightening it or hiding it under wigs. The natural hair movement is represented by a group of African women who provide encouragement, advice, product reviews, styling instructions, and much more to other ladies interested in going natural.
The term "natural hair" is used to describe hair that has not been chemically straightened.
They don't care what others think about the appearance of their hair when it comes to maintaining it. It all started during the colonial and slave eras, with the stigmatization of untamed hair.
4 - Afro Hairstyles in the United States - Because I'm Nappy!
The history of Black people is different in France and the United States, but the consequences for coily hair are the same; its image is no better than in Uncle Sam's country. The Black Power and Nappy movements crossed the Atlantic to us in the early 2000s, and since then, the Afro beauty market has fortunately changed significantly.
Nearly 20 years later, I see more and more Black women embracing their natural hair. This phenomenon was accentuated by the COVID crisis; hair salons were closed, and mobile stylists couldn't travel. We had to manage on our own for 2 years, thanks to online tutorials. Whether due to this lockdown or not, the perception of our hair has changed, and natural hair is taking precedence.
5 - Different Afro Hairstyles - Because I'm Nappy!
Afro Cut
The Afro cut is a very short haircut where the hair is close to the scalp.
Afro Puff
The Afro puff is a hairstyle worn by many African American women, in which the hair is styled to achieve a round, puffy shape.
Twists
A twist is a hairstyle created by twisting two strands of hair together. The hair is then pulled and wrapped around the head to create a round, puffy shape.
Box Braids
Box braids are a type of protective hairstyle in which the hair is divided into small sections, and each section is braided or knotted.
African Braids
African braids are a type of protective hairstyle in which the hair is braided close to the scalp.
Cornrows
are a type of protective hairstyle in which the hair is braided close to the scalp.
Lace Wig
A wig in which hair is sewn onto a lace base.
Braids/Extensions
Braids are a type of hairstyle in which artificial hair is added to natural hair to create a new look.
Tapered Cut
Braid Out
Cornrows
Cornrows are a type of African American hairstyle in which the hair is braided in rows close to the scalp.
Crochet Braids
Locs/Dreadlocks
Piqué Laché
Weave
6 - Steps to Follow Before Getting an Afro Hairstyle - Because I'm Nappy!
Before getting braids, hair care is essential.
Do your weekly shampoo, your nourishing mask, and after drying, proceed with the LOC method or LCO method for better hydration. These are important steps, especially if you keep your hairstyle for more than a week; otherwise, your hair will be dry.
Once the treatment is done, you can get your hair styled the next day. Why the next day? It's always better to style dry hair. Regarding hair products, use suitable ones.
With the internet and social media, we are flooded with hairstyle ideas, so immerse yourself and choose THE on-fleek hairstyle for you!
Whatever hairstyle you wear, maintain a hair care routine. For example, if you have braids, apply a leave-in spray to hydrate them regularly, as the extensions can dry out your hair.
Conclusion
The unique nature of Afro hair has led several brands to create product lines to address the specific needs of this hair type, partly related to certain Afro styling techniques that can be traumatic for the hair (very tight braids, chemical straightening).
Now it's your turn!
