Natural Haircuts for Afro-American Hair
An African American's hair is usually characterized by tight curls, waves or kinks, and it can be difficult for them to create hairstyles usually worn by people with straight hair. For many years after slavery, African American people sought to imitate the hairstyles worn by the predominantly Caucasian people around them, leading to the popularity of straightening and braiding. Many of the methods used to treat the hair were damaging in the long term. After the civil rights movement, a renewed sense of pride and cultural identity among African Americans led to the more natural hairstyles gaining in popularity. Does this Spark an idea?
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Afro
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The classic afro derives its name from the term Afro-American and was particularly popular with African Americans in the 1960s, after the civil rights movement. Wearing an afro was seen as a statement of black pride. The hairstyle is created by combing the hair upwards and away from the head and letting it grow into its curls and kinks naturally. There are shorter, more manageable afros and long, bushy ones that are very distinctive. It was also known as the "natural" because of its natural growth.
Braids
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Braids are another popular style for African Americans. Box braids, cornrows or micro-braids can be time consuming to prepare; but they have an advantage, in that they last for a very long time. They are versatile and can be worn close to the scalp for easy wear, or they can be worn longer and more loosely, for a flamboyant effect.
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Bantu Knots
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Bantu knots are a traditional African hairstyle that is popular among young black women. To achieve this style, your hair will need to be at least two inches long. They look like a series of short protruding knots of hair separated out from each other. This look is achieved by sectioning the hair with a rat-tail comb, placing some gel on it and curling it round the index finger, until it begins to curl back in on itself.
Dreadlocks
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The dreadlock hairstyle is associated with the religion of Rastafarianism. It is characterized by thick bunches of hair melded together to form long thick strands. It is like a braid in nature, except there is no actual styling needed to achieve dreads. With dreadlocks, the hair is matted together; this can be achieved by the method known as "neglect," whereby dreads are achieved through periods of leaving the hair unwashed. Unwashed and unkempt hair will eventually matt together and form dreadlocks. However, for cleaner more manageable ways of wearing dreads, salon dreadlocks can be formed by styling the loose hair into braids, coils and twists.
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References
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