Sometimes we can find ourselves tiring of our natural hair journey. This is a second installment of my "Hair Inspiration." I have scoured the virtual world to share with you some inspiration. Long, short, wavy, coily, kinky and nappy, natural hair expresses the soul of the woman who it adorns.
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Natural Hair: Afro-textured hair is a term used to refer to the natural hair texture of certain populations in Africa, the African diaspora and Asia, when this hair has not been altered by hot combs, flat irons, or chemicals (through perming, relaxing, or straightening).
In many post-Columbian, Western societies, adjectives such as "wooly", "kinky", "nappy", or "spiralled" have frequently been used to describe natural afro-textured hair. More recently, however, it has become common in some circles to apply numerical grading systems to human hair types. There are also natural haircare products used today for natural hair, such as, Cantu,Shea Moisture, African Pride, and Carol's Daughter Products.
One popular version of these systems classifies afro-textured hair as 'type 4' (straight hair is type 1, wavy type 2, and curly is type 3, with the letters A, B, and C used to indicate the degree of coil variation within each type) with the subcategory of type 4C being most exemplary of this hair type (Walker, 1997). However, afro-textured hair is often difficult to categorize because of the many different variations among individuals. Those variations include pattern (coils, springs, zig zags, s-curves), pattern size (watch spring to chalk), density (sparse to dense), strand diameter (fine, medium, wide), and feel (cottony, wooly, spongy). -- Wikipedia
Historically, sub-Saharan Africans, as in every culture, developed hairstyles that defined status, or identity, in regards to age, ethnicity, wealth, social rank, marital status, religion, fertility, manhood, and death. Hair was carefully groomed by those who understood the aesthetic standard, as the social implications of hair grooming were a significant part of community life. Dense, thick, clean, and neatly groomed hair was something highly admired and sought after. Hair groomers possessed unique styling skills allowing them to create a variety of designs that met the local cultural standards. Hair was usually dressed according to local culture. - Wikipedia
In many traditional cultures, communal grooming was a social event when a woman could socialize and strengthen bonds between herself, other women and their families. Historically, hair braiding was not a paid trade. Since the African diaspora, in the 20th and 21st centuries it has developed as a multi-million dollar business in such regions as the United States and western Europe. An individual's hair groomer was usually someone whom they knew closely. Sessions included shampooing, oiling, combing, braiding, and twisting, plus adding accessories.
For shampooing, black soap was widely used in nations in West and Central Africa. Additionally, palm oil and palm kernel oil were popularly used for oiling the scalp. Shea butter has traditionally been used to moisturize and dress the hair: a yellow variety is popular in West Africa, and a white variety in East Africa. In North Africa, Argan Oil was applied to the hair and/or scalp for protection against the arid environment and intense sun.
It's a common tale shared by women of color whose natural hair can attract stares, curiosity, comments and the occasional stranger who desires to reach out and touch. The reaction to such fondling can range from amusement to outrage over the invasion of personal space.-- CNN Report: "Can I Touch It?"--Lisa Respers France,
CNN
When looking in the mirror, remember that your natural hair is beautiful. Whether it is coily, wavy, highly textured, loosely curly, or cottony it is the crown you wear!
Please comment or write about your natural inspiration or journey!
Happy Curls to You!
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