In the past several years, there has been a shift towards women wearing their naturally curly hair. In the past, naturals often straightened, relaxed, colored and covered their curly hair with weaves to conform to society’s standards. Celebrities like Alicia Keys, Solange Knowles and Zendaya have begun to wear their natural curls, showing others that it’s ok to embrace their hair.
There is no shame in using protective styling or straightening one’s curls. More women have been wearing their hair curly in an effort to show others that it is ok to embrace who they are by allowing their hair to be natural. Many women have struggled to find acceptance of their hair, sometimes beginning in their youth. Parents might not have known how to help their daughters manage their curls and utilized extreme methods like chemical services or cutting their curls. Women relate being bullied as a child when they would wear their natural curls, and the shame of these experiences taught them that their curls were something to be hidden or changed.
It can be hard for women to leave behind the protective styling, extensions and relaxers that they have been taught they need. When a woman begins the process of growing out and embracing her natural curls, there can be a lot of worries and considerations. Could they lose their jobs over their choice to wear their natural curls? Will they face questions, ridicule or be targeted by others in stores or on the streets? Will their friends and families accept their new, natural look? All of these things can weigh heavily into a woman’s decision about wearing her natural curls.
However, despite these worries and concerns, many curlies find that wearing their natural curls can be empowering and liberating. In addition to spending less time and money at the salon on services, they are afforded the opportunity to educate others about their curls. Genuine questions and conversations about natural curl care have been born from people asking about their hair, and curlies are usually happy to tell others what they know. As times are changing and acceptance of natural hair is growing, people are less likely to be bullied or harassed for their hair. Acceptance of one’s curls happens in its own time, so don’t be worried if it takes a little while to get used to your natural hair.
Do any of you have any suggestions for other curlies who are taking the plunge into natural hair? Let us know in the comments and read more about gaining confidence in your natural curls here .