Good Hair - The Journey
The journey of black women and their hair.
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The Journey - From kinky pigtails to 18-inch ponytail extensions ... “good hair” has taken the Black community on an ever-changing journey. Let’s reminisce….
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Girly Good - After a really good blow dry, girls were able to achieve cute ponies like Rudy. Without a super hot dryer and hard bristle brush, those tight braids just never seemed to catch the wind.
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Pressin' On - With a hot pressing comb, Black girls could straighten their coils and wear bouncy ringlets, smooth pin-ups and joke about having “Indian in their family history.”
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Braid Bias - When the White actress/model Bo Derek wore braids, the media fell in love with her exotic new style. This style was not <i>new</i> to the Black community, but instead an integral part of our ancestry.
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Naturally Foxy - During a time when “Black power” was a proud urban saying, “good hair” had a beautiful and powerful distinct look. Pam Grier made bushy sexy!
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Wavy - When Jheri curls hit the scene, people could sport glossy, loose curls. The ability to have wash-and-wear texturized curls was a close second to having naturally wavy hair.
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Wiggin' Out - Tina Turner brought some truth to the phrase, “I paid for it, so it’s mine,” rocking elaborate wigs like they were grown out of her own head.
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Baby MJ - Mike introduced us to the “baby hair” trick. With a little gel and a brush, you could have the appearance of soft edges just like those with fine hair.
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Nubian Roots - While most Black women were trying to create and discover new styles, some were sticking to their roots. Black women embraced their inner queen with Nubian knots and twists.
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Permanent Change - While the pressing comb was a great solution to kinky tresses, the solution was still only temporary. The chemical reaction of relaxers became a permanent fix, creating the flowing locks that many women dreamed of having.
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Ideal Good - Everyone wanted the Halle Berry signature cut, yet most Black women still could not muster up the courage to let go of their long locks.
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Blonde Ambition - When Black women want to stand out from the norm, they do it with their own personal flavor. Mary J. showed us how with a head full of blonde hair. The bold look made dying and highlighting popular amongst those who wanted to add some spice to an ordinary mane.
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Weavalicious - Weave accounts for a large part of the $9 billion Black hair industry. Beyoncé has paid her dues and she has fascinated us with her hair as much as she has with her voice.