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The Evolution of Black Hair: A Journey of Resilience and Style*
In the past, society's narrow standards of beauty often excluded the unique characteristics of Black hair. Our hair was seen as "different" and didn’t fit the Eurocentric ideals of straight noses, straight hair, and thin lips. This led to a long history of attempting to conform to those standards, often through methods that were far from gentle.
Who can forget the days of heavy grease and straightening combs heated on the stove? The smell of hair sizzling is a memory many of us share. These methods, while effective in straightening hair, were harsh and time-consuming.
In the early 1900s, two pioneering women, Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker, revolutionized hair care for Black women. Annie Malone introduced the “Wonderful Hair Grower” treatment and promoted the use of the hot comb through her Poro Company. While the hot comb was still a heated straightening method, it was a gentler alternative to what came before.
Madam C.J. Walker, starting in 1905, took this a step further and became a self-made millionaire by developing her own remedies for hair loss and scalp issues. Her “Walker Method,” which combined a heated comb with pomade, provided a more refined approach to hair care, empowering Black women to take control of their hair health and appearance.
Despite the advancements in hair care, Black women’s hair has continued to be a topic of regulation and scrutiny. The misconception that Black women are the only ones who wear wigs and extensions persists, even though women across all cultures have long embraced these styling options. From Cleopatra to Diana Ross, Marilyn Monroe, Beyoncé, and the Kardashians—changing one’s look with wigs or weaves is a universal practice.
In truth, hair is a powerful form of self-expression. We’ve earned the right to wear our hair any way we choose, whether natural, braided, straightened, or enhanced with a wig or weave. It’s about embracing the freedom to express our individuality and beauty in all its forms.
Who can forget the days of heavy grease and straightening combs heated on the stove? The smell of hair sizzling is a memory many of us share. These methods, while effective in straightening hair, were harsh and time-consuming.
In the early 1900s, two pioneering women, Annie Malone and Madam C.J. Walker, revolutionized hair care for Black women. Annie Malone introduced the “Wonderful Hair Grower” treatment and promoted the use of the hot comb through her Poro Company. While the hot comb was still a heated straightening method, it was a gentler alternative to what came before.
Madam C.J. Walker, starting in 1905, took this a step further and became a self-made millionaire by developing her own remedies for hair loss and scalp issues. Her “Walker Method,” which combined a heated comb with pomade, provided a more refined approach to hair care, empowering Black women to take control of their hair health and appearance.
Despite the advancements in hair care, Black women’s hair has continued to be a topic of regulation and scrutiny. The misconception that Black women are the only ones who wear wigs and extensions persists, even though women across all cultures have long embraced these styling options. From Cleopatra to Diana Ross, Marilyn Monroe, Beyoncé, and the Kardashians—changing one’s look with wigs or weaves is a universal practice.
In truth, hair is a powerful form of self-expression. We’ve earned the right to wear our hair any way we choose, whether natural, braided, straightened, or enhanced with a wig or weave. It’s about embracing the freedom to express our individuality and beauty in all its forms.
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