The popularity of natural curls has risen in recent years as they become increasingly celebrated and showcased in the media. Spikes in “curly hair influencers,” advocates of confidence in naturalness, and general information being taught about patterned hair, all contribute to the widespread pride that curly heads have recently felt who didn’t before. But why now?
The exact percentage of those with textured hair is debated, as many people, especially women, are unaware of their natural hair pattern because they don’t know how to care for it. This leads them to treat their hair as straight and end up with hair that dries frizzy and poofy, which is blow-dried or straightened. The reason so many people’s natural hair texture goes unacknowledged or uncared for is because of stigmas that curly hair is “unprofessional,” “unkempt,” and “exotic.”
One of the most common stereotypes we hear about curly hair is that it’s unprofessional. This stereotype stems from historical standards of beauty and professionalism that Eurocentric norms have shaped. Straight hair is often associated with European-descended ideals and is considered the standard “neatness.” Because curly hair has volume and texture, it is sometimes seen as unorderly or messy compared to straight hair. This belief is present in work and academic spaces as workers or students are asked and expected to wear straight hair. This encourages the harmful idea that natural curls are inherently wild or less professional.
The next stereotype is that curly hair is unkempt or messy. Because of the assumption that curly hair is harder to control than straight hair, it pushes the stigma that curly-headed people don’t care as much about their appearance and that their hair is “messy.” People with curly hair are often told to “tame” their curls or to straighten them to appear polished, while those who style their hair naturally may be perceived as neglecting grooming. Maintaining curly hair usually requires careful handling, moisturizing, styling products, and styling tools more than straight hair, and individuals who embrace their curls often engage in extensive self-care routines to keep their hair healthy and well-styled.
A third, more nuanced stigma about curly hair is that it’s “unusual,” a term used to describe curly hair in a way that diminishes its cultural and personal significance. This stems from the portrayal of curly hair as something strange or belonging to ethnic groups, especially Africans and Latin Americans. While it may appear complimentary, labeling curly hair as “unusual” actually objectifies curly hair. It also perpetuates the idea that curly hair is outside of mainstream beauty standards, reinforcing the idea that it’s foreign or “other.” This can result in those with curly hair feeling that their natural appearance is only valued for its novelty rather than its inherent beauty.
The best thing to do to battle these curly hair stigmas is for those with curly hair to rock it. If you aren’t sure if you have curly hair, pay attention to how it dries. Is it frizzy or poofy? Do some pieces of hair curl up while others look wavy? Does hair frizz out rather than stay close to your scalp when styled in a ponytail? If you said yes to any of these, it’s worth trying some techniques to style your natural curls.
It’s called a “Curly Hair Journey” for a reason. From finding the right products to tools, styling methods, and more, learning to care for curls takes patience and time. The two most basic products most curly-haired people use are a curl cream to encourage the curl, then a curl gel to support its hold. Curly heads also often use leave-in conditioners for hydration. Popular styling methods include brush styling, finger coiling, and the bowl method, which is where you flip your head upside down and dunk it into a bowl of water, then rake your products through and dip again before scrunching. Important tips curly heads would recommend to prevent frizz and make curl definition last longer are to make sure the hair is soaking wet when styling (using a spray bottle tends to be helpful in this process), use a microfiber towel to dry hair, and sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase.
The growing visibility of curly hair in fashion, entertainment, and beauty standards is helping to shift perceptions, showing that there is no “right” way to look. The “Natural Hair Movement,” in particular, emphasizes self-acceptance and pride in one’s hair texture. Still, the stigma can persist in certain spaces, but the trend toward embracing diversity and breaking down outdated beauty standards is gaining ground. We can participate in this trend by committing to embracing our natural texture and being unapologetic about it.
