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African American Hairstyles Evolution
African American women have in the past identified themselves through their glorious hairstyles. The hair is part of the big story and genesis of extraordinary and intense life moments. The Pin of 1950s, Afros of 1960s, and many more set the decade stage for hairstyles piecing the beautiful, powerful and evolutionary outfit. Since the early slave trade periods and later world wars, African American women have kept their hair in ways that depict or tell their story. We intend through this piece to keenly analyze the evolution of these hairstyles from the past years to recent times.
1910s
- African American women during this era wore their hair natural but in a pulled-back
1920s
- Several hairstyles, including the flapper-esque, marcel waves, short bob cuts, and finger waves, were the most common during the 1920s.
- The finger waves were molded using fingers on wet hair and gel used to stick the hair together. The tops transformed to sharp like ridges with the fronts and edge smooth and curved.
- Marcel waves were made using heated curling irons.
- Short bob cuts were made cuts slightly below the ears.
1930s
- Deep waves marked the beginning of the 1930s. The hat like fashionable hairstyle emerged during the turban era. Shaped edges symbolizing fingers were evident in the hairstyle with sharp edges.
- Brush curling with winding strands of hair overlapping the curls emerged in the 1930s. Natural hair was nicely waved and pinned to hold.
1940s
- Croquignole curl was weaved around metal rods, and the hair ends turned towards the scalp. Women with shorter hair wore the style.
- Pin curls were isolated and pinned in small hair portions creating a soft and elegant look.
1950s
- The 1950s marked the era for chemically straightened hair in the United States. The chemically straightened hair marked the beginning of freedom for African American women who were previously not allowed to make their hair apart from a few influential elite group members. Chemical introduction into the market was welcomed by masses who saw the product as a time-saver for the tedious previous hours combining thick hair.
- Wigs were also common in the 1950s, saving women time and money in changing their hairstyles.
1960s
- The beehive up-do was common in the 1960s. The hairstyle has a conical shape on its head, resembling a traditional beehive.
- Bob was also common in this era. It was composed of neatly done short hair with perfect cuts around the jaw level with fringes at the front. Bob can also be cut at or below the ear tips level or just above the shoulders.
1970s
- In the wake of the Vietnam war, Civil Rights Movements, and the rock and roll, African American women embraced the curly Afro hair worn by famous Pam Grier and most Caucasian women. The Au Naturel Hairstyle had a flicked fringe, with some women preferring the feathered or winged touch. Women during this era accompanied their precious hairstyles with a shag natural curly appearance.
1980s
- This era had numerous hairstyles, including the signature ringlet curl and the 4c. The 1980s was the decade for curly hairs, and women, especially black women, embraced the trendy venture. Women liked their hair nice and curly with a light touch of the singular hair strips falling from their heads to their faces. The curly hairstyles coupled with intense use of Aquanet sprays brought African American hairstyles to the global hair map.
1990s and 2000
- The 1990s and 2000s saw the return of the bang hairstyle. The hairstyle is composed of nicely finished ends with a straight edge resembling the bob though slightly longer or below the ear tip. Full and long swoopy bangs were the most common during this era.