It’s no secret that Black women love changing their hair. From braided hairstyles to curly fros to bundles, the versatility of Black hair is one of many elements of our much-discussed “Black girl magic.” This week, Winnie Harlow put this ethos into practice when debuting her newest hairstyle. After attending Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour in Las Vegas, the supermodel took to Instagram to show off her new cropped and curly haircut.
Swapping her waist-length bohemian braids for a short curly cut, Harlow captioned the post “hair renaissance.” While the caption was a play on Beyoncé’s album title, Harlow’s post reminds us of the deep connection between Black people and their hair, especially Black women. Often referred to as one’s “crown,” hair holds significance in the Black community and is often seen as a form of personal expression.
During the Black Power movement, members of the Black Panther party wore afros in resistance to Eurocentric beauty standards. Today, there is a resurgence in Black pride expressed through hair, most notably through those loc’ing their tresses in an effort to proclaim their Blackness and release themselves from the limitations of societal norms.
As Coco Chanel once said, “A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.” Whether motivated by a breakup, a natural hair journey, a life challenge, or a simple desire to switch things up, a “big chop” is another indicator of personal change.
Though Harlow declared her hair renaissance with a haircut, a cut is not a requirement. As the name suggests, a “hair renaissance” is a revival of one’s appearance, steering away from the norm to try something new. For women like Michelle Obama, Megan Thee Stallion, and more, changes in their hairstyles have reflected changes in their personal lives, careers, and more. Here are some of Black culture’s most notable hair renaissance…
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