THE NATURAL HAIR MOVEMENT
The natural hair movement is sweeping the nation, and It seems that most Nigerian women are getting in on the movement and are ditching their relaxers and chemical straightening kits to embrace this trend.
What exactly does “going natural,” mean? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word natural as “not having any extra substances or chemicals added: not containing anything artificial.”The meaning of the phrase can differ from one woman to the next, but most agree on this — natural hair is hair that is no longer straightened through the use of chemical relaxers. The hair is as close to its original state and texture as possible.
This current trend isn’t exactly new, as history tells us that this look was especially popular back in the ’60s and ’70s. Back then; the Afro was about making a political statement. Within that statement was the goal of reclaiming black power and reiterating the message that black is beautiful.
So, why is the natural hair making such a comeback? Why now? And how does this new wave of “naturalness” differ from that of the ’60s and ’70s?
Some claim to have made the decision to ban chemical straightening agents from the hair with the hopes of having healthier tresses altogether. Another catalyst in the shift toward natural textures is the want by many women to remove previous damage to their hair caused by relaxers, hair extensions and heat.
Unlike maintaining relaxed or straight hair, naturally curly hair needs to be tended too much more often. Hair experts suggest that natural hair be handled delicately and moisturized daily, as
curly hair tends to lose moisture faster than straight hair. Although styling hair in a way that’s flattering when dealing with uniquely textured hair can be difficult, many women are still opting to rock their natural locks.
Not only has the natural hair phenomenon affected the way Nigerian women view their hair, but it has also affected the hair care industry and the number of products available for those with ethnic hair. A number of hair care brands have created collections tailored specifically for natural hair textures.
Regardless of the reason for going natural or the negative stigmas that came with it at first, Nigerian women seem to have found a love for their kinky, curly hair like never before. Whether it’s a passing phase or one that will stick, it’s sure to have a lasting impact on the traditional standards of Nigerian beauty.