TYPES OF NATURALLY CURLY HAIR
The cross-section of hair determines hair type, introducing the idea that round cross-sections create straight hair. Flat- shaped cross-sections are found in curly hair, while oval cross-sections make wavy hair strands. The cross-section of hair reveals the degree of curl (Blay, 2024). From this perspective, varying levels of waves and curliness can be described and classified. The breakdown of naturally curly hair types is as follows: Types 1, 2, 3, and 4, with A, B, or C subclassifications describing the diameter or width of the types of hair (Figure 1). Type 1 is classified as straight hair, and type 2 hair consists of waves. Type 3 is curly hair strands, and Type 4 is excessively curly hair, often described as coiled or kinky. Subclassifications A–C indicate the size of any hair, ranging from large to medium to small diameters. Subclassification A is large, B medium, and C small. These classifications make identifying hair types easier for individuals and help beauty professionals classify the type of hair fitting for the most current naturally curly hairstyling trends (Blay, 2024).
Figure 1: Hair Types
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NATURALLY CURLY HAIR TRENDS
The history of curly hair is full of examples of society embracing naturally curly hair. For instance, in the hairstyles of Rome and Ancient Greece (31 BCE to 180 CE), people flaunted their bouncy curls while wearing the most popular hairstyles (Figure 2). The esteemed fashion statement of curly hair demanded the use of curling tongs for those without naturally curly hair (Berley, 2024). Figure 2: Hairstyle of Rome and Ancient Greece
Figure 3: Renaissance Style
Note . Downloaded courtesy of Shutterstock
Note . Downloaded courtesy of Shutterstock
The Renaissance period, from the 14th to the 17th centuries, provides proof of historically favorable curly hairstyles, as shown in paintings of women with wavy and curly looks worn high on the head (Figure 3). Similar styles were popular hundreds of years later during the Age of Enlightenment (mid-17th to 18th centuries; Figure 3), when women adorned high curly hairstyles with meanings of spiritual enlightenment, such as tall creations of caged birds and mini gardens within curly hairstyles (Berley, 2024). Curly hairstyles remained fashionable throughout the 19th century. Specifically, Edwardian styles (Figure 4) were designed with curly hair pulled back to show the edges of shorter curly hair following the individual’s natural head shape (Berley, 2024). Moving on to the 20th century, curly hairstyles continued to be among the latest hairstyling trends, such as in the 1920s when Greta Garbo flattered the world with the curly bob. In the 1940s, Bette Davis made long, curly hair parted on the side famous as she glamoured in style in Hollywood. In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, and Dorothy Dandridge sported their curled and naturally curly hair in iconic roles (Charlette, 2024).
Figure 4: Edwardian Style
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Book Code: CNC0825
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