Is Natural Hair Here To Stay?

The natural hair movement seems to be everywhere. Natural hair vloggers dominate the black hair care sect of YouTube. Natural hair bloggers are dominating black hair care in the land of black hair bloggers. Magazines are taking more time to hear the voices of natural hair readers. Natural hair is dominating the black hair care market. Natural wigs and weaves are growing in popularity among black women. Is Natural Here To Stay?

The previous natural hair movement of the 60s and 70s lasted for a while before fading out. This natural hair movement has major traction due to an economic change that has been noticed. Relaxer sales have been decreasing since 2009. Relaxer sales were at 18% in 2014 a monetary value of $131.8 million dollars, this is a drop of 34% according to CNBC.

According to a study by Mintel, from 2012-2013 70% of black women said they have worn their hair in some form of a natural style without a chemical process. This number is huge in regards to the natural hair community.

The previous natural hair movement also did not have a social media presence or social media in a technological form for that matter. Through technology, naturals are connecting with one another, giving each other encouragement, tips, and community throughout various methods of social media. One of these communities include the YouTube community. Natural YouTube vloggers are everywhere in the land of YouTube. Some natural hair vloggers like Naptural85 boast over 660 thousand subscribers to their channels. Some more, some less. The number of natural hair vloggers are growing every single day.

Natural hair meet-ups, conferences, and workshops are also more prevalent now, than they were in their predecessor’s movement.

Motivation behind the natural hair movement is also slightly different. While the previous natural hair movement was based on political disobedience in beauty standards, as well as black pride, and connecting with one’s roots, this movement is a tad different.

While the times, have changed, many of the reasons are still relevant in today’s natural hair movement. However, many women are not only going natural as a statement of self-pride, but also due to health risks and issues. Health of hair is one huge reason that many black women are transitioning or big chopping to natural. Often relaxers have damaged hair follicles. Some women have had close encounters with their relaxer experiences. Other women decide that styles like locs or natural styles are more convenient for their lifestyle. Natural hair caters to those who love to be versatile with their styling. Any style straight, locked, naturally kinks or curls can be worn when natural.

Natural hair can also be described as a journey of self. Many women cut their hair and or lock it to have an experience of liberation from a number of things. Some of those liberations are societal issues, as well as hair restrictions, and a realization of who one ’s self is, without the conformity that the world so routinely preaches.

The natural hair movement of today also did not have companies catering to their hair needs. Relaxer companies such as Dark and Lovely, Crème of Nature have been also making natural hair products in order to make up for losses made by drops in sales of hair relaxers. Small natural hair companies have begun to get their foot in the door of the multi-million dollar hair care industry. Black hair is not being neglected when it comes to saturation of products being tailored for the natural hair community. Everywhere you turn there is a new product to try out. These new products also include products for different types of locs.

Not only has the natural hair community being catered to in hair products, but also clothing. Companies such as Natural Girls Rock create t-shirts that include slogans and sayings that pertain to the natural hair community. Other products such as styling tools are also being manufactured to cater towards the natural hair community.

Unlike it’s parent movement, today’s natural hair movement is here to stay. Natural hair in all its forms will remain.

References:

This hair trend is shaking up the beauty biz (CNBC) http://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/01/african-americans-changing-hair-care-needs.html

http://www.mintel.com/press-centre/beauty-and-personal-care/hairstyle-trends-hair-relaxer-sales-decline

Chemical-free black hair is not simply a trend – The Boston Globe (BostonGlobe.com)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2014/05/28/chemical-free-black-hair-not-simply-trend/kLVdugv5MChUejSkDXoO3J/story.html

Henderson, A., M.A,. (2015). Redefining the Identity of Black Women: "Natural" Hair and the Natural Hair Movement. The George Washington University

White, S,. (2005). Releasing the pursuit of bouncin’ and behavin’ hair: natural hair as an Afrocentric feminist aesthetic for beauty. International Journal of Media and Cultural Politics. 1 (3).

Natural Hair Trend Drives Ethnic Segment. (2014). MMR, 31(2), 16.