Fluffy “cloud hair” has been making the rounds as a trend, but at NaturallyCurly we think that wearing our hair in its natural state is not a trend – it’s here to stay. Yet for all the strides that the natural hair community has made during the past two decades of challenging the pervasive dominance of straight hair in beauty, there are still some remaining preferences that drive the collective idea of what textured hair “should” look like.
Achieving the curly ideal usually requires a hair texture that produces immaculate curl definition, expertly placed baby hairs, and a glassy-sleek up-do. And while curl definition, baby hairs, and sleek styles are gorgeous creative expressions of what curly hair can do, the fixation on perfect and silky curls is not only a common preference, but it’s used as a point of reference to gauge how well a person is taking care of their hair and whether or not their hairstyle is “done” or styled properly.
The naturals, specifically the Black women and Black femmes, that fall outside of this coveted aesthetic may fall into the habit of complicated styling routines and ample product usage in order to mimic perfect curls, and those products aren’t cheap. For reference, Black people spent about 86 percent of the $63.5 million spent on all Ethnic Hair and Beauty Aids in 2017, according to a study by Nielsen. The practice of self-care is one thing, but naturals should never feel pressured to put constant effort into molding their hair into a more acceptable form in order to be natural the “right” way. Low-effort styles are in, and they’re for everyone.
The practice of self-care is one thing, but naturals should never feel pressured to put constant effort into molding their hair into a more acceptable form in order to be natural the “right” way.
If you need some inspo to encourage you to allow your frizz to flourish, let us remind you that your hair looks good in its natural state, no matter the style. Take a look at some of the ways in which you can rock fluffy curls without laying a finger on that edge control.
Flexi-Rod Set
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Most flexi-rod sets are done painstakingly to get the smoothest results, but the extra texture at the roots adds some really nice body to this style. To see the step-by-step process behind these soft waves, follow Jaleesa’s super simple tutorial.
Loc’d Bob
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If you’re a loc’d natural, have you ever considered a chop? Cutting or dying your locs can really give new life to the style.
High Puff and Headband
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Natural hair doesn’t have to be sleek to pull off the high puff and swept bang look. It’s an adorable style on its own, and adding a statement headband is just the icing on top.
Short Afro
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There’s truly nothing like a healthy-looking ‘fro. It’s elegant, classy, and casual, and it always looks effortless.
Soft Blowout
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Do you have to choose between wearing your hair straight and having texture? We think not. Blown out hair with texture gives a similar shape to curly hair, and you can enjoy more length.
Undefined Curls
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Definition is great, but sometimes we give it too much credit. With less definition, you can achieve greater height from the roots of your hair. Sue’s lovely shape here is from a Rezo cut.
Knotless Braids
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Knotless braids are a popular low-tension protective style, and they look amazing even as the roots and edges become frizzy.
Decorated High Bun
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Decorating fluffy textured hair has to be one of the most fun aspects of styling. Beads, cuffs, pearls, clips, there are so many ways to add a creative touch to the style. More volume and frizz makes it easier to place and secure the wire–and it adds to the artistic vibe.
Flat Twists
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It takes a little practice, but once you have flat twists down they’ll become one of the easiest and most versatile styles for your hair.
Textured Perm Rod Set
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This was the result of Donnella’s perm rod set after coming in contact with humid weather, and it still looks amazing. Here’s what it looked like before and how she did the style.
Do you tend to embrace frizziness while styling, or do you usually prefer a sleek and defined look?
Have you ever felt pressured to style your hair a certain way? Let us know about it in the comments.
