Afro hair is unique and individual - for the new season we have been inspired by the Designer: Inside and their beauty looks and show you 5 simple hairstyles that will show off your hair to its best advantage.
Afro hair, more precisely hair structures that can be assigned to the area of curly to frizzy hair (known in technical terms as 3a – 4c type), are often given the attributes of complex and time-consuming. However, once you have dealt with your hair type and special needs, you will quickly notice that Afro hair is also easy to handle - if you know what to consider. "Natural Hair" journeys are lengthy (and very individual) processes that are not necessarily facilitated by a lack of representation in popular culture and common media. Nevertheless, it is nice to see that in recent years more and more natural styles, such as the Afro or different braid variants, have made it onto the catwalks of the major fashion shows. With them as inspiration, we break the myth that styling Afro hair is always time-consuming - because, as with all other hair structures, it always depends on know-how and how-to.
The expressiveness of afro hair
Afro hair, which is perceived as very political, is an important means of expressing and searching for one's own identity. Due to Eurocentric ideals of beauty and the lack of representation in the media and difficult access to suitable care products (which can often only be purchased indirectly and not exactly cheaply), it is a challenge, especially for young black women, to wear and celebrate their natural head of hair - fortunately, This is changing more and more and especially through the social networks and YouTube, more and more followers are enthusiastic about "natural hair" looks. Inspired by the beauty looks for 2021, we have selected 5 hairstyles for you with which you can style your hair quickly and easily - because with the slowly rising temperatures you should be prepared for the coming spring from head to toe.
Braids in general are a great way to give Afro hair intensive care. If you want to wear it for a long time, it is important to have your hair prepared beforehand. For beginners: inside it is easiest to braid small braids - braids that do not lie against the head, but hang loosely. For this purpose, small sections are divided off and braided up to the tips. The end can be fixed with a hair elastic and, depending on the hair structure, the ends hold by themselves. It gets more complicated when it comes to braiding cornrows. This type of braids lie directly on the scalp and only turn into loose braids when they have reached the neck area. The nice thing about this is that it does not have to be braided to the end, but can also be used specifically as a stylistic device. Make the most of the time with your braids and care for your scalp and tips with light hair oil. For longer braids durability, a satin cap or Durag can be worn while sleeping - this keeps the moisture in the hair overnight and ensures that it does not lose its shine and the hair structure (due to the cotton covers) is not roughened.
Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2021, Max Mara Fall/Winter 2021
The Afro, probably the most natural form of wearing one's hair, is an incredibly empowering hairstyle - it is characteristically associated with strong women such as freedom fighter Angela Davis or pop icon Diana Ross. Not everyone: r is lucky that the hair texture instantly allows for this hairstyle, and so the hair is combed and styled into the perfect shape. This should be done with caution, as the hair structure should not be damaged. Starting from the tips, comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb (or brush your afro hair up for a look with extra volume) and use an afro pick when it comes to adding volume to the hairline. Here, too, a water spray and other care products such as oils and moisturizers can be used to help with combing. And when the Afro stands up, wear it with pride, because it gives you an incredible dose of self-confidence.
Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2021, Gucci Spring/Summer 2021
This hairstyle is recommended for everyone who prefers a restrained hairstyle in which the hair is kept out of the face - the sleek buns are also particularly practical when the washing day needs to be postponed or the hair just doesn't want it anymore, like yourself. You need a brush or a comb with which the hair can be combed straight and tight into a pigtail. So that the curls lie close to the head, you can work with a leave-in conditioner, hair oil, or a gel (moisten the hair beforehand) - this gives you a little more care and a nice shiny finish. The height can be varied depending on where the braid should sit. This hairstyle works well with an elegant low-set bun or a high one. The contrast between sleek, close-fitting hair and a voluminous pineapple style is also particularly beautiful - this means that the hair is not twisted into a bun, but left open voluminously.
Isabel Marant Fall/Winter 2021, Brandon Maxwell Spring/Summer 2021
Bantu knots, a traditional African hairstyle, have been worn by stars like Rihanna and Beyoncé. In their function as a protective style, they protect the hair from the changing temperature influences that the transition period into spring has in store. Bantu knots look elaborate at first, but once you have figured out the knot, they are super easy to use and look very special. The hair is divided into equal sections and fixed with a bobby pin - depending on how many Bantu knots are required, the size can be varied. Then, work your way from section to section, twisting the strands in (like doing a bun) until they twist around themselves and form a small knot. Secure the Bantu Knot with a thin hair tie or accentuate it with larger, brightly colored scrunchies. It is important to note here, too, to proceed carefully and to include the aforementioned care products. A satin cap or Durag is also ideal for this hairstyle for sleeping.
Thebe Magugu Spring/Summer 2021, Fashion East Autumn/Winter 2021This part requires your own creativity. Combine the other hairstyles with each other and be inspired by the beauty looks from the runway and pop culture. With Afro hair, there are no limits to the choice of hairstyle, and you can try it out and get to know your own hair and your individual needs better. In this context, it is particularly great that most of the previously mentioned hairstyles, after being braided or twisted, result in another cool hairstyle as a twist-out, which ultimately results in a defined and uniform curl of the hair. Try your hand at hair accessories such as cloths (they also look very nice when woven in), scrunchies, or hair clips - if something should get caught in your hair, take your time and carefully undo the knots (from bottom to top), so as not to stress or damage the hair.
Osman fall/winter 2021, Simone Rocha fall/winter 2021
When using the term "natural hair" the image of loose, less frizzy curls often emerges - however, the description here refers to the condition of the hair, which in this case should be as natural as possible. That means free of chemical changes, wigs (wigs), or braids. In English, the terms used to classify the curl structures are much more differentiated, and so we often speak of "kinky", "coily" or "curly" when it comes to Afro hair. "Coily" stands for the strongest curl structure and includes compact spirals, corkscrew shapes, and zigzag-like wave patterns, all of which have a very narrow diameter. Accordingly, all other afro hair structures (which are not so tightly curled) fall under the terms "curly" and "kinky" - take your time and discover your individual afro hair structure, which is unique due to its diversity. Depending on how they are styled and groomed, they can take on a different shape every day (influenced by the styling process).
As mentioned earlier, the different types of curls have different needs. Light hair needs lighter products, while others need more moisture and care. Here, however, the rule of thumb can be established that products with natural ingredients, free of sulfates and silicones, should be a must for the hair routine. After shampooing, the natural products ensure that the moisture stays where it should, ensuring that the hair does not dry out and remains beautifully cared for. So even when doing your hair you should always be treated gently and as carefully as possible so that it does not break and the hairstyles can exert their (partially) protective effect. (Styling tip: regularly give your hair love and attention as well as enough moisturizing care - you will see, it is worth it!)
Products that should definitely be included in the hairdressing process are a leave-in conditioner, water, and hair oil. So that the care products stay in the hair and can develop their effect there, it is essential to incorporate the products when they are moist. A simple pump bottle can be filled with water or a combination of water and a little leave-in conditioner - this way the hair can absorb the products better and styling are also easier. First, the leave-in conditioner is used, which provides moisture care. So that this remains in the hair, a hair oil should then be used, which seals the hair - here too, the focus should be on unrefined and natural ingredients, which can also be used in diluted form depending on the desired richness.
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