The Afro Hair Movement of the 1960s and 1970s was a cultural and political statement that challenged Eurocentric beauty standards and celebrated Black identity. The Afro hairstyle, characterized by its voluminous and natural curls, became a symbol of Black pride and resistance against racism and discrimination.
Natural-textured afros were prominent in the 70s, especially long-picked-out afros. Popularized by ladies in the limelight like Diana Ross, the afro was both a political and fashion statement. The '70s afro in particular was shaped into a halo around the head and was worn by all genders.
In the mid-1960s, the afro hairstyle began in a fairly tightly coiffed form, such as the hairstyle that became popular among members of the Black Panther Party. As the 1960s progressed towards the 1970s, popular hairstyles, both within and outside of the African-American community, became longer and longer.
Comments Section Big hair was also really popular in the 80s and to a lesser extent in the 70s. and the 1960s (the beehive, bouffant, etc...)... basically it has come and gone 2000 times throughout the beginning of time, just like flat straight hair has come and gone 200 times since human existence.
The Shag
The short-to mid-length style was characterized by evenly progressed layers from shortest at the top of the head to the longest at the bottom for an overall "shaggy" effect. The look was worn by men and women alike in varying lengths and interpretations.
Sideburns and facial hair were also incredibly popular. Sideburns varied in length, ranging from neatly trimmed to full mutton chops. Facial hair also varied from handlebar mustaches to full untrimmed beards and everything in between.
Long, sleek, and parted was THE look of the '70s. The total opposite of the voluminous feathered hair was the long and straight hairstyle. This usually was worn as a single-length cut with a center part that was typically adorned with flowers or a headband. For this style, it was definitely the longer the better.
Big hair became popular in the 1980s for men as well as for women. The term is also used in the glam rock, hair metal, goth and alternative cultures and is particularly associated with fashion of the 1980s, or inspired by the period.
It began as a symbol of youth culture rebellion linked to music. By the latter part of the sixties, however, it became associated with a political and social critique of American society. Quickly, hair length, like bell bottoms and other symbols of youth rebellion became commercialized and meaningless.
The 1960s and 70s saw wigs become mainstream, with women loving the ease of changing hairstyles without any long-term commitment. Technological advancements during this time made wigs more fabulous than ever.
Afros and the Natural Hair Movement
With the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and '70s, came the rise of the natural hair movement that encouraged Black communities to accept their hair and turn away from damaging products.
According to Guinness World Records, Dugas' Afro is an astonishing 9.84 inches tall, 10.4 inches wide, and 5.41 feet in circumference.
The tapered Afro was a favored, natural hair style in the '80s. A variation of the '70s afro style, this look shapes your natural texture with pinned sides and a tapered cut for a more structured look.
"With all the variations of Black hair, these wigs were used to create hair uniformity. There was a theatrical element. Even if we look at some of the movies from the 1970s, we knew that they were wearing afro wigs."
Recent history. In the 1970s, many men wore their hair long and in ponytails. This look was popularized by 1970s-era rock musicians.
Woman hippies would often wear a halter top, hip hugger jeans with a wide leather belt, along with a flower and some groovy glasses. African American hippies would grow their hair in the afro style, the bigger the afro the better and more radical.
Long Hair. The hippie culture of the 60s carried over to the 70s; as the decade fine-tuned what would become known as one of its signature hair styles. Natural, long hair was both a political symbol of rebellion, but it was also just plain popular. The long hair, won't-care attitude found its way to every hair-type.
The norm to remove leg hair for women became very strong in the 1940s, more specifically, it moved from fad to custom in a matter of months in the early 1940s.
The Afro Hair Movement of the 1960s and 1970s was a cultural and political statement that challenged Eurocentric beauty standards and celebrated Black identity. The Afro hairstyle, characterized by its voluminous and natural curls, became a symbol of Black pride and resistance against racism and discrimination.
Some iconic 70s hairstyles for women include the shag haircut, feathered hair, curtain bangs, and the afro. These styles represented the fashion and beauty trends of the decade and are still recognized and celebrated today.
In the '80s, big hair was not only a status symbol, but also allowed women to take up space, Rachael Gibson, who runs the account The Hair Historian, told the outlet. It was a statement and, especially for artists in the limelight, “filling the screen with your hair felt like quite a power move,” she added.
Notable for its volume and fluffy finish, '80s hair is big and brushed-out. Back then, hairspray was an essential, with many misting their manes into rigid shapes that felt crispy and stiff due to the old-school formulations.
However, by the mid to late 1960s, in the midst of the Black Power movement, the Afro became a popular symbol for racial pride and activism, as well as an important part of the “Black is Beautiful” rhetoric.
National Afro Puff Day celebrates the iconic puffs of black girls and women alike. The natural hair movement of the 70s allowed black people to reclaim their beauty and naturalness and has experienced a rebirth with a new generation of black women embracing their natural hair.
In the 70s, platinum blonde was the colour of choice for feminine and sensual styles, just like the shade seen on Sylvie Vartan and Brigitte Bardot. XXL volume. Diana Ross and Donna Summer are to thank for the success of the afro cut. The idea?