Black Hairstyles: This Is How We ’Do It

Black hair seems to always make the news. Unfortunately, it’s not unusual to hear about children being banned from school or adults losing jobs over their hair. It’s also not unusual for black hairstyles to define political and cultural movements in American history. All politics aside, black hairstyles have gone through many transformations throughout the years. We created a list of some of the most popular hairstyles for black men and women of the last century.

The “conk” was popular from 1920 to 1960. The style was achieved by putting a harsh lye in the hair. One of the funnier moments in the film Malcolm X shows the pre-Nation of Islam leader (Denzel Washington) surviving the pain of his first conk.

The Afro, or “natural,” is a style of black hair that gained popularity in the 1960s. It created a renewed sense of identity in the African-American community and resulted in a redefinition of personal style and appreciation for black beauty.

Although women have been wearing weaves—either synthetic or natural hair from other women—since the ‘60s, the hairstyle became accepted after the March 1990 issue of Essence magazine declared that “sisters love the weave.”

Created by Jheri Redding and billed as the curly perm for blacks, this hairstyle was popular in the 1980s. The oily ’do was also known to wreck a few pillow cases and head rests.

Hi-top fades are synonymous with early hip-hop and were popular until the mid-1990s.

Embellishment of the head and hair has been a central component of dress in various parts of Africa, particularly in West Africa, and beads are often worn as a hair accessories today.

Locs, or “dreadlocks,” originated in the Horn of Africa. In modern times, the style’s history is closely associated with the Rastafarian movement, whose most famous member is reggae star Bob Marley.

Braiding is a tradition in African culture used to signify social, economic and marital status.

She has rocked her trademark pixie hairdo so well that women often ask for the “Halle Berry cut” at salons.

Stars like Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan have rocked this style, though it is also popular among women.

Those rocking the natural ’do allow their hair to grow freely, untouched by hot combs, flat irons or chemicals.

Originally worn by African women, the wrap was used to signify communal identity. It was also worn by enslaved men and women in America. In time, it has become an almost exclusively female hair accessory.

This style was popularized by Mr. T in the 1980s. It made a comeback in the early 2000s.

Generally associated with the ’80s and early ’90s, this hairstyle has been spotted on everyone from Lionel Ritchie to Jermaine Jackson, Barry White and Kanye West, just to name a few.

This popular haircut has been seen on both rapper Nas and President Barack Obama.

Sometimes called “short 360 waves” or “360 waves,” this hairstyle is generally worn by men. The hair is cropped short to the head in the styling of a Ceasar cut, and, through a series of brushing techniques, results in wave-like ripples in the hair.

Hair dyeing, which is an ancient art, involves treating the hair with various chemical compounds to achieve a desired look. It is wildly popular and can be found on stars like Rihanna and Willow Smith.

From lines to Nike Swooshes, shaved designs were popular in the late 1980s until the mid-1990s. This hairstyle is typically worn by men.

Much like the Afro of the 1970s, this contemporary version is shorter and generally worn by men.

Singer Janelle Monae made this bold hairdo popular.

Often called “Poetic Justice braids” for the John Singleton film starring Janet Jackson, this style was first popular in the early ’90s. Box braids have made a comeback.

This style was popular in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Rap group Salt-N-Pepa made this style a hit.

Usually worn while sleeping, a silk or satin wrap cap or “doobie wrap” helps maintain moisture, prevent breaking and keep a flat-ironed style looking fresh. It’s supposed to be worn at home, but not everyone follows that rule …

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