black hairstyles
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Usher Got a Conk for the New Year—and the Internet's Got Jokes
The new year traditionally marks new beginnings: renewed commitments to health, progress and prosperity—and, in the case of many, a new look. We can only assume that’s what R&B singer Usher was thinking when he decided to go Team Unnatural on the eve of 2019, debuting a ’60s-era, Sammy Davis-styled permed pompadour the likes of…
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Creating Trends, One Tress at a Time: How Ursula Stephen Does NYFW
We love seeing the results of celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen’s work, so when we were invited backstage to watch her create four distinctly different visions for New York Fashion Week, we jumped at the chance. With the help of The Glow Up’s trusty correspondent Makeda Sandford, we were able to catch a glimpse of how…
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Can You Guess the Black Icons Who Wore These Hairstyles?
From Michael Jackson’s Jheri curl from the Thriller era to Colin Kaepernick’s iconic ’fro, one thing’s for sure: Black folks know hair, and our hair often makes a statement. But be clear, we are more than our hair; black people are supremely dynamic with a myriad of interests. Our strengths and scope of knowledge go…
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New Licensing Requirements for New Jersey Braiders Remain Tangled in Legislation
Looks like it’s one step forward, one step back for New Jersey braid practitioners, as legislation introduced to abolish the current licensing requirements for braiders was conditionally vetoed by Gov. Phil Murphy, with suggestions for revisions before he’d reconsider. As The Glow Up reported in July, New Jersey Assemblywomen Angela McKnight (D-Hudson) and Shanique Speight…
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Non-Compliant: The War Against Black Students' Hairstyles Continues
When it comes to finding low-maintenance hairstyles for our children that are school-appropriate, it’s beginning to seem we’re damned if we do, damned if we don’t. Last week, a video of a first-grader in Florida being turned away from his first day of school because of his dreadlocks sparked viral outrage and discussion; this week,…
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The Dress Code Is Discrimination? First Grader Denied His First Day of School for Dreadlocks
Imagine this: You escort your son to his first day of first grade, all buttoned up in his brand new uniform and eager to begin the school year, only to be turned away because your child has dreadlocks. That’s what happened to Clinton Stanley and his son, Clinton Jr., when they arrived for their first…
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'I Really Stepped Into Myself': Lena Waithe Says Cutting Her Hair Liberated Her from Gender Norms
Lena Waithe doesn’t owe anyone an explanation for who she is, how she loves or why she cut her famous locs last month; but the writer, actress and producer graciously gave one to Vanity Fair’s cameras while on the red carpet for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s Grants Banquet on Thursday night. After joking that…
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International I Love Braids Day Brings Black Self Love to Brooklyn
Debra Hare-Bey is a proud and self-proclaimed “braider”—by trade and tradition. In fact, the Brooklyn native has been braiding for decades—she recalls being “that girl,” on the stoop braiding people’s hair. Years later, Hare-Bey decided to make a career out of braiding. After all, braids—and the rich culture and traditions from which the styles come—are…
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Naturally Beautiful: The Best of CurlFest 2018
What happens when 25,000 natural hair aficionados get together? CurlFest, that’s what! On Saturday, July 21, #TeamNatural gathered in Brooklyn, N.Y.’s Prospect Park for the world’s biggest—and most beautiful—celebration of natural hair. Celebrating its fifth successful year, CurlFest 2018 was a multiethnic, all ages and genders-welcome event that boasted all types of textures, hues and…
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Winner's Circle: Serena Williams Scores Natural Hair Products at Target—Just Like Us!
Picture this: You’re cruising the natural haircare aisle at Target, marveling at the selection, when you run into … Serena Williams? “Beauty wise, I go to Target, and they literally have everything,” Williams recently told Yahoo Lifestyle. “Anything that says ‘curls,’ ‘manage your curls,’ ‘proud of your curls,’ I’m drawn to it.” Girl, we know…