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Home · Beauty

National Love Your Hair Day: 16 Women of Color Share Why They Love Their Hair 

National Love Your Hair Day: 16 Women of Color Share Why They Love Their Hair
Kofi Dua (Kof Motivation)
By Siraad Dirshe · Updated October 26, 2020

Learning to truly love yourself, and all the parts that make you you, can be a tricky task; which is probably why so many consider the act of self-love a life’s journey.

For many women of color, learning to love their hair has been an even more arduous because for so long we’ve been inundated with social and political messages to do the opposite. Thankfully the last few years have allowed many of us to experience a cosmic shift, due in large part to the communities formed both on and offline, in the way we feel and talk about our hair. 

While we never need a reason to celebrate the glory that is our crowns, today we proudly (and enthusiastically) celebrate National Love Your Hair Day. We’ve asked a few of our favorite ladies, including model/activist Ebonee Davis and beauty entrepreneur Ofunne Amaka, to share why they love their hair.

Their answers are powerful and affirming and serve as a great reminder that we should love our hair, in all it’s texture and glory, each and every day. 

Ebonee Davis 

“I love my natural hair because I am defying beauty standards that once made me feel inadequate and in dosing so I’m resisting a system of oppression and inspiring other’s to do the same.” 

Fucking up your beauty standards, daily. ✊🏿

A post shared by Ebonee Davis (@eboneedavis) on Aug 23, 2017 at 1:01pm PDT

Mel Burgos 

“I love my hair because it was God’s gift to me.” 

When you open your ❤️ to its full potential and welcome in the beautiful #energy of possibility, your life is bound to change its course forever. #vulnerability #somebodyneededthis Photo: @dondregreen

A post shared by Mel Burgos (@rock_yo_rizos) on Sep 22, 2017 at 8:04am PDT

Ofunne Amaka 

“I love my hair because simply put, it’s beautiful. For so long we’ve been taught black hair types are ugly or hard to manage or unprofessional but I’m glad I’ve finally realized that it’s not any of of those things. It’s ethereal.”

gotta stay focused. #entrepreneurlife #beautyboss

A post shared by Ofunne Amaka (@ofunneamaka) on Oct 2, 2017 at 2:40pm PDT

Farhiya Shire 

“I love my natural hair because it’s liberating and natural to embrace the heritage that grows out of your scalp rather than to assimilate to the beauty standards this world teaches you.” 

Channeling my inner Diana Ross 💜🦁

A post shared by Farhiya (@missfarhiyashire) on May 15, 2017 at 9:53am PDT

Renee Williams 

“It’s unpredictable, it’s bold, it’s sometimes fragile, it’s sometimes strong. But it is always my personality, and it hates to be tamed.” 

I believe I can fly!!! 🕊🕊🕊#HappySunday . . . . #HallsOfStyle #WhatIWore #ICanFly #GirlBoss #SpreadYourWings #WomenEmpowerment #BrownGirlBloggers #BlacksWhoBlog #KeepKillingIt #WomenSupportingWomen #StreetStyle #HustleHard #WomanInBusiness #BossWoman #WhatIWore #PersonalStyle #StyleBlog #InstaStyle #ImageConsultant #Style #Stylist #StylistLife #ILoveMyJob #StyleOfTheDay

A post shared by M Renee (@hallsofstyle) on Aug 27, 2017 at 12:41pm PDT

Yari Blanco

“I love my hair because it’s as fluid as my style and an extension of my personality. Sometimes it’s tamed and in a bun others it’s wild and free with curls flying everywhere.” 

Everyday is Gods day. ⚡️🌱

A post shared by Yari Blanco (@theyariblanco) on Sep 17, 2017 at 6:56am PDT

Ambrosia Malbrough 

“I love my hair because it is what grows from my scalp and there is no other mane like it.”

#brosiaslittlebun

A post shared by Ambrosia Malbrough (@brosiaaa) on Aug 25, 2017 at 6:22pm PDT

Tiffany Lighty

“I love my hair because it is a true extension of myself; it’s wild, it’s versatile, it’s sensitive, it’s fun and still growing.” 

I rock rough and stuff with my afro puffs ⚡️➰

A post shared by Tiffany Lighty (@tiffanynoir) on Aug 25, 2017 at 5:19pm PDT

Jenné Claiborne

“I love my hair because it’s so versatile. My current hairstyle is sooooo great because I can just wake up and go. Also, the longer I wear these crochet locs, the more natural they look.” 

My mantra right now: Take it easy 🍹 Stress can be as toxic as junk food, and lead to hormonal imbalance, adrenal fatigue, anxiety, depression, and poor sleep. Sometimes you’ve just got to press the reset button. Take a break from it all (if only for 30 minutes). Before you go back to old habits take stock of the ways you can eliminate or reduce stress in your life. It may take a bit of creativity but it’s so worth the effort! Just take it easy ☀️#JennéAcrosstheUSA

A post shared by Jenné Claiborne (@sweetpotatosoul) on Aug 1, 2017 at 4:47pm PDT

Madison Utendahl 

“I love that my hair matches my sprit. It’s strong and wild, it can withstand high and lows ultimately, it loves me for exactly who I am. If I am good to my hair and nurture her, she’s good to me!”

Took me 25 years, an obsession over @elainewelteroth's incredible locs & a true understanding of self-love to make me appreciate my natural hair. Let's just say, I'm veryyy into it 💪🏾💛

A post shared by Madison Utendahl (@madison.utendahl) on Oct 7, 2017 at 4:45pm PDT

Krystal Elaine Scott

“I grew up with natural hair before the movement became widespread, and I love my hair for teaching me how to love myself even if others don’t understand my magic.”

#AllSummer17

A post shared by Krystal Elaine Scott (@bykrystalelaine) on Jun 10, 2017 at 5:41pm PDT

Nia 

“I love my hair because it is always evolving to be bigger, longer and curlier!’

Looking at the rest of 2017 like. It's my last year of school as a Journalism major whilst indulging in some very exciting projects and adventures as #NiaTheLight. ✨☁️ photo by @gregnoire

A post shared by Nià The Light (@niathelight) on Sep 14, 2017 at 10:33am PDT

Adesuwa Aighewi

“I love that when people see me and even though sometimes their confused as to where I’m from; once they look at my hair they know I am of African decent. I change my hair quite often. It’s an extension of me and one of my main outlets to express myself.” 

FW SS18 💫

A post shared by Adesuwa (@adesuwa) on Sep 2, 2017 at 9:58am PDT

Jade Kendle 

“My hair allows me to express myself in a unique way. It’s amazing how my mood can dictate or is dictated by my hair. Whether I’m feeling wild and free or conservitive and chic; you can see it in my hair.”

Been rocking some very care-free curls the past couple months. As my hair gets longer - it's just easier + less stressful 😫 Cuz girl...when my hair gets long like #dis - gotta add extra wash, detangling, styling, AND drying time 🙄 Anywho- who's down to see my current "Care Free Curls" Routine?! 👀

A post shared by Jade Kendle (@lipstickncurls) on Sep 5, 2017 at 6:30pm PDT

Lisette

“I love my curly hair because it’s unique and loud! It makes me feel confident and I love experimenting with different styles.” 

Added some lowlights to my hair to go a teeny bit darker for Fall 🍁✨

A post shared by LISETTE (@lisette) on Oct 1, 2017 at 11:30am PDT

Tierra Taylor 

 “I love that my hair can be unpredictable. It allows me to get creative and think of news ways to style it!”

📸 @ola_idowu

A post shared by Tierra J Taylor (@tierrajtaylor) on Apr 29, 2017 at 6:00pm PDT

We’d love to hear why you love your hair, share below!

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