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Home · Natural

Black History Month: Old School Naturalistas

Though the natural hair revolution is clearly in full swing, present day naturalistas are far from the first to embrace their natural kinks and curls. Here a look back at our hair history.

By Crystal G. Martin · February 18, 2014October 27, 2020
01
Aretha Franklin
The Queen of Soul rocked an afro in the 70s, a notable departure from the bouffants she wore the decade prior.
02
Pam Grier

This Big Bird Cage and Foxy Brown star is the consumate 70s beauty icon.

03
Cicely Tyson

As a star on “East Side/West Side” in the mid-60’s, Oscar-nominated actress Cicely Tyson was the first Black woman to wear cornrows on TV!

04
Grace Jones

Even in the 1970s, a decade known for its aesthetic excess, Jones’ androgynous look—highlighted by her cropped cut—ruffled feathers.

05
Angela Davis

Political activist Angela Davis popularized larger-than-life hair when she proudly rocked her afro in the ’60s. Her iconic ’fro inspired Black women everywhere to ditch their hair straighteners and go natural, sparking a revolution in Black beauty and style.

06
Diana Ross

On her first solo tour of Britain, Diana Ross rocked a head full of voluminous kinks — a real departure from the structured Supremes bouffants of the ’60s.

07
Miriam Makeba

Makeba, who popularized African music globally, wore a short afro throughout her life.

08
Linda Wells

The Peaches and Herb singer rocked beaded braids in this 1978 photo.

09
Valerie Simpson
Simpson looks lovely (and in love) wearing micro braids in this picture from the 1970s.
10
Patrice Rushen

With her micro-braids, multi-colored beads and hair accessory flourishes like chopsticks and feathers, “Forget Me Nots” singer Patrice Rushen was one of the top tress trendsetters in the early ’80’s.

11
Esther Rolle
Best known for her role on “Good Times,” Rolle’s petite fro with its teeny gray patch became a signature look.
12
Marsha Hunt

In the late ‘60s, few afros were as powerfully majestic as Marsha Hunt’s. The singer, actress and model lit up the stage in skintight buckskin pants, belly-baring halters and that awe-inspiring cloud of hair.

13
Whitney Houston

On her first album cover, a young Whitney rocked a slicked back natural hair.

14
Patti LaBelle

Before there was the signature wild hair of the 80s, Patti wore a simple fro, as in this 1974 portrait.

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