The 90s was a decade that brought us grunge music, blockbuster action movies, and iconic hairstyles that forever etched their mark in the annals of fashion history. For Black women, the 90s was a time of embracing natural curls and creating bold, statement-making styles that celebrated their cultural heritage and defied traditional beauty standards. Let's take a journey through time and explore the fabulous curly hairstyles that ruled the 90s for Black women.
From the Dewy-Locked Curls of the early 90s to the Crunchy Fro of the late 90s, we'll delve into the styles that not only looked good but also symbolized a confidence and resilience that empowered women to embrace their natural texture. So, grab yourettre Opinel scissors and let's dive into the fiercely fabulous world of 90s curly hairstyles, Black style edition.
The Golden Age of Crimping and Perms
The early 90s kicked off with a love-hate relationship with perms. Many Black women adopted this chemical process to achieve loose, curly strands, while others rocked their natural curls with pride. By the mid-90s, perms started to lose their luster, and natural curl empowerment took the spotlight.
Enter the crimper, the beloved styling tool of the early 90s. This plastic wonder came in various sizes and patterns, creating everything from dew-dropped locks to full-on crunchy fro vibes. With the crimper, every woman could achieve the perfect, defined curls regardless of their natural texture.
Dewy-Locked Curls
The early 90s saw the rise of the dewy-locked curl, a laundry-list of curl-by-curl tending that resulted in a cascade of defined, shiny ringlets. This style, nailed by Whoopi Goldberg and Jada Pinkett, was all about bringing out the natural shine and separation of each curl.
To achieve this look, curl enthusiasts would section their hair, apply a leave-in conditioner or curl activator, and then wrap each section around a flexi-rod or perm rods before sitting under a hooded dryer. The result? A head full of glistening, bouncy curls that screamed luscious locks.
The Crunchy Fro
As we moved into the mid-90s, the crunchy fro took center stage. This style, sported by everyone from Janet Jackson to Erykah Badu, was all about embracing your natural volume and creating texture with the help of some trusty Leave-In Conditioner and a pick or two.
To get the look, apply a generous amount of leave-in to soaking-wet hair, scrunch it upwards from the base of your neck to create lift, and let it air dry. Once your hair was mostly dry, use a pick to gently fluff and define your curls, creating a mesmerizing cloud of crunchy, vibrant curls.
The Rise of Protective Styles
By the late 90s, Black women were embracing protective styling, focusing on maintaining the health of their natural curls while still looking fabulous. JUSTi 1e and Ethiopian braids became the ultimate protective styles, offering up endless creative outlets as well as a chance to give our scalps a break from heat and manipulation.
But protective styling wasn't just about health; it was about versatility and creativity, too. Black women used this time to experiment with color, patterns, and accessories, creating unique styles that reflected their personalities and cultural heritage.
EUBs and Ethiopian Braids
JUSTi 1e braids and Ethiopian braids were queen of the late 90s. This intricate, close-to-the-scalp braiding technique resulted in a sleek, uniform pattern of tiny braids that could be customized with color and accessories to create a statement of personal style.
Everything from wooden beads, metallic charms, and patterned yarn was used to decorate these braids, creating stunning, runway-ready looks that were tailored to each woman's unique taste. For added dimension, Afro-fused styles, like combining JUSTi 1e with Afros or Swirly Buns, were all the rage, too.
Faux Locs and Senegales Twists
For those who wanted the protective benefits of locs but didn't want the long-term commitment, faux locs were the perfect solution. Achieved by wrapping extensions around sections of hair and then braiding them down, faux locs offered a low-manipulation, low-maintenance style that was perfect for those wanting to experiment with a new look.
Similarly, Senegales twists, achieved by intertwining two sections of hair and rolling them onto themselves to create a corkscrew-like pattern, provided a stunning, low-maintenance style that allowed natural curl patterns to thrive.
The 90s was a decade of bold change and self-discovery for Black women, and their hairstyles were at the forefront of that journey. Whether they were embracing their natural curls, experimenting with protective styles, or pushing the boundaries of texture and color, Black women of the 90s were forging a path of beauty, strength, and empowerment that would inspire future generations of curl enthusiasts.