African Hair Care History. The story of African American hairstyles is as long as the first African slaves were brought to the New World in the early seventeenth century. The effect was a resurgence of Black self esteem with the rise of the Black afro-hairstyle and Black is Beautiful movement.
In response to the propaganda in black communities to accept the European standards of beauty the Black haircare market expanded. Several newspapers had advertisements for the grand opening of the salon including the May 29 1948 issue of The Detroit Tribute in which it stated Women This is What Youve Been Waiting For. Without the combs and herbal treatments used in Africa slaves rely on bacon grease butter and kerosene as hair conditioners and cleaners.
African American hair was straightened combed or parted to mimic Western coiffures.
Life was good and Africans were able to manage and maintain their hair using natural hair products made from herbs found in their environment. The story of African American hairstyles is as long as the first African slaves were brought to the New World in the early seventeenth century. Another popular style from the 1920sthe bob a short cropped hair cutalso relied on straightening products. The black hairstyle history and techniques originated in Africa.
