Black Hairstyles Gallery

Lucky Chicoro (pictured below) is writing a book about growing natural hair because, as you can see, she has lots of it! In these photos her hair is flat ironed... this is her natural texture

When I was natural, I only combed my hair after washing and conditioning it and this ranged from 3 times to once weekly. I would deep cleanse with Apple Cider Vinegar and sometimes with bentonite clay. I really didn't have a time table when I was natural. I like bentonite because it makes me feel like a kitchentician! Frizz on natural hair adds character and for some of us, frizz is inevitable. Might as well embrace it when all you've done to rid yourself from it doesn't work!

Instructions: I add equal parts Bentonite clay with apple cider vinegar until the mixture is the consistency of mashed potatoes. I then add honey and either olive oil or coconut oil. I section my hair in four sections and apply to both my scalp and then hair with an applicator brush. I leave in my hair for about 10 – 15 minutes then rinse out in the shower. Conditioning: After rinsing the Bentonite clay out of my hair I apply a generous amount of conditioner to my hair in four sections and braid in four big braids while I am in the shower. The conditioner changes depending on what I have in my house – sometimes I make concoctions from essential oils, avocados, etc. or I use VO5s, Nature’s Gate, Fructis conditioners etc. I then pin my four braids up using bobby pins and wrap my hair using saran wrap, to lock in the moisture. I wrap my hair in a colorful scarf, add some cute earrings and go about my day. I deep condition at least once a week. I feel that it is one of the most...

RMichelle has been featured as a Monday style icon before, and I noticed on Fotki that she had recently intensified her regimen. Since July 1, 2008 she's been on a 'no sulfate, no silicone, no mineral oil, no petroleum or drying alcohol' regimen, and I can definitely see the difference in the shine, thickness and length of her hair! I asked her if she'd discuss her regimen, and she agreed. RMichelle's Photos

alicia's photos

LADYLSA : I started transitioning in September/October 2004 and did the Big Chop in October 2005 so 2009 will make 4 glorious natural years for me. I decided to return natural after reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X. I vividly remember how he described his first conk and his realization of what the conk did to him and what he was trying to do to himself as an African American. L says~ The conk was a hairstyle popular among African American men from the 1920s to the 1960s. This hairstyle called for a man with naturally "kinky" hair to have it chemically straightened using a relaxer (sometimes pure lye), so that the now straight hair can be styled. Conks were usually large pompadours, sometimes made to resemble white hairstyles. Other black men chose to simply slick their straightened hair back, and allow it to lie flat on their heads. I took a look in the mirror and asked myself why was I relaxing my hair and realized that I had been continuing years of tradit...

"I love the traits that identify me as a black, African woman. I love being a nappy-headed, dark-skinned woman. When someone tells me that I look good or that my hair looks good, it’s a boon to my truest, unaltered self." ~Hamira **All photos are of Hamira's real hair. None are extensions.

"One day, with my little mini-fro, I was riding the lightrail and this older black woman sits in front of me (she looked late 50's-ish). She had the longest, thickest, black hair with threads of silver flowing throughout, going down her back in one single braid. I was breathless... This woman was so serene, solid, and just had this aura about her. From that day, I knew I would be that woman one day." Gem Relaxed Gem Natural