via Essence.com–
Solange Knowles is under the hot lights on set, but her demeanor is cool
while hairstylist Chuck Amos coifs her strands into French rolls.
Knowles’s now famously impulsive act, chopping off her tresses in 2009,
has transformed her into a natural hair icon. But that was never her
intention. “I honestly was just tired of the energy surrounding my
hair,” she explains. “So when I cut it, I didn’t think about what anyone
else would think.” We’ve been admiring her flair for switching up her
hairstyles ever since. She’s living proof that natural hair can be
versatile, stylish and edgy. In the June issue of ESSENCE, she opened up
about wearing and caring for her crowning glory.
ESSENCE: Are you surprised so many people are inspired by you?
SOLANGE KNOWLES:
I am! I wasn’t expecting that. I get women all the time on Twitter and
face-to-face saying, “I did this [haircut] because you did.” That’s
really, really humbling, and I think it’s amazing.
ESSENCE: Is there any style that stands out as a favorite?
KNOWLES:
I actually love my natural hair when it’s in a twist out and it’s been
slept on for five days and revived by the steam of the shower. A lot of
people say, “It’s so beautiful. Why don’t you wear it like that all the
time?” Well, I’m in all these different places and working with
different hairstylists, so it’s important for me to wear it in a
protective style.
ESSENCE: How do you feel about your hair now?
KNOWLES:
I think many people, especially from other cultures, just don’t
understand the role hair plays in Black women’s lives. I can now
transform the energy surrounding my hair into something way more
productive. Now that [my hair is] growing back, I’m kind of in that
in-between stage. Previously, I would have said, “I’m straightening it
again; it’s just becoming too much work.” But I think the key is to find
styles that give me flexibility.
ESSENCE: What advice would you give someone who wants to go natural?
KNOWLES:
I would say it’s going to be a journey and you have to be 100 percent
ready. I think many people are coming into it thinking it’s going to be
easy and it’s going to be healthier. Just because you’re natural doesn’t
mean you’ll be able to wash, shake and go. It’s a lot of work. If it’s
something you truly feel strongly about and it’s going to represent you
in lifestyle, hair care and health, then it’s a worthwhile journey to
take. I stand for people who are firm in their journey.
I really like her hair in this pic. In fact, I am a little bit upset that my hair can't look like this. I think it screams confidence that she loves who she is and I wish that I was just as confident to be ME.
This is the most insightful comment on a natural hair blog that I have ever read. Thank you.
4bc can wash shake and go its called a TWA or a natural back in the 70s. Cicely Tyson rocked a beautiful one in the day. Problem is we are so obsessed with long hair that we fight simplicity.
I agree 100%
she looks gorgeous!!! this shows that you DON'T' NEED A WEAVE OR EXTENSIONS TO LOOK BEAUTIFUL!!!!! not that I have anything against weaves…but its JUST HAIR!!!!
That is so true. Even on tv you always see naturals with very curly 4a hair and if they do have 4c hair, its cut two inches short and is twisted. You rarely see a type 4c person with a decent length afro in the media.
It's just hair. I am natural and have been natural for almost three years now. Earlier this month I cut my big thick kinks off in preparation for a hot summer, busy schedule, change of careers, and new city. It was then and there that I realized, its just hair. Due to my schooling and profession it happens that many of my closest friends are Caucasian. 80% of them KEEP their hair dyed blonde. However, they don't sit for days on end talking about "to be or not to be blonde" what shade is better, brighter, tighter, lighter, or more socially acceptable, who's blonde is natural and whose is fake, or what is it to be truly blonde. A my friends that rock their natural tones don't belittle those who choose not to. Yes, as with most women there may be a comment here or there about over grown roots or bad over bleached hair, but for the most part they go about their day not worry about the next woman's hair. Yes, you can come and say, well because society accepts them as the model of beauty… But, it seems as though we have an inability to accept ourselves in what whatever way we feel comfortable. So how can society follow suit when they see disparaging comments like this, one black woman to another?
If we were truly confident in our own hair, our own skin, our own decisions regarding what we define as beautiful, discussions like this one would not occur. I quite honestly don't care what you or anyone else does with your hair as long as you feel beautiful. I can appreciate some good "extensions" (as a friend of mine has pointed out a "weave" is the same thing thing half the white women in Hollywood put in their hair and call "extensions" thus we refuse to make differentiate between the two), a big weave, a twa, a twist out, a curly wash and go, or whatever you decide is beautiful. What makes me proud about more black woman wearing their hair natural is that it allows for "natural or afro" hair to become apart of that "beautiful" spectrum. But, really, at the end of the day, it's just hair. Get over yourselves and let each other be great.
I recently BC'd, after much deliberation. I wasn't aware of Solange going natural before I BC'd, but If I was I probably would have done it a lot sooner. It's refreshing and empowering whenever I see a black woman unafraid to flaunt her god given texture. Solange is surely an inspiration to me. I think she's beautiful, no matter what her hair is looking like.
This is not her FIRST time going natural. She has cut her hair all off a few times before. I see a lot of people trying to downplay who she is as an individual just because of the attention she is getting. This girl dj's she is a model, she is in the fashion industry. She is doing different things. Let the girl shine if she shining ( Geesh) ….who mad?
Can't we all just get along … in the famous words of Rodney King!!
People … beauty is truly in the eyes of the beholder. What is most important about this "movement" and yes … it is a "movement" people – is that we are willing to embrace our "nappy" – yes I said it – Nappy-selves!!!!
Our hair has never been like the status quo – whether it be curly, semi-curly – or as I said – Nappy!!!
Just be Happy to be Nappy – let people be – let people be free and love themselves and as Solange puts it – change the "energy that surrounds it". That's the Movement my Sisters … the Movement is … stop letting someone else define what beauty is to you!!!
Stop it NOW!!!
Why can't we as black women just uplift each other?
Most naturals ought to know that appearances can be deceiving. Just because someone's hair looks "dry" doesn't mean it is. Not everyone has hair that hangs, or is shiny and bouncy – regardless of how much product is put in. (Lord knows that hair can look "bouncy & wonderful" yet be crisp and stiff as a brick). Solange's hair looks similar to mine if I were to wash it and let it dry (product or not). My hair has different textures, so it wouldn't dry perfectly round. Goodness gracious, her hair is fine – healthy and full! How dare you say her is "not beautiful" (i.e., unacceptable) the way it grows out her head?
Seems like some people still need to get the "kinks" out of their minds. And NO, she did not just "roll" out of bed (obviously). It would been a lot flatter on the sides. Trust.
I like her hair and not everyone likes theirs shaped up. I don't Forget the naysayers do what you like!
Her hair looks fine just would look better with a shape up that's all.Glad she's out of the wigs/weaves.
I'd like to see her sister get rid of the fake hair and chemicals and go natural.
If I had her money, I would definitely rock the style. Without a fancy name, I'd be forced to deal with the FACT that I'm perceived as just a broke, nappy headed, negress. I can live out loud & break molds all I want to, but–dang it, sis: don't you get tired of walking around, being the revolution's poster child all the time? Don't you just want to be a woman sometimes? I sure do. And then I promptly get a sew-in.
I thought most of us read blogs like this for support, either giving support or looking for support. Why are there so many negative comments? I think her hair is beautiful. God created beautiful hair for her, and He blessed us all with beautiful hair. So many of us are outspoken against what society considers beautiful, but we still have a problem natural hair if it doesn’t look the way we think it should look. This doesn’t make any sense, may God bless you.
I am still amazed by how busy we can be with our thoughts and still lack introspection…socialization plays a role in so much that we do..why is it so horrible to admit that maybe it impacts our perception of beauty? Its not a crime or a weakness..but simply a possible truth..more questions..why is it that a woman with 4abc hair can't have the luxury of waking up, shaking her head, and moving on with her day? Why is it that any woman from 3 to 4 textures, blk, wh, asian, hispanic, mixed, can't have a moment to themselves to be happy with how they look without being bombarded with ratchet critiques? If this is a movement then why does it seem to lack the usual and complimentary idea of freedom? If the point of this movement is to have your hair perfectly coiffed to make it more acceptable to THEM, then that just identifying with the oppressor and is not a movement to anywhere but feeding the lies. My hair has turned out like that, not purposely, humidity had its way..and I wanted to run home the first time, fix it up, make it right, and that is when I knew, I had not accepted the beauty of my hair, what did I do, fluffed, licked my lips, struck a pose, and rocked on! Its called growth…there is nothing wrong with me, my hurrrr, or my style, where's the style police; because I want to read their credentials:-) I say, put down the magazines, turn the television off for a while, read angela davis, nikki giovanni, toni morrison, bell hooks, carol gilligan, michelle cliff, upanishads, the gita, the bible, the zohar, or whatever will exalt you in body, mind, and spirit..so that you can properly represent whatever movement you believe needs to be started or continued…
If you are not bedding her, touching her hair, and don't have to look at her period, why should you care?
If you are not getting paid to be mean ..why do it?
You give what you have..so don't be so translucent..and then try to cover it up.
I celebrate our differences and all the women who live, heading their own movement to love themselves, I celebrate you whether you are 'famous' or not..because no matter what you are showing our daughters that everything is okay!!!!!!!! And you are sowing our sons that we are beautiful..thanku!!! Thanku!!!!! Thanku!!!!!!
This is natural hair in its natural state. No rollers, no products, no manipulating. If she said, I don't care about my hair, What do you really expect her hair to look like. She said herself, She's not a self proclaimed Natural Hair VP. She does, what She likes. If you don't like it, don't. But I know everyone here remembers the addage(sp) If you don't have anything nice to say…. Plain and simple. When I look at this picture I think her hair looks thick and healthy. Last time I checked, that was beautiful. Would I wear my hair like this, prob not because I'm just not that comfortable with my hair yet. So instead of being extremely negative about some hair thats not even on your head, just say this: (Together Now)I WOULD NOT WEAR MY HAIR LIKE THIS BECAUSE I AM NOT COMFORTABLE. And be done with it. 🙂
I'm confused. In this piece she states that she loves to wear twist-outs, but in an earlier interview as well as tweets from her official Twitter account, she states that she HATES them on her.
Which is true??? I, too, cannot take her seriously. No matter who she is.
everybody act like they love natural hair unless its 4b or 4c . if its 4b or 4c than you have to beat those curls into 3c for it be acceptable
Solange looks great. She really shouldn't have addressed all of the negativity surrounding her hair. She doesn't need to lower herself to even comprehend the backwards thinking of so many ignorant and unhappy black women.
Face it, the reason she can't wear her hair this way it because it is too short and not 3c/4a hair. Black people are seriously crabs in a barrel. This whole page is evidence of that.
no matter if you are curly, straight, relaxed, natural etc it is not okay to look like you just rolled out of bed and did not do your hair.
Joshay you must not hang around white women so let me say this, women are women and they will talk about your hair, what you wear etc….it happens. Even those posting right here talking about being uplifting and all that jazz, if they were to see something they dont like be it a dress thats too tight, a shirt cut too low or shoes that look too tight they would say something if not outloud, at least to themselves. Please stop acting like you guys dont do it. I seriously couldn't care less if the person is black, white, green or purple….if I don't like your hair I just don't….Im not going to say I do because we are both natural….hell I wouldnt even lie to my own sister if I didnt like her hairstyle…
You can not like someones hairstyle without being a hater….people throw out the term hater simply because they do not have the intellect to formulate a proper thought or they obviously cannot handle someone NOT liking what they like….either way "hater" = stupid argument.
When you put yourself in the public eye you do it with the knowledge that people will have something to say about you. Solange is obviously a big girl that can handle herself she is proud of her "fresh out of bed hair" (btw in other media she has said that she likes to just wake up and go) and she wears it that way no matter what is said. SOOOOOOOOOOO that means all you childish little cheerleaders are free to do something else with your time….like read a book.
Nah. Just because you talk about people doesn’t mean everyone does. Idgaf what someone else’s hair looks like and I’m not gonna pretend I do because you want company lmao wtf.
WOW! We are all entitled to our own opinion and we all seem to have one. What looks good to one obviously does not to another…with that being said…DO YOU! Geeeez! Keep it movin!
Sincerely.
I can't believe Solange's hair has garnered so many negative comments. Why insult the woman for the way her hair grows out of her head. When you love yourself, when you TRULY love yourself, you don't waste your time ripping people over petty things like someone's hair.
Solange is beautiful and her hair rocks.
to the stephanie-haters of the blog, why oh why must you perpetuate Massa's hate onto another black woman? I just don't understand why in the 21c so many of black women keep on pushing that nonsense. How does Solange Knowles or for that matter any other black woman wearing her natural hair as she sees fit offends you? Why are you becoming the oppressor, the bully, the arbiter of hair? Your rabid outbursts are expressions of long ago and probably current biases we've all experienced whether it's the color of your skin or about our hair(red-bone or tar black, nappy head, tuff hair, kaya, bad hair etc, etc), our body image and the loud, ignorant, gold-digger steretypes portrayed on a constant basis about us. It breaks my heart and angers me to read that our fellow womenfolks are carrying on these colonial behaviors in the 21c. Grow up ladies, process your history before you lash out. Ms. Knowles hair like yours is what god gave her, she's enjoying it, she keeps it clean. We've all admired Nikki, Naptural85, NaturalChica, Badu, Chrisette, Jill Scott, Esperanza, Macy Gray,even India but long before any of these singers embraced their God given blessing there was Tracy Chapman. And again, she was ridiculed. It's time we women stop this nonesense, it's time we stop the perpetuation of European standards against our own people!
Its kinda sad that in a interview with Glamour Mag, she claims to hate Twist outs:
"I’ve never painted myself as a team natural vice president. I don’t know the lingo and I don’t sleep with a satin cap…However, I did noticed when I picked out my hair, I kept seeing feedback about needing a “twist out”. Connnnfesssioonnn: I HATE twist outs. Correction, I hate the way they look on me. SO i end up always picking them/steaming them out."
but claims to love them in the ESSENCE interview.
I can't take her seriously. She a spokesperson for CD. Products that a lot of naturals uses as staples in their hair care regimens. If you a natural where your hair the way you want. But don't let people discourage you on how you were your hair, nor bash a style that a lot naturals rock. I get nasty comments daily about my hair, guess what? Its not going to stop me from doing me.
My two cents. I've never been particularly impressed with Solange's hair nor her fashion sense and it has nothing to do with how coarse or short her hair is. We all saw the lovely pics of Viola Davis at the Academy Awards this year (green dress with the auburn color; in case the name doesn't ring a bell i know the pic description will!) and she KILLED it (in a good way). And I surely don't see a bunch of waves and soft curls on her head, just somebody who knew how to swag it out. Solange…eh. Mediocre at best.
No "hating" or internalized racism to it. Just a gal's opinion 🙂
Yes people are entitled to their opinions. And the rest of us are entitled to our opinions of those opinions. Opinions are based in context and some of the words and phrasing used are extremely weighty (as someone said before). I am trying not to let these bully posts turn me completely off from this site SMH.
wow @ all the comments…lol… I came across this by accident…but guess i'll throw my opinion in here too 🙂
I personally don't care for the style of her hair in the pic and wouldn't wear it…but why does it have to be sooooo deep? No one is obligated to like her natural hair, the wigs, or her as an entertainer but chill out with the attacking. Going natural can be a hard enough journey as it is—and going through it nationally is even worse; especially when u have to deal with negative comments on why u did it in the 1st place.
No one has to agree and say u like it if u don't but learn to express ur opinion without attacking and hurting others in the process.
i love her hair, i just can't stand HER – without her sister she's a NOBODY – enuff said
Wow. This post is really sad. I would hate to have BC'd my hair, being already nervous about how it would be accepted, and then to come onto this board.
I have a lot going around in my head right now, but I really don't know which words to pick out and post. It's true when they say, "sometimes you just have to encourage yourself", because there's always going to those people are just won't accept you for you.
People are entitled to their opinions about Solange's hair, but some of the comments are a bit mean-spirited. Personally, I like the "uncombed look" of Solange's hair. Other entertainers such as Maxwell and Eric Benet have worn that look in the past and it looked good on them, too. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. I agree with some of the posters who wrote that if Solange's hair had a looser curl pattern or was longer, no one would have a problem with her uncombed look. There still is an element that does not appreciate tightly-coiled, African-textured hair.
I love Solange's hair! Thank you Solange for wearing your hair natural, the way YOU want to wear it! You are beautiful and so is your hair. Your style is empowering for all women who want to wear their hair natural. Your style is about more than your hair, and I get that! Keep doing what you are doing and being who you were created to be. God bless you!
Hello au naturals (RMDEs)…wash your hair weekly, add hair oil,or moisturizer to the hair. Natural doesn't mean walking around with lint balls in your hair and having that thirsty mound on your head. Fluff your hair after waking up,leaning on a car seat or whateva. Salonge needs to invest in a pick comb and learn to pat that nap into shape. BTW Salonge! I'm offended by your uber dry fake afro wigs as well. Fire Hazards
poor girl!!!
Personally I love Solange's music, especially her last album and her hair. People are always changing and evolving, so what. If it makes her happy then let it be. I just BC'd my hair Friday and part it was because of what Solange has done. Granted women have went from relaxed hair to natural time and time again but in all honesty she carries it with confidence and grace. I say well done.
Solange stated above that she likes her hair to look like a twist out that has been slept on for five days revived by the steam in a shower….so guys like it or not. That's her staple look!
well Solange just sounded off on Twitter due to the comments on this site….uh she's pissed lol
I think its sad and unfortunate. Cause to me you dont have to wear twist outs just to be a good looking natural girl…short fros are cute too.
well Solange just sounded off on Twitter due to the comments on this site….uh she's pissed lol
I think its sad and unfortunate. Cause to me you dont have to wear twist outs just to be a good looking natural girl…short fros are cute too.
We complain because black women don't embrace their natural hair, and when they do, we dog 'em out. Your opinion, no matter if it's yours, is ignorant. That's my opinion. That's why black folks don't get as far ahead as they could because we are so daggum worried about what somebody else is doing and criticizing it versus being on our own game and encouraging one another. Everyone who had a negative comment to say about Solange is pitiful, not her hair. And THEY embarrass the natural hair community. Not Solange's "style choice." SMH.
Natural hair community my ass. Bunch of vitriolic numpties.
Solange looks great'
LOL the comment section of this site seems to prove my point about the "natural hair community" being a croc of bullsh*t every.single.time.
sad.
If she had the coveted 3c strands growing out if her head she would be a natural hair icon…smh not everyone has super defined curls no matter what they do to their hair.
Solange is beautiful.
Some ladies have appointed Solange as a natural hair ambassador when she's not. No wonder she went off on them. Y'all can't tear her down and call it "being honest". She's not gonna listen to you anyway, so stop it. She's gonna do her, like she has been for the longest. I actually like the undefined curls. I barely do it myself. And if she just wants to wear it out, let her wear it out! Stop trying to put your own vision on her. You wouldn't want that done to you if you were in her shoes, would you? Exactly.
Some ladies have appointed Solange as a natural hair ambassador when she's not. No wonder she went off on them. Y'all can't tear her down and call it "being honest". She's not gonna listen to you anyway, so stop it. She's gonna do her, like she has been for the longest. I actually like the undefined curls. I barely do it myself. And if she just wants to wear it out, let her wear it out! Stop trying to put your own vision on her. You wouldn't want that done to you if you were in her shoes, would you? Exactly.
Solange rocks! Period!
She's got style for days and even if she's not on most of your 'radars' folks are checking for her. It baffles me when some folks think that just because several women have chosen to embrace their hair as it grows from their scalps, the fearful think that they must also do the same.
Black women have choices, and you don't have to follow what someone else does just just because you belong to the same group, learn to think for yourselves. It's a shame that individuality produces fear among those who choose not to embrace it.
Some people wait to be given permission to accept themselves while other's just take it and Solange and other women are doing just that, enjoying their unique individuality without approval from others.
Anonymous 6:49 "I'm sure there are plenty of reasons some might wear twistouts or braidouts, but whether you want to admit it or not you are still manipulating your hair, and the results are something else other than what your hair would naturally look like if left alone."
Ummm, every time you TOUCH your hair, you are manipulating it in some form or fashion. I don't anyone who who gets up from the bed in the morning and does nothing to their hair. Every time you style your hair of course it is going to look different than if you left it alone. The fact is that twist out and braid outs do NOT change the texture of your hair. Again, your logic is flawed. Or maybe you are just a natural hair police who believes that a "true natural" is someone who does not touch her hair at all (who does this?)….if so, do you.
@11:15. Wear your hair the way you want to! All I ask is for us to stop acting like we are past these unfortunate expectations. I feel like many naturals believe they are so ”above” society's expectations when it comes to hair. If we were, this conversation would not have ensued. People posting on here are annoyed that Solange isn't sporting a shiny, defined twist out. Point blank period. Between the lines, that is the unfortunate message being conveyed. (I'm anon 9:31)
Okay, so now I'm not 'natural enough' because I choose to 'manipulate' my NATURAL texture by wearing a twist out? Y'all Natural Nazis *kill* me!! Give me a damn break.
oh and there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with wearing wigs. I believe they can function as a protective style.
I think we should be able to "like" and "dislike'' some of these comments that i am seeing on this page. I think her hair is lovely and the fact that she has 4C hair and wears it with PRIDE is fantastic.But basically what I am getting from some of these comments is that unless you have a curl/wave pattern or do twist outs/braid outs or whatever, your hair looks unkempt. I personally do not like twist outs and i have 4c hair I know sometimes it can come off looking as "unkempt" to ppl even though thats not what u r trying to do.I would like to refer to this situation as being double standard in that people would embrace natural hair but if it doesnt look a certain way or a certain curl pattern,its thought of as being "unkempt".
The comments, rather your "opinion" or not is really discerning!! Who are we to judge or say what her natural hair should look like. Perhaps she doesn't prefer to two strand twist, Bantu knot, wash and go, flat twist etc. Kudos to her for having the confidence to rock her hair the way she is most comfortable!!! Who the heck are you ladies to have an "opinion" of what someone else's hair should like? You were given your "own" head of hair to do as "you" see fit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ Anonymous 9:31
Exactly!!! That's what it all boils down to. Half of you women are just sad!!! And what's sad is you have comments like these on a hair board trying to empower women to love and except there natural hair, and then you read the comment section, and all you see is "dry as hell", "looks like a birds nest" "needs to comb it". What's even worst is most of you negative com mentors probably had the same insults thrown at you when you started on your natural journey. Very sad indeed!!
I guarantee if her hair was much longer half the people on here harping about her "unkempt" look would be oohing and aahing over her locks. The reasoning behind the "unkempt" attacks being directed here has NOTHING to do with a matter of opinion. It's deeper than that. Corinne Bailey Rae, Tracee Elis Ross, and Esperanza Spalding can be "natural hair icons" for 2 simple reasons: either they have long hair, or shiny/curly/defined hair. If you don't have one of the two, you can't be the poster child (not that one is necessary). Sorry Solange. Your hair is too "nappy looking" (yeah, that's what some of yall *meant* to say) to represent natural hair.
Sad such negative comments about Solange. She's beautiful and has beautiful hair. Enough with the jealousy. Would like to see what your jealous asses look like probably not half as good as she does 🙂
basically everybody should walk around with their hair looking like a bird nest because being natural anything looks cute 🙂 *said with love
Ok, wow! When I first saw her pic, I thought "ugh, what da fudge?" I was talking about her makeup. The fro took me a few secs, and I don't think it's unkempt, unruly or anything (I def wouldn't do it); just that the makeup ruins the look. Remember Maxwell's sexy ass fro? (Check him out on google images.) Yeah, that's what her hair reminds me of, but that makeup is killing the look.
Miss TeeTee
To the Anonymous person who post at 6:48pm Why do you care if natural ladies wear braid out or twist outs?? This is no different then woman relaxing their hair, we all know its not natural straight! The versatility with natural hair is I can wear my curls, yes curls straight, in a braid out, twist out, a puff, bun, with or with out products!
OK, so we have established that at least one person here as a pathological hate obsession for Solange Knowles. LOL! sad.
Yeah, no thanks to her "secrets" and she's almost always wearing wigs. No comment on the poseur boho fashion since going natural. Woman, please.
@ Anonymous 6:48
Amen!!!! Well said!!!!!
@ Anonymous 4:34
A twistout or braidout becomes more than a hairstyle when some who are "curly brainwashed" are using it to make people think there hair naturally looks that way.
@ Anonymous 4:25
I'm sure there are plenty of reasons some might wear twistouts or braidouts, but whether you want to admit it or not you are still manipulating your hair, and the results are something else other than what your hair would naturally look like if left alone.
The extreme nature of some of the comments indicate a desire to control what being 'natural' means and what it should look like.
I personally love the fact that there are people like Solange who feel comfortable enough to wear their hair the way THEY want to wear it. She is beautiful because of that!
W was in Whole Food market recently and while waiting to check out noticed a guy who had dyed the ends of his locs green. I turned around and saw a woman with an orange fro that was out there the way SHE wanted it to be- dry, free, undefined and totally wild. I love it that we can exercise our will to wear what we want to. I may not choose the same style, but I sure do love looking at all the variety and creativity that's out there- texture, color, style, etc.
Solange is but one link on the chain of individual expression. Please don't condemn her for expressing herself the way she sees fit. She has a right to do it- we all do.
I think we "ladies" are taking some comments out of context, I don't think that anyone hates Solange, but that they don't necessarily like her hair in this picture….not all of her pictures but the one posted in this post~and by not liking it doesn't mean that we are not supporting each other in this thing called HAIR!!! just my 2 cents…personally I wouldn't wear my hair like that either! but that is her choice and I respect it!
What a debate ladies! Agree to disagree. I personally would not wear my hair like that because it looks like a birds nest. She could have at least finger combed and conditioned it. Its not hating, its my opinion. My hair does not have to be perfectly coiled, but it will be moisturized and somewhat styled. Natural hair does not mean that its less work… like she said in the article.
I would like to ask that a MODERATOR get involved with the comments section on this article. It is obvious that the majority of these 'Anonymous' comments are the SAME PERSON with presumably the same IP address playing tag, dueling back and forth for fun and derailing this post.
@Anonymous 3:59, naturals either have curls or coils/waves or not, NO PRODUCT will create a curl Braid out and twist outs are hairstyles, just like roller set, bantu knots, twist etc..
@Anonymous 3:59 "See this is what happenes when you see people supposedly reppin natural hair always wearing braidouts, twistouts, tons of product, manipulating their hair to look like something it's not."
I, for one, where twist outs to keep my hair stretched so that it has less tangles and knots, that is the ONLY reason. I happen to like wash and goes, but I don't like leaving the house with wet hair or the resulting single strand knots. NOT everyone who wears twist outs or braid outs are "manipulating" their hair to get it to look like "something it's not." There are many other reasons to do so. Your logic here is very poor.
Done.
a fan of natural hair but definately think solange hair looks a bit unkempt. Just because you have natural hair it doesn't mean go around with your hair looking any kind of way. I guess some people think hair that looked like it just rolled out of bed is beautiful because its natural. smh…
@Katrina, you are so right! There has been pic on CN forums of Big Chops that look just like Solange hair above and ppl love it!
See this is what happenes when you see people supposedly reppin natural hair always wearing braidouts, twistouts, tons of product, manipulating their hair to look like something it's not. Peoples thinking becomes screwed, and then you get dumbass comments like "her hair needs a comb" " it looks dry" blah blah blah!!! Wash your hair, and let it dry naturally with no manipulation letting your hair do it's own thing ,and lets see what some of you ladies posting negative comments hair really looks like!!!
GEORGEOUS
Solange is beautiful!
All these negative comments about Solange are sad and are very disheartening. People post pictures in the curlynikki forums regularly with their hair looking a mess after a big chop or failed braid out and people post more positive comments than this. Why all the hate for Solange? I wonder what some of you all look like behind your computer screens.
This all goes back to the GOOD HAIR DEBATE!
also the curly nikki forums is flled with people that are just on a serious journey to find anything that will make their curls "pop". I've seen countless threads of new naturals lamenting about how they have no curls in their head. So yeah, not surprised at the dumb comments on here…either way just glad to see that people's true opinions about natural hair are coming out the woodworks…
"So no. Being natural is not a big deal. It should be the norm, not the exception. But best believe I do a happy dance every time I see Solange rocking her hair like this because I cannot think of a SINGLE other celebrity with her texture wearing their hair like that. (I love Tracee Ellis Ross and Corinne Bailey Rae to no end, but my hair will never be like that and that is OK!!)"
PREACH! Honestly people have moved on from relaxers to dumping curl cremes and gels on their hair to make it look ok to walk out the door…it's fine to do so but if you feel your hair is never ever ready or beautiful UNTIL you got it defined, shiny, weighed down then you got a WAYS to go….and it's fine, it's all a part of what society has been pushing down our throats for years but please, just open your eyes and wake up to reality. I doubt it will happen though, it's too uncomfy.
I'm GLAD Solange wears her hair proudly because it's shedding light on people's REAL insecurities about natural hair. The girl is not trying to be a natural icon, she's being HERSELF and she's living life and loving it. Keep hating and keep shaking in your seats because her hair makes you feel ashamed or uncomfortable….
Seriously I usually don't curse on here but FUCK all the comments talking about her hair being unkept …..SEE how this "MOVEMENT" is showing how people haven't really learned to love our hair….there's still conditions….
as long as it's curly
as long as it doesn't look "unruly"
GTFOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO it's styled but not in a way that appeases your senses…just fuck off…ugh…
I notice that this post has a particularly high amount of BAIT comments, and it seems that the same person just keeps baiting and deliberately using this thread to antagonize under more than one name with the sole purpose of vilifying readers and bringing up a variety of arbitrary concerns that have nothing to do with the article at all as is custom for trolls and sociopaths who usually stick to gossip sites!
You know, I was at an African festival this weekend and was surrounded by amazing, beautiful natural hair and I was in heaven. But interspersed amongst the crowd were a few folks with horribly matted looking, unstyled voodoo locs – no shine & no rhyme or reason. I understand the whole "you do you" thing, but some of these men and women looked like they hadn't done ANYTHING with their hair in weeks. Sure, it's 'natural', but when homeless becomes a look, I don't want nuttin ta do wit it!
LOL!
Proof that most naturals are *still* brainwashed. Say what you want, many of yall have NOT embraced what grows out of your scalp. As a natural myself, Im over the pretense.
You know, the majority of white girls DO NOT have pin straight hair. They blow dry and flat iron it every single day to get it that way. If they just rolled out of bed and went outside without putting a brush to it or some kind of grooming, they would look like crazy. We don't get a 'no comb' pass just because our hair is curly. Curly hair needs to be groomed and maintained just like any other hair. We need to stop being so defensive about natural hair and try a little more honesty.
I don't care for the "just woke up" look on ANYONE – whether the hair is straight or kinky.
As a fellow naturalista, I know that some looks considered "unkempt" can take a great deal of time to put together, but I don't think this particular style works for Solange. IMO, it just doesn't work with her delicate features but not liking it has nothing to do with 'internalized racism'. Sheesh…
I absolutely LOVE Solange's hair in this picture and almost every picture I've seen.. I think most natural women are obsessed with defining their hair with twist outs and braid outs, that we've totally missed the point that majority of our hair isn't loosely curled..
while i appreciate the fact that a celeb is bringing natural hair (specifically kinks) into the limelight i do agree she is not really a good natural hair idol. On any site we visit frequently we can see pictures of women with kinky hair who wear it much better than her. It has nothing to do with coils and curls because when i see a white woman with split ends and dry hair she doesn't get a pass for having straight hair. take nikkimae for an example. I love her fros. She has big 4c hair but when she styles her hair u cant help but notice how beautiful it is because it is well shaped, moisturized and u just want to play in it. And people thought that even when her hair was short because she always had a good following. Solos hair look knotted and tangly and not at all like the hair of the 4c women on our very own CN forum and in the online natural hair community. She does indeed need a comb, a good trim and some moisturizer. Do not insult the women of the 4c hair category because kinks does not equal the i just rolled out of bed look or I'm too cool to comb look.
Her hair looks dry as heck. I would never take hair/product advice from her. Her wigs look better than her real hair. Like someone said earlier, just because she's a celebrity and she's natural does not automatically promote her to "natural hair idol" status. Who cares what she uses? From the looks of her hair, I want to stay far away from her techniques and products.
@Anonymous 1146 you said exactly what I was thinking. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But let's not pretend we don't understand loaded language. Don't pretend that a lot of the reason why too many black women struggle in their decision to be natural is because people call their natural hair "nappy" "difficult" unkempt" "messy".
My hair texture is EXACTLY like Solange's when I wear it out without all these expensive curl defining products. And it is not unkempt. It doesn't need to be combed. And I don't need these expensive and unnecessary products to wear my natural hair in an "appropriate" way.
So no. Being natural is not a big deal. It should be the norm, not the exception. But best believe I do a happy dance every time I see Solange rocking her hair like this because I cannot think of a SINGLE other celebrity with her texture wearing their hair like that. (I love Tracee Ellis Ross and Corinne Bailey Rae to no end, but my hair will never be like that and that is OK!!)
Remember more broadly that in the media, in fashion, in the limelight, it is ALWAYS a good thing to have black women present who represent how diverse and amazing black women can be, even if we already know that ourselves because our mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends are fabulous. It never hurts to remind the rest of the world that we aren't all straight haired, or overweight, or unmarried, or whatever stereotypes the media likes to throw at black women.
As long as you are in the public eye, people will always find it necessary to comment no matter what. Often times these comments are unnecessary, worthless, non-productive just overall pointless. There is nothing we can do about it. But at the end of the day the only thing that matters is that the person who is being judged or criticized does not allow people and their opinions to phase them. In this case if Solange thinks her hair looks gorgeous then that's all that should matter. Solange is not a self proclaimed natural icon. She represents herself not the natural community. It is the people that are putting her on this pedestal and this needs to stop. Let her live by her own standards of what it is to have a beautiful fro. You call it unkempt she thinks it's fierce. Should our opinion matter? No, we are free to express it but in the end all these opinions are indeed worthless.
wow @ these comments
"Do you" is my motto.
I love Solange's style, I think it's fierce.
Would I walk out of the house with my hair like hers is in the pic above? No, that is not ME, but I'm glad that she is doing HER.
To each his own!
~caramelcurls
Anonymous at 11:46am PREACH!!!
I can understand where the "unkempt" thought is is seen. She does have a tendency to wear the kinky curly wigs that looks like twist out/braid out/ curly hair, but she doesn't attempt the styles on her own hair. just because she has natural hair that doesn't make her a hair idol, just a woman in the spotlight that just happens to have natural hair. she doesn't represent me as a woman, i represent myself. i want to see her hair without being picked out, moisturized and pulled into a puff. something simple to accentuate
She looks lovely! I admire her hair and her sense of style. I wish Solange the best of luck in all her endeavors.
Funny, NikkiMae aka NaturalChica hair looks like this but its a lot longer and naturals love her, so maybe unless you have long and curls for days you hair is label but other naturals as UNKEPT IE NAPPY!
I love her hair just like it is. It is beautiful and she has a beautiful face to pull off any look, especially her own beautiful and natural hair. God speed to you Solange. I am very happy for you 🙂 enjoy being natural and continue to be you.
Sometimes I think Solange's hair looks great. Other times I do think it looks a mess so I can kinda see what some people mean.
It really is just a difference of opinion.
WOW @ ALL THE COMMMENTS….just WOW!!
I do agree with the anonymous whose first word was UNKEMPT….I agree that SOME of those who dont like her hair vies it as NAPPY, 4C, NO CURLS, and basically NOT GOOD HAIR! Lets keep it real it she has curls popping all over the place the comments wouldnt be so negative. No, I would not wear my hair like this for one my hair type is different but above all things I would be called every name under the sun, just like the lades her have done.
ooh these comments make me nervous about wearing my own 4c hair out. im happy to see some kinks rather than always seeing curls and waves
In my opinion she was looking for a way, any kind of way to get from under her sister's shadow and going this route was the only way she could do it!!!! Now people are finally giving her some attention!!! Give me break but give her a Comb so she can better represent beautiful natural combed hair!!! And no you don't have to have a "loose" curly texture to do it!!! Take a lesson from out of the Fijian natural hair book, they know how to rock natural hair!!!!!
These comments are very interesting (grabs popcorn)
#teamknowles
Keep doing you Solange!
@ANONYMOUS 11:46A.M. I agree with you completely!!
@Anonymous 11:19a.m., indeed slavery and colonialism changed everything! I think it's great that she has the confidence to wear her hair as is. If you don't like her style, there is no point in tearing her down, calling her hair "unkempt" etc. IMO, the minimum requirement should be clean hair. Period. After that, wear it as you please!
People may have left the "bone-straight" mindset behind but now they are in the "defined curls" mindset.
CHURCH AT ANONYMOUS ABOVE!
It's kind of sad that if you don't have curly hair or don't try to mimic curly hair via twist outs, that a lot of people think your hair is ugly. All I see is a girl with afro-textured hair who did a quick style on her hair with no bells and whistles. She looks just fine. You don't have to like it, but she doesn't look unkempt. That's just internalized racism speaking.
Solange can wear her hair however she wants. Funny, if her "unkempt" look was wavy or curly, or kinky but LONG, these same women would be oohing and aahing over it.
So many people think that they are so evolved with their natural hair, but they clearly cling to sad and outdated notions of what is nice hair and what isn't.
A head of curly hair that isn't combed never gets this amount of vitriol and hatred. And if her hair was super long, the same people would be loving it.
Solange looks absolutely stunning and it is so refreshing to see a Black celebrity who is willing to go against the grain and embrace a unique sense of style.
I like that Solange is comfortable and confident with herself and encourages other women to do the same. All the hating about her hair looking 'unkempt' is uncalled for she looks great just the way she is!
Solange looks absolutely stunning and it is so refreshing to see a Black celebrity who is willing to go against the grain and embrace a unique sense of style.
I like that Solange is comfortable and confident with herself and encourages other women to do the same. All the hating about her hair looking 'unkempt' is uncalled for she looks great just the way she is!
"I honestly was just tired of the energy surrounding my hair…I can now transform the energy surrounding..into something way more productive" — Loved that!
I like Solange's fashion, music tastes and overall style. She's not really on my radar but I dig her when she's in the news. I think her hair looks lovely and though I don't visit it often, I like the direction of her blog. And I too prefer the highly-textured halo versus the manicured version of the 1970s.
Solange's hair is a big deal in the global, Black, public presence. Count how many Black women are well-known INTERNATIONALLY, now count how many are natural. And for me, the choice, the embrace of my natural hair and subverting centuries of beauty standard tyranny is the sociopolitical 'movement' of natural hair, if it isn't a movement for some, fine, but don't dictate for all!
Sometimes these comment boards feel like YouTube with blisteringly negative 'I'm not hatin' but…' comments from the same 3 trolls who visit a site once a year when a high-profile personage is featured and high-five each other back and forth, ranting on for 5 pages against anyone who disagrees with them. You're a troll not simply because you love to spew vitriol, but because you presumptively deride others as a moronic "hoard" because they're confident enough to express an opinion without being cheap.
I think she always looks stunning, wigs, her hair, extensions, whatevs.
I love Solo's look. But it would be nice to see her embrace some different styles to her hair. I cant recall ever seeing her hair in a two strand twist, flat twist..etc Switch it up booboo
LMFAO at anonymous above! Yes! I be he'd be less than interested. People can say what they want…..
LOL. I'm going to ask a random guy to look at this picture and see what he thinks.
Based on the ignorant comments being posted here, I see many of our people have a LONG way to go. God made us a certain way and slavery changed everything, even us understanding how to take care of our hair. Now that many are finally embracing what we have and loving it, there are people still making comments like "comb it" if the natural hair doesn't have the curly european look to it. Shame on you! It's especially sad to see people from other cultures/races appreciating what you obviously can't. Sad. I totally understand if people are so happy that a black celebrity is getting so much attention for natural hair, because I'm tired of seeing music videos, etc showing beauty only means long straigt processed hair. -Michaelle
Wow. Okay, how did you miss where she supported natural hair by saying it can be very beautiful and supported her move to not use the chemicals? How did you miss her saying she basically doesn't discriminate as to what kind of hair it is? I guess if someone doesn't agree then, it's not supportive and people should lie versus stating what they think??? *shrugs*
Hating ass haters! Solange is awesome!
I hate that people think your hair has to be super curly or curly styled to be beautifully natural. Common misconception, her hair is beautiful and anyone who disagrees is probably a perm-headed hater who wishes they had her natural hair and style. Take it how you want, I am no hater. Every one is entitled to their own opinion as am I but this is a site made to support our fellow sisters not put them down!
There you go again. It's not negative, it's a honest thought expressed publicly. If folks don't want comments then do post pictures. We're going to have an opinion.
UGH! Hypocrites!
It's sad to see so many negative comments. I wish we could be more supportive and uplifting
i agree with lola.
Agreed. It is NOT a movement. It is our hair! Period.
I agree with Stephanie and other ladies like her. I get tired of the fact we all have to ooh and ahh over someone just because they're natural when their look is all jacked up and since I've become natural (going on 2 yrs in August), I have seen more than my share of jacked up styles and the "loyal following" have nothing but praise but knowing darn well they wouldn't dare be seen with like that and that includes our dear CurlyNikki. I see NOTHING wrong with having a difference of opinion regarding some of these natural hairstyles and when it goes against the pathetic political correctness/kumbaya mentality most of the hoard feel comfortable being apart of. It's good Solange has her own personal style but if it doesn't work for one of us, PLEASE don't get offended when we don't feel the same. It's a free country to express oneself without worrying about hate responses!
Lol. Lawd. It is HER preference. We uphold the various sterotypes that people say about naturals overall. I don't care how good your braid outs or twist outs are, some folks think that it doesn't look kept up either!
As long as Solange is happy with herself and her style then that's all that matters.
haters.
I don't think it looks unkempt,I think it looks beautiful,Everyone's hair is different,and forms differently. We all don't have the curl texture or width and bounce of Esperanza Spalding,and,at the end of the day,Solange,her hair,her style,her personality is attractive to a lot more people than this small spectrum that thinks her hair looks "unkept".
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Miss Solange, I think you're beautiful and your hair is boss!
Solange, has come into her own over the last few years. Her hair and style are fierce and unique to her. She is doing the darn thing.
I agree that being natural does require work and many of us go into the journey thinking that it will be less or very little work. Good point.
i prefer the unkempt look, via her twist out. the "perfect fro" looks outdated to me (and i stress to me lol). I think its important for individuals to rock what feels comfortable to them. If i had to worry about my afro being that perfect round basketball, i would feel as miserable as i felt when i had straight hair, doing public speaking and worried if a strand was sticking up/out of place…..i guess i like the "unkempt look" bc it screams individuality. I also enhoy seeing her in natural wigs bc her cuts are FIERCE. there is such a limited amount of fly cuts for inspiration when ur a natural,or really search through tumblr….to me its all about the cut.
And this "movement" crap is crazy! I've been natural for 5 years. Why? Because I decided I wanted to stop putting chemicals in my head and I love the natural look. It's not a movement, it's hair.
I usually don't comment but Geesh! Why can't we as women just uplift one another? She's a beautiful woman. Would I rock my hair like she has it in the above pic? Probably not, but who cares?! It's her hair and she has embraced it. And who cares what anyone thinks about what others think about natural hair? We focus way too much on what others think. I'm sure there are no Caucasians having this silly conversation about some other woman's hair making THEIR image look bad. Smh. You go Solange! Do you. Period. Positivity lifts the world up! Negativity will constantly bring us down.
I don't see anything special about her hair at all and I don't admire it. I've seen naturals with more style all on their own.
I like her style.
If she is to be a representative of this movement, which youre all clearly makign her, then she needs to REPRESENT. That's all I'm saying. Comb it please.
@Anonymous 10:11am: We want her to put some effort into it. Duh. Why is it that whenever someone voices their opinion and another person doesn't agree nor have anything to debate, they automatically resort to saying the person is "hating"? lol. You must be natural and she must have hit a nerve with you. Not everyone is going to agree with the majority just for the sake of it. It's not that serious. Normal people judge beauty based on their OPINION of what they see. If Solange wasn't famous and sitting next to your desk at work, you would be thinking the same thing.
Unkempt? Perhaps that is her texture. I sense that yall's definition of ”unkempt” is no curl definition and/or shape. Sometimes Solange goes for neat, defined hair; sometimes she just wears it out In a seemingly unmanipulated fro. I don't get what's the problem
why all the hating on Solange?! Dag! The girl is wearing natural hair in the limelight, what else could you possibly want from her! Crabs in a barrel.
I agree with Stephanie. Solange wears 'natural' wigs more than she wears her own natural and when she does, it looks dry, unstyled and unshaped. If she's truly proud of her natural look, she needs to get from under the wigs and work with her own hair. She has much potential, but she's not using it.
I agrees with Stephanie, she really needs to put some work into STYLING her hair. This is why people think natural hair looks bad…
I'm going to say it. Natural hair can be VERY beautiful. Solange's hair is not.Even if she wore an afro, pick it out even or something. It always looks unkempt. Nothing special, just "I've got natural hair". Esperanza has a great fro, Foxy Brown had a great fro, now look at Solange. Remember the Eddie Murphy skit of Buckwheat. Yep, exactly! She's a beautiful woman and hooray for her efforts to step out of the norm and get rid of those wigs/weave/chemicals. Boo for not even trying to represent with her natural fro'ness. I'm not hating, I don't know the woman. It's my honest, non-sugar coated opinion of what I see- be it natural hair, relaxed hair, no hair, or not.
Love her hair and her style. She's an icon!
I love Solange's afro! She's one of my hair idols.
Her hair and style rocks!
I love her hair and i am natural myself, haven't always been. I think the biggest thing for her is that she is a black celebrity who stands out in the media now bcuz she chose to be natural versus the typical bone straight hair of the american standard. It def says a lot and I am sure she had to deal with criticisms just as many women do but she stuck with it and I commend her and all those who are in the media and not who stand firm on their decision to go natural.
I have to disagree as a fashion blogger I think people started paying attention when she stepped her fashion game up. When i think of her now, i think of a woman who has her ish together when it comes to the clothes, and not to mention her blog on tumblr is pretty amazing and people feed of that on tumblr big time, but I'll admit because it is a good part of it, her going natural was the icing on the cake, but the thing is even if she wore wigs they were perfect touches to everything, because she def started those LONG braids up again, and once she started modeling with that fro it was a done deal.
Beautiful!
I love Solange! Beautiful results!
This seems like the biggest thing to happen to her career. lol. No one paid any attention to her until she cut her hair off. I've been rocking my natural hair my whole life and I'm glad that more ladies are catching on, but there is nothing so great/unique about her hair. I really don't get it.