What is an afro hairstyle? First of all, this is a styling that has not lost its relevance for the past few years. It is also a wide variety of hair design - from small playful curls to brutal. And if the last option is the choice of desperate daredevils, then the first is a universal and simple way to look your best, which suits almost all types of appearance. In this article, we will tell you how to make an Afro hairstyle at home, so that it is in no way inferior to salon styling, that is, it is lush and light, but at the same time it holds firmly all day.
Afro curls are stylish
Almost all women and most men find curls cute and very sexy. Curly hair is associated with romance, but at the same time adventurism and unrestrained fun. And of course, such a hairstyle inspires thoughts about summer and freedom. Afro hairstyles are the choice of freedom-loving women, because you can create an unlimited number of hairstyles from curly curls, or you can do nothing with them and still look your best.
Afro hairstyle - styling that can be done on hair of both short and medium or long lengths. The last option looks the most impressive. What is especially nice, afro-style hairstyles are not difficult to do on your own, without resorting to the services of hair care specialists. By following the instructions step by step, you can get a beautiful image without spending extra money.
Do-it-yourself afro curls
The easiest way to create an afro styling yourself:
- Divide the hair into many small strands and braid a pigtail from each of them. The longer you keep the strands braided, the more resistant the result will be.
- After the braids are untwisted, the hair should be treated with a gel of medium fixation.
- The above scheme can be simplified by braiding the hair not in pigtails, but in flagella. Just a few hours of passive waiting - your afro hairstyle is ready. It should be noted that this method is not suitable for girls with short hair.
Curls with curlers
To make styling in the Afro style, you need to prepare in advance the styling foam, strong fixation varnish and medium-sized curlers.
- The hair must be washed and thoroughly blotted with a towel.
- Then the styling foam is applied step by step on the strands.
- Next, from the array of hair, you need to separate one thin strand and. In order for afro curls to turn out well on a short hair length, we recommend choosing the thinnest curlers.
- Curlers must be kept on the hair for at least two hours. This is how long it takes for the strands to dry well and form into beautiful curls.
- The finished styling should be sprayed with medium-hold varnish.
Afro hairstyle with flat iron
The third way to twist your hair into African curls is to use a special one. In addition to it, you will need a hairdryer and a special thermal spray.
- The hair must be washed and dried well, and then treated with a thermal spray. This tool will protect it from the negative effects of high temperature.
- From the general array of hair, you need to separate thin curls and wind them around your finger, forming neat rings. In this form, it must be clamped with an iron and held for about ten seconds.
- When all the strands are laid in this way, the hair should be combed and then fixed.
As you can see, do-it-yourself Afro hairstyle is not at all difficult!
The style icon, incomparable Sophia Loren, was sure that "hairstyle affects how the day goes, and ultimately life." Women devote a lot of time to hair care, and fashion for hairstyles changes as rapidly as clothing preferences. Photographer J.D. Okhai Ojeikere from Nigeria presented a large collection of photographs, which depicted more than 1000 different hairstyles, which were popular with African women in the 1960s and 1970s.
Photo collection by J.D. Okhai Ojeikere is a great opportunity to plunge into the fashion of the last century. In the photo report "Hair styles" you can see both everyday hairstyles and intricate designs “to go out”. Braids with original weaving, curls and curls, knots and buns - what you just don’t see on the heads of Nigerian women. Many hairstyles for us seem unnecessarily cumbersome and complex, while half a century ago they were relevant. They are reminiscent of an extraordinary stylist, whose experiments we have already told readers of the Culturology.Ru website.
J.D. himself Okhai Ojeikere admits that the Hairstyles project has become a way for him to explore Nigerian culture, for which the photographer has genuine love and affection. In the photo project, the entire emphasis is on the hairstyle: the viewer is not distracted by the faces of the models, you can completely immerse yourself in examining the smallest details. The photographer chose the style of black and white minimalism, which also indicates the self-sufficiency of the material he saw. J.D. Okhai Ojeikere notes with regret that hairstyles are short-lived, so the only way to immortalize these man-made creations is to capture them with a camera. He emphasizes that he has always wanted to "document" moments of beauty, finding beauty in everyday life.
Everyone who thinks about weaving afro braids should know what types of this hairstyle exist. And also what are the feelings, pros and cons, the subtleties of caring for such a hairstyle, how to remove braids and, most importantly, what will happen to your natural hair when it comes time to undo your hair - these questions are of interest to many people. After all, no one wants to ruin their hair.
Varieties of afro-braids
Afro braids are very popular today. They decorate their heads not only women, but also men. Time does not stand still, today afrokos have a large number of different branches.
A little about braids
Rasta dreadlocks
This is more of a masculine than feminine hairstyle. Dreadlocks cannot be called pigtails, since they are performed not with the help of weaving, but with the help of tangling. Dreadlocks came to us from the culture of "rasta" and entrenched in modern society thanks to the popularity of the music and songs of reggae musician Bob Marley. Men's dreadlocks, like women's, can be dangerous or safe:
Zizi pigtails
The youngest and most popular type of fast and comfortable afro braids, made in conjunction with pre-prepared artificial braids. Creating six hundred zizi can take three to five hours, but some masters can manage in two hours. The length can be absolutely any, even the owners of short haircuts can afford zizi. Today, in the salons, zizi braids are presented in a wide variety of colors. Moreover, zizi can be not only straight, but also wavy, curly and even corrugated. Eyes open!
Ponytale (pony tail)
The favorite hairstyle of American hip-hop singers is one of the variations of zizi braids. Pony tails are distinguished by a long curl at the tip, which, as a result, really resembles a horse's tail. Instead of kanekalon, a special artificial pony material is woven into the ponytail, which is a monofilament for weaving braids. "Pony" is offered in 70 different shades. Unlike other afro hairstyles, these braids will have to be washed and combed more often.
Thai braids
Regulars of beaches and various sunny resorts love to make such braids. Thai braids are woven only from your own hair, nothing is woven into them, so it is best to do them for those who naturally have thick, long hair. Such braids are completely safe and the hair structure will not be damaged after a couple of months of wearing the hairstyle.
Men's African braids
In ancient times, the scythe for men symbolized courage and strength - the leaders of some tribes braided a scythe for each battle won. Braids were especially popular among the Scandinavian Vikings and other northern peoples. Nevertheless, men's afro-braids still belong to the typical southern hairstyles.
In order for the hairstyle to turn out perfect and harmless, you need:
Introduced in the 1960s during the civil rights movement, the men's ffro hairstyle was a symbol of rebellion, pride, and the rights of black people. Haircut trends change every year and the fashion industry has a big influence on this.
Hair type and length are usually of paramount importance for any kind of hairstyle. However, when there is too much hair, this also creates difficulties, so hairdressers prefer medium length hair for their work.
To date, there are several hundred options for hairstyles, which, even if they have the same name, can have many variations. Afro is a voluminous and voluminous hairstyle that can be created by carefully combing heavily curly hair.
Black men, who love drastic methods, often opt for high hair, with a sharp transition to the absence of hair, with the edge of the haircut being made much higher than the hairline at the temples and back of the head. If the upper part of the haircut is left with natural spirals that stand in an upright position, this also looks no less attractive.
Hair of medium length does not go out of fashion, which, if desired, can be collected in a bun. Long strands are often braided, thus giving the hairstyle a neat finished look.
Expert opinion
Helen Goldman
Male stylist-image maker
When washing this type of hair, you should only use warm or cold water, as hot water makes it brittle.
Types of haircuts for short hair
There are so many different options from waves to natural twists and retro geometric flat tops:
- men's haircuts for blacks are synonymous with shaved haircuts. The texture of black hair, especially short hair, lends itself to various kinds of creative solutions, the most common being all sorts of lines;
- short smooth waves. Even short African American hairstyles are never boring. This haircut combines a shaved side and 360 waves, which are even easier to do on short hair;
- Fade hairstyles, which can be of the following types: low, high and medium tapered, Temp Fade, very short, Drop fade, mohawk, afro, comb over;
- a high upper mohawk is also possible on hair of this structure. Such a haircut in the style of "lazy gardener" is designed for a small length of hair, while the mohawk strip is wide. This haircut does not require any styling.
Hairstyles for medium hair
Mohawk with dreadlocks refers to the ultra-si hairstyle. It is not very common because of this connection - shaved temples and long dreadlocks.
Dreadlocks hairstyle will give neatness to such hair. If there is a desire to stand out from the crowd, then with the help of the gel, spikes can be formed from the hair, which will give the image of recklessness. But if you align the strands of this length, you get a “bird's nest” hairstyle, which resembles a shaggy whirlwind.
Options for long hair
Braids or boxer braids. Such tight African braids are braided on the head, while threads - kanekolons - are woven into the braids to better preserve the hairstyle. They specifically select the color of the hair. Often hairdressers, creating such Nigerian hairstyles, can perform intricate patterns. The strands are intertwined either along the entire length, or fixed at the back of the head.
Do you like dreadlocks?
YesNo
African braids can be called one of the varieties of braid. Kanekolons are also woven into them, which allow you to greatly lengthen the hair.
Dreadlocks are the most radical type of styling. Bob Marley brought great popularity to this haircut. There are such types of dreadlocks:
- “dangerous” are those that weave on their own hair and are subsequently cut off completely. In this case, the master is limited in his work by the length of the client's hair;
- "safe" - are created with the help of artificial strands that are intertwined with hair, and after a while the kanekolons are simply removed.
Dreadlocks involve a complete lack of hair washing in the first month.
Important! If there is baldness, severe hair loss or frequent headaches, then weaving afro hairstyles is prohibited.
Another type of braid is twists. They are already ready and can be from 35 to 55 cm. The most common way to weave them is to weave in the classic way through the braid. Twists are lightweight Afro hairstyles. They can be worn up to 1.5 months.
Men's Nigerian hairstyles: photo
Any male hairstyles of nigers are safe for hair, the main thing is to observe the rules for caring for them and not wear longer the recommended time. It should be understood that afro weaving does not apply to hairdressing, so you need to find an experienced afro master so that he does not overload the hair and does not pull it at the base of the head. Otherwise, it threatens hair injury and headaches.