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The Secrets to 70s Natural Hair Magic

natural hair magic

Unlock the Wonders of Natural Hair Magic

What is Natural Hair Magic?

Natural Hair Magic is a movement that has been gaining traction since the 1970s. It’s a journey of self-love, exploration, and liberation for Black Americans who want to embrace their natural hair texture, curls, and coils. The goal is to celebrate their natural beauty without having to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards. 

The Natural Hair Magic movement encourages black people to love themselves from the inside out. It challenges long-held notions about what “beautiful” looks like, allowing black people to feel empowered by their unique features rather than ashamed or embarrassed about them. With this new mindset, individuals can begin celebrating their culture, heritage, and identity with pride.

The Natural Hair Movement: History, Stigma, and Successes

70s Grooming Habits

The 1970s was a great decade for trends in fashion and grooming. Natural hair magic, which focused on embracing all natural textures, was at the forefront of many styles. The 70s encouraged individuals to embrace their natural beauty and discover their own individual hair journey.

This journey began with understanding how to properly care for one’s own unique texture; from their people could experiment with various styles that suited them best. Many opted to rock their curls or afros au naturelle, while others chose to style it in braids or cornrows as an ode to African-American culture. People of all backgrounds were able to find inspiration through the 70s movement of self-expression and embracing natural hair textures. 

The 70s are still inspiring individuals today who are striving to have healthy, beautiful locks without having to rely on harsh chemicals or treatments.

A definitive timeline of the Black hair journey: 8 historic moments to remember

Benefits of Going Natural

From the days of the Afro, made popular in the 1970s, to embracing curls and coils—the natural hair journey is full of magic. Going natural can be a transformative experience, bringing out hidden confidence and beauty with each step. It’s not only an outward change but an inward one as well; growing from strength to strength as you take control of your own unique look. 

Not only does going natural open up a world of possibilities for style and creativity when it comes to hairstyles, but there are also many health benefits too. Natural hair helps our bodies to retain moisture more effectively than chemical-treated or heat-styled hair, meaning that our manes stay healthier for longer! Additionally, transitioning away from harsh treatments can reduce scalp inflammation and skin irritation caused by certain chemicals found in styling products such as relaxers or perms.

Hair Grease & Moisturization

Natural hair Magic: How the Natural Hair Journey Changed in the 1970s

During the natural hair movement of the 1970s, many African Americans turned to hair grease as a way to moisturize and style their afro hair. Hair grease was a thick, oil-based product that was used to add shine and hold to the hair. It was particularly popular among those with kinky, coily hair textures, as it was able to provide the extra moisture and hold that these hair types often needed.

In addition to its styling benefits, hair grease was also seen as a way to nourish and protect the hair. Many people used it as a leave-in conditioner, applying it to their hair after washing and conditioning to help seal in moisture and prevent breakage. It was also often used as a pre-shampoo treatment, helping to loosen tangles and make it easier to comb through the hair.

Despite its popularity, some people did not know how to properly use the product which left their hair dry and greasy. The trick is to use it on wet freshly washed hair for best results. Furthermore, hair grease may have its set of drawbacks, leaving those with naturally oily hair types with greasy hair. 

Overall, hair grease played an important role in the natural hair journey of the 1970s, providing a way for people to moisturize and style their afro hair. While it has its benefits, people are revisiting hair grease to care for their natural hair.

How to Use Hair Grease

Finding the Right Hair Products

The 1970s was a time of liberation and revolution for the black community, making it the perfect decade to begin their natural hair journey. During this decade, an array of afro hair products was developed in order to empower people of color and support their personal expression. This breakthrough encouraged many to step away from damaging chemical treatments and embrace their true selves.

These revolutionary afro hair products provided an array of options for natural hairstyles such as curls, braids, and Afros. Not only did they make styling easier, but also allowed individuals to feel confident in celebrating their unique beauty with pride. More importantly, these products inspired people who were striving for greater self-love by helping them achieve healthy hair naturally.

During the 70s, many Afro hair products were specifically designed for people with naturally curly, kinky, or coily hair textures. Some popular products of the time included:

  • Afro pick combs: These combs were used to style and shape Afros. They had wide teeth and a handle and were often made of plastic or metal.
  • Hair grease: Hair grease was a popular styling product that was used to add shine and moisture to Afro hair. It was often made with ingredients like petroleum, mineral oil, and lanolin, and was applied to the hair and scalp to moisturize and protect the hair.
  • Conditioning creams: Conditioning creams were used to add moisture and nourishment to Afro hair. They were often formulated with natural ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil to help soften and detangle the hair.
  • Hot oil treatments: Hot oil treatments were used to nourish and moisturize the hair and scalp. They were often made with oils like olive oil, coconut oil, or castor oil, and were applied to the hair and scalp, then covered with a plastic cap and left on for a period of time before being rinsed out.

Creating a Hair Care Routine

Creating a hair care routine is the first step to achieving natural hair magic. It can be a daunting task to embark on a natural hair journey, but with the right tools and knowledge, anyone can achieve beautiful locks. With so many products on the market today, finding the items that work best for your own strands can be overwhelming. 

In creating your own personalized routine, it’s important to look back at styles from the 1970s era when women were learning how to maximize their own beauty and individuality with natural hairstyles such as afros, bantu knots, cornrows, and more. Drawing inspiration from these revolutionary women who embraced their unique features will help you find confidence in embracing your own style. Start by researching protective styles that work well with your texture and create an easy-to-follow schedule of wash days along with product application once or twice per week.

During the 1970s, an afro hair care routine involved the following steps:

  1. Shampooing: afro hair types were typically shampooed once a week using a sulfate-free shampoo to gently cleanse the scalp and hair without stripping it of its natural oils.
  2. Conditioning: After shampooing, afro hair was often conditioned using a deep conditioning treatment to add moisture and nourishment to the hair. This could be done with a store-bought conditioner or a homemade mixture of natural ingredients like coconut oil and honey.
  3. Detangling: After conditioning, natural hair was often detangled using a wide-toothed comb or a pick comb to gently remove tangles and knots. This was typically done while the hair was still wet, as it was easier to detangle when the hair was more pliable.
  4. Moisturizing: After detangling, the afro hair was often moisturized using a leave-in conditioner or natural oil like coconut oil, castor oil, or avocado oil. This helped to keep the hair hydrated and prevent it from becoming dry and brittle.
  5. Styling: After moisturizing, natural hair could be styled using a variety of products, including hair grease, pomades, and gels. Afro picks and rollers were also often used to shape and define the curls.
  6. Protecting: Natural afro hair was often protected using protective styles like braids, twists, or updos. This helped to keep the hair from becoming damaged or breaking, and also made it easier to maintain and style.
  7. Maintenance: To maintain natural afro hair, it was important to regularly moisturize and nourish the hair, as well as use protective styles and avoid using heat tools and chemical treatments. It was also important to get regular trims to help keep the hair healthy and strong.

Hair Styling & Accessories

The 1970s was a time of natural hair magic. Women were taking their hair journeys and experimenting with different styles that showcased the beauty of their natural texture. From protective styling to afros, women used every opportunity to express themselves through their hair. 

Today, we are still navigating our own individual paths on this journey of self-expression and discovery through our natural tresses. Whether you’re transitioning or embracing your curl pattern, there is no better way to celebrate your unique beauty than through creative styling and the perfect accessories. With the right combination of products, tools, and techniques including braiding, twist outs, and more – you can be sure to find a style that reflects who you are. 

Embracing your God-given locks is an empowering experience that can open many new doors for self-discovery – so why not take advantage of those endless possibilities?

During the 1970s, women with afro hair embarking on a natural hair journey used the following hairstyling techniques and accessories:

  • Afros: Afros were a popular hairstyle for women with natural afro hair in the 1970s. They were created by fluffing out the hair using an Afro pick or a wide-toothed comb and could be shaped and styled in a variety of ways.
  • Cornrows: Cornrows were a popular hairstyle for women with natural afro hair in the 1970s. They involved braiding the hair close to the scalp in a straight or curved pattern and could be styled in a variety of ways.
  • Braids: Braids were a popular hairstyle for women with natural afro hair in the 1970s. They could be styled in a variety of ways, including single braids, cornrows, and braided updos.
  • Twists: Twists were a popular hairstyle for women with natural afro hair in the 1970s. They involved dividing the hair into sections and twisting each section tightly, either with or without adding extensions.
  • Updos: Updos was a popular hairstyle for women with natural afro hair in the 1970s. They involved pulling the hair up and securing it with pins or other hair accessories which could be styled in a variety of ways.
  • Headbands: Headbands were a popular hair accessory for women with natural afro hair in the 1970s. They could be worn around the forehead to hold back the hair, or used to add decorative touches to hairstyles.
  • Scarves: Scarves were a popular hair accessory for women with natural afro hair in the 1970s. They could be worn around the head to hold back the hair, or used to add decorative touches to hairstyles.
  • Beads: Beads were a popular hair accessory for women with natural afro hair in the 1970s. They could be added to braids, twists, and other hairstyles to add decorative touches.
1970s Hairscarf Style

Braiding Techniques

In the 1970s, when the Afrocentric movement was gaining traction in the United States and around the world, women began experimenting with their natural hair to create unique styles that celebrated their culture and heritage. Braiding was one of those techniques used to make a statement about beauty and identity – it was truly a form of magic. 

Braiding can be an enjoyable part of a woman’s natural hair journey; it gives her an opportunity to be creative with her look while also being versatile enough to wear in different settings or occasions. There is no right or wrong way to braid your hair; each person’s individual style is what makes it special!

During the 1970s, some popular braiding techniques for afro natural hair included:

  • Cornrows: Cornrows were a popular braiding technique for afro natural hair in the 1970s. They involved braiding the hair close to the scalp in a straight or curved pattern, and were styled in a variety of ways, it typically consisted of multiple rows of braids.
  • Single braids (Box Braids): Single braids were also a popular braiding technique for afro hair in the 1970s. They involved braiding a small section of the hair at a time, during the 70s era the ends of the braids were adorned with a beautiful array of beads.
  • French braids: French braids were also a popular braiding technique for afro natural hair in the 1970s. They involved braiding the hair close to the scalp in one braid down the center of the head or two braids down each side of the head. If the hair was long enough the ends of a double french braid were wrapped around the head.

This History Of Cornrows And The Tradition Of Braiding

Patrice Rushen

Reviving the 70s Look

The 1970s was an era of natural hair magic. Women everywhere were embracing their curls, coils, and kinks with pride. This look was not just a fashion statement – it was part of a powerful movement that actively acknowledged the beauty in different hair textures and embraced the journey of self-love. 

Today, many are reviving this trend with a newfound appreciation for natural styles. Going back to basics has become an important part of countless women’s journeys toward self-acceptance and confidence. As they reconnect with their roots, they’re finding new ways to take care of their hair, experimenting with products that nourish and protect without compromising on style. 

Whether you want to recreate classic Afro looks or modernize them in your own way, taking a step back into the past can be a great way to find inspiration for your unique hair journey!

Betty Davis Funk Musician

Rediscover Natural Hair Magic

As the saying goes, “hair is a woman’s crowning glory” and this has been true throughout history. In the 1970s, women began to embrace their natural hair as part of a new wave of self-expression and liberation. This rediscovery of natural hair magic was an important part of many women’s journeys toward self-love and empowerment. 

The beauty industry followed suit with improved ingredients in haircare products ranging from shampoos to styling creams. Nowadays, there are more options than ever before for those who wish to embark on their own natural hair journey. From protective styles to curl care routines, modern trends have made it easier than ever for people to express themselves through their tresses.

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Regrow Hair Naturally For Fuller And Stronger Hair

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Ready to make a change to your current styling and hair care routine? By exploring the old-school method of hair care! Leave a comment below if you are thinking about making the change.

As Always, Be Posh And Classy

Ellisha

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