These Celebrities Are Serving Us Serious #NaturalHairGoals
Western beauty standards have long emphasized hair types that exclude certain women, especially women of color. For centuries, black women were conditioned to believe their natural hair wasn't beautiful. But as society's perception of beauty ideals has evolved, celebrities have started embracing their natural hair too. With role models like Zendaya, Alicia Keyes, and Viola David slaying red carpets and social media with their natural hair, we hope the next generation of WOC will embrace their mane and all the beauty that comes with it. These celebs are channeling their #BlackGirlMagic and aren't afraid to show off their natural hair.
Cardi B Likes It Like That
Rapper, musician, and overall candid queen, Cardi B has never been shy when it comes to being her true self. While Cardi never her minces words, it took her a long time to feel comfortable letting her natural hair flow.
When she took to Instagram to share this photo of her fabulous locks, she said: "When I was a little girl I used to hate my hair...now I loooveeee it." We'd love to see her rock this look on stage one day!
There Isn't a Natural Hair Style Lupita Nyong'o Can't Work
The Kenyan-Mexican actress is the queen of serving different natural hair looks on every occasion. Lupita has never shied away from rocking her natural hair on the red carpet and proving to the haters that it can be just as glam as a shoulder-length, straight weave.
Not only does Lupita prove that her kinky 4C hair texture is glam, but that the possibilities to slay and style are endless. While everyone else waits to see her gown on the red carpet, we're transfixed on her incredible natural hair.
Zendaya Is Happy Her Hair Is Regaining Its Curl
Zendaya has become an advocate for young black women embracing their beauty. Over the years she's slowly transitioned to wearing her hair natural more often and finally, she's happy to see her curls again.
When the actress shared this photo on Instagram, the caption talked about how she's "spent the past however many years growing damaged hair back, avoiding heat, wearing wigs and trying every natural product in the world."
Oprah Is Retired and Serving Looks
While she hosted her talk show, Oprah rocked everything from teased '80s styles to her iconic flipped out bob. We've watched her go on a hair journey that slowly and steadily showed her embrace her long, thick, natural curls.
Don't be fooled, Oprah and her hairstylist promise it's not a wig. Many people wrongly believe her hair is fake because O's curl are just so perfect. Nope, Oprah just sits down three times a week with her stylist to keep her curls fresh.
Tracee Ellis Ross Proudly Rocks Her Curls
Not only is Tracee Ellis Ross a hair queen, but her voluminous natural (we repeat, all natural) curls are a point of envy for many women. Those big curls have been a part of Ross since her childhood and she admits almost all her current hairstyles are the same as when she was young.
She didn't embrace her curls as much when she was young though. Ross admits that she used to use a ton of relaxer and go to the salon every Saturday, but seeing her mother Diana Ross embrace her hair inspired her too.
Beyoncé Ditches the Blonde Weaves Every Once in a While
Bey admittedly loves to rock a weave. She wears her hair in so many different styles and lengths that there's nothing she can't pull off. Still, her hairstylist confirms that when she's at home lounging with Jay, Blue Ivy, Sir, and Rumi, she's all natural.
This photo snapped while on vacation proves that she can go from a glammed-up superstar to a curly, down-to-earth mother-of-three when she wants to. We wouldn't expect anything less from Queen Bey.
Solange Knowles Opts for a Different Blonde
While Beyoncé favors the blonde weave, her sister has a different type of blonde in mind. Solange has always been a champion of #BlackGirlMagic and even dedicated an entire song to her beautiful, natural hair.
Her album "A Seat At The Table" was actually intended to raise awareness for microaggressions and modern-day forms of racism, which for black women often revolves around their natural hair. Like many black women, Solange admits that her hair is an important part of her identity but it doesn't have to be shaped by the rest of society.
Janelle Monáe Is Black Girl Magic
Janelle Monáe used to be known for her signature pompadour hair style but in recent years has changed it up and embraced her natural texture. She's been running natural for years now and says that keeping it natural allows her "to have more versatility."
Janelle admits that when she's on tour it isn't easy and that her bedhead can "break a comb" but that doesn't stop her from embracing her beauty. Considering the fact her hair crushes are Lupita and Solange, she's on the right track.
Alicia Keys Is All Natural, All the Time
Back in 2016, Alicia Keys announced that she would be going make-up free indefinitely. The move got a lot of praise but she didn't stop at going makeup-free. The 'If Ain't Got You' singer also chose to start wearing her hair in natural styles more often too.
One of her favorite natural looks is actually tying up her curls with a headscarf. She's practically perfected the art but every once in a while, she gives us a #NoMakeup #NaturalHair picture like this, and we all collectively faint.
Maria Borges Is an Actual Angel
Maria Borges is one of the few models in the industry who makes a point to keep her hair and look as natural as she can. In 2015, she became the first black model to walk in the Victoria' Secret fashion show with natural hair.
The Angolan model is also the first African women to be featured in the American version of Elle (while also rocking a natural afro) and she's campaigned to keep her hair natural on 17 other runways.
Taraji P. Henson Shows off Her Tiny Curls to Inspire Other
We're used to seeing Taraji wearing signature sleek weaves that highlight her cheekbones for a look that could kill. In 2017, she decided to switch things up and give her natural hair a big chop. Part of the reason was to differentiate herself from her Empire character, and the other is to inspire others.
Taraji said that after going through with the big chop, she immediately felt "so free and liberated" and could now show "young Black girls that you are not defined by what society paints as beautiful."
Halsey Clapped Back at Fans Over Her Natural Fro
When singer Halsey finally revealed her natural afro, a lot of people questioned whether it was real. The hate got so bad that she had to go on Twitter and said: "I can't believe I spent a whole year growing out my curls under those wigs for y’all to say my natural hair looks like a wig."
Halsey is indeed biracial and she posted a baby photo of her to prove that she's struggled with believing her curly hair is beautiful too.
Amandla Stenberg Pulls off Her Short Blonde Hair
Keeping hair short and cropped close to the scalp has been a long tradition for black women. Many find it easier to deal with but that doesn't mean it can't be stylish. Amandla Stenberg proved that a wavy buzzcut can be seriously glamorous.
Amandla has also been a champion of black representation in her acting career. She recently turned down a role in Black Panther because she felt it should be represented by someone with darker skin.
Viola Davis Uses Her Hair as a Statement
Okay, Viola Davis definitely knows how to get away with murder because she has SLAYED us. While she wasn't always confident with her natural style, over the recent years she has started showing it off more and using it as a statement.
Fans of How To Get Away With Murder will never forget when her character, Annalise Keating removed her wig on-screen to reveal her natural fro. Since then, her hair has been a staple on red carpets and Instagram.
Michelle Obama Didn't Show off Her Natural Curls Until 2017
The former First Lady has always felt the pressure to keep her magical curls tamed and relaxed in order to fit in with society, especially in politics. It wasn't until 2017 that we got a glimpse of Michelle's natural hair in all its beauty.
She was immediately praised for going natural and since leaving the White House, has continued to embrace her beauty. We love seeing a woman in power command respect in all her natural glory.
Willow Smith Has Been a Hair Champion Since She Was 12
The daughter of Will and Jada Smith has been an natural hair champion since she was 12 years old. Willow Smith was way ahead of her time! It was with the release of her song "Whip My Hair" that she defiantly empowered girls to "do what you want" with beauty.
At the time, she shocked us all by chopping off her ultra-long braids and getting a pink buzzcut. Willow admitted it was simply an "act of defiance" but since then, she's taken to flaunting non-conforming hair styles.
Kerry Washington Is All Natural Now That Scandal Is Over
Like many other black actresses, Kerry Washington felt obligated to keep her hair pressed and relaxed like their character's hair. After portraying Olivia Pope in Scandal for seven seasons, Kerry has finally been able to let go of her character's sleek shoulder-length hair and let her natural hair grow out.
We loved her as Olivia Pope but these tight curls and voluminous afros make us love her as Kerry Washington even more. Considering she's a spokeswoman for Neutrogena, her move to natural beauty is totally on-brand.
Samira Wiley Knows Black Is the New Black
One of the stars of Orange Is the New Black has always shown that short styles can be fun and fashionable. Samira has rocked everything from cornrows to buzz cuts to teeny tiny afros. Better yet, she's also shown how they can be glammed up or dressed down for the occasion.
We've loved seeing her wear a new natural style while strutting down the red carpet in a beautiful gown. Honestly, at this point, we're just waiting for her next hairstyle innovation.
We're Crazy About Uzo Aduba's Hair
Best known for her role as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren on Orange Is the New Black, this Nigerian-American actress is nothing but natural when it comes to work and play. On the show, her character is known for wearing Bantu knots and keeping things real.
The Bantu knots were actually how Uzo wore her hair normally, and producers loved it and wanted to keep the look. In everyday life, Uzo loves to let her twists flow free with huge, voluminous, textured curls.
Tyra Banks Goes Natural...But Make It Fashion
Tyra Banks was one of the first black supermodels of her time and for much of her career, she was forced to conform to beauty standards by wearing wigs and weaves. Since she's grown older and become a mother, she's embraced her natural hair a little more than usual.
Even with all that natural beauty, Tyra has still (of course) managed to make it high fashion. The modeling industry should probably start taking notes.
Issa Rae's Hair Inspires Some of the Biggest Celebrities
The creator and star of the series Awkward Black Girl is anything but awkward when she confidently steps out with her natural hair. Every since she graced us with her presence in Hollywood, Issa has been a huge proponent for black women wearing their hair natural.
She and her celebrity hairstylist Felicia Leatherwood are constantly trying out new styles like her curly mohawk or side-swept curls. She's such a natural hair icon that other celebrities like Janelle Monáe use her as #HairGoals
Gabrielle Union-Wade Keeps It Natural at Home
Gabrielle Union-Wade has famously rocked every hairstyle imaginable but often it's a weave or a wig. She rarely let her natural hair flow, that is, until she became a mother. Any mom out there knows that last thing you have time and effort for is doing your hair. Gabrielle is absolutely glowing in this snap of her sporting her natural curls.
Becoming a new mom must have been a game changer because not long after, she chopped her natural hair into a bob in a seriously game-changing moment.
Jessica Williams Is One Seriously Dope Queen
The actress, comedian, and co-host of the podcast 2 Dope Queens has always kept her hair natural despite being bullied. Jessica told Allure that as a child, she hated going to the salon to get her hair relaxed so she would wear it in braids.
As she grew up, she kept the braids and it became her signature look. Every once in a while, she'll let her tiny braids out and serve up an ultra-curly look like the one here. Whatever look it is, we're all for it.
Teyonah Parris' Hair Has Evolved With Her Acting
When Teyonah Parris first burst into the scene, it was with the character Dawn in Mad Men. The character required Teyonah to press and perm her hair like most black women in the 1950s did. After the show's end, Teyonah has picked up more inspiring roles in the series Dear White People and the movie If Beale Street Could Talk.
We've definitely watched her lean into her natural hair as she lands more roles that embrace women and blackness.
Sonequa Martin-Green Slays Daily
We know Sonequa slays zombies for a living as Sasha on The Walking Dead but she also slays us every day with her beautiful, natural hair looks. She has rocked everything from Diana Ross-inspired curls to kinky bobs and even braided updos. Seriously, it's like there is no look she can't pull off.
At least it's inspiring to know if a zombie apocalypse ever hits, black women will still rule the world and look great doing it.
Sasheer Zamata Let Her Hair Grow Free After SNL
Most of us were introduced to comedian Sasheer Zamata when she was hired as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, but she's still on our radar since leaving the show. That's because without having to do costume and wig changes 8 times a night, she's finally been able to let her natural hair grow and flow.
Since leaving SNL, she's worn everything from box braids to a textured fro. Her tresses are beautiful but constantly overlooked.
Danai Gurira's Different Characters Have Different Incredible Natural Hairstyles
In case you've been living under a rock, you'll know that Danai Gurira is responsible for two incredible and inspiring black characters. She played Michonne on The Walking Dead and Okoye in Black Panther. Both sport beautiful natural hairstyles that have traditionally be worn by black women.
Michonne is known for her dreadlocks while Okoye sported a shaved head. While some women might be scared to get a buzzcut, Danai was excited although she admitted it was a little cold.
Ava DuVernay Celebrates Her Hair Journey
The female director might work behind the camera but she stuns on screen too with her long braids. In a 2018 Instagram post, Ava DeVernay talked about how she "always loved locs" and that she used to conform and try any style possible. From bobs to long weaves and "braids of all kinds."
It wasn't until recently that she admitted she's finally comfortable with her natural braids and she hopes a little girl somewhere will "see magic too."
Yara Shahidi's Hair Will Be on a Barbie
Much like the Amandla Stenberg and Zendaya, Yara Shahidi is part of a young generation of black girls who are embracing their beauty for all it is, including their natural hair. We first met Yara when she starred as Zoey Johnson on Black-ish and its spin-off Grown-ish.
The actress also considers herself an activist and it was recently revealed that a Barbie with her likeness—including her natural hair—would be released in Mattel's "Shero" line of Barbies.
Chloe and Halle Are the Next Beyoncé and Solange
These musical sisters are embracing all the black girl magic they can. The two rose to fame with a cover of Beyoncé's "Pretty Hurts" and after being signed to Bey's label, they served as the opening act during Beyoncé and Jay-Z's On The Run II Tour.
Being around such powerful black women definitely inspired the girls to embrace their own beauty. With these gorgeous natural looks, we have no doubt they'll be the next power duo.