In 2024, embracing our 4C coils and kinks remains a bold statement—an affirmation that we are enough just as we are.

It challenges outdated beauty standards that prioritize Eurocentric features.

Through our journey with kinks and coils, we're rewriting the rules of beauty and self-worth, reclaiming our narrative, and inspiring others to embrace their unique beauty with pride and confidence.

Influence of Eurocentric Beauty Standards

Our relationship with our natural hair in the Black community has long been influenced by society's Eurocentric beauty norms, which historically deemed our natural textures as "unacceptable."

This narrative instilled a belief that attributes intrinsic to our Blackness—like skin tone and hair texture—fall short of prevailing white standards of beauty.

Consequently, many Black women felt pressured to alter their natural hair using perms, wigs, or weaves to conform to societal norms, perpetuating a cycle of self-doubt and insecurity.

Conditioning and Complexes

From a young age, many of us were conditioned to feel uneasy about the texture of our kinks and coils.

Society made us believe that natural hair is unkempt, messy, and hard to manage.

This conditioning often led to deep-seated complexes about being "seen" without the camouflage of sew-ins or extensions.

Transformative Hair Journeys

However, despite this societal conditioning, our hair journeys lead us to embrace transformative changes with our kinks and coils.

These changes push us to embrace risks and explore new avenues of self-expression.

Without realizing it, these transformations become declarations of self-acceptance and empowerment, profoundly impacting our sense of self-worth and identity.

We begin to untangle more than just our roots; we also unravel the complex narratives and beliefs that have shaped our perceptions of beauty and self-esteem.

Hair as a Mirror of Personal Growth

The evolution of our hair through changes like cutting, coloring, or styling becomes a mirror of our personal growth and transformation as Black women.

Each decision to alter our hair can represent a leap into the unknown, a pivotal moment that challenges us to step out of our comfort zones in our hair care routines and broader life choices.

Cultivating Resilience and Adaptability

As we adapt to changes in our hair care practices, we cultivate resilience and adaptability that extend far beyond our kinks.

Learning to style our hair based on our mood or for life events; think day party, festival season, a new job, "tuh" even when we lose the job!

And this adaptability becomes the cornerstone of our personal growth.

Opportunities for Self-Love and Acceptance

Our hair choices are often a testament to the changes we courageously embrace along the way.

Each cut, color, or new style symbolizes a chapter in our growth narrative. A tangible reflection of our evolving self-image and evolving relationship with our community and identity.

Whether we choose to wear our hair naturally or opt for extensions or sew-ins, our hair choices create opportunities for self-love and acceptance, challenging societal norms and reclaiming the narrative around Black beauty.

Remember, no matter what you choose to do with your hair, embrace the journey and celebrate your unique beauty. You are ENUF just as you are!