THE FRO IS BACK!!

So, on a few occasions this year, I have decided to take my natural to another level and rock a classic afro. The idea started as something fun to do for a 70's party, but I liked it so much that I was constantly looking for an occasion to do it again.


Little did I know, it seems that the AFRO IS BACK, and there are so many Sistas out there showing love for the fro. Given this, I thought it would be fun to look into the history of the hairstyle, and give some deets on how I achieve my fro....

History (side - Wikipedia is the best!):
Did you know that The Afro dates all the way back to the 1860's? Get this - There were a group of women called "Circassian beauties" -- "A fairly extensive literary history suggests that Circassian women were thought to be unusually beautiful, spirited and elegant, and as such were desirable as concubines" (oh snap!). Further, these Circassian beauties originated from the Northern Caucus region, the region where the concept of a Caucasian race was developed. So, yes ... if you are following me, the original afros were rocked by Caucasians! Now, if you know your history (like I do now thanks to Wiki), the term "Caucasian" is historically used to describe the entire population of people from the regions of Europe, N. Africa, Horn of Africa, W. Central, and S. Asia, in relation to physical type and not necessarily skin tone. I'm starting to digress a bit, but what I'm trying to say is that the Afro dates way back than what I thought, AND it was worn by the original Caucasians, who I would not say were "white" but have come to be associated with that today. Here's a pretty hot pic of one of these Circassian Ladies rockin the fro (what they called "Moss Hair" back then).


Following this, it's no secret that the Civil Rights Movement of the 60's led to the newly found appreciation of African American hair in it's natural state (Black is Beautiful!) ....which led to the Afro that most of us know. Thinking back, there have definitely been some resurgences of the afro since the 60's... and like I said, I think it's making a comeback right now :)

How I Get My Fro:
First - I must mention that my hair is Type 3C, so I'm not thinking I could simply pick my hair out and it would mold into a perfect fro of my liking (though, maybe I'll try this once). So, to obtain my Diana Ross Fro, I use a blow dryer with a comb attachment. And given the damage that constant blow-drying can create, I only do the fro look every now and then.

Simply, all I do is wet my hair in the shower and apply something like a hair milk, leave-in condish, or cream as a base coat and protectant from the blow drying. Then, I will blow dry in sections, making sure to NOT blow dry too much, cause I don't want my hair to be straight! I might also add something to give a little *shine to each section before blow drying. Just to add a little *sparkle* :) ... Then finally when each section is done, I like to wet my hands a little and fluff up the hair, just to bring a little curl back and to give some shape. And voila! I have a Fro :) .... Adding a little pin or flower also adds some effect:


And there you have it! History of the Afro, and my Afro, and I love it! Happy Fro Styling! Power to the People!