Hair has always been a vital ally for black women. It gives them an outlet to express themselves. Throughout history, black women’s hair has been a significant aspect of their personal and collective journey toward self-acceptance, empowerment, and cultural pride. Some patterns or symbols made while braiding in their community can symbolize something from their cultures. There are a lot of different ways that women wear their long hair. Black women often use their hair to express and celebrate their unique cultural identities.
Icons With Iconic Hair
Lately, the trend for black women has been natural long straight hair. This trend has been picking up a lot recently. Famous icons like Rihana, Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, and Zendaya have been rocking not just the long straight hair look but all other types of hairstyles.
1. Rihanna
Rihanna’s ability to constantly change her hairstyle has made her a trendsetter in the fashion industry. She often collaborates with talented hairstylists and designers to create unique and eye-catching looks for her music videos, red-carpet appearances, and performances. One of her signature styles is long, flowing hair, which she has sported in many of her iconic looks.
Rihanna’s influence on hairstyles can be attributed to her massive fan following and her impact on popular culture. Her fans, as well as fashion enthusiasts, look to her for inspiration and try to emulate her style choices. With her own affinity for long hair and her fearless approach to experimenting with different looks, Rihanna has helped popularize the use of extensions and wigs to achieve long hair among her fans and beyond.
2. Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s ability to make long hair famous is her versatility in hairstyles. Throughout her career, she has experimented with a wide range of long-hair looks, each tailored to her distinct personas. Whether it’s the fierce and confident Sasha Fierce, the elegant and sophisticated Queen Bey, or the raw and vulnerable artist, Beyoncé has seamlessly incorporated long hair into each of these characters. Her chameleon-like ability to effortlessly switch from one style to another has captivated her audience and left them eagerly awaiting her next appearance.
3. Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell is a muse to many renowned hair stylists and designers who have showcased her beauty and versatility on runways, magazine covers, and editorial spreads. She has consistently appeared with long, luxurious hairstyles that exude elegance and glamor. Her ability to effortlessly carry off different styles, from sleek and straight to voluminous curls, has contributed to the enduring popularity of long hair in the fashion world. Her collaborations with renowned hairstylists and her willingness to experiment with different looks have helped redefine beauty standards and inspire new trends.
During the CFDA awards, Naomi wore straight hair extensions styled into long mermaid waves. Naomi Campbell at the CFDA Awards in a stunning silver spaghetti strap gown with sequin detailing all over the dress. Her gown was paired with silver and black eyeshadow and nude lipstick.
4. Zendaya
Zendaya’s ability to effortlessly carry off different long hair looks, whether it’s sleek and straight, textured waves, or intricate updos, has made her a source of inspiration for many people. Her long hair looks often complement her overall fashion statements and have become iconic in their own right. Zendaya is just one of many influential figures who have played a part in popularizing long hair.
Zendaya walked the Spider-Man: No Way Home Premier red carpet wearing a ‘Spider Dress’ with her straight hair extensions braided in waist-length braids. She wore a tint of white on the wing and what seemed to be dazzling cobalt blue eyeliner. A narrow, slightly curved black line was painted below her brow bone. Her hair had straight hair extensions added to it to make a hairstyle known as cornrows.
Ways To Add Length To Your Hair
You want long hair but avoid constant washing, trimming, etc. Living in the 21st century has provided solutions for almost everything. There are a lot of options for you to get long hair without growing out your hair, options such as:
Wigs:
Wigs are a versatile and semi-temporary solution for those looking to add length to their hair without commitment. High-quality wigs made from natural hair can provide an honest and seamless look. With the advancement in wig-making technology, modern wigs are incredibly realistic and customizable. They allow you to experiment effortlessly with different lengths, colors, and styles. Wigs offer the added benefit of protecting your natural hair from heat styling and environmental damage.
Hair Weaves:
Like extensions, hair weaves are a fantastic way to add length without needing natural hair growth. In this method, a hairpiece made of human or synthetic hair is sewn into your existing hair. Weaves offer versatility in texture, color, and length, enabling you to achieve the desired look. However, it’s crucial to have a professional stylist perform the weaving process to prevent damage to your natural hair.
Hair Extensions:
Hair extensions are one of the most popular and convenient methods to add instant length to your hair. These artificial strands of hair can be seamlessly integrated into your existing hair, providing a natural and voluminous appearance. Extensions come in various types, such as clip-ins, tape-ins, and sew-ins, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your lifestyle and desired length. Professional hairstylists can help you select the right extensions and ensure they blend seamlessly with your natural hair.
There are a lot of different types of hair extensions as well, such as:
Clip-in extensions:
Clip-in extensions are a type of temporary hair extension that can be easily attached and removed from natural hair without professional assistance. They consist of wefts of hair that are pre-attached with small clips or combs along the top, allowing them to be securely fastened to the natural hair.
Clip-in Extensions are super easy to use. They can be attached in minutes without glue, heat, or other adhesives. These are perfect for people who want to keep changing their hairstyles. Clip-in extensions are also considered a low-risk option for hair damage. Clip-in extensions give you many versatile hairstyles, such as blow-outs, natural curls, or just natural-looking curls.
Tape-in Extensions:
Tape-in extensions are a type of hair extension method that involves attaching pre-taped wefts of hair to your natural hair. These extensions are typically made from high-quality human hair or synthetic hair and are designed to blend in with your natural hair for a seamless look. Applying tape-in extensions involves sandwiching a small section of your natural hair between two tape wefts. The adhesive on the wefts is typically solid and durable but safe for your hair. The extensions are attached close to the roots, allowing them to lay flat against your scalp and create a natural appearance.
They provide a relatively quick and easy way to add length, volume, or highlights to your hair. The application process typically takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the amount of hair applied. Tape-in extensions are also considered less damaging to your natural hair than other methods like glue-in or fusion extensions. Maintenance of tape-in extensions is also pretty simple. You can wash, style, and heat your hair like natural hair. In contrast with clip-in extensions, tape-in extensions offer many hairstyles, such as natural wavy or curly hair. Clip-in extensions look much more realistic than tape-in extensions.
Micro link Extensions:
Micro link hair extensions are a technique that entails utilizing tiny metal rings or beads to join individual hair extensions to your natural hair. Unlike conventional methods that require adhesives or heat, micro link extensions rely on a non-damaging approach for application.
Here’s a step-by-step process on how hair stylists put micro link extensions:
Step 1: Your natural hair is divided into little, equal-sized strands.
Step 2: A tiny metal ring or bead, clamped shut close to the base of your natural hair, is strung through each hair extension strand. Without adhesives or heat, this procedure holds the extension in place.
Step 3-Once the extensions are attached, the hairstylist will blend and style your natural hair and the extensions to create a seamless look. They may trim and shape the extensions to match your desired hairstyle.
Since the extensions are applied strand by strand, they blend seamlessly with your natural hair, giving a natural and realistic appearance. Micro link extensions are considered a gentle method because they don’t require heat or adhesives that can potentially damage your hair. With proper care and maintenance, micro link extensions can be repositioned and reused, making them a cost-effective option in the long run.
Conclusion
There you go; now you know different ways to make your hair longer without dealing with the constant washing and trimming. You also know how extensions will help create a more voluminous look. The extensions are flexible and move naturally with your hair. It’s important to note that micro link extensions should be applied by a professional hairstylist who is experienced in this technique. They will ensure the wings are correctly placed, avoiding tension or stress on your natural hair, possibly leading to breakage or damage. Regular maintenance appointments are necessary to adjust the position of the extensions as your natural hair grows.
