Black woman with afro

Many Black women started switching up their relaxers and weaves for their natural kinks, coils, curls, and waves. Afro styles show off your natural hair texture, which can come in a variety of lengths and colors. Political activists such as Angela Davis, Huey P. Newton and Jesse Jackson proudly rocked their afros in the 1960s as a way to combat European beauty standards. Many celebrities such as Alicia Keys, Solange Knowles, Yara Shahidi, Erykah Badu, and Viola Davis continue that tradition today.

Who holds the Guinness World Record for the largest afro?

A woman from Reserve, Louisiana has the world’s largest afro. Guinness World Records gave the title to 47-year-old Aevin Dugas. In 2010, Dugas first achieved the title with an afro circumference measuring 4 feet and 4 inches. According to Guinness World Records, it currently measures 9.84 inches tall, 10.4 inches wide, and 5.41 feet in circumference.

It has taken Dugas over 20 years to grow the style and it began when she started her natural hair journey. “I didn’t decide to grow an afro as much as I decided to go natural,” Dugas told Guinness World Records.

Here are some of our favorite looks from the woman with the largest afro.

Good hair day

https://www.instagram.com/p/CO4wnCNDtgX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Incredible

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNr_iK-DNzU/

“New growth”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CErzkEmj-Lb/

Protective styles

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6YXBDfjdHH/

Black-Owned Celebrity Hair Care Lines You May Have Forgotten About

Black actresses are giving curly-haired consumers more options when it comes to hair care products. Celebrities like Tracee Ellis Ross, Gabrielle Union, Taraji P. Henson, Issa Rae, and Tia Mowry are taking the black hair care space by storm.

Most of these women saw that the hair industry needed a major change. Ross told Refinery29 in 2019 that she had to wake up three hours before her early morning call time to do her own hair. “I’ve worked on jobs where there was a lot of support, celebration, and understanding of my Blackness,” Ross told the news outlet. “But when it came to hair, I’ve been my own little lone ranger.”

Union had similar experiences during her career. She told Allure that she has been in a thousand different situations where the people who work in glam had no idea how to deal with textured hair. “The stylists on set had no idea how to do my hair from start to finish,” Union told Allure. “I became this weird guinea pig where they would try to make it work with whatever products they had.”

It’s refreshing to see celebrities transform the hair care aisle at stores with their brands. From hair oils to nourishing hair masks, there are now products with a focus on black hair care.

Here are Black-owned celebrity hair care lines you may have forgotten about.

  • Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross

    Tracee Ellis Ross is the owner of Pattern. Ellis is known for her lead roles in the TV series Girlfriends and Black-Ish. Pattern is for those with curly, coily, and tight textured hair. Its products are black-owned and black-centered. One can find the products online at PatternBeauty.com, Sephora, Ulta Beauty, and Macy’s. The Hollywood Reporter voted Pattern’s Leave-In-Conditioner one of the best for textured hair. Most of Pattern’s products range between $12 and $25.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpa3yZrNp9C/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • TPH by Taraji P. Henson

    Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson is the founder of TPH. She was inspired by the horror stories she heard about women losing their edges and improper hair care in the acting industry. Every product promises to deliver “nourishment, protection and deep cleansing solutions” for all hair textures. TPH is available at Walmart, Target, CVS, Sally Beauty, Amazon, Meijer, and ASOS. Most of TPH by Tarji P. Henson products range between $10 and $15.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp-ff_Qst5_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • Inala by La La Anthony

    La La Anthony, the TV host, actress, producer, and author is the founder of Inala hair care. Anthony suffered from hair loss. She experimented with her own hair and scalp using rice water which inspired the brand. Inala is available online at ThiteenLune.com, Amazon, and Urban Outfitters. Most Inala products range between $30 and $55.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CjI7uQ4MR5_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • Flawless by Gabrielle Union

    Actress Gabrielle Union and celebrity hairstylist Larry Sims developed Flawless hair care line. Union relaunched in 2020 after suffering from hair loss. The initial launch of Flawless was in 2017. The hair care line offers hydrating cleansers, repairing conditioners, defining stylers, heat protection and even scalp-care options. Flawless products are available at Sally Beauty, JCPenney, CVS, Walmart, and on Amazon. Most of Flawless product’s range between $7 and $10.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CjnxBWYrD3l/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

     

  • Sienna Naturals by Issa Rae and Hannah Diop

    Actress and Black creator Issa Rae partnered with her sister-in-law Hannah Diop for Sienna Naturals. Together they wanted to create products marketed to textured hair and products that don’t have harsh chemicals that compromise the health of Black hair. The hair care line offers all-natural and vegan products. Sienna Naturals products are available at Credo Beauty, Nordstrom, and Revolve. Most of the Flawless products range between $14 and $30.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CmheoTIueYO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • Kenya Moore Haircare

    The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore is the founder of Kenya Moore Haircare. Moore wanted to share the secrets to growing longer, stronger, and thicker hair. The hair care line features products for all hair types that are sulfate, phosphate & paraben free. Kenya Moore Haircare is available at CVS and Sally Beauty stores.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CetDRPNu1fa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • 4U by Tia

    Tia Mowry is an actress and producer known for her role in ‘Sister, Sister,’ ‘Hot Chick,’ and ‘The Game.’ The hair care line features eight products for those with 2A to 4C hair types. 4U by Tia is currently available at Walmart.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp-ZJAgu5Tc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link