People Who still use the term "good hair" (rant) (2024)

FAQs

What does the term "good hair" mean? ›

In the United States, “Good Hair” is considered to be hair that is wavy or straight in texture, soft to the touch, has the ability to grow long, and requires minimal intervention by way of treatments or products to be considered beautiful.

"Good hair" is a phrase used in some Black communities to describe the perceived prestige of straight or loosely curled hair, (especially when genetically influenced by non-African ancestry) in contrast to afro-textured hair. "Good hair" is also used to refer to hair that is strong, thick and soft to the touch.

Plopping is a heat-free method of drying and curling your hair—yes, sans heat—which can help your luscious locks retain moisture and keep frizz at bay.

Short haircuts might suggest confidence, practicality, or a desire for change. Long hair could symbolize versatility, creativity, or a more relaxed approach. Changes in hair length could reflect personal growth, a new phase, or simply a style preference.

It is not simply a “wanna be white” pathology as the film implies. The term “good hair” harks back to antebellum America, when slaves knew that the less African they appeared, the better treatment they would receive from slave owners. Hair was the number one marker of negritude.

Healthy or Long Hair are culturally and timelessly considered to be very feminine. Men visualize femininity when they see a woman with a bountiful head of hair that looks robust and vibrant. The framing of the face with beautiful and healthy locks seem to be more pleasing to the eyes of men.

Black Hair as a Sacred, Cultural, and Spiritual Symbol

Some communities believed that hair connected them with the divine. Within many spiritual practices, hair was and still is a significant symbol of cultural and spiritual connection. Hair is the 'crown' - the most elevated part of the body.

Appearing as being almost blue in some conditions, this hair color is mostly found with people from Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Latin America. True black hair is similar to a black cat's fur.

3 Hair became a means of protection and survival for enslaved Black people, sparking the beginnings of texturism. Texturism, or the belief that certain curl patterns are superior to others, began to spread within slave communities.

2C hair consists of S-shaped waves mixed with ringlets. These waves and curls begin at the roots, unlike their 2B wave sisters, which start around eye level.

How long is too long to plop hair? ›

Ideally, you should leave your hair plopped for at least an hour for it to work its magic. Then you're free to air dry or diffuse your hair. However, many people keep their hair plopped for way longer than that. Some even rock the plop overnight to ensure they wake up with beautifully defined and bouncy curls.

Wet plopping involves placing wet hair into a towel and twisting it on top of your head in a way that encourages definition. This is achieved by using a microfiber towel or hair wrap. While it's similar to scrunching your hair, you're actually using the towel to help create their shape.

Reflecting Personality

Your hairstyle can be a reflection of your personality and current state of mind. Whether it's bold and adventurous or soft and subtle, your hair can express who you are without saying a word, affecting both how others perceive you and how you perceive yourself.

Sometimes hair loss can be related to mental health. Researchers have found that chronic stress can cause hair loss. Another mental heath-related issue is trichotillomania, or hair-pulling disorder, in which someone has recurring urges to pull out their hair.

"He only want me when I'm not there / He better call Becky with the good hair" appeared to refer to a white woman with whom the narrator's partner had had an affair. "Good hair" refers within black communities to long, straight hair.

“I just noticed how great your hair looks today!" “Your hair always looks amazing. Love your style today.” “This look is so gorgeous.

While healthy hair feels smooth, has minimal breakage, and appears shiny, unhealthy hair usually has frizz, split ends, roughness, and a lack of luster. All of these latter signs point to intrinsically weaker hair1.