Jheri curl

Ice Cube HS Yearbook

Michael Jackson in 1988

Jheri curl is a permed hairstyle that was popular among African Americans during the 1980s. Invented by the hairdresser Jheri Redding, the Jheri curl gave the wearer a glossy, loosely curled look. It was touted for its "wash and wear" simplicity, which was a departure from the more labor-intensive hairstyles popular among African American men and women at the time.

History

The Jheri curl was developed by Jheri Redding, an American hairdresser, chemist, and entrepreneur who also created the first pH-balanced shampoo. Redding's innovation came in the late 1970s and early 1980s, at a time when African American hairstyles were undergoing significant changes. The Jheri curl offered an alternative to the Afro and straightened hairstyles, which often required more maintenance and did not last as long between salon visits.

Cultural Impact

The Jheri curl quickly became a defining look of the 1980s, worn by celebrities, musicians, and actors, including Michael Jackson, who famously sported the hairstyle during the peak of his career. Its popularity was also bolstered by its appearance in films and television shows, making it a significant cultural symbol of the era.

However, the Jheri curl also became the subject of humor and satire. Its greasy appearance and the maintenance products associated with it, such as the activator and moisturizer that kept the curls "wet," were often joked about in popular culture. Despite this, the hairstyle remains an iconic part of 1980s fashion and African American hair history.

Maintenance

Maintaining a Jheri curl required the use of special products to keep the hair moist and curly. The most well-known of these was the curl activator, a liquid or lotion that had to be applied daily to maintain the hairstyle's wet look. This aspect of the Jheri curl was both a selling point and a drawback, as it made the hairstyle easier to maintain than other styles that required frequent visits to the salon but also necessitated the regular purchase of specialized products.

Decline

By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the popularity of the Jheri curl began to wane. The high maintenance, the cost of products, and the desire for new hairstyles led to its decline. Additionally, the rise of the natural hair movement encouraged African Americans to embrace their natural hair textures, further diminishing the Jheri curl's appeal.

Legacy

Despite its decline in popularity, the Jheri curl has left a lasting impact on the history of African American hairstyles. It represents a period of innovation in black hair care and styling, as well as a moment in time when African American culture was highly influential in shaping global fashion trends. The Jheri curl also paved the way for future hair care innovations and styles within the African American community.