Girls Gone Natural! A Definitive Look at Curly Girl Collective

Who would have ever thought a daily email conversation ignited by hair could turn into an empowering movement? Curly Girl Collective (CGC) is a positive result of girlfriends chit chatting. I listened intently as Julienne Brown, Director of Marketing and Promotions for CGC shared a closer look into the world of Curly Girls……

With an executive board of eight, CGC originated from a group of friends who spoke via email everyday all in reference to natural hair. All of the participants had just transitioned or had been maintaining natural hair and needed the support of each other. ‘What should I do with my hair? Why is my texture like this? What styles should I wear?’ were all questions that were virtually present amongst the group. All professionally based out of New York, the ladies decided to take their email exchange to a larger platform to be able to connect with girls all around the world.

“Friends of friends,” said Brown. Hence the birth of Curly Girl Collective.

Launching officially in 2011, CGC is marking their territory. Technically there are eight, but CGC’s perception is that of everyone. Natural or unnatural, CGC provides an open network and forum for the knowledgeable and inquisitive. With friends worldwide, the word embrace is prevalent. For years, a large percentage of women have shied away from the idea of natural hair. To date, society has still not fully embraced natural black hair. The media has worked its hands into shaping what they believe beautiful is. CGC plans to dispel that stigma. Celebration of natural hair is at the forefront.

“For years, women have always had to manipulate their hair by getting perms, texturizers, etc. They didn’t want to embrace it. As we get older we learn that our hair is beautiful, and it’s important to spread that energy to other people,” said Brown.

Besides hair, individuality, versatility, love, and self-actualization are topics on CGC’s discussion list. With no shade being thrown at relaxed haired women, CGC wants to globally acknowledge and appreciate all different kinds of women, naturally. A common misconception among African American women is that natural hair is not manageable, thus the need for relaxers. In the last ten years, the epidemic of natural hair has skyrocketed, some attribute this to environment. Brown, a free-spirited Brooklyn resident, believes we get our standard of beauty from the media, but she also believes that once you are introduced to certain settings, your opinion can change.

“I remember being on campus at Howard University, and watching all the girls transition to natural hair. I think once it’s embraced, it’s a trend,” Brown reminisced.

Ultimately, through broadcast platforms, print publications, and large scale website partnerships, CGC plans to make you aware of just who they are. With the various ethnicities, complexions, and hair textures of the CGC network, you will find yourself relating to at least one of them, and that is the intent.

“With constant promotion over time, people will assimilate,” assured Brown.

CGC is excited at the unlimited potential list of sponsors worldwide. Essence and Carol’s Daughter are two organizations on their wish list to work with. The audience and following of African American women is enticing. With friends in London, Ghana, and DC, CGC is eager to provide their services, globally.

“We would love to work with a broadcast audience like BET or Centric. We would like to work with Willow Smith also because she would be relateable and empowering to kids based on her confidence,” said Brown anxiously.

While there are many benefits of having natural hair in comparison to well-conditioned relaxed hair, here’s Brown’s perspective:

“For me my hair grows faster. It breaks off a lot less. Perms thin out my hair. Now it’s thicker, it’s inexpensive, and it’s manageable at home. I have the versatility to wear it straight or curly, always changing up my look,” said Brown.

Check out the video below for a sneak peek of their 1st event in May 2011 that housed over 200 guests:

CGC is currently working on a September/October event targeting younger girls. The event will showcase what natural hair looks like and allow the youth to embrace it.

“See beauty within yourself and embrace it, for your children,” said Brown.

While Brown confesses to natural hair being 200 times harder to take care of than permed hair, she admits she is at peace with her hair.

“It’s harder to take care of but its very healthy. It’s definitely a lifestyle change but it’s more empowering,” Brown admitted.

Photo Credit:Ajamu Myrie
—— By: JournalisticChic

Welcome to the world of Girls Gone Natural! For decades, women have been using harsh chemicals and straightening treatments in an attempt to achieve a sleek, smooth look. But times are changing! Now there’s a revolution taking place: Curly Girl Collective is here to empower women with natural curls and waves. Let’s take a definitive look at this inspiring movement that has taken the beauty industry by storm!

Have you ever felt like your naturally curly hair was holding you back? Well, it doesn’t have to anymore. With Curly Girl Collective, girls everywhere can rock their locks proudly. Founded by celebrity hairstylist Lorraine Massey, this collective encourages all kinds of people – from celebrities to everyday folks – to embrace their natural texture and celebrate its unique beauty. Here we’ll dive into what makes CGC so special, why more and more people are joining up, and how you too can get involved.

So come on along as we explore the empowering world of Girls Gone Natural! Get ready for some serious inspiration as we learn about embracing our natural textures and uncovering the secrets behind beautiful curls and waves. We’re sure you won’t regret it!

What Is The Curly Girl Collective?

The Curly Girl Collective is a vibrant and powerful community of women who embrace their natural curls. It began as an online platform for those seeking to connect with each other, share hair tips and advice, and celebrate the beauty of curly hair. Over time, it has evolved into much more than just a place to socialize: it’s become a safe haven for anyone looking for support in owning their unique look—and living unapologetically!

This collective encourages its members to learn about what works best for them individually when it comes to styling and caring for their locks; from protective styles to product recommendations, the emphasis is on individual expression rather than trends or societal expectations. In this way, CGC serves as a source of inspiration and empowerment for many.

CGC also provides valuable opportunities for education such as workshops, seminars, webinars, classes, and demonstrations–all focused on helping participants develop skills that will help them feel confident in embracing their natural curl pattern without feeling pressure to conform. It’s an incredibly welcoming environment where everyone can express themselves freely while learning how to take care of their hair in an effective yet gentle manner.

Benefits Of Going Natural

There are so many benefits to going natural and embracing your curls. Not only will you look fabulous, but it’s also a great way to save time in the morning by not having to style your hair or use heat-styling tools. It’s also healthier for your hair since products that contain harsh chemicals can strip away moisture and damage delicate strands. Plus, as a result of embracing your unique texture, you may even find yourself feeling more confident in expressing yourself authentically.

Going natural also encourages us to reduce our environmental footprint by using fewer plastic bottles and disposable styling tools. Many Curly Girl Collective members swear by reusable microfiber towels which help to avoid frizz while drying curly locks without causing further breakage or split ends. Additionally, some members choose to keep their routine affordable with drugstore brands of conditioner and shampoo that still provide excellent results without breaking the bank!

By joining forces with other like-minded individuals within CGC, we are able to promote self-love through honest conversations about hair care practices and product recommendations—allowing us to form strong relationships built on trust and support throughout this journey towards loving ourselves just as we are.

Conclusion

The Curly Girl Collective is an amazing resource for women who are looking to embrace their natural hair. It has provided support, education and resources for those of us on our journey to loving our curls. Going natural can be a liberating experience, as you learn how to care for your unique texture in the best way possible. For many, it’s about personal expression and being true to themselves – something that comes with its own set of rewards!

Having access to the collective gives me confidence in my decision to go natural. I feel empowered knowing I have so much information at my fingertips; from product reviews to styling tips and tricks, I am able to make informed decisions when caring for my hair. Being part of this community also allows me connect with other curly girls around the world – making each other’s journeys easier and more enjoyable.

Overall, the Curly Girl Collective is an invaluable resource for anyone considering going natural or already on their journey. The knowledge shared through this platform provides guidance and reassurance throughout every step of the process, helping us feel beautiful no matter what our curl type may be!