Curlfest 2017 Brings Out #BlackGirlMagic From Near & Far

Photo by Craig Barritt

Thousands of women, men and children with kinks, curls, braids and locks galore, come from far and wide, dressed in the brightest and the boldest multicolored African prints for this year’s celebration of natural hair and beauty. Curlfest is an annual festival of cultural beauty and natural acceptance, that took place this past weekend in Brooklyn, New York.

Check out some of the gorgeous women rocking their naturals with pride!

To watch the full video (you’re going to be amazed), as well as see pictures that I’ve taken and read my review on this years #curlfest hit the website www.stuylin.com (link in bio) it was a great time! @beardeddappergents #beardeddappergents #beardgang #curlfest2017

A post shared by Stuylin (@stuylin) on Jul 17, 2017 at 11:06am PDT

For years, the standard of beauty hasn’t quite surpassed the average white girl next door. Society’s view has led many people of color to conceal their natural beauty and even change some of their features to align with these skewed standards of beauty. Charisse Higgins, Director of Public Relations for the Curly Girl Collective says, “For decades and years we as people of color have … never felt or been made to feel that we are beautiful the way that we were. We are conditioned to want to have lighter skin or have straighter hair or have lighter eyes.”

@mominatu ❤️#curlfest2017

A post shared by Khoudia Diop (@melaniin.goddess) on Jul 16, 2017 at 2:59pm PDT

Another one #curlfest2017 ? @flylifeimages

A post shared by Kia Marie ♑️ (@thenotoriouskia) on Jul 16, 2017 at 6:10pm PDT

N’ap boule

A post shared by Dapper Lou (@dapperlou) on Jul 16, 2017 at 8:54pm PDT

Nothing better then curly friends. Us by the @phytousa tent at curlfest 2017 @curlygirlcollective. Thankyou so much to everyone that stopped by the tent! – – #curllegend #phytousa #teamnatural #afrolatina #blackgirlsrock #curlfest2017

A post shared by Mairaly (me-re-ly) (@harmonicurls) on Jul 17, 2017 at 10:25am PDT

Meeting & loving these creative hairstyles with @teamnatural_ they have great content and have been a big supporter of little Madison ? it’s greatly appreciated. @curlygirlcollective #teamnatural_ #naturalhair #curlfest #curlfest2017 #texture #melanin #curlfriends #festival #socialmedia #igkids #afro #braids #brooklyn #curlygirlcollective

A post shared by Madison (@redlilmissy) on Jul 16, 2017 at 2:10pm PDT

I love you so much @kikabolinha @mamacaxx @kristiatolode @rivanyri • You are all real life fairies who inspire me to be and do better everyday. #fanmdjanm at #curlfest2017 • #findingpaola #curlfest

A post shared by Paola “Pao Pao” Mathé (@findingpaola) on Jul 17, 2017 at 8:07am PDT

The Curly Girl Collective was started after a friend of one of the directors did “the big chop.” She was looking to get advice on working with her new natural look and created an online group made up of more than 100 members, dedicated to everything black hair care. Higgins, Tracey Coleman, Melody Henderson, Simone Mair and Gia Lowe wanted to take an in-home event to new levels and decided to host a public event under the name Curly Girl Collective. The event featured live big chops and invited black brands to sample other black-owned products. By 2014, Curlfest became an annual event that gets bigger and bigger every summer.

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Stars Who Rock (Their) Natural Hair