Jheri curl facts for kids
The Jheri curl was a very popular hairstyle in the African American community during the mid-1980s. It looked very shiny and had loose, bouncy curls. This style was different from the natural, tighter curls of many Black people's hair.
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What Was the Jheri Curl?
The Jheri curl was a special hairstyle that made hair look wet and shiny. It had soft, loose curls that bounced. This style was very fashionable for a time, especially in the 1980s.
How Was the Jheri Curl Made?
Creating a Jheri curl involved two main steps. First, a special chemical cream called a "texturizer" was put on the hair. This cream helped to loosen the hair's natural tight curls. It made them softer and able to hang down more.
After the texturizer, another product called an "activator" was used. The activator helped keep the curls from breaking. It also gave the hair its famous shiny, wet look. This two-part process changed the hair's texture to create the desired Jheri curl style.
Why Did the Jheri Curl Become Less Popular?
Even though the Jheri curl was popular, it had some challenges. One big reason it became less common was because it needed a lot of daily care. People with Jheri curls had to spray activator on their hair at least once a day.
This activator was often very greasy. It could leave oily marks and dark spots on furniture, especially on fabric chairs. Also, if the hair got wet, like in the rain, the activator would rinse out. This meant the style could lose its look easily. The daily upkeep and the greasiness made it difficult to maintain.
Who Invented the Jheri Curl?
The Jheri curl hairstyle is named after its creator, Jheri Redding. He was a hair stylist and business owner from Chicago. Jheri Redding is also known for inventing hair conditioner. He was a very important person in the world of hair care.
Famous People Who Wore a Jheri Curl
Many famous people wore the Jheri curl during its peak popularity. These stars helped make the style well-known around the world.
- Michael Jackson, a global pop music superstar
- Ice Cube, a famous rapper and actor
- Eazy-E, another well-known rapper
- DJ Quik, a popular rapper
- MC Eiht, a rapper
- Little Richard, a legendary rock and roll musician
- Lionel Richie, a famous pop musician
- Kangol Kid, from the rap group UTFO
- Pedro Martínez, a professional baseball player
- Samuel L. Jackson (he wore a wig with this style in movies like Pulp Fiction and Menace II Society)
- Charlie Murphy, an actor and comedian
- Dr. Dre, a famous rapper and music producer
- Jermaine Jackson, from The Jackson 5
- Jamie Foxx, an actor and singer
- Babyface, an R&B singer
See also
In Spanish: Jheri curl para niños
