The natural hair movement, which surged in the 2000s with the rise of YouTube tutorials and a flood of haircare products tailored to textured hair, has allowed Black women to explore and embrace their beauty beyond the confines of relaxers.
As someone who relied on relaxers for over a decade and has struggled with a seemingly never-ending hair growth plateau, seeing Black women proudly flaunt their curls, coils, braids, locs, and twists has been not only fascinating but also monumental.
Yet for everything the natural hair movement has brought us, Mo Williams’ latest creation stands out—the Natural Hair Dictionary. Yes, you heard that right. Mo Williams, a Detroit salon owner, has crafted a dictionary to get the natural hair community on the same page.
The book, which was authored and published by Ms. Williams, precisely defines natural hairstyles and serves as a reference guide with titles, descriptions, and over 60 photographs that provide in-depth definitions of hundreds of natural Black hairstyles.
“Since some of the best solutions come in the simplest forms, this was a glaringly obvious answer to the problem. Becoming informed allows one the opportunity to delineate and make educated decisions, which can be pivotal,” Williams told Black Enterprise about the Natural Hair Dictionary.
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Williams has also launched an online platform aimed at bridging the gap between the community and local stylists. The website serves as a go-to directory, listing natural hair salons and hairstylists by state, along with the services they offer.
As a result, the natural hair community will be able to save time and avoid the frustration of trying to find a suitable hairstylist. The directory provides an extensive list of heat-free natural hair service providers, organized by city and state, making it easier to find the perfect match.
“Over the years, we’ve heard ‘how hard it is to find natural hair stylists,’ countless times,” the website states. “So, we wanted to make it easier. We did the work for you. Compiling a list of hairstylists and salons, making this a central hub for the collective to find the services they need.”
So, what do you think about Mo Williams’ Natural Hair Dictionary? Do you believe it can truly transform how we celebrate and care for our natural locs? Share your thoughts below!
