Let's analyse if curly hair is fairly and truly represented in the media today.

We look at this through the lens of 10 must see movies featuring actors with curly hair.

Representation matters 

Particularly in the various media outlets, Hollywood as the center of the western media has a substantial influence on beauty standards, in terms of what is considered desirable, acceptable and recognition worthy.

We find this topic very interesting to analyse as it’s very difficult to determine whether we have made progress in terms of curly hair representation or regressed, subject to what is considered the starting point in terms of timeline.

Looking back in time, did we see curls represented?

If we go back in time to 1976, the movie A star was born was released, featuring Barbara Streisand with her natural curls. We could say this was the start of an evolution with the move away from sleek and straight haired updos to confidently rocking her natural curls. Barbara was certainly on to something, now referred to as a beauty icon of our time for 8 decades and counting!

Fast forward to the late 80’s and early 90's, the iconic movies Dead Calm and Pretty Woman were released in the box office.

Dead Calm featuring Nicole Kidman was released in 1989, showcasing Kidman’s naturally vibrant strawberry blonde curls. Allure  published an article in 2023, reminding us that Kidman has still got it, and there’s proof she still wears her natural curls every now and again.

Pretty woman, the iconic movie that put Julia Roberts’ name in lights and in our hearts. Released in 1990 but still a movie that can be watched time and time again, even if it is to enjoy the curls, the fashion and all the beauty. Roberts’ auburn curls are still an inspiration today with many content creators recreating those voluminous curls on TiTok.

What makes these curls so relatable is the natural ringlets that appear touchably soft. Achieving soft curl definition is possible through the use of light weight stylers such as a curl cream or foam or mousse.

In 1993, Andie MacDowell’s curls took center stage in the movie Groundhog Day. What we loved to see most in the movie was representation of how versatile curly and textured hair truly is, similar to straight hair textures. MacDowell's curls range from flawless loose curls with voluminous roots (could we ask for anything more!) to a gorgeous pinned up look, without compromising her curl pattern. 

A brutal set back

Whilst we have focused on the positive representation, we saw pre-2000’s in Hollywood, thereafter we saw a major shift. This shift could be attributed to a change in beauty standards, this can be seen in Anna Hathway’s character in Princess Diaries. This movie shows an ordinary girl transform into a beautiful princess but whilst doing so we saw a story riddled with a message highlighting the undesirability, unacceptable and unworthiness of natural curls, as the ordinary girl with “frizzy” loose ringlets morphs into a beauty with straight, sleek hair.

Representation comes in different forms, not just showing different textures from straight, short, long to curly, but within each texture type they are sub textures which is typically determined by ethnic background and embedded in our DNA.

A glimmer of hope, perhaps?

Christiana Milan, the singer turned actress graced our screens starring alongside Nick Cannon in the movie Love Don't Cost A Thing. Whilst this movie didn’t do large box office numbers such as Pretty Woman or Princess Diaries, it plays its role in showcasing diversity in Hollywood and more specifically revealing another variant of curly hair. With glossy, tight black curls Milan played the primary love interest of Cannon, reminding us that curly hair is beautiful, attractive and extremely desirable.

Fast forward a few more years, we spot Alfre Woodard in the movie A family that preys, sporting shoulder length curls throughout the movie, with different degrees of definition reflecting that through styling you can enjoy looser elongated curls or super defined curls. This serves as a reminder that your natural curls are not one dimensional, if Hollywood recognises that you can too!

How can we not mention, Tracee Ellis Ross! Many forget she is the daughter of the legend that is Diana Ross, a powerful voice and a true definition of an advocate for natural curls. Similar to her mother, Ross has unapologetically embraced and flaunted her curls on everything from TV shows to Red carpet events. In the movie The High Note, she doesn’t fall short of expectations and stuns with a statement curly cut with bangs framing her facial features.

Representation for the next generation 

A movie loved by the entire family - Spiderman. Spiderman 4 was the talk of the town when released back in 2019, with the prominent feature of young star Zendaya. Her natural curls took the internet by storm with many recreating her wash day routine with similar products, instead of lotions opting for soft gels such as Camille Rose Curl Maker - a soft curling jelly and Kinky Curly Curling Custard 

Curl hope for the future?

This is what we certainly hope for! Jennifer Lopez “J Lo” has provided us with a ray of hope as she transforms in Sci Fi movie Atlas. Whilst she has very occasionally graced the red carpet with curly looks, it is refreshing to see such a decorated A lister lead a movie role with their natural curls - particularly as this image is pasted on headlines and all movie related media. Sporting a rounded curly cut similar to Tracee Ellis Ross in The High Note, we can’t help but adore the face framing which adds more depth to her natural curls.

What many of us curly girls will relate to is the wet look – the state we all go through to achieve that perfect curl definition for the ultimate wash and go. It’s clear the hair stylist on set opted for light definition and soft hold for her loose curls. If you want to achieve similar styling results, we recommend you use a styling foam that offers volume and definition and the technique here should be glazing with a few scrunches to encourage curl formation, Innersense I create lift is your go to!

Our emphasis remains, representation matters, we need it, society needs it. Remember your curls are beautiful, regardless of whether the media provides enough validation of this. Representation starts with you, if we all play our part, society will begin to adjust and adapt to a more well-rounded standard of beauty and not just trends.