I remember being a kid in the 90’s and while watching some of my favorite shows like Saved by the Bell, The Cosby Show and Full House. If you grew up in the 80’s or 90’s you are familiar with the fact that wearing your hair curly back then usually meant a big frizzy mess. Looking back, I am rather amazed at how the curly hairtrend went from crazed to controlled curls.
Saved by the Bell
When this show came out, curly hairstyles definitely made a statement. The popular Screech (Dustin Diamond) was a perfect example of the uncontrolled bros with fros. Slater (Mario Lopez), the heartthrob of the show, is where we first saw the jaw dropping curly hair mullet, which many will never forget! On the other hand, I could easily confuse Jessie Spano (Elizabeth Berkley) with Simba because her frizz was just as insane as her meltdowns.
The Cosby Show
This show was the epitome of the 90’s style, including all things like shoulder pads and puffy bangs. No matter who was wearing what style, I loved that show. When I saw Rudy’s (Keisha Knight Pulliam) frizzy, curly, and poofy hair, I had a scary flashback of what I looked like the morning after box braids were taken out of my hair and then brushed which I am sure some of you could relate to. Then there is the sensible, lovely and “don’t mess with me” style of Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad). You would never think of crossing that woman, but when you saw her curly brushed-out bangs…can I call an intervention? Finally, Denise (Lisa Bonet), changed her curly hairstyle as often as I changed my socks: from short twists, to straight with bandanas, to long waves, and then to dreads.
Full House
I am sure many can recall looking at Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber) and having trouble deciding whether to laugh hysterically or cringe? Similarly her best curl-friend D.J Tanner (Candace Cameron) had bigger waves than the Pacific Ocean. Plus they both rocked questionable hairstyles, and in every one of them, there was always a scrunchie.
But that is the great thing about curly hair. Back then, as well as today, there is versatility and lots of room for creativity. Today’s celebrities like Corinne Bailey Rae, Melina Kanakardes and Emmy Rossum are still rocking their natural curls, but the biggest difference we can see is that there are now products available to help control the frizz and the wild realm of curly hair! Of course, this makes me very happy since I can now venture out in public and not resemble cousin “It”!