Natural Beauties Share Why CURLFEST 2018 Is More Than Just A Hair Festival

[SirReginald]

TADIWA MADENGA
Jul. 23, 2018 09:30PM EST


Photo by Daniel Randall.
Natural Beauties Share Why CURLFEST 2018 Is More Than Just a Hair Festival
Here's what they had to say.



There's something about being surrounded by black people celebrating natural hair that makesCURLFEST so many things at once—a beauty festival, a family picnic, a bloggers hub, and an outdoor party to remember.

The Curly Girl Collective describes CURLFEST as a "Mecca of afros, twist-outs, curls (and beards) set to a soundtrack of positive energy." That's exactly what it looked like this past Saturday when thousands of people strolled into Prospect Park, Brooklyn as afrobeats, soca, dancehall, and hip hop jams blasted throughout the day. Hair was moisturized to perfection and complemented with great style—from floral jumpsuits to more casual t-shirts with slogans like, "Black Mixed with Black" and "Somewhere Between Oprah and Cardi B."

We asked some of the festival-goers to share what the festival meant to them and why they chose the people they came with to celebrate with them.

Here's what they had to say, with photography by Daniel Randall.

Renetta + Renee

Photo by Daniel Randall.

"We are twins, so everywhere she goes I go. You know how Issa Rae says she's rooting for everyone black? We are rooting for everyone natural."

Channy + His Daughter

Photo by Daniel Randall.

"I came with my daughter because she is a beautiful black girl."

Whitney

Photo by Daniel Randall.

"It's beautiful being surrounded by black beauty that isn't your usual experience. Black people are beautiful in all shades. I love it here."

Christina, Danii, Beverly + Valencia

Photo by Daniel Randall.

"We came out with our girls at CURLFEST because we actually met last year at a Deva Curl event right before CURLFEST and we became instant friends; we chilled. So this year we are back, and we clicking and just having a good ass time."

Tinu + Des

Photo by Daniel Randall.

"I feel right at home. Nigerian flag waving on the stage. Nigerian music blasting from the speakers. It's like an outdoor Lagos club right in Brooklyn." —Tinu

Alexiz + Devri

Photo by Daniel Randall.

"This [festival] is the spice that I need, spice in the pot that I needed. It's always the highlight of my year. We just moved to New York a year ago, and I wanted to break her into CURLFEST." —Devri

Janene, Lexi + Janelle

Photo by Daniel Randall.

"This is honestly where I come to be with my sisters, and to make new ones. For me CURLFEST has less to do with curly hair, but embracing each other's hair stories." —Janelle

Charnette + Nic

Photo by Daniel Randall.

"I came with her cause she's my sister. I love seeing everyone here united. I'm in my element." —Charnette

Natural Beauties Share Why CURLFEST 2018 Is More Than Just a Hair Festival

 

[SirReginald]

Spoiler

1. Gains,
2. Drew Wonder,
3. Batsute,
4. Da_bes,
5. manyfaces,
6. Muad'dib,
7. Akan,
8. Columbo,
9. DaHNIC82,
10. Richboi804,
11. Treyrich,
12. jackson35,
13. OmegaZero,
14. El Villano Ingobernable,
15. LurksNoMore,
16. blackcrusaderm,
17. Joe Schome,
18. BadBoy,
19. professional lurker,
20. JustCKing,
21. Phantom Dreamer,
22. RNS,
23. Formerly known as...,
24. Scottie Drippin,
25. IbucciMane!

 

[ba'al]

 

[ba'al]

Lmao I'm on that bullshyt but all of these women look great.

 

[Montez]

Curlfest is an incredible event, literally the most chill people I’ve met and spoken to.

Tons of beautiful women and black businesses, good music and you can drink.

 

[Swagnificent]

If you look good, you look good.

Hair does NOTHING to affect your attractiveness as a woman.

 

[Spiritual Stratocaster]

@Poitier

 

[KENNY DA COOKER]

N1ggas always just looking for a reason to PARTY N BULLSHYT and
Spend more money

Can't network to empower each other financially but always for a cookout and Dranks

 

[SirReginald]

N1ggas always just looking for a reason to PARTY N BULLSHYT and
Spend more money

Can't network to empower each other financially but always for a cookout and Dranks

nikka, it's one event about positivity with our diasporan brothas and sistas Damn, maybe they will network there. Sounds like a WS post.

 

[Premeditated]

If you look good, you look good.

Hair does NOTHING to affect your attractiveness as a woman.

this.....
all of our celebrity crushes growing up wore bad weaves at one point in there career. didn't stop us from being thirsty

 

[JayGatsby]

If you look good, you look good.

Hair does NOTHING to affect your attractiveness as a woman.

thats a lie lol

an average lighty wont get 2 looks from me,but if she had curls with light brown highlights......

 

[Miggs]

N1ggas always just looking for a reason to PARTY N BULLSHYT and
Spend more money

Can't network to empower each other financially but always for a cookout and Dranks

You sound like Chuck D


"nikkas always want an excuse to party"

 

[Montez]

N1ggas always just looking for a reason to PARTY N BULLSHYT and
Spend more money

Can't network to empower each other financially but always for a cookout and Dranks

Nah, It’s actually not that. There are a ton of black businesses there and people networking. I got to meet and support some interesting black business owners. It’s not all a big party.

Organization of the event can be better but I don’t think they expected it to grow so quickly.

 

[SirReginald]

Good lookin sistas too

 

[KENNY DA COOKER]

nikka, it's one event about positivity with our diasporan brothas and sistas Damn, maybe they will network there. Sounds like a WS post.

STFU nobody is inviting your Swamp Possum face looking azz anywhere

Mr. I HATE BEING BLACK self......