Fashion

Natural Hair Reigned At The 2015 Oscars — From Solange Knowles To Zendaya To Lupita Nyong'o

I am so grateful for women like Solange Knowles and Ava DuVernay for breathing life into this year's Academy Awards. To be honest, I wasn't planning on giving the 2015 Oscars any of my attention when I saw the white-washed list of nominees. I felt my heart sink knowing that hard working people of color were getting snubbed once again for Hollywood's status quo. Plus, without disappointment, this years presentation wasn't without its awkward moments: From Chris Pine being labelled the face for Civil Rights by social media to Sean Penn's unwarranted and unnecessary micro-aggressive joke towards Alejandro González Iñárritu. The only aspect of last night's award ceremony that was truly worthy of my attention was the red carpet.

I knew in my heart that black women would not disappoint in the beauty department. Which in return calmed my inner side eye at the Oscars for broadcasting during Black History Month, while ignoring Selma and Martin Luther King's legacy (last year's broadcast was in early March). Every starlet that marched across the red carpet with hair that celebrated her culture filled me with so much pride. It reminded me that even on the red carpet, representation matters. Not every girl fits the European standard of beauty that this year's Oscars seemed to highlight. But each of these women challenged this standard, and to that I say — BRAVO!

by Bianca Xunise

Queen Viola Wears Her Natural Crown

Though we are all still slow clapping from Viola’s hair reveal in How to Get Away With Murder last week, I am ecstatic that this queen decided not to shy away from her hair but to showcase her crowing glory for audiences to revel at. Currently bowing.

ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

Solange's Loose Waves

Between Solange and Tracee Ellis Ross, there really aren’t many nights when we natural girls go to bed without hoping to wake up with 1970s hair like this. Maybe one day the natural hair gods will bless us; until then we can do braid outs.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Oprah's Bouncy Curls

I love how Oprah has embraced her big hair with her bigger than life personality. She truly commanded the red carpet like the fairy godmother we all need.

MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

Lupita's Cropped Pixie

Lupita rocked her classic cropped natural hair, which seemed to have some light twisting. Honestly, Lupita will always make me consider a big chop.

MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

'Selma' Director Ava DuVernay's Top Knot

100 percent YAS to Selma Director, Ava DuVernay’s top knotted locs. I am really pleased with Ava’s versatility in her style.

Christopher Polk/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Zendaya Rocks The Locs

Zendaya has been experimenting with several hairstyles during award season this year. This look has to be one of my all time favorites and a wonderful political nod at every person who regards dreadlocks as “messy” or “unclassy.”

MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images
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