The undefined afro became popular amongst the African American community during the 1960s and hasn’t been as popular since. The hairstyle, which was banned from Cuba during the 1960s, truly makes a statement and lets people know when you’ve walked into a room. Today, we see afros but most are coiled, curled, or twisted.
Most seem to chase the perfect curl when they return to natural by buying creams, gels and puddings – not afro picks. Perhaps it’s because the afros that Angela Davis and Pam Grier used to wear may be considered too retro by today’s standards. Maybe the domelike hairstyle is too hard to maintain daily. Whatever the case may be for its absence, it’s certainly uplifting to see the rare undefined, picked out, afro walking down the street. Yes, we do have a few celebrities like Quest Love and Lauryn Hill still rocking the fro, but we rarely see everyday people wearing the once popular and political hair style that took over the sixties.
I took it upon myself to do a bit of research on Instagram to see just how many undefined afros I could scrounge up. Surprisingly, I found quite a few, but I didn’t find nearly as many picked out fros as I did curly ones. However, there are still some women who embrace the afro and wear it proudly. Take a look at these stunning undefined natural afros.
1. This Diva is definitely fierce with her massive afro.
source: @pretaecrespa
2. Who says afros can’t be sexy?
Source: @mymiiy_ebene
3. Her naturally grey fro is taking no prisoners!
Source: pretaecrespa
4. Chunky, undefined natural red afro? Yes, please!
Original Source: @chrissy_kryss
5. A perfect pout for the perfect fro.
Original Source: @happy.tb.nappy
6. A fierce side part on this afro is all that’s needed.
Source: @m3tanoia_
7. Retro Afros — Like mother, like daughter.
Source: @healthy_hair_journey
8. This larger than life afro is truly giving us life!
Source: @studiococoamoon
9. Vibrantly red, undefined and unbothered.
Source: @healthy_hair_journey
10. This carefree cutie is definitely enjoying her adorable black afro.
Original Source: @lala_dominican
11. An electric blue afro never hurt a soul.
Source: @m3tanoia._
12. This fabulous afro needed its own moment.
Source: @pretaecrespa
13. This beauty may need to give some lessons on how to achieve a perfect afro puff.
Original Source: @alaina_drake
14. Althogh this is the well-known model, Naomi Campbell, she is doing the faux undefined fro justice!
Source: @m3tanoia._
15. An asymmetrical afro that’s quirky and unique.
Source: @1kalon
16. When your sister understands your natural hair journey, that’s priceless.
Original Source: @naturals_jhb
17. True 60s inspirtation.
Source: @healthy_hair_journey
18. This beauty is serene with her afro blowing in the wind.
Source: @pretaecrespa
Do you prefer to wear your hair undefined?
Wow! Such beautiful Afros. Can’t wait to rock mine this summer.
Just wore my Afro out for the first time in over a year yesterday. I part at one side like #6. Works like a charm but I need to carry a bottle of water for spritzing. It gets dry and tangles throughout the day.
Beautiful!!!
Sometimes I wish all my moisturizers weren’t curl defining.
I do undefined but picked out is a no-no for my fro!
Too bad I didn’t see this a couple of weeks ago…nope, nope, I’m getting mine cut this Saturday and nothing’s gonna stop me…
I agree completely. The prefix ‘un’ almost always has a negative connotation to it. I.E. unkempt, uncombed, etc. These fros look well taken care of. I love the post, hate the term.
number 13 allies beauty and perfect fro.
These are some very beautiful heads of hair!
I’m not a fan of calling these afros “undefined,” though. It’s obvious that a majority of these fros were carefully picked out and shaped into perfect spheres, which defines the shape or pattern of the hair. “Undefined” makes it sound like if someone doesn’t clump their hair, they’ve done nothing to their hair, which isn’t the case. I just don’t like that people use definition and clumping interchangeably. You can define without clumping.
I think it’s beautiful however I don’t pick out my hair because dry combing makes mine prone to breakage. Plus my hair is naturally curly coily. I have seen naturals taken to task for twisting or whatever to create curls as not being accepting of their texture yet never hear anything against curlies or coilies picking theirs out to create undefined look. IMO do what makes you happy.
Spritz with water/conditioner/oil mix to make it moist then comb and pick. It helps. My texture is super, super coily. I twist it only to stretch it then comb and pick.