S-curl
Encyclopedia
S-Curl is a trademark for a line of hair products produced by Luster Products designed to slightly straighten
the natural hair texture of a person of African descent, so that natural wave and curl patterns are looser and more prominent. The term "s-curl" soon came to describe the hairstyle that resulted from the use of the S-Curl line products and the products of competitors.
Depending upon the strength of the application, an "s-curl" hairstyle can have hair texture only slightly less kinky than natural tightly coiled African hair. Similar to a woman's permanent
, an s-curl is applied using relaxer
s containing lye, and, like a jheri curl
, requires continued use of specialized shampoos and conditioners to keep the chemically altered hair from becoming dry, hard, and brittle.
S-curls were most popular among African-American men during the 1990s, when many popular musicians such as Timbaland
and the members of Dru Hill
wore the hairstyle. While no longer wildly popular, S-Curl products and competing products continue to be sold.
Hair straightening
Hair straightening is a hair styling technique which involves the flattening and straightening of hair in order to give it a smooth, streamlined, and 'sleek' appearance. It may be accomplished by using hair irons and hot combs, chemical relaxers, Japanese hair straightening, or Brazilian hair...
the natural hair texture of a person of African descent, so that natural wave and curl patterns are looser and more prominent. The term "s-curl" soon came to describe the hairstyle that resulted from the use of the S-Curl line products and the products of competitors.
Depending upon the strength of the application, an "s-curl" hairstyle can have hair texture only slightly less kinky than natural tightly coiled African hair. Similar to a woman's permanent
Permanent wave
A permanent wave, commonly called a perm, involves the use of chemicals to break and reform the bonds of the hair. The hair is washed and wrapped on a perm rod and waving lotion is applied with a base. This solution creates a chemical reaction that softens the inner structure of the hair by...
, an s-curl is applied using relaxer
Relaxer
A relaxer is a type of lotion or cream generally used by people with afro textured hair, which makes hair less curly and also easier to straighten by chemically "relaxing" the natural curls...
s containing lye, and, like a jheri curl
Jheri curl
The Jheri curl is a hairstyle that was common and popular in the African American community especially during the 1970s and 1980s . Invented by and named for Jheri Redding, the Jheri curl gave the wearer a glossy, loosely curled look...
, requires continued use of specialized shampoos and conditioners to keep the chemically altered hair from becoming dry, hard, and brittle.
S-curls were most popular among African-American men during the 1990s, when many popular musicians such as Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
and the members of Dru Hill
Dru Hill
Dru Hill is an American singing group, most popular during the late 1990s, whose repertoire included R&B, soul, and gospel music. Founded in Baltimore, Maryland, and active since 1992, Dru Hill recorded seven Top 40 hits, and is best known for the R&B #1 hits "In My Bed", "Never Make a Promise", ...
wore the hairstyle. While no longer wildly popular, S-Curl products and competing products continue to be sold.