African Americans have some of the most iconic hairstyles of them all. From dreads to afros, they look awesome regardless. It’s not rare to see an African Americans girl working her Black Girl Magic, especially in the age of the social media boom.
But in the media, we rarely see this. On TV shows, we hardly ever see a Black actress with a good hairstyle, weave, or wig. Iconic Black characters like Bonnie from The Vampire Diary or Vanessa from Gossip Girl all have tragic hairstyles. The stylists from the show just don’t know what to do with a Black girl’s hair.
Even in media powerhouses like Disney, we don’t often see a Black character since Tiana in animation. And even then, her style and hair look very vanilla, compared to what it could have been.
That’s why hairstylist LaChanda Gatson and photographers Regis and Kahran create a unique photo collection of
Disney Princess reimagined as Black girls with urban hairstyles. Check them out here!
#1 Cinderella
Source: © Cinderella / Walt Disney Productions, © CreativeSoul Photography / Facebook
The look is very inspired by Brandy’s Cinderella, updated with a modern twist. The pearl hair combs to highlight the high bun are a plus also.
#2 Ariel
Source: © The Little Mermaid / Walt Disney Pictures, © CreativeSoul Photography / Facebook
This girl’s afro is dyed in Ariel’s iconic red hair color. The tiara and tiny ribbons make her look ten times more fairytale-like.
#3 Jasmine
Source: © Aladdin / Walt Disney Pictures, © CreativeSoul Photography / Facebook
Jasmine’s middle-Eastern hair might need some weaves to accomplish, but the result is stunning.
#4 Snow White
Source: © Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs / Walt Disney Animation Studios, © CreativeSoul Photography / Facebook
Snow White has very iconic short, wavy, shoulder-length hair, highlighted with a small red ribbon. To balance it out with the big hair on the Black girl, the stylish use of a huge woven headband.
#5 Aurora
Source: © Sleeping Beauty / Walt Disney Productions, © CreativeSoul Photography / Facebook
Sleeping Beauty's long blond hair is elegantly royal. So the stylish let the model’s afro as big and layered as they can, and highlight it with a regal tiara instead.
#6 Belle
Source: © Beauty and the Beast / Walt Disney Pictures, © CreativeSoul Photography / Facebook
Belle’s hairstyle is an elegant and wavy ponytail, and the stylists bring that into their design. Not only does the model’s hair look elegant, but the low ponytail makes her look fierce!
#7 Pocahontas
Source: © Pocahontas / Walt Disney Pictures, © CreativeSoul Photography / Facebook
Pocahontas’s long Native American hair is difficult to remake on Black Girl afro. Which is why they make it into one long braid instead.
#8 Tiana
Source: © The Princess and the Frog / Walt Disney Pictures, © CreativeSoul Photography / Facebook
Another Disney Princess is already working her Black Girl Magic. The stylist gives the model small, trailing braids, which are both feminine and stylish at the same time.
#9 Rapunzel
Source: © Tangled / Walt DIsney Pictures, © CreativeSoul Photography / Facebook
Rapunzel is the princess with the biggest hair. Periodt! And so does this beautiful Rapunzel-inspired hair.
#10 Moana
Source: © Moana / Walt Disney Pictures, © CreativeSoul Photography / Facebook
Moana already has very big wavy hair. But her Moana-inspired hair takes it to the next level.
#11 Shuri
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Shuri is already working on her Black Girl Magic, but the stylish added a tiara to complete the Disney Princess’s aesthetic.
#12 Anna
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Princess Anna tends to wear her hair high and in a tight bun. But the stylish switch is up and gives the model two buns instead.
#13 Elsa
Source: © Frozen 2 / Walt Disney Pictures, © CreativeSoul Photography / Facebook
Just like Elsa who “let it go,” the girl here lets her fro’ fly freely. Truly empowering, no?
#14 Nala
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Nala’s look is a challenge: the Princess of the Pride Land is a lioness and not human. That’s why the model has a wood hair accessory on her, instead of gold. Her feathery dress is also on point.