Hair that is puffy, bushy, and full of small curls or waves, usually from humidity or lack of smoothness.
From 'frizz,' possibly imitating the sound or appearance of fuzzy, tangled hair. The term emerged in English dialects in the 19th century, combining 'fray' or 'frazzle' concepts with texture description.
Frizz is one of those words that sounds like what it describes—the 'z' sound even feels a bit out-of-control, like frizzy hair! Different cultures have totally different relationships with frizz depending on natural hair types, making it a surprisingly loaded beauty term.
Beauty standards weaponized against women (esp. Black women) pathologize natural hair texture. 'Frizz' frames curly/coily hair as defective, driving billion-dollar industries built on shame and exclusion.
Use neutral descriptors: 'curly,' 'coily,' 'textured,' or 'voluminous' hair. Reject deficit framing; celebrate natural texture diversity.
["curly","coily","textured","voluminous"]
Women of color, particularly Black women, have reclaimed their natural hair as political and personal freedom; language honoring texture diversity affirms self-determination.
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