Bald is Beautiful... and Nothing New

Bald is Beautiful… and Nothing New

Hair/Pop Culture

July 22, 2009

34 COMMENTS

Bald is the new hot trend in hair, thanks to the likes of Cassie, Rihanna, and Amber Rose. If you want tips on how to work the look yourself — click here for my 5 steps on being bald and beautiful.

But anyone with a sense of fashion history would know, there is absolutely nothing new about the baldhead trend. Walk with me, down memory lane.

When I was little, growing up in Trinidad the model/designer/super fit exerciser/social dynamo Yoko Fung was bald as bald could be. This was way back in the early Eighties, and I always wondered what her motivation was. Lo and behold, she explains it all in this fantastic YouTube video.

I love a woman who goes OUT THERE with her look. Yoko is all about self expression, bold makeup, embracing her expressive uniqueness, and not giving a damn. LOVE that.

Grace Jones is exactly that kind of woman, but to the nth degree. She’s rocked varied stages of bald since the Seventies, and still is as strikingly gorgeous as ever.

I defy anyone to name a woman more fierce than Grace Jones. I don’t believe one exists.

When you’re thinking about bald gorgeousness, you can’t forget about Miss Sharon Quinn, the original runway diva who has been rockin’ the baldie for well over a decade. And my new friend on Twitter, the author of brilliant blog Kiss My Black Ads, just reminded me that brilliant designer Sheila Bridges lost her hair to alopecia and wears the style gracefully.

There is no shortage of beautiful bald black women, but there are far fewer examples I can think of for women of other ethnicities. The one who comes most immediately to mind and put bald beauty in our face back in 1989, was Sinead O’Connor. She’s always marched to the beat of her own drummer, and is so gorgeous in the video for Nothing Compares 2 U.

That song still has so much aural and visual power. Wow.

Like I said in my AOL post, being bald takes balls. Bravery. Boldness. So however you rock it, go forth, go brave, and know that you’re beautiful.

Are you a beautiful bald woman? What led you to shave it all off? Tell me your story!

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Tagged With: bald, beautiful bald, shave head

COMMENTS

Felicia (aka Mommy B) says:

July 22, 2009, 10:51 am

Being bald DOES take balls --or ovaries as the case may be--. One day I hope to have the courage to do the big chop. Maybe not bald, but short and sweet. Thanks for the reminder of all the beautiful women who have dared to take the plunge.

Norjunma1 says:

July 22, 2009, 11:16 am

Don't forget the Quebecoise model and DJ Eve Salvail. She takes her baldness so seriously she got a dragon tattoo on the side of her head. Definitely a Grace Jones acolyte, and gorgeous to boot!

nyc/caribbean ragazza says:

July 22, 2009, 11:18 am

When I did the big chop I was almost bald as all the chemicals were cut off and I only had a little new growth. I was living in NYC at the time. It felt strange to feel my scalp and I made sure I always wore lipstick or lip gloss. Once I moved to L.A. my natural stood out but not in a good way. I'm glad Amber Rose and others are doing their thing. It would be nice to see all types of black hair styles in the media not just the long blond weaves.

a.eye says:

July 22, 2009, 11:56 am

I love when I am bald. It accentuates my features and I think I look even more feminine and beautiful that way. I am currently trying to grow my hair out -- it's about an inch long right now, but I am really tempted to shave it all right back off.

Niki says:

July 22, 2009, 12:07 pm

I see it on other people and they look fierce with it, but I am afraid my head is kinda flat in the back, thus it won't work! LOL It's nice to have a good, round head to work that look with!

Chatty Patty says:

July 22, 2009, 12:37 pm

Yoko Fung is gorgeous...I love a woman that knows who see is and expressing it in any way possible! A woman must have CONFIDENCE to pull off a short do! I have long locks and I know that in a couple of years I will be chopping it off and continue to grow my hair naturally, but I would love to see myself in a short hairstyle like that. Thanks Afrobella!

Anti-aging Sytropin says:

July 22, 2009, 12:48 pm

My friend's girlfriend is close-shaved. And really, people do stare at them. But she's always cool about that. And hear this: She rocks. She's so beautiful and the 'do suits her well. It must be her head's shape. I just can't see myself bald because of my weird alienish head shape.

clivia says:

July 22, 2009, 3:04 pm

Being Bald is still my favorite hairstyle. I go through phases of trying to grow my hair out... but eventually end up at the barber for a number 1..It's the style that's most natural to you. And I get the gamut of responses....Women should have hair [Trini] and "you look like a boy"...but its so untrue. It makes your features even more defined..nothing to hide behind. It very freeing for me. :) Plus the extra 20 minutes of sleep is all worth it.

OnceUponaTime says:

July 22, 2009, 4:57 pm

I love the iconic and gorgeous Grace Jones. She is definitely a one of a kind, and puts a lot of younger women to shame with her sense of adventure and creativity. And her body is still rockin for a woman in her 60s! She's definitely one of my heroines..

tee says:

July 22, 2009, 6:35 pm

I def. don't have the guts to go bald lol

Allie says:

July 22, 2009, 7:23 pm

Don't forget Natalie Portman in V. She was still beautiful even with a bald head!

Mardia says:

July 22, 2009, 9:25 pm

Wow, thanks for an amazing post! I know my mom has been suggesting I cut my hair low for over a year, and i used to joke about doing it with my friends for some time, but in April, I actually got is shaved off. I loved it completely, it was a relief looking at my damaged and dyed hair on the ground, I felt like a brand new person. Not to mention my skin had cleared up a lot better afterwards.

Sam says:

July 22, 2009, 10:08 pm

I just wanted to say that I think women can be just as beautiful bald-headed as men. Its all about head shape and facial features. Some women shouldn't be bald, but neither should some men! Don't be afraid to be daring and different from all the other copycats. When men first shaved their heads in the 90s it was looked at as taboo as well but it quickly gained popularity and now look! So be bold, be bald ladies!

Mia says:

July 22, 2009, 11:50 pm

I've been wearing my hair at 3/8 in. since February and I love it! I had natural hair down to my shoulder blades, but I kept it almost always in a bun or ponytail. So one day, after wondering for a couple of years, I cut it off. I do feel more feminine now, actually. However, since I clip it myself, I did make a mistake back in March and forgot to put the guard on. When I realized it, I had a 2"x4" bald stripe on the back of my head, so I had to shave it all (I used the 1). I loved it! But I worried about sunburn, so I let it grow back to where it is now. Now that I have some hats I love (to protect my scalp during the day), I'm tempted to shave it down to 1 again. Thanks for the inspirational clips.

Chandra says:

July 23, 2009, 11:32 am

Have you seen Solange's new bald cut? I think that these celebrities are crying for some attention? I am not influenced by celebrities to do anything. They're all copying each other. Bald is beautiful, but not just because a celebrity has done it.

chad says:

July 24, 2009, 5:52 am

go girl, just make sure you grow it back for the winter!

cocodreads says:

July 24, 2009, 6:17 pm

I love the bald look and I wore mine close shaven, not completely bald, for awhile before locking my hair. It's beautiful, its exotic looking and its HOT!! I think every woman should rock a short natural do for awhile.

dgh says:

July 24, 2009, 8:09 pm

The late Jamaican art photographer Ken Ramsay photographed a bald and beautiful Susan L. Taylor in the 1970's. To take a peek, look for "The Head" at: http://www.dare-to-dream-1994.com

Carolyn says:

July 26, 2009, 5:07 pm

I have naturally curly, thick, heavy hair. About 3 months ago I went from my short haircut to bald. Bald bald. As in I took a razor and shaved the whole head shiny! It was amazing! I walked around for 2 days feeling like I forgot to put pants on, but after that I relished in short showers, not wasting money on hair products, rolling down the window and not worrying what my hair will look like when I arrive. It is liberating and I don't think I will grow it out more than the soft peach fuzz it is now. I look at myself and it reminds me of the Buddhist Monk's I've always admired. Solange is a beautiful bald woman with an amazing voice - too bad people are so worked up about her hair.

Jennifer James says:

July 31, 2009, 5:40 am

I am have bald/natural since 2001 and I love it. Yes it takes balls to do it. Its all begin when I started to excerise a lot and my hair was relaxed. So I cut it shorter and shorter. Then one day I when the barbers and the rest is history. Funny I was spotted in the high street by a model scout and became a make-up model after that. I do get good comments most of the time but some bad. Still I realise it become more trendy now days like model Amber Rose. I think I bald forever!

Aissatou says:

August 18, 2009, 9:18 pm

I have had my head shaved for two weeks now. I turned 50 in March and not until recently deciding to go totally bald, do I feel as if I am going through a transition. I have for over 20 years always kept my hair very, very short, teaching barbers that it is only hair and does not effect my womanhood. Well, due to beginning my "personal summers" and it being Summer, I have gone totally bald. I have no regrets, live in the Bible Belt, in a Military town and don't look anything like everyone else. I am leading the way and not looking back to see if anyone is behind me. I love being bald, love vintage hats and I may like my former short haircut, never go back. Rocking it and rocking it well! Can I get an AMEN!

leilee says:

September 1, 2009, 12:18 am

Yoko's beauty is surpassed only by the goodness of her heart. I'm a foreigner in Trinidad but I immediately felt the warmness of the people through her. She's a cool friend to be had and a truly unique person. Thanks for sharing her in your post.

Ella says:

July 9, 2011, 11:23 am

I had always felt so bad that I was losinbg my hair to thyroid disease and had been wearing a wig or years. I had not considered going bald because I was afraid people would make fun of me. Thanks to all of the beautiful women who showed me it is not what is on the outside that counts it is what you have on the inside. I woke up yesterday ( 7/7/2011) and knew this was the day. I am now a bold black bald women and I am thrilled with my new Look. It took over ten years for me to get to this point in my life. Thanks you for support you did not know about.

BaldBelle says:

July 10, 2011, 10:00 pm

I've been natural since 16 and bald for over half of it and also currently bald (faded). I have to say I love it and it does bring out my other features, (never got so many compliments on my lips until now) I was brainwashed that I have to wear big earrings to stay feminine but I have released that stereotype. I really like huge earrings but I also do like danity small earrings as well. I wear makeup or go completely free and still feel feminine. I get the "manly"/gay comments on a weekly basis, but honestly I feel sexiest after a fresh cut. I like just enough fuzz to brush but when they form curls its time to go! lol. I did love being scalpbald but I quickly got tired of shaving it every few days.. o I get it cut promptly every 2 weeks. I didn't do it to be a "trendsetter" or follow any celebrity fashion rules. I went bald/short fade because it just felt right to me.

Lisette says:

May 9, 2012, 11:34 am

I wear a buzzcut, and I love it. For me this was a decision based on finances, time management, self empowerment, and health. I don't know if I will ever go completely bald, but I do know I will never wear long hair again. I actually tried on a long-haired wig, and even other people who saw me told me that I looked much younger and more attractive with my short hair. I am 41 and am often mistaken for late twenties to early thirties; I know my hairstyle makes people think I'm younger than I really am. The responses to my buzzcut have run the gamut. "People are going to think you're a lesbian or radical feminist" (because I also have a very fit physique). "Why are you cutting off what other people pay good money to have sewn in?" (I had long, thick, coarse hair that looks like a wig when it's relaxed). The response I appreciate most came from one of my students. "I wouldn't do it, but it looks good on you." She's smart enough to know something essential to living in peace with others: to each his/her own.

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May 5, 2013, 2:48 am

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