what is a hair conk

What is a hair conk? The conk (derived from congolene, a hair straightener gel made from lye

) was a hairstyle popular among African-American men from the 1920s to the 1960s. Conks were often styled as large pompadours although other men chose to simply slick their straightened hair back, allowing it to lie flat on their heads.

Full Answer

What is a conk hairdo?

A conk hairdo is a hairstyle achieved by the application of a mixture of lye, eggs, and potatoes to the hair, which causes curled hair to straighten. The hair is then slicked back or styled into a pompadour.

What is a conk?

The conk was a hairstyle popular among African-American men from the 1920s to the 1960s. This hairstyle called for a man with naturally "kinky" hair to have it chemically straightened using a relaxer called congolene, a homemade hair straightener gel made from the extremely corrosive chemical lye which was often mixed with eggs and potatoes.

What happened to the conk hairstyle?

The conk trend and style fell out of popularity when the Black Power /Black Pride movement of the 1960s took hold. The Afro and the Natural quickly became a popular symbol of African pride. The Afro on males was akin to long hair on non African-American males with straight hair, each having different lengths.

Why do men wear conks on their hair?

Regardless of the styling, conks required a considerable amount of effort to maintain: a man often had to wear a do-rag of some sort at home, to absorb sweat or other agents to keep them from causing his hair to revert prematurely to its natural state.

What is a conk in hair?

Conks were often styled as large pompadours although other men chose to simply slick their straightened hair back, allowing it to lie flat on their heads.

What is a conk Black hair?

In the 1920s through the 1960s African American men wore the 'conk' hairstyle. This hairstyle was worn by men who had naturally kinky hair. Nearly every Black-owned and operated barbershop in the United States had at least one barber who specialized in conking hair. The name conk is derived from congolene.

Why is it called a conk?

Originally, conk meant "punch in the nose," from 19th century slang for "nose," conk. Later, the word became World War I military slang, for the sound a stalling plane engine makes when it "conks out."

How do you get a conk?

0:003:59Conk - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe conch was a hairstyle popular among african-american men from the 1920s to the 1960s. ThisMoreThe conch was a hairstyle popular among african-american men from the 1920s to the 1960s. This hairstyle called for a man with naturally kinky hair to have it chemically straightened using a relaxer.

How did slaves take care of their hair?

African slaves no longer had access to their natural herbs, butters and oils to take care of their hair. They resorted to bacon grease, butter, and kerosene as their moisturizers, conditioners, and shampoo.

How is Black hair different from white hair?

So why is this? African hair produces plenty of protective oils, called sebum, which keeps our hair healthy. In fact, African hair actually produces more oils than Caucasian and Asian hair. However, due to the tight curls, the oil doesn't spread evenly along the hair fiber.

How do you conk your hair?

Comb your hair into a conk. It should form a high swoop on the top of your head. Then, comb your sideburns so they go straight backwards in a smooth, straight line, close to your head. You can then pat the sides and top of the conk style so it appears smooth and straight. You can also put your own twist to the conk.

How do black guys straighten their hair?

Use a flat iron to straighten any hair that begins to re-curl. Regularly touch up parts of your hair that begin to curl. Apply smoothing balm or serum, then heat protectant spray, and use the flat iron to straighten only the section of your hair that is beginning to curl.

When did afros go out of style?

With braided styles such as cornrows starting to take center stage the Afro's appeal waned in the mid-1970s. Throughout the 1980s and for much of the 1990s, the Afro was pretty much non-existent.

Who made the first relaxer for Black hair?

Garrett Augustus MorganAlso, during the 1900s, around 1909 to be exact, Garrett Augustus Morgan discovers how to create hair relaxer for Black hair. He founded his own company, the G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Company, which specialized in creating the first chemical relaxers to hit the market.

What is a red conk?

The red belt conk is a saprotrophic fungus that forms brown rot on stumps and dead trees. It can also be found on live trees. It grows with spruce and pine, as well as with birch and gray alder. It is prevalent in Eurasia and North America.

How do you get a Jheri curl?

Jheri curl is a specific brand of retexturizer. To get one, you buy a box and follow the steps, applying the relaxer and then rolling your hair on...

What is a butter hairstyle?

It is essentially an old form of relaxer where hair was straightened with harsh chemicals for easier styling. Lye was often used and frequently res...

Why do they call it a Jheri curl?

A Jheri curl is a specific brand of relaxer. However, the name has become synonymous with retexturizers that reshape the natural curl pattern by ap...

What is a conk for black hair?

This article has been viewed 16,150 times. The “conk” was a popular hairstyle for Black hair that began in the 1950s. Since then, conking hair has become synonymous with relaxing hair so it appears straight and smooth. Relaxers contain lots of chemicals so do this process at home with caution. Start by choosing a relaxer for your hair type.

How to relax your hair on your own?

1. Ask a friend or family member to help you. Relaxing your hair on your own can be difficult, as you will need to get the relaxer on the back of your head. Ask someone to assist you so they can spread the relaxer on your entire head properly. Ask a friend or family member who has used hair relaxer before.

How to straighten curly hair?

1. Use a lye-relaxer if you have coiled or curly hair. Traditionally, conking hair was done by making a homemade relaxer with lye. Lye-relaxers are strong enough to straighten hair that is curly or coiled. Lye is a strong chemical that can burn your skin and hair if too much is applied or it sits on your hair too long.

What is the best hair relaxer?

Choose a mild or regular strength relaxer. Hair relaxers come in three strengths: mild, regular, and super strength. Go for a mild relaxer if you have fine hair that is damaged or color treated. If your hair is not color treated and is wavy, curly, or coarse, you can use regular strength.

Can you use a hair relaxer on color treated hair?

You can find hair relaxers for color-treated hair. If you have bleached hair or damaged hair, avoid using hair relaxers.

What is a conk hairdo?

Lye can cause chemical burns and blisters to the hands and scalp. A conk hairdo is a hairstyle achieved by the application of a mixture of lye, eggs, and potatoes to the hair, which causes curled hair to straighten. The hair is then slicked back or styled into a pompadour. There are many pros to the hairstyle, including the doors ...

When did conk hair become popular?

This style was popular during the 1920s to the 1960s, worn by African-American men in order to make their hair appear straighter and more "white" in texture. The conk hairdo became unpopular in the 1960s as a result ...

What did the conk hairdo do to black musicians?

The conk hairdo made black musicians more acceptable to the larger public and allowed them to become significantly ...

Why do men wear a do rag?

Moisture from sweat or humidity can counteract the effects of the lye, so many men who wear this style cover their hair with a cap or do-rag, during the night and humid weather, to keep the hairstyle as straight as possible.

What does "conk" mean?

conk. noun (3) Definition of conk (Entry 6 of 6) : a hairstyle in which the hair is straightened out and flattened down or lightly waved. — called also process. Other Words from conk Synonyms & Antonyms Learn More About conk. Keep scrolling for more.

Is "conk" a verb?

conk. verb (3) conked; conking; conks. Definition of conk (Entry 5 of 6) transitive verb. : to straighten out (hair) usually by the use of chemicals. conk. noun (3) Definition of conk (Entry 6 of 6)

Conk Hairstyles for Black Men

Which should be worn with gloves after application to prevent chemical burns, and the recipient’s head should be thoroughly rinsed. Shells were usually styled as large pompadours, but other men decided to shift their straightened hair back, allowing them to stand straight on their heads.

Conk hairstyles for Black Men Who Relax

Also, the styling required repeated application of relaxants. as the new hair grew, it also needed to be corrected chemically. 20, including Chuck Berry, Louis Jordan, Little Richard, James Brown and members of Temptations and The Miracles.

Conk, Afro, Jheri Curl & Dreadlocks

The style fell out of popularity when the Black Power movement of the 1960s took place and the Afro became a popular symbol of African pride.