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Did Kamala Harris Wear Hair Extensions?
Kamala Harris left an indelible mark on American politics, not only as the first female Vice President of the United States, but also as the first Black and first South Asian Vice President of the United States.
Her journey is a compelling story of breaking barriers, advocating for justice, and inspiring future generations. This blog looks at her background, her career and whether she wore hair extensions and the impact of her hair.
1. Who is Kamala Harris?
Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964 in Oakland, California to immigrant parents. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, is from India, while her father, Donald Harris, is a Jamaican national. Harris grew up in a diverse environment and was instilled with a strong sense of identity and purpose. Kamala Harris began her political career in the late 1990s.
In 2003, she was elected District Attorney of San Francisco, becoming the first woman and the first black woman to hold that position, and in 2010, Harris was elected Attorney General of California and continued to break new ground.
Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016, Harris quickly earned a reputation for her sharp questioning and advocacy on issues such as health care, immigration reform and civil rights.
Her election to the vice presidency on January 20, 2021, is seen as a watershed moment for women in the United States, particularly women of color.On July 21, 2024, Biden withdrew from the 2024 U.S. presidential election in favor of nominating Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate .
On the evening of August 22, Harris formally accepted the Democratic presidential nomination. Currently Harris is competing with Donald Trump for the presidential election.On November 5 it will be known who will be successful in the election.
2. Kamala Harris' Iconic Look
Kamala Harris has openly shared her hair story, discussing her experiences and how her hair has evolved over the years. Growing up, she recalls her mother braiding her hair into two tight braids, a common practice in many black families. Throughout her life, she experimented with a variety of styles before settling on her signature look of silky, straight hair, often referred to as silk pressed.
3. What is a silk press?
A popular hairstyle among black women, the silk press features a smooth, shiny finish achieved through a blow-drying technique using a round brush. Harris openly discusses her hair care routine, emphasizing that she doesn't use a curling iron because it can cause heat damage.
Instead, she chooses to use a boar bristle brush and blow dryer to create her look. This method allows her to maintain healthy hair while achieving the sleek look that has become her trademark.
In recent years, Harris' hair has garnered attention on social media, especially after she candidly discussed her hairstyle with actress Koko Palmer. That interaction sparked a surge of interest in the silkscreening technique, with many young women replicating her look on platforms like TikTok.
The emergence of the term “presidential silkscreening” highlights the cultural significance of her hairstyle in the context of her political career.
4. Does Kamala Harris wear hair extensions?
While there is no direct evidence or confirmation that Kamala Harris wore hair extensions, her choice of silk pressed style raises questions about the broader context of hair in politics and society.
As a prominent figure, her hair choices resonated with many women of color who saw in her a reflection of their own experiences with hair and identity. The standardization of styles such as the silk press represents a shift in embracing black beauty in all its forms, challenging traditional notions of professionalism.
5. How did Kamala Harris' hair evolve?
Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris has not only made history politically, but she has also become a prominent figure in discussions about beauty and identity, especially when it comes to her hairstyle.
Her hair has changed significantly over the years, reflecting her personal journey, cultural identity, and societal expectations of women, especially women of color in public life.
Childhood
Harris' hair journey began in her childhood when her mother would braid her hair into two tight braids. In a recent interview, she recalled wanting to wear her hair down and often pulling out the braids as soon as she arrived at school, only to have her friends braid it again at the end of the day.
College days
In the late 1980s, Harris opted for a shorter hairstyle while attending Howard University. She explains that her busy schedule prevented her from devoting time to hair care, so she opted for a “big cut” to simplify her daily routine. The decision was rooted in practicality rather than conforming to any particular beauty standard.
Professional life
After graduating from college, Harris began her legal career and eventually became the District Attorney of San Francisco, where she decided to grow her hair out again. This marked the beginning of her signature look-a sleek, straight look usually achieved with a silk press.
Harris said she prefers to use a round brush and blow dryer rather than a curling iron, which she found too damaging to her hair. This technology allows her to manage her naturally curly hair while maintaining a polished look appropriate for her professional role.
6. What is Kamala Harris' hair care experience?
The silk-press technique:
Harris is known for her silk-press hairstyles, which smooth out naturally curly hair without generating too much heat. She emphasizes that she doesn't use a curling iron because it can cause too much heat damage. Instead, she relies on boar bristle round brushes and blow dryers to create a sleek look. This method allows her to keep her hair healthy while achieving a sleek look.
Heat Management:
In an interview with Keke Palmer, Harris explained that her styling method uses less heat than traditional methods. She noted, “I don't use a curling iron; it's too hot. I use a round brush,” which helps her avoid the high temperatures usually associated with silk presses. Focusing on minimizing heat exposure is a key aspect of her hair care philosophy.
Styling Frequency:
While not detailing the exact frequency with which she performs silk ironing, Harris says that it takes time to achieve her styles, which suggests that she may not be styling as often as some might think. This approach is in line with her commitment to keeping her hair healthy.
Summary
Kamala Harris' hair journey is a testament to her changing identity and the cultural significance of hair for black women. From her childhood braids to her signature silk perm, her hairstyles reflect not only personal choices, but also broader social conversations about race, beauty, and professionalism.
As she continues to serve as vice president, Harris remains an influential figure, inspiring many to embrace their hair choices and challenge traditional beauty standards. Her story illustrates the power of representation and the importance of authenticity in public life.