The fourth annual CurlFest in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park was a huge success! I was so impressed with the event. It was very organized. The massive audience included so many beautiful Black (and other curly) sisters embracing their hair!
Hair and beauty products, from both up–and–coming newcomers and major companies decades–old, were present at #CurlFest. The attendees swarmed their booths.
From CurlFest: IMAN Cosmetics Luxury Contour Trio and Luxury Lip Shimmer, PHYTO Specific Curl Legend Gel and Curl Energizing Spray, Madam C.J Walker Beauty Culture Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oils Ultra-Moisturizing Detangler, Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula with Vitamin E Hair Polisher Serum, Tropic Isle Living Strong Roots Red Pimento Hair Growth Oil, Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp & Haitian Vetiver Lotion, Curl Keeper Styling Cream, Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner, Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Lotion, Jamaican Mango & Lime Exotic Jamaican Black Castor Oil Ungurahui with Citrus Spice, Creme of Nature Moisture & Shine Curl Activator Creme, Long Aid Naturals Manuka Honey & Coconut Shrink Away Elongating Curl Cream, Clairol Nice ‘N Easy Root Touch-Up Permanent Hair Color, Jane Carter Solution Curls to Go Shine On Curl Elixir, SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Leave in Treatment and Strengthen Grow & Restore Leave-In Conditioner.
My daughter and I had so much fun. The weather was perfect. Prospect Park lawn is the perfect setting, a comfortable, wide–open setting where people could go, stand, sit, and lie down where they wish — kind of like what natural hair does!
It was a great day for women, men and children to embrace natural hair, to feel free to unleash the curls, to show off their headwraps, headbands, ‘fros, puffs, coils, braids, twists, locs, up–do’s, buns, textures, and shaved styles in every color and hue in the rainbow.
Platforms were setup for artists to paint on canvas as people passed by and stopped to watch. The air was filled with the smell of food vendors. There were tent booths selling African clothing and afro–centric fashion, t–shirts with empowering messages, hats, bags, and hair accessories and adornments. Vendors were happy to demonstrate how use headscarves and wrap skirts. Barbers with cordless shavers were shaping up men and women in the open air. Professional braiders were plaiting non–stop. Speeches on the main stage were inspiring; music had everyone moving.
I saw neighbors, former students and old friends. My daughter and I met Brooklyn’s best friend, Spike Lee. It’s not a Brooklyn event unless his presence is there. Spike was at CurlFest with the cast of his Netflix series, She’s Gotta Have It.
Organizer Curly Girl Collective describes themselves as “an experiential marketing group that specializes in multicultural beauty. Our events find unique ways to connect the latest products and brands to our network of fans and influencers, and create fun spaces for women of color to celebrate their natural beauty.” With this festival, they really know how to impress.
Next year: get your ticket online. Arrive early to have a pick of the products, or, avoid waiting with the crowd to enter by arriving later to soak up the atmosphere. Wear comfortable shoes for walking on grass through the large park. Don’t forget your picnic blanket big enough to share with friends you bump into. Bring drinks, snacks and food if waiting on the food truck lines is not your thing.
And don’t forget sunscreen, no matter your skin tone!
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