The Reason Why Kerry Washington's Hair Feels Healthier

For many black women the decision to wear their natural hair can be an emotional roller coaster. Speaking from personal experience, society can brainwash you into thinking straight hair is preferred, leaving you to question the value of your God-given curls on a regular basis. Will my hair look too kinky? Will guys accept my natural curls? What if my employer doesn't accept my new look? If your not careful, these unhealthy thoughts can wreak havoc on your psyche.

That's why when Kerry Washington donned her natural hair at the Emmy awards the internet went crazy. Not only was her hair super cute, but it was a nod to self-acceptance and told women everywhere that their natural curls are truly beautiful.

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Women decide to wear their natural curls for various reasons, but for the 39-year-old Scandal actress it was simply to save time and have some fun. "I'd been relaxing my hair since I was a little girl, so part of it was just wanting to see what would happen if I didn't," she recently told Redbook. "Quitting has been such a time-saver, and my hair feels much healthier now. It's been fun getting to know my real curls."

More on natural hair:

1. Why I'll Never Chemically Straighten My Natural Curls Again
2. Must-See Natural-Hair Looks From Brooklyn's Curl Fest
3. Why I Love My Hair Just the Way It Is

According to Takisha Drew, Washington’s hairstylist of 14 years, now is the perfect time to be natural. "For so long women of color were criticized for wearing natural hair and we still are," she told Cosmopolitan. "With everything surrounding police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement now, it’s so important to see women we all look up to embracing their naturally textured hair to show the world, this is who we are, we’re beautiful, and we’re proud of it. When celebrities wear their natural hair, it speaks volumes."

To be fully transparent, wearing your hair au naturel or straightening it with chemicals is fine either way. But sometimes, it's nice to simply be yourself. And that is as natural as it comes.

Check out our cover shoot with Kerry Washington: