Former First Lady Michelle Obama intimately shares the powerful reasons she opted against braids during her time in the White House and the profound sense of “freedom” she now experiences by embracing natural hair and protective styles, insights revealed in her new book, The Look.
As the former First Lady, Michelle Obama has always captivated public attention with her grace, intelligence, and impeccable style. Now, nearly a decade after leaving the White House, she is offering a deeply personal look into her style evolution, particularly her hair journey, in her forthcoming coffee table book, The Look, set to be released on November 4th.
In candid revelations, Obama, 61, opens up about the calculated choices she made regarding her hairstyles during her husband Barack Obama’s two terms as President, contrasting them with the liberating self-expression she now enjoys. Her story is not just about fashion; it’s a powerful narrative of cultural significance, personal freedom, and the societal pressures placed upon Black women in public life.
The Strategic Hair Choices of a First Lady
During her impactful years in the White House, Michelle Obama consciously chose not to wear braids, a decision she now attributes to a careful consideration of public perception and political priorities. She famously stated, “I wasn’t sure whether the country was ready for it,” acknowledging that her hair could become an unintended “distraction” from her husband’s policy goals. This sentiment was echoed in her discussions on her book tour for The Light We Carry, where she elaborated, “We were the first. And I was like, first of all, they’ve got to get used to us.”
Her focus remained steadfast on critical issues, as she once remarked, “Let me keep my hair straight. Let’s get healthcare passed.” This practical approach highlights the unique scrutiny faced by women of color in the public eye, where even personal style choices can be politicized. For more on her reasoning, see reports from People.
Protecting Her Hair While Protecting Her Husband’s Agenda
To maintain her appearance amidst a demanding schedule that often required daily—sometimes twice daily—styling, Obama relied on straighter styles, wavy blowouts, and protective measures like weaves and extensions. These styles helped safeguard her natural hair from the “excessive heat styling” necessary for her public role. As she explained, “I would not have any hair on my head if I straightened it as much as I had to straighten it.” This practical necessity intertwined with her strategic decision to present a consistently polished and universally accepted image, as detailed by Harper’s Bazaar UK.
Post-White House: A Return to Roots and Radical Freedom
Since departing the White House in 2017, Michelle Obama has enthusiastically embraced a personal style that prioritizes comfort and self-expression. Her return to natural and protective hairstyles, particularly braids, has been a profound experience. “It’s freedom,” she declares, describing how braids allow her to simplify her routine and enjoy activities like swimming and tennis without concern for her hair.
This sense of freedom is deeply rooted in her childhood on the South Side of Chicago, where braids afforded her the flexibility to run and play. Her book, The Look, includes throwback images, such as a striking photo of her with cornrows as a college student at Princeton, underscoring this lifelong connection to natural hair.
A Powerful Statement: Braids at the Portrait Unveiling
Her decision to wear braids to her official White House portrait unveiling in September 2022 was a deliberate and powerful statement. “I wanted to send a message, add to the discourse of Black women in places of power, saying, ‘This too is an appropriate and beautiful way to wear your hair,'” she explained. This public display challenged long-standing biases and contributed to a growing movement for natural hair acceptance, especially in professional and formal settings.
The CROWN Act and a New Era of Hair Acceptance
The timing of Obama’s embrace of braids aligns with broader cultural shifts, including the passing of the CROWN Act, which protects individuals from race-based hair discrimination. While not yet enacted during her time as First Lady, the Act’s progress reflects a societal evolution towards recognizing and celebrating the diversity of Black hair.
Her longtime hairstylist, Yene Damtew, emphasizes the profound connection between hair and identity for Black women: “I believe hair is one of the most important parts of a Black woman’s journey. It reflects who she is, how she feels, and the depth of her self-love in ways words can’t fully capture.” Njeri Radway, who has braided Obama’s hair for years, echoed this, expressing pride in helping her “embrace her natural side and show the world that braids are in fact professional no matter what societal constructs are placed on Black women.”
A Universal Message of Empowerment
Ultimately, Michelle Obama’s hair journey culminates in a powerful message of self-acceptance and freedom of choice for all women of color. “This is what we understand about our hair, as women of color, that the way our hair naturally grows out of our head, is beautiful,” she states. Her message is clear: whether straight, braided, with bangs, or colored, “let that be my business. Nothing is inappropriate.” Her story encourages an embrace and celebration of authenticity, inspiring countless individuals to define beauty on their own terms.
