The Curly Revolution: 7 Things You Didn't Know About Mexicans With Curly Hair And The 'Pelo Malo' Movement

The narrative surrounding curly hair in Mexico and the broader Latine community is undergoing a profound and visible transformation in late 2025. What was once dismissed by some as "pelo malo" (bad hair) is now being fiercely embraced as "pelo hermoso" (beautiful hair), a powerful statement of cultural pride and natural identity. This shift is not just a trend; it's a movement deeply rooted in challenging historical beauty standards that favored straight, European-like hair, giving visibility to the diverse genetic tapestry of the Mexican people, which includes Spanish, Indigenous, and African ancestries.

This article delves into the contemporary world of the Mexican curly-haired community, exploring the latest 2024–2025 style trends, the cultural history of the hair type, and the influential figures and brands leading the charge. We will specifically focus on one of the most prominent figures of Mexican heritage whose natural hair journey has inspired millions globally.

Selena Gomez: A Biography of Embracing Natural Wavy Curls

Selena Gomez, a global icon, has become an accidental but powerful figure in the natural hair movement, particularly for those of Mexican and Latinx descent. Her willingness to showcase her natural, voluminous wavy and curly hair has resonated with countless fans who share a similar hair texture, challenging the pressure to constantly straighten it.

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• Full Name: Selena Marie Gomez
• Born: July 22, 1992
• Birthplace: Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.
• Heritage: American actress, singer, and businesswoman of Mexican-American descent. Her father, Ricardo Joel Gomez, is of Mexican heritage, and she is proud to be part of the third generation of Mexican-Americans.
• Career Highlights: Began her career on Barney & Friends, rose to fame on Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place, and has achieved global success as a music artist with hits like "Come & Get It" and "Lose You to Love Me." She is also the founder of the cosmetic line Rare Beauty and stars in the critically acclaimed series Only Murders in the Building.
• Hair Journey: Throughout her early career, Gomez was known for sleek, straight styles. In recent years, she has increasingly shared photos and appeared publicly with her natural, wavy to curly texture, symbolizing a personal and public embrace of her natural self.

The Cultural Context: Decoding 'Pelo Malo' and 'Pelo Chino'

To understand the current curly hair renaissance, one must first grasp the historical weight of certain terms within Mexican and Latin American culture. The words used to describe hair texture are not merely descriptive; they are loaded with socio-historical meaning.

The Stigma of 'Pelo Malo'

The term pelo malo, literally "bad hair," has been used for centuries to dismiss curly, kinky, or coily hair textures. This phrase is a relic of colonial-era racial hierarchies that valued European features—including straight hair—over the hair textures associated with Indigenous and African ancestry.

The movement to reject pelo malo is a critical component of the broader Afro-Latina and natural hair movements, encouraging women to see their natural texture as beautiful and a direct link to their diverse heritage. This cultural reckoning is driving sales for brands that cater specifically to Latinx hair types.

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Understanding 'Pelo Chino'

In Mexico specifically, the term pelo chino, or "Chinese hair," is often used as a colloquialism for curly hair. This term is thought to refer to the hair texture resulting from the historical mixing of Amerindian and Black ancestry, though the heritage of curly hair in Mexico is complex, often also stemming from Spanish ancestry.

While indigenous Mexicans traditionally had straight hair, the curly and wavy textures seen today are a result of centuries of mixing, primarily with Spanish settlers and, in coastal regions, with African populations. The contemporary Mexican identity is a rich blend, or mestizo, which is reflected in the wide spectrum of hair types.

2024–2025 Hair Trends and Essential Product Entities

The modern Mexican with curly hair has a wealth of styling options and products, moving away from forced straightening and embracing cuts that enhance natural volume and curl pattern. The trends for 2024 and 2025 focus on enhancing texture rather than hiding it.

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Top Curly Hair Trends for Men and Women (2024–2025)

Modern cuts are designed to remove bulk and allow curls to spring up naturally. These styles are gaining immense popularity across major cities in Mexico and among the Mexican-American community.

• The Short and Layered Cut: This is a favorite for women with thick, voluminous curls, as layering removes weight and prevents the dreaded "pyramid" shape, allowing the curls to form beautiful ringlets.
• The French Bob with Blunt Bangs: A trendy, chic option for dark Latino hair, this style involves a short bob paired with blunt bangs that are often styled to be slightly wavy, adding a modern, edgy twist.
• The French Crop (for Men): This is a highly popular option for men with curly hair. It features cropped sides (often with a fade) and a longer, textured top that allows the natural curls to be the focal point.
• Effortless Messy Buns and Braids: For longer curly hair, protective and low-maintenance styles like messy buns and braids are trending, prioritizing hair health and damage reduction.

Must-Know Curly Hair Product Entities

The rise of the natural hair movement has been paralleled by the success of Latinx-owned brands specifically formulated for wavy, curly, and coily textures. These brands are founded on generational beauty secrets and a deep understanding of the hair type.

• Rizos Curls: Founded by Julissa Prado, this Latina-owned brand is a pioneer in the space. Its mission is to embrace and celebrate the beauty of curls, coils, and waves. In 2025, it became a major milestone as the first Mexican curly hair brand to be stocked at Ulta Beauty.
• Bomba Curls: An Afro-Latina curly hair line that utilizes Dominican beauty secrets, focusing on cruelty-free products that help hair retain length and volume.
• Moco De Gorila (Gorilla Snot Gel): While not a specialized curl brand, this traditional Mexican hair product is a ubiquitous household name. It is famous for its extreme hold and is a common, if sometimes controversial, staple in the styling routines of many Latinx people, particularly for sleek styles or men's cuts.

The journey of the Mexican with curly hair is a powerful story of cultural reclamation. From the historical shadow of pelo malo to the global embrace of natural texture championed by figures like Selena Gomez, the movement highlights the beauty and diversity inherent in the Mexican identity. By supporting specialized brands and promoting texture-enhancing styles, the community is not just styling hair—it is celebrating heritage and rewriting the standards of beauty for a new generation. The future of Mexican hair is undeniably curly, coily, and beautifully natural.