If you’re a curly haired woman, or the mama of a little curly, it can be difficult to find relatable dolls and toys. Parents with children with natural hair or various skin tones have long struggled to find playthings that look like their children. While there were some toys that attempted to fill the gap, such as the Addy doll by the American Girls company, or black Barbies, it was a struggle for young girls to find dolls that looked like them. Noticing a void in the market for the representation of naturally curly dolls, Angelica and Jason Sweeting founded Naturally Perfect dolls.
The Sweetings modeled the dolls they offer after their own daughter, who struggled to find a doll that looked like her. They noticed their daughter was beginning to want to look like her dolls, of which were straight haired and light complexioned, and wanted to offer an alternative. They wanted girls to understand and appreciate their own unique beauty, and to embrace their natural hair. The company currently offers four dolls, all of which have varying skin tones and different textures of naturally curly hair, from loose to tight.
Since the dolls’ hair can be washed and styled, the Sweetings are also providing kids and parents with a relatable way to help educate them about natural hair care. On their Naturally Perfect Instagram, the Sweetings post tutorials and hair care how-tos, teaching people how to manage and style natural hair.
The Sweetings aren’t stopping with these four dolls, and have plans to launch dolls wearing hijab. The creation of these dolls allows for young girls and their families not only to have toys that are a reflection of themselves, but also to encourage others to begin understanding natural hair. While many women are still being pressured to adapt to Westernized views when it comes to hair care, companies like Naturally Perfect are beginning to help with a cultural shift by helping people understand and relate to the beauty of natural hair.
Read more about these awesome dolls here and purchase them here .