Are you ready for a truly epic record?
Amir Manuel Mendez is a 14-year-old from Anaheim, California, USA, and he has the world's largest afro (male). 🤯
When we measured Amir's hair on 10 August 2022, it was 19.67 cm (7.74 in) high and 24.83 cm (9.77 in) wide with a circumference of 226 cm (88 in) - sending him straight into the record books!
In fact, you will find him in the Guinness World Records 2024 book (which is out now, in case you're wondering 😉).
Amir didn't always have such long hair. He actually first began growing his hair out about 4 and a half years ago...
“It wasn't intentional at first,” he explained.
But after about a year, I realized that my hair had the potential, so I started growing it out.
According to Amir, having such unique hair is a great way to start conversation, and it makes him feel special whenever people ask him questions about it: “All the time, any time I walk around outside with my hair out, there are always people staring at me".
I think the attention is cool, but sometimes it can become a bit overwhelming.
So what does Amir's hair care routine consist of? 💇🏾
First of all, he keeps his hair in twists and he always uses moisturizing creams and oils on his scalp and afro... Hydrated hair is healthy hair!😎
Secondly, since it's hard to fully wash this type of hair without destroying it, Amir often uses dry shampoo and leave-in conditioner to keep it fresh.
Since he earned his record, Amir has trimmed his hair - just a little bit 🤏🏽 - to get rid of dead ends and to keep his hair healthy.
But will he keep on growing it out? Amir is not sure yet. 🤔
He first decided to apply for this iconic record after seeing the previous record holder and realizing that he has even longer hair than him!
He told us: “I combed my hair out, measured it with a ruler, did the math, and realized my hair was longer".
I was full of excitement and ran over to my mom like a happy kid who finally broke the record.
Amir's record made him very popular amongst his friends and family, who are all very excited for him.
His advice to others who have a unique trait is to be proud of it and never hide it. ❤️
God gave you a unique trait so show it off.
Amir would like to keep his own record (who wouldn't?) and even break it if possible: "It would be pretty funny to have five of the same record titles".
If you're thinking of attempting a similar record title, Amir says you should just “go for it.” 💪
"If you get it, you get it. If you don’t, you don’t. What do you have to lose?”
About being a Guinness World Records title holder, he said:
“It’s a dream come true, always looking in the books and wanting to be in it. Now it’s a reality."
It’s also pretty cool to be one out of eight billion people who holds a record.
And lastly, about people with unique hair like him, he said: “I think that people should be proud of their natural hair and stop being ashamed of it".
Well said, Amir! 👏
I see too many people with textured hair always straightening it out or putting wigs over their already healthy - and good-looking - hair.
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