Inside a lively New York City salon, two women sat side by side in stylist chairs, their natural hair rising like crowns. There, in a rare and heartwarming moment, Aevin Dugas, who held the Guinness World Record for the largest afro (female) for 15 years, personally handed over the title to the new record holder, Jessica “Jess” L. Martinez.
The encounter, held in honour of Guinness World Records Day, was filled not with rivalry, but with joy, mutual respect, and shared pride in Black beauty.
“It’s not a competition, it’s literally all love,” Aevin said as the two women laughed and bonded over their experiences and their hair journeys. “I love myself, she loves herself, and we’re both just trying to get people to love themselves.”
Jess officially earned the title on 23 October after a meticulous measurement process involving three assistants and a tape measure. Her afro measured 29 cm tall, 31 cm wide, and an astonishing 190 cm in circumference. To put it into perspective, the distance around her hair is nearly three times the height of the world’s shortest woman living, Jyoti Amge. With these measurements, the New Yorker stepped into world record history, becoming only the second woman to ever hold the title.
Aevin, who broke the record in 2010 and later became a Guinness World Records ICON in 2025, held the title with natural curls measuring 25 cm tall, 26 cm wide, and 165 cm around. Her work championing body positivity and cultural acceptance made her a beloved figure in the natural hair community. For years, she envisioned the moment she’d pass the title on, even saving a glittering crown from a 2020 photoshoot just in case.
“The thing is, I always wanted to pass it, not watch it get snatched,” she said. “So the ICON moment felt like the perfect transition.”
Their meeting, captured in a salon photoshoot with GWR adjudicator Michael Empric, marked a symbolic passing of the torch. Jess described the encounter as unforgettable. “Meeting Aevin is such a joy. She’s exactly the same online and in person; full of personality. Having her be part of this moment makes me even more proud.”
Jess, a criminal justice advocate, content creator, and founder of ‘Somebody’s Auntie’, had been encouraged by her followers for years to submit her natural hair to Guinness World Records. When she finally attempted it, the emotional impact was powerful.
“When I found out I broke the record, it didn’t feel real at first,” she said. “But then I thought: the younger version of me would be so proud. I didn’t see hair like mine growing up. To be in the record book is incredible.”
Her natural hair journey was not easy. As a child, relaxers and painful salon visits took a toll on both her confidence and her family’s finances. By college, she decided to stop straightening her hair completely, a turning point that restored her curl pattern and self-esteem. Over time, she embraced her natural hair fully, inspiring her mother to switch to locs as well.
Aevin and Jess also bonded over a common challenge: finding hairstylists who understand natural afro textures. Both suffered near-disastrous cuts in the past, Jess even had a stylist trim too much of her afro earlier this year, almost jeopardizing her attempt. Aevin’s advice was simple and firm: “Don’t let just anyone in your head.”
Today, both women champion healthy natural hair practices, from low-tension styles to minimal product buildup. More importantly, they champion self-acceptance.
“Everyone has the hair they were given for a reason. It’s beautiful. It’s professional,” Jess said. “I hope young girls and boys with textured hair know their hair is perfect as it is.”
As she steps into her new title, Jess says she will always carry Aevin’s wisdom with her and encourages others to aim high. “If you want to attempt a record, go for it. I’d rather try and fail than never try at all.”
Aevin agrees: “Live in the moment. Enjoy it. Nothing is promised, not even a hairstyle!”
Together, the two women show that passing the crown can be just as powerful as earning it. And for generations watching, their afros are not just records, they’re reminders to stand tall, embrace identity, and love yourself boldly.
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