16 Cute Kids Show Off Their Personalities Through Their Natural Hair

Ask any mother: as soon as a child is born, a personality begins to develop — and sparkle. Yet so many kids are restricted to the same cookie-cutter hairstyles. Hair is a medium of self-expression, and tots should be able to let their characteristics shine through their cuts.

Photographer Emily Stein worked with children of color on her project "Hairdo," having them pose however they liked, so their portraits would flaunt their identities. "I wanted the photographs to have their own stamp on them, whether they were yawning, hiding or pouting," Stein told The Huffington Post.

Black kids have long experienced discrimination because of their natural hair texture and how they wear it. This project is a refreshing reminder of individuality and the happiness that can come with self-expression. We challenge you to look at the following pictures without letting a smile creep across your face!