Real African American Hairstyles
By tranndee
African American hair is so unique and individual, that we have a lot of options to choose from. We wear our hair in short, medium or long haircuts. We can wear our hair natural or straightened, in braids or locks, in afros or flat, and so on.
The challenge always is finding a style or styles that fit us.
- It should look good on our face and frame.
- It should fit our lifestyle and personality.
- It should be appropriate for the activity.
- It should be something that we can be managed.
Straight or Natural?
There are so many reasons we have for wearing our hair processed or natural: political, practical, cultural, historical. I am not even going to touch that right now. But let's discuss care though.
Hair that is processed always needs extra attention. Actually, our natural hair does too. If you want to attain and keep any sort of length, you have to protect the hair and treat it gently. Since African American hair strands are very curly, even cork-screw, it is very prone to breaking. Image if you had a large spring, like a little Slinky. If it was very dry and rusted, and you stretched it out too hard and fast, it will break. Combing and brushing, even sleeping is constantly pulling out little coils.
Going back to our Slinky, if it is made of strong, reinforced steel, the spring will last much longer and bounce back when pulled.. When we moisturize our hair, it makes the hair stronger and better able to resist pulling...and breaking.
Straightened, or processed, hair is treated with chemicals. Chemicals change the hair physically by rearranging the composition of the individual hair shaft. And these changes make the hair shaft weaker too. Because of this, processed hair must be treated gently also, or it will break off easily.
If you are thinking about going natural, recently transitioned from relaxed to natural, recently transitioned to locs, or have been natural for year, get more information on the right products for transitioning to and products for maintaining natural hair.
Short Hair Styles
Many women don't like short hair. I wear my hair short so I have a special bias.
Some of the benefits of wearing short hair
- less work (not no work, just less work)
- shorter time needed to style
- brings attentions to your cute face and booming body
- depending on your style, really allows you to be active
Like a said, short hair does not mean NO work. Well nourished hair makes you look great no matter how short. A good hair cut shows off your face, your hair and your personal style looks "on purpose".
Getting Length
The key strategy to growing hair longer is taking care of the ends and making sure they are not breaking off earlier. How do you do this? A combination of ways.
Make the hair stronger with a good diet.
A diet for healthy hair should have plenty of:
- water - you must hydrate your hair and scalp from the inside as well as out. Try to drink 6 to 8 glasses a day.
- protein - gives hair more strength and will prevent it from breaking and splitting. Sources of protein: fish, meat, milk, cheese, soy(tofu).
- vitamins - vitamin B (promotes scalp circulation and produces keratin-proteins for the hair), vitamin C (antioxidant), vitamin E (good scalp circulation), vitamin A (produces healthy sebum in the scalp) and vitamin K (good blood circulation).
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- Vitamin B - vegetables, beans, sunflower seeds, nuts and peas.
- Vitamin C - Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, melons and berries.
- Vitamin E - Avocados, rice bran, nuts, dark green vegetables, legumes and whole grains.
- Vitamin A - Carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, broccoli, cantaloupe and apricots.
- Vitamin K - Seafood, dairy, figs, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, dark green leafy vegetables, oatmeal, soybeans, wheat, yogurt, egg yolks and liver.
Keep hair moisturized good products.
- Try to use products that contain natural oils like shea butter, jojoba oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil.
- Use a gentle shampoo witha a low pH level.
- Avoid products that contain alcohol as it dries the hair.
- Avoid mineral oil and petroleum as these tend to clog the pores.
Don't damage hair with rough treatment.
- Wash and condition hair gently with tips of the fingers, not your fingernails.
- Pat your hair dry with the towel, do not rub.
- Use a good wide tooth comb and a natural boar bristle brush.
- Tie your hair up at night with a satin scarf or cap or use a satin pillowcase.
New First Lady Michelle Obama brings her own style to Washington
Michelle Obama's hair is a classic look -- a basic blunt cut with layers. Millions of women have the same style. "I don't think she needs to do .... Read rest of article here.
Long Hair Styles
In wearing long, flowing hair, some of us grow our hair out and some of us wear extensions as braids or a weave. You have to love having the option of drastically changing your look in a few hours.
No matter if the hair is yours or extenstions, long hairstyles shouldn't just hang and cover your face! It should accentuate it.
Also consider your face type, even with long hair styles. You can still style your hair to suit the shape of your face. If you have a heart-shaped face, bangs will taper a wide forehead and bring out your chin. If you have an oval face, straight sleek styles look good.
Faces with an angular (squarish) jaw can be softened with hair layered around the face. Long hair is a good style for this type of face to pull attention away from the jaw.
Even long hair needs regular cuts to maintain length and health.
How do you know what works for you? You have to try it out. Look at different books and magazines to get ideas. Try different styles at home. When you see a style you like, clip out that picture or take a picture and show your stylist. He or she should be able to work with you to make it fit you.
Comments
Extremely informative, not least since it explains the flair and style by which African Americans wear their hair. If only I was a woman.... and African American...! Thumbs up to you.
another great hub. I have subscribed to your pages!
IN TOUCH PROMOTIONS is hosting our 2nd Annual Hair Show. The purpose is to bring together the EL Paso community to celebrate the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This will allow our local beauty shops that specialize in ethnic hair to showcase their skills. We are also encouraging barbers to show case their creativity with their designs this year. This allows stylists, barbers, and salon owners to reach a larger volume of cunsumers and meet and greet with students in cosmetology institutes. The event will cater to active and retired military, college and high school students, sororities and fraternities, Masons and Eastern Stars, business owners, churches, and pillars of EL Paso community. All major advertisement and ticket sales will begin December 18, 2008. The event will be advertised on B.E.T., The Monitor, Power 102, and flyers through out EL Paso, Las Cruces, and Alamogordo.. There will be five judges the five categories that will be required, (UPDO, SHORT AND SASY, COLORING, WEAVING OF YOUR CHOICE, AND EXOTIC AND CREATIVE). THE EXOTIC AND CREATIVE WHICH WILL BE DONE AT THE EVENT WILL BE GIVEN 2 1/2 HOURS TO COMPLETE. Each beautician must have one model for each category. Haircuts done by barbers or braids done by stylists will be showed cased voluntarily, therefore is excluded from the contest. All hairstyles must be done by stylist and no help is permitted. The stylist receives the highest points from all categories will be recognized as number one Black Beauties Creation beautician in EL Paso. The winner gets first place trophy , five hundred dollars, and a commercial on B.E.T. with their picture and information. The beautician entry fee is $200. A deposit of a $100 is required and non-refundable due by December 6, 2008. The deposit ensures that you will benefit from all advertisement for the hair show. This is a dress to impress event. A prize for Diva and G.Q. will be given, Raffles will also be held through out the evening. Prizes will consist of cash money, gift certificates, and other unidentified items. Entertainment will include: a fashion show, poetry reading, speeches, singing dance performance, and D.J. Doors open 5:30 p.m. show begins at 6:30p.m. Have any questions you may reach Brandy Matlock at (915-497-5735) or by e-mail intouchpro2007@sbcglobal.net . Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Brandy
Best of luck Dalla.
I am transitioning from relaxed hair to a natural style. Other than braids, what styes will work with my busy schedule. I am a full time grad student and work full time. I'd like to look nice but don't have the luxuary of time
I know what you mean, Gia. Think about twists or locks. I know several women going this route including my mother and aunt who love them, especially as it's not hard on their hair as they are, a-hem, maturing. One really great book I like on going natural is "Nappturosity: How to Create Fabulous Natural Hair and Locs" and you can even find it online by going here http://locatereviews.com/1398533994 .
Whatever style you choose, be SURE to condition your hair well and tie it up at night. Hair in transistion is especially weak, particularly the point in the hair shaft where unprocessed and process meet. To try to keep some length while you grow the relaxer out, treat your hair with care! Best wishes.
I now wear my hair natural and I love it, at first I had a hard time with it now I am happy I stuck through all the trial and errors of finding a hair maintenance routine that works best for me, thanks for mentioning the importance of a healthy diet, I have found that when I started taking vitamin B12, B6 complex and vitamin E along with eating raw vegetables at least weekly, my hair is softer and retains a natural shine.
I loved this hub because not everybody can wear their hair anyway. i have locs it fits me well especially since the wrapp and perms just din't like my hair lol great job
Great Hub!I've had my hair all kinds of ways throughout yhe years. My mother used to tell me" I can tell how you feel by the way you wear your hair"I've cut my hair all the way down twice.Some women perm their hair for "fear" of not being accepted or to fit in. Relaxed and permed hair has damaging effects to your scalp over time not to mention your brain activity.I now have locs (once again and forever) and,I'm quite satisfied with the way it looks and the way it feels. Locs are said to be your natural antennas(in a spiritual sense)I belive that. When was the last time anyone had a good ole fashion head scratchin?!!! and a good conversation till your friend or relative fell into a deep nap?!! That's old school right there and, it don't get any better. Thank You and god Bless!.........
From my first wordless crush in gradeschool I have been an admirer of the hair of persons of color. My first crush, I can still remember, had pretty little cornrows in a pattern that caught and held my eye. I was set off with beads all white and dainty. I sat directly behind her and when she turned her head the beads tinkled. Funny what you remember. When I met my wife 11 years ago guess what hairstyle she was wairing? (minus the beads of course) When I saw my wife it nearly took my breath away because she was so beautiful to me. Maybe I'd blame the hair but I know better it was everything. Anyway she has had problems with breaking hair and has let it go natural just to let it grow. I'll show her the hub but she probably already knows all about it. (I'll show her anyway) I also adopted two black children and got a crash course in advice not to listen to. Everyone had a different thing to do with it. The only thing that they all had in common was that I wasn't supposed to wash it every day. What's a dumb white guy know anyway? My first wife took over the care of the kids and I never got to mess in their hair again. (good and bad because I didn't learn anything more about it) Thank you for the hub.
julieannevanzyl 4 years ago
What a wonderful and informative lens! I envy African American's beautiful hair! I would love to have hair so thick and naturally curly, it's beautiful. I am sure your lens will assist a lot of women to choose a suitable hairstyle