Monday, 15 August 2011

Black Hair: What's Hot Now: Benefits of Hair Weaves

Black Hair: What's Hot Now
These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week // via fulltextrssfeed.com
Benefits of Hair Weaves
Aug 15th 2011, 10:01

There was a time when celebrities were the only women who wore -- or could afford to wear -- hair weaves. Back then, the fact that the hair on their heads didn't actually grow out of their scalps was a hush-hush affair.

Not anymore! Today, many women experiment with hair additions in every length, color and texture. Instead of simply being a way to add inches and volume to your style, hair weaves have become a way to introduce variety to your style repertoire. Plus, there are some useful benefits to wearing hair weaves.

1. Low Maintenance

Maybe you don't have a lot of time to spend styling your hair and are looking for low-maintenance options besides a short cut. Wearing a hair weave will allow you to style your hair in a hurry, perfect for time-crunched mornings. Synthetic hair comes pre-styled, so all you really have to do is fluff it and go. Human hair weaves offer more versatility than synthetics, but are still generally easy to care for.

Weaves are good for vacation-hair. You can relax and enjoy your getaway without spending precious minutes or hours on hairstyling.

2. Protective

In the case of sewn-in hair weaves, hair is typically braided close to the scalp and extension hair is added in wefts. The extension hair takes the daily wear-and-tear, so your natural hair is protected from the elements and styling practices. Your hair won't have to suffer the heat from blow dryers, curling irons, flat irons or hot rollers. It won't be affected by harsh weather or cotton pillowcases. Your hair will be protected from all of those routines and outside influences that can slowly split the ends and dry it out. It's one of the protective styles that will do your hair good, with proper care while you wear it.

3. Low Commitment

Weaves are designed to be worn for a short amount of time, anywhere from one day to a couple of months. Unlike a haircut, which you have to wait on to grow out, hair weaves are low commitment options. If you're not crazy about how your weave style looks on you, you can either ask your stylist to change it up or remove it. You're not stuck with a weave forever, which is perfect for women who like to switch things up often.

4. Experimentation

Want a new color? Or see how you look with naturally kinky locks? How about trying an ultra-short cut without having to snip your long tressses? Hair weaves can do all of this and much more!

Now you can experiment with color without worry of damage to your own hair. This can be especially helpful to women who have to be careful about the types of chemicals they use on their locks. Platinum blonde is a particularly harsh shade for black hair, so being able to weave it in, while your hair stays protected, is a great benefit for those of you who've always wondered if blondes have more fun.

This experimental benefit also works for natural-haired women who want a straight look without applying heat or relaxers.

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Sunday, 14 August 2011

Black Hair: What's Hot Now: Summer Black Hair Trends

Black Hair: What's Hot Now
These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week
Summer Black Hair Trends
Aug 14th 2011, 10:01

When the weather heats up, you may be in the mood for a hairstyle switch. Do you want to keep your long hair off your face and neck? Or is a different color calling your name? Take a look at five popular trends in black hair that go hand-in-hand with summer.

1. Soft Color

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Summer is the perfect season for going lighter, but choose your hair color wisely. Skip the brassy blonde shades, which can be especially harsh on relaxed hair. Instead, go with a softer tone like deep golden bronze or a soft chestnut. Semi-permanent colors and rinses are a temporary fix which work well with all kinds of hair, relaxed and natural, so don't think you always have to use bleach or permanent dyes for a way to update your look.

2. Short and Sassy

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

What better time of year to get all of that hair off your neck than summer? Short hair can be full of versatility! Some short styles you can try include a pixie cut, a bob, an asymmetrical bob, a low-cut Natural, coil twists or bantu knots. There are short cuts to accommodate straightened, wavy and highly textured hair, so if you've been itching to see how you look with a shorter 'do, summer is a great time to try it out.

3. Waves

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Not at the beach; on your head. If you live in a humid climate, you know that straightening your hair in the summertime is one frustrating ordeal! So forget bone straight and try a wash-and-go. Scrunch it, diffuse dry it and enjoy a wavy style for a change, great for carefree summer days.

4. Natural

quavondo/Getty Images

This might not be a "trend" exactly because it's not going anywhere, but more women are going back to their roots and saying bye-bye to the relaxer. Natural hair can mean so much more than the Afro, although a short 'do like that is perfect for summer. Braid it, cornrow it, twist it. You have a ton of options when you keep it natural.

5. Ponytails

Getty Images/Radius Images

Not like the ones your mom did back in the day with four or five (or ten!) tight ponytail bubble holders all over your head. Think sleek and low or high and poufy, which you can achieve with backcombing on straight or straightened hair. If you need help in the length department, don't be afraid to reach for extensions.

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Black Hair: What's Hot Now: Rihanna's Short Cut - December 2009

Black Hair: What's Hot Now
These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week
Rihanna's Short Cut - December 2009
Aug 14th 2011, 10:01

Rihanna's Short Cut - December 2009

Singer Rihanna attends the launch of VEVO, a music-video website, at Skylight Studio on December 8, 2009 in New York City.

Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Still sporting over-the-eye fringe, this stylistic cut has a punk influence to it.

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Saturday, 13 August 2011

Black Hair: What's Hot Now: How to Braid Cornrows

Black Hair: What's Hot Now
These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week
How to Braid Cornrows
Aug 13th 2011, 10:01

If you're creating cornrows on straightened or relaxed hair, you might not need to detangle as you braid. But natural hair, as pictured, needs to be detangled as you work your way down sections. Simply and gently pull your fingers through the hair to work your way through so that the braids will continue to be neat and uniform.

It's helpful to have a spray bottle nearby filled with water, a water/leave-in conditioner mixture or a water/natural oil mixture to help with detangling.

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Black Hair: What's Hot Now: Best Tools and Accessories

Black Hair: What's Hot Now
These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week
Best Tools and Accessories
Aug 13th 2011, 10:01

With all of the tools and accessories you can choose from, how do you know which are the best for black hair? Here's a rundown of gentle items that will make your hair look fantastic while treating it with the TLC it deserves.

1. Wide-Tooth Comb

Photo © D. Sandeen

While a rat-tail comb is useful for creating nice, neat parts in your hair, wide-tooth combs are what black hair needs for working through tangles.

2. Soft Bristle Brush

Photo © D. Sandeen

No matter the texture of your hair, soft, natural bristles are better for working natural oils and products through it. Try to choose boar bristle brushes over hard plastic or nylon bristles.

3. Silk or Satin Hair Cover

Photo © D. Sandeen
For nighttime use, a hair cap/bonnet or even a pillowcase in silk or satin will go a long way toward retaining moisture in your hair.

4. Elastic Hair Accessories

Photo © D. Sandeen

When you pull your hair back into a ponytail or bun, use elastics that have no metal parts that can catch, pull and break off your hair.

5. No-Teeth Headbands

Photo © D. Sandeen

Leave those hard plastic headbands with "teeth" on the shelf. With such a huge variety of headbands available today, you can find elastic or soft cloth ones that are gentle on your hair.

6. Hair Clips

Photo © D. Sandeen

Use them when working on your hair in sections. Plastic clips keep damp or dry hair that you're not currently styling out of the way until you're ready for it.

7. Cheap Plastic Caps

Photo © D. Sandeen

For deep conditioning, use plastic caps to hold in moisture and retain heat to make the most of the treatment. You can pick up a pack of a dozen or so for cheap!

8. Snag-Free Rubber Bands

Photo © D. Sandeen

Regular rubber bands are bad for black hair. When you need ends secured, try inexpensive snag-free bands instead.

9. Plastic Hair Pins/Hair Sticks

Photo © D. Sandeen

Once the bulbs on the ends of metal bobby pins come off, throw them away. If you don't want to deal with those, try tortoiseshell or plastic hair pins or hair sticks instead, which work well for holding up thick and/or long hair.

10. Your Fingers

Photo © D. Sandeen

Here's a great tool to use on your hair and best of all, it's free! Before you reach for that comb or brush, use your fingers to gently work through tangles. This is especially helpful for natural hair.

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Black Hair: What's Hot Now: Monica

Black Hair: What's Hot Now
These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week
Monica
Aug 13th 2011, 10:01

Monica

Musician Monica performs onstage during the 2010 BET Awards.

Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Monica's pixie style is short and simple, perfect for women who want a low-maintenance but stylish 'do.

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Black Hair: What's Hot Now: Nia Long

Black Hair: What's Hot Now
These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week
Nia Long
Aug 13th 2011, 10:01

 Nia Long

Actress Nia Long arrives at the 2010 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Sticking to a style that's long worked for her, Nia Long steps out in her signature short crop.

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