BellaSugar

Relaxed vs. Natural Hair vs. Weaves vs. Dreads

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:02:21 -0800

Here are highlights from OnSugar blog Krissy's One Stop Beauty Spot.

Women, especially black women, have the ability to change hairstyles like underwear. I support you ladies no matter what you do - just do it right and take care of your hair. For the most part we all practice the same principles when it comes to proper hair care (co-washing, ACV rinse, trims, deep conditioning, etc.). I'm always willing to help people with hair questions and concerns, or at least point them in the right direction. I know plenty of people in that area.

Where I stand on a lot of hair issues:

I'm anti kiddie perms and kiddie dreadlocks on children if they're at an age where they can't make that choice for themselves (unless, of course, it's part of your religion). It's not about the chemicals, it's about the fact that it's a permanent hairstyle on a child. What if your child decides they want to wear their natural hair? You'll have to either cut their hair to transition them to natural hair. Yes, you can remove dreads but unless someone can find me a "safe" method that doesn't damage the hair, then I won't be changing my mind about this.
I'm pro weaves and braids as long as it's done right and your hair is still being kept healthy. If your hair is being done too tight and coming out, it's time to find a new stylist.
I'm pro curly and natural hairstyles within corporate America. I hear a lot of natural haired beauties bragging about self-acceptance and mainstreaming natural hair, but they still search for corporate hairstyles because of their natural hair. A bun will always be conservative no matter what type of hair you have.
I've always encouraged hair dialogue among women of different nationalities. You'll be surprised by the things we all have in common. If your non-black friend is telling you about a great hair balm that she pays $15 for, take her on a trip to a local beauty supply store and show her where to buy it for $5.

Read the entire post here. Want to see more? Start following OnSugar blog Krissy's One Stop Beauty Spot or start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe your stories will be featured on BellaSugar.

Good Hair Has a Greater Point

BellaSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:00:22 -0700

If you've ever felt as though you'll look bad unless you straighten your hair, get highlights, go blonde, get a perm, or cover your grays, you should see Good Hair. If you care about the effects narrow normative beauty ideals have on the people around you and the larger world, you should see it. Heck, if you've ever felt like you "needed" to do anything to be attractive or accepted, you should see it.

This movie's great triumph - and great tragedy - is that it deftly picks apart our social constructions of beauty and shows us just what they look like underneath. And believe me, though it's sometimes funny, it's certainly not pretty. Chris Rock has, disarmingly, disturbingly, hilariously, and sometimes very poignantly explored the minefield of hair products and social signals that African-American women are forced to navigate. The result is a film that's brimming with life as well as contradictions. See this film, and you'll never look at a hair process (or extensions, for that matter) the same way again.

More Tips For Making Curly Hair Gorgeous

BellaSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:00:19 -0700

Years ago, when hair expert Keneesha Hudson allowed her curly locks to go natural, it proved to be a positive experience. "I feel a great sense of freedom wearing my own hair," she told me. "It definitely has a much more organic feel to it. It doesn't hold me back from any activity - from anything," she added. As owner of Urbanbella salon in Atlanta, Keneesha educates women about embracing their own curl. She's already offered us tips on taking care of curly locks, as well as taming unruly strands, and now it's time for tips on cuts and styling. To find out her sage advice, just read more.

Got Kinky, Curly, or Wavy Hair? Read This.

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:00:16 -0700

As owner of Atlanta's Urbanbella salon and apothecary-style store, Keneesha Hudson has learned a thing or two about hair - particularly when it comes to kinky, curly, and wavy textures. That's why I consulted with the leading expert in the category on how to tame those unruly curls; and now, I have more of her helpful tips. No matter what kind of curl texture you've got, if your hair has some type of wave to it, this post is for you. Just read more.

Perk Up Unruly Curls With This Easy Fix

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:00:09 -0700

As owner of Urbanbella, an Atlanta apothecary-style salon and store that caters to women with kinky, curly, and wavy hair textures, Keneesha Hudson has mastered the art of the curl. The two major complaints she hears most frequently are the appearance of unwanted frizz and increased dryness, particularly during the cooler months. And while sometimes the bedhead look is hot, other times, that dryness and frizz can get in the way of having an amazing hair day. So I asked Hudson what tips she gives her own clients on getting a quick fix for unruly curls, particularly when rolling right out of bed when the hair tends to be at its most uncooperative. To find out what she had to say, keep reading

Tyra Talks About Going Raw With Her Hair

BellaSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:00:15 -0700

While we wait with bated breath for tonight's ANTM campfest, here's another Tyra-based diversion. On last night's Larry King Live, Ms. Banks talked more about her decision to show off her natural hair on her show. (That hairy video is here.) According to Tyra, she wanted to show off her natural hair in a "raw" way:

I've worn weaves and wigs and pieces and clip-ons and clip-outs and clip-downs and around since I was 17, 18, and I wanted to show the real me. I wanted to show the raw me, and I just got out of the shower . . . and then came out of here - on this stage, and this is me. This is me. . . . Hair for black women, we spend $9 billion a year on hair products. So growing up as a young girl and seeing images in the media where they're saying that a certain type of hair is beautiful and yours isn't is very difficult for a black woman. It's a long, political thing that we can do a whole show about.

So will she do a show? That remains to be seen. And as some readers have pointed out, it's a bit incongruous to promote the "accept your natural self" message while rarely featuring natural hair in the Top Model makeovers. Do you think Tyra's choice to show off her natural hair is helpful, or does her other weave-heavy show send a mixed message?

Iraqi Salons Are Back in Business

BellaSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:00:52 -0700

Imagine a world where dead bodies are dropped at your business's front door as a warning sign, where one of your stylists receives death threats for working in the beauty industry. That's exactly what Baghdad stylist and salon owner Ahmed Morad endured merely two years ago as a result of his involvement in the business of making women look beautiful - a practice forbidden by religious extremists.

These extremists feel that only husbands should see their wives without head scarves, and women should not be allowed to alter their appearances. Thanks to recent security improvements, Morad is now back in business, and more women are exposed to fashionable looks outside of their realm due to exposure never available to them before. As the popularity of once-forbidden media rises, some women seek a more glamorous look. Even if most continue to wear a hijab, they enjoy having a spiffed-up style for their own enjoyment - or that of their spouses.

"The satellite channels are always showing these beautiful ladies, and the men are always looking for beauty," said skin specialist Niran Ali. "The wives want to change just to be like what their husbands see," she added. While I'm not one to advocate getting groomed only for a man, it's good to see that Iraqi women have regained the choice to head to the salon if they choose.

Check Out the (Very Good) Good Hair Trailer

BellaSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:05:52 -0700

Earlier this year, Chris Rock announced his upcoming documentary, Good Hair. After his little girl asked him why she doesn't have "good" hair, he set out to explore why Black hair is so frequently divided into "good" (straight, long, smooth) and "bad" (curly, natural, kinky) in our culture.

The film is being marketed as a comedy, and Chris Rock is indeed as quick-witted and hilarious as ever. But still, it's hard to watch this trailer and not notice how very unfunny these good/bad hair concepts can be. And it's even harder not to feel a sting when Rock, failing to sell some Black hair to a wig buyer, jokingly says "So my nappy hair is not worth anything." This film looks fascinating, and I can't wait to check it out. What about you?

Curly Bella Gives Mixed Chicks a Twirl

BellaSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:00:02 -0700

Geared toward multicultural women, the Mixed Chicks line was created to fill the void between other products. As the daughter of parents of different ethnicities (both with curls!), I've encountered problems where most products geared toward Black consumers were too heavy and greasy for my hair, while the others were not strong enough to tame my mane.

Of the four products I tested, my favorite is this Deep Conditioner ($11) - I love the thick, creamy feel, and a tiny bit worked wonders on my hair. I could separate tangles easily, my hair loved the moisturizing safflower oil, and it rinses right out (so no heavy, residue feel).

Get my take on the other standout product from this line when you read more.

A close second is the Leave-in Conditioner ($17). With jojoba and primrose oils, it adds moisture and a very mild scent. It wasn't greasy nor was there any "crunch." While my hair felt soft to touch, I preferred the results when also adding my usual post-shower product because I prefer a bit more hold and shape when wearing my hair wavy.

Did you know these products existed? And have any of my curly pals tested it out, too?

Bridal Style From Around the World

BellaSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0700

It's a nice day for a white wedding - and a blue one or a red one, too. Different cultures have different customs, many of which extend to bridal style. We've searched the globe to find some of the most beautiful big-day looks, both contemporary and traditional. Read on to see some inspiring ways to look while you say "I do."

View Slideshow ›