Keri Hilson Weave Hairstyle: Edgy asymmetrical bob

Keri Hilson Weave Hairstyle: Edgy asymmetrical bob

Singer-songwriter Keri Hilson looks stunning with her edgy asymmetrical bob and a rich two-tone hair color. 

The asymmetrical bob is angled and uneven, creating a fantastic contrast with Keri’s symmetrical features and her balanced oval face shape. 

Vary your hair color for a contemporary look – take inspiration from Keri and choose two flattering shades of brown or blonde for your new weave hairstyle.

Kelly Rowland Weave Hairstyle: Long, glamorous curls

 Kelly Rowland Weave Hairstyle: Long, glamorous curls

Singer, songwriter and actress Kelly Rowland looks gorgeous with her long, glamorous curls and shimmery raven locks. 

Jet black is classy, simple, and flattering for darker skin tones, making it a popular hue for weaves. The curls add width to Kelly’s long face by accentuating her cheekbones, and we love the thick, voluminous locks that cascade over her shoulders. 

Wear your weave in a deep middle parting for maximum glamour, and keep your curls in place with a light, non-greasy hair spray.

Rihanna Fenty Weave Hairstyle: Sexy blonde curls

Rihanna Fenty Weave Hairstyle: Sexy blonde curls

Barbadian beauty and singer Rihanna Fenty looks stunning with her sexy blonde curls and candyfloss-pink lips. 

This weave hairstyle is casual and romantic, and the warm honey-blonde color is perfect for summer. For a soft and flirty look, make sure that the tips of your weave are feathered (cut so that they are soft and fluffy, instead of blunt and harsh). 

If you have a high forehead like Rihanna’s, add a few soft, wispy bangs to conceal it. Opt for smoky eye-makeup, dewy skin, and pale pink lips for a pretty finishing touch.

How Many Ways Can Lupita Nyong’o Style Two Inches of Hair?

Lupita Nyong’o Style

BY: POPSUGAR

Below is an excerpt from “How Many Ways Can Lupita Nyong’o Style Two Inches of Hair?,” which originally appeared on PopSugar. Read the full story at popsugar.com.

We’ve been keeping a close watch on Lupita Nyong’o since she first hit the red carpet last year, and we have a question: how does she keep coming up with new and inventive hairstyles? 

She only has about two inches of hair, yet every time Lupita attends a Hollywood event, magic happens. Get inspired by the Oscar winner by taking a look back at Lupita’s best hairstyles.

Wet Line Xtreme Gel, KMF gel changes formula!!

I'm not sure what I was doing exactly, but I ran across this video by Healthy Hair Zone about Wetline Xtreme gel.  

I was intrigued and went down the rabbit hole of reviews and, like her, found that everyone seems to love it.  It's the number one gel in Mexico apparently and has a strong hold with no flakes. 

I saw somewhere that it re-constitutes when wet too, like Kinky Curly custard, and I just had to try it.  My neighborhood "bestway" (latino grocery store) had it in abundance- different sizes, colors, containers... and it's like $3 for a huge, Huge tub or tube. 32-35 ounces!

I don't understand the ingredients to be natural at all, but I looked up the "chemicall-y" sounding ones and none had a hazard rating above a 4 or 5.  I was game. 

So this stuff will freeze your curls exactly as they are wet.  It drys hard and shiny, does not flake and mixes with every leave in I've tried it with. I'm a fan of gel in general, but if you are not a fan of a gel "feel", this will be the worst gel ever lol.  For me gel works well because if I can get my curls to hold in my fine hair, I can avoid tangling, de-tangling and manipulating, even in a wash and go, for several days.  I don't mind a bit of crunch!

Here are a few picts of my curls using this gel.  It's very heavy and coating so this is definitely "small hair."  I took these on the day I got my Braces off :-D 

Wet Line Xtreme Gel, KMF gel changes formula!!

I have also been notified on instagram, and since verified that my old favorite, Kiss My Face Upper managment gel has changed their formula.  Most notably, they added Glycerine as the SECOND ingredient. That is a humectant... fine sometimes, but I don't see how it could possibly have the hold I so love.  I do want to get my hands on a new bottle just to see if my fears are unfounded.  Has anyone else tried it yet?

Meantime, if you are a fan of gel, def try the Wetline Xtreme gel.  As far as gel goes, it does the MOST.5 out of 5.

Update on the new length and color

I have been overjoyed with my hair and can hardly contain my excitement to try styles at this new length.

Right now I can't seem to let go of the wash n go, however, because it's just sooo easy! With different amounts of gel and leave in I get different effects and detangling is a breeze so I can refresh it more often than before. 

Even with just some more water and leave in I can work back through my hair and detangle. 

There are a few spots of bright highlights that I like to be under some darker hair, so I do a little finicking in the front and top. Otherwise, I feel like it's growing out already! I think I'd like to keep it this length at least for this summer. I know it will grow fast. 

Update on the new length and color

Hmm what else? 

I can still catch a good low ponytail, or wear a pony n bangs, which I've been doing on the weekends while working on the house. Hence the lack of updates. I'm finding my weekend play time greatly diminished lately! 

So far the products I'm trying to stick to are suave professionals and naturals for cowashing, Zuresh foaming cleanser as shampoo, Paul Mitchel The Conditioner as leave in, IC or Eco styler for my gel, and castor oil or natures gate pomade as my oil/sealant. I am debating working Shea butter and Aloe back in, and planning to do a flax seed gel batch soon. And a set of twists. And a roller set... Sigh... Lol. 

3 Tips to Prepare Type 4 Natural Hair For The Winter Months

3 Tips to Prepare Type 4 Natural Hair For The Winter Months

If you’re like me, then you’re probably already planning for the upcoming cold seasons. You might even start shopping for cozy sweaters and cute winter jackets to look super fly in the wintertime. The same is true for my hair regimen. I want my hair to look super fly in the winter months, so I start preparing for the winter season ahead of time. Here are a few things I start doing when preparing my hair for the winter months:

Increase Moisture

Moisture is important for type 4 hair year round. However, it is especially important in the winter season when the cold, dry nature of the weather can make our hair type even drier. So, in anticipation of the excessively dry weather, I start preparing my hair by increasing its moisture. This involves making sure that I increase the frequency of my moisturizing deep conditioning treatments. It also means that I can’t get too lax with my moisturizing regimen (daily, weekly, etc.). Increasing my hair’s moisture is the first step to ensuring that my hair is prepared for the winter weather. It is important to remember that increasing your hair’s moisture also involves increasing water intake. So drink up!

Increase Protein

In addition to increasing moisture, I also increase the frequency of my protein treatments. For instance, if I usually do protein treatments every 2 months, I start doing them monthly instead. Protein will strengthen the hair and also help to maintain a healthy moisture-protein balance. The stronger your hair is the better prepared it will be to handle any weather condition of any season. Some of my favorite protein hair treatments are homemade. A simple, inexpensive protein treatment using just a couple of eggs can make a big difference. Apply the whipped eggs to your hair for about 30 mins and rinse with cool water. Sometimes I add oil, conditioner or honey for additional benefits.

Protective Styling Planning

I have found that the winter months are a great time to wear protective styles. I favor the winter months for protective styling especially if I choose to install braids or twists with marley hair. Trust me, when it gets cold outside you will definitely appreciate the extra warmth a protective style like braids will provide. Even if you choose not to wear braids, any other protective style will help keep your hair protected from the winter elements. As early as September, I begin thinking of which protective style(s) I’d like to wear throughout the winter months.

How do you prepare your hair for the winter season?

by Tori 

Finger Coils Tutorial on Natural Hair / Finger Coils

Hey Guys! Here is another versatile way to wear your hair. In this tutorial, I will be showing you an easy way to define your natural curls by doing finger coils! This style is perfect for wash and goes or creating other styles after.

Products Used:

• Curl Prep (Sweet Buttah)
• Kinky Curly Knot Today
• Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine
• Rat Tail Comb
• Denman Brush

To preserve at night:

I used a head band and just simply pinappled it. Then I sleep on a satin pillowcase.

Filed Under: TwistOuts

Shrinkage is NOT the Enemy: 4 Tips for Rocking Your Hair in its Shrunken State

Shrinkage is totally annoying when you know you have long hair and you can’t seem to get any hang time.  Completely frustrating when you want to have hair on your shoulders or back, or surrounding your face, but alas, your hair coils up to your ears.  I find that the warm flat iron is the answer for those times, for me.  Using the tension method with a blow dryer works well too, but takes a little longer, and seems more drying.

Shrinkage is NOT the Enemy: 4 Tips for Rocking Your Hair in its Shrunken State

Either way, you end up spending more than a day getting your hair “right.”  It has to be completely dry before the stretching process.  That takes a full day for my hair!  And you also have to have a very solid shingle set before hand.  Defined, moisturized curls stretch, and stay stretched better.  I don’t always have time for that, and the stretched look is also not always what I’m going for.  It’s nice when I want a different look, or when I have plenty of time to do it, but there are other times when the shrunken shape of my hair is cute and easier to work with for certain styles.

When I want to wear my hair shrunken up, I just have to beware of tangles, and single-strand knots after the first day.  Here are some other tips for wearing fully shrunken hair for more than a day:

Make sure that the hair is fully de-tangled before letting it dry. I like to co-wash, detangle and put my hair in 4 sections by double strand twisting it and rinsing it with the 4 twists still in.  I then open each section one by one, apply my leave in, gel and oil and loosely re-twist.  I usually do this at night and let it partially dry over night.  This helps set the part where you want it and tell the hair what direction to dry in.

Keep the ends moisturized.  That means a little spritz and leave in every evening for me.

Protect it at night!!  I sleep on a silk pillow case (better for skin than satin) and I also either pineapple or re-set in the 4 large twists before bed.  If I used gel before letting it dry, retwistsing keeps it smoother, if not, pinappling keeps the roots a little flatter so I don’t have a round fro by day 3 :)

Unlike my stretched wash and go, the shrunken version will tangle faster and more completely.  This leads to single strand knots and a heck of a time de-tangling later.  Thus I only recommend wearing loose shrunken hair for 4 or 5 days instead of 7 or longer. This tighter hair is also more difficult to manipulate into a different style later, such as a bun or updo because of the density and tangles, so be careful if you try to do so, and be patient and gentle.

Here are some picts of my BSL hair shrunken into a bob with a side part.  I also have a headband on in these picts. It looks like I had a major haircut!  Fun to throw people off sometimes, though their curiosity can be tiring lol.

Ladies, do you rock your hair in its shrunken state? What tips do you have for making it work?

Nia (Nisus of itsjusthair.com) started this blog to share what she’s learned about caring for her natural hair for the past 12 years and to encourage others to embrace whatever texture naturally grows from their head. However, there is a cultural impact in changing ones viewpoint on something as simple as hair. How and why does one grow, love and respect a hair type so different than most, and so unique to each?

by Nisus of It’s Just Hair

Four Reasons I Would Never Texturize My Natural Hair

I love my natural hair…period. I love the texture, color, versatility and unpredictability it

offers me daily and that even means on the so-called ‘bad hair days’. I am a natural of almost a decade and although the journey has had several ups and downs the path is paved with positivity and rainbows as far as I am concerned.

That is why I would never get a texturizer in my hair and find them unnecessary as well as detrimental to my natural hair journey. No judgement on anyone who has thought about it, tried it or who happens to be rocking one right now. Your path is yours and mine is mine so how we choose to get to healthy hair is ours to take. I get and respect that. I am Just sharing what I would never do.

Four Reasons I Would Never Texturize My Natural Hair

Often, smart people say, “Never say never”, because our truth is fluid. What may be our truth one day, month or year may drastically change with the right circumstances or one may just feel differently about the same topic later in life. It is also hard to determine just what you might do in the perfect storm that will alter your way of thinking.

Too many variables to say such a statement and mean it but at my present state I fully believe I will never texturize my hair. I’ve complied a list on why the thought texturizing my hair is not only ridiculous (for me) but downright impossible:

Unpredictable results

The bottom-line is texturizers are unpredictable. There are clear differences between relaxers and texturizers and many are unaware of this and make bad decisions as a result. “Relaxers are typically left on the hair anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, while texturizers shouldn’t be left on for more than five to 10.” That is a really short amount of time so you should work fast and for the desired result you must adhere to the time.

The purpose of the two are very different as well. Relaxers are meant to straighten the curl whereas texturizers are meant to remove only some of the curl. Now, how can you properly determine just how much will be removed? You just cannot and that is the biggest problem with them.

Often, naturals who try texturizers end up with some coily hairs with straight hairs and the overall evenness they had of texture is gone. There needs to be constant conditioning and protein treatments and applying heat is not a good idea because of this.

Just like relaxers, touch-ups are necessary and the end result may not mirror the previous results you have had. If I am going to go through all that trouble, I might as well relax my hair and know exactly what I am getting. Since I do not want nor desire bone straight hair this seems like a bad idea for me.

I steer clear of texture altering chemicals

After using chemicals to alter my hair for so long (22 years to be exact) the thought of going back seems pointless. I’ve always wanted curly hair! Always…and naturally I have tight coils and curls that make me happy so why fool around with a texturizer that may mess it all up?

I may be a tad bit paranoid, but I feel I have tempted fate long enough and fooling with any texture altering chemicals now will only cause me more harm than good.

I color my hair and use products without ammonia or sulfates and it hasn’t altered the texture of my hair. I am thankful for that as I love my texture so why mess with it?

Trying to live a more natural lifestyle

I am. Well, I try anyway by eating better and exercising. I drink a green smoothie every morning (spinach, kale, uncooked oatmeal, fruit, coconut water and flaxseed) to start my day and I am working on eating better all around.

The exercise is not consistent, but as I embark on a healthier lifestyle, it only makes sense to have healthier hair. My hair has never been more healthy than it is right now and by going natural, using (mostly) all natural products I feel I am doing my hair and body a huge favor.

I’m growing older

I’m older than most of you running around here are and I’m OK with that. I’m not OK with all the older women I continue to see with thinning hair. Mindy Goldstein, Ph.D., former president of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, “The follicles in aging hair are smaller and have less pigment,” she explains. “So the thick, coarse hair of a young adult eventually becomes thin, fine, light-colored hair.” Oprah.com

Most women will experience hair thinning at one time or another and one of the effects of getting old or older is thinning hair along with graying hair. Add all the years of chemical torture I put my hair through and you can see why I feel the need to steer clear of fooling with texture altering chemicals like texturizers and relaxers.

Loving my natural tresses

It was a long hard road to becoming natural at 35 and the thought of abandoning the lovely tresses I now treasure by adding a texturizer is unthinkable. I love my natural hair and what it does. I have more freedom and I have coils and curls and honestly, that’s all I ever really wanted.

BY SABRINA PERKINS

How to Maintain The Simplest Curly Styles For More Than One Day

by Petra

You ever spent hours on your hair creating a style for the week for it only to get frizzy and a total mess warranting a do-over the next day?

Keeping a style intact for a couple of days is a dream and a lifesaver for many who just do not have the time to keep doing their hair every other day.  Here are some simple styles and the ways you can maintain them throughout the week.

How to Maintain The Simplest Curly Styles For More Than One Day  

Style one

Twist out – Before there was a twist-out there were some twists! One of the most ideal ways to maintain a twist out is to start out with a clean slate.

Ensuring that your hair is properly cleansed for your style not only helps your hair set well, but gives your products a fresh canvas to work on.  Leave your twists in for a day or two until your hair is completely dry and then untwist for a perfect twist out.

Key things to remember:

► It is best to use products with a little hold when you are doing your twists so that the definition of your curls remain intact and you reduce frizz.

► Ensure that your hair is properly moisturized and the moisture is sealed in with oil for your week long style.

► Let your hair fluff naturally, do not unravel or disturb the hair too much, as the days go by your hair will take on a life of its own.

► The night time routine is very important, gather the hair together in a high ponytail aka a “pineapple” with the lowest amount of manipulation add a pony tail holder and cover with a satin bonnet. In the morning, release, fluff and go!

Style Two

Wash and Go – A wash and go is literally washing or co washing (washing the hair solely with conditioner) styling and going about your business. Wash Go’s are rarely ever just stepping out of the shower and going to work, most of us have to add a few products to set the hair especially if you want the style to last all week. A wash and go is a special kind of style because the result is unique to the hair on your head!

My wash and go may look nothing like yours which is important to remember when doing this style. The day you do the wash and go is the most important day because it sets the stage for what happens in the coming days. The best way to maintain a wash and go is to ensure that your hair has some form of hold on the first day.

Key things to remember:

► Always set the hair into manageable sections adding your preferred products for moisture and sealing.

► Choose your molding agent according to what your preference is – If you want a hard hold, pick a gel that is geared towards that. If you want a soft hold pick a product that helps with that as well.

► Ensure that your hair is well moisturized on the first day and every day after that until wash day. Moisture can come from a variety of sources including a basic water spritz or a mixture of your favorite water based products. (Try not to drown your hair with water, this will upset the style and you will have to start all over again)

► At night gather your hair into a high pineapple or low loose ponytail and cover with a satin bonnet. The style will be more stretched in the morning but your curls will still be there.

Style Three

Braid out- Similar to a twist out, the braid out begins with a few braids. It is best to prepare your braids after a fresh wash to ensure that your braid out has the best foundation.  Braid outs are great because it helps to stretch the hair even more so than a twist out would. Wear your braids for the first couple of days to allow for max drying time.

Key things to remember:

► Allow the hair to fully dry before unraveling the braids, the lower the manipulation the better the definition created by the braids.

► Ensure that the hair is moisturized and sealed prior to braiding so that as the style is maintained throughout the week your hair can maintain its moisture levels with little or no help from you.

► As with a twist out, let your hair fluff naturally, do not unravel or disturb the hair too much, as the days go by.

► The night time routine – gather the hair together in a high ponytail/pineapple with the lowest amount of manipulation add a pony tail holder and cover with a satin bonnet. In the morning, release, fluff and go!

What are some of your maintenance tips for keeping a style until the next wash day?

Melanie Fiona Sparks Backlash with Comments on Mixed Heritage and Hair Growth

VIA CLUTCH MAGAZINE

Melanie Fiona Sparks Backlash with Comments on Mixed Heritage and Hair Growth   

“Good hair” is a loaded phrase in the black community, as it often excludes kinkier textures and tighter coils in preference of straight locks or loose curls. It’s a sensitive topic, and the firestorm surrounding Melanie Fiona’s comments to Sophisticate’s Black Hair Styles and Care Guide shows that the wounds are still fresh.

Here’s an excerpt from Fiona’s feature in the June/July 2012 issue:

SBH: What’s the secret to your gorgeous long hair?
Melanie Fiona: I was born with a full head of hair, and my mom wouldn’t let me cut it until I was 12! I’m mixed – my mom is Black and Portuguese and my dad is Indian so I have a good mix for growth.

READ THE REST AT CLUTCH MAGAZINE

5 Rolled Out Of Bed And Late For Work Hair Fixes In A Flash

by Sabrina Perkins

UGH! You seem to have late for no good reasons mornings way too often, and if you don’t get your butt in gear, you may be looking at a stern warning, or a disapproving eye from your boss, or teacher. Being late for work/school is unprofessional and looks bad. No matter what your reasons were, it can make it hard for you when you need to move ahead, or need assistance. Sorry boo, the whole CP time is not cute, nor is it a way to make it in the real world – so time to step it up!

5 Rolled Out Of Bed And Late For Work Hair Fixes In A Flash 

I know, I know… you mean well, and have all the good intentions in the world to get to work or school on time. You have ironed your clothes at night, woken up earlier, and even tried to do your hair at night too. It never fails that as soon as you wake up with spittle on your chin, and only one twist in your head, you know you are stuck like chuck, and now in a rush to do something with your hair!

How in the world are you going to get to work on time? Well, no need to worry, because I’ve got you covered. You can learn a few tricks from some masters as quick fixes to a common natural hair problem – not having enough time to do hair before going out of the door.

First off here are a few tips:

1. Keep your hair accessories at the ready, either on your bathroom counter, or in your shower.

2. Create a nightly routine, and stick to it! Consistency is key.

3. Wear a satin bonnet, or sleep on a satin pillowcase to ensure your hair is not dry, or smashed in the morning.

Quick bad hair day fix | natural hair

Naptural 85 always has a few tricks up her sleeve when it comes to perfect hair in a short amount of time. She shares two super quick styles that can be created to be slept on (not twisted up the night before hair). All you need is medium to long hair to achieve.

One uses a clip, while the other style uses bobby pins, but both are cute enough to get you out of the door, and off to work within minutes.  Hair too dry?  Hit it with a few sprays from a water/oil/conditioner mix, and run with it! Check out the video below:

5 Hottest head wrap styles for TWA hair

I can’t even deny it…I love Sadora!  She’s so creative and thinking out of the box seems to be her forte. TWA naturals complain about lack of choices way too much in my book, and that is getting old.

Check out what Sadora’s “5 great styles, one multi-colored scarf,” can do on a bad hair day, or a “I’ve only got a few minutes to get out of the house” morning.  All are pretty, professional and quick, so stress less and move more toward that door, and get to work looking fab! All of these styles can be worn on longer hair, or hair overdue for washday.

How to fix a bad hair day – quick and easy 

Bad hair days are no match for Andrea Lewis, as she turns a scrunchie and a scarf into a style that looks like it took all day to create. She also shows you how to rock au naturale, with a few expert tools (her fingers), and even ends with some great parting words about rocking and accepting your hair and beauty. Gotta give it to her – she makes you realize bad hair days can be few and far in-between. 

Hat hair of the day 

How many times have you been left in a bind, even when you try to prepare? Twist didn’t dry all the way, or looking a tad bit haphazard? Toni Daley shows you exactly how to work with ‘whatcha’ got, and make it uber-bohemian glammed!

A simple, but cute hat, some finger play, a few bobby pins, big gorgeous earrings, and some lip gloss is all you need to look like you ‘woke up that way’. Length of hair is not a factor for this amazing look. Toni deserves an award

How to refresh your Wash & Go – 2nd day hair – SimplYounique 

No worries, Wash and Goer’s, I haven’t forgotten about you! Don’t have enough time to jump in the shower and co-wash, or do a full refresh of your coils and curls?  Watch SimpleYounique quickly refresh her WnG with some water and EVOO. Now finally, you too can achieve great 2nd day hair, without spending a ton of time with product.  Just prep the night before by tying it down, and make the beauty happen in a flash the next day.

Now, no more excuses on being late, and definitely no more excuses for looking like you did not put any effort into your look.  It takes a little creativity, and the right resources, to have your look put together, and your hair on point. There are several quick tips, so share yours below, or share your favorite tricks for a quick hairstyle.