Hairspiration: Teyanna Taylor

Go big or go home.... that's the motto of TT's hair. I looooove curls like these, so cute, so lovely. These are some of my favorite Teyanna photos:

Photo of the Day: Vanessa and Angela Simmons

They always try new hair styles, whether its rocking their own hair in a bob or rocking long wavy weaves. Here's a cute picture I came across today:

Power: President Obama Has Hair Like Me

A young black boy was invited to the White House and asked President Obama if he could touch his hair to see if it was like his...


via black girl with long hair

L'Oreal is Racist.

Word on the street is mega beauty Giant- L'Oreal is blatantly racist. They consider black, Arab and Asian women unworthy of selling its shampoo, and are being sued in a French High Court.

Check out the article posted on Black Girl w/ Long Hair:

L’Oréal, the French cosmetics giant, whose advertising campaigns proclaim “because you’re worth it,” was found guilty of racial discrimination for considering black, Arab and Asian women unworthy of selling its shampoo.

France’s highest court was told that the group had sought an all-white team of sales staff to promote Fructis Style, a haircare product made by Garnier, L’Oréal’s beauty division.

The word went out that Garnier’s hostesses should be BBR — “bleu, blanc, rouge” — the colours of the French flag. The expression is widely recognised in the French recruitment world as a code for white French people born to white French parents, a court was told, in effect excluding the four million or so members of ethnic minorities in France.

La Cour de Cassation, the equivalent of the US Supreme Court, said that the policy was illegal under French employment law, upholding a ruling given by the Paris Appeal Court in 2007.

The judgment was a significant blow to the image of the world’s biggest cosmetics group, which has spent millions of dollars in global advertising campaigns featuring stars such as Andie MacDowell, Eva Longoria, Penélope Cruz and Claudia Schiffer.

(L'Oreal's) image already suffered a battering when L’Oréal executives were forced to deny claims that they had lightened the singer Beyoncé Knowles’s skin for a campaign last year.


The ruling also hinted at widespread prejudice among French shoppers since L’Oréal believed that they were more likely to buy shampoo from white sales staff, the court was told.

The ruling will fuel anger among black and Arab French people, who complain that they face widespread discrimination when seeking employment.
source: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/consumer_goods/article6572173.ece

When will women of color — and especially black women — achieve "beauty equality"? Why are we considered less attractive and, in the "beauty" industry, less marketable than other women? This shit really really BOTHERS me!
What do you guys think of all this?

via Black Girl with Long Hair

5 Secrets to a Great Weave: Treat it Like Your Own Hair

1. Choose the Right Texture

Buying quality hair is absolutely essential, but it's not enough. Selecting a believable texture is critical. "Superstraight hair with nappy roots looks crazy," says celebrity stylist Porsche Waldo of Ebony Design in New York City (Faith Evans, Mya, JoJo). "I've coined the term 'Kunta meets Becky,' " says stylist Nelson Vercher of the Rita Hazan salon in New York City (Tamia, Phylicia Rashad, Britney Spears), who also wove our opening look. If the weave is bone straight and your visible hair is tightly coiled, or if the purchased hair looks like it would never have grown out of your scalp, it's wrong. Most important, the texture should be one that complements your complexion and features. It's not that you shouldn't rock straight styles; just choose hair that looks the way your own hair looks when straightened.

* Do show some scalp or your hairline so the look is more realistic. The weave and your hair should blend together beautifully. Buying human hair by the ounce, as opposed to in a pack, is the preference of top stylists. Eight to ten ounces of human hair can cost from $200 to $600.

2. Buy Human Hair

Most celebrity stylists say no to using synthetic hair. The consensus is that it looks like plastic. It also melts under heat, so forget about curling or straightening. "It just doesn't move like human hair," says Vercher. "Too many people are allergic to it," adds celeb stylist Yusef of Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa in New York City (Solange), who created the weaves on this page and the following two. But stylist to the stars Ursula Stephen (Rihanna, Keisha Cole) has a different point of view. "It really depends on what look you're going after. Sometimes synthetic hair can work, if you know how to flip it," she says. "I have some synthetic Afro-kinky hair that I put in often. I get tons of compliments when I wear it."

* Don't choose a weave that doesn't mesh with your lifestyle. If you work out a lot, try a texture and cut that needs little heat or manipulation.

3. Cut It Into Shape

What you do with your weave after it's in is just as crucial as choosing the right hair texture. Too much hair will look like a wig. "Every weave needs to be shaped according to head size and face shape," says Stephen. Yusef adds, "Razor-cut that weave; you've got to take some of the weight out of it." Natural, thinned ends are also much more believable than blunt, baby-doll ends. "If you don't have the weave shaped correctly, it won't fall naturally," says Vercher. Weavers who can cut are few and far between. Get your weave done by the best, then have it cut and thinned only by a stylist who's a whiz with the scissors.

* Do give your weave a full brush-through daily, in order to prevent tangling and matting.

* Don't flip your head upside down in the shower when washing your weave. This creates tangling.

4. Customize The Weft

Custom-blending the color and texture of each weft, also called a track, ensures a realistic weave. Top stylists swear by customized tracks, like the ones used to create every weave featured in this story. Since a variety of textures can make up a single head of hair, one secret to achieving a look that's close to what nature gave us is to blend wavy and curly or wavy and straight textures. Not only can the texture and color be varied, but the length as well. "By placing various lengths throughout the hair, I reduce bulk," says Vercher. "I still have to cut it, but I prefer to place shorter pieces on the top and longer ones on the bottom."

* Do try an alcohol-free mousse. Apply to wet hair before you blow-dry. This will hold the style in place without weighing the hair down.

5. Handle With Care

Treat your weave like you would your real hair. Don't be afraid of it. Wash it weekly and "Give it a good comb through, daily," says celebrity stylist Lawrence Davis (Tyra), who just won an Emmy for Outstanding Hair for The Tyra Banks Show. If you don't detangle daily, the hair sheds and gets tangled in the braid, causing unnecessary hair loss when you remove the track. Human hair wefts can last almost a year if you take care of them. Deep-condition like you would your own hair. Hot oil treatments and steam treatments maintain manageability. Also make sure your own hair dries properly after you wash and condition. If not, you could encourage mildew-not a healthy or pleasant-smelling scalp condition. Invest in a hooded dryer. Clip varying sections up so that the heat can get to your hair underneath. Once your hair is dry, style as usual.

* Don't forget your brows. Black brows and blond or red hair don't mix. Have your stylist lift your brow color to better coordinate with your hair color.

written by. Pamela Edwards for Essence.com

Your Best Produts Are in the Kitchen

Did you know that most of the best beauty beauty products... are in your kitchen. Yeah, that's right. I've always heard about the kitchen being one of the best places to get beauty supplies, but I never really considered it- until recently.


1. Olive Oil
2. Eggs
3. Mayo
4. Plastic Bag

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Yes this Is the same kind that you cook with.
This one of the best things for your hair because it gives it moisture. It's great to put in your hair by itself or to add to your favorite products. If your hair is extra dry and in need of moisture- do a hot oil treatment with olive oil.

Eggs
Your hair needs protein. Most protein treatments have a bit of egg in them. If your hair is brittle and damaged and breaking, crack an egg whip it up and place it throughout your hair- focusing on damage parts. For best results add olive oil, olive oil will make sure that the yolk doesn't make the hair too hard once it dries (its actually important that you add some oil). Leave on hair for 30 minutes or longer.

Mayo
This is a great thing to add to the eggs for moisture.

Plastic Bag
This isn't a product, but you can use these if you don't have a plastic cap to deep condition.

Too Boujee for the Beauty Supply Store

I was one of those people that was a little "too boujee" for the bss (beauty supply store). I don't mean boujee as in I wouldn't go in there, I mean of course I'd go their to get little stuff- like rubberbands and plastic caps oh and of course hair. But I would sort of toot my nose up at those buying actual hair products from there- shampoos, conditioners, etc. I, only bought my products from salons or specialty stores that were supposed to be for stylist.

But its interesting because most of the chicks I've read about with long pretty hair (went from short broken hair to long hair) use beauty supply store products.... and that's kind of crazy to me.

I remember reading about Elasta- I figured it had to be a salon product. But I called a few salons and they informed me they didn't carry it.... so where did I find it? yeah, you got it... the bss.

So I just say all this to say... all my boujee ladies and gents- who only rock salon products, give the beauty supply store a chance... I did and so far so good (plus the prices are waaaaaaaay better).


Update June 29th: Over the weekend I had to get a few products- some rollers, hair pins, and setting foam- naturally I opted for Nairobi wrap foam, but then I switched it for Mizani mousse. Buying that got me to thinking a bit more... There's usually a reason why certain things cost more- like a Walmart house brand versus a Neiman Marcus house brand... Old Navy vs Versace... the quality of the latter is always better- they use better materials and it will last alot longer. And as I glazed down on my "new crew" the other day I had to sorta shake my head. Though I may have saved alot of money, should I have really changed from my Mizani shampoos (avg 12 bucks a pop, 24 total) to a huge bottle of Creme of Nature (10 bucks) that will last me atleast the whole year? Who knows, I don't regret my buy because alot of the hair bloggers I admire swear by it, buuuut when the years over I think I'll replenish with my beloved Mizani or Nairobi.

And being too boujee for the beauty supply store is actually a good thing on certain levels. Now obviously in these economic times you should try to save money when you can. But at the same time buying these designer products usally mean you're buying them from local salons- and that's good because atleast you're keeping the money in the community. I have to say I absouletly hat ethe hold that Asians have on the black beauty market- its disgusting to me, and many of them are trying hard to keep people of color out by making it hard for us to get certain products at low prices. So for the fact alone I say choose the local salon over the mega beauty supplier even if you have to pay an extra 2 or 3 bucks.

My New Crew: My New Hair Routine

Check out close-ups of my new hair products, lol....

I seriously have never been so excited to get hair products in my life. Why was I so freaking happy? Because I did research. The best thing about the internet and blogs in particular is that it allows people to connect and get advice from other people- just like them. I web-surfed my bum off the other day figuring out what products to get, what to make my routine. I checked out many blogs and forums and I looked at peoples before and after pictures- I respected/reverenced more the girls who had broken short hair before and long thick full "you must got some indian in you" hair afterwards. And I also kept in mind which products and brands have worked best for me in the past (patene and mizani).

I had my list, yes list and headed to my favorite beauty supply store- the one where the asian owners are nice and have smartly hired amiable black women as staff (there's two chicks, they give advice and have tried alot of the products - weaves and all). Anyway so I go there pick up some things, then I go to another- the really big one that was like product heaven for someone on a mission to find particular products. I that one I found the main ones I was looking for, like the Elasta QPR. Oh, and I stopped at Walgreen in between to pick one product as well (the Neutrogena Triple Moisture).

And this is what I came home with (minus the Patene and Mizani- I already had those). I spent about $40 bucks, but it was cool- I was more than happy to.

1. Shampoo- Creme of Nature Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo
They say shampoo strips our hair (people of color) from its much needed moisture, so a moisturizing shampoo is a MUST, some people don't even use shampoos, instead they use a cheap conditioner as their shampoo (like Suave). I think I had planned on getting the detangling shampoo, but just ended up with this one instead.

2. Conditioner- AtOne Reconstructer Conditioner

3. Deep Conditioner- Elasta QP DPR-11 Deep Penetrating Reconstructor
Everyone swears by this stuff, so I HAD to get it--- it works so WELL, my hair was left SO soft after using it.

4. Deep Conditioner- Creme of Nature Nurturing and Strengthening Treatment
This came free with the Creme of Nature shampoo, yes that BIG jar came free, so it was a fluke that I purchased, but I later found out that one of the girl bloggers with great hair uses it, she actually replaced the Elasta DPR with this one....

5. Deep Conditioner- Patene Pro-V Relaxed and Natural Deep Conditioning Mask
I just so happened to see this when I was contemplating on whether or not to by more patene pro-v. It was so pretty-looking (the jar was) and most of them were gone, so went 'what the heck' and picked it up.

6. Leave-In Conditioner- Elasta QP Leave-In H2

7. Leave-In Conditioner- Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk-Touch Leave-In Creme

8. Oil- Kemi Oyl

This one chick on a hair forum, with a bunch of pictures of her hair says this is the one oil she couldn't leave without. So I decided to buy it... first I couldn't find it, but it ended up being on the check-out counter.... 3 bucks for a tiny bottle of oil, its a bit pricey, but I've used it on my hair the past two days and it seems (only seems) to help my hair grow a bit and it keeps the hair nicely quenched.

My Shampoos and Conditioners:

My Deep Conditioners and Leave-Ins:

UPDATE: I am no longer using creme of nature. It is still a good product, but patene pro-v and mizani have the best shampoos. Also, shampoos are not that good for colored-american (black) hair, so its best to use a really good moisturizing shampoo when you do decide to shampoo.

Product Reviews: SoftSheen Carson Roots of Nature Remedies and Dr.Miracles Temple & Nape Gro Balm

SoftSheen Carson Roots of Nature Remedies:
Shea Butter Green Tea Stimulating Scalp Oil

This product is the replacement Dr.Miracles Stimulating Scalp Oil for some people. Though I like the smell many people feel like Dr.Miracles Gro Oil is TOO strong (my ex boyfriend was one of them). Well I feel that the Nature of Remedies Stimulating Oil will give you the same affect (smell free). It's light, easy to handle, and made my hair soft.

SoftSheen Carson Roots of Nature Remedies:
Shea Butter Green Tea Triple Repair Hairdress

This product made my mom really happy. Before I could even open it she decided to use it and the next day she couldn't stop talking about how it made her edges so flat. What she would do is put some on at night then put on her satin scarf. The next morning her edges were really flat. I decided to give the product a whirl and low and behold- she was right. This may sound crazy, but I sorta feel like this product makes my edges flat without me putting a scarf on. Either way it goes this is a solid product-- light, smells pretty good, and my mom loves it.

SoftSheen Carson Roots of Nature Remedies:
Shea Butter Green Tea Reconstructing Deep Treatment

This product I tried a few weeks ago... and the results were a bit fickle. At the time I didn't know the big differences between moisturizing and protein treatments and when and how to use them. So I used this after washing my hair I applied it through the scalp and on the edges then I mixed in a little of my Mizani treatment. I sat under the dryer and ended up sorta falling asleep... a few hours later, I woke up and rinsed it out. Then I put a little oil on my hair and let it air dry. My hair ended up feeling kind of dry. But I realized that its because this product is essentially a protein and its very important to condition or deep condition after a protein treatment, otherwise your hair will feel a bit dry and hard. Also I don't think I applied a leave-in afterward which is VERY important. So, I'll try this product again later and tell you what I think .

Dr.Miracles Temple & Nape Gro Balm

Hmmm.... I think it works. The key is to be consistent, apply everyday and take a picture before, then a week after and a week after til its all gone. I didn't do that, but I wish I would have. Like always, the product Felt like it was working....

Product Review: My Mizani Army- The Story: Shampoos and Conditioners

PURIPHYING Intense Cleansing Shampoo
BOTANIFYING Conditioning Shampoo (with botanicals)
FUFYL Conditioning Treatment
MOISTURFUSE Moisturizing Conditioner

I call the my Mizani Army because when I first began to grow my hair in high school, these are the products I chose to help me. My routine was washing every two weeks, wrap every night, apply Mizani overnight treatment every other night, and use Mizani Rose H2O and Organic Root Stimulator Carrot Oil Cream. I wasn't extra educated at the time about hair care products, but I had learned that the best was Mizani or Keracare and because Mizani seemed and smelled less chemical like I went with that. My hairdresser at the time was great with styling, but maybe not the best with actual hair care... I guess someone told her Design Essentials was the best, but I just didn't think so- so I brought my own stuff.

I decided to switch hair dressers because I just felt like the one I had wasn't growing my hair. So I took a risk, jumped shipped and began going to a man that had grew my aunts hair ridiculously long and thick. I won't go through all the details, but long story shirt- he was scissor happy and was cutting my hair waaaaaaay to much. Also he used Kercare Dry and Itchy Scalp.... which ended up.... wait for it.... wait for it.... effing up my hair. Yeah it did, it worked wonders for my aunt and sister, but it was my worst enemy.

Fast forward to college. I decided I want to grow my hair back out, so I went back to "my Mizani army"... and I wore weaves at times in between and went natural underneath (the weave). My hair GREW alot... I wore weaves almost full time for two years. You could say my hair went from
neck length to a little over shoulder length.... then I decided to perm and cut it for the whole Rihanna thing and, well that's a whole other story, that I'll share later (I wish I would have stayed natural though)

Anyway, I say all that to say even though I'm currently choosing to switch it up products. These 4 products did work for me, when I used them consistently.

When I first picked them, my thought process was- well I need 2 shampoos and 2 conditioners because that's what they used at the beautician. Then I figured I needed one shampoo to clean my hair and another one to restore moisture that the other shampoo may have stripped. Then I needed two good conditioners- one regular and one treatment.

More Info from the bottles:

Puriphying Shampoo- pH balanced shampoo that removes residue. Has hydrolyzed wheat protein.

Botanifying Shampoo- gentle shampoo with botanicals

Moisturfuse Conditioner- has moisturizers and proteins. Polyquatermium-37 and hydrolyzed wheat protein.

Fulfyl Treatment- has protein and moisturizers as well

My Notebook: Random Hair Advice (hair products, advice for hair care after swimming, and more).

Sometimes when I'm searching for some specific advice I'll end up finding ALOT of advice that'll probably be beneficial down the road... so I end up saving links. I do this alot and I figured I'll start sharing them with you all. I'll call it "My Notebook: Random Hair Advice" and it'll be a post full of links.

http://keepitsimplesista.blogspot.com/2009/06/after-swimming.html

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292029&page=6

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/73979

http://members.fotki.com/ashleyhair/about/

http://www.sallybeauty.com/repair-creme/SBS-373740,default,pd.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080208210431AAYbR9i

ORS Olive Oil Lye Normal Strength

Mane Chic hair blog

http://www.buzzillions.com/4294966827_nz_hair_styling_product_reviews
mizani butters

On My Radar: Products to Use- Elasta QP DPR-11 & Neutrogena Triple Moisture

I just happened to be perusing through some youtube hair videos today and I've been inspired. I'm not sure if "inspired" is the word (somewhat dramatic), but you get my drift. This one chicks video and hair journey is great, I suggest all to check it out.

Then from hers I checked out others, then kept going and ended up googling certain products and etc etc... I just really wanted to organize my thoughts and what I have been finding so I decided to write a post. Here I go:


1. Elasta QP DPR-11
The women go wild- they worship it. Its supposedly a deep conditioner that many women swear by... it keeps the hair ultra moisturized, tangle free, etc etc. I decided I'm adding it to my hair routine... I heard its like $5- so I plan to go to JCPennys salon or the local beauty supply store and buy it tomorrow

2. Neutrogena Triple Moisture
This is an entire line of products and it seems most people have atleast one product from the line that they like

Okay, I think that's it for now... I'm about to wash my hair using Patene Pro-V and I'm going to deep condition or treat my hair with a new product I recently obtained: Roots of Nature Shea Butter Green Tea Reconstructing Deep Treatment... I'll tell you more about it later.