Loctician Hair Tips from Nyesha Samuel

Natural Black HairCare Tips

When it comes to the gentle care of African American skinand hair, there are various ingredients that well-made products contain. Theseingredients will help to rejuvenate your skin and hair and replace thenutrients that are lost in day to day living.

 

Shea Butter Cream

Shea butter cream has long been known for its effectivenessas an emulsifier and a moisturizingcream. It is especially valuable in treating wrinkles, skin discolorations,dark spots, blemishes, dry skin, acne, burns and for fading scars. Shea butteralso helps to provide natural protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun.It is easily absorbed into your skin, and it won't leave your skin feelinggreasy, as some other types of products can.

Shea butter cream helps to soften your skin, and maysometimes

be found in hair conditioners in its butter form. It helps torevitalize and rehydrate brittle or dry hair. It will also keep hair frombreaking as easily, and make it softer to the touch.

Shea butter aids in evening skin tone, and gives your skinback its natural luster. Since it absorbs quickly, it can penetrate deeply topromote the growth of healthy skin cells.

Herbal Shampoo Conditioner

African American women often tell me that they have adifficult time finding hair products to satisfy the natural needs of theirhair. Many of the products you see in magazines or commercials cater to womenwho have colored or relaxed hair. This isn't helpful for those withunmanageable, curly, thickhair. An herbal shampoo, conditioner or rinse can help to revivedry and brittle hair. It usually has a clean smell, which makes it easier touse. It helps to promote a healthy shine, and aids in getting rid of frizzies.

There are other products that combine herbal shampooconditioner and nut oils, which can be very helpful for dry, dehydrated hair.Your hair will drink in the moisture, and the proteins in the conditioner willadd shine and a final luster to your hair. They will also leave it soft andmanageable.

Organic Hair Oil

Many African American women have found that organic hair oilcan help to leave their hair nourished and revitalized, and more protected fromaging's effects. They may have experienced some level of hair loss, due tomicrobial effects on the roots of the hair and on their scalp. An antimicrobialoil will break the glycerol bonds that leave your hair weak and moresusceptible to thinning.

Most types of organichair oil will also contain vitamin E, which will help to keep your hair andscalp healthy and rejuvenated. Natural oils help your hair to retain moisture,since they don't break down easily, nor do they evaporate. Natural oils willkeep moisture within your hair, leaving it soft and manageable. Hair can also benefit from organic hair oil that will meltwhen it is heated, and then condense on your hair as it cools. You can apply itto your hair and it will evenly spread throughout all areas of your scalp. African American women will benefit from the combination ofShea butter cream for their skin, and shampoos and conditioners, along withnatural oils, that leave their hair full and healthy.

Healthy Scalp, Healthy Locs

Nyesha Samuel, Publisher/Master Loctician, healthylocsblog.com

Tips When Choosing Cornrow Styles For Women

If you are fond of watching hip-hop dancing then you probably noticed a common hairstyle among the dancers especially women. If you are wondering what hairstyle that is then you should know that what you are seeing is the cornrow styles for women. Are you wondering why it is called as such? It is because it is inspired by the corn in rows.

This style originated in Africa and it is popular to the Africans. It became famous worldwide when people from other races started using it as their hairstyle especially when hip-hop became popular and dancers wear the style. Having this type of hairstyle requires some professional hair braiding and because of its popularity nowadays it is not impossible to find hair parlors or salons doing the job.

If you want this type of hair then you should head of to the nearest salons. Look for the best hairstylist who can do it. Before you can have it, you have to select what type of braiding you want. There are three common types of cornrow. You can just select from these types depending on what type of occasion you would want to wear the hairstyle.

1. If you want to wear it as an everyday hairdo then you can choose the circular cornrows. The braids are thin to medium in size which runs in complex circles. This style requires an expert professional because it is not easy to do.
   


2. If you are heading off to some semi-formal to casual parties and you want a cornrow hairdo then you can choose the straight back type. The braids in this style run from front of the head going down to the nape. The braids are medium thick in size and it can be tied in a ponytail at the end or you can just have the braids can continued. This is an elegant type of the cornrow that it why it is perfect in many types of occasions.
   
   
   


3. The last common type which is usually seen in women attending formal affairs is the Goddess braids. If you are watching films on Greek gods and goddesses, try to look at the women's hairstyle and you will see what the Goddess cornrow is. The braids are made thick and can run around the head in different styles while making the scalp more visible. This style is perfect for formal parties and events.
   
   

Upon choosing what style you want then have it as your hairdo. You can have it as a temporary style or a long-term style. If you want to make it last long then you should know how to take care of it. During bathing time, be sure to shampoo it carefully so that it won't damage. Be sure to wash up all sides so that dirt and dust won't accumulate on the braided stands.

Aside from careful shampooing, you can cover you hairdo with cloth before you go to bed. This will help prevent loosing of the braids and damaging the style. When you go out of the house you can add some hair gel to keep it together.

If you had your hair in braids then you should know how to take care of it. There are many procedures on how to care for cornrow styles for women. You can always do your own research or simply ask for tips from hairstylists. You can always check how to maintain the style and how to care for it.

How Long Does Hair Need To Be For Cornrows To Stay In Well

A great look that many love is cornrows. But there is the question of how long does hair need to be for cornrows to stay in effectively. If you have never had them done before, know that they take some time and effort as well as money. To have them fall out right away is frustrating.

Typically a quality shop can get this look on your head as short as an inch long. But you also need to have some curl in your natural mane as well to do this. You can effectively put cornrows in straight locks this short but in most cases they will fall out.

Be prepared to sit while the stylist works on you if you have this short of hair. It takes a skilled stylist to get the job done and you are paying for their time. It is worth paying to get a stylist who knows what they are doing.

If you have a bit longer locks to work with you can expect that your rows will stay in better. This is because there is more of an anchor in your hair. You want to get a quality stylist no matter how long your hair is. Some recommend Caribbean salons as they are excellent and well skilled with this style.

The best length for rows is at least four inches. This is especially true for people with straighter styles naturally. As it grows it can look great for a lengthier period of time, the stylist can get the rows tighter and you will be able to wear them longer.

The look of cornrows is hot. You can have a great summer look or even winter rows that require little upkeep. Visit a stylist to see what they can do for you and trust the recommendations of friends. And make sure you seek out a stylist who knows what they are doing.

Advantages Of White Girl Cornrows - Cornrow Photos for White Girls

White girl cornrows hairstyle.

Hair can be joined together to form lines going either straight behind, or in a certain design, this style is called cornrows. The blacks mainly do this style but white girl cornrows also looks very good. The one thing is they have to be done by an expert.

With soft kind of hair like for a white girl, the lines tend to come out more easily. To ensure the lines last longer they can be done in such a way that the hair held together in a line is not much. This way they will not come off easily and they are better looking.

Cornrows are also useful to someone who does not have long hair and wants to put on a wig, The hair is done is lines before putting on the wig to prevent the wig appearing big. And the hair will definitely be neat inside as the cornrows are normally very neat. To young girls, the cornrows can be made more stylish by doing two separate hives of several lines at the top of the head and decorating them with colorful hair bands. The bands can be of the same color as the dress.

There are many things a white girl can achieve by making cornrows compared to their natural hair. The cornrows do not require attention every morning as one does not need to do anything to the cornrows. When one wants to just lazy around the house, these can be a good hairstyle to wear.

Lose of hair is not much when one has cornrows since there is no hair pulling everyday to ensure they are neat. So the hair gets a deserved rest with this style. The other good thing with cornrows is that your scalp gets refreshed since the lines leave space in between to expose the scalp. This cannot be achieved when the hair is not tied together in lines.

The other thing is that you cannot get many white girls spotting this kind of look. So for someone who wants to set herself aside in terms of hairstyle, this one can do. This hairstyle is very unique, it is not your everyday kind of style, is will surely make you get noticed.

Pictures of Cornrow Hairstyles for White Girls:

Blonde cornrow hair


Long cornrow hairstyle


Decorated blonde cornrow


Long blonde cornrow hairstyle for girls


A white girl with long cornrow


Red cornrows hair


Tied cornrows


Long cornrow for girls.

How To Make Cornrows At Home

Cornrows are a popular hairstyle for women, today. They are a functional and fashionable way to wear your hair. If you often workout or wear hats, this will simplify life. Anyone can learn how to make cornrows. It may take a little practice and patience, but you can do this at home. Here are some tips to get you started.

Planning your New Hairstyle

You should have a very good idea as to what you new style will look like. One way is to draw it out into a plan or you may look for examples. There are many good examples in magazines and online.

Applying the Water

Your hair should be damp as opposed to wet. This is easily done with a spray bottle. If you do not have any detangling products, you can mix conditioner with the water. This makes your hair more relaxed and keeps you from pulling too hard on it, as you braid.

Separating the Hair

You will need to select the section of hair that you are starting with. Part the other hair out of the way and secure it with clips. You may wish to make unused hair into a pigtail, temporarily.

Separating and Braiding the Hair

Your section of hair has to be made into three separate strands. Make two stitches with these three strands. For the next stitch, add extra hair to the center strand. This will give you three strands to work with, for each stitch. Adding extra hair keeps the braid close to the head. Remember to make a braid stitch as you work to the end of the hair. Do not forget to add the extra hair, each time.

Keeping Your Work Intact

After you finish a braid, you need to secure it, as this keeps it from unraveling. It is never a good idea to use normal rubber bands on the hair. They will be too tight and can cause damage. There are many good products like beads and clips that will work well.

Final Thoughts

Cornrows are a stylish and practical hairstyle for women. Learning how to make cornrows may take some practice. However, it can easily be mastered with patience and time. Start with damp and not wet hair. Choose a section to work on and make it into three strands. Make two stitches and then take extra hair for the middle strand. Continue until you reach the end of the braid. Secure each braid with a good hair product. Normal rubber bands may damage hair and should not be used.

A Look At Cornrow Hairstyles

Cornrow hairstyles are in popular demand. Many women prefer this style because it requires little care and maintenance and provides a young man with a distinctive style. If you are considering this style, talking to a professional about the design you want and preparation you will need to make will be very helpful.

In the past, cornrows were usually straight, however, now they can be found in many different designs, geometric shapes, and as part of an overall theme. In many cases, professionals who are knowledgeable and experienced in this styling technique have created an art form that is very hard to duplicate and your style will be a one-of-a-kind. The ease with which you can achieve the design you are seeking will depend greatly on the thickness of your hair, the stylist and the steps that must be completed prior to getting this styling technique used on you.

Many professionals who can provide this styling technique have spend many years developing their skills. They are able to apply the tension that is required to achieve the design goal consistently throughout the styling process. In addition, they will know how much pressure to apply to the hair to achieve the design goal without causing pain.

An individual who has damaged, color-treated or very dry hair may need to see the professional a few times prior to styling to condition follicles and achieve the healthy state required to achieve the design without damaging the hair. The professional will discuss what steps must be taken before the process can begin in order to get the best results.

When the design has been completed, the professional will provide you with specific instructions on the care and maintenance of the design. They will also give you information about how you can care for your hair without damaging the design or follicles.

Creating cornrows for themes or events can be challenging because the design will stay in place for several weeks. Therefore, it will be important to talk to the stylist about how the design may be changed after the event so that you will be able to maintain your unique design for everyday wear.

The time involved in having cornrow hairstyles completed varies. In most cases, the styling will take anywhere from a few hours to several hours depending on the experience of the stylist, the type of hair that is being processed and the condition of the hair being done.

Beads, Braids & Beyond

Nikki from Beads, Braids & Beyond  has a great blog where she shows how to create cute hair styles for little girls, along with useful styling tips and kid friendly product information. She also highlights a lot of her readers children and their hair styles.  Look below for my interview with Nikki -

What inspired you to create the Beads Braids Beyond blog?

The lack of information on Biracial/African American children's hair care inspired me to create the blog. I remember being "the clueless mom" and not knowing where to start when it came to my daughter’s hair. I remember goggling and goggling and never being able to find a lot of information on my daughter’s hair type, or being able to find styles that I could. I found countless blogs for children with naturally straight hair, "what about our children?" … I thought. Don't get me wrong, I love those other blogs, but I wanted to see a blog dedicated to natural Biracial/African American children’s hair. I wanted to see our children’s hair being embraced. 

How do you come up with so many creative styles?

All of my style inspirations come from other women and mothers. I browse a lot of different forums, blogs, and other hair care sites and I try to tweak a lot of styles so they are appropriate for my daughter’s age. There are so many talented women out there so I definitely owe my style inspiration to them.

How old is your daughter, and what does she like most about being the star of your blog?

My daughter is 4 years old. I think her favorite thing to do is seeing all of the other children featured on the blog. My daughter is the only child with curly hair in her class so I think it's a nice change to see so many other natural children with curly hair.

She seems to love participating in the styling process. Most kids don't have the patience! What keeps her interested showing off her cool hairstyles?

Well, depending on how long the style takes, we might take breaks. Snack breaks, run around the kitchen table breaks, restroom breaks, etc. I think I keep her interested. We talk the whole time I am styling or washing her hair. If we're watching one of her favorite cartoons/movies I make it a point to sing along with her and dance. Her current favorite is The Princess and the Frog. The songs are really great and when mommy gets into them....it's over! She definitely gets into it and forgets her hair is even being styled! I think the styling process is all about mother and daughter bonding time. It's important for me to show her that doing her hair is not a chore, that I enjoy it, and we should enjoy this time together.

You have a great following. How long have you been blogging?

I started Beads, Braids & Beyond at the end of October 2009. I think it's amazing that the word got out so quickly. This goes to show that people were waiting for something for our kids. I mean...I was waiting myself! I couldn't wait any longer. I actually asked some moms on another hair board if they would make a blog but it seemed like everyone was too busy, so I took the plunge. Your styles and post have been great inspirations to other Moms.

What has been one of your most cherished moments as result of sharing your knowledge through your blog?

Probably all of the emails and comments I get. So many mothers (and non-mothers) email me thanking me for taking the time out to create this blog. Some moms find the blog and are like me when I first started, clueless. They tell me how much the information I provide helps and show me pictures. They tell me there are no more tears during "hair time" and that they now look forward to the mother and daughter bonding experience. I have also had emails and comments thanking me for my Texture Softener post because they were going to use it on their child. I am always happy to hear that they changed their mind about relaxing their child’s hair, or that they are transitioning their little diva.

What are some of the products you use regularly for your daughters hair type?

Right now we are experimenting with products. We have tried lots and it's funny because most of her staple products are pretty cheap: Virgin coconut oil, unrefined shea butter, Herbal Essence Hello Hydration conditioner, Giovanni Direct Leave-in, ORS Lock & Twist Gel. I currently love Blended Cutie Down & Out Styles for her hair. There are other products I really like for her hair but those are the main ones we use.

What is your advice for styling curly hair?

Don't try to fight it! It will fight you back. If your hair wants to be big, it will be big. LET IT BE BIG! A lot of people email me asking how to get "the wet look" and in my opinion, you cannot get the wet look! You can define your curls but it definitely will not look like it does when it's wet once it dries. I don't care what product you use. If the hair wants to be frizzy one day, let it be frizzy. Don't keep chasing your child around the house with a spray bottle filled with water. I am going to take a quote I see in so many forums..."Let it do what it do!"

Beads, Braids & Beyond 
Nikki's You Tube Videos

Your Advice for Dry Skin

Dry skin has always been a big issue for me. I am always struggling to find the right moisturizer for my face and lotion for my body. What do you use? Let us know what products you would recommend and have been heaven sent for you?

Big wet hair!

I love these headbands! They are perfect for after washing my hair. I can pile my hair on top of my head, and make a loose bun, and take my time palm rolling my hair. With these headbands, I can do this and still feel comfortable with the weight of my hair on the top of my head (which is really heavy when wet). These are really gentle. They do not pull your hair. And they are easy to use.

I recommend them to any one that feels like their hair is really heavy after washing it. Or just any one that wants to get their hair out of their face. I have been trying to find the actual style name of this kind of hair band, so I can search for it online. I usually just get lucky, like I did with these, and find them at a local Ross Store. But I have also seem them occasionally at CVS or Walgreens. But not often. If you see them, buy it! It's a great find. I got all of these for $3 dollars (the price at Ross). Needless to say, at that price, I got two packs... ;-).