Look of the Month
Stylist Lynette “Pinkie” Jackson, of Prosperity Hair & Beauty Salon in Laurel, MD, demonstrates how to create these perfect plaits…
Step 1
Keeping each strand a little bit smaller than a pencil, Jackson began at the tip of the crown and braided tresses from ear to ear. A mixture of shades in numbers 4, 30 and 33 hair extensions were blended in with Natural hair.
Step 2
It’s important to make sure you braid all tresses halfway down until it’s beyond the Natural hair. To close the ends and prevent unraveling, apply a dot of nail glue to the extensions, advises Jackson.
Step 3
Once the entire crown is braided, take two sections of the hair from the top of the crown and twist them toward the center. Pin down the hair with bobby pins, when add a little mousse on the strands to define the wave of the hair.
Step 4: Finish
To keep this micro braided mane looking good as long as possible, make sure to wrap up hair nightly. It’s also important not to pull the hair too tightly when it’s in a ponytail because it may cause breakage.
STAR STYLE INSPIRATION
Lira
Known for her Natural flare and musical talent, this South African songstress has a preference when it comes to her coif. “I keep my hair short, Natural and neat because it’s a great get-up-and-go hairstyle,” says Lira. She recommends using a combination of gel and moisturizing spray to make hair soft without getting it too oily. “My hair is very thick, but it’s also soft because I moisturize it by shampooing once a week and doing a deep conditioner once a month.”
Hi I’m a 19 year old college student. I’ve always had lengthy hair, with a very soft texture. I’ve been getting relaxers since I was 5 years old, but for the past 6 months or so I have become interested in dreading my hair. I don’t want to go through with the BC, but I would rather start at the hair length I am at now. How long could it possibly take to grow the relaxer out? Also, I’ve noticed a lot of women who experience hair loss, primarily their edges, when getting dreads. How do you avoid this?
I am 35, and have been natural since I was 21, when I started doing my own hair. Since then, I have transitioned from 2-strand twists to locs to a natural coiffe. I even loc my husband”s hair and his is way longer than mine!!! Here is my suggestion, which may take a while but it is worth it.
At 21, I decided to stop relaxing. Like you, I had lengthy hair of a soft texture. So I started braiding my hair (no extensions, loose at the roots – this is key to not losing your hair, if this is what you mean by edges), continually trimming the ends (at least once a month) so that my natural roots would grow out while maintaining most of the length. I used a lot of natural oil products, like tea tree oil, olive oil, Kemi oil, particularly products that stimulated growth. As the natural roots grew out, I trimmed more of the relaxed hair off to convert the braids to 2-strand twists. Within a year or two, I was all natural with my original length. It would take me 18+ hours to 2-strand twist at that point, so you can appreciate how long it was.
I would recommend using Parnevu’s T-Tree Growth Cream and Leave-In Conditioner. I swear my this stuff and use it to this day. It really makes your hair grow.
Good Luck with your transition :)
Hi Jae: New growth is different for everyone, but commonly you may see a half-inch per month. You can train your hair to lay in a downward motion by tying the locs down with a silk scarf after shampooing. You may want to consult a Natural hairstylist before starting your journey, just to get a complete hair and scalp analysis and develop a great cleansing and conditioning regimen to help keep your hair healthy.
My hair is growing back after chemo, but is thin and very soft. I want to let it grow, but it is so unmanageable. I am a full figure-full faced 54 yr old black woman,
Hi Carolyn: Check out the “Hair Advice” column in the current issue of SBH! Our expert columnist Jacqueline Tarrant offers great tips on hair growth.
I sent pictures to the address in the back of the magazine including the the agreement consent over 2 months ago, and I still have not gotten a reply .. I’m not sure if it has even been received. Is there a number I can call to find out?
Hi Tonya: Due to the amount of submissions we receive, we are not able to call everyone to let them know we received their package. If you have questions, please reach out to us via email at info@associatedpub.com and someone will assist you. Thank you for your support!
I am looking to get braids this summer. What would be the style of braids that wont cause to much tension on my hair?
Hi Leslie: Set up a consultation with your stylist and express your concerns on tension. No matter the type of braids, the tension should be comfortable enough for you and you should express any discomfort if you feel any while the stylist is braiding your hair.
[...] Braids & Naturals | Sophisticate’s Black Hair Styles and Care GuideMarvel at the easy step-by-step styling techniques for Natural designs you’ll desire to wear now! [...]
on starting a new life with your hair. You wont greret it. I know getting used to no relaxers and irons can be difficult at first but you can adjust. One of the best tips, that I can offer you would be to remain consistent. Wash your hair on a normal basis and remember to moisturize. Those two things were key when I just started. I will be posting great tips throughout the blog. And if you have any specific questions don’t be afraid to ask.
I’m trying to start growing dreads and i’ve started by using yarn braids and i want to know how can i make it look more natural and if i can dye them?
Hi Lekeia: We are consulting with our hair experts and we will have an answer for you very soon!
Yarn braids will look more natural the older they get. I have many clients that start locs with yarn braids because they want the length or don’t want to cut their hair. As far as tinting or coloring the yarn. To date I have not had any luck with trying to lighten the yarn. I’ve tried several ways. Incorporate the color yarn that you want in the braids. Good luck with your journey.
Stylist to the stars Anthony Cherry has answered your coif question Lekeia: While it is possible to color your hair, it will look more natural if you stick to a black or dark brown shade. That’s what having a Natural style like locs is all about!
My hair is being to thin a little and know that anutral is best. Tired it last year but got fed up after while, with the process. It is just above my shoulder and would prefer not cutting my hair. My sister told me to twist it after washing, however since never being the type of girl to do my own hair, wasn’t able. Would like to be anutral, however anutral hair isn’t very straight. What is the best style for hair besides; anutral; that will not cause breakage, hair to thin, more stress? Since sweat a lot in my head at night need a style, that when get up in the morning my hair isn’t nappy, and able to go and exercise without worring. What is the best style for hair besides anutral? Braids Press, or Relaxers, and since on a budget cannot always get the a professional, and must professionals have meet always want to relex my hair. Please help.
We are getting an answer from our experts, Marysella. Visit soon!
Style expert and celebrity mane pro Anthony Cherry has some advice for you Marysella: There are plenty of options out there, including braids, extensions and pincurls! You mentioned working out, and either braids or extensions are great looks for avid exercisers. However, it is important to check in with stylists at least once a month to maintain any style and keep your hair in a good state. Check out issues of SBH for more suggestions!
How do I get the Braids and Natural magazine.
Hello Natural,
Braids & Natural is a mini-magazine inserted in Sophisticate’s Black Hair Styles and Care Guide. Please click here to download the subscription order form for Sophisticate’s Black Hair Styles and Care Guide magazine. Thank you!
hi,
my name is solange , I am from drc/kinshasa but i live in south africa. how can i get the catalogue?
Hello Solange!
Please click here to download the subscription order form. Thank you!
I have a thick twa but my temple areas are thinning. What can I use to thicken these areas?