Sophisticate's Black Hair Styles and Care Guide Sophisticate's Black Hair Styles and Care Guide, published by Associated Publications, Inc.,  is the ABC-audited, #1 Best Selling Black Hair Magazine in the world.
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What's Inside

Celebrity Chat Celebrity Chat

Hot singer Melanie Fiona dishes the keys to her fave mane moves!


Weave Couture Weave Couture

Admire all the angles of this chic short design-created with a weave! Get all the styling how-tos for this modern glam look.


Hair Color Now Hair Color Now

Ready to go red? Get inspired with this sexy scarlet collection just in time for autumn.


Braids & Naturals Sophisticate's Braids & Naturals

These easy step-by-step Natural design techniques will have your admirers loving your latest look!


Talk To Us! Talk To Us!

Speak out! Tell us what’s on your mind via SBH‘s online beauty network.


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Hair Color Now

Trend Of The Moment
RADIANT RED

With just autumn around the corner, now is the perfect time to consider a new tress shade…May we suggest colorful crimson? Check out these various shades of red to get you inspired!

RUBY RED BOB

RUBY RED BOB
This look’s beauty comes from its stark simplicity. Dips and peaks circle the perimeter of the crown to show off a shiny scarlet hue crafted by colorists at Coiffure salon in Battersea, London. Achieve this fluid design by misting tresses with silicone-based shine spray prior to straightening hair with a flat iron.

CHERRY BURST

CHERRY BURST
Sleek tresses are tinted a gorgeous rosewood hair color before being tapered around the face and the neckline in this fierce wig style by Kym Williams of Katour Line Wigs. Talk about a statement-making hair hue—without the commitment!

GINGER KISSES

GINGER KISSES
Red-hot strands slice into a dark base for high-contrast creativity. Keep hair loose and flowing with wispy bangs to accentuate trendy and flattering red highlights. A flat iron helps to frame luxe layers around the face, creating a stunning silhouette. Thank stylist Fonda of Dayze of Beauty Salon in Fort Washington, MD for this so-hot color move.

Tiny Cottle

STAR STYLE INSPIRATION

Tiny Cottle, of the top-rated BET reality TV program The Tiny & Toya Show, wows us with her standout, candy apple-red mane shade.

TIP OF THE MOMENT

Red is a hue that has a tendency to fade quickly if precautions aren’t taken! To keep your crimson coif looking as vibrant as the day you stepped out of the salon, reach for both a color-enhancing shampoo and conditioner. In this way, you’ll be sure help preserve your mane’s sexy scarlet hue as long as possible.

YOUR SPACE: Hair Color Now

Tell Us: Which celebrity has inspired your most recent hair color move and why? How long did you wear the color? Did you switch your mane shade when your fave celebrity swapped out a new hue? We’d love to hear all the details!

Talk back to SBH at “Hair Color Now”

  1. lynn says:

    Please help with my gray hair. I have a regular stylist, however, I don’t know if she is the greatest with color.

    The most noticeable gray I have is all around the hairline in front. However, when she colors it (darkest brown is my choice to go closest with my natural color) it doesn’t take real well. The hair is often reddish looking. I do have a perm in my hair. She uses semi-permanent, and this also seems to break off the hair in that section also. I live in Atlanta, is there a place here that specializes in color for Black hair, and what can I doo at home. I am very unhappy and self conscious. Thank you.

    • SBH says:

      Hi lynn: You’re right on in choosing a color that most closely resembles your natural hue. If you want to continue using a semi-permanent color, there are three products you can try: A hair rinse is used every time you shampoo; A hair mascara comes with a little wand you use to brush the color on and cover up the gray temporarily; Cellophanes, or non-permanent hair dye, have no ammonia or peroxide and act similar to a vegetable dye. If you decide to go with a hair rinse or hair mascara, touch-ups are needed. For cellophanes, touch up your color every six weeks.Since you’re also wearing a perm and you’re currently unhappy with the color results, try a consultation with a salon COLORIST–an individual who specializes in working with haircolor–as opposed to your stylist who may not necessarily specialize in color application.

  2. Thomasina says:

    My hair is very dry no matter what my hairdresser does to it I will have flakes within two days. I want to color my hair red without drying it out any further or have it falling out. What should I do?

    • SBH says:

      Hi Thomasina: First, you must address why you’re getting flakes. Dandruff can be mistaken for dry scalp a lot of times. Dandruff is more of an itch, where as dry scalp is just the feeling on your skin. If it is dandruff, keep in mind that most dandruff systems should not be used on the same day as a chemical service (i.e. coloring session) and you must follow up with a conditioner. It’s all about restoring moisture in the scalp.

  3. Cassie says:

    At the moment my hair is a 1. I’ve been wanting to go a bit lighter 7-5 area. My hair is somewhat thin. Any suggestion or advice to accomplish this safely with minimal damage…please advise

    • SBH says:

      We’re looking into this for you, Cassie…Stay tuned.

    • SBH says:

      HiCassie: We went to celebrity hairstylist Dr. Boogie for the answer. Here’s what he had to say: If your hair was colored black and you want to lift it to a five or a six, and you want an all-over, even color without damaging your hair, see a professional colorist. If you tinted your hair a natural color and you plan on coloring it yourself, use the color chart found on the box and be sure you go one shade lighter so you get close to your desired shade. To be safe, do a strand test on a small part of your head so you are sure it will come out the way you want it to look. And, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for the coloring kit you’re using.

  4. jean curry says:

    I do not subscribe. When I see a style I like, I take it to my stylist and she hook me up. I do like the style above that Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins is wearing. I will that magazine if it is the latest on.

    • SBH says:

      Hi jean curry: If you don’t subscribe to SBH then you’re missing out on a whole lot of styling! Our online community gets just a glimpse of the variety of hair fashion looks we offer within the pages of Sophisticate’s Black Hair. Our August issue (the one with Rihanna on the cover) is especially packed with hot summer styles. We’re just sayin’…you may want to re-think about picking up the magazine!

  5. Sammie says:

    You know Mary J have the most hair color and she wear it well…But how do you now which color fits you…

    • SBH says:

      Hi Sammie.: Start off by figuring out what your complexion’s undertone. Is it warm or cool? Then opt for a shade in the color family that’s no more than two shades beyond your hair’s natural hue. For more haircolor advice, check out the August 2010 issue of SBH on sale now!

  6. Sheryl Bray says:

    My hair has been colored with blonde and I had some breakage.Now my hair has been cut even and looking alot healthier. I want to get my hair colored but I want red and blonde any suggestions to keep my hair healty so my color will stay in, because I get perms on my hair!!

    thanks

    • Keameashia says:

      Try a product by Design Essentials called SLEEK it works great and is not too expensive.

    • SBH says:

      Hi Sheryl Bray: Since you’re dealing with double-process haircolor and a perm, it’s important that your strands are well conditioned. Hot oil and leave-in treatments are a must. You can do some of the conditioning at home but be sure to allow for salon conditioning treatment sessions as well to help keep your mane looking fabulous.

  7. Eleanor says:

    Hello, im natural and im considering wearing a weave ponytail but I need some type of gel that will lay my hair down..!any suggestions?? and is it better that i hot comb it first so it can be smooth?

    • SBH says:

      The hot comb can give you more control Eleanor over unruly “baby hairs.” But, depending on the climate, you may be able to get away with using pomade, gel or even a styling “pudding” to keep your hair in check. Note: for the most natural-looking effect, be sure to select a weave ponytail that’s as close in texture to your Natural strands as possible.

    • Free says:

      Hicks total transformation edges have a really good hol, Im natural as well and its great for slicking down my edges when I wear my puffs.

YOUR SPACE: Hair Color Now

Tell Us: Which celebrity has inspired your most recent hair color move and why? How long did you wear the color? Did you switch your mane shade when your fave celebrity swapped out a new hue? We’d love to hear all the details!

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