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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Celebrity Chat Celebrity Chat

Music star Tené Williams shares her best mane moves!


Weave Couture Weave Couture

Want this weave style? Score all the info about this design now!


Hair Color Now Hair Color Now

A chocolate brown hue is so rich! Make this delicious shade your next color move.


Braids & Naturals Sophisticate's Braids & Naturals

Get the step-by-step info for a hot Natural look!


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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
CHOCOLATE BROWN

Take a look at these deliciously dark hues and be inspired to try a new haircolor for the winter season.

MOCHA MARVELOUS

MOCHA MARVELOUS
Style pro Shermica Fabers of Upscale Hair Salon in North Charleston, SC, adds a delectable shade of chocolate to this voluminous Natural. The deep haircolor complements light skin tones very nicely and the taut ringlets look amazing!

BRUNETTE BEAUTY

BRUNETTE BEAUTY
This subtle shade cocktailed by Kimberly Joseph of Kimistry Hair Studio in Houston, TX, is a great natural hue that’s perfect for a career woman like you. A few flips of the flat iron adds shapely dimension to the classic bob.

RAVEN MAVEN

RAVEN MAVEN
Tammy Herod of Tammy’s Hair Gallery in Oxford, MS, colors lush lengths a deep brown shade. Hair is styled sleek with a flat iron to show off the glossy haircolor and enhance smoothness of the style, which includes a brow-brushing fringe.

Tia Mowry

STAR STYLE INSPIRATION

Starring on BET’s The Game, actress Tia Mowry wears her natural brunette haircolor.

TIP OF THE MOMENT

To add some dimension to her mane shade, Tia wears clip-in extensions. “I don’t color my hair at all,” she says. “That’s what I love about extensions—I don’t have to color my own hair. I just use hair extensions for some highlights.” Look for shades close to your own haircolor for the most natural-looking results.

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. linda says:

    :I in a natrual sister I use to be lie beyonce blonde but I’m getting plenty gray at the front of my head I will like for a color to keep them from showwing up so much

    • SBH says:

      Hi Linda: You can try covering up the gray hair at your edges using either a hair mascara or a semi-permanent hair rinse. A hair mascara is easy to use, as you take the little wand and just brush the color on your hairline! You can find all these products at your local beauty supply store. And don’t be afraid to ask the sales clerk for help!

  2. Debora says:

    I am transitioning from relaxed to natural. It has been about 7 months since I last relaxed my hair. Before transitioning I colored my hair using a semi-permanant hair color. My natural hair color is dark brown. I want to lighten my hair to medium to light brown. Because I’m on a very tight budget, I bought an at home coloring kit in medium brown. I followed the instructions very carefully and my hair came out black. Could you tell me why this happened and what I can I do to safely lighten my hair without having to pay a lot of money. Thank you.

    • SBH says:

      Hi Debora: When you want to lighten your hair, be sure to lift the haircolor no more than three levels in a single process in order to avoid breakage and damage. The safest way to lift your haircolor is to use a high-lift permanent color—it has an automatic shut-off time of about 45 minutes. Consider visiting a salon professional to achieve your desired haircolor, as a colorist may mix several colors together in order to create the exact shade you want.

  3. joyce says:

    I have very dark skin and would like a hair color that compliments my skin tone. Nothing loud ! Can u advise . Thanks luv this magazine!

    • SBH says:

      Hi Joyce: Check out the “Which Hair Hue Are You” story in the November ’11 issue of SBH (the one with Kandi Burruss on the cover). Take the quiz then tally your results to find the perfect mane shade.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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:

      Hi Cassie: 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.

  7. 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!

  8. 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!

  9. 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.

  10. 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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