Michelle Obama's Hair Is All Natural!

Michelle is a no-lye lady.  This is so refreshing to know especially with the majority of black celebrity women having extremely unbelievably long weaves in their hair.

It may not seem like a big deal, but black women for centuries have been trying to get that hair nirvana - without chemicals.

After the much-talked-about purple Maria Pinto sheath Obama wore when Barack clinched and the White House/Black Market sundress that sold out in hours after her appearance on The View, we have more reason to pay attention to our potential first lady's style choices.

Her heavenly mane is blown out by Johnny Wright, a California-based stylist at Frédéric Fekkai on Melrose Place.

Wright, a consultant for Soft Sheen Carson, works his magic on Anita Baker, Vivica A. Fox and Vanessa Williams. He met Obama after he styled her hair for the cover of Ebony magazine.

The news first broke that Wright was Obama's stylist on BellaSugar.com in late July. New York magazine picked up the story as well, insinuating Obama was snooty for requesting her stylist travel with her to the convention. (Isn't that the right of a potential first lady?)

While Fekkai has been reluctant recently to talk about Obama's hair, citing privacy issues, company spokeswoman Denise Davila did say that her hair was blown out by Wright and that he did not use chemicals in her hair. And yesterday morning, the Today show did a segment touting Frédéric Fekkai products.

The bigger question is: How is this mane magic possible? Can black women have such a silky look without chemicals at all?

"It is totally possible to have hair that straight without having a relaxer," explained Brandy Davila (no relation to Denise), hairstylist and color specialist at Bubbles Salon on Walnut Street. Davila styles the 10! Show's Lori Wilson, an African American anchorwoman with a sleek style similar to Obama's.

"The key is in the products and the tools that are being used," Davila said.

Davila said that in the last five years, more black women who wear their hair straight are moving away from relaxers because they desire more movement. Women with color-treated hair also are moving away from chemical straighteners because of breakage issues.

To get the look, Davila said, she shampoos and conditions hair, then applies a dime-size amount of Phytodefrisant and Phytolisse cocktail. These two products, she said, protect the hair from the heat of the blow dryer and help with shine.

After that, Davila said, the hair is blown out under low heat with a paddle brush. To get the maximum body, straightness and curl, Davila uses a flat iron, which gets as hot as 400 degrees. Right now the most popular flat irons in the black haircare market are Chi and Fhi irons.

"These irons let you control the heat," Davila said.

Davila said the style could last from three to six days, depending on the humidity.

Jasmine - Lets Celebrate Black Hair

This is my beautiful cousin Jasimine.  I have been waiting some time to get this photo from her.  I wanted to show off her beautiful long locks.  The following is her story.

"My story is not unlike a lot of sista's out there. I went from relaxing my hair to extensions and weave that made me look like I had a face lift every six weeks! I was fed up, had an ultra sensitive scalp and a rapidly receding hairline. I literally went on strike and refused to comb my hair anymore! I learned how to start locking up and that transition was tough. I certainly didn't have hair that swished in the breeze anymore as it was about three inches long but on the up side my husband was no longer banned from running his fingers through my hair! Was it worth it? Absolutely. Black hair is as versatile as it is majestic. Let's celebrate it!"

Guyanese Lady Named Gillian

It has been a while since I approached a stranger and asked her to take a picture of her hair.  I met this lovely young lady today as she was doing her early morning daily chore of checking the fleet of yachts at Hodges Creek, Tortola BVI.  My husband first noticed her and commented that she had nice long hair.  As we passed her by and said our morning greetings, my husband told me that he wanted to compliment her about her hair but he thought that I would have been angry with him.  I assured him that I would not have been.

So he went about doing his business of fishing with his friend and I got an opportunity to speak to this young lady.  She is Guyanese and her name is Gillian.  I complimented on her beautiful head of hair and I asked her if she ever thought of cutting it and she said she actually did on many occasions.  Apparently her grows back very quickly.  She also informed me that her husband does not like it when she cuts her hair.  I wonder why, my husband does not like it when I cut my hair either.  She also informed me that in its natural form, her hair is very curly and I know that could be a nightmare sometimes especially after shampooing the hair.  She has a relaxer in her hair which allows her hair to be more manageable.

 e

High Maintenance Hairstyle

This is my beautiful second cousin Nicola!  I am so excited to do this post about her. I was part of her life when she was a young child.  It was always a joy to spend time with her, her mom (my first cousin) and her brothers.  I miss them alot.  I feel so proud  seeing her in this photo.

Many moons ago, I too had my hair cut in this style.  While it looks pretty, it is very high maintenance.  By that I mean you always have to keep it looking good.  You know when your hair has some length there are times when you do not feel like styling your hair and you can easily pull it back in a pony tail.  Well with this hair style you can't do that!  It is a beautiful hairstyle though.  The other problem I had  was I did not like the way my

 hair looked when the hair at the back of my head started to grown.  So I would return to the hairdress and have her cut it again.

Back to my beautiful cousin, this is what she had to say about her hair style.

"I actually enjoy my hair short, it's easy to shampoo and dry. I style it and relax for myself when it's that short. When I think the back is growing out too much, I let my stylist shave it down for me.

The products I use are: motions hair moisturizer, motions hair and scalp grease, motions CPR conditioner, olive oil/optimum relaxer, olive oil hair sheen.

To me the hardest part is deciding to grow it back out. You know that in between stage when the hair too short to go in a pony tail, that's what I'm going through right now."

She and her mom are in business together(awesome) and the name of the company is Elegant Occasions.  Elegant Occasions is an Special Event Decorating and Rental Company.  This is their FaceBook page.

Use Baking Soda In Your Hair

Wow I was doing some research on Baking Soda and was greatly surprised the many ways this product can be used.  It can also be used in your hair.  Check it out!

Help Your Hair
Baking Soda has its place in the shower too. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly–baking soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so your hair is cleaner and more manageable.

Cleanse Your Hair
If you’re looking to join the ranks of non-shampooers to reduce how often shampoo, or simply to get rid of some product build-up on your roots, look no further than baking soda. Just fill a glass with warm water and dissolve about a tablespoon of baking soda into it. Take that to the shower, and after wetting your hair pour the mixture through. Comb it well before rinsing—your hair will feel a little coated and slippery until it’s fully rinsed out.

Clean brushes and combs
For lustrous hair with more shine, keep brushes and combs clean. Remove natural oil build-up and hair product residue by soaking combs and brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small basin of warm water. Rinse and allow to dry.

 

See how it can be used in the kitchen as well.  How to use Baking Soda in the kitchen.

My Daughters Pin Curls

My daughter's latest report:   After two weeks it was time to wash my hair after relaxing it. I really didn't want to use my flat iron or curling iron. Plus I wanted more body in my hair. So i decided to use curlers, then i realized there wasn't enough for my hair. So I went on YouTube searching what to do and I decided to try pin curls. It actually came out good.

I am very pleased with these results as I have been trying to get my daughter to stop using the curling for a long time now.  She likes the results - that is an improvement.  The only thing though, is that using the hair clips, I notice that the hair ends stick out.  An extra effort has to be made to tuck them in before clipping the hair.  I use the tiny woogies so I don't have that problem.

 

New Growth Under Control

The last time I relaxed my hair was in July when I was on vacation in Trinidad.  I am now due for a touch up - there is alot of new hair growth.  As I go to the beach basically every other day and wash my hair after each session, if I leave my hair to air dry, it is very difficult to comb my hair and the new hair growth and their is alot of hair breakage.

So I have decided to apply some Vaseline grease to my hair after washing it and simply tying my head.  After a few hours my hair roots are under control and it is much easier for me to manage.

Unattractive Hair Smell

I like Olive Oil Organic products so I recently purchased the shampoo, conditioner and moisturizer.  I notice, however, that when I open out my hair, it has an unpleasant smell which is not due to not washing my hair on a regular basis.  My hair smells as though I sweat alot in my head - which I don't.

I go the beach often so I wash out the salt water each time I return home from the beach.  I use the Olive Oil Organic Root Stimulator Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion at night to keep my hair and ends moist.
I have subsequently stopped using this product and am just using some plain old Vaseline to keep my hair ends.  No more unattractive hair smell!

 

Don't get me wrong, these are great hair products maybe I should wash my hair more often.

I Am Getting Back My Length!

Just showing off the progress of my relaxed hair.  I had it relaxed and a semi permanent dye applied, in Trinidad - June 2011.  I have been going to the beach regularly and have not been treating my hair very kindly even though I have been washing out the salt water.  

I notice that there have been alot of breakage when I comb my hair.  So I bought some Organic Olive Oil Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair Moisturizer (I love these products)  and I section my hair at night and apply the moisturizer paying attention to the ends.  Then I wrap each section into a Bantu Knot.  I am getting back my length and I want my hair to be healthy!

Brown Pom Pom Hair

I was taking photos of the BVI Festival East End Parade on Wednesday August 3, 2011 and I saw this young lady parading, her hair style caught my attention.  Her brown hair was sectioned off in little Pom Poms.  I can assure you that is the natural color of her hair. 

So eventhough I was on the look out for beautiful festival pictures, I was also looking out for beautiful hair like the gentleman below.  He did not even know what 'hit' him!  LOL!!!

Old Friend With Very Long Dreadlocks

Wow I am so excited about this post today.  My model today is an old friend of mine.  We have known each other for many years.  As a matter of fact our mothers were very good friends and WE became friends!  Her family migrated to USA more than 20 years ago and thanks to Facebook, we can now keep in touch with other on a regular basis.

As you can see her hair is in dreadlocks, she has beautiful hair.  In the first picture you can see the length of her hair.  The gentleman with her is her nephew.  Hopefully I will get pictures of him some time in the future.

This is Lev with her hair down, she normally has her  hair all tied up for work to have a professional look.  She untied her hair specially for me and took pictures.  I wanted to see the length of her hair.  Thanks Lev!

Dreadlocks Stocking Cap

I asked Levi what are the possibilities of going swimming on a regular basis and what are the dislikes and likes she experiences having her  hair in dreadlocks and the following are her responses:

Swimming is very enjoyable, just have to be careful on the environment due to the fact that its so much hair things can attach itself and u are not aware. Ocean no problem let it all hang loose. rivers etc. wrap it up. this is just my opinion. I am very protective.

Hair drying depends on the season. Summer beautiful you can allow it to dry naturally. Winter it takes planning and time allotted to do a complete job. Before you go out in the elements.

Issues: I have tender scalp, so to carry or style this amount of hair is a sensitive thing. Strangers just walking up and touching without my permission (very bad).  When you sit, it gets it out the way because if you forget it could be very painful (neck wise). Will miss it when I cut it!

Likes: its fascinating to see all my hair on my head for the pass seven years and not in the shower drain.

This choice was accidental. My daughter is amazed at the growth every time she comes home. (I still can't get her to take care of my hair she is always asking me to do her hair. 

Headaches Caused By Heavy Long DreadLocks

I met this lovely lady, Mary, on my trip to Trinidad in June of this year and my first question to her was if the dye in her hair was not causing her hair to break and she responded negatively.  Another piece of information that she provided me with, is that her hair was much longer and she had to cut it because it had gotten too heavy!

I was very surprised as I never thought of long locks being heavy.  Apparently the weight was causing her headaches etc. In addition when she washed her hair it was even heavier!!!  I can relate to this because on the few occasions I installed braids in my hair and when I washed it, I felt the weight of the hair on my head.  Very interesting piece of information.  Dreadlocks Stocking Cap

This is Mary before she cut her hair!

Beautiful DreadLocks II

Relaxed Hair Color

It took me a while to decide what content I should write for these pictures and I finally got it! 

My daughter sent me these pictures, about two days ago, of her relaxed hair that she had recently applied some permanent color to.  It looks really great!  It gives her face a different look.  You have to be real careful when applying permanent color to your hair.  I remember my previous employer always wore a wig and I asked her the reason why and she explained that she went to have her relaxed and wanted a permanent hair color applied as well.

Apparently the hairdresser did not advise her that the permanent hair color could not be done the same day that the hair was relaxed.  So my ex-employer's hair was relaxed and colored the same day!  And what happen next was just crazy.  She said that she did not like the color so she had someone else apply another color to her hair - which was within a few days!  Absolutely crazy!  So you can guess what happened next!  Her hair began to fall out in chunks.  So she had to resort to wearing the wigs until her hair grew back.

2011 Braid Out Look

Finally!  I got these pictures taken to show off my braid out look that I like so much.  My colleagues like it as well.  The only thing about it is that I observe that at the end of the day when I comb out my hair, there is a lot of broken hair on my comb!

I have decided to give this style a rest and set my hair after washing.  Followed by wrapping my hair.

Beautiful Locks

This lovely young lady is a friend mine and I remember the time when she started to 'lock' her hair.  Look at her hair now.  Her hair looks beautiful!

Weave Cut and Style

A co-worker of mine had her hair done recently in a cute bob. Her hair stylist used a normal length straight weave, which she sewed in, cut and styled it into a short bob. Looks great in my opinion.