This is one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to talking about hair.  This awkward and often inaccurate way of determining  happens among the average woman talking about hair texture with her hairstylist and even many scientists and cosmetic chemists who work in hair care research and development find it hard to properly articulate the correct classification of hair types.

What happens in the case of someone, in fact large groups of people who don’t fit into the narrow  hair type descriptions. For instance, an Asian girl with wavy hair, an African American woman with hair that is super fine and with only a slight wave pattern, or a Caucasian individual with a coarse, frizzy afro? And then there’s bi-racial hair? Each time two parents of different races have a child the possibility of hair type and texture aren’t even predictable from one child to the next.

I think it’s more accurate and less likely to offend,  if hair texture is described or defined by it’s characteristics rather than by an ethnic group stereotype. The world is becoming more diverse and there are many exceptions to the old hair rules. So why not be progressive and create a new hair rule: Define hair texture by its characteristics such as straight, wavy, afro , tightly coiled, s- pattern curls, etc.

2.  Do not over process you hair.  Make sure your hairstylist does not “pull the relaxer through the ends of your hair. Only new growth should be relaxed. If a hairstylist is “pulling through the relaxer” on already relaxed hair, you may want to consider getting a more qualified and professional hairstylist.

3.  Shampoo your hair weekly, at least. Chemically processed hair is much more delicate and needs moisture , which comes from water not oil, on a regular basis.

4.  Do not let irresponsible or unlicensed individuals relax your hair. Relaxing your hair is a permanent chemical process should be taken seriously. I’ve seen plenty of heads badly damaged from relaxers due to carelessness and misuse.  Healthy hair is not a coincidence.

5.  Avoid using heat styling tools such as flat irons and curling irons on dirty hair.  Hair that isn’t freshly shampooed has very little moisture left.  Think of what happens to the trees or grass during a summer drought. There’s lots of heat and little to no rain. The leaves dry out and the grass turns brown. The last thing you would do is add more heat.   Heat styling dirty hair is a sure way to having your crumble to the touch.

won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievements in Hairstyling for her work on the Tyra Banks Show.

The prestigious honor is awarded by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.  Also receiving  Emmy awards in the same category were the team of hairstylists that were responsible for creating the amazing looks for everyone that appeared on the show including talk show host Ms. Tyra Banks herself.

Although Daria hadn’t in her wildest dreams imagined she’d be an Emmy award recipient she states,

” It’s great to be acknowledged for hard work and talent.  It was completely unexpected.  This honor is extremely rewarding and motivating.”  

So what’s next for the Emmy winner?  Wright assures us,

” This is only the beginning of great accomplishments yet to come. I have so many ideas up my sleeve. Watch out world! “

For more details on Daria’s Emmy buzz check out the news on the http://blog.kessagency.com/

2. Hair Rules Created by hairstylist Eric J. Dickey he knows curly hair for sure

3. Miss Jessies Ultra popular line formulated by two hairstylist sisters, Titi and Mikko

4. Morrocan Oil  soft, smooth and shiny hair 

5. Organic Root Stimulator Effective products at a great price point

6. Mixed Chicks Just the right texture and ingredients

7. Curls  Keeps curls in check

8. Deva Curl Great shampoo for frequent rehydrating

9. Aveda  Pure plant ingredients is their philosophy

10. Curly Q’s Great for children as well

1. Healthy scalp condition Healthy hair starts with a good scalp environment that promotes healthy hair growth.  A healthy scalp can breathe. It is clean,  and free of dandruff, debris and or product buildup.  Sufficient scalp manipulation helps stimulate blood circulation to the scalp helps the scalp.   This is essential  for hair growth. Your scalp should be supple or flexible not dry or tight feeling.

2. Shampooing often enough - [picappgallerysingle id="5216028"]Shampooing the hair as often as necessary to remove excess oil, perspiration and product residue will not only cleanse the hair and scalp but will at the same time replenish moisture to your hair. Not shampooing often enough can lead to creating an envirronment where bacteria can grow and fester possibly leading to a condition called dermatitis.  This situation is often mistaken for dandruff.

3. Split end managment - Practically everything we do to our hair on a regular basis over time causes some hair damage. Even seemingly harmless things like combing or brushing can cause hair damage. If you’d like to achieve the greatest amount of length possible for your hair then you must recieve haircuts on a systematic basis. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. The fastest way to achieve and or maintain longer lengths of hair is by regularly trimming just the ends usually 1/2 inch or less depending on the length of your hair) before they become too frayed and then more will have to be cut. Don’t be afraid scissors are not your enemy.

As the main guest Rock was on the “Oprah” show to promote his film.  During the course of the show Rock was able to pull off what no man has ever before been able to do on air to Ms. Oprah Winfrey herself, or to any black woman for that matter.    Since it is largely believed the all African -American women who have shoulder length hair or  longer are wearing a hair weave or wig, the talk show host herself provided the only means of proof.

In  the name of “research” Rock was allowed several moments of full frontal fondling of Ms. Oprah Winfrey’s hair. 

To his utter amazement and complete surprise he discovered that Oprah’s hair was indeed genuine.  I must admit although Oprah is one of the few women with such a great head of fabulous, thick coarse hair, I too was surprised that it was indeed all of Oprah’s hair. 

I have seen her various hairstyles over the years and I really pride myself in easily distinguishing celebrity hairstyles. I can normally tell wig, weave, hair pieces, or braids.  Not that I thought it wasn’t possible for Oprah’s hair to be all her own but rather I thought the she like many celebrities , in order to save the wear and tear on their own hair , it’s preferred to wear additional hair to save the damage to your own hair. 

Also, as women get older the hair isn’t always what it used to be.  But as Oprah pointed out to address all the shock and disbelief, she mentioned that she has ha the same hair care professional tending to her tresses for 24 years. I notice that she doesn’t mention his name too much anymore but her hairstylist is Andre Walker. Indeed we see why he has definitely been a keeper and why Oprah has  been so loyal. I wonder how much he must make as the key hairstylist responsible for tending  to Ms. Winfrey all these years!

The subject of black women and their hair is a very touchy one.  It was sure to set off a fire storm of passionate debates,  discussions and even arguments. The good thing though is that it’s got everyone talking about hair.

First, we need to understand the reason your scalp is itching so fiercely.  It is very likely due to perspiration residue or, in other words dried sweat.  When your scalp perspires it becomes warm and moist or even wet. Our body’s perspiration has a saltiness, which actually helps draw out the moisture.  But after it cools down and then dries, this salty residue that remains from your perspiration can lead to a dry, tight feeling on the scalp. This is the perfect environment for bacteria to begin to grow.

 Since scalp condition varies from person to person the rate of growth of bacteria will also be different. One person may not notice itching right away or even at all because the may not perspire as readily as another person.

Imagine after an intense workout and you’re completely drenched in perspiration. But instead of heading to the shower, you wait until you cool down and then you put on all of your clothes.  You continue to skip the shower…. for days.  After you start to itch, still avoiding the shower now you decide to slather yourself in oil or grease to calm down the itch.  In this context, rubbing yourself down in oil instead of using water sounds absolutely ridiculous doesn’t it?  But remember your scalp is also skin.  So if you think you should “oil your scalp” or “grease your scalp” because it itches, please stop.  You are most likely going to make the situation even worse.

Well now I hope you are getting a very vivid picture of why your scalp itches like the devil.  More frequent shampooing is what would be ideal but since that isn’t always possible or practical for everyone there are some temporary solutions.

Here is a quick fix that should help to calm down the itch in between shampooing.  You need to use an antiseptic to help cleanse the scalp of bacteria build up.  I usually recommend Seabreeze or Listerine.  Wait a minute “Isn’t Listerine a mouthwash?” you say.  Yes, it is and that is why the popular promo commercial says, “Kills the germs that cause bad breath”. Listerine mouthwash happens to be a very powerful antiseptic. Similar products with antiseptic properties are Witch Hazel and Peroxide.

You can apply carefully with a Q-tip so that you will only touch your scalp. Or if it doesn’t matter if your hair gets wet you spray on undiluted antiseptic of choice using a spray bottle.