Black Hair Styles

Take a look at this young lady. Do you notice anything outrageous about her appearance? Would you describe her as looking anything other than neat and professional? We received an appeal concerning one of our sisters in uniform that we have to pass along to you. This young lady is serving her country and is being threatened with a dishonorable discharge, not over her behavior, but over her hair style. This case is reminiscent of the recent case with the Baltimore police department where certain hair styles were banned by people who clearly did not understand natural Black hair. Thanks to the response of the community, that regulation was overturned. Kim’s hair is neat, clean and professional. But, don’t take our word for it. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, here are 5,000 words (5 pictures) saying that her hair should not be a problem. Here are Kim’s Cornrow Pictures Please take a look at them and decide for yourself. If you decide you want to help, at the end of this post there are instructions for how you can help out.

Here is the email we received from Kim’s mother: Read the rest of this entry »

Here are some tips on removing styles such as braids, weaves, bonding glue, hair extensions and locks. Contrary to some opinions, locks can be safely removed. You will probably experience some hair loss and will see shedding of the hair that is no longer attached to the hair but is still in the lock. You probably will have to cut off some amount. But, with patience the proper tools, you can remove your locks. Read the rest of this entry »

Every time we write about natural hair versus permed hair we get a huge response from all our clients and readers. We know this topic is near and dear to you. Treasured Locks is here to support Black women and provide information and products to help you be the best you can be whether you decide to rock it straight or natural. I love “I Am Not My Hair” by by India.Arie. My girls and I love to sing at the top of our lungs in the car. The second verse goes like this:

Good hair means curls and waves
Bad hair means you look like a slave
At the turn of the century
Its time for us to redefine who we be
You can shave it off
Like a South African beauty
Or get in on lock
Like Bob Marley
You can rock it straight
Like Oprah Winfrey
If its not what’s on your head
Its what’s underneath and say HEY….

Read the rest of this entry »

We recently received an email from someone concerned about a huge faux pas made by someone representing Glamour Magazine. The email calls for a boycott against Glamour Magazine in reaction to some remarks made by a representative at a luncheon. If you get such an email, we encourage you to do your own investigation. We clicked on a link in the email to get “the rest of the story”. And while the incident does provide us for a great opportunity for discussion, even here at Treasured Locks, we differing opinions of what the proper reaction should be. What do you think?

Here is an excerpt from the email we received:

I am deeply offended by this editor’s statement as should all women of color (natural or relaxed). I didn’t realize that the way my hair grows out of my head naturally had political implications! I’ve been an avid reader of Glamour over the years, but I propose a permanent STRIKE ON PURCHASING GLAMOUR MAGAZINE. This attack on black women is no different than Imus’ recent “nappy headed hoes” statement and we have to show our financial power by hitting companies like Conde Nast where it hurts the most: their pockets.

If you agree with this strike on GLAMOUR MAGAZINE, please pass this email along to your network of family and friends. Also, if you know of any television show producers, I think it’s time for this issue to go from the web to television.

The offending remarks were made at a presentation to a group of women lawyers. The topic was the dos and don’ts of corporate fashion. Unfortunately, the person making the presentation didn’t understand the dos and don’ts of racial sensitivity.

First slide up: an African-American woman sporting an Afro. A real no-no, announced the Glamour editor to the 40 or so lawyers in the room. As for dreadlocks: How truly dreadful! The style maven said it was “shocking” that some people still think it “appropriate” to wear those hairstyles at the office. “No offense,” she sniffed, but those “political” hairstyles really have to go.

The thing that is shocking is how clueless this presenter was. But, we’ll get around to that later. You can read a more complete accounting of the tale here: Clearly Gottlieb Has A Bad Day
Read the rest of this entry »

A question we get quite often is something along the lines of “How do I get my hair to look curly (or wavy)?” We have many clients who want to wear their hair in a naturally curly looking style; but want to eliminate the kinkiness and frizzyness of just a plain old ‘fro and wear something a little more fashionable and under control.
There are several ways to go about this depending on a couple of factors such as :

• The natural state of your hair- how kinky is it?
• How soft is it?
• How thick is it?
• Do you want a permanent solution (will require chemicals) or are you willing to style your hair on a regular basis?

Permanent Solution for Creating Curly or Wavy Hair
For a permanent solution there is always a texturizer or a kiddie perm or a curly perm (we’ve even heard them called “curl reconstructors”). This will give you curly/wavy hair in a relatively permanent style. There’s something now called a “wash and wear”^TM relaxer. It appears that this is simply a milder lye
relaxer that leaves the hair in a “semi-natural” state. However, many of our clients want to avoid chemicals, which can be damaging to your hair and scalp. So, here are some alternatives you can try with naturally curly hair.

How to Create Soft Springy Curls from Naturally Kinky Hair
This is a technique that works well for moderately kinky to naturally curly hair. This style will have to be recreated about once a week, if properly maintained.

What you’ll need:

• Moisturizing Shampoo
• Leave-In Hair Conditioner (SheaMoisture Shea Butter Leave- In Conditioner is great for this)
• Spray bottle with water, Black Earth Protective Mist Bodifier
  or Treasured Locks Leave In Herbal Conditioner
• Treasured Locks Locks of Curls Pomade & Gel
• Wide and/or Medium Tooth Comb
• Hooded Hair Dryer
• Hand Held Hair Dryer

Instructions:

1. Wash hair with moisturizing shampoo and condition with a detangling conditioner.
2. Leave hair wet and comb through to detangle with a wide tooth comb.
3. While hair is wet saturate with Treasured Locks Locks of Curls Pomade & Gel.
4. Part hair into sections about 1/2” to 1”. Add pomade to each section as you work it.
5. With a wide to medium tooth comb, begin to gently comb hair one section at time from root to end. Start at the neck and work your way to the front of your hair. Pull the hair slowly to elongate your natural kinks into smoother, longer curls.
6. It’s important to keep the hair wet during this process. Use a spray bottle with water, or Protective Mist Bodifier or Treasured Locks Leave-In Herbal Conditioner. The look you are going for is smoother, longer curls while your hair is wet. You will then “set” the hair using a hooded dryer to maintain the curl when dry.
7. Sit under a hooded dryer for an hour or until hair is fully dry. It’s important to have the look you want before you sit under the dryer. If you want a part in your hair, part it now.
8. After drying, for further elongation of curls, you can use a hand-held dryer. Grab, the hair by the end and gently stretch it while blowing hot air on it from the root down to the mid-point of the hair.

How to do a Straw Set
A straw set will create those Shirley Temple types of ringlet curls (only smaller of course). This is also a great transitional hair style when you’re going from permed to natural hair. Giving the permed hair texture by placing it in this curly style will minimize the difference in appearance between the permed hair and the natural hair allowing you to grow out your natural hair before doing the “big chop”.

You will need:

• A pack of plastic drinking straws
  • For larger and looser curls, use small perm rods-
    available at beauty supply stores
• End papers
• Bobby pins
• Black Earth Crinkles & Curls or other setting
  lotion (make sure it’s alcohol free)
• Light hair oil or Black Earth Protective Mist Bodifier

Step 1: Shampoo and condition your hair and blot dry with a towel.

Step 2: Part you hair into 1/4 to 1/2 inch sections

Step 3: Place end papers on to ends of your hair.

Step 4: Roll your hair onto the straws or perm rods and secure it with a hairpin.

Step 5: Repeat steps 2-4 until you have finished your entire head.

Step 6: Dry your hair under a hooded dryer.

Step 7: Gently remove the straws and separate the curls.

Step 8: Spray with a light oil and continue to spray with oil on a daily basis.
How to do a Two Strand Twist and a Twist Out
This is a very easy, but very fashionable hair style. You actually get two-for-one. Start by creating two strand twists (which can be worn that way for several
days); then change it up by removing the twists and leaving the hair kinky/wavy for a few days.

• To create two strand twists, simply part the hair into small sections.
• Take each section and divide into two strands.
• Coat the hair with Locks of Curls Pomade & Gel or other styling gel.
• Coil the strands around each other working from the roots to the ends. Repeat over the entire head.
• After a few days simply untwist the two strands (gently)

How To Define Curls in Biracial Hair
Many biracial people have naturally beautiful curls when their hair is wet and would like to keep that look once the hair dries. We get this question all the time. If you have naturally soft curls, one of our clients has suggested a way that she styles her biracial hair that works for her (thanks Jennifer).

For those with softer, natural curls who just want more definition, this is a great technique. This hair style is well suited to bi-racial hair types.
For soft springy curls here is the procedure:

1. Wash hair at least 1x per week (the other days just rinse)
2. Detangle hair each day
3. Put in a leave in conditioner. Whatever helps detangle and leaves hair feeling soft. SheaMoisture Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner is
   great for this step. Saturate hair with Black Earth Protective Mist Bodifier
4. Put Treasured Locks Locks of Curls Locks of Curls Pomade & Gel or other styling gel in hair
5. Apply a little hair oil
6. Let air dry if possible (you can put your hair in a ponytail to stretch it a little or just let it air dry)
7. In the winter- use a blow dryer on the lowest temp, gently stretching the hair as you dry it.

© 2005-2007 Treasured Locks, LLC

Manageability is one of the key things our clients request. As you might imagine, we get a wide range of clients with many different hair types. But, making the hair easier to style, less frizzy and easier comb are common concerns among our clients.

We’d like to take a moment to review just a few products that could be beneficial in making your hair more manageable. (the model is this photo had her hair lightly blown-dry after applying Treasured Locks Curl Tamer to make it less frizzy, slightly less curly, easier to comb and smoother looking).

Treasured Locks Liquid Silk- Treasured Locks’ Liquid Silk is fantastic for redefining any texture hair. Curly hair becomes smooth and shiny. Straight or relaxed hair takes on a new sheen and smooth texture. Liquid Silk is a combination of the best science has to offer with natural botanical extracts and silk lipids to literally reconstruct hair giving it a smoother, silkier appearance. Temporary, but cumulative effect. Used when styling.

Treasured Locks Curl Tamer-Treasured Locks’ Curl Tamer is a unique styling product. Curl Tamer temporarily loosens the natural curl pattern of your hair allowing you to wear it in straighter styles. For our customers who have asked for products to temporarily tame their curly or frizzy hair, this is a great product to use on those days when you want more control. Perfect for biracial hair when you want to wear it straighter. Temporary effect. Works until hair “reverts” (usually due to humidity or washing).

Treasured Locks Thermo Shield- Treasured Locks’ Thermo Shield is a space-age protectant that prevents heat damage caused by flat irons, curling irons and hot combs. Better than old-fashioned pressing creams, Thermo Shield has silicone polymers which smooth, seal in moisture and add shine by laying the cuticles flat. Temporary effect until hair reverts.

Treasured Locks Conditioning Balm- Maximum manageability and shine with a deep treatment and strengthening finisher. Treasured Locks Conditioning Balm is a botanically rich, leave-in conditioning and styling balm that straightens and controls curly frizzy hair while, giving incredible shine and manageability. Temporary but cumulative effect.

Natural-Laxer MIX- natural herbal system conditioner applied to the hair every 4-8 weeks to make hair smoother and more manageable. Gently loosens curl pattern. Controls frizziness. Great used in conjunction with the above styling products and/or with heat to create temporary styles.

One of the most frequently asked questions we get involves straightening African-American hair. Without getting into all the socio-political and psychological reasons why someone would straighten her hair, let’s explore how this can be done. Read the rest of this entry »

There are several “ingredients to avoid” lists out there. Here are some of the ingredients we found on those lists and why they’re there. This should not be taken as a recommendation from us that you should avoid all of these ingredients. Some of the products we offer contain ingredients on the “avoid” list. Why? Frankly, there are very, very few products that do not contain at least some of these ingredients. It has been estimated that 99% of cosmetic products contain some form of paraben (a preservative). If you think that’s scary (we don’t), after looking at this list, look at your toothpaste and deodorant ingredients.

Read the rest of this entry »

What is Shea Butter?
How can I tell if something is good Shea Butter?
How should Shea Butter smell?
How do I store Shea Butter?
My Shea Butter melted. What do I do?
What color should Shea Butter be?
How can Shea Butter benefit me?
How does Shea Butter benefit my skin?
What does Shea Butter benefit my hair?
Is all Shea Butter the same?
What can I tell by looking at the label?
Where can I get good Shea Butter?
What’s the difference between raw shea butter and refined shea butter?
Do I want raw Shea Butter or refined Shea Butter?
What about East African Shea Butter?

While you may have only recently heard of Shea Butter, its use is far from a recent development. The benefits of Shea Butter have been well known for centuries. Africans have used Shea Butter for many generations to protect and rejuvenate their hair and skin. Shea Butter is not only for those of African descent though. Everyone can take advantage of Shea Butter’s benefits. Today, Shea Butter is available in pure form and as an ingredient in many products to help with maintenance of the hair and skin and relief from many common ailments.

Read the rest of this entry »

First of all, natural is a relative term. How you define “all natural” may vary from how the next person will define it. Once you mix two ingredients together, one could argue the product is not “all natural”. We believe that God put many wonderful things on this earth to take care of our bodies inside and out. Generally, speaking the less refined or manipulated a product the better. However, we also believe God gave man the ability to improve on his environment and some chemical formulations (especially medicines) are extremely beneficial. Swamp water is natural. But, I wouldn’t drink it. Aspirin is not as natural (it is an extraction of a natural compound found in willow bark), but it’s a fantastic drug. Blood pressure medications are not natural, but many of use could not live without them.

We promote products that we believe are healthy for your hair and body. All things being equal, we prefer natural products over highly refined products. Even when man tries to recreate nature by manufacturing or refining products. Time and time again, man has made “extracts” of things proven to be beneficial and research comes along later saying the supplement is not as good as the whole fresh fruits or vegetables. Often, there are delicate trace substances, a balance of substances or some other thing that we cannot quite recreate. But, sometimes the extractions are necessary. How’d you like to have to find and chew on willow bark if you had a headache?

However, all things are rarely equal. All natural products will be less stable, may not look as nice, will be more expensive and usually have shorter shelf lives than less natural products. If you like a lot of lather, you may be disappointed with all natural shampoos. If you buy all natural products, you may find they separate or go bad more easily. We have had people who thought they wanted all natural products call and complain about the products separating (an effect of not using artificial emulsifiers) or not being as thick or not lathering as well as what
they are used to. Besides just saving money, manufacturers often use chemically altered ingredients to make the products more palatable to the average consumer and more stable.

So, the decision is really up to you. Personally, we use an array of all natural products, less natural products and some completely manufactured products, depending on the product itself.

© 2004-2007 Treasured Locks, LLC All Rights Reserved. Reprint In Its Entirety. With Written Permission Only