Fired Up and Ready to Style!

First Lady, Michelle Obama

Barack Obama is our first African American president. Michelle Obama is our first African American first lady. Not since Jackie O, has Americans been excited about the image and beauty of our nation’s first lady. At the most recent Democratic convention, not only did she give the absolute most memorable speech she also gave us the most absolute image of a lady that is educated, poised, confident, loving and extremely attractive.

As a cosmetologist, we are often inundated with pictures in magazines of women and men requesting “the look” on the pages adorned by the famous and not so famous. Of all the hair styles I have been commissioned to reproduce, no look has been more requested than the look Michelle Obama’s hair, skin, nails and the health of it.

I was more excited this time than I was the last time when I watched our “First Family” walk out onto the stage after President Obama won the election. Images of their red and black garments, varying hues of caramel skin tones, straight hair, curly hair, corn rows and Caesar low cuts graced television screens across the world. The world was excited and united, no doubt.

While I do not style Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama’s hair, I do have expertise on what it takes to achieve their looks.

A few things stand out in this First Families hair care regimen that I do recommend. The first is versatility. If you are really paying attention to the ladies in the first family; they have a tendency to wear different hair styles. Changing your look gives your hair a break from heat styles, braid styles, pony tails and natural styles. When hair is textured, a myriad of looks can be worn to enhance your image and free you from the tasks of meticulous grooming on a daily basis.

The First Family

Second, notice how Michelle Obama, like our mother’s preserves her “special occasion” hair styles for special occasions. Most of our parents adorned our hair with braids, plats, corn rows or pony tails for every day wear. Michelle Obama does the same for her daughters. Like our parents, she reserves those “special occasion” hair styles for photo shoots, formals, church and other forms celebrations or special occasions. As for Michelle, notice she too changes her hair style to match her lifestyle. Hair stylists across the globe often encourage women to lower their expectations when it comes to hair styles. Attempting to look photo finished is not realistic for most working women and school attending girls. Most women make salon visits with the goal of “keeping” a hair style for a week or two. All hair styles can not last two weeks or til the next salon visit.

Take a look at our first lady, who looks just like us; she wears ponytails, up-do’s, head bands and soft flowing layers. She never always looks picture perfect. She looks like the wife and working mother she is. Take a look at her daughters. They too wear pony tails, braids, twists and their straightened or curled styles are reserved for those special occasions.  

Notice, their hair is never coated with heavy oils, pomades, waxes and flakes. I have seen pictures of Michelle and her children with pony tails, corn rows, braids, straight looks and curls. Therefore, relax and follow the leader of image for real women. If Michelle Obama can rock any look, work, take care of children and help get her husband re-elected to the white house; surely we can follow her lead. Be practical, affordable and do-able when it comes to hair care. Active life styles call for hair styles that are low maintenance and east to duplicate.

 On a final note, voting is a very important right that we have as Americans. While I am staunch supporter of the Democratic Party and President Obama (who will be re-elected), practice your right to vote for who you feel the best candidate is for the job on all levels of government. I will be exercising that right this year. Will you join me in doing so? Keep in mind, ex-felons and those who have not been convicted, CAN VOTE.