Hair Care

What does hair care mean to you?

Prior to becoming a hair stylist, I was a social worker. I enjoyed teaching parenting classes and getting teen parents to return to school. It was a job I loved to do. To be honest, I was very successful. I completed many reports to funders that demonstrated how mothers reunited with their children and how teens returned to school. Many may think that referrals and linkages were the keys to my success. After all, that's what families in crisis need, right? That is true. But I kind of liken my success as a social worker to that famous "Ginsu" commercial from the 70's, "But wait, there's more!"

Yes, not only was there more. There was another way. Referring families to the appropriate community resources was essential. But then so was, connecting the families to resources that provided bus passes, pampers and milk which afforded them help to aid in their decision to return to school. Yes, referring and connecting was pretty much my focus as I headed off to my drive to work. However, whenever I arrived at my families homes, something more than referrals and linkages were always happening. No, there were no fights. I rarely experienced a "no-show" on my home visits. My parenting classes were always full to capacity. So what was it you ask? Why were the families I served so consistent and determined to modify their parenting and return to school?

The answer is easy, hair. Yes, I must have told this story a thousand times. So writing it in a blog surely won't hurt. Right? Yes, I have a funny sense of humor. Humor is very important when working with people. So, humor is what I used to incorporate hair care into my scope of social work. It appeared that upon my every arrival, my hair was the key to getting my big toe inside the door. They loved my hair. Regardless the race, income, age and hair texture; my hair always became the main topic of discussion. Having no knowledge of hair styling, I humored them by creating analogies to hair care and self-esteem (or whatever the issue was that I was there to modify). Modifying their behaviors took more than a pep talk. My goal was to change their action of sitting in the house complaining, to them physically doing something that mattered to them. I wanted them to experience the magic of their actions. 

Before I knew it, those hair care analogies were being shared more than candy. It seemed whenever I arrived to a home or to one of my parenting groups, the word was already out that the "hair lady" had some good news to share about how to do your own hair. When I look at my career as a cosmetologist, I see that like Brian McKnight; I am, "back at one." 

Yes, with the natural hair movement sweeping the beauty industry like a push broom, people continue to want to know what is going on with their hair. Now that social media has quickly moved from photos to "live" feeds; oh, it's on and poppin'! Consumers are quickly realizing that pictures are not worth a thousand words nowadays. No. Pictures are worth a thousand filters, fancy phone camera lights and selfie angles that make my size 16 look like an 8. Ok, well maybe not an 8, but you get where I am going with this? The case of the fake people is rearing its ugly head. Once again, certain hair stylists are finding themselves lost in yet another trend. At first, it was finger waves. Then it was the Afro. Then it was cornrows. Then it was those Farrah Fawcett layers. Then it was the relaxer. Then it was curly perms. Then it was relaxers are bad. Now it's,  "going natural" (which by the way, I still have not figured that one out. Seeming as any hair that grows from the scalp is natural. But nobody asked me-sips tea).  The next trend certain licensed hair stylist found themselves lost in was, "The Big Chop." Then it was "protective styles." The latest appears to be these "twist out" hair styles. 

The disappointment is real.

In the famous words of the little boy who's video went viral as he attempted to explain to his mom, "Listen, Linda, listen!" Listen up people, understand that hair care and hair styling are entirely two different things. A hair style can never be hair care. And hair care can never be a hair style. Why? Well because they are not trends that you follow. They are not videos and tutorials. No, they are verbs that you do. You really have re-do them both daily. Neither last like batteries or trends. For some reason, many sincerely feel and believe that a paid for hair style or hair care products translate into lasting. 

The time has come to end this madness for once and all. Hair styles have their place in the world. Hairstyles belong in places such as photo shoots, picture day, TV sets and special occasions (i.e. holiday hair, weddings, family photos and so on). They don't last. Hair care products are supposed to be used up. You don't wait to use your products for Easter or a special occasion. Once the hair is styled, it is officially being "lived in." So, the wanting your hair style to last situation has to be put to an end. For the most part on most humans; hairstyles honestly do not last long. The attempt to preserve it is a gallant one. But trying to make a hairstyle last hours (for some) or days after it is has been "lived in" is about as effective as trying to preserve a souffle' that has been poked. Dude, it ain't happenin'. And for those whose hair can last, a big shout out to you and your one in a million hair. For many people, hair styles don't last because hair moves. Hair care products should not be in your cabinets for years. No, they should be used. If you are not using them, discard them. Do not share and pass them off to your children or friends. Many people say to me, "Why am I just now hearing this?" Well, I'm certain it has been said. What it has not been, is PROMOTED. There are not enough licensed cosmetologists standing up to help the consumers face the reality of hair care on real people in real life. 

So, I'm going to do my own "gallant effort" to help the masses with the "how to" of hair care that will result in a great hair style for a few hours if that long.

Shameless plug!

Yes, it is official. I have decided to come out of the closet about my dream. My dream is to be a writer. So, I write. I aim to write to tap into the feelings of what it takes for my readers who want to know and learn more about themselves. I aim to connect with the readers who are willing to be responsible and actually do it. In addition to writing, I am going to teach "how to" care for your hair the right way.  

How does one care for their hair the right way? By using "The Wright Hair Products."... I couldn't resist! They also have to learn how to care for their hair by using the "Wright" hair styling techniques. Doing hair properly requires doing the right thing. I will introduce to the world how I am going to do it. I will be live and direct, Saturday, April 8th at the Reverence Design Team Hair Salon. I will go live on all the social media platforms. Because I am not the only hair stylists in the world who feels this way, I have united with hairstylists from around the world starting with Arizona, Atlanta, Cleveland, Gambia (yep, Gambia the one in Africa), Kentucky and North Carolina. 

In my opinion, the mood in hair care and hair styling is going nowhere fast. It has an undertone of cyber bullying, it's light weight sexist, it's stereotypical, at times racist and fascist. It alienates and leaves many women running to the chairs of hair stylists worldwide with their smartphones and tablets showing us picture after picture; video after video all but saying, "I wanna sit with them." I honestly do not liker that. Because you can't. They won't let you. You don't have their hair, their phone, their filters or their apps...lol I understand your angst and hopes, though. 

I never was a fan of the mean girls, the clique, the echelon, the it-girls, the pretty little liars, the haves and the have-nots and the "you're not a factor bitch-boo-bye," thing-a-ma-jiggy. Nah, I liken myself to the part of change that has taken place in the world of hair care and beauty that promotes cleanliness is next to godliness. The, "be your own kind of beauty" message. After all, change is here. Change, done came, saw and conquered. Change is the new chic. Change is the new "to do." It is the big kahuna and kapow. Change is the little engine that could. It is the BMOC (Big Man On Campus)! And since it is on the minds of millions influencing them to do something about themselves. I have decided to drop the hairstylist, cosmetologist title and be my own kind of beautiful in this hair care, hair styling industry and be a "Change Agent." 

Hair care is about adapting to the changes that it goes through every single day of your life naturally. It will never matter the texture, the length, they type or the race. Because change is inevitable when it comes to hair. Change in hair needs to promoted so you will be prepared to accept and embrace it.  And who's better to help you with the changes your hair goes through than a, Change Agent?

Welcome, my dear readers, welcome.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It's the most wonderful time of the year
Where this hair care blogger will be of good cheer 
As I critique the best and worst hair styles of the year!

In 2014 we saw some interesting hairstyles come across our varying screens. With the ability to see what is going on in the entertainment industry, or the ability to see the person sitting directly across from you without them even knowing it is pretty interesting. In addition, photos can be posted to social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Snap Chat, The Vine and now the ever trending can't do without it, scrolling through your phone as you ignore people, Instagram. They all have the ability to give us an immediate glimpse into the world of the masses caught on camera by others, photographers, paparazzi and selfie masters world wide.

As we all know there are pros and cons to this sweeping phenomena called "sending" and posting to social networking. The pros of course are exposure to what is caught on camera by way of sending, following, getting followed, getting liked and now hashtagged. While filtering does wonders of hiding, blending and accentuating what we like and dislike about a photo; it does not save you from the world of those who like to compliment and critique. Rather the complimenting and critiquing is done by the every day, all day; anytime "sms/mms sending," or the 24 hour non stop inundated talk show hosts gossiping, funny and loquacious radio disk jockeys joke telling or screen shooting to repost... SMH, it is all exposure none the least. 

So as 2014 has come to an end, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year where I get to add my two cents about the popular and not so popular hairstyles of 2014. Drum roll please:

She did that; that thang!

The Sock Bun. For a minute there, I was getting kind of excited that women from all over were paying us hair stylists top dollars to create this vintage look that is very easy to do as well as maintain until, the "As Seen on TV" infomercial introduced the masses to a simple way to re-create the look at home. I know; but I ain't gone hate. It truly is simple to do when you have enough hair...lol

Way too much weave

Next up, Weaves, the R&B Divas LA. I could not resist. Honestly, I have never seen it. Well, from the looks of this Google image with their hair weaves jumping out atcha, this photo is worth a thousand words and I will just pick the shortest word that comes to my mind...FAKE! I admit, I have no concept of how to create a hair weave by any stretch of the imagination. Yet, I am truly of a fan of the option to transform oneself just because you can. However, reality shows that are full of fake everything gets my "hair styling" goat. I am of the understanding of the skills it takes to wear a weave let alone make a weave; but when every Reality TV show casts women wearing fake hair during almost every show and photo op; the fake hair actually takes away from the reality of  real hair styling...LMAO 

The incomparable Jill!

Next, Funky Spiky Hair. The incomparable songstress extraordinaire, the lady Jill Scott tore it up in 2014. While I was not a fan of her blonde weave on the cover of Essence this year, I loved the versatility of a woman who can do what ever she likes. Especially when she does it well. I was attempting to think of all kinds of fascinating things to say about Jill Scott, but her hair speaks for itself...YOLO

Ok, Natural Hairstyles. This one was an easy... but the SMH of the millennium goes to the entire United States Armed Forces. That is right the United States Armed Forces took a stance earlier this year to say that "braids wider than 1/4 inch and artificially enhanced braid and twist styles violate the code." Code, schmode. They get a big fat WTF! This is the most wonderful time of the year to honor the women who leave their families behind to go out into the world to make it safe for us to do everything from blog to buying the fake hair and everything in between. And the best the gov'ment can come up with is a "code" to violate hair styling. "Tisk, come on, don't gimme dat!" In my Biz Markie voice. United States Armed Forces, yall got me twisted on this one! I would love to sign that petition to have that changed. While the Armed Forces give these braid styles a violation without a salute, I give them two thumbs up and a salute! ...IJS

I hope they change this one day soon.

Weaves that look bad in photos in any year. This one is so difficult for me. Because 2014 really went HAM on posting and selfies, I have to blog about it. I love to be in photos and I take my share of selfies. But, the truth of the matter is that if it looks bad in a photo; you know it looks worse in real life. So, it is also that time of the year to inform Ne Ne Leaks that her weaves do not look nice in photos. There are many hairstylists who can create her a more polished natural looking and PHOTOGENIC weave. Why do the people who work around her do not tell her that her hair looks like the "Little People" toys in her photos? Can you say, "The Emperors New Clothes?" If there was one celebrity I would love to hear the truth about how wiggy and plastered on her weave look, it is her. NeNe is a beautiful woman. Her skin is flawless. Her smile and attire are always pristine. I don't care if she has had a little lift and tuck; she is beautiful as she is statuesque. However her hair is too fake for a woman that is so very real...TTYL

This is what happens when you surround yourself with...

Ahh, on to Long Layers. All by her wittle lonesome in 2014, the first lady Michelle Obama is set the tone for versatility in a world of diversity. Michelle Obama wears the kind of hair almost any woman, with any image of any race on varying income levels can relate to. Her hairstylist is excellent at reflecting and capturing what makes her tick...her personality. I love the new color. I love the hair cut. I love the way she keeps herself looking nice and adjusts her image to what the work day or life calls for...HAK (hugs and kisses)

I love it!

Next, the Pony Tail! Rhianna shut it down in 2014 hair style wise. As iconic is her taste in fashion and attitude, so is her flair for hair. The pony tail, by far, is the most under rated and most hated hair style. As a hair stylist, I do not know why. A pony tail does wonders when time is of the essence, money is low, products are no where to be found, water is not near by and when a comb is just too much to bear. I love the pony tail. In 2014 there were so many takes on the pony tail. I loved them all. For Rhianna to wear one during a very personal and formal occasion, further proves my case.  In the infamous words of my favorite world renowned make up artist Renny Vasquez, "You betta ...CYE (check yo email)!"

Last but not least, Not Knowing How to Do Your Own Hair hair style. It is the year 2014, believe it or not there remains a large number of hair stylists who continue to service women and not make sure they know how to re-create that "paid for" hair style in between salon visits. It remains the number one thing in the beauty industry that I do not like the most. Image for many is very important. It is not uncommon that I come across women and men who do not have the courage to stand up for how they want to look; let alone how to do it. This can be an issue for those who have not developed a sense of individuality or a skill of how to do their own hair. Yet as hair stylists it is imperative that like a doctor who never gives up on a patient, we should never give up on teaching someone the basics of preserving or creating a hair style. With that being wrote, absolutely nooooooo woman comes to mind as I write this last example of hair styling at home gone wrong than Pam Oliver. I would be some kind of not wonderful if I was to give a bad review on her hair style.

Supposedly, she mostly does it herself. And unfortunately doing so cost her her job. This one is difficult too because it more than demonstrates the most un-talked about topic in hair care and hair styling; not knowing how to do your own hair.....SOS

Make the time to take the time to learn your hair.

SOS, help, assistance, guidance and the likes is what Ms. Oliver needed. While I am not sure if she has hair underneath her wigs and weaves, I am certain that she somehow lost herself along the way. Many women see hair as an accessory. Hair is not and accessory. Your hair is an intricate part of you as your personality. Like her, I have been put under the pressure to look nice on a moments notice with limited hair styling options. Though I have never worn a weave, styled one or even applied one; I am sure that with proper guidance and strong foundation of who she is; this unwanted hair style of shame could have been avoided.

So with that being said, I am a fan of inspiration. There is nothing wrong with throwing a wig on in a pinch and incorporating it into a style that you call your own. I am a even bigger fan of being uniquely you. In 2015, make the time to take the time to learn your hair. When it comes to hair be it your hair or hair additions, I highly recommend taking the time out to investigate, consult with and invest in a stylist who can help you help yourself as you grow and change with your image. Do not puppet your image. Do not surround yourself with people who tell you what you want to hear. 

There will be much hair styles a showing
And hair will be growing
When hair stylists are or not near
It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Happy new year...