During this time of year women want two things: a dress that hides the fact that we have been eating and a hairstyle that is so simple that a two year-old could assemble it. The heat here in California has been a wild roller coaster of emotion for all of us. It’s scorched us some days, been so humid the air feels like we are climbing Everest and then it has poured cats as well as dogs from the heavens. With such drastic changes simplicity in hairstyle sounds like the most beautiful melody ever created.
A quick yet modern hairstyle for black women is the stylish top knot. The pros of this hairstyleare that all hair is up as well as off of you and this look can work for day or nighttime. Nevertheless, it is clear that you will look good, but does the top knot hairstyle pass the easy to design test?
We found a tutorial that shows you how to style it in under 2 minutes!
Okay, but what about the natural girls? Relax, we got y’all too 😉
What if you have longer tresses? Then watch our girl Brittany!
Here’s a little fmore top knot hair inspiration from some glamorous black women just in case you are still on the fence regarding this style:
(Photo by Chelsea Lauren/WireImage)
Thoughts? Talk hair with us on our Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr or tweet us @1966magazine.
To be honest, when we first saw purple hair popping up we thought it was another cool, hip, punkish trend that would stick for a bit then vanish. However, it seems that more and more ladies are joining in on the purple hair trend. So then, what makes this bold hair shade such a draw for several voguish women?
For thing one, the purple color trend is the for the gal that doesn’t like to take the road that everyone else is rolling on daily. She’s fierce, boisterous and a kick butt risk-taker who takes names and then hands it back once she’s fully done with it. Basically, purple dyed hair is for women that aren’t the mold, they are the creators telling the mold what to do.
So okay, boldness is key to walking into a salon and demanding a pastel tint be applied to your tresses stat. However, is it really that easy to look that fab with a purple strands? As mentioned, this style is for ladies that like to take risks so of course there are some warnings and hair hazards to keep in mind.
Show Me the Benjamins Baby– This hair trend is expensive because after the initial coloring job you will need to go in for touch-ups regularly.
Beach Please– It’s hot as H to the E hockey sticks outside and all you want to do is take a dip. Uhm, how about no, that is if you do not mind losing your hard-earned hair color. One dip could possibly leave your hair color a different shade after the post dip shampoo and conditioning.
It’s Like You’re at the Beauty Counter– Whoa man you may feel like you are tripping out or having deja vu once you begin your journey of dying your hair purple. Finding the right shade of purple to match your skin tone is like searching for the perfect foundation. Trust us, one shade does not fit all.
Warned You Will Be– That’s the best advice Yoda will ever warn you about when dying your hair purple. There is not one professional salon or stylist that will not tell you about the risks of purple hair. For example, for a pastel purple color your hair will most likely need to be dyed platinum blonde first. Think Mary J. Blige then go even blonder…yeah, that could leave a mark.
Alrighty, so let’s say you were able to make it past all the risks and achieve the purple dyed hair of your dreams. Now what do you do besides celebrate with the hair gods? Maintenance dears, it is all about maintenance.
1. Invest in a VERY good conditioner that will help your strands maintain moisture. Dying can suck the moisture out of strands and ultimately have them looking quite lifeless.
2. Don’t you dare but a sulfate infested shampoo on your hair! Sorry for the exclamation point, but just wanted y’all to take us very seriously. When it comes to purple dyed hair aim for a sulfate free shampoo that is specially formulated for color dyed hair.
3. Back to summer activities such as hitting that swimming party that your crush is going to be at. Just make sure you look really cute instead and avoid the swimming pool water at all costs. Chlorinated water can fade hair color, so if you want your purple hair to fade then by all means go for it.
Did you find this hair post on purple dyed hair helpful? Talk hair by leaving a comment or hit us up on our Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr or tweet us @1966magazine.
Brandy was channeling Curly Sue as she enjoyed herself last night in New York City. Her voluminous curls looked absolutely divine and fit her ensemble style perfectly. Brandy was boho chic in ripped denim, flouncy printed dress, scarf and black ballet flats.
Now back to the gorgeous hair look that Brandy was sporting. All week we have been discussing how to achieve curly/wavy hair without any added fear of damage. Black women are really making strides to stay away from harmful chemicals and enjoy their natural texture or define their curl pattern. Here is a really cool method to help define curls that involves twisting flexi-rods. You are going to want to check out this video!
Thoughts? Talk hair with us on our Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr or tweet us @1966magazine.
Wavy hair is one of the many hair trends of the season but knowing how to achieve such a style at times can feel like one big mystery! There is no wrong way to achieve wavy hair and women from all over world have tried various methods. Maybe you have found yourself using a few like: braiding, rags, foil or even scrunching.
However, getting the hang of using flexi rods may just be the answer to your hair prayers. Such a method if taken well care of can last all the way to your next hair wash. That means looking great from shampoo to shampoo! So then, how does the flexi rod method work exactly?
Here are two great tutorials that will show you exactly what to do. Enjoy and happy waves to ya ladies!
Hair Notes: In the video you most likely noticed that sheets were used before the hair was rolled up. Is that step really that important? It is kind of old school but using them can help prevent your waves/curls from frizzing. So just a word to the wise…
Alright, second video time, this one is a little long but after you see the technique once more you can skip to 8:37 to see the end result (wink, wink).
Thoughts? Talk hair with us on our Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr or tweet us @1966magazine.
Hair Answer: In order to maintain the sharpness of such a dramatic look it is important to stay on top of your trims. Asymmetrical hairstyles need to be cut every 6-7 weeks in order to retain their shapes. This frequency should be kept in mind due to the fact that a regular blunt cut may last upwards of 2 or 3 months. Therefore, if you are considering cutting your hair into such a style knowing the upkeep and maintenance routine will help anticipate any additional costs.
With any hairstyle there is a bit of maintenance involved even when it comes to just one aspect of the style. For instance, if you have an asymmetrical haircut and added bangs you will need to mind the trimming of the bangs as well. So then, if you do have a bob with bangs they will most likely need to be trimmed every 4 weeks. Nevertheless, keep in mind that everyone is different and some will have strands that grow faster than others. Adjustments can be made based on your personal hair growth cycle.
We can admit it, we are a little obsessed with the fishtail braid. Braids are a great protective hairstyle to help grow and keep strands healthy. As more women make the transition to natural hair in order to avoid the use of harsh chemicals the need for stylish hair inspiration becomes imminent.
Monae’s classy and classic hairstyles always include her signature pompadour. She paired the edgy look with a fishtail to add even more drama and flair. The fishtail may look very intricate in design but it is easy! Here is a video by one of our favorite hair youtubers Melissa Denise who shows how it is done.
FKA Twigs is not the type of girl who is going to follow the crowd off of a style cliff. She goes her own way and makes her own fashionable path. We thought her braided bang look was quite fresh and a nice modernization of a retro Egyptian hair look.
Of course, not every woman is going to be comfortable with channeling Cleopatra or the trendy ladies of Moses’ day. However, if you are looking for a boisterous departure from the norm then the braided bang may be right up your alley.
Nevertheless, still want to take things up a notch further because braids are simply not enough? Be like FKA Twigs or the William sisters of old and incorporate some beads. Allow the bang to frame your face shape and keep them from becoming ratty by using a conditioner specifically designed for braid care and maintenance.
Actress Aimiomode Anetor shut the red carpet down when she attended the screening for the film Incorruptible. This documentary examples the role that youths are playing in shaping the future of the country of Africa. Back in 2011 Senegal was pitched into crisis when President Abodoulaye Wade announced his plans to change the constitution which would allow leaders to have a third term. From this decision onward a youth movement was born in order to protect one of Africa’s oldest and stable democracies.
For the screening Anetor walked the carpet in an all white ensemble that showed off her beautiful skin tone. Just as gorgeous was her voluminous wavy strands that gracefully fell past her shoulders. Whether hitting a beach in the Caribbean or a swanky pool party Aimiomode’s hairstyle would be perfect.
One question I’ve been asked numerous times is how I grew my hair down my back and how long did it take. Well, to be completely honest it has been different every single time. I have taken my hair out several times in different ways (more on that in my next post).
Nevertheless, the methods I used all seemed to yield great results so I will briefly share them with you.
I have employed “going natural,” hair straightening, vitamins and even wearing wigs. When I went natural I basically just worked with my hair’s natural curl pattern.
This was tough because I wasn’t quite sure which products to utilize because previously the flat iron or pressing comb had always been a girl’s best friend. Products that proved to be a lifesaver were:
non-alcohol hair gel/pomade
leave-in conditioner
hair oil
sulfate free shampoo and conditioners
mayonnaise (for deep conditioning)
hair ties and foil
Every time I cleansed my strands I would always follow up with a leave-in conditioner and hair oil. The conditioner gave my locks vital nutrients and moisture while the hair oil would literally lock it all in, basically sealing in all of the good stuff.
One of my favorite conditioners that I have used for years is by Mane and Tail. Many shy away from their products because Mane and Tail is actually used on animals such as horses to keep their mane looking pristine. Now I’ve seen some horses with hair I’d love to detach and place upon my head, so what’s good for the goose is good for the gander!
Moreover, my natural hair tends to be quite unruly, so to keep it in line I would apply a hair gel or pomade. Braids also helped to achieve wavy hairstyles as well as foil rollers.
In another post, I promise to show not only how to make the roller, but an easy hairstyle to achieve with it as well.
Another method I used was simply straightening my hair every two weeks.
I would also apply a hair mask after cleansing my hair and leave it on for at least 30 minutes. Daily maintenance would include wrapping my hair up with a satin scarf at night not only to reduce friction created while at rest but also to help give my hair a slight bend so that using a curler would be unnecessary.
Also, every day in the morning after combing my hair I would apply a very light hair oil to keep my locks strong. One thing I will stress is that keeping heat to a minimum has always helped my hair to grow faster. I know that may not be the case for everyone, but that is definitely something that helps give my growth cycle a boost.
When it comes to vitamins, I have taken Biotin as well as B vitamins and received great results. To this day I like to take Women’s One A Day multi-vitamin which includes all the vitamins you need for healthy hair, skin and nails.
Lastly, as mentioned I have employed wigs to grow out my hair. I prefer wigs where all of my hair is safely resting underneath; however, half wigs look way more natural so for appearance sake I opt for half wigs or wigs with a movable part.
Out of all methods used my hair grew the fastest using the wig method, it literally only took about 5 months for my hair to go from above my shoulders to down my back. In a future post I will focus specifically on the wig method and tell how I did it.
Thoughts? We love to hear from you all, drop a comment or hit us up on our Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr or tweet us @1966magazine.
See more of my personal hair inspiration on Instagram! Search for @1966mag and @misslittle_brownie.
We are always down for hairstyles that are trendy, modern and most importantly…EASY! Braids are excellent for incorporating extra drama into all of your favorite styles. Numerous runway shows showcased models with hair fashioned with cornrows of chic creative design. Keep scrolling to see some of our top runway looks!
Create a slight braid mohawk while keeping sides smooth sleek. Can you say FIRE?!
Voluminous cornrows truly makes your hair a crown of glory!
Remember at the schoolyard and all the boys thought you were cute? Well, that style still plays.
Who needs a middle part? Break the rules and form a braid right down the center instead.
Thoughts? Talk hair with us on our Facebook (search for 1966 Magazine), Tumblr, Instagram or tweet us @1966magazine.
