Clarify your hair

Are the products you're using in your hair not working anymore? Does your hair seem like its weighed down and flat?

It could be because you have a build up of styling products conditioner in your hair. In order to fix this use a clarifying shampoo in your hair once a month. The clarifying shampoo will remove all of the buildup. If you cannot afford to purchase a whole new bottle of shampoo (or just don't want to) you can also use dishwashing detergent in your hair. I recently used Ajax, and it worked well. I also recommend using Dawn...Dawn cuts the grease!

Caution: Be careful not to overuse clarifying shampoo because it can make your hair very dry and brittle if you use it excessively. You do not want to strip all of the moisture out of your hair.

Hot Glue and Hair Extensions

Question: I have been thinking about getting extensions but they are so expensive, so I wanted to know if it was safe to buy the hair and a glue gun and do the single strands myself. If so, how long would they last? Can I wash them? Are they easy to take out and will they damage my hair? I really need some advice on this. Let me know if you have done this before, and what the results were or what you think about it.

Answer: Absolutely not! Please do not put hot glue in your hair. I would recommend that you go to a hair stylist if you want extensions or any chemicals put in your hair. However, there is glue that is specially made for hair that you can get at any hair supply store, but I have heard and see this glue damage a lot of hair.

You also can put clip on hair pieces in your hair, which will not damage your hair, or you can have a hair stylist sew in your hair extensions...anything but a hot glue gun.

Sincerely,

Stacy L. Davis

sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Question: Scalp Burning After Relaxer

Question: I relaxed my hair at home on sunday, but it was a relaxer geared towards non ethnic people, so it is lighter than the regular relaxers you find at Walgreens or another store. I made sure not to put the relaxer close to my scalp, but some of the relaxer may have touched my scalp while washing out the relaxer afterwards. My scalp does not look red, but is on and off burning. I applied coconut oil to it today, but what else can I do to minimize the damage?

Stacy's Answer: Your scalp should not be burning. I would recommend going to see a dermatologist and letting a professional hair stylist perform your next relaxer touch-up.

Sincerely,

Stacy L. Davis, sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

If you have a question, please feel free to e-mail it to me: sgrahamhunt@gmail.com.

Frizz Frustrations

"If someone cries next to me, my hair's gonna curl up."

- Amanda, Black Voices Interview

I'm sure many of you can appreciate this quote...I know I did! This quote is for the women who straighten their hair or sit in a salon for three hours, and then step outside only for your hair to swell up like a tube of open biscuits. I know the feeling. We are not alone!

- Stacy L. Davis, sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Should women with weaves give up on love?

If a man can't run his fingers through his woman's hair because she has a weave, will he leave her? Will anyone else date her?

In high school, I had a guy tell me that he didn't want to be my boyfriend anymore because I wore a fake ponytail. I actually stopped wearing fake hair after that, and now I am happily married to someone else. Is this a coincidence?

In a 15-minute discussion, a group of Black Voices panelists discuss this issue and try to answer other questions such as:

• Why doesn't my hair look like the models' in the magazine?
• Will people treat you differently if wear your hair straight?
• Is curly hair too casual?
• Can I get fired for wearing my hair natural?

Click here to read the article and to watch the video.

Honda's helmet advertisement

"Using Any Helmet is like not using one at all. Use only legal helmets."

I believe this ad is to encourage motorcyclists to use the correct helmets. This is a great ad. It shows the ridiculousness of using an improper helmet. I must say that living in Los Angeles, I've seen some crazy versions of helmets. Some people have helmets with mohawks, and I just recently saw a man who looked like he was wearing a silver mixing bowl on his head. It didn't look like it would protect him from any injuries if he were to get into an accident.

My name is Stacy L. Davis, and I support this message.

Photo taken from Ads of the World

Rihanna's new hairdo inspired by Foghorn Leghorn?

This week, Rihanna appeared on ABC's 20/20 with her a new hairdo. A Yale alum, who wished to remain unnamed, said this about the singer's hairdo:

"Just saw Rihanna's latest rooster haircut....why?? Someone should beat some sense into that girl."

- Yale University Alum who wished to remain unamed

I thought this comment was harsh (even though I am guilty of laughing at it.) How are the rest of you feeling about Rihanna's new 'do?

Photo taken from New York Daily News and Wikipedia

Lady GaGa keeps her Goldy-Locks

There was a rumor going around that Lady Gaga was going to give away locks of her hair with her new CD, "The Fame Monster." However, China Daily reported that she will give away pieces of her wigs instead.

Why would anyone want a piece of a wig? And what exactly are they supposed to do with it once they get it?

Photo taken from China Daily

Book about red headed kids

My cousin detests people with red hair, he said. However, author Nicole Giladi has written a book praising them.

"Little Readheads Across America," is an 88-page book which features 400 red-headed children in each of the 50 states, according to The Detroit News. Giladi also included facts about red heads in her book after finding very little information elsewhere about the rare group.

For more information about the book, visit www.littleredheadsacrossamerica.com.

Photo taken from The Detroit News

Mariah Carey shows her ugly side in "Precious"

In an LA Times article, Mariah Carey continues a never-ending conversation about what it was like for her to go without her make up and hair for her role in the upcoming movie "Precious."

Now Mariah is my favorite singer, but I really don't see what the big deal is. Everyone goes without make up sometimes dear. She makes it sound like she's unrecognizable without her make up. Unfortunately (or fortunately) that's not the case.

Click here to read the full article: Mariah Carey shows her ugly side in 'Precious' -- latimes.com

Photo taken from the LA Times

Make your conditioner count

After you shampoo your hair and rinse it out, towel dry your hair before you apply your conditioner. This will help get rid of the excess water and will allow the conditioner to bind to your hair strands and provide maximum moisture.

Woman is killed at the shampoo bowl

Albany, Oregon -- A 55-year-old Oregon woman, who was getting her hair shampooed, was killed Friday night when a Toyota Camry plowed through the salon an struck her. The Associated Press reported that a 79-year-old woman, who drove the car, was trying to park, when she accidently hit the gas pedal instead of the brake. The driver was not injured, however another patron in the salon suffered from a cut on her knee.

Click here to see more pictures from the accident.

I'm not sure if this story is more about hair, or about the fact that senior citizens need to be retested in order to keep their licenses. In either case, it's a horrible story!

Photo taken from KVAL.com.

"Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges, but eventually you find a hair stylist you like."

- Unknown

Become a Subscriber

Dear Readers,

I would like to encourage you to become a subscriber of this blog, "The Hair You Wear."

Each week I send out an e-mail to my subscribers, giving them the low-down of what was featured on the blog. If you would like to be added to this subscribers' list, please send an e-mail to sgrahamhunt@gmail.com, and put "Subscribe" in the subject line.

Thanks,

Stacy L. Davis

sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Happy Halloween!!

Quote of the Week

"Gray Hair is God's Graffiti"

Photo taken from thestartingfive.wordpress.com

Doggy Styles

I have seen it all! Check out more animal styles on Denge Denge website by clicking here.

14 Secrets Your Hairstylist Won't Tell You

I think this article is great. From my experiences taking clients as a student cosmetologist, I would say that my favorite clients are the ones that arrive on time, offer a tip (even though students are not allowed to accept money), and are realistic about the condition of their hair. Click here to read the article or scroll down below...

----------------------------------------------

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - Whether you think of a salon visit as a fun treat or a necessary chore, you'll want to get the best service (and hairstyle) possible, right?

That's why we talked to the experts, Marco Pelusi, owner of Marco Pelusi Hair Studio, Jenny Balding, senior stylist at Cutler/Redken Salons, Whitney Olson, stylist at Warren Tricomi Los Angeles, and Rosie Acosta, salon manager at Warren Tricomi Los Angeles. They told us the secrets of the salon -- the best times to go, how to get that last-minute appointment when you're desperate, and much more!

Click here to read the rest of the article.

How can I talk my parents into letting me dye my hair?

Question: Hi. I have brown hair but I want to dye it black but my parents won't let me is there anyway I could talk them into it or am I stuck with brown hair?

Stacy's Answer: Hello, If you want your parents to take you seriously and let you dye your hair black, then you must approach them seriously and be willing to negotiate with them. Here are some suggestions:

1. Write a letter to them stating the reasons you want to dye your hair black. Tell them why you are having difficulties with your brown hair.

2. Call a family meeting with them, and read your letter. Don't cry or whine, huff or puff if they start to say no, or else they will stop taking you seriously.

3. If they start to say no again, find out why they don't want you to have black hair or dye your hair. Research facts that will prove their theories wrong.

4. Negotiate. Would they be willing to let you dye your hair with a semi-permanent color that would was out in several weeks? You could also suggest using a color shampoo that will tint your hair black. (Also not permanent.) Offer to visit a salon professional with your mom or dad, who can give you a professional opinion.

5. Religious reasons and values - If your parents don't want you to dye your hair because of religious reasons or because they think its "bad," remind them of the bad things that they've done, and that dying your hair won't nearly be as bad as the their faults. (only use this one in extreme circumstances. It's a little risky...lol)

Stacy Davis Student Cosmetologist, Aveda Institute of Los Angeles
Blogger, TheHairYouWear.blogspot.com

Now that's just nasty...

I was in a public restroom the other day - the kind with multiple stalls. While I was at the sink washing my hands, another lady came to the sink and immediately started playing with her hair. She had just come out of the stall, so my assumption is that she used the toilet. So when I saw her touching her hair instead of washing her hands, my stomach turned.

"Oh my goodness, she didn't wash her hands!" I was screaming in my head.

She put her hands in her hair first. All of the grime from touching the germ-infested knob on the stall's door, and the toilet paper, that EVERYONE has touched after wiping potentially-diseased body parts, were now in her hair. I didn't even mention the germs from wiping her own body parts...and what if she accidentally touched the toilet seat?

The lady put all of those germs and bacteria in her hair and potentially on her scalp. Gross! Then she is going to be wondering why she has an itchy, red, rash on her scalp, and is going to expect me or one of my classmates touch it. I don't think so!

So...my tip for this week is after you have used the bathroom, wash your hands BEFORE you touch your hair and scalp (or any other part of your body for that matter).

- Stacy L. Davis
sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Wondering about Dominican Blowout...

Question: Can a Dominican blowout replace a relaxer/perm/texturizer? I've been wearing a wrap for almost five years and have been getting relaxers even longer. I've been looking to change it up and ran across the Dominican blowout. I have thick, coarse hair so I'm wondering if it would be enough.

Stacy's Answer: In my opinion, yes. I do not have any chemical straighteners in my hair and the Dominicans would get my hair super straight, and it would last for about 10 days.

Of course you do have to make sure that you find a good stylist. I've been to one Dominican salon where I left with puffy roots, because the stylist claimed she didn't know how to do "my kind of hair." However, the stylist was just inexperienced because the other ones that I have gone to have done a great job with my natural hair.

Omaha Boy Sets Girl's Hair on Fire

Omaha, NE (Oct. 12, 2009) -- I don't even know where to begin with this story. First, the mother is much calmer than I would have been if someone set my daughter's hair on fire. Second, this little boy needs to arrested...not just suspended from school. Third, why are there so many water bottles and soda cans on the mother's coffee table?!

- Stacy L. Davis, sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Black Women Are Upset with New Black Barbie's Hair

According to an article by Telegraph, an online publication, some Black women are upset that Mattel's new African-American Barbie doll has straight hair. Are you kidding me? Almost everyone Black woman I know straightens her hair. Not to mention that if Mattel would have would have designed the Barbie with Afro puffs, Black women be even more livid.

The designer of the Black Barbie is also a Black woman and said she tried to create a line of dolls that her grandmother could be proud of. In addition to having various shades of brown skin and straight hair, they also have fuller lips and hips.

"I wanted to create beautiful African-American dolls that she [her daughter] could look at and be proud of."

Click here to hear from the designer.

How could you be mad at this woman? She wants to create Barbie dolls that little Black girls will love....not just a painted white Barbie. Let's get a grip!

To learn more about the new line of Black Barbies, click here.

- Stacy L. Davis, sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Photo: Associated Press

Shaking My Head at Barbara Walters

"Is it simply the hair or is it cultural - that they (black women) want to look more white?"

- Barbara Walters

I enjoyed Chris Rock's interview on The View...minus Barbara Walter's comment. Take a look...

I'm on Twitter

Get real-time updates of what I'm doing in class, which clients are challenging me, and my random thoughts throughout the day!

Is Angelina an Unfit Mother for Zahara?

"In recent pictures it's clear Angelina Jolie hasn’t taken the time to learn or understand the long and painful history of African-American women and hair. If she had I can’t imagine she would continue to allow Zahara to look like she has in the past few months. Photos of Zahara show the 4-year-old girl sporting hair that is wild and unstyled, uncombed and dry. Basically: a 'hot mess.'"

- Allison Samuels

Allison Samuels, a Black senior writer for Newsweek, recently posted an article where she criticized Angelina Jolie about the way she was caring for the hair of her Black daughter, Zahara.

Samuels said in her article, "Hair that is nice, neat, and cared for also gives African-American girls the confidence that they can fit into the world at large without being seen as completely different. One truism of childhood is that nothing is more important than being like everyone else. Well, as like everyone else as you can be with Hollywood parents. But not all people will recognize Zahara as the child of movie royalty. To many, she’ll be just a black little girl—and a black girl with bad hair at that."

My first inclination was to agree with Samuels, but then as I analyzed her article some more, I thought it was a little unfair of her to criticize Jolie so harshly...especially after I saw a picture of Samuels's hair.

I don't like the tone that Samuels has taken in her article, and I find it a little hypocritical. She criticizes a four-year-old's natural hairdo, when she also has a very natural-looking hairdo, which does not look so "done" to me. (Seen in the picture above.)

Now, I will be the first to admit that I am certainly a low-maintenance gal, but before we criticize Jolie, who believes she is giving this little girl a better life, let's take care of ourselves first. I have seen plenty of Black mothers escorting their Black children with nappy heads and dirty clothes. And then...let's also talk about the Black children, who are getting relaxers as soon as they can grow three little strands of hair and have the nicest clothes, their ears pierced, and wearing gold and diamonds, but can't talk or read a lick.

Now, I don't know what's going on in the Angelina Jolie-Brad Pitt household, but I can say that in all of the pictures that I've seen of Zahara, she has never looked dirty, unkept, or even unhappy. Now, I would like to see Zahara with some ponytails because she is a little girl. I will say that. However, it doesn't mean that Jolie is a bad parent because she lets her daughter rock an afro or even that she does not care about her daughter's heritage. Good grief! Let's try to remember that there is more to a Black woman than just the way she wears her hair...at least I would like to think so.

- Stacy Davis, sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Photos: Newsweek/Getty Images, Ian Gittler/Media Research Center

Risk-Free Makeover

Interested in finding out what you'll like with blonde hair? Curly hair? Straight hair?

Go to Sunsilk's website, upload a picture of yourself, and try on different hairdos, hair colors, and hair styles.

Elvis Presley's Hair Up for Auction

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, of Chicago, is auctioning a large chunk of Elvis Presley's hair. The company will auction the hair on Oct. 18 at 12 p.m. and expects the hair to be sold for a minimum of $8,000, according to the company's website.

Gary Pepper, a president of an Elvis Presley fan club, obtained the hair in 1958 when Presley joined the U.S. Army and had his hair cut.

If you are interested in bidding on Elvis's hair, visit the Leslie Hindman website by clicking here.

Photos: Leslie Hindman Auctioneers of Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times

Chris Rock's Good Hair Getting Sued

I am really look forward to the opening of the "Good Hair" movie! However, movie producer Regina Kimbell, is not. According to TMZ, she filed a lawsuit this week against Chris Rock/his movie because she said he stole her idea. In 2005, Kimbell also produced a documentary about Black hair trends, and allegedly said she showed it to Rock.

People are inspired by what they see all of the time. I think Regina might be hating a little bit because her movie has not received as much attention as Chris Rock's...just a hunch...

Click here for the full story: Chris Rock -- My 'Nappy' Lawsuit
Click here for the official court documents.

Free Haircut and Style

I am taking at test at school, and I am looking for someone who is interested in getting their hair cut and styled for free. I specialize in one-length haircuts, layers, and a-line haircuts (like Victoria Beckham's.) If you are interested and available on Thursdays or Fridays, please e-mail me: sgrahamhunt@gmail.com.

- Stacy Davis

Confidence: The Best Accessory

Whether you are trying a new hairstyle or wearing the same one you've had for several years, wear it with confidence.

Wrong

Hiding your face, holding your head down, and avoiding eye contact with your peers, will make you look silly, especially if you're trying something different with your hair.

Right


It just goes to show that if you hold your head high, walk with good posture, and a positive attitude, you can pull of any hair style...even if it is a short blonde afro.

The Bigger the Hair...

"The bigger the hair, the smaller the hips."
- Wendy Williams

Special Update: Shampoo and Conditioning Booklet Now Available!

"Everything You Need to Know about Shampooing and Conditioning Your Hair" is now available.

To purchase: Send a check or money order for $7 payable to "West Hollywood News Project" and your e-mail address to:

Stacy Davis
c/o West Hollywood News Project
1134 North Sycamore Avenue, #119
Los Angeles, CA 90038

As soon as I receive your order, I will e-mail you a PDF copy of the booklet. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the booklet, please include $3 for shipping and handling.

Credit Card Payments over the Internet will be accepted soon!

More Information...

Everything You Need to Know About Shampooing and Conditioning Your Hair

Many women don’t realize that when done properly, shampooing and conditioning your hair can be one of the best things that you can do for your hair. This booklet will teach you how to do that. It will also teach you:

- Techniques that will help your hair grow stronger, healthier, and thicker.

- What shampoo and conditioners will work best in your hair.

- How to wash and condition your hair to cause the least damage as possible.

This booklet will be available for sell on this website only for $7 beginning October 1, 2009. For more information, please e-mail sgrahamhunt@gmail.com or call 203.668.8723.

I am offering a 100% guarantee. If for any reason you are dissatisfied with this booklet, just give me a call for a complete refund. I can afford to do this because I know that the information in this booklet works, and it is accurate.

Product Review: Aveda's New Smooth Infusion Line

Name: Aveda's Smooth Infusion Product Line (Shampoo, Conditioner, Style Prep Smoother, and Glossing Straightener)

Price: $87 for the full set (products can also be purchased individually)

Where to purchase: Stacy Davis: sgrahamhunt@gmail.com, Aveda.com, or any Aveda retail store or salon

Key Benefits:

- Helps hair get really straight

- Makes hair feel smooth

- Makes hair shiny

- Reduces the visibility of broken ends

Disadvantages:

- If you don't use the entire product line together, the products don't work as well individually.

- You need to have a really good flat iron or blow-dryer that gets nice and hot

- It's expensive

How to Use:

1. Shampoo and condition hair as directed.

2. Apply the Style-Prep smoother to hair.

3. Blow dry hair.

4. Apply the Glossing Straightener to hair.

5. Flat iron hair.

6. Add a few more drops of Glossing Straightener to hair.

Stacy Davis, sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Credits: Photo taken from Aveda.com

Winner of OPI Nail Polish Giveaway

Congratulations to Michelle Reid of New Haven, Connecticut. She has won 3 free OPI nail polishes by simply leaving a comment on my blog. I randomly selected her name out of a bowl in my kitchen. lol. Congratulations!!

Visit "The Hair You Wear" every week to learn about new promotions and giveaways.

Tyra's Natural Hair

I'm not the biggest fan of the Tyra Banks Show, but I found the episode of her wearing her natural hair to be entertaining. Enjoy!

Weaves and the Workplace

I recently received this e-mail from one of my sorority sisters, and I wanted to share it with you. She wishes to remain anonymous, but she is interested in any comments that you have.

After thinking about this for a while, I finally decided to try something new and get a full weave. My “real” hair is really thick and shoulder length. The weave is right above my bra strap. Why are people talking to me like this is my hair. I mean I had it done on Thursday, came to work on Friday and they are like, “Your hair is really growing," and “OMG, your hair is so long."

Now I wasn’t too surprised that the “other” people would be a little clueless, but the sista's (black women) are really just throwing me off. I EXPECT them to know better. Yeah, the weave hair matches my hair, but it’s not a perfect match. I just look at them like, “Are you serious?”

I keep wondering if they are trying to be silly or maybe they really haven’t seen me in a while and are a little confused. I don’t know.

I didn’t know a change in my hairstyle was going to cause a response.

Has anyone else gone through this?

Everything You Need to Know About Shampooing and Conditioning Your Hair

I am currently writing a booklet on how to wash and shampoo your hair properly. Many women don’t realize that when done properly, shampooing and conditioning your hair can be one of the best things that you can do for your hair. This booklet will teach you how to do that. It will also teach you:

- Techniques that will help your hair grow stronger, healthier, and thicker.

- What shampoo and conditioners will work best in your hair.

- How to wash and condition your hair to cause the least damage as possible.

This booklet will be available for sell on this website only for $7 beginning October 1, 2009. For more information, please e-mail sgrahamhunt@gmail.com.

I'm Going on the Floor!

On Monday, I will start taking clients at the Aveda Institute of Los Angeles. I will be able to perform the following services:

• Haircuts
• Updo's
• Press and Curls
• Perms (Chemical Curling)
• Relaxers (Chemical Straightening)
• Roller Sets
• Manicures
• Pedicures
• Hair Removal
• Massages

If you are interested in booking an appointment with me, please call the Aveda Institute of Los Angeles at (310) 209-2000. For a full service list with prices, please click here.

The Problem with Bleach

This week on the Tyra Banks show, Nelly Furtado, a natural brunette, told Tyra that bleaching her hair destroyed it. ATTENTION LADIES:

Bleaching your hair will damage it.

Bleaching your hair will damage it.

Bleaching your hair will damage it.

You still don’t believe me? Here’s the deal…

Brunettes love to lighten their hair, whether it’s highlights, or a full head of hair color. However, in order to lighten your dark tresses, you have to use some kind of bleach or “lightener.”

The bleach contains ammonia and peroxide, which remove or diffuse the melanin from your hair. In order to remove the melanin, layers of the hair strands are stripped in order to achieve your desired the color. The lighter you want your hair, the longer you have to keep the bleach on it, and the more layers are stripped.

So, if you want your hair to go from black to blonde, which many women want, the bleach will strip a considerable amount of your hair strand, leaving it weak and brittle, which will eventually cause it to break. Your hair cannot survive being stripped of so many layers. It’s a fact.

Stacy Davis, sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Photo Credits: Tyrashow.warnerbros.com, Salon Fundamentals Textbook

Dumb Blonde

"I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb - and I'm not blonde either."
- Dolly Parton, entertainer

Credits: Picture courtesy of bfeedme.com.

Nail Polish Giveaway

Today is the last day to win three free O-P-I nail polishes. In order to be eligible, comment on any of my blog posts before 12 a.m. tonight. (PST)

Everything You Need to Know About Shampooing and Conditioning Your Hair

I am currently writing a booklet on how to wash and shampoo your hair properly. Many women don’t realize that when done properly, shampooing and conditioning your hair can be one of the best things that you can do for your hair. This booklet will teach you how to do that. It will also teach you:

- Techniques that will help your hair grow stronger, healthier, and thicker.

- What shampoo and conditioners will work best in your hair.

- How to wash and condition your hair to cause the least damage as possible.

This booklet will be available for sell on this website only for $7 beginning October 1, 2009. For more information, please e-mail sgrahamhunt@gmail.com.

Does Shaving Make Your Hair Grow Back Thicker?

No. You are born with a certain number of hair shafts. The shafts are located below the skin, and the hair grows out of them. The cutting that you do with your razor above the skin does not affect the hair shafts below the skin.

If your hair feels like it is growing back thicker, it could be because when you cut it, you create a flat edge at the end of the hair strand. When your hair grows, it naturally has kind of a pointy edge, which feels less coarse than a sharp edge.

- Stacy Davis, sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Photo courtesy of odec.ca.

The Hook Up

“I should let you do my hair one day.”

(Various People Who Want "The Hookup")

Uhm, excuse me? Let me do your hair? How about you make an appointment and pay like everyone else? If you are a receptionist, how would you like it if I said, “I should let you answer the phone for me sometime,” or a surgeon: “I should let you operate on my shoulder one day?” That sounds ridiculous.

The hairdressing profession is not as respected as the medical industry, but women are willing to pay just as much for a hair appointment as they are for a doctor’s appointment, if not more. How ironic!

Mario, one of my instructors at Aveda, said his friends and family try to get him to do their hair for free all of the time. He refuses to perform his services for free, except for his mother and sister. I don’t blame him.

Family and friends can make very difficult customers. They usually want the most services and have the most criticisms, but want to pay the least under “the hook up clause.” I personally don’t mind giving the hookup every once in a while, but then where do you draw the line? If I do Shaquanna’s hair for free one time, does that mean she will be expecting that I do it free all of the time? If I do Shaquanna’s hair for free, does that mean she thinks I will do her daughter’s hair and grandmother’s hair for free too? Where does it end?

I think my policy will be to have everyone pay. It’s fairest option of them all.

- Stacy Davis, sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Upcoming Events

Free O-P-I Nail Polish

This week a lucky reader will be randomly selected to receive three O-P-I nail polishes ($30 value) for free. O-P-I has some of the best nail polishes on the market. In order to be eligible for this offer, you must leave a comment on any blog post on the “The Hair You Wear” no later than Friday, September 18, 2009. For more information, please e-mail sgrahamhunt@gmail.com.

Everything You Need to Know About Shampooing and Conditioning Your Hair

I am currently writing a booklet on how to wash and shampoo your hair properly. Many women don’t realize that when done properly, shampooing and conditioning your hair can be one of the best things that you can do for your hair. This booklet will teach you how to do that. It will also teach you:

- Techniques that will help your hair grow stronger, healthier, and thicker.

- What shampoo and conditioners will work best in your hair.

- How to wash and condition your hair to cause the least damage as possible.

This booklet will be available for sell on this website only for $7 beginning October 1, 2009. For more information, please e-mail sgrahamhunt@gmail.com.

Bee-Dee-Bees

"Girl You Need to Clean Up That Kitchen."

Unfortunately, I heard this before as a kid. I wore a lot of ponytails. They broke my hair of around the hairline on the back of my head. My sweat, the water from the shower, and the humidity outdoors, would hit the newly created shorter hairs and cause them to curl up and create my kitchen.

I was never embarrassed about my kitchen until someone would make a comment about it. Then, whenever I got home, I would try to slick it down with as much Jam (a red pomade that smelled like candy) as I could. The Jam would only work for a few minutes, and then I would just be stuck with a gooey neck.. However over the years, I have come up with some ways to minimize a kitchen’s exposure.

1. Wear your hair down. Your kitchen will not get any attention if you cover it with other hair from your head.

2. Straighten your kitchen out. If you are going to wear a ponytail, straighten those curlies on the back of your neck with a flat iron or pressing comb.

3. Wear a low ponytail instead of a high one. If you wear a ponytail closer to your hairline, then you can catch some of those “baby hairs” in the ponytail holder. However be careful not to pull them to tightly.

4. Slick the kitchen down with a gel or pomade. Then, tightly wrap your head with a scarf, making sure that you are pressing down the kitchen with the flat part of the scarf. Keep the scarf on your head for about 30 minutes.

5. Cut it off with clippers. I personally do not recommend this method because when you decide to grow the hair back, you will still end up with a kitchen, and having to do one of the previously mentioned techniques anyway.

Stacy L. Davis, sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Deep Conditioners

For stronger, healthier, and softer hair, deep condition your hair once per week. Conditioners like cholesterol and those that are protein-rich work great as deep conditioners.

Steps for deep conditioning your hair:

1. Shampoo hair and rinse hair thoroughly.

2. Towel dry your hair.

3. Rub a generous amount of deep conditioner between your hands, and apply it to your hair.

4. Apply a plastic cap (i.e. Jheri curl cap or shower cap) to your head.

5. If you have a hooded hair dryer, sit underneath it for 15 minutes. If you do not have a dryer, then let the conditioner sit for 25-30 minutes.

6. Rinse out the conditioner. Comb out any tangles in your hair with your fingers as you rinse out the conditioner.

More details about shampooing and conditioning your hair will be available in a booklet titled, “Everything You Need to Know about Shampooing and Conditioning Your Hair.” The booklet will be available on this website October 1, 2009 for $7. If you would like more information about this publication, e-mail me at sgrahamhunt@gmail.com with any questions.

An UnbeWeaveable Tail

I attended dancing school when I was in third grade. I got to wear all kinds of wigs and fake ponytails as part of my costumes for the dance recitals. I used to beg my mom to let me wear my fake hair to my Episcopalian private school, and she would always say, “No."

After several times of me asking her, she finally changed her mind.

“Ah what the heck,” my mother probably thought to herself. “What’s the worst that can happen?”

We woke up early morning, my mother pressed my hair, made me a nice slick ponytail, and braided the fake hair into the ends. I thought I was the bomb. I was shaking my head and my new hair around all morning.

“Stacy, is that your real hair?” My gym teacher asked when I arrived to school. She probably remembered my hair being a foot shorter the day before.

“Yes, it’s mine,” I answered her gleefully, just as my mother had prepped me.

One or two of my classmates also asked me about my new hairdo. They were used to seeing me wear lots of ponytails and barrettes all over my head. But this day, I had one long braided ponytail hanging off of the back of my head. I looked like a Black Pocahontas.

Recess time rolled around. My friends and I were playing tag. Even as I ran across the playground, I swung my ponytail from side to side. I was “it.” I tagged my friend Emily. As I tagged her, she gave me the strangest look. Her eyebrows furrowed. Then, they jumped into her hairline as her eyes popped open wide. She quickly pointed her long, narrow finger to the wood chips.

“Stacy!” She screeched.

“What?” I said, as I turned around. I saw a small pile of black material resting on the ground.
I touched the back of my head. It was bare. My ponytail was gone. Where was it? OH MY GOSH! That was my ponytail on the woodchips.

Emily had shouted so loudly that our classmates looked over towards us to see what was going on. I laughed nervously as I picked up my ponytail. That was all I could do. If I seemed embarrassed, then everyone else would have started making fun of me. Luckily, my plan worked, and they laughed with me.

“Stacy, we thought that was your real hair. That’s what you told us,” my gym teacher and my classmates said.

“It was,” I tried to explain. “It was mine, it was real, and it was hair.”

- Stacy L. Davis, sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Say what you think, act how you feel...

Say what you think and act how you feel, because those who matter won't mind, and those who mind don't matter. 

 - Dr. Seuss 

Last week, I was venting about how I like to wear my hair curly, but sometimes feel pressured to wear my hair straight by other people. It just so happened that the very next week, my teacher wrote this exact quote on the board. (She usually writes inspirational quotes on the board every week.)

After I read this quote, I immediately thought about my curly/straight hair dilemma. At first, I thought this quote was true. I thought people who really care about me won't care how I wear my hair. But then I thought about it some more. Now, I disagree with my previous thought. The people who give me the most grief about my hair are the ones who are closest to me and matter the most. I could wear a crazy curly 'fro, and I know for sure that my mom, my dad, my aunt, and my husband (yes I'm calling you out) would certainly comment on my hair. 

"What's with your hair?"

"What's up with the new do?" 

"What are we doing with your hair?" 

"That's an interesting style."

I can hear their voices in my head as I type. Even though I may be acting how I feel by arranging my hair a certain way, the people closest to me may mind...and I kind of like it that way. One of the reasons these people are closest to me is because they are not afraid to "mind" or tell me the truth. 

So while self-expression is important, it is always good to have people to reel you in when you get carried away. And its not that they don't matter, or that they are judging you, but you need people in your life that will help you present your best self. 

 - Stacy Davis, sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Product Review: Frizz-Ease Hair Serum

Name of Product: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum Extra Strength Formula

Price: $10

Key Benefits:

*Helps keep hair from getting frizzy.

*Helps hair styles achieved through heat (i.e. flat iron, curling iron) last longer.

*Helps prevent curly wash-and-go styles from turning into huge afros by the end of the day.

Product Disadvantages:

*It's slimy.

*It is most effective if you use it on wet hair. If you forget to put it on while you're hair is wet, then you're screwed.

*It's expensive. You only get 1.69 ounces for $10.00.

*You have to use a lot more than the directions suggest.

*Needs to be used with another product when blow-drying (i.e. oil, hair moisturizer) in order to weigh hair down.

How to Use (John Frieda's directions): Use after shampooing and conditioning on WET or TOWEL-DRIED HAIR. Use sparingly by dispensing a dime-size amount of serum into palms. Rub hands together and distribute evenly throughout the hair. Use more or less depending on hair length and thickness. Do not rinse out.

How to Use (Stacy's directions): Shampoo and condition hair. Towel-dry your hair. Apply a hair moisturizer or oil to your hair. Then pump five squirts (or more) of the hair serum into your hands. Then blow-dry and style as usual. If you are wearing "wash and go hair, then shampoo and condition your hair, don't towel-dry it, use a hair oil, and then add some type of product that will hold your hair in place (i.e. light gel, pomade, mousse).

More questions or product suggestions? Contact me: sgrahamhunt@gmail.com

Credit: Photo taken from Elle Magazine's website

Going Natural: Growing Out Your Relaxer

I’ve been getting a few questions about how to “go natural” or grow out a relaxer. So let’s discuss it.

There is not really a step-by-step process for going natural, but I can tell you how I did it. If you are considering growing out your relaxer, you have two options:

1. Cut off all of your relaxed hair and start from the beginning.
2. Grow out all of your relaxed hair.

I did a combination of the two.

I started growing my hair out in 2002. It took me about a year to get rid of all of the relax parts of my hair, It was probably one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. However, I stayed down for the cause because I knew my hair would be a lot stronger and healthier once I got rid of the relaxer…and I was not disappointed.

The first inch of new growth was easy to work with, but beyond that point, my hair just seemed so unmanageable sometimes. The top half of my hair was curly; the bottom was straight. The ends of my hair seemed to be getting so weak. I didn’t know how to wear my hair, and to add to that I was living in Florida at the time, probably one of the most humid places in the country. My hair was always swelling up and getting frizzy soon after I left the hairdresser.

Basically what I did to get through the process was get my hair straightened as frequently as I could afford, which at that time was about 1-2 times per month. During the summertime, I got braids. Towards the end of the growing out process, I had this great idea to wear a curly afro, but because the ends of my hair were still relaxed, the hairdo looked stupid. I became so frustrated that I chopped them all off with scissors. And that’s how I grew out my hair.

I didn’t and still don’t have a magical way to make the growing out process any easier. Just remember that growing out your relaxer is huge commitment that won’t happen overnight, so be patient if natural hair is something that you really want.

- Stacy Davis, sgrahamhunt@gmail.com