Warm Tone, Hot Woman

By Sommer Little:

It is always a difficult thing deciding what color to dye your own hair and what color wig or hair to get to compliment your skin tone.  As you may have seen from Rihanna’s red-hot hair to Beyonce’s golden tresses…color is the way to go.  Warm colors look great on women of color. Whether they are bold warm colors or elegant shades of gold or brown, they will compliment your natural skin tones. A professional colorist once told me never go too light or too dark when it comes to hair coloring, try to stay in neutral tones unless you are going for an outrageous look.

In the case of Rihanna the color she chose is a quite unnatural red but somehow she pulls it off. This color however I believe is not for everyone, but if you are desperate to strut your stuff with a fire engine red coif, here is what you can do to make it happen. You can either go and dye your hair a similar color or if you want to avoid permanently going red, buy a wig or weaving hair in 130 color which is very similar to Rihanna’s daring look.

Beyonce is one of those few women who I believe can look good in almost anything. She has been wearing her hair a golden blond for some time now and never ceases to amaze me with her radiant beauty. Queen Latifah, another golden skinned and haired beauty wears a similar color that makes her complexion shine like the sun!  If you want to try wearing a beautiful golden color like Beyonce or Queen Latifah, try either going to a colorist or dyeing it yourself, or for an easier and less permanent option buy a wig or install a weave. When choosing a wig color go for a 27, P2/27/33, F237, or F437 which should blend nicely to create a similar golden goddess effect.

Tyra Banks someone I consider to be a beautiful woman inside and out has worn almost every shade of brown blond or red you can imagine, but I especially like the color of her hair in this photo. Her hair is a vibrant brown, giving her skin a flawless luminosity. This is a much more complicated dye job but can easily be recreated with weaving hair or a wig. For this color try buying the hair in P4/30.

These hair colors look beautiful on women of color and I would love to be daring and dye my hair Rihanna’s flaming red, but alas I still lack the confidence. I can definitely pull of Tyra’s beautiful browns and look forward to trying it. Visit Elevate Style.com to explore your options on different hair lengths layers and cuts in wigs and weaving hair. If you opt to dye your hair either visit a professional colorist or try Clairol Textures and Tones for a do-it-your-self dye job. Remember with pride, confidence, the right makeup and accessories you can pull off your look whenever and wherever you want.

Photo Credits:

Rihanna: http://www.haironthebrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Rihanna-red-hair-color.png

Beyonce Knowles: http://www.sweetslyrics.com/images/img_gal/1119_beyonce1.jpg

Queen Latifah: http://concreteloop.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/72311200_10.jpg

Tyra Banks: http://www.usmagazine.com/uploads/assets/articles/30316-tyra-banks-ending-talk-show/1262022997_tyra-banks-290.jpg

First Hair Weave Experience

by: Sommer Little

Suggestions, suggestions please, I am going to attempt my first full head weave single handedly armed with any suggestions, help or advice that any of the Elevate Styles Women have to give. Yes, I know this is an arduous task and will take many hours and will most likely leave me with a sore head and arthritis, but I am willing to risk it all in order to defeat this giant of hair styling wonders. I have never worn a full head sew in weave before just braided extensions, hair pieces and clip-on’s, now is the time to attempt such a feat while I still have the mind to. I never really have figured out how to braid the back of my head…. another difficulty that must be overcome, along with sewing in the weave itself.
I am sure those of you who have been so blessed at one point as to be able to figure out how to sew in a weave to perfection have plenty of advice on how to install it and how to care for it. I am asking if you, the readers, have ever done a full head weave and what are your experiences learning and mastering this artful technique and how on earth did you maintain it and look so spectacular!  Please leave suggestions so that I too can  look as fabulous as you all.

Diva in the Summer Heat

by Sommer Little

Okay, so the weather has warmed up and it is time to start thinking about what you want to do with your hair this summer. It’s a little difficult to enjoy your day at the beach or the pool when your hair starts to frizz up and dry out in the intense heat. And you start to feel and look a little bit like a matted poodle or worse. Here are a couple of good suggestions for keeping your hair neat and pretty while enjoying the humid temperatures of the summer:

Braid It!

Braiding hair is a good solution to dealing with the melting temperatures of the summer. From cornrows to kinky twists, braiding styles are always a popular and easy solution to the summer hair woes. For two yeas in the summer I would get my hair braided into what is called tree braids adding in wet and wavy extensions for body and length. This style always turned out beautiful and I received many compliments for its natural appeal.

Warnings!

 If you have a sensitive scalp or very fair skin braids may not be for you, because the sensitive skin on your scalp can be irritated or burned by harmful UV rays.

Weave It!

            A partial weave may be the best idea for the summer depending on your hair length and type. With a full head weave it may become unbearable in the summer heat as your scalp will be inaccessible not only from the harsh sun but from the cool refreshing breeze as well, but if you feel that you won’t get overheated and will appreciate the protection from the sun, by all means weave it!. But for those who just want to add a little bit of length to their own hair and don’t want the heat of a full head weave clip on extensions or braiding in extensions may be the best choice.

Warning!

Weaving hair is a little riskier due to the fact that getting your weave wet may not be the best idea in an uncontrolled environment, like the beach. It is a little less risky if you were to avoid getting your hair wet while at the beach or the poolside.

Wig It!

So the next viable option for those who want to look goo this summer is a wig. Now wigs I expressly don’t recommend wearing them to the beach or to the poolside unless you are very tolerant of the heat and are not planning on swimming or getting wet any where above your waist. I wouldn’t recommend swimming with a wig on for obvious reasons.

Warning!

If you have heat sensitivity, you may not want to wear a wig due to the fact that your head will be covered and will get hot underneath the wig.

Anyways, whatever solution you choose the best way to protect you head from the sun is a sun hat, which of course will go with any and all of these hairstyle solutions. So get out and enjoy the summer while looking like the queen you are. Enjoy your Summer and always stay beautiful. 

A Kinky Revolution

by Sommer Little

Recently a large amount of African American women or women of African descent have opted for sporting their crazy, beautiful kinks instead of the straight and smooth look that is losing waves of fans. Why such a big change? I believe that this is an old movement (the afro of the 70’s) that is gaining a larger following due to its unconventional style and attitude. Ethnic women with kinks and curls have tried for years to fight against their own hair texture by using harsh chemicals and heated appliances. But a revolution has started, and this is one that will not be going out of style very quickly. The Afro is back with a vengeance! Big hair is back and it seems like it is here to stay. Not too long ago I also joined this revolution and went for the “big chop”, but not all are as brave as I was or have the face for a buzz cut. Are you dying to join the “Natural Hair Revolution” but don’t want to chop of all your hair and wait a year before you can actually style your own hair? Well here is a great solution its called transitioning.

Transitioning can take any where from about 3 months to a year depending on how long you want your hair to be. If you can’t wait to display your natural beauty, you can go for braids or wigs to help keep you looking well kept until your able to style your own hair or add in kinky extensions, like Curly Remy to add to the length of your own hair. If you would rather not braid extensions into your hair, I recommend keeping your hair clean and fresh while letting it rest under a wig. You can join the revolution early and wear a Beshe Lace Front Wig, Drew is a beautiful wig and you can join the curly girl movement without having to undergo the “big chop”, or Beshe: Shelly a beautiful afro wig without the lace front that can be easily blended into your own hair.  Pair either of these two wigs with an accessory to get that fresh natural look that you crave. Wearing naturally textures and exploring your kinky roots has become a symbol of pride for many women and a militant stand against forced the social norms of straightening their hair. It is a difficult transition to make, so why not have a little help relearning to love your texture. Go to http://elevatestyles.com/ and begin your textured hair journey today.

How to Wash and Condition Human Hair Full Lace Wigs

by Robin Lovekisses99
"Wig care can be a task, but it can be easy if you know a few key points."  


Shampooing and  Conditioning:  
What you wash your units with is as important as how you wash them.  Washing the unit applied can be a little tricky.  Excessive water and moisture can cause the bond to slip.  It's best to wash your unit on a mannequin head.  Here's how: Adhere the unit to the mannequin head using T-pins. The T pins will keep the unit in place while you wash and condition it.  Be sure to detangle the unit, working from the ends to the roots. Start at the ends first and work your way up.  Detangling this way will minimize the amount of strands lost, and makes detangling an easy process. Once the unit is detangled, it's time to wash and condition the unit.  There are lots of products on the market that will help keep your wig in great condition.  Many products are designed  particularly for Indian Remy Hair.  Most often, the same products used for  your own hair can be used to wash and condition your human hair units.  A few pointers when looking for just the right products:  If the unit is curly remy hair, use products for curly human hair.  If the unit is straight hair, you can use the same products that you would use for straight human hair.


Washing and conditioning:
Never use extremely hot water because it can cause the unit to dry out prematurely.  Always use either cool or lukewarm water.  Use a soft stream of water.  Wet the wig first.  To apply the shampoo, you can use a spray bottle with ½ shampoo and half water.  Spray the shampoo mixture onto the wet hair.  Don't rub briskly or scrub the hair.  Smooth the shampoo onto the unit from  roots to ends. Rinse with cool or lukewarm water. Repeat.  Conditioner can be applied in the same manner.  Be sure to rinse all of the product out of the hair.  Left over product can weigh the hair down.  Once the unit is washed and conditioned, it can be air-dried right on the mannequin head.


Knot Sealing:Once the unit is completely dry, the next step is imperative to reduce the chance of premature shedding.  Knot sealer can be purchased on line or even at your local beauty supply store.  The purpose of the knot sealer is to re-seal the hair into the base of the unit where the hairs are knotted into the base.

Turn the unit inside out. Be sure none of the hair is exposed. Spray the knot sealer on the inside of the unit and let it either air dry or use a blow dryer on the cool or warm setting.  Be sure the knot sealer is completely dry before applying the unit.
The unit can now be styled either still on the mannequin head, or applied.

For more tips check out my site:  http://lovekisses99.com/

How To Give A Synthetic Lace Front Wig A More Natural Appearance

by April Muffin Is My Lovers

Wigs have become the new trend, wearing a wig is more like an accessory, such as shoes and jewelry. The newest wig craze is lace front wigs or full lace wigs which give a more realistic appearance if you wear them correctly. Lace front wigs and full lace wigs can range in price starting any where from $30 and up. The most affordable lace wigs are the synthetic front lace wigs, which are made of synthetic fibers and a transparent lace material that is sewn on the  front portion of the wig giving a scalp appearance. Synthetic lace front wigs can come with combs adhered to them making it possible to wear without applying any glue or tape adhesive.

When wearing a synthetic lace front wig there are certain steps you need to take in order for the wig to appear more natural looking. Synthetic lace front wigs are mass production wigs, which means they come in a standard size medium cap, as well as the hairlines are typically made the same, a more rounded shape hairline. Some synthetic lace front wigs can appear more dense at the hairline giving you a false hairline appearance. With these type of wigs you must tweak them, make them look as if they are you own natural growing hair despite the fact that they are made of synthetic fibers.

During my time and trial experiences with synthetic lace front wigs, I have come to find there are certain tricks to wearing them. For one it is always best to find a color that is suitable for you, a more natural and realistic color. As well wearing a synthetic lace front wig you will need certain items to achieve that perfect flawless look. Making sure you have a wig cap close to your skin complexion is a must have, this gives the appearance of your scalp once the synthetic lace front wig is applied. I also suggest having on hand a few good bobby pins, a tooth brush, gel or a good holding spray.

As I stated these wigs are made as mass production so the hairlines are not the best. To give them a more realistic look I suggest resting the synthetic lace front on your hairline once you have placed your wig or stocking cap on. Once you have placed the wig on your hairline slide the wig about 1/8 back, allowing some of  your own natural hairline to show. Once you have taken this step take a small comb with a pointed end (rat tail comb) and pull a small portion of your own hair out which helps camouflage the rounded hairline of your wig as well as it also makes it appear more natural. Our own hairlines are not as dense and rounded as these synthetic lace front wigs, so we must tweak them in order for them to work.

Using gel, or holding spray will help your own hair lay against the lace wig threw out the day. You do not need to apply a lot of gel or holding spray to your own hair or edges, using a good clean tooth brush that is only used for your hair is a good way to lay your own hair down against the lace. A tooth brush is a more sensible size brush for the small amount of hair you have taken out.

Synthetic lace front wigs do not require adhesives, as there are those who do prefer to use adhesives on they're synthetic lace fronts it is not necessary because they do come with combs sewn in front by your temples as well as the nape area, along with an adjustable strap that you will find on most regular wigs, which helps in giving the wig a more snug fit.

Synthetic Lace front wigs are available at your local beauty supply stores as well as on line. Many online sites such as Elevate Styles.com carries a wide variety of synthetic lace front wigs. Though these wigs are made of synthetic fibers and a rounded hairline there is always a way to make them look as if it is your own hair. With good practice you will be on your way in no time rocking your synthetic lace front. 

For more tips check out my site:  http://www.manyfacesofbeauties.com/