History of Black Hair: Misconceptions, Styles & Myths

Since it is Black History month and all, I thought it would be worth exploring the history of black hair. Including misconceptions, styles, and myths that have been passed on from generation to generation in the black community.

Hot combs or straightening combs---the process by which hair is temporarily straightened with the use of a metal hot comb. The hot comb was invented in France and used by women with ultra curly hair to obtain straight locks. In the 1900's, Madame C.J. Walker altered the hot comb by widening the teeth. Today the hot comb has been revolutionized into the flat iron.

Greasing the scalp---if you're black I'm sure you grew up with several jars of grease in your home. As black people we love us some grease ha. I remember slabbing on tons of blue grease to give my hair that added shine and asking my mom to grease my scalp. Greasing the scalp is one of the biggest misconceptions in the black community because many believe that greasing the scalp helps the hair grow or reduces dandruff.

Jheri Curls-----I am LMBO thinking about the Jheri Curl couple in 'Coming to America'. This was a classic look in the black community during the 1970's and 1980's. Invented by Jheri Redding, the hairstyle gave the wearer a glossy, loosely curled look (Wash-n-go's can be seen as the modern day jheri curls).

Mirco Braids & Box Braids---When I think of Mirco Braids I think of old school Brandy....Box Braids 'Poetic Justice' Janet Jackson. Both hairstyles can last for months and include braiding hair extensions to separated sections of the hair. Micro braids and box braids are responsible for imitation alopecia in many black women today. This style was very popular in the 90's. 

Conrows---- I would like to nominate Snoop dogg as the King of Cornrows. He is the only thug I know that can pull this look off without questioning his masculinity. Cornrows is another african american hairstyle that was popular in the 90's among Rappers, Hip Hop and R&B singers.

Hi -Top Fade-----Two words "House Party"! Kid had a serious hi-top fade in the movie House Party but for real tho...that fade did not do anything for him. The hi-top fade was popular during the late 80's and early 90's and symbolizes the golden era of Hip Hop. 

Relaxers--the first relaxer was created in 1877 by Garret A. Morgan....and the rest is history. Relaxers permanently change the structure of curly, kinky hair to straight hair. Today relaxers are referred to in the natural hair community as 'creamy crack'.


Natural Hair-----Mid to late 2000's is when the explosion happened. A lot of black women had worn their hair natural but not in the increasing numbers that we are seeing today. Sales of relaxer kits declined by 36% last year, further validating the increasing trend of black women going natural. I believe that this is not a trend at all but is here to stay. As we become more health conscious and environmentally friendly more and more women will refrain from using harsh chemicals. 

Last but not least, is the infamous Little girl 1,001 Barrettes, we all have a picture in our Easter or Christmas dress smiling with a thousand little colored barrettes in our hair. I pledge that whenever I have a little girl I will not overload her hair with barrettes.....

I hope you enjoyed the post!

The skinny on maintaining a healthy scalp: 5 easy tips

#1 Cleansing- Wash hair on a regular basis. Alternate between clarifying and moisturizing shampoos. Natural hair tends to be dryer than straight hair so using one type of shampoo maybe drying or over moisturizing. To keep a balance alternate as often as possible. 

Clarifying shampoos gives your hair a fresh start by removing deposits (hard water, cremes, hairspray, gels, chlorine, etc) and restoring shine. 

Moisturizing shampoos gently cleanse the hair while replenishing hydration.  

#2 Conditioning- After your wash, avoid applying conditioners and cremes to your scalp. Conditioners/cremes are only made for the hair shaft and can clog the hair follicles which results in stunted growth. 

#3 Nutrition- What you put in your body is just as important as what you put on it.  Anti-oxidant rich foods like fresh fruit and green vegetables help to keep your body and scalp healthy. Products such as fish, nuts, , milk, peas and beans promote hair growth. 

#4 Massage- One of my favorite things to do. Massaging the scalp with your finger tips stimulates blood flow, nourishes your hair and relaxes your muscles. 

#5 Avoid Heat- The same way sunlight can burn your skin so can excessive heat from hair dryers. Hold blow dryers a good distance away from hair/scalp. If you experience any discomfort from drying your hair then the dryer is too close to your hair/scalp. 

Interracial Dating & Natural Hair

One of the great things about being natural is it's versatility. About a week ago, I straightened my hair for an "oh so needed" trim. At the time, it didn't cross my mind that my new hair do would be met with mixed emotions. Everyone from the cashier at the grocery store to the janitor had an opinion on my new straight look. The most surprising reaction was the difference in opinion of my caucasian male friends vs. black male friends. 


Many of my black male friends erred on the side of straight. One actually said to me "The natural look was starting to grow on me but I think straight looks better." (I'm thinking--But who asked your opinion tho?) My white male friends were Pro Fro. Many of them asked "Terri--what did you do to your hair?" "The curls are more you." Surprising huh? 


All along I thought that white men preferred straight hair--well because that's what grows out of their head but to my surprise I was wrong. Even my Asian male friend said to me " Terri--I wish I could grow an afro. It looks so cool. Can I touch it?" My response--"Dave- This ain't no petting zoo."


In a Facebook post by Alex Barnett- Comedian and regular contributor to The Coil Review he described his son's (interracial baby) reaction to the fact that he got his dad's (Alex's--white hair) hair instead of his Mom's (Alex's wife--black hair) hair. 


"You ignoramus. I want an Afro like Mommy. And, it's all your fault, you dumb White guy, that I'm never gonna have one. You and your straight hair, and your melanin-free skin, and your pointy nose, and your socio-economic advantages, and your colonialism. All your fault. Now, I'm just gonna have that weird, 'what kind of hair is that?' hair! I hope you're happy. Now go make yourself useful. Go get us a taxi, 'cause God knows, cabbies won't stop for Mommy and me. Nooooo, because we're people of color. And, we might be trying to do something subversive like, oh, I don't know, get where we're going!"


*Please check out his page. He has the cutest family and funny material*


It is truly surprising to me that a lot of black men still can't get down with natural hair. I mean its the same thing that grows out of their head. If you are in an interracial relationship, what does your partner think about your hair? I'm interested to see if my hypothesis that white men are more Pro Fro than black men is true. 

Skincare Line Nivea's opinion on Natural Hair: Re-civilize Yourself

Don't mess with the power of the tweet---that is my advice to Nivea after Wednesday's battle over an ad featuring a clean cut black man holding a picture of a guy with an Afro. The ad read "Re-civilize Yourself" leading viewers to believe that Nivea's opinion of an afro or natural hair is less than acceptable.

What are your thoughts on this "hot mess" of an ad? I for one think it's marketing suicide---along with other thoughts that I cannot state on this blog. First of all---Does this mean that Nivea does not have African American or Blacks on their Marketing staff? I mean someone should have told them this is a No No. Second of all-----Do they even have a marketing research team? I think someone needs to be fired if they haven't heard about the increasing number of African Americans and Blacks who are embracing their natural hair texture. This ad must have been for publicity only.

As a person with natural hair, would you buy Nivea's products?

Natural Hair "Down Under": Marie Claire Australia September 2011 Issue

Just Fabulous.........I am literally drooling over the scenery, the colors, the HAIR! 

Are you afraid to date guys with nappy hair? Afraid that your kids will have nappy hair?

As much as we want to deny it or change the way the world thinks there are still people out there who think this way. What it all boils down to is survival of the fittest. We want to mate with the most attractive mate to ensure the survival of our offspring. Choosing a mate that is lighter and has "good" hair will ensure that our offspring will be more attractive and therefore be more accepted. --this is not my opinion--

I grew up in the Bahamas where "Mango" skin girls (light skin girls) were considered the prettiest girls. I remember one day in high school a "Mango" girl said to me " I feel so sorry for you because you are so black." After she said that I reached out and slapped her. I was never a trouble maker or violent but what she said to me was an insult to my existence. Although, I grew up in a place where light skin was better than black skin I never thought that anyone regardless of skin color was better than me. I have countless memories from childhood where I was treated differently because of my dark complexion. For instance, my mom's cousin would babysit me and I couldn't lay on her bed or floor because she said my dark skin would dirty her sheets and rug. I recently visited her and she told me " You don't look as dark as you used to when you were a kid." All I could do was laugh.

Do you find yourself dating men with certain characteristics (hair, skin color) because you think the two of you would make "good looking" children?

Take a look at the Dark Girls Documentary that will be released this October. Sad but true.

5 things I have learned from my Natural Hair.

#1- My hair has a mind of its own. Even though I want it to hang down onto my face, it insists on sticking up in the air. To tame it I pin it down or flexi rod it but in the end it does whatever it wants. 


#2- Dryness comes with the territory. Oils, water and conditioners are its best friend. Daily regimen includes spraying with water, applying oil (Vitamin E, Olive oil, etc) then conditioning before twisting or braiding. 


#3- My quest for the perfect curl as Elle would say is endless. The hair on the sides and back are kinkier than the front and the middle. Styling can be unpredictable. My twist outs never look the same but its my hair what can I say. 


#4- My hair is forgiving. Over the years I have permed, mirco braided, weaved, colored, cut, shaved and fried it but it continues to stand up proudly on my head. We have been through a lot but thank goodness it has forgiven me for I have sinned against it. 


#5 My hair is beautiful. I am kind of mad at my mom for relaxing my beautiful curls because I know I would have a long head of curly hair if she didn't. The first time I saw my curls was at the age 23. My only regret is that I didn't introduce them to the world sooner. 


Everyday I learn something new about how to style or care for my hair. I know that my hair compliments my dark complexion. It allows me to change up my look, I can be preppy one day and afro centric the next. All in all, there is no potion in a jar that allows others to get my hair texture which lets me know that I am unique. It is so beautiful and different that others are amazed and want to touch it---but this ain't no petting zoo. It may sometimes be looked at as being unprofessional or too African but the good Lord thinks it's beautiful and that's why he gave it to me. 


This is for the transitioners who sometimes get frustrated and want to go back to relaxers. Remember it is a marathon not a sprint. It is hard in the beginning but the end result is well worth it. Better to be the best BEAUTIFUL version of yourself than an average version of someone else. At the end of the day there is more to you than your hair and never let anyone keep you down because of the way your hair grows out of your scalp. 

YouTube's Top 5 Natural Hair Care Vloggers

In the past few years there has been a natural hair revolution in the black community.  I find myself looking around at the gym, church, the mall and in airports for women with natural hair. To my surprise, I have been noticing that there are more naturals than relaxed girls....which made me coin the phrase "Perms are so 1992." This is not to disrespect women with relaxers, I am just acknowledging the trend among women of color who have decided to embrace their natural beauty. 

It appears that the media is catching on to this trend with recent articles on CNN and the New York Times highlighting African American women and their natural hair. Also a rendition of a Sesame Street puppet singing I Love My Hair and Forever 21's "I love my hair" Tee (Currently out of stock-pictured to the left) further solidifies that the world is taking notice of our big and bold kinks and curls. 

Today's article in the Huffington Post features 5 natural hair vloggers we have all grown to love. Check out the link: Youtube's Top 5 Natural Hair Care Vloggers.

Check out Elle's Holiest of the Holy Grail List! She is wearing the "I LOVE MY CURLS" Tee

Check out Elle's blog at: Quest for the Perfect Curl

Hair Recipes so good you can eat them!

There is no doubt that beautiful hair is a measure of its care. As mentioned in The Natural Hair Care Regimen, it is imperative that you deep condition your hair at least once a week to keep it healthy. 

Curly hair unlike straight hair often lacks moisture. This is one of the reasons why you need to deep condition more now than when you had a relaxer. Here are a some yummy recipes whose ingredients can be found in your kitchen.  

Avocado and Honey Deep Conditioner

1/2 Avocado

1 egg

1 tablespoon of honey

1 cup of mayonnaise 

In a bowl mash avocado to a paste. Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Apply mixture to damp hair. Cover hair with plastic cap. Sit under dryer for 15 mins. Wash hair with moisturizing shampoo. 

Avocado- Nourishes, smoothes and softens hair. 

Eggs- Add shine and bounce to hair.

Honey- Adds shine and makes hair soft and supple.

Mayonnaise- moisturizes while giving hair shine and body. 

Banana and Coconut Deep Conditioner

1 banana

1 egg

5 tablespoons of coconut oil 

3 tablespoons of olive oil

2 tablespoons of milk

Blend banana and egg in a bowl. Add other ingredients and mix until smooth (blender preferred). Apply to hair and cover with a plastic cap. Sit under hooded dryer for 15 mins. Wash hair with moisturizing shampoo. 

Banana- contains potassium which softens the hair.

Eggs- Add shine and bounce to hair. 

Coconut oil- Deeply moisturizes, conditions and softens.

Olive Oil- conditions the hair. 

Milk- moisturizes and nourishes hair. 

For more hair tips, tricks and trends follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 

Rihanna's New Hair Do Unveiled....

Rihanna is definitely a trend setter when it comes to fashion and hair! What do you think about her new hair do? Like it? Love it? Can't wait to try it? Or will you take a rain check?

I have to admit I love this look on her. Stripped tee, booty jeans and nude below the knee open toe boots...NICE!

6 Summer Hair Survival Tips

Summer heat can do a number on our hair, leaving it dry and out of control. Here are a few tips to keep your hair looking its best as we try to beat the heat. 

1. Condition and Go! 


The summer heat can leave you feeling sticky and gross...and your hair sweaty. Instead of washing your hair everyday, try rinsing it (with water only) in the shower and applying conditioner. Washing your hair everyday can strip away essential nutrients leaving it dry and rough. By rinsing with water instead of shampoo, allows you to wash away the sweat and odor without stripping natural oils.


*Tip: Section hair in twists or braids before rinsing in the shower to reduce styling time.* 

2. Avoid Clarifying Shampoos.


Curly hair is prone to feeling rough and looking dry. Clarifying shampoos provides no added benefit for curly hair. This type of shampoo offers zero protection from damage, especially when hair is in its most vulnerable state. Moisturizing shampoos are best for curly hair because they defend against damage and frizz.

3. Quench thirsty curls.


"Curly hair has more protein and less moisture than straight hair, so it seeks to balance itself by absorbing any available moisture," says Craig Carter, an ethnic-hair expert with the Carlos Lobo Salon in New York City. If your hair is parched, it will pull moisture from the humid air, leading hair shafts to become puffy and frizzy. A weekly deep-conditioning mask will help curly hair stay well-hydrated and will create a humidity barrier.

4. Air drying is better.


Instead of pulling out the blow dryer or sitting under the hooded dryer...opt to air dry. This summer's heat should be the only heat your hair experiences. Heating your hair with styling tools and staying out in the sun is like baking a cake twice. Bantu knots, two strand twists or a good old Wash-n-go are great styles for air drying.

5. Less is more. 

Has your hair stylist ever told you to "Use a dime size of product?"Applying too much product can weigh the hair down and leave it feeling sticky. Use a dime or quarter size amount of your favorite leave in and apply equal amounts to each section of the hair. The results should yield a uniform curl pattern.


*Tip: Remember to apply the product from root to tip. The scalp should always be clean--no product required.*

6. Get wet before getting wet. 


If you plan to visit the beach or pool this summer don't do so before wetting your hair. Rinse your curls before and after you get out of the water, then apply leave-in conditioner. A thick or cream leave in conditioner is recommended for coarse and thick curls.

For more hair tips, tricks, trends and news follow us on Twitter or Facebook.

We are not alone.

Ladies I think that I've cracked the code when it comes to the world's fascination with our naturally curly hair. After reading the latest natural hair article on CNN.com  "Can I touch it?" The fascination with natural, African American Hair about other races wanting to touch our extraordinary, exotic, eccentric or strange hair. I ran across "A "Hair" -oing Tale: What does it mean for your career?"  in the Huffington Post. Writer Manisha Thakor talks about the disdain that she felt after reading an article in the Daily Beast about Rebekah Brook's "totally fierce" red curls (The article in the Daily Beast was actually written by a sister- I won't get into this right now). This article along with a string of other articles all seemed to be centered around Rebekah Brooks' extraordinary red curly hair instead of the phone hacking scandal. Here is a little tidbit about what the press has been saying about Rebekeh Brook's hair. 

Her hair hung thick and loose below her shoulders like a dense tangle of vines. It was free and unruly; it was hair that had been released from any need to be controlled and tidy.

Brooks' hair was a distraction because it was a ballsy rebuke of our expectations governing how people on the defensive are supposed to tread. There was no suggestion of humility, timidity, or caution. There was no attempt to disappear into doleful anonymity.

That was look-at-me hair -- stare at me, remember me. Me, me, me.

I refuse to believe that the world is still this ignorant to the hair that naturally grows out of a women's head. My words to you are "We are not alone in our struggle to be accepted with afro textured hair." The majority of the world simply can't handle anything that defies the norm.

What are your thoughts?

For hair tips, tricks, trends and news follows us on Twitter, Facebook and Blog. 

The Natural Hair Care Regimen

Natural or Relaxed! Straight or Curly! Hair is Hair and It needs love and care. Ever wonder why some women have beautiful long hair? What is it that they are doing? Maybe it's genetics or maybe it's their hair care routine. 

You can't lose weight without working out and eating healthy. The same applies to growing healthy hair. In order to get long beautiful healthy hair you need a hair care regimen (and like exercising you must stick to it for it to work). "Yea I know some people can eat crap and stay thin...and some don't take care of their and it's still grows." Life isn't fair right? :) 

Someone once told me "Treat your hair like a million bucks and it will treat you back". 

For decades we've had varying hair care practices like: only washing our hair every two weeks or greasing our scalp. These habits were passed down from generations. Just how some things get better with time some things DON'T.......and that includes our outdated hair care regimens. 

I want hair like hers...so here is what you should do: 

#1 Cleansing

Weekly cleansing is very important to get rid of product buildup, bacteria, dead skin cells and dirt that clog our pores. Cleansing the hair and scalp allows our hair to breathe and in turn grow. If you use products that contain mineral oils or petroleum then you may need to use a sulfate shampoo to rinse away the synthetic ingredients. If you use products with natural ingredients then a sulfate-free shampoo is recommended. 

Just so you know....Shampoos containing sulfates can strip the hair of its natural oils leaving it dry and dull looking therefore it is not recommended for weekly use... A sulfate-free shampoo can be used weekly.

How do I know if my shampoo has sulfates? Look for words that are a variation of the following:  sulfate, -fate, laurel, lauryl, and sulfite. 

#2 Protective Styling

The key to growing long and strong hair is protecting it especially the ends. Pay special attention to your ends by trimming them and being extra careful when detangling. Protective styles like bantu knots, braids or the occasional sew-in are good ways to give your hair a break. The ends are the oldest part of the hair and therefore the most fragile. Sebum produced by the hair follicles have a harder time reaching the ends of curly hair because of its spiral like pattern. This means that the ends are more suspetible to dryness. 

Given the hot and humid temperatures of this summer, protecting your hair against UV rays is a must. The less time you spend in the sun the better your hair and skin. Wear a hat, scarf or UV protection products on days when you expect to get extended sun exposure. 

#3 Deep Conditioning

Deep conditioning is important because it allows the conditioner to penetrate the hair shaft. It's also a great way to have a "Pamper Me Party" where you can treat yourself to your favorite magazine or catch up on reading. When purchasing deep conditioners look for products that contain natural ingredients like avocado, honey, vegetable glycerin or olive oil. Stay away from mineral oil or petroleum because these ingredients do not penetrate the hair follicles only build up on them. A good practice is to deep condition at least once a week, wet hair, apply deep conditioner and sit under a hooded dryer for at least 15 minutes. The results should be soft, shiny and manageable hair. 

#4 Daily Moisturizing

Our hair texture requires more moisture than any other hair texture because of its kinks and spirals. Therefore, daily moisture is key to keeping our tresses happy. Since water is the only substance that can penetrate the hair follicle it is important to seek water based moisturizers. Moisturizes make the hair more elastic, soft and manageable. As a result the hair is less dry, brittle and does not break easily. Spray the hair with 100% H20 nightly or before styling to get your daily moisture fix. 

#5 Night time Protective Wraps

Protecting our hair at night time is key to our hair care routine. Since our hair is susceptible to dryness it is important to cover it up while we sleep. Sleeping without a scarf on a cotton pillowcase causes friction between the hair and the fabric. This friction results in the moisture being removed from our strands and sometimes breakage. Have you ever looked at your pillowcase and wondered why so many hairs had shedded during the night? It's because of friction. At night, wrap your hair with a silk or satin scarf or bonnet. These fabrics reduce friction and allow your hair to retain moisture while you get your beauty rest. 

Start your journey to long, beautiful, healthy, natural hair...Let me know how it goes. 

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Natural Hair and The Gym!

I remember my relaxer days like it was yesterday. With a relaxer, I was limited in the amount of activities I could partake in. 

#1- Swimming in the ocean or the pool had to be planned in advance. I'm talking hair appointment booked the day after my water extravaganza. 

#2- Umbrella always on deck. A mini umbrella in my purse, one in the car and one in the house just in case. Switched purses and forgot umbrella meant a day of anxiety attacks if the sky showed any signs of gray. 

#3- Club smoke a no no…I was so happy when the state of North Carolina passed the law banning smoking in public places. 

# 4- The Gym-------

My biggest excuses for not going to the gym: 

#1-Did not want to sweat my perm out. 

#2- Did not want to wear a headscarf in the gym because everyone would look at me like I was from the cast of "The Color Purple". 

#3- The maintenance of fixing my hair after the sweat fest was too much. 

I remember looking at other races working out hard in the gym. ---I mean running for miles and dripping sweat. ---I would think to myself " I wish I could do that." Finally, I realized that the only thing stopping me was my laziness. I had made excuses about my hair and it's maintenance and in the process my overall health was suffering. So I decided to hit the gym hard (head scarf and all) and as a result I lost twenty pounds (in 2008) which I have kept off to this day. 

2008 was a good year for me and my overall health. I started working out regularly and stopped chemically relaxing my hair (July 2008- Nappy Anniversary). If you are a transitioner or all natural here are a few tips that I learned to keep my hair in place while burning calories: 

#1- If you usually wear an afro or curly style, no slip headbands are a must. Sliding the headband around your hair helps to keep the hair away from your face. 

#2 Bobby pins- Are a no brainer of course. Secure hair in a stylish undo so you can still look cute at the gym. Works for naturals and transitioners. 

#3- For easy to go styles- Twist/braid hair in sections and tuck back in a ponytail or undo with bobby pins. If you sweat on your scalp, you can rinse the twists/braids in the shower and let dry for a fresh twist/braid out. 

#4- If you don't sweat on your scalp a head scarf tied neatly around your head with hair out in the middle is always an option. 

Feel free to add to this list. 

What to look for in cleansers, conditioners and curl cremes.

Do you care what you put on your hair? Well you should. Here is a simple guide that will help you when searching for products. 

Cleanser (Shampoo)- Sulfate-free products only please. Ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate should be avoided. These ingredients are harsh chemicals found in detergents that strip the hair. Would you wash your hair with Tide or Gain? I hope not.  

Conditioner/ Curl cremes-  Look for conditioners that contain emollients, humectants and moisturizers. Products that contain high concentrations of plant based ingredients are a keeper.  

• Emollients soften the hair and reduce frizz. Look for words like shea butter, vegetable oils, olive oil, walnut oil, jojoba oil, cetyl ester and wheat germ. 
• Humectants absorb water and are critical for conditioned hair. Look for words like panthenol, vegetable glycerin and sorbitol. 
• Moisturizers add softness and controls curls. Look for words like amino acids, aloe vera, olive oil, balm mint extracts and propylene glycol. 
• Avoid Silicones: this is a synthetic material that repels water and is not biodegradable. Essentially preventing the hair from absorbing moisture. 
• Avoid Petroleum/Mineral Oil: this accumulates on the scalp, clogs the hair follicles and encourages dirt and build up. Petroleum is a temporary solution to making the hair look healthy and shiny. It's like spanx. They make you look slimmer but when you take them off your back to square one. :) 

Please note: Ingredients are listed in order of concentration. The product contains more of the first ingredient listed on the label than the last listed ingredient. 

THIS IS ONLY A GUIDE.