-
Often, black hairstyles and cuts are structured along clean, geometric lines. Due to the coarseness and tight curl pattern of the hair, wispy, floating styles often don't work. Even relaxed hair must be cut and styled to accommodate the eventual new growth at the roots. For natural styles, this isn't a problem; however, the style must be trimmed and groomed regularly to maintain a neat appearance.
Usually, Black hair styles and cuts involve a small amount of styling product, bobby pins and maintenance. Hair products should be alcohol-free in order to avoid flaking and frizzing, with heavy or strong hold preferred. Wide-toothed combs and detangling tools are also great for styling black hair. -
The most popular woven hairstyles are locks and braids. Dreadlocks, which consist of strands of hair knit together with thick wax, are very popular among both men and women. Kits are available to produce dreads at home; some hair salons offer a lock starter service.
Braids are usually done in one sitting. Many women choose to add packaged hair to their braids to produce a consistent-looking finished product or to weave style effects such as color or extra length into the style. Braids come in several different styles including twists, cornrows on the scalp and tiny microbraids. -
Relaxed hair requires more maintenance than natural hair, along with regular trims and touch-ups. When cutting relaxed hair, most stylists will cut the hair dry in order to avoid split ends; they'll also do a deep conditioning treatment to keep the hair healthy and pliable. Popular cuts include bobs and pixie cuts, although sharp graduations can sometimes be problematic when new growth comes in at the back of the hairline end and along the edges. Black hair should be trimmed every couple of months or right before a relaxer treatment.
Relaxed hair may require bobby pins and gel to keep flyaways in control. Secured styles like chignons and ponytails are popular, since they minimize breakage and keep hair away from the face. -
Black women have long used wigs and hair extensions to add to their existing hair or to change hairstyles. Since lightening hair color often requires bleach a wig is a simple way to try a lighter shade. Depending on make and other factors wigs can sell for as little as $20.00 or for hundreds of dollars.
Extensions add length and fullness to relaxed hair and are attached by many different methods. Salons add extensions with glue, by sewing them in or through the fusion method. Quality extensions use human hair. The cost of hair and having them weaved in can cost $200 or more in many metro areas. - Black hair can be simple to style and manage. Black hair isn't wild, untamed or hard-to-handle; it's perfectly normal hair that happens to have a tight spiral curl pattern and a penchant for dryness. As the beauty industry and mainstream beauty culture become more acclimated to black hair care in all its forms, black hairstyles and cuts will become a routine offering in most salons.
