African American Hair: How to Fire Your Hairdresser and Still Look Great

Learn to Wear Your Hair in a Natural State

Many African American women continue to go to their hairdresser long after we have become unhappy with the results. The fear however that we will be completely unable to anything at all with our hair and end up looking bad... busted... jacket up, keeps us back in the hairdressers chair week after week. If you feel it is time to fire your hairdresser, and do your hair yourself, here are some steps you can take.

Go natural. There are many reasons an African American woman may want to go natural. One of these is freedom form the hairdresser. There are many natural hairstyles you can do yourself such as dreadlocks, afros, twists and braids. Learn to deal with your African American hair and to create hairstyles that will make you feel good about yourself without breaking the bank. While growing out your hair, you may want to use braids and extensions, which add beauty and manageability to your hair. Once it has grown out to a point where you can cut off the processed hair, you will want to consider styles that require less time and preparation.

Learn how to take care of natural hair. Since most African American women have their hair processed from the age of 12, with chemical relaxers, we are often at a loss as to how to care for it in its natural state. It takes a bit of studying and practice to make black hair healthy and beautiful. Once you re-learn how to deal with Natural African American Hair, you will have an easier time styling it yourself. You will need to use different shampoos, conditioners, styling products and even different combs in your hair than you did when it was straight.

Keep a back up on hand. Even when you do have a hairdresser to rely on, there will just be some days when your hair will not cooperate. It is a good idea to keep wigs and hairpieces on hand to create killer hairdos on the go. You can do anything from a quick ponytail to a full lace wig that will stay in place for a couple of weeks.