Finally, a hat for naturalistas!

The Curl Cap is the hat for curly hair everywhere

Have you heard about the Curl Cap (from ￡29.99) yet? If you haven’t, get ready. If you have, please allow us to reintroduce you to this lovely product! The Curl Cap is black-owned, created by Britney Sáde who says the hat is the “perfect accessory for life on-the-go, as we embrace our curl pattern”. It’s been a hit since the beginning!

So, why do we care about this hat so much?  The Curl Cap is ideal for when you are “transitioning, protective styling or an expert wash-n-go queen”. Whatever you are, the hat is made by a naturalist for naturalistas everywhere. Britney Sáde understands that our curls need some extra love and attention in order to flourish, but also that sometimes… we just want to relax and slide on a hat. Not only is the back half of the hat cut out, but it is also lined with satin 80s hair wig so the hair stays as protected as possible. The hat comes in true one size fits all fashion, working for any size of hair you can imagine.

Go show Curl Cap some love! They sell out quick!

Harris Janae shows you how to wear the hat

 

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Black Skin Directory launches

black shag wigNew website aims to help women and men of colour struggling with skin problems to find a specialist who understands their needs

Black Skin Directory, which aims to connect women of colour to skincare professionals, has announced its launch. Created by aesthetician Dija Ayodele, Black Skin Directory is a free consumer-focused platform that enables women (and men) to find dermatologists, aestheticians and other skincare professionals who are specifically qualified and experienced in treating and working with the unique physiology of darker skin tones.

Alongside this BSD will also feature educational tips that better verse women of colour in understanding their skin and will host regular events for individuals to attend to learn in person about skin and the treatments and brands that are available to them.

Black Skin Directory

 

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How to Lay Your Lace Front Wig in Six Easy Steps

Mayvenn wig expert Schae Graham created this step-by-step tutorial to show how she applies a lace front wig, sharing her favourite tips and wig picks 

BRAZILIAN STRAIGHT LACE FRONT WIG – Starting at $135.99

Lace front wigs are a great way to bring versatility into your routine without damaging your hair. You can go from long and wavy to short and straight within minutes. Figuring out the best way to apply one can be overwhelming, but US-based wig specialists Mayvenn have got your back. Their wig expert Schae Graham breaks it down into six easy steps.

How to Lay Your Lace Front Wig in 6 Easy Steps Video

Six Steps to Wig Heaven

1. Check The Unit

First, examine the wig to make sure that all the combs and straps are in the correct place.

2. Prep Your Hairsilver wig

Creating the right foundation is important! Make sure that your hair is braided down, or in some form of braids or twists. This ensures that your wig will lay as flat as possible.

3. Apply The Wig Cap

Next, choose a wig cap that best matches the color of your scalp and skin tone. Pull it carefully over your head. This will create a smooth foundation and help protect your natural hair underneath.

4 Melting The Lace

After you’ve applied your wig cap, dot adhesive or Got2B Ultra Glued Styling Gel on the perimeter of your forehead. Once it begins to feel tacky, pull your wig forward, with the lace covering your forehead. Use a small comb to press the lace against your skin. This step helps to “melt” the lace and creates a seamless finish.

5. Cutting The Lace

Once the adhesive is fully dry, take a small pair of scissors and begin to cut off the excess lace. For the most natural appearance, try cutting in a zig zagging motion.

6. Final Touches

If you want an even more melted look, use Got2Be Glued Blasting Freeze Spray or ORS Fix It Super Spray and spritz some onto the lace that’s left around your hairline. You’ll be left with a flawless wig that you can style however you wish!

More wigs…MatrixStyle ideas for long hairRadiant Salon Debut the Vixen Sew-in Step-by-StepLove Long Hair? Check Out Our Gallery Of Long Luscious Looks5 natural hairstyles perfect for summer datesRadiant London launch cool new salon
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Dazhane Leah’s latest photo project changes how we look at afros

Spring is most definitely in the air, so enjoy this beautiful combo of afros and flowers by @dazhaneleah

 

Last week Dazhane Leah’s photo project Afro Bloomin’ went viral. The photo project was exploring what the phrase ‘black power’ really means to people.Dazhane said she chose to decorate the model’s afro with flowers, because she believes the two complement each other. ‘I light pink wig see beauty in natural hair and I see beauty in flowers—together I think they go hand in hand and I wanted to express my own passions and opinions as well as [the views of] others through my photos.’

Dazhane adds that she was inspired to work on this project after watching a video made by the Huffington Post about how afros have become trendy but may have lost their radical roots: Afros Are Back, But Are They Still Radical? https://t.co/miOBL2V4f0

Afro Bloomin’ ( The Black Power Project part 1) – Taken and edited by me (@dazhaneleahphotos) 💕?💕?💕?💕? ‘Black power is an awareness of self, a knowledge of your roots and your place in the world. without that knowledge there is no black power ?🏾’ – quoted by @crystalmarcelle

A photo posted by @dazhaneleah on Mar 14, 2016 at 11:30am PDT

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Emerging Gambian fashion label – Ferdosia

brown lace wigFashion label Ferdosia took part in last year’s Gambia Fashion Weekend. We ended up using her easy, breezy clothes from the Diamond collection for the Fashion4Africa/Black Beauty & Hair fashion shoot

We spoke to designer Ferdos Suleiman about her emerging fashion label Ferdosia

Ferdosia? That’s an unusual name.We as Muslims believe that Allah has created many levels of paradise, no one knows how many. The name of the highest level of paradise is Ferdos, which is my name.

Where are you from?I’m originally from Eritrea and moved to Sweden when I was two. I grew up in Sweden, then moved to London when I was 20.

How did you find London?Even though London is multi-cultural, I found it different. No one in London is from London, and while it was good to get away from where you are a minority, I was still struggling with low confidence and self-esteem issues that I had in Sweden. I had grown up in Sweden desperately wishing to be like everyone else. I wanted straight hair. I felt like my black was wrong and never good enough, especially my afro. (I had my first relaxer when I was 11 or 12). I tried desperately to fit in, even in London. It took me a long time to find and eventually love myself.

Have you always been into clothes?I’ve always been artistic, although I studied finance at university. My dad is a tailor, so I’ve always been into clothes. I’m obsessed.

When did you start wearing the scarf?About nine years ago. I started wearing it for religious reasons, understanding the wisdom behind it, but also as a political statement: I am not like you nor do I, any longer, aspire to be.

When I started wearing the scarf, I was in my ‘all black everything’ phase. My dad was horrified and was urging me to get back to myself and wear more colour, prints, frills – anything. After two years of wearing black, I decided that I still wanted to be modest but also cool, edgy yet elegant at the same time.

I couldn’t find those clothes in the market at the time, so that’s when I started making them myself.

Ferdosia makes up one of the models for the Fashion4Africa fashion shoot

Which three words sum up your label?Modest. Elegant. Different…

Can modest fashion be sexy?Yes, because women are sexy. Full stop. Sexy is in the eye of the beholder. Even a fully covered woman with just her eyes visible can be mesmerising. However, the whole point of modest wear is to dampen that, and in my view without silencing the wearer but rather empowering them and increasing their confidence in choosing to hide their sexy/sexiest. So, although modest wear can be sexy, in my opinion it can never be overtly sexy in the same way as non-modest wear is. The sexy element will be in it being demure and leaving most of you to the imagination.

Are you a full-time fashion designer?I actually fit in fashion in my spare time. I’m a mum of three small girls. I work for a medical company as a product technician for people with diabetes in the Nordic market.

Where do you retail your clothes?I sell my clothes via word of mouth and make all the pieces myself – every piece is a one-off.I struggle with prices – they’re kept deliberately low for the Gambian market. A typical dress costs about ￡30 but people still don’t want to pay that and always want discounts. If I sold abroad, I would be charging a minimum of ￡50. Gambia is a very small market. I should be looking at Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria to really grow my brand.

I also sell via Instagram and reach out to any and everyone who wants my clothes.

What advice would you give people who want to set up their own business?It’s all trial and error. Just do it and believe in yourself. Do the work, nothing comes for nothing.

What’s your favourite look?I love layering – a beautiful kimono, thrown over trousers and a nice shirt, or over a skirt, top or dress. The different elements and layers make it more eye-catching.

Do you feel restricted by just designing modest clothes?No, it’s more comfortable – it feels more comfortable to me and in line with my religious beliefs. I want to leave behind a legacy that is pleasing to Allah. Ferdosia is a brand that makes modest-ish clothes that everyone can wear. You don’t have to wear next to nothing to be considered sexy, in my opinion modesty is so much cooler.

Where can we find you?Instagram @ferdosia

 

Photography by Femelle Studios assisted by Ali Faye Photography and Fyne MediaClothes by Ferdosia, GambiaJewellery, models’ ownMake-up by Ferdos Sueliman using Emouge Custom BlendingModels: Haddy Lowe, Fatou Sanneh and Emma GomesConcept by Fashion4AfricaBlack Beauty & Hair flew out with The Gambia Experience and stayed at The Metzy Residence Hotel.Transport courtesy of West African ToursLocations: The Metzy Residence Hotel /Soloman Beach, Palma Rima / Bakou

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Solange Knowles hair crush

A natural hair advocate, Solange Knowles knows how to stand out on both the fashion and hair front. She has become a hero for the naturalista’s; sporting some gorgeous styles and keep us all hooked. See why Solange made it as this weeks BBH hair crush.

fire red wig
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House of Lilah brings peace and creativity to your work zone

Give your work space a creative boost c/o the black-owned brand pairing artisan candles and herbal teas

Our modern and fast-paced lifestyles don’t always allow for time for creative stimulation. And now we’re in the second lockdown, self-care is even more important to to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. By carefully pairing scents and tastes through their candles and teas, black founder wellness brand House of Lilah offers sensory experiences that will help spark the imagination. Because creativity is an immersive process that engages all senses, they bring an artistry touch to your home. The three distinct categories for their aromas: Mindfulness, Freedom and Curiosity combine uplifting aromas and scents, that help unlock the three steps to creativity.

As a black female entrepreneur, House of Lilah founder Chantal M’Biki proudly defines herself as an ‘artivist’ : someone who uses all forms of creative expressions as tools to drive social change and fight against injustice and oppression.

As well as running her own company, Chantal also finds time to be a mentor for Arts Emergency, that supports young people passionate about expanding their marketing knowledge, helping them to gain work experience in creative industries. She donates 10% of House of Lilah’s annual profits to this award-winning mentoring charity and network. Their mission is to help marginalised young ombre red wigs people overcome barriers to participation and success in higher education and the creative and cultural industries.

(￡34.99) which are a natural blend of soy, coconut, bees and rape waxes that respect the environment, offering a slow and clean burn. Poured by hand in their signature vessels, which are hand-painted by founder Chantal, they bring a stylish touch to any interior. Recycle the concrete containers afterwards.

(￡8) are curated by founder Chantal in collaboration with a specialist tea crafter. Ingredients are sourced directly by their partner from small artisans that follow ancient traditions. Each tea garden is visited to ensure fairly traded and ethically sourced products. The teas are then hand-blended and packed in London using the finest ingredients. The tea pouches are made of recyclable paper, with their beautiful designs printed on biodegradable labels.

Black founder brands…Epara | The black owned skincare range that sells in HarrodsMeet the DPiper Twins – fashion’s hottest design duoBianca Miller launches nude tightsEmerging Gambian fashion label | FerdosiaBeautystack | the game-changing beauty booking appWax+Wraps a New African Fabric Sewing Service Subscription
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5 expert tips for wearing protective styles under your wig

Weaves and wigs are a great way to look good while protecting your hair at the same time. Our list of how to look after your own hair will build a great foundation and help protect your hair underneath your wig or weave

Braids are one of the most versatile and functional hairstyles in the history of time. They function well as a stand-alone style, as a way of keep hair safe at night and under hats and wigs, and as a way to keep your hair out of your face as you take on the day. They also form the right foundation for wearing your hair under a wig.

Choose a method that works for you

When wearing a wig,you’ll need to braid your hair down. There are a few options here, each withits own pros and cons. The three main options include:

Use hydrating products to your advantage

Add some hydrating productbefore you braid your hair down. This is also effective for doing a braid-outbefore going to sleep, leaving you with gorgeous curls in the morning.

Adding this extra nourishment to your hair before putting on a wig gives it a chance to soak in. Be sure to wear a silk wig cap over your canerows to create a safe barrier between the wig and your hair to reduce friction and let the product do its job. Just make sure your hair is completely dry before putting the wig red dot wigs on.

Keep it loose

Braiding too tightly puts a lot of stress on the delicate strands of your hair. While it’s important to ensure your braids stay firm and in place, you don’t want to risk pulling your hair too tight. If you do, you could experience traction alopecia, especially around the delicate hairline.

There are a few signs that your canerows might be too tight. If you feel pain or tension, it’s too tight. A lot of stylists will braid as tightly as possible to ensure your braids stay in for longer. If you’re rocking canerows, take a shower with warm water to let them loosen and swell up a bit.

If you’re braiding your own hair down to wear under a wig, experiment to find a happy medium. It can be a balancing act to braid your hair down so that it doesn’t show under the wig, without giving yourself a headache.

Keep your hair and scalp clean

Wearing a wig can cause sweat and buildup on your scalp and braids. Fortunately, you can wash your braids if you’re careful with them.

When washing your braids, use a diluted shampoo with equal parts of water and product. This approach is necessary to prevent further buildup, as you won’t be able to scrub and rinse the shampoo from your hair thoroughly. Let cool water run over for a gentle rinse that won’t cause your braids to loosen. Treat your hair and scalp to some nourishing oil to help lock the moisture in after.

If you haven’t got extensions in your base, you can unravel your twists or canerows and wash your hair normally, being mindful to deep condition.

Let your hair breathe

One of the mostimportant lessons to take in when learning allabout lace front wigs is that your hair needs a chance to breathe. Not only will you need a break from the wig every nowand then, but you’ll also need a break from the braids.

If you’re wearing a glueless wig for protective styling, you can remove this every night, this elongates the lifespan of the wig and helps your hair to breathe. For glued down lace front units, it is recommended not to wear it for more than six weeks at a stretch.

While it sounds ridiculous that protective hairstyles could damage your hair, it can and does happen. When you take out your braids, do a quick finger detangle and take this opportunity to add a deep conditioning treatment. Give your hair a few days with a wash-and-go or twist out, using the pineapple method at night to maintain your curls before starting the process over again.

These five expert tips can help protect your hair while you rock the style you love.

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