Hair Styling Tools

I don’t know about  you, but I do not like having to spend my time trying to figure out what shampoo to try next when I notice that my hair is starting to lack volume or perhaps is starting to appear dry at the ends.  Therefore, I have found that when you find a brand that you really like, make sure it carries a variety of types of shampoos so that you can at least stay with a brand that you are familiar with and obviously must be of the quality that suits your needs. 

Most of the professional or salon quality brands of shampoos and conditioners do carry several types of shampoo as well as conditioner to choose from.  If you are in a position where you are going to try a different type shampoo, then I recommend using the companion conditioner as well.  So, if you have been using a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, and you want to switch to something that is going to hydrate your hair, then buy both the hydrating shampoo and the hydrating conditioner.  I have found that the ingredients are similar in both with the obvious difference in ingredients that are found in shampoo versus conditioner.  There is something in the chemistry of keeping with the same product line that produces far better results than if you were to mix up the brands.

If you are not happy with your current haircare products, then I would recommend trying my favorite, Potions International (PI).  All of their products are made here in the United States with natural ingredients.  Most of their products are sulfate free, paraben free, and in some cases, sodium chloride (salt) free.  In comparison to many of the salon and professional lines found in your salons and in some beauty supply stores, they are reasonably priced.  If you are looking to improve the health of your hair as well as its appearance, this is definitely a brand well worth trying.

When it comes to choosing a flat iron for African-American or other ethnic hair types, consideration always needs to be made with respect to the texture of the hair as well as the thickness and degree of curl the hair has.  If the degree of curl is such that it is a loose curl or loose coil, you may be able to get by with just using large rollers rather than having to use a hair straightener.  If your hair is thick and has a tighter curl or coil to it, the following information will be extremely helpful in selecting the best, but more importantly, the right type of flat iron for your hair.  And, it is important to note that there is more to achieving straight hair than just plugging in the flat iron and using it.  Applying the right haircare products is essential to keeping your hair moisturized and protected from any drying out that could occur during the straightening process.

1. Shampoo and deep condition your hair.  The added moisture from the conditioning will help protect your hair from drying out as you straighten it.
2. Use a leave-in conditioner and then spray a good heat protectant on your hair.
3. Using a wide tooth comb, comb through the hair, starting at the last couple of inches of your hair and working upward so as to not to break off or pull out hair unnecessarily.  You will also be evenly distributing the haircare products you have already applied.
4. Make sure your hair is towel dried extremely well and then section your hair for ease in drying.
5. Use a medium setting on your dryer and use a large barrel styling brush to stretch out your hair as you are drying.

For the above haircare products, I recommend Potions International, they have a wonderful ”Super Moist” Shampoo, a deep conditioner called “Power Construct”, a leave-in conditioner by the name of ”Rinse-Free Hair Moisturizer”, and for the spray-in heat protectant, “Super Argan Spray-In” is awesome.

So, what type of flat iron is going to work best on black hair?  As with any type of coarse, thick, or curly hair, we have already established that this type of hair has tendancies toward being dryer than most.  At a minimum, the use of a ceramic plate with the lowest temperature possible is strongly recommended.  Experimenting with the temperature control to see what works best for your particular type hair is the name of the game, with whatever flat iron you choose to use.  Tourmaline and titanium flat irons will add natural shine to your hair so this too is an excellent choice for a flat iron.  One problem that many African Americans have with the straightening process is the ability to get the straightener close enough to the roots of the hair without burning the scalp or skin.  I have found one that is perfect for this.  The Le Angelique CareTin Titanium straightener is aerodynamically modeled with a curved end that allows you to get extremely close to the scalp to not only straighten, but curl the hair.  The modern mirror titanium plates generate nano negative ions, which work to seal in the hair’s moisture, leaving your hair silky and frizz free. 

Whatever hair straightener you select, it is advisable that after you have completed the straightening process, apply a small amount of serum to your fingertips and dab gently on the hair with more focus on the ends.  This serum will add shine, refresh any dry ends and seal the cuticle.  This product is Potion International’s Super Serum, which is the companion hair product to the previously mentioned Super-Argan Spray-In.

If your face shape is narrow at the jaw line and wide at the cheekbones and/or forehead, then guess what – you have a heart shaped face.  Ok, so now that it has been determined that you fall under this category, what is the right hair style for you?

For starters, it is best to consider chin-length or longer hair styles.  Some additional considerations would be to try out parting your hair on the side or sweeping forward layers around the upper part of  your face with some gentle wispy bangs.  What about a bobbed hairstyle that is chin length?  As you can see there are many options, but let’s focus on the type hair you have and what styles will work with your particular texture and length.

RELAXED, STRAIGHT, AND FINE:  Can you picture a pixie?  If so, ask your hair stylist for a short, wispy layered cut with enough length to allow for some face-framing bangs in the front and some coverage at the nape.  This pixie/shag cut on Victoria Beckham as shown in the picture on the right, can be a fabulous style for a heart shaped face with fine features.

SHORT, MEDIUM, OR LONG LENGTH CURLY:  Short: Layering is the name of the game, but don’t have short layers near the top of the head. This will give you a “top-heavy” look and defeat the goal of making the chin area look wider.  A pixie cut works, or for thosse who have looser curls a bob cut hitting just beneath the ears is great. If you have tighter curls then a bob cut above the ears will help even out the “top-heavy” look.  Medium:  Medium length curly hair styles are actually the best for heart shaped faces.  If your hair is wavy curly then try some side swept bangs and not blunt cut. Blunt will make your face look shorter.  The looser the curl the better the bangs look.  And, once again, layering works well only if the hair is tapered around the face to make those fabulous features stand out.  Long:  When your curly hair is longer, try keeping the length no more than 4 to 5 inches below the chin.  This adds width to the lower part of the face where you are trying to achieve some balance.  For extra curly long hair you can try twisting your hair back away from the face as long as the hair is not pulled too far back.  Allow the hair to frame the face and leave just a touch hanging on the sides. 

MEDIUM TO LONG STRAIGHT OR WAVY:  Medium:  Medium length hair on a heart shaped face provides the most options for hair styling. Some definite don’ts,  however, are 1) do not add height at the crown of the head, 2) do not have your cut end at the chin line.  If your hair is straight and you elect a medium-length bob or longer layered bob, add a few waves by using a curling iron or some hot rollers.  If your hair is medium length and naturally wavy, add some haircare product such as mousse or curl enhancer and use a diffuser when drying your hair.  If your hair is medium to shoulder length, a cut with wispy layers that kick out can be a great option.  The most essential element in either medium or long hair is having some bangs. Stick with wispy layered bangs and definitely stay away from the choppy bangs.  Reese Witherspoon is a prime example of a heart shaped face and more times than not you will see her with bangs that complement her face shape and accents her facial features.  Long:  If you have longer hair, then there are some very specific things that will help.  Have I mentioned the word layering before?  Well, it applies here once again.  And, if you don’t want bangs, here is where a center part with face framing layers that fall forward on your face will really provide an illusion of balance.  If you add curls or waves to this cut, all the better.  Long hair can take attention away from a pointy chin when long soft layers that are wispy and graze your cheekbones.  Highlights can add depth and multi-tones into long hair. As for length, it’s best not to go any more than 4 to 5 inches below the chin so as not to elongate the chin.  When I think of long heart shaped celebrities, I think of Jennifer Anniston and Michelle Pfeiffer.