African American Hair

[Glamour Girl]

Can anyone recommend a few products I should have in my bag for photo shoots with African American's?

 

[NYAngel98]

Usually smoothing products that contain oils... they'll add sheen and make hair more managable. I've done hair with regular products and have had good results, so a few extra products for Afro-Amer. hair and you should be ok.

 

[Nox]

Originally Posted by Glamour Girl Can anyone recommend a few products I should have in my bag for photo shoots with African American's? Uh... you can't really generalize it like that. A person with fine hairs that are naturally "straw curled" cannot possibly get good results using the same products as someone with coarser kinky hairs. Rather, you should be thinking about the hair in terms of "curl type". One of Oprah's stylists came up with the Curl Type Chart, I am sure you've heard of it... it goes from 1-4C. That will impact what products you use.
Why don't you do the research and figure out what it is that black women are using for their hair? There are tons of black hair forums. You will get the best info there.

 

[CuTeLiCiOuS]

blackhairmedia fourm is very helpful.

 

[Glamour Girl]

Originally Posted by CuTeLiCiOuS blackhairmedia fourm is very helpful. Thank you!

 

[Brownshugaz]

so is longhaircareforum.com

 

[monniej]

that's a tough one. there are so many styles right now that finding one product that works for all could be difficult. the only thing i can think of is a glossifier - a product that makes the hair shiny without adding extra oil. no matter the style we all want shiny, healthy looking hair. please post and let us know the products you select.

 

[Milan_Minerals]

Yep, do a wider search, the itmes you'll want in your bag will depend on if they wear their hair natural or chemically relaxed. You may need a variety.

 

[Aquilah]

Oil Sheen Lite is good... I like it better than the original personally

 

[frazerti]

girl friend use pantene relaxed and natural line perfect im natural myself and i use those products my fav is the oil moisterizer it works ialso use that on my mothers hair

 

[dreamer]

You definately need an oil sheen. I swear by Organic Root Stimulator's oil sheen. It's in a green can.

 

[marshall1704]

Good tips, one of my friends loves oil sheen lite as well, that is a great choice!! I would also recommend doing a wide search though because as stated earlier there are many different hair types of african americans as well.

 

[leemisa]

Buying products that contain mineral oil or petrolatum, like the Pantene Relaxed & Natural line, might not be the smartest thing to do. I don't use mineral oil or petrolatum on my hair, and I wouldn't want anyone else to use it on my hair. I used to use the Pantene Relaxed and Natural line, and then when I researched online, I found that I should try something that was waterbased and didn't contain min. oil or petrolatum. I use Garnier Fructis leave-in and Neutrogena Triple Moisture leave-in. I use a VO5 miracle mist as a heat protectant, and I really just use any shampoo and conditioner I have under my sink. My hair isn't as weighed down as when I used products with mineral oil and petrolatum, which many "black" hair products contain. However, every black person's hair is not the same.

 

[monniej]

i love pantene relaxed and natural shampoo and conditioner. i use the conditioner everyday. i did purchase their moisturizer, which does contain mineral oil, and it broke me out something awful! i tossed the bottle in the trash less than 1/3 used. haven't had any problems with the shampoo and conditioner and i love my hair!

 

[CuTeLiCiOuS]

Originally Posted by dreamer You definately need an oil sheen. I swear by Organic Root Stimulator's oil sheen. It's in a green can. What does it do for the hair? I have heard great things about ORS products, especially their hair mayonease.

 

[dreamer]

Originally Posted by CuTeLiCiOuS What does it do for the hair? I have heard great things about ORS products, especially their hair mayonease. It keeps my hair shiny and moisturized. It can function as a heat barrier. I spray it on each section of my hair before I flat iron it. It really locks in the oil, and makes the hair look better than doing it without. I think they have excellent products.

 

[SumtingSweet]

Originally Posted by NoxiousByProxy Uh... you can't really generalize it like that. A person with fine hairs that are naturally "straw curled" cannot possibly get good results using the same products as someone with coarser kinky hairs. Rather, you should be thinking about the hair in terms of "curl type". One of Oprah's stylists came up with the Curl Type Chart, I am sure you've heard of it... it goes from 1-4C. That will impact what products you use.
Why don't you do the research and figure out what it is that black women are using for their hair? There are tons of black hair forums. You will get the best info there.

She is right on the money...the hair of African-American people very in textures and lengths. Andre Walker is the stylist who came up with the Curl Type Chart. Here's the link: http://www.naturallycurly.com/curl411/types.php Like leemisa said, just be sure that the products you include in your kit are free of mineral oil and petroleum/petrolatum. Most of the products aimed at African-Americans include these yucky ingredients. It's like spreading Vasaline all over your scalp.
A few products that I like (I'm 4a) are Aveda's Confixor (a liquid gel) and their BeCurly Cream.

 

[LipglossQueen]

Originally Posted by CuTeLiCiOuS /img/forum/go_quote.gif What does it do for the hair? I have heard great things about ORS products, especially their hair mayonease. The hair mayonnaise is brilliant, I've been buying it consistently since the first time I tried it, I have the oil sheen too but I don't use it much.
As for products I'd say something that gives sheen, but also products that are moisturising, alot of top hair stylists say they use the same products on Naomi Campbell aswell as Giselle so you shouldn't need too many specialist products.

 

[speerrituall1]

No matter what the texture, remember our hair craves moisture. Be sure to have moisturising products that do not contain petrolatum or mineral oil listed as an ingredient.

 

[Nox]

Originally Posted by speerrituall1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif No matter what the texture, remember our hair craves moisture. Be sure to have moisturising products that do not contain petrolatum or mineral oil listed as an ingredient. Yes. And understanding the texture of one's hair will save someone a lot of heartache later. You can't come at the hair with the correct styling tools/products without knowing what exactly you are dealing with first.