The Obama Nation
On Tuesday, November 4 at 11:00pm the world changed. It was announced that Barack Obama would become the 44th president of the United States. Immediately following this announcement the world cheered. Celebrations were held in Chicago's Grant Park, Times Square, and around the globe. People of all ages, genders and races shed tears of happiness. A new era had begun. The first man of color had been elected commander-in-chief. The color lines had become permanently blurred.
For most of my life I have lived on Manhattan's Upper West Side. This is a mostly liberal, multicultural community that has long embraced and nurtured people from around the world - which, for me, makes it one of New York's great attractions. If you walk down almost any street, you find authentic ethnic restaurants, craftsmen making and selling goods indigenous to their native country, and street fairs with merchandise that celebrates each resident's place of origin. People from all corners of the globe readily live next to each other. This is the community where I have spent most of my life and this is how I have viewed the world. As the rest of the world witnessed the celebrations for Obama's victory, they saw people in our country uniting as one. It was very clear that this was one of the most historic moments of our time.
Most people think that you have to be a model, celebrity, movie star, or wealthy Park Avenue matron to be a client at my salons. Nothing could be further from the truth. Though many of these people do pepper our client roster, it also includes housewives, professional women and men, teenagers, boyfriends, girlfriends, and grandmothers. We take pride in our varied clientele. Over the years I have put together a team of specialists to take care of all the different hair types. I asked them for their most important hair tips for all hair types. Here are some of my favorites.
African American hair is the most delicate of all hair types. It demands to be treated with tender loving care. Correct scheduling of chemical services is essential. The gentlest tints must be used for all single process hair coloring and highlights. Frequent shampooing should be avoided. Use conditioner as a shampoo to keep hair fresh and clean.
Caucasian hair comes in many textures. It can be course and curly, wavy, or fine and straight. Curly hair should be cut very short in a definite shape or worn long to weight down the curls. Wavy hair can be cut in any length because it always has body. Straight hair should be cut to flatter your face shape and body proportions. If the ends of your hair look see-through or ragged, you need a trim. The most flattering hair colors are usually within a few shades of your natural color.
Asian hair is the most difficult hair to cut. It is essential to find a master hair cutter. The smallest mistake will be exaggerated because of the hair's straight and smooth texture. Asian hair is often heavy and thick. Layers are a great way to give this kind of hair texture, movement, and body. Asian hair is easy to color. Changing the color is an easy way to make your hair unique to you. It is key that your new color flatters your complexion. Avoid light reddish shades. They will clash with your skin tones and give you a sallow look.
Hispanic hair is similar to Caucasian hair. It comes in many textures and colors. Learn to accept and work with your hair texture. Avoid harsh straightening products, which can be very damaging to your hair. Hair color is a great option for Hispanic women. Be careful not to lighten your hair color to the same tone as your complexion. This can wash out your skin color. If you have to wear more make-up to make your new hair color work then your hair is the wrong color.
Bi-racial hair often has the best features of the combined races. Curls are tempered. Straight hair has movement. Hair color is often unique to the individual. Be sure your cut is appropriate for your texture.
Never has there been a time for people to be more proud of their ethnicity. Whatever your hair texture or color, make it the best it can be. You are the new standard of today's beauty.
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For most of my life I have lived on Manhattan's Upper West Side. This is a mostly liberal, multicultural community that has long embraced and nurtured people from around the world - which, for me, makes it one of New York's great attractions. If you walk down almost any street, you find authentic ethnic restaurants, craftsmen making and selling goods indigenous to their native country, and street fairs with merchandise that celebrates each resident's place of origin. People from all corners of the globe readily live next to each other. This is the community where I have spent most of my life and this is how I have viewed the world. As the rest of the world witnessed the celebrations for Obama's victory, they saw people in our country uniting as one. It was very clear that this was one of the most historic moments of our time.
Most people think that you have to be a model, celebrity, movie star, or wealthy Park Avenue matron to be a client at my salons. Nothing could be further from the truth. Though many of these people do pepper our client roster, it also includes housewives, professional women and men, teenagers, boyfriends, girlfriends, and grandmothers. We take pride in our varied clientele. Over the years I have put together a team of specialists to take care of all the different hair types. I asked them for their most important hair tips for all hair types. Here are some of my favorites.
African American hair is the most delicate of all hair types. It demands to be treated with tender loving care. Correct scheduling of chemical services is essential. The gentlest tints must be used for all single process hair coloring and highlights. Frequent shampooing should be avoided. Use conditioner as a shampoo to keep hair fresh and clean. Caucasian hair comes in many textures. It can be course and curly, wavy, or fine and straight. Curly hair should be cut very short in a definite shape or worn long to weight down the curls. Wavy hair can be cut in any length because it always has body. Straight hair should be cut to flatter your face shape and body proportions. If the ends of your hair look see-through or ragged, you need a trim. The most flattering hair colors are usually within a few shades of your natural color. Asian hair is the most difficult hair to cut. It is essential to find a master hair cutter. The smallest mistake will be exaggerated because of the hair's straight and smooth texture. Asian hair is often heavy and thick. Layers are a great way to give this kind of hair texture, movement, and body. Asian hair is easy to color. Changing the color is an easy way to make your hair unique to you. It is key that your new color flatters your complexion. Avoid light reddish shades. They will clash with your skin tones and give you a sallow look. Hispanic hair is similar to Caucasian hair. It comes in many textures and colors. Learn to accept and work with your hair texture. Avoid harsh straightening products, which can be very damaging to your hair. Hair color is a great option for Hispanic women. Be careful not to lighten your hair color to the same tone as your complexion. This can wash out your skin color. If you have to wear more make-up to make your new hair color work then your hair is the wrong color. Bi-racial hair often has the best features of the combined races. Curls are tempered. Straight hair has movement. Hair color is often unique to the individual. Be sure your cut is appropriate for your texture. Never has there been a time for people to be more proud of their ethnicity. Whatever your hair texture or color, make it the best it can be. You are the new standard of today's beauty.
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If you have biracial hair, you gotta try Mixed Chicks products. They rock! No more frizz in my life because of Mixed Chicks. They are online in the U.S. and the U.K. :
www.mixedchicks.net - US
www.mixedchicks.co.uk - UK
I have VERY fine (read babies have better hair than me) straight hair. I have forever known that I am unable to wear it long. I have experienced thinning after the births of each of my daughters and am experiencing it now for unknown reasons. I am currently wearing my hair in an inverted bob similar to what Victoria Beckham was recently wearing, although I keep the back much shorter. My question is whether to keep the front somewhat blunt or to add light layers to try to disguise the thinning. Also (and maybe my main question) do I cut bangs to help hide the thinning right at the hair line or will that only emphasize what I don't have even more? My hairline is very thin at the moment and wearing my hair down I can see well into it. I am only in my early 30's so I don't think the style is "too young", but looking half bald is certainly too old!! Any tips you have for me would be greatly appreciated! Including any that may further explain hair loss and/or any remedies for it. I expected with my hair texture to thin considerably in middle age, but heaven help me if this is middle age!