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Return to Directory | Read News Black Hair Care and Hair Styles Listings of web sites, magazines, and products for African American hair The Afro A popular Black hairstyle in the 1970's that reappeared in the early 1990's amongst young people. Many with afros get their hair cornrowed. Dreadlocks (locks) Originally popular amongst Africans and Islanders, many American men and women have adopted this hairstyle Black Hair Wig In the late 1990's, many Black women began wearing wigs, extensions, and hair pieces specifically designed for them. Braids The hairstyle of braids were created by Africans, but have been reinvented by African-Americans in recent years. High Top Fade Popularized by rap group Kid-N-Play (pictured), this haircut involved growing an afro and having it shaped up and faded. Finger Waves This hairstyle became popular in the 1980's and re-emerged in the 2000's after singer Fantasia began wearing it. It is especially popular in the South. African Hair Online A website developed as a resource for African American hair. The site is full of articles, reviews, galleries, and even a forum. www.africanhair.com African Wonders Based in Los Angeles, this haircare treatment line is developed specifically for curly and black hair with the finest botanical ingredients found throughout the world. www.africanwonders.com Afro Care This company in the UK provides hair extensions, accessories, extension care, etc for African-English men, women and kids. www.afrocare.com Afrohair Website dedicated to promoting healthy hair by providing centralized access to hair care services, hair care products & hair styling information. www.afrohair.com All Braiding This company based in Oakland California produces a web site about hair braiding. It features unique hair styles, salons, how-to’s, treatment and removal, goods and services, and more. www.allbraiding.com American Health and Beauty Aids Institute (AHBAI) An internationally renowned trade association representing the world's leading Black-owned companies that manufacture ethnic hair care and beauty related products featuring the Proud Lady Symbol. www.ahbai.org Ampro Based in Memphis, Tennessee this company has been a forerunner in African American hair care for over 50 years. They develop 22 hair care products - including shampoos and conditioners. www.amprogel.com Assensual Hair and Beauty Hair and beauty supplies for African American men and women, as well as links to other hair care sites. www.assensual.co.uk Beautiful Braids This beauty supply store based in California sells a product called The Finale Braid Sealer - a unique hair tool that allows users to heat-seal braid ends. www.beautifulbraids.com Bella Beauty Supply This online hair supply store sells wigs, weaves, braids, ponytail hair styles and black hair care products to improve women's hair. www.bellabeautysupply.net Black Beauty and Hair Magazine Website for the popular African American hair magazine. Offers articles, gallery, hair care, and a whole lot more. www.blackbeautyandhair.com Black Hair: The Korean Takeover This documentary by Aron Ranen reveals how the African American hair industry is shockingly controlled and dominated by Koreans. www.blackhairdvd.com Black Hair Media Hair care and beauty information for women of color. Gives beauty tips, a salon directory, and lots more. www.blackhairmedia.com/hairstyles Black Hair Planet Your complete black hair directory. There are a vast amount of black hair categories, all in one site. www.blackhairplanet.com Black Hair Project “The Black Hair Project is taking positive actions that will make a difference in our communities, with black manufacturers, distributors, salons and barbers.” www.blackhairproject.com Black Hair Talk A website based forum where African Americans can talk about hair care issues, challenges, product reviews, etc. http://blackhairtalk.proboards30.com Black Owned Beauty Supply Association (BOBSA) This organization has the mission of establishing more Black-owned beauty supply stores nationally and internationally. They also promote education about the industry through scholarships. www.bobsaone.org Braids By Breslin Founded by professional hair braider Marquetta Breslin, this is the #1 website on the internet for hair braids, weaves, and black hair! www.braidsbybreslin.com Bronner Bros. A family-owned company that produces various Black hair products, Upscale Magazine, and Bronner Bros. International Hair Show. This company is one of the largest black haircare companies, and one of the oldest. www.bronnerbros.com Especially Yours Popular catalog and online shopping portal for African American women. The company sells quality wigs, such as the Patti Labelle Collection. They also sell hats, handbags, and dresses. www.especiallyyours.com Going-Natural Based on a book by author Mireille Liong-A-Kong, this website is designed to celebrate the journey of going back to your roots. This website contains inspiring pictures and stories. www.going-natural.com Good Hair This website provides styles and hair talk. It also offers a free ezine with feature articles and interviews each month. www.goodhair.com His and Her Hair Only the highest quality hair extensions are sold on HisAndHer.com. Human hair, clip in, curly, straight, skin weft and more to meet your hair extension needs all on one site. www.hisandher.com Hype Hair The biggest hair magazine for women of color. Through the site you can find a salon and take part in the forum. http://www.hypehair.com Jazma Hair Inc This influential black hair salon in Canada uses innovative styling techniques, and has received high ratings from Essence Magazine. http://www.jazma.com Locks and Links Articles, tips and information on black hair care, black hair styles and the black hair care industry. www.locksandlinks.com Luster Products This company is the leading African-American owned and operated manufacturer of premium personal care products servicing people of African descent worldwide. www.lusterproducts.com Motions A professional line of black hair care products that uses advanced moisture technology to revitalize dry and damaged hair. Their products are particularly for African American women. www.motionshair.com Nappturality Nappturality.com is your resource for the style and beauty of Natural Black Hair. You can find photographs, journals, websites, forums, information and links about the care, maintenance and politics of natural hair. www.nappturality.com Natural Epiphany Brand Products A black owned and operated hair and skin care company that specializes in natural Hair and skin care treatment. Their products cater to hair that's "hot and hair that's not". www.natural-epiphany.com Natural Hair Digest A popular e-zine and web resource dedicated to the natural hair for African Americans. It showcases various websites and talents of salons and black hair stylists. www.naturalhairdigest.com Naturally Solid Gold Magazine This publication offer exclusive hair photos and hairstyle tips. They are well-known and respected in the industry for their color and uniqueness of their hair designs. www.nsgmag.com Naturally You! Magazine The website of Naturally You! Magazine. Find articles, stylists, salons, and a whole lot more, all in this site. www.naturallyyoumagazine.com Our Hair Offers you shortcuts and suggestions to make your hair look its best while leaving you plenty of time to take care of those important people and issues in your life. www.ourhair.net Revolution Health Provides information on daily hair care, scalp problems, hair problems, and many articles for you to get informed. www.revolutionhealth.com Salon Sense Magazine Salon Sense Magazine’s website, offering a lot of information that you can and cannot get with the magazine. www.salonsense.com Salons of America An extensive directory of all the black-owned hair salons, barbershops, and nail salons. Also, features photos and reviews of the latest hair styles. www.salonsofamerica.com Sizta 2 Sizta The mission of this site is to equip black women with good and accurate information on black hair care, along with a whole lot more www.sizta2sizta.com Sophisticate’s Black Hair Style and Guide Whether you have a subscription to this magazine or not, this is a great site for some great information. www.sophisticatesblackhairstyles.com Texas Beauty Supply Magazines/Hairbooks Whether you own a beauty salon or just like to have some mags with various hairstyles, here is a variety to choose from. www.texasbeautysupplies.com Treasured Locks Black hair care tips, styles, and frequently asked questions. This site is full of information on getting your hair in tip-top shape. www.treasuredlocks.com/blhacafa.html Ultra Black Hair Products This web site sells black hair supplies and publications. Based in Denver Colorado, this company is a leading resource in the black hair industry. www.ultrablackhair.com Universal Salons A great site to come to if you are looking for a new hair style or a salon. They also have a forum with more great information. www.universalsalons.com   What Is Black Hair? Black hair, obviously, is the hair that African American people have. Because their hair is very distinct, there exists a billion dollar industry that produces ethnic hair care products specifically for Blacks. Many refer to Black hair as "kinky hair" - which is offensive to many, but a compliment to others. Typically, their hair is not naturally soft and moist. Instead, it is dry and brittle. However, through various products - this can be altered. Although just a minority, African Americans are extremely influential with their hair. People all over the world imitate their hairstyles, and use them in fashion shows, music videos, and more. For instance, hair braiding was created by Africans by reinvented by African-Americans. However, hair braids are commonly worn by women in places like France, Germany, and even Russia. Black men were the first to wear their hair platted and as afros. Through the years, this too has been adopted by cultures worldwide. Jamaicans and Africans were the first to wear dreadlocks, and this too is imitated by Europeans. Despite this international glorification, it is not unusual for African Americans to be stereotyped and discriminated against for their hair style. For example, a man who wears braids in his hair is often classifed as a drug dealer or trouble maker. This can prevent him from getting a job, being accepted into college, and it may even result in his arrest by police. Why Do African Americans Have Pride In Their Hair? Mainstream media and the beauty industry has portrayed Black hair as non-desirable. However, many African Americans have pride in the all-natural appeal of their hair. Most African American women and men do not have straight hair, but instead have curly or "kinky" hair. Black musicians have created songs to counteract the negative interpretation of Black hair. One song by singer Erykah Badu was entitled "I Am Not My Hair", and encourages listeners to not judge her by the way she wears her hair. The pride African Americans have is similar to the pride that most people have about their country and their origins. Their reasoning is to not be ashamed of what their ancestors have passed along through genetics. In addition, they see nothing wrong with their hair and therefore have no reason to feel guilty or undesirable. What Are Some Popular Black Hairstyles? Popular black hairstyles include dreadlocks (locks), braids, corn rows, the afro, and the fade. Many African Americans wear wigs and extensions, and straighten their hair as well. Shorter haircuts have become popular amongst men and women in recent years. Several of these hairstyles have come and gone through the years, as fads change. Interestingly enough, several of them go in and out of style. For instance, the afro was very popular in the 1970's but disappeared by the mid-1980's. In the 1990's though, it regain popularity amongst young urban kids. By 2000 though, it had gone back out of style. The same occurs for fingerwaves, pigtails, and other hair fashions - depending on the location and the time period.