Easy Hairstyles For Teens Who Get Their Hair Hot Combed

There are many ways to straighten African American hair, but none that carry with it the historical and cultural tradition that hot combing does. For African American teens who regularly get their hair hot combed, there are many simple, elegant styles that can be achieved with newly straightened hair.

Wrap Hairstyle

Many African American teens opt to wear their hair in what is known as a wrap hairstyle. Hair that has been hot combed must be well taken care of during the night in order to avoid tangling, matting, or ruining the straightness of the hair. Arrange your hair in a circular pattern and wrap it with a silk hair scarf to preserve straightness and body. When the wrap is taken off in the morning, your hot combed hair should have held up through the night and still have body. Teens typically wear this hairstyle for at least 2 weeks until it is time to wash and straighten their hair again.

Avoid using moisture-based products on hot combed hair. This will cause the hair to revert back to its original texture. Instead, use oil-based products to help provide shine and moisture.

Chignons & Other Buns

Wearing a variety of buns -- low buns, high buns, and chignons -- is a great stylish look that protects hot combed hair. Buns also protect the ends of the hair. African American hair is prone to breakage and often hair that is worn down consistently is prone to rough and ragged ends. Putting it up into a bun is a great way to keep your hair off your shoulders.

Now that your hair is hot combed, wearing buns is easily achieved since hair can be pulled back in a variety of ways. Experiment with twisted buns, ballerina buns, chignons, braided buns, and curly buns. Buns can look playful and casual when worn in different ways and shapes, and on different areas of your head, including to one side.

French Braids & Ponytails

French braids are an excellent choice for hot combed hair. They show off the length of your hair in a stylish manner. French braids are a relatively low-maintenance style and can be worn as one single braid or as pigtails.

Ponytails also offer styling variety: high ponytails, low ponytails, curly ones, braided ones, this style is an excellent choice if you want a quick and fashionable hairstyle to wear to school.

Tags: African American, combed hair, your hair, African American hair, African American teens

Make The Big Tutu Hair Bow Holders

Nothing brings the oohs and aahs of adoring strangers quite like a sweet baby girl sporting a colorful, flamboyant hair bow that perfectly matches her outfit. So, it makes perfect sense that you would want to have one of these bows in every color, print and style you can find to ensure that your sweet little girl always has one to wear no matter what ensemble you dress her in, but having so many bows can make storing them a challenge. Use your crafty creativity to construct a tutu hair bow holder that will not only keep all those bows organized, but also serve as decoration for her room.

Instructions

1. Cut your paper down to 12-inches-by-11 inches. Fold the paper in half, bringing the 12-inch edges together.

2. Draw a curve along the edge of the paper opposite the fold to create a half-hour glas hape. Make the curve start on one corner, slowly cut in 3 inches total before slowly coming back out to fullness at the other corner.

3. Draw a U shape in the top corner of the folded edge. Make the bottom of the U start 4 inches below the top edge on the fold. Bring the line up and out so it ends at the top edge of the paper 2 1/2 inches out from the folded edge.

4. Cut the folded paper - both layers - along the lines you drew. Unfold the paper to reveal a symmetrical bodice shape complete with dipping neckline.

5. Trace the paper template on the foam core board with a pencil. Cut the shape out by tracing it with a craft knife three times. The first tracing cuts through the top layer of paper, the second through the foam center and the third through the bottom layer of paper.

6. Trace the bodice pattern on the wrong side of your fabric using tailor's chalk. Cut the piece out 2 inches away from the line so you have extra fabric to wrap over the edge of the board.

7. Apply fabric glue to one side of the foam board paying special attention to the edges. Lay the fabric bodice centered on the board. Smooth the fabric on the board with your hands. Flip the board over, and wrap the extra fabric over the edges to the back. Attach the fabric to the back with hot glue.

8. Cut five 22-inch-by-12-inch pieces of tulle.

9. Take one of the tulle pieces and gather one of its 22-inch edges along the bottom edge of the bodice, leaving only an inch on each side to wrap to the back. Use hot glue to attach the tulle to the bodice as you do this. Add the remaining four pieces of tulle over the first piece the same way. Wrap the sides of the tulle over the edge of the bodice, and secure them to the back with hot glue.

10. Cut three 11-inch-long, one 13-inch-long and one 24-inch-long pieces of 7/8-inch-wide ribbon. Heat-seal the ends of the 11-inch-long pieces of ribbon by holding them near the flame of a lighter for a second. The ends will melt slightly, keeping them from fraying in the future.

11. Attach one end of each 11-inch piece of ribbon at the top edge of the tulle with a dot of hot glue. Space out the three ribbons evenly across the width of the tulle's top edge. These strips are for clipping hair clips on.

12. Attach the 13-inch piece of ribbon over the top edge of the tulle and the ribbon ends to cover them. Wrap the edges to the back using hot glue to hold it in place.

13. Attach each end of the 24-inch piece of ribbon to the back of one of the shoulders of the bodice with hot glue. This creates a loop of ribbon for hanging the tutu bow holder.

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Keep Hair Tidy When You Wear It Down

Flat irons made with ceramic plates damage hair less than those made with metal plates.

Whether going to a special event, like a wedding, clubbing or even if it's just for your day-to-day life, keeping hair looking as good all day as it does when you first leave the house can present a challenge. While there are some products that can help hold hair for extended periods of time, regular maintenance and upkeep as well as repairing existing damage is just as important to long-lasting hairstyles as the type of hairspray in use.

Instructions

1. Maintain healthy hair. Healthy hair is easier to keep in check. Moisturize regularly and trim split ends.

2. Braid your hair before bed. This is important if you don't plan on washing your hair before going out the next day. Satin pillowcases can help keep hair undamaged while you sleep.

3. Repair heat and styling damage. Damage can cause hair to rebel, sticking out at all sides. You can tell if your hair is heat damaged by pulling out a hair and running your fingernail along the length of the hair from end to end. Drop the hair in a glass of water. If it doesn't uncurl, your hair is heat damaged. Upgrade your styling tools to more modern devices, like those made with ceramic, to decrease damage. Lay off using the blow dryer, curling or flat irons when you can. Apply a serum to hair before styling with heat; this will protect your hair.

4. Use aerosol hairspray. Aerosol cans deliver a finer mist over a wider range of hair, which holds hair in place without stiffness or crispness. Don't hold the can too close to the hair; 10 to 12 inches of distance works best.

5. Combat flyaway hair due to humidity or natural frizz with a smoothing serum. A small dollop, the size of a nickel, is typically all you need. Rub it between your palms and apply to your hair, starting at the tips and working your way up, using the least over the scalp, which is naturally the oiliest part of hair.

6. Apply lacquer. Lacquer is stronger than hairspray and will create a rock-hard hold. Like hairspray, lacquer is sprayed onto the hair.

7. Plan your day accordingly. Bring travel hairspray and any other hair maintenance products for quick hair taming. Be aware of what your hair can and cannot withstand; if you're going for a ride in a convertible, cover your hair with a scarf. Don't expect the impossible.

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Fix Overprocessed Permed Hair

Over-processed permed hair can be improved with extra care at home.

Although there are many things that can contribute to over-processed hair, like the misuse or frequent use of dyes, chemicals or heat styling, the majority of over-processed hair problems are due to perms, according to Hair Care Articles. Indications include split ends, dullness, coarseness, extreme dryness and breakage. Nurturing over-processed permed hair back to health requires patience and time.

Instructions

1. Rinse hair with cool water and gently towel-dry it.

2. Blend together equal parts of olive oil and canola oil, about 3 tablespoons of each. Heat the oil mixture in the microwave for about a minute. The oil should be warm, not hot.

3. Apply the warm oil mixture to damp hair with your hands. Make sure it is applied all over the hair, from the root to the very ends.

4. Comb the oil through your hair with a wide-tooth comb and wrap your hair with a shower cap or warm towel for 30 minutes.

5. Rinse your hair with cool water, then wash it with a gentle conditioning shampoo.

6. Gently towel-dry your hair, and then apply grease or a leave-in deep conditioner to all of the hair.

7. Continue drying your hair with a blow dryer on the lowest setting for no longer than 10 minutes.

8. Style your hair as desired, but avoid any style that puts stress on the hair or pulls it tightly, such as ponytails, braids or weaves.

9. Repeat the oil-conditioning process once a week until your hair seems to be healthy again or until the damaged hair has grown out.

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Long Hairstyle Ideas For Kids

Even though adult women often receive the brunt of the hair-obsessed stereotype, kids who grow their hair long may also fit the bill, but they appreciate the versatility and fun of their locks. Whether their hair is put up and casual for a birthday party or slick and styled for a special school event, kids can enjoy the benefits of creating new looks for their hair with just a few steps and products probably already in the family cabinet.

Fanned Mohawk

Kids who enjoy the skateboarding or punk look (and who have agreeable parents) can wow their friends with a fanned Mohawk hairstyle. This style is also fun for a long-haired youngster who will be shaving off his hair for camp, school or just to try a new look; he can wear this style for a few days, then shave it completely. First, shave the sides of the hair, with the top and back left long. Next, blow dry the hair. Use a handful of gel or mouse and work your hands from the root to the tip of the hair, pulling up straight so your hair stands up tall. Work from your forehead down to the nape of your neck. For a cooler look, clump sections of your hair in spikes, sticking up straight from your head.

Ribbon Braids

Although braids have long been a staple in little girls' hair, they can be revamped and personalized with a simple addition--two pieces of pretty ribbon. For a special event such as a bat mitzvah or wedding, consider taking your girl's dress to the craft store and matching a silky cut of ribbon to her dress color. Get about two arm lengths. Then, separate her hair into two even sections, using a scrunchie to hold one section out of the way. Next, begin the braid as usual, but in one of the three sections, add one piece of the ribbon into the hair. Braid by twisting the three sections over each other and the ribbon will stand out as it folds into the hair. When you come near the end of the braid, secure with a small band or clip, then curl the rest of the ribbon around the end of the hair. Repeat on the other side for a pretty, coordinating look.

Mini Twists

Sporty young girls and boys who wish to keep their hair out of their eyes may appreciate the ease and fun of mini twists. Grasp a section of dry hair with your fingers (this can be a fun activity for the child), keeping the rest of the hair out of the way. Apply a bit of gel or oil to your fingers, then coat the section of hair down to the root. Twist the section of hair in a curly motion as tightly as possible, making sure the hair twists all the way to the root of the head (though take care not to pull too tightly). The hair will stay in place without any supplies, though you can secure it with a clip or small rubber band. Repeat over the whole head. Artistic kids may enjoy making different size twists and patterns over their heads. The hair will stay in place until the next washing, although they may start to unravel with a lot of activity such as running bases or chasing the family dog.

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Keep A Mohawk Up All Day

Keeping your mohawk vertical often proves to be a challenging task.

The Mohawk is a popular hairstyle among men, women and children. But before the style was adopted by punk rockers, Native American warriors wore the style. According to CNN, in 2003, an Irish farmer found a 2,300-year-old corpse whose hair was styled in a mohawk. Upon examining the body, archaeologists found that the corpse's hair was styled with gel made from vegetable oil and resin from France or Spain. Anyone that has tried a mohawk, especially a long one, can tell you, keeping the mohawk spiked all day is a daunting task.

Instructions

1. Wash your hair and hand or air dry. The hair should be damp, but not soaked.

2. With a brush or your fingers, hold a section of your hair straight up.

3. Blow-dry that section of hair. Repeat that process until all of your hair is dry.

4. Apply the hair glue, wax or gel to your hair. Use enough to make sure your hair stays up once the product hardens.

5. Spray with hairspray. Firm-hold aerosol types work best for mohawks.

6. Dry with a hair dryer or allow the hair to air dry. Once the product hardens, so does your hair.

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Use A Hair Bow Snood

Create an old-fashioned and classy updo with a hair snood. Resembling hairnets in design, a hair snood often features a crocheted lace or frilly mesh pouch that holds hair neatly. Sometimes a fancy snood will sit below a decorative hair clip or barrette, adding extra embellishment to the hairpiece. Use a hair bow snood to create a simple yet elegant hairstyle for medium to long hair.

Instructions

1. Comb or brush your hair to remove tangles and make it smooth.

2. Pull your hair back into a ponytail. Fasten the ponytail securely at the crown or center it at back of your head with the elastic band.

3. Braid the ponytail in a simple braid that extends down to the tips of the ponytail. Arrange the braid into a bun by coiling it loosely around the base of the braid, and fasten bobby pins around the braid to hold it tight. Another option is to coil the ponytail into a simple bun around the base of the ponytail, fastening it with bobby pins.

4. Clip the hair bow to your hair immediately above the bun.

5. Open the snood and place the lace or mesh around the bun. Tuck the edges of the snood around the edges of the bun -- the edges of the snood usually have stretchy elastic that should conform tightly around the bun.

6. Fasten the edges of the snood tightly to the bun by inserting bobby pins about every 2 inches around the snood.

Tags: bobby pins, edges snood, hair snood, your hair, around base