CL EXCLUSIVE: URSULA ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Earlier this month, we had you submit questions to celebrity hair stylist Ursula Stephen. Ursula read your questions and comments and has responded with your much needed answers and advice…
Q: I want finger waves sooo bad but I’m afraid they are not quite back in style, are they?
A: Girl get your finger waves! Don’t worry about whats not in style, do you!. Its not always about what’s in, its about what looks good on you. And by the way I love finger waves - have you seen the Maroon 5 video featuring Rihanna, wink wink. hahaha
Q: I’ve been getting sew in’s (my natural hair braided) and have noticed growth with my hair when I get it redone every couple months. Is having my hair braided helping or hurting my hair?
A: Weaves do not MAKE your grow. They simply create an illusion. Hair growth comes from within, you can achieve this by eating healthy, taking vitamins (GNC makes a good one). Biotin is also a great hair growth supplement. Keeping up with your trims and conditioning treatments is how is you maintain healthy hair… baby your hair, its your beauty!
Q: Blessings. I’ve been a loc wearer for over 6 years, what do your recommend for conditioning? Currently, I’m just using natural Almond Oil for shine, but I always find that the winter weather can be very harsh on my locs. Also, do you have any tips for curling your locs?
A: You can set your hair with the old school jheri curl rods to create large soft curls. They may be a little tight when first get them done, however they will drop day by day and look beautiful.
Q: Are there any over the counter treatments for Alopecia? Or is it best to seek treatment from a dermatologist??
A: The only over the counter treatment for hair loss is Rogaine. However this requires a lifetime commitment, and research on your end. I would suggest going to dermatologist first and getting his professional medical opinion.
Q: Hi, I’m in the process of going natural and wanted to know what products are best when it comes to everyday use and when I straighten my hair. It’s still pretty humid out so every time I straighten my hair it frizzes up immediately.
A: Get used to it. Frizziness is a characteristic of natural hair. Because it does not have any type of chemical in it to control it. Try frizz ease - its an old school product that works. If that doesn’t work, just go with flow and rock your natural locks - cant fight nature!!
Q: What’s the best thing to combat split ends and breaking. Also do you recommend that permanent blowdry for relaxed hair?
A: Regular trims are truly the best way to prevent split ends. wearing your hair up, especially during winter months is also a good way. When the hair strands rub on certain fabrics they split therefore causing the “split ends”.
Q: Hi, my hair has been breaking off bad from the blow dryer, flat irons etc… what treatments would you suggest?
A: Right now your hair is traumatized!! You need moisture!! Constant heat from the blow dryer and flat irons fries the hair, causing it to become dry and lifeless. Mizani has a great moisturizing conditioner. Then follow with a leave in conditioner, and a daily moisturizing cream. Be patient, use the conditioner every 2 weeks until you see a difference. Also, lay off the harsh heat-try rollersets. Put more time into maintaining it with out depending on your flat iron.
Q: When I wrap my hair it never seems to come out how it was before??? any wrapping tips??
A: Wrapping you hair is only a method to keep your hair tame while you sleep. You still have to put time into it the next day to get it back into the style you wear. Try switching your wrap direction about every two days or so, this creates more versatility in your hair’s movement. Pin curling at night is also a great alternative to wrapping.
Q: What relaxed products do you recommend for children? I have a beautiful little girl…
A: In my opinion, girls under the age of sixteen should not have a relaxer or chemicals of any kind in there hair. Their hair is just not ready to withstand the harsh effects of chemicals. Its like comparing baby teeth to adult teeth - there is none.
Q: I wear glued in extensions. In the beginning I loved it and it made me feel great! Ive been wearing them for a few years now and slowly but surely its taken its toll on my real hair. Im starting to bald and my hair is broken off so badly. I desperately want to stop wearing extensions and restore my real hair (which was great before the extensions!) but my hair is so badly damaged I cant just stop! Please help me!! Are there any other options is getting my real hair back? Please Help..thanks.
A: That’s where you went wrong lady, never wear extensions for that amount of time. You went from wearing extensions because you WANTED to, to wearing them because you HAVE to. Just let it go, its time for a new look. It time to invest in hair care.
Q: I have a relaxer & my hair seems pretty healthy, but my scalp is very dry! I’ve tried different oils & scalp treatments, but my hair looses it’s luscious body afterward. How do I combat this problem without my hair falling flat?!
A: Mint shampoos are great for for dry scalp. They open up the follicle, allowing the scalp to breathe. Paul Mitchell makes a great one called Tea Tree shampoo. Follow with detangling conditioner.
Q: I have natural curly hair but it tends to get really frizzy i think this is down to my years of straightening, how can i get my tight smooth curls back?
A: Because you’ve been straightening for so long your hair is now trained to be straight. Now you have to reverse it. A series of deep conditioning (steam) treatments are recommended. And curl enhancing products, which should be applied while hair is wet in a scrunching motion. Be patient, as long as it took to loose the curl is about the same amount of time it will take to get it back.
Thanks to all the readers who submitted questions, and keep checking back for more with Ursula on Concreteloop!
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DISCLAIMER: Ursula Stephen is a respected and professional hairstylist, however, you are taking her tips at your own risk. Please make sure to consult other professional hairstyles before doing something drastic.
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86 Comments
COMMENT PAGES: « 1 [2] Show All
76.
CGJ
Sunday, September 21, 2008 /
@#75
My daughter’s hair texture does not lend itself to going natural - it’s very soft and “fuzzy” - it frizzes easily. My daughter also is a very active 10 year old that plays soccer on 2 different teams, with either practice or a game 6 of the 7 days of the week. Soccer is an outdoor sport, and games don’t get cancelled if it rains (only if there is lightning). I felt relaxing - as opposed to washing, blow drying and pressing her hair every single day - was a better alternative for her. I think all of the heat and wear and tear on her her hair on a daily basis that “remaining natural” require was a way worse choice than a relaxer - FOR HER. As stated, braids (her own, not extensions) also was not a healthy choice for her hair.
I don’t promote relaxing for every child, but I felt it was the best option for MY child. I only suggested that parents do the research and make the right choices for their child, just as I did.
77.
NikkiMustSayIt
Sunday, September 21, 2008 /
I wish I could do hair!
Ursula’s hair is probably fly all day everyday.
Ridiculous mannnn!!
78.
Dae
Monday, September 22, 2008 /
I recently cut my hair off this summer similar to the Rhianna look so to get my hair growing back I got my hair braided up. Is this the best way to go or should I try something else to get my hair back good and healthy?
79.
Ursela PLS HELP!!!
Monday, September 22, 2008 /
THANK YOU! I have another question… when will she return?
80.
STYLIST HELP!!!
Monday, September 22, 2008 /
cAN YOU HAVE A CELEB STYLIST FEATURE ON YOUR SITE NEXT TIME??? SUGGESTION…MIA QUINN CELEB STYLIST.
81.
Marquita
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 /
here’s a question for ursala…..i currently have locs in my hair for about 6 years and i am in desperate need for a change…i really like the short funky hairstyles like rihanna or chrissette michelle.. or yours….but i don’t want to put a perm in my hair… is it possible to rock those kinda cropped styles without getting a perm and still have it look fresh ?
82.
Marquita
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 /
sorry not a perm a relaxer!!
83.
SEABREEZE (networking)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 /
@57 My V-O-T-E matters
I can tell you this….if you are feeling a crazy scratch in your scalp, hair begins to fall out (you can see the root tip), and it also breaks easily…..see a dermatologist ASAP! Cortisone shots are the only answer. I also began to experience this problem. I have thick heavy hair. Out of now where, my scalp (crown area) was always itching, my hair used to literally fall out as I brush, shake, whatever. I was literally falling to the floor because I couldn’t understand. The first thing someone is going to tell you is it’s stress. No it’s not. I tried everything: shampoos, conditioners, vitamins, to no avail. Nothing stopped it. I started wearing braids and then went to weaves…my hair would grow like crazy…got past my shoulders and all…but w/in a couple weeks of taking my weave out, it would rapidly start falling out again.
Finally I took it upon myself to see a dermatologist. After several tests were run on me, I started to recieve cortisone shots. It helped relieve the problem but it’s not a cure. I still from time to time wear a weave but I’m just thankful that I became educated as to what was causing my problem and that there is help.
I see so many black women that are balding and their hair is falling out and I want to cry because we all know our hair is our crown. So many women don’t know that they HAVE to see a dermatologist. When I tell some women about it they begin telling me how that’s exactly what they’re experiencing. So please ladies, see a dermatologist pronto. I hope my story helps.
84.
MzLady
Thursday, September 25, 2008 /
Many Blessings….I’d like to know what products I could use to help with DANDRUFF? Also, is there a product to help out with dry no shine hair?
85.
Yvette arnold
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 /
what are the best products for natural hair so that my curls stay defined.
86.
exotic
Saturday, October 4, 2008 /
Hello Ursula,
I seem to cant win with my hair. Although it grows thick and fast, my scalp is extremeIy sensitive.. It is relaxed and frizzes like crazy!!! I only relax my hair every two months and find hard to maintain after 6 weeks. What products help maintain frizz on thick relaxed hair?
I also work out and perspire a lot through my scalp. I have purchased an ion hair dryer to wash and roller set my hair every other week, and to keep from going to the salon every week. Although I know salon results are hard to achieve from home, I’ve seen others do real well on their own. I wash and condition using Biolage products and set it with magnetic rollers. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks!
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