If you are a black woman, at some point in your hair’s life you have been a slave to the hair salon. The every 2 week ritual, the all day appointments, the painful weaves and straightening, the gossip. Whatever hair style you wear, it seems regular visits to black hair salons are a necessary evil in our lives.

But what happens when your schedule and bank account are fed up with the the constant cycle and time commitment to looking good. About 2 years ago I was in this exact situation. I was a die-hard salon girl, press and curl every 2 weeks. After long the all day appointments and $50 hair do’s were too much sustain. I went cold turkey and stopped going to the salon all together.

Before you stop your weekly visits, here are a few ways to manage the love/hate relationship with your hair salon.

Go Natural.

Natural hair has an entire set of needs that often don’t require a hair salon, or not a traditional one at least. Many natural sisters learn how to manage their hair on their own with organic and more holistic care. Salons that cater to natural hair tend to be more relaxing and inviting. However, natural hair isn’t an escape from doing your hair, often times it takes more time and patience to care for your natural locks.

Become a DIYer.

When I stopped going to the salon, I was at a loss for how I would do my hair. Thank goodness for for BlackHairMedia and their hair care forum. I religiously stalked the forums on hair tips, advice on going natural and installing my own weave. There is a wealth of information and for those brave ladies, you can be a pro at doing your own hair.

Find a more Holistic Salon.

Sometimes its them, not you. All salons are not created equal and if your salon is causing a hair-raising situation then you should take your tresses elsewhere. Your girlfriend with the great hair probably goes to a great salon. Seek out advice from other stylist and even look online for reviews. BlackSalonFinder is a great resource to find a local shop.

What is your relationship like with your salon? Hair-raising or Holistic?

-Fajr Muhammad

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]]> http://www.vibevixen.com/2012/03/cutting-ties-black-womens-lovehate-relationship-with-the-salon/feed/ 0 http://www.vibevixen.com/2012/03/glamorous-life-the-price-of-looking-good/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=glamorous-life-the-price-of-looking-good http://www.vibevixen.com/2012/03/glamorous-life-the-price-of-looking-good/#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:55:42 +0000 Fajr Muhammad http://www.vibevixen.com/?p=20950 When we see our favorite celebrities walking the red carpet or hosting an event, they always look flawless. Hair done, nails done, everything did. Their coifs are perfectly styled, their faces are beat with airbrushed makeup and their ensembles are to-die-for. It seems that these celebs like Beyonce, Halle Berry or Kim Kardashian have perfected the art of looking glamorous.

While regular, hard-working women don’t have access to top hair stylists, makeup artists and designer wardrobes, it seems that everyone wants a piece of the glamorous life. Stars have lots of money to maintain their image so where does that leave the everyday girl who wants to look red carpet ready?

In today’s society, looking good has become the new status symbol. You’re nobody if you’re not rocking the latest Christian Louboutins, premium expensive hair weave and getting diamond facials. Keeping up with celebrities (and the Joneses) can get expensive. Weekly hair appointments, nail salon visits and shopping can be costly over the long haul and lead to unnecessary debt if not kept in check.

While there is nothing wrong with wanting to look good when the price of the glamorous life means living outside of your means then the price is too steep. Instead of chasing your favorite star’s style, why not dress and primp to your own level? Buy the best that your money can afford. Get monthly manicures and do regular upkeep at home. Find a hairstyle that looks good and is affordable and easy to maintain.

Glamour doesn’t have to mean extravagance. What do you think is too high a price for the glamorous life?

-Fajr Muhammad

Before you donate your wardrobe to Goodwill, step back from the clothes and breathe. Every style lover gets a case of the Nothing to Wear blues and by taking a step back to assess your wardrobe you can overcome this frantic feeling.

Here are 5 ways to take the reigns on your closet and craft a wardrobe that you love and wear over and over.

1. Assess your Wardrobe
What do you wear again and again? What piece do you love and feel the best in? Take note of what those items. Do you love wearing pretty frocks or are sharp pencil skirts more your style. Whatever you love to wear, you’ll want to build your closet around it.

2. Donate what you don’t you love.
Take out everything you haven’t worn in the past year. Does any of it still have tags on it? Sort this pile into 2 piles: things you can revamp and things you can donate. Be completely honest about what you can salvage and get rid of the rest.

3. Shop with a Purpose
Most of our “what was I thinking” items were purchased impulsively. Don’t shop when you are feeling down or feel like you have money to blow. Make a list of what your wardrobe is missing and next time you hit the stores, stick to it.

4. Experiment
The reason we get into a style rut is because we’re creatures of habit. Shake things up, mix prints with patterns, break up a set, wear a pair of heels when you normally wear flats.

5. Don’t Sweat It
At the end of the day it’s just clothes, and fashion is meant to be fun! Don’t stress over what to wear and you’ll end up wearing things that make you feel and look great!

Drake said it best: “Time heals all, and heels hurt to walk in.” Contrary to the Sex and the City notion of “the higher the heel, the better,” heels are not inherently comfortable.

Ask any woman hobbling home after a night of standing in her stilettos. With celebrities like Beyoncé, Rihanna and Keri Hilson rocking vertiginous six-inch Louboutins, one has to wonder who can really walk in these shoes?

Stilettos, albeit sexy and showstopping, may be causing more damage than they are worth.

Here are 5 reasons to hang up your heels:

1. High heels push the body forward, forcing the hips and spine out of alignment.

2. Calf muscles may contract and shorten with regular wear.

3. Regular wear contracts the Achilles tendon, leading to heel pain.

4. Wearers are at a greater risk of falling, which could lead to a sprained or broken ankle.

5. Narrow toe space in shoes can thicken the nerve between the third and fourth toes, leading to pain and numbness.

While these issues do not come from one night of wearing your Giuseppe’s out on the town, regular wear can damage nerves, tendons and potentially put your body out of its natural alignment. Sure everyone is coveting the new red bottoms Beyonce wore court-side, but when your footwear becomes a pain, literally, it may be time to reconsider what you’re willing to sacrifice for style.

Will you be hanging up your heels for your health?