Hair Stories: To Shave Or Not To Shave

Cassie Ventura, Lala Vasquez and Keyshia Cole all took the plunge and shaved one side of their head!

1. ConAirPro Moda Groom Single Speed Clippers, $79.99, www.groomers.com 2. Creme Of Nature Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo, Kiwi & Citrus, $3.99, www.walgreens.com 3. Kidada For Disney Couture Pocahontas Gold, $78.16, www.asos.com 4. John Hardy Baby Monkey Silver & Black Palm Wood Hair Brush, $52.50, www.jewelrygalboutique.com 5. Aveda Brilliant Humectant Pomade, $22.59, www.target.com 6. Orangewood Large Porcupine Boar Brush, $6.99, www.sallybeauty.com 7. scunci Classic Pins. $1.29, www.walgreens.com 8. Tui Leave in Conditioner, www.carolsdaughter.com

It used to be that the ultimate hairstyle statement for a woman was to shave your head bald (or close), but these days celebs have put their own twist on the avant-garde style. If your not sure that you, or your head shape, can pull off a completely shaved look, ease yourself into the style by going partially bald first. Cue Cassie Ventura, Lala Vasquez, Keyshia Cole, Raven Symone and the pioneer Kelis. They've all put their unique interpretation of the style by adding hair dye, patterns, track lines and even ultra girly curls on the side of the head still with hair.

If you're going to try this style be prepared. Stock up on bobby pins to stop your long sided hair from falling across the border. Also, invest in a good pomade to keep your shaved side neat and frizz free. As always, keep your hair healthy with a good conditioner like Carol's Daughter's Tui Leave-in and Creme of Nature's moisturizing shampoo. So come on ladies, do Grace Jones proud and get the clippers out!

Hair Stories: Rock It Out

Rihanna, Tamyra Gray and Sylvia Rhone punk out their short crops to give them each a new look.

1. Kizzi Stay-Put Hair Pomade, $9.50, www.carolsdaughter.com; 2. Moisturizing Silkening Liquid-Gel by Miznai, $13.96, www.just4beauty.com; 3. Bumble and bumble Sumo Wax, $21.95, www.folica.com; 4. Color Brilliance SilKomb 50, $4.99, www.sallybeauty.com; 5. Tool Science Nano Silver Paddle Brush, $6.99, www.sallybeauty.com; 6. Dirt Texturizing Paste by Jonathan, $14, www.sephora.com; 7. Elucence Extended Moisture Repair Treatment, $15.99, www.culmart.com; 8. L'Oreal Color Rays in Red, $10.99, www.drugstore.com

Long hair is so overrated. Yes, it's versatile but there's nothing more endearing than a woman who can wear her hair short with confidence. For those of you already sporting a cropped hairstyle you might consider trying the spiked looks above. Rihanna's hairstlye is especially fabulous - it has a hard edge but is soft enough to wear on an everyday basis. The products above can help you achieve these looks. The most important is hair wax and the stay-put pomade. If you want your style to last all day, carry the pomade/wax with you so you can retouch when needed.

Hair Stories: The Braidy Bunch

Nia Long, Beyonce and Nicole Richie bring hobo-chic to the red carpet.

1. Burnt Sugar - Hair Pomade, $10.00, www.oyinhandmade.com; 2. Karen Marie - Colossal Gem Butterfly French Twist Comb - Onyx & Smoke, $17, http://mp.hairboutique.com; 3. Frederic Fekkai Wave Creating Spray, $19.50, www.sephora.com; 4. Supreme Bobby Pins, $4.99 for 60, www.sallybeauty.com; 5. Star Snap Clips, $3 for 2, http://mp.hairboutique.com 6. All Day Hold Spritz by Elucence, $7, www.culmart.com; 7. Sailboat Hair Pins, $4.90, www.forever21.com; 8. Organic Sapote & Coconut Pomade - For sheen, hold & silkiness, $9.95, www.anitagrant.com

Lazy days in the sun require an equally laid back hairstyle. This summer make your staple style loose braids held back by antique-inspired hair clips. Hobo-chic is here to stay and since you’ll probably wearing a long floaty dress this season (see these celebs), braids will finish off the look. Styling essentials include a no mess pomade to slick down your edges if you’re going for a more polished look like Beyonce. For those of you who like your hair looking a little disheveled like you spontaneously decide to braid it and put it up, Frederic Fekkai has a Wave Creating Spray that’ll give your hair that flyaway look. Naturals should braid their hair then take it out to create a braid-out/waves. You can then loosely re-braid certain parts of your hair to set off the style. Take some inspiration from Nicole Richie and Nia Long. Their hair looks elegant yet unpretentious – the perfect theme for summer.

Hair Stories: Make It Shine

Amerie, Porschla Coleman and Jessica White brighten the red carpet with ultra shiny tresses.

1. Pantene Pro-V Relaxed & Natural Conditioning Wrap & Set Lotion, $4.99, www.walgreens.com; 2. Phytospecific Beauty Styling Creme, $24, www.sephora.com; 3. Platinum Silkening Gloss by Kenra, $12.35, www.brightonbeautysupply.com; 4. Tui Hair Oil, by Carol's Daughter, $18, www.sephora.com; 5. Tui Jojoba & Shea Butter Sheen, $17, www.carolsdaughter.com; 6. Silken Seal Liquid Sheen by KeraCare, $18.70, www.thebeautyauthority.com; 7. Silk Finishing Gel by Mizani, 411.49, www.mountainbeautysupply.com; 8. Serious Shining Spray by Elucence, 48, www.curlmart.com

Black hair can be dull and lack natural shine compared with other ethnic groups, but that doesn’t have to become the story of our lives. Encourage a natural state of glow by regularly conditioning your hair. Just slather on a crème conditioner after washing your hair in the shower and leave it on for ten minutes. Remember to rinse your hair afterwards with cool water to close the hair cuticles. For a little extra gloss after styling, avoid products with mineral oils. If you see it listed as one of the top three ingredients run for the hills! Products with a high mineral oil content are purely cosmetic and just sit on top of the hair shaft instead of nourishing it – which should be the objective. If you like using a particular product with minerals oils be sure to wash (and condition) your hair once a week. Silky smooth hair is only a healthy regimen away!

Hair Stories: Quench My Thirst

Tanika Ray, Yaya DaCosta and India.Arie show off their luscious natural hair - big earrings are optional!

1. Kizzi Stay-Put Hair Pomade, $9.50, www.carolsdaughter.com; 2. Curly Pudding, $38 for 16oz, www.missjessies.com; 3. Citrus Shea Butter Whip, $16.50 for 2oz, www.tuliaskincare.com; 4. Greg Juice - nourishing herbal leave-in, $9, www.oyinhandmade.com; 5. Whipped Butter, $5.75, www.anitagrant.com; 6. Amla & Olive Heavy Cream for 8 oz, $16, www.qhemetbiologics.com; 7. Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo, www.elucence.com; 8. Happy Nappy Styles, $19, www.blendedbeauty.com

Afro hair is a slave to dryness and with summer fast approaching you’d better stock up on heat defying products. The key is to add moisture, moisture, moisture to your hair (as well as good protein treatments for strength). Whether it’s a shampoo, conditioner or styling product make sure you pick at least one moisturizing version of your staple brand. Above are some of my favorites, most of which were produced by black-owned companies for black hair.