As declared from Tyra Banks, today is national natural hair day. So I just got finished watching the first episode of the Tyra Banks show where she reveals her natural hair. I really liked a couple of things she tried to explain about wearing weaves and wigs as options and not for everyday use. I think a lot of us can get caught up in thinking that we have to look like a celebrity everyday. Bu t hell, celebrities don’t look like celebrities every day. She had her hairdresser Oscar actually styling her hair on the show and he gave a couple of hair tips. One of them is if you want it to grow, let it go. Be free and let lose. That will do your hair a big favor.

She also had a few girls on the show who hated their natural hair. She decided to give them a hair make over. And to be honest, none of them liked it. The first girl said she didn’t like and was going back to weaves. The second girl said nothing, but you could tell on her face that she was not feeling it. And the third girl, seemed happy to let her natural curls show, but I have a felling she will be straightening her hair real soon.

I liked what Tyra is doing with her show. She reveals the real side of herself and informs people that celebrities go through a lot of hoops to look picture perfect. Tyra had Perez Hilton on her show and gave him a challenge and in return he can give her a challenge. If she asked me to challenge her, I would ask her to grow out the relaxer and not just wear her real hair, but her natural hair. This was this only misleading part of the show. Natural hair is without chemicals and she definitely had one. And I think that many black women don’t mind wearing their real hair, they just don’t want to wear their natural hair. Click on the show below and tell me what you think about the show.

Tyra Banks is letting her hair down, literally, on the 5th Season of the Tyra Banks Show. “This season on The Tyra Show we’re taking it to the next level and getting more real than ever before by encouraging women everywhere to own and rock what they’ve got and be proud! For the Season 5 premiere, I will be doing just that – no fake hair, I’m rocking my REAL hair. This will all be going down on September 8, 2009, which we’re declaring National Real Hair Day! We welcome everyone to go natural with me!”

This is not the first time Tyra has addressed issues with natural hair for African American women. Last season she had a show called “What is Good Hair?” that grew national attention. Tyra spoke with black women to investigate the effects their hair has on their self-esteem. It looks like she is trying to build more confidence and self esteem in African American women by coming on her show with her real hair. I think it is a great start and I look forward to watching it!

If you haven’t heard of lace front wigs, you have unknowingly seen them.  Celebrities like Beyonce and Tyra Banks have been wearing them for years now. From long and straight, to big and wavy, front lace wigs gives hair styling a new twist.

These wigs are not new to people in the entertainment industry and health care professions where they were made popular because of their natural appearance.  Before they were moved into the mainstream, lace front wigs (LFW) were used for movies, theater products and drag queens, as well as for cancer patients and balding women.

Why are these wigs so popular?

What makes LFW useful is that they provide more versatility than traditional weaves and wigs.  You can change your style and hair color easily without using your own hair and most importantly, it looks completely natural.

LFW appear natural because of how they are made.  A custom made LFW is made with human hair.  Individual strands of hair are then pulled through a piece of lace mesh giving the illusion of coming out of your scalp for an even more realistic look.  Usually, when traditional wigs are worn, they are styled to include bangs or the hair is pulled out in the front.  But with a LFW, you glue down the lace so it looks like your own hairline.  In the picture below, you can see how the lace is dyed to blend with your skin color.

Although you can buy LFW’s a lot cheaper, most good custom made LFW’s go for about $2,000-$3,000.  Celebrities having a lot more money may spend anywhere from $5,000 on up for more expensive human hair.

There is something to take caution about the use of LFW’s.  The lace on the wig is very delicate and because there is glue involved, it is not something that can be put on and taken off quickly.  The glue is designed to chemically bond the lace on the wig to your head.  If not taken off properly the glue will rip out your real hair.  You should seek a professional to attach and remove these wigs.  A stylist that has experience in the wig application and removal will know the tricks of the trade to ensure that minimal damage occurs.

As remarkable as the technology is for these wigs, they are not without imperfections. The attachment can be visible to the eye and can come unattached due to sweat or highly expressive facial movements. If the forehead is moved to make an expression, a distinct line of where the lace ends and the natural muscles of then forehead begins are visible.  (See picture below.)

On television and in photos a LFW not as noticeable because there is a team of professionals making sure that every detail of the application is perfect.  Additionally, when you look at photos they can be digitally touched up to where you can’t see it.

LFW’s are fun and I can see why they are desirable.  But if you want to invest in a LFW, please contact a professional stylist who has experience (maybe a certification) in applying and removing these delicate hairpieces.  A professional will take precautions to ensure that your natural hair is cared for properly.