Singer Sheryl Crow once said that “A change would do you good,” and when it comes to hair, she was probably talking about me. I don’t really believe in rocking one style for too long because I’m one of those people who will get antsy really fast, see other people’s styles and think, “Now THAT would look great on me!” In the time that I’ve gone all chameleon with my hair, I’ve done many a thing that have caused me to lose some hair, as well as have it grow like weeds on an unkempt lawn. Thought I’d share a few of those hair lessons with you as you go on your own hair journeys.

Confidence Is Everything

Back when I went to the salon and allowed the beautician to put clippers to hair I had been trying to have grow long for years, when it was all over and I looked in the mirror, I didn’t like what I saw. You could see my scalp! And as a woman with a larger head, the results weren’t as fabulous immediately like I thought they would be. But one day I went to work and a co-worker told me the look fit me well, and after some thought, I agreed that it wasn’t so bad after all. Little did I know that being confident about the look would inspire other people. Customers used to walk in the store I worked at and tell me they loved my hair, and after a while I was walking past mirrors thinking, “Yeah, I love it too…”

By Taylor Lea Thomas

Source: africanamericanweddinghairstyles.blogspot.com

Question:

Soooo my dress isn’t flattering on me or my body shape! Help!!!!!

Taylor’s Answer:

Dear Miss I’m-Too-Swexy-For-My-Dress,

I’m assuming you mean that the style of dress you’ve always envisioned yourself being married in doesn’t look or fit the way you thought it would now that you’ve tried it on at the bridal salon. Well, at least I hope that’s what you mean, and not that you actually bought a dress you’re now stuck with. Or, perhaps it was passed down to you from a family member? Whatever the reason, and regardless of how you obtained it, you obviously don’t feel confident in it. Every bride should look and feel gorgeous, so here are a few tips to helping those planning a wedding find the right dress.

• Your once-in-a-lifetime red carpet moment.

I understand your frustration because you want to look your best on your wedding day. Every bride does since all eyes will be on you, and your wedding photos last a lifetime. If the first is true – that the dress you envisioned wearing doesn’t look the way you thought it would – I strongly suggest that you make an appointment with a very good bridal salon to enlist the assistance of a gown consultant.

• Consult with a pro.

Rely on the bridal salon consultant for her expertise. There are many different fabric types, gown styles, and variations of the color white that will be daunting for any bride to try to figure out. Leave it up to the consultant to help you in selecting a gown in a fabric and style that makes you feel as beautiful in it as you look.

• Do a dress rehearsal before you buy.

As you’re trying on gowns, pay attention to the bustle so you can determine if you can sit and move in it comfortably. You’ll be busy during your wedding, so make sure the dress you choose can keep up with you. For instance: Try sitting, hug someone in the salon, do a little spin, dance a little, walk around for a bit, etc. After all, these are all of the things you will be doing. You won’t be standing in one place at your wedding, so give it a test run before buying.

• Fabric matters.

Find something you like in a style, fabric, and design that flatters you, then worry about the cost. Even if you’re on a restricted budget, you can still try on some of those high-priced designer gowns. You may find a style and cut that suits you perfectly. Armed with that information, from there you can find the same style in a fabric that’s less expensive. Also, be sure to have a slip on so your undergarments won’t be seen when direct light is on it such as sunlight, or other bright lighting such as flashes from all the photos your guests will be taking of you. And lastly, before you buy that hot lace lingerie set from Victoria’s Secret, keep in mind that bra cups are usually sewn into the gown, and if the fabric is thin, your hot little lace number will show.

• Being measured for your gown.

Be sure to have the shoes you plan on wearing so the length measurements can be done properly. Also, have the undergarments you’ll be wearing to suck you in, cinch your waist, lift your bust and more on during measurements. Note: If there is anyone else besides your doctor who will know, your seamstress would know if you’re pregnant, so be honest and upfront about it if you are since it will affect your measurements.

• Gown shopping.

Only visit one salon at a time. Going to several salons in one day can be tiring, especially the laborious task of getting in and out of heavy wedding gowns. The fatigue and stress will affect how you feel and the way you see yourself by the time you get to your last salon appointment.

Taylor Lea Thomas is an award-winning celebrity luxury wedding planner, and CEO of Elite Soirée, Inc. – the #1 luxury wedding planning company in the world devoted to the art of creating luxury weddings with an emphasis on style! For more information, visit elitesoiree.com. Follow Taylor on Twitter for more tips and advice as you navigate this wonderful milestone in your life of planning your wedding: @taylorleathomas

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No, we’re not talking about environmentally friendly behavior. Willow Smith has continued her trend of switching up her hair faster than Beyonce dropped videos for the tracks on her last album by debuting a bright green mane. Just last week, Willow declared “Nerds rule” with her blonde fade, now she insists, “Even though I am small… I do big things,” and that big thing is rocking green hair.

We’ve probably debated the topic of her adolescent expression to death but one thing we haven’t touched on is hair care. As blogger Miss Jia pointed out when Willow showed off her blonde look last week, “No one is immune to the ‘no edges’ struggle,” meaning if Willow—and the expensive beauticians she has access too—aren’t paying attention to all the peroxides and chemicals they’re putting in this child’s head, it could be a wrap for her tresses later on. We’ve read enough relaxed-too-young stories to know the damage these substances can do. But we’re sure the Smith’s have it under control…right?

What’s your take on Willow’s early St. Patty’s day look? Yay or nay?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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Instead of who’s that girl, I’m really wondering, where is that girl? Eve has been on MIA mode for a while, but when she pops back up on the scene on red carpets for swanky events, her hair is always different. And on top of being different, her ‘dos are usually the most intriguing and vivid points of her whole look. From really short firetruck red pixie cuts to Goldilocks braids, Eve’s hairstyles are as versatile as her rhymes (which I’m waiting to hear again…). So check out her looks that have been winners and losers over the years. It might “Blow ya mind!” Get it? No?

Face it. You probably know more about Kelis’s hairstyles over the years than you do her music. While both have been provocative and attention-grabbing, her hair takes the cake for what stands out about her most. One thing you can say about this chick is that she keeps it bright and won’t wear one style for too long, and maybe that’s why her styles are so known–she doesn’t want to look like anyone else. For further proof of that, check through our gallery of her hair ups and downs since her start and tell us whether you think it’s a do or a don’t for her ‘dos.

By Lavette Slater

Celebrity hair stylist, makeup artist, and beauty expert Lavette Slater, is known for her trendsetting vision and extraordinary skill. As the Supervisor and Key Hairstylist on ABC’s The View, this 10x Emmy Award nominee and winner of the 34th, 35th and 36th Annual Creative Emmy Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling is also the personal stylist to Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd.  In addition to the ladies on “The View” Lavette has styled a host of celebrity guests who range from Chandra Wilson and Glenn Close to political figures Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton and our very own first lady, Michelle Obama.

 You can find Lavette here at : www.lavetteslaterblog.com or follow her on Twitter @lavetteslater.

For the next few weeks Lavette will be providing hair care tips specifically for Madame Noire readers. Today’s tip is about taking your sensational summer hair and making it fall fabulous.