FABULOUSLY GOOD HAIR!
For our last Hair Movie Night, we featured Good Hair, the documentary narrated by Chris Rock. Naturally, my challenge was to commit myself to learning about black hair. While doing research, I loved getting the chance to talk with people about black hair. After giving it some thought, I decided to share what I learned about black hair that makes it different, how I like to cut and shape afro hair, tips for afro sheen, and where I got inspiration for the shoot!
I'm loving pro-natural afro movement. Morphic’s very own resident photographer, Christina Campbell says about her own hair, “Its a rebellion against what young people’s moms were saying about straightening your hair with chemical relaxers.” She sees it as loving her culture by not assimilating to the most mainstream way to wear your hair.
So, let's get technical for a second. What gives black hair its characteristics is that the cross section of the hair fiber itself is more of an elliptical/flattened shape than other hair types. This is why it takes on a helix shape. It also has extra surface area and therefore the texture is easier to damage.
I approached our model Thea’s hair by first taking a large hair pick to it and starting at the bottom and brushed the hair out until it was at maximum expansion. As a long time hairdresser, I was able to feel the areas that were uneven and I started in the spots that needed the most length cut. I then went back and trimmed the whole thing around, from one side to the other, in a round shape, keeping it a little shorter at the nape to keep the hair off her shoulders and more in the air.
For color, I mixed up some non-ammoniated Platinum and applied the solution on the foil and used the old-school “shoeshine” technique. I went around with freehand brush strokes and spread it evenly. The idea was to create a halo light effect even when its not backlit. I rinsed, shampooed, and conditioned and afterwards spread around the Bamboo Kendi Oil to nourish the hair. We finished with Rene Furterer Gloss Spray. It retained a really gorgeous sheen!
My inspiration, I looked to 70s trends and Pam Grier's great hair in the film Foxy Brown. Solange Knowles is also doing a great modern take on this right now.
Credits:
Hair: Mishi Nova
Makeup: Emi Navas
Photography: Christina Campbell