For preferably African American women only.?

I have natural hair %26amp; i'm lookin 4 ideas of how to wear it %26amp; maintain it, i permed it once but that didn't work out because it fell off, so not thinkin about doing that again, %26amp; i also wore partial extensions 4 a while %26amp; i didn't really like em cause i couldn't wear my hair any style that i wanted without worrying about my tracks showing, so any idea of any kind of affordable extensions that are comfortable %26amp; that i can do any kind of hairstyle without having to worry about my tracks showing or any idea on what to do or how to maintain my natural hair, its so painful straightening it all the time, any ideas?

For preferably African American women only.?

I have natural hair too :)! Do you want to wear your natural hair out, have straightend hair, or both?

If you want to wear your natural hair out remember to moisturize your hair to prevent it from becoming dry, so that it stays manageable and breakage free. Then apply a small amount of Olive Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion http://www.texasbeautysupplies.com/orros... or any oil you have to your hair to seal in the moisture. You can do twists, box braids, cornrows, buns, puffs, bantu-knots twist-outs, braid-outs, and so many different styles no matter the length. Here is an excellent site dedicated to natural hair. http://www.nappturality.com/

I don't encourage you to straighten your natural hair often, but when straightening it, of course use a heat protector and use Star lacio lacio to gets the hair silky straight http://store.sickbay.biz/stlala7oz.html . I don't know whether you use a straightener, hot comb/ press, or hot brush/blow out, but it is important to protect your hair ends. A lot of naturals, that straighten their hair too often, lose their natural hair pattern, and end up with hair that is curly at the top but straight at the bottom. Some choose to cut off the damaged ends, but it can be repaired by using avocado oil everyday. In any case, when straightening, divide the hair into eight sections (or more depending on amount of hair), beginning from the bottom section, comb hair from the hair ends to the hair roots to remove any tangles, apply heat protector and or pressing cream, gently pull hair so that it is completely straight and then use straightening tool at the root of the hair moving down the hair shaft. Let hair cool before brushing or combing.

If you want to do both, as far as extension goes, the only extension methods that you are able to perform any hairstyle freely in is fusion. However fusions are pricey, very damaging to the hair, and are aimed towards individuals with relaxed or straight hair. I recommend half-wigs/ falls/ 3/4 wigs they are very inexpensive, less damaging to the hair than other extensions, they allow you to stay natural, let you grow out your hair, permit you to have straight hair wthout straightening it, allow you to change up your flow (hairstyle, hair color, hair length), allow you to wear pony tails in them, they are time savers no one can see your tracks, and plus half wigs are very cute! I wore extensions and would not dare wear a wig until I found out how relatively convient, inexpensive, "realistic looking" and cute they are.

For preferably African American women only.?

keep it natural then, if that is what you want. The chemicals you put on your hair to straighten it is lye anyways (or most of the time) and is so damaging to it. Keep it short and then if you really want to change up then buy a few human hair wigs to put on and wear to match your mood. Then when you want to be short and sassy you can and the next day you can be long and sexy. There are many possibilities out there. Natural hair on African American women is so underrated.

For preferably African American women only.?

if you don't like to do it a lot get micro braids. i know its time consuming but its worth it. i know perms could be risky bit you need to see what perm you are putting in your hair. for the 1st time get a kiddy perm (just for me, pcj etc) or get a mild perm without lye.DO NOT WASH, COMB SCRATCH HAIR PRIOR TO PERM it will fall out. no Jerri curls before perm. if you don't want to do the perm, get a texterizer kit to help loosen the natural curls to your hair then work your way up to a perm when the hair get a Lil bit more manageable. wait 6 weeks in between perms. for now try micro or individual braids