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Since then, the 46-year-old Winona native has tried just about everything to control its frizzy nature.
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Sara Vogel nervously took to the chair Saturday, volunteering her head of hair to Vivian Blount of Winona for a hairstyling demonstration as a part of Winona's citywide Martin Luther King Day celebration at St. Mary's University. Bount explained the extra care African American people must take to keep moisture in their hair and to keep each strand healthy. (Photo by Kate Weber of the Winona Daily News) |
She has numerous hair creams and shampoos specifically made for black hair, most of which can’t be found in the Winona area. She has permed it to make the curls loose and easier to comb. She’s even added hair extensions to make it longer.
Recently, she decided to stop fighting her curls all together and leave it natural.
Blount shared what she has learned about styling her African-American hair Saturday at the Winona Citywide Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Saint Mary’s University.
The main reason she was demonstrating braiding was so white mothers of mixed-race children could learn how to take care of their children’s hair.
“Sometimes I will see children with unruly hair and I just want to walk up to their mothers and tell them what they need to do,” Blount said. “I’m just always afraid that I will offend them.”
Blount said black hair needs special care that most white mothers are unaware of.
“Our hair is very brittle and dry so it shouldn’t be washed as often,” Blount said. “We need as much moisture as we can get, so it’s common that we add oil to our hair.”
When it’s in braids, Blount said her hair doesn’t have to be washed for over a week, depending on how much product has built up.
While mixed-race children might have lighter hair, that doesn’t mean it’s void of kinks, Blount said. “It’s just as likely to be as frizzy as Black hair.”
A number of styling and setting creams can be used while braiding the hair to help control fly-always.
“Wal-Mart, Walgreen’s and Sally Beauty Supply in La Crosse, Wis., have a small selection of Black hair products,” Blount said. “When I visit Milwaukee or Chicago I usually try to pick some up, but I don’t get there as often as I would like.”
Blount is hopeful that a friend of hers will open a salon soon that will carry a larger variety of products. She recommends staying away from products that contain alcohol because they dry the hair out even more.
Blount demonstrated braiding styles on SMU student Sara Vogel of Rollingstone, Minn.
“It’s a little bit harder to braid straight hair because it has less texture and there’s nothing for it to hold on to,” Blount said.
Vogel said she had her hair braided before by a friend, but she was still a little hesitant to have it done.
“Will it be permanent?” Vogel asked.
“No,” Blount said. “But the setting cream leaves a few kinks until it’s washed out.”
After a few braids were complete, Vogel said, “Wow, you’re a lot gentler than my friend.”
“I’ve had a lot more practice,” Blount said.
