

9 Fall Hair Trends We Can't Wait To Try
If you’re preparing for your next hairstyle, this is for you. The fall season commences on September 22, and while many of us are ready to order that first pumpkin spice latte, the real question is: What is our next hairstyle? Because Black women are the true purveyors of hair trends.
To understand how we can fully show up this season, we consulted Marjorie Lightford because of her versatile skill set, creative vision, and amazing ability to transform hair. “Trends have a unique way of connecting people and creating a historical timeline for popular culture. For that reason and so many more, trends are necessary,” says Marjorie, master stylist and Redken Certified colorist.
Her motto is “Look good. Feel good. Do well,” and she believes she has a responsibility as a hairstylist to cultivate the internal beauty of her clients into a beautiful outward display. Her upbeat and open-minded personality coupled with her dedication to her clients and her craft sets her apart from most and continues to make her a well-sought-after hairstylist.
The stylist told xoNecole, “Trends are not one size fits all. I recommend finding your own aesthetic and uniquely incorporating trends into your personal style. This provides you with a customized look suited just for you that is still current and trendy.”
Ahead, Marjorie provides the fall hair inspiration sure to bring you joy!
Protective Style Trends for Fall 2022
Courtesy of Marjorie Lightford
1. Knotless braids with tousled, loose hair incorporated throughout the braids.
"There is a beautiful merge happening between braids and loose hair that provides protection, low tension, and volume. Knotless braids became popular because, essentially, they "saved our edges." On the contrary, the style did not maintain its freshness for as long as traditional box braids, micro braids, etc. Additionally, knotless braids lacked volume.
"The introduction of weaving loose hairs throughout random braids has not only eliminated that problem but also created a new era. This new look ages beautifully has volume, creates lots of dimension, and is point blank...sexy."
2. Feed-in cornrows with unique designs.
"Cornrows have and will always be great protection for our hair. The goal is to do it in a way that does not provide tension around the edges. Feed-in cornrows are great for that. Cornrows with unique designs are definitely making a comeback."
3. Sew-ins.
"While there are all kinds of new, loose hair extension techniques when it comes to protection, sew-ins are the only option. Other techniques leave the natural hair exposed while sew-ins braid the natural hair and attach wefts using the sewing technique. The beautiful thing about sew-ins is that these can be worn significantly longer than other protective styles before the look has to be redone."
Tip: Use nylon thread with your sew-ins. Traditional wool thread can create breakage at the root.
Favorite Hair Products for Fall 2022
Courtesy of Marjorie Lightford
1. Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Overnight Hair Serum
"This is an anti-frizz, overnight serum for dry hair. Hair is typically the driest between midnight and 6 a.m.; as we move into the fall, the temperatures outside will begin to drop. Hair will naturally become even drier as we crank up the heat in our residences." Marjorie adds that "using an overnight hair serum will soften and nourish the hair from mid-length to end and improve manageability for advanced night care."
2. Kérastase Sérum Thérapiste Hair Serum
"I love this product. It is an absolute must-have for all my clients. This serum repairs hair fibers and is also a heat protectant for up to 450°F. I have my clients use this every morning and night. It's essentially a cuticle sealer and helps to retain the length of your hair."
3. The Felicia Leatherwood Detangling Brush
"This Black-owned brush is the brush that every curly head of hair needs, not just for the fall but year-round. Detangling hair with this brush is easier and more efficient. Its firm, yet flexible technology allows you to detangle from root to ends truly. It is nearly indestructible."
The Best Hair Colors for Black Women in Fall 2022
Courtesy of Marjorie Lightford
1. Diffused blondes
"The hair color industry has been shifting for several years. People are wanting to come into the salon less and have a more blended grow-out. Within the melanated community, I find that we are choosing colors that blend better with our natural hair color or are choosing colors that are multi-dimensional.
"I truly believe anybody can wear blonde and when diffused throughout as opposed to applied all over. It really softens the entire look and is less of a contrast. It photographs beautifully and looks great in person too."
2. Warm browns
"I love a golden brown moment on melanated skin. It's our version of 'nude'. Golden Brooks wore it well on Girlfriends years ago, and it has definitely made a comeback. I hope it's here to stay."
3. Mauve and rose gold
"These colors typically look great on melanated skin because they compliment the gold and olive often found in our undertones. And while they are a little high maintenance because they fade fast, if you cannot get a touch-up often, they do fade to a beautiful medium to dark blonde. Essentially, you get two looks for the price of one."
The Trending Haircuts to Try for Fall 2022
Courtesy of Marjorie Lightford
1. Bob
"Always try a bob. It's like adding high heels to the hair and can be dressed up or down."
2. Curtain bangs
"They're versatile; long enough to be side swept or pulled back but also add softness around the face. I love pairing curtain bangs with a top knot."
3. Mullet
Marjorie notes that the mullet is "definitely an acquired taste and not for every head shape," but adds, "if you are edgy, consider letting the hair grow out in the back to give your hair a unique shape."
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Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Why Do Millennials & Gen-Zers Still Feel Like Teenagers? The Pandemic Might Be The Reason.
There’s nothing quite as humbling as navigating adulthood with no instruction manual. Since the turn of the decade, it seems like everything in our society that could go wrong has, inevitably, gone wrong. From the global pandemic, our crippling student debt problem, the loneliness crisis, layoffs, global warming, recession, and not to mention figuring out what to eat for dinner every night. This constant state of uncertainty has many of us wondering, when are the grown-ups coming to fix all of this?
But the catch is, we are the new grown-ups.
As if it happened without our permission, we became the new adults. We are the members of society who are paying taxes, having children, getting married, and keeping our communities afloat, one iced latte at a time. Still, there’s something about doing all these grown-up duties that feel unnaturally grown-up. Enter the #teenagegirlinher20s.
If there’s one hashtag to give you the state of the next cohort of adults, it’s this one. Of the videos that have garnered over 3.9M views, you’ll find a collection of users who are overwhelmed by life’s pressing existential responsibilities, clung to nostalgia, and reminiscent of the days when their mom and dad took care of their insurance plans.
@charlies444ngel no like i cant explain to her why i had to buy multiple tank air dupes from aritzia #teenagegirlinher20s #fyp
The concept of being a 20-something or 30-something teenager is linked to the sentiment of not feeling “grown up enough” to do grown-up things while feeling underprepared and even nihilistic about whether that preparation even matters.
It’s our generation’s version of when we ask our grandmothers how old they are and they simply reply with, “I still feel 45,” all while being every bit of 76 years old. In this, we share a warped concept of time while clinging to a desire for infantilization.
Granted, the pandemic did a number on our concept of time. Many of us who started the pandemic in our early or mid-20s missed out on three fundamental years of socialization, career development, and personal milestones that traditionally help to mark our growth.
Our time to figure out and plan our next steps through fumbling yet active participation was put on pause indefinitely and then resumed provisionally. This in turn has left many of us hanging in the balance of uncertainty as we try to make sense of the disconnect between our minds and bodies in this missing gap of time.
Because we’re all still figuring out what the ramifications of being locked away and frozen in time by a global pandemic will have on us as a society, there really is no “right” way of making up for lost time. Feeling unprepared for any new chapter of life is a natural rite of passage, pandemic or not. However, it’s important to not stay stuck in the last age or period of life that made sense to us because self-growth is the truest evidence of personal progress.
So whether you’re leaning on your inner child, teenager, or 20-something for guidance as you fill the gap between your real age and pandemic age, know that it’s okay to grieve the person you thought you would be and the milestones you thought you’d hit before you ever knew what a pandemic was. If there’s anything that the pandemic taught us, it’s that we have the power to reimagine a better world and life for ourselves. And if we tap into our inner teenager as a compass, we can piece together our next chapter with a fresh outlook.
Sure, we’ve lost a couple of years, but there are still some really amazing ones ahead.
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