Calling all moms of color!

[Ganda at Parenting.com]

Hey there, moms of color! Parenting magazine wants to address everyone's beauty questions, concerns and topics of interest, so we'd love to hear more from you.

Have a question, concern, tip-off to your favorite beauty product, or anything beauty-related you want to discuss? Tell us!
You can either:

1. Post a reply to this thread OR
2. Send a note to tellus@parenting.com

We're especially interested in hair and skin topics. We could feature your tip or question in a future issue of Parenting magazine. Thanks so much for your help!

[writermamatx]

I've been wearing my hair in a short 'fro for almost 15 years, and Mama needs a new look, pronto! My hairstyle needs to stay low-maintenance, because most of my time is spent doing my daughters' hair. (I have four girls: ages 9, 7, 4 and 5 months.) I've let my hair grow out some; there's finally enough to twirl around my finger! I'd like to see some options for moms with short, natural hair. (And by natural, I mean no relaxer.) Thanks for the opportunity!

[satrah]

The only thing that I have noticed is the skin changes during pregnancy. From blotchy skin to extremely dry skin, it seems to return to this state. I realize the dryness could possibly be from dehydration or the cold weather, but in this case not an option.
Trying to find the balance with your skin and also to aid in the changes that it makes. I have tried several products but honestly nothing really works like Vaseline.

[sxylilma4]

first of all I want to thank Parenting magazine for doing this for finally being one of the first parenting magazines to recognize moms of color and that our concerns can vary from your other readers...hopefully others will follow in your footsteps...

My question is I need to know how to find a good foundation to fit me when I live in an area that dont offer the special foundations for women of color like iman or queen latifah's line etc they only have the "basic" kind. what would be a good blend for me?

[Amaria]

I'd like to know how to keep natural hair, hair that is not process, from being so dry, so that I can have more options for styling.

[Ganda at Parenting.com]

Thanks for your questions! Keep 'em coming!

[LydRen606]

Is it safe to get a relaxer while pregnant? Some people say yes, and some people say no... I am confused. Please help.

[choneyup]

I have a six year old daughter who has very long hair. She is a tall six with hair past her waist. Her hair tangles and frizzes very easily. I need some ideas on what to do with it besides french braiding it which (1) takes forever and (2) is actually to hard for me to do at home because of the length. We run late every morning for school because of her hair and her hair will not stay straight if I comb it the night before. I know that this may seem petty to some but it is actually an issue for me. Her hair is something that has to be experience to appreciate.

[vestridge]

Okay, wow..umm alright, sorry just read the last post.
I wear locs and I would love something on quick stuff I can do with my locs and products that I can use to maintain my hair instead of having to run to the beauty parlor. Also I do suffer from dry skin, especially during the winter time and would love some quick remedies for that also.

[LydRen606]

V... I am a dry scalp sufferer that went natural about 3 months ago. When I let my relaxer go out, My scalp looked like frosted flakes! I looked at several videos on You Tube about natural hair care and there were several sites with shea butter/coconut oil/jojoba oil, etc. recipes. I mix extra virgin coconut oil (in a glass jar and melted in the microwave) with jojoba oil and olive oil. After 1 week, my dandruff and dry scalp have completely resolved. Plus, it smells great! I have yet to get some shea butter to wear twistouts because the town we live in is a little country and have no black/African hair supply stores (other than those from our Asian Bros and Sis's that only have processed stuff and weaves). I will have to drive an hour or so to get the real stuff. I am going to try the Carol's Daughter products for natural hair next week, so I'll have to keep you posted on how that goes.

M.and J... as for you, I apoligize that women of color, not COLORED women (that word was rid of in the 1950's and 60's), choose to find something in common to discuss. I am sorry that you look at this forum so negatively, but perhaps, you should stay on here so you could learn about other cultures and races. We as women of color, or should I say, black women (and only speaking for myself), have issues that people of other races have no clue how to relate. For example, can YOU teach US about shea butter and how great a moisturizer it is for our skin and hair? Or do you have difficulty finding make-up that matches YOUR skin color in the town you live? So, please don't take this as an insult. I embrace the fact that I have other sistas (not sistERS) that have the same concerns as me! If you want to start your own forum or blog, it's a free country... be our guest. We are not on here trying to start a Black Power Movement, we are simply expressing concerns that we have during our pregnancy.