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You Have to See These #BlackHairChallenge Videos

Photo credit: Ruben Chamorro
Photo credit: Ruben Chamorro

From Cosmopolitan

The true magic of black hair lies in its versatility. There are so many ways to embrace the diversity of textured hair: Whether you choose to braid, twist, dreadlock, curl, straighten, add extensions, or just let your natural hair be free, own TF out of it.

A few weeks ago, Miranda Morowa of @MelaninMamis started the viral Twitter hashtag #BlackHairChallenge encouraging black women to share photos of themselves wearing four totally different hairstyles to celebrate the versatility of their hair. Thousands of women uploaded photos showcasing a slew of stunning styles: braids, buzzcuts, afros, pixie cuts, bobs, buns, and more.

This challenge represented #BlackGirlMagic at its best and I wanted to keep the momentum going - so I called on Brooklyn-based celebrity hairstylist Stasha Harris of Magic Fingers Studio to demonstrate how to create four different hairstyles on one woman's hair. If you've been playing it safe when it comes to your hair, let these dope looks inspire you to try something new.

Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO, SADE ADEYINA
Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO, SADE ADEYINA


1. Beaded Halo Braid

Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO, SADE ADEYINA
Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO, SADE ADEYINA

This regal style is fit for a queen. Edge up this classic hairstyle by adding cornrows to the front of your hair in a cool-girl design. Adorning your halo braid with hair jewelry will take the look to the next level.

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1. Part your hair. Using a skinny rattail comb, part your hair directly down the middle, stopping a few inches from your hairline. Then, create two side parts to the left and right of your middle part.

2. Braid the front of your hair. Using Ampro's Shine 'N Jam Conditioning Gel and Shake-N-Go's Braiding Hair, cornrow one small braid in the middle and two long braids on both the left and right sides of your middle part.

3. Begin your halo braid. Start at the bottom of your head and take three thick sections of hair to begin French braiding into a crown-like shape to create the halo braid.

4. Connect the beginning and end points of the braid. When you're finished with your halo braid, use a bobby pin to secure the end to the point where you began the braid. For an even tighter hold, connect the two end points with a needle and thread.

5. Add hair jewelry. To adorn your side braids with beads, use a beader to insert each bead onto the tip of your hair. You can also place pretty gold cuffs throughout your halo braid and a ring at the center of your middle braid to elevate the look.

Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO
Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO

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2. Bantu Knot Curls

Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO, SADE ADEYINA
Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO, SADE ADEYINA

Embrace your natural texture with beautiful bantu knot curls. Bantu knots are perfect for creating a cool curl pattern that's a little more defined than your natural curls. The finished look is gorgeous: curly ringlets that you can make as big as you want by separating each one with your fingers.

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1. Shampoo and condition. Starting with clean, wet hair gives the best results, so make sure to shampoo and condition your hair beforehand.

2. Part your hair in sections. Using a skinny rattail comb, section your hair into eight to 10 medium-size sections.

3. Two-strand twist each section. In each section, two-strand twist your hair by splitting it into two small sections and wrapping the pieces together until you've reached the end. Add a dab of your favorite curl-defining cream for extra definition.

4. Create bantu knots. Next, rope your two-strand twist around in a circular motion to create a tight coil. You can secure the coil with a rubber band for an even tighter hold. Repeat this step on all sections of your hair.

5. Let your bantu knots dry. Sit underneath a dryer for at least 45 minutes to make sure your bantu knots are completely dry. You can also sleep with them overnight and take them out in the morning.

7. Unravel your bantu knots and separate each curl. Once your hair is dry, unravel each bantu knot and use your fingers to separate each curl for a fuller look. You can also use a hair pick or wide-tooth comb at the root of each curl to add volume.

Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO
Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO

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3. Extra-Long Extensions

Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO, SADE ADEYINA
Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO, SADE ADEYINA

Long, glamorous extensions are always a good idea - and when it comes to this style, the options are endless. If you want to add a little something extra to your straight extensions, wand curls will give you effortless, I-woke-up-like-this curls.

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1. Shampoo, condition, and blow-dry your hair. It's best to start with freshly washed and blow-dried hair.

2. Create rows of tiny cornrows. You can create as many cornrows as you want, depending on how full you want your extensions to look. Here, Stasha decided to braid four rows.

3. Sew on extensions. Using a needle and thread, stitch extension tracks onto each row of your braids.

4. Wand-curl your extensions. Using a 3/4-inch styling wand, curl small to medium sections of your extensions.

5. Separate your curls. Use your fingers to pull apart each wand curl for looser waves.

6. Add oil for shine. An ~optional~ last step is to smooth a drop or two of Moroccan oil or jojoba oil through your hair for extra shine.

Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO
Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO

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4. Braided Topknot

Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO, SADE ADEYINA
Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO, SADE ADEYINA

Because topknots are more fun with braids and faux bangs.

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1. Section your hair. Start by sectioning off your hair horizontally into two large sections at the crown of your head.

2. Create three braids in the bottom half of your hair. In the bottom half section of your hair, create three parts, and using Shake-N-Go's Braiding Hair, braid three medium-size braids that stop at the crown of your head.

3. Pull your hair into a high ponytail. Using Ampro's Shine 'N Jam Conditioning Gel, smooth the top section of your hair into a tight, high ponytail, connecting the three braids in the back.

4. Connect your bang extensions to your ponytail. Using extensions, place them at the crown of your head and connect them to your ponytail with a rubber band.

5. Make a topknot. Wrap the ends of each braid and your extensions around your ponytail in a circular motion to create a tight, coiled topknot.

6. Cut your faux bangs. Using scissors, cut your bangs shorter in the middle and leave them longer on the sides to frame your face. Be sure to cut them right above your eyes and layer them in a shape on the sides that will complement your face.

Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO
Photo credit: RUBEN CHAMORRO

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Videos by: Jason Ikeler, Gigi Pena
Hair: Stasha Harris
Makeup: Johannah Adams

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