Question for Professional Hairdressers...?

Question

I've been asked by several different hairdressers in my life if I am part native american because of my hair; it is very straight, won't hold a perm at all, is very fine but very thick because there is so much of it, even in my forties. If I am in the sun for any length of time, it highlights very easily and grows very quickly. As it happens, I am part Cherokee, Choctaw and Laponi Indian, although most people don't know until I tell them. The hairdressers who asked me about my hair had no idea, just wondered from working with my hair. What are characteristics of my hair that would make them ask that question? Btw, I have dark to medium blonde hair, depending on how much sun I've been exposed to (summer/winter, etc), not black or dark hair. Thank you for your input!

P.S. I am also part Irish, Scottish, English, Maori (as in Whale Rider), so some of those are where the blonde comes in.

Answer 1

Exactly what you described is why we ask. The Hawaiian, Indian and Asian and sometimes Mexican hair is this straight, slick feeling hair that has cuticle tightness that we can feel from experience. It is hard to hold a curl and most of the time takes a perm but might take longer to process. I'm actually surprised that you have such light hair. but there may be some Nordic blood in there somewhere that caused the coloring.

Answer 2

Same issues. A great cut is a must!

Depending on your skin color, you can enhance it with colors of hi/lo highlights. Warmer golds or reds to add richness. Go to a pro for each thing. Not the same person (most often).

Keep your eyes open! Look for someone "LIKE" you and ask them... A stranger will work just fine- be brave and ask them, who their stylist is... they will be flattered.

I have gone so far ask to "ask a woman" to cover her face and taken her hair style photo with my cell phone. It was perfect.