I’ve waited for this day for so long and when I woke up on April 2nd I could barely contain my excitement because I was finally going to see a cosmetic doctor for my acne scars!

If you’ve been following my daily beauty banters than you know that I hate having to deal with acne as an adult, considering I had it as a teenager, and I hate the sight of my acne scars even more.

When you are a dark skin beauty, acne scars leave dark spots on your skin … in my case, I have them on my cheeks, jaw line, chest, shoulders and a bit on the top of   my back. It got so bad that last summer I refused to show my arms and covered them because I was convinced the world could only see that.

I knew off the bat that fraxel laser was not even a consideration because darker skin beauties cannot undergo this type of procedure. That said, I had consulted Dr. Diane Wong (Glow Medi Spa) about six months ago and she had recommended a peel. I took time to control my acne thanks to Genuine Health’s Perfect Skin before considering the peel.

I had consulted other cosmetic doctors and some tried to convince me that laser was safe for my skin tone or that hydroquinone was the way to go. The problem with those doctors is that they don’t know that I’m a beauty editor and that I spend my life reading about this stuff and from firsthand experience I knew that laser burns my skin. I also have read enough information on hydroquinone to know that if it’s banned in Europe (because of cancer scares) there is no way in hell I’m applying it on my skin as a daily treatment for my hyperpigmentation. Now when it comes to hydroquinone, I should clarify that it’s okay to use it under a doctor’s supervision if it’s for a short period of time, but under no circumstances should you be using this stuff daily for the rest of your life.

My aesthetician was Veronica. She’s from Eastern Europe (I still have not asked from where, but will) and I was quite excited because when it comes to skin treatments Eastern European and Russian women have been indulging in those types of anti-aging techniques for centuries so I knew I was in good hands.

After assessing my skin Veronica declared the following beauty bomb:

“No matter what anyone tells you, your type of skin should never be subject to chemical peels because they are too strong. We will do a lactic acid peel, because it’s safer, but we will not do a chemical peel.”

It has to do with the size of the molecules that penetrate in the skin and to be honest I barely passed chemistry in high school so most of this went well over my head, but I did understand “danger-danger” loud and clear. I did mention to Veronica that I had had a fruit enzyme peel in the past and she said that was fine.

I was equally proud to let her know that I had learned from my initial meeting with Dr. Wong and had (sadly) given up my Guerlain facials because they weren’t the best for my skin type. Anna at Guerlain is the most amazing facial expert I’ve ever met and I don’t recall breaking out after those facials, but what’s the point of spending all this money if I’m doing things that are counterproductive.   Veronica explained that extractions were the devil for my type of skin because they give way to SCARS!!!

Another thing that I learned with much sadness is that I will not receive any lactic peels on my shoulders because it would be a waste of my money. After a quick pow-wow session with Veronica, Brigit (a seasoned skin expert) and Dr. Wong it was determined that I needed to get on a plan created by Alyria to help me fade those scars and I could only expect to see maybe 40% improvement. I almost cried at that news, but calmed myself down and decided to trust these qualified women and that maybe 40% improvement from where I’m at now would be good and I could show off my arms again. I mean after all, I’m spending all this time working out by following Madonna as an inspiration to get her arms so if I can show them off with fewer scars … that’s a win, right?

I’ll document my progress!

Veronica informed me that I needed to come in for a lactic acid peel on a monthly base for better results. On the bright side, that might be one of my only major skincare expenses since after seeing my face without a trace of makeup she thought I was in my mid-20s (bless her heart)!!!

Veronica put me on a scar fading and acne controlling regime. I’ve not yet started using these products, but I thought I’d list them below and I can report on my progressions.

I should preface by saying a few of these lines are Canadian and MUST be supervised by a medical doctor, but I’m sure that you can find a line that is equally effective if you live in the US or Europe or anywhere else in the world. That said, you can also ask your own medical doctor to order these products so you can try them.

1) Acne control skincare plan:

Dr. Wong, Brigit and Veronica chose Biophora (this is a cosmeceutical line) for my skin. I had not heard of the brand and you most likely will be in the same boat than I was because only cosmetic doctors can sell this line (this stuff really works because of active ingredients and your doctor will need to make sure you know how to use them).

So here are the products I’ll be using:

=> Biophora Bioactive Cleanser

=> Biophora Antibacterial veil (for the night)

=> Biophora AHA Active Gel 15% (for the night), after I’m done with that formula Veronica will down grade me to the Biophora Bioactive Gel 8%

=> Biophora Bioactive Solution 3% (for the night)

=> Biophora Light Hydration (this hydrates and firms!)

You’ll find out more about Biophora here: Biophora Skincare

2) SPF Protection: OMG – Elta MD Physical (the Physical is the one I’ll be using … I’m pointing this out because they have several formulas) had a SPF that is oil-free AND chemical-free!!! I cannot believe that I can finally use SPF and not breakout. Now you should know that this SPF is a bit pricey $40 USD/$50 CAD, but think about it – NO CHEMICALS AND NO BREAK OUTS!

This is a US brand that is sold in Canada as well. You can find out more here: Elta MD

3) Scar fading skincare plan to fade my acne scars on my body: For my body it’s Alyria all the way and I’ve been warned that the results will be so phenomenal that it will knock my socks off. I cannot wait to be surprised.

Here’s what I’ll be using to help fade my body acne scars:

=> Alyria Resurfacing Body Care

=> Alyria Exfoliating Cream Level 3

You’ll find out more about Alyria products here: Alyria skincare

Don’t forget to read about Norah’s experience with fraxel laser:

Have you considered laser resurfacing to get rid of your severe acne scars?

What you need to know about using fraxel laser to remove your acne scars

This is a loaded question, but one that a lot of Caucasian women seem to focus on. I cannot tell you how many times people say to me: “no wonder you don’t have wrinkles … black women never age”. Well, that’s not entirely true. It’s obvious that too many people watch Oprah … since it was on her show that Iman (aka Mrs. Iman Bowie) declared on TV that “black don’t crack”!

I wish it were that simple, but it’s not. Being black is NOT a licence to wrinkle-free skin. It’s a bit more complicated than that, but being black (or Asian or darker skin Hispanics) does give the advantage of naturally having more melanin in your skin.

That said, there are certain ethnic characteristics to aging and you’ll find a list of some of the more obvious ones below. You’ll also find some of the most common cosmetic enhancements certain ethnic groups might undertake to smoothen out the signs of aging.

One thing I should make clear … ethnicity is only part of the equation, when it comes to aging well, nutrition and lifestyle are crucially important!

Do Caucasians age faster than other ethnicities?

* When it comes to aging, Caucasian women will find that they will start showing tell-tale signs far earlier than their counterparts because they have fairly thin skin. Although they won’t have to deal with dark scars left behind by cuts or acne, they will show fine lines in their late 20s and sometimes sooner.

* Unlike Asian, Hispanic, Mediterranean, black and East Indian women who all tend not to feel the need to get a darker, many Caucasian women sun tan or use tanning salons to achieve that golden post-vacation look.

* A lifetime of excessive sun exposure will leave Caucasian skin subject to premature aging, severe discolouration and deep wrinkles.

* Cosmetic treatments such as light therapy and laser resurfacing will considerably help with a lifetime of sun exposure. When it comes to dealing with deep wrinkles, injectable fillers become a (Caucasian) girl’s best friend.

* When injections like gentler forms of cosmetic rejuvenation treatments no longer seem to provide results, Caucasian women tend to get facelifts to turn back the hands of time.

* In general, Caucasians tend to get more facelifts than their counterparts. This can be certainly due to the fact that in most cases white women will show wrinkles at an early age because they have thinner skin, but it can also be attributed to the fact that more invasive procedures can sometimes alter ethnic features of non-Caucasian women. Another contributing factor could be that given Caucasian skin is thinner … it will start sagging faster than women with thicker skin.

How do Asians age?

* I’ve heard a number of Asian women talk about the “Asian Secret”. It seems that Asians will age effortlessly until they hit their early 60s and then visible signs of aging become quite noticeable (this is something I’ve been told by a number of Asian girlfriends and contacts).

* Asians also start showing their age because of the drooping of their eye lids and many opt for eyelid surgery to remove the excess skin and open the eye.

* Although Asians don’t seem to have to worry about wrinkles, skin discolouration, dryness and blotchiness are still skincare concerns as they age.

* When it comes to cosmetic rejuvenation, it seems that Asians favour eyelid surgery, filler injections and facial peels.

Why don’t black women and African-American women seem to have any wrinkles?

* When black women take care of themselves and adopt a good lifestyle, they can easily look 10 or 15 years younger than their counterparts because of their built in anti-ager – melanin.

* Most black women don’t have to deal with fine lines and wrinkles, but they do have to deal with droopiness and skin sagging.

* Black women also have a tough time with scarring, skin discolouration, skin tone differences on their face and dark circles.

* When it comes to cosmetic rejuvenation, black women tend to gravitate towards injectable fillers and when they go under the knife it’s usually for a nose job. Since they have thicker skin than their counterparts, post-treatment swelling that follows cosmetic procedures tends to be minimal.

* Black women should really proceed with great caution when it comes to certain cosmetic procedures because some of them can cause permanent scarring during the healing process.

* Keloids (a large raised scar that spreads beyond the size of the original wound) are also of great concern to black women when incisions and scarring are involved.

How do East Indian women age?

* East Indian women deal with a lot of the same skincare issues as black women. Their major concerns deal with skin discolouration, patchiness and blotchiness. In some cases, East Indian women deal with severe dark circles around their eyes.

* Because they are lighter in complexion than black women, East Indian women are able to take advantage of the age-reversing effects of laser resurfacing and just like black women they also find chemical peels to be effective at helping them deal with scars.

Will Mediterranean and Hispanic women age the same way as Caucasian women?

* When you think of Mediterranean women you think of women like Sophia Loren (Italian), Laura Morante (also Italian), Natalie Portman (Israeli), Nelly Furtado (Portuguese), Sofia Milos (half Italian and half Greek).

* When you think of Hispanic women, you think of Salma Hayek (half Mexican and half Lebanese), Sophia Vergara (Columbian) and Eva Mendes (Cuban-American).

* These women have one thing in common: olive skin that is not as fragile as their Caucasian counterparts.

* Mediterranean and Hispanic women don’t show the signs of aging as quickly as Caucasians because they have more melanin. Therefore, they don’t have to show their (real) age until later in life.

* These women will also have to contend with sagging skin as they age and since they are darker than Caucasians they’ll also have to deal with scars to a certain extent.

* When it comes to getting some help from their cosmetic doctors, many Mediterranean and Hispanic women will opt for filler injections.

First photo by by som sol’n förlät

Photo of Oprah Winfrey and Aishwarya Rai by som sol’n förlät

Photo of blond by som sol’n förlät

Photo of comparison between Aishwarya and Caucasian woman by som sol’n förlät

Photo of Brazilian TV show presenter Claudete Troiano (short haired blond) by by Sérgio Savaman Savarese

Photo of Asian woman by Amy Nguyen

Photo of black woman by by Saquan Stimpson/monstershaq200 0

Photo of Italian woman riding a bicycle by by gapysphoto

Photo of Caucasian woman smiling by by makelessnoise

Did you know that melasma is also called the “pregnancy mask”?

Since more and more women are waiting to have children later in life, there are more and more women in their 30s and 40s who have to deal with this skin condition.

Melasma will affect women of all ethnic background, but women with darker complexions (aka blacks, Latinas, East Asians and darker tone Asians) will be the most affected.

Melasma has a genetic tie and if your mother had melasma during her own pregnancy, you are at risk of forming melasma during your pregnancy.

During your pregnancy, your hormones (estrogen and progesterone) tend to stimulate your of pigmentation hormones causing dark brown or greyish patches on your face.

Although melasma is commonly seen among pregnant women, women who take the pill and those who are following hormone replacement therapy can also be subject to this skin condition.

Here’s another interesting point, Hispanic (Latino) men are also known to suffer from melasma.

If you are pregnant, your doctor will most likely wait until you’ve given birth to suggest any skin treatments. Most cases of melasma will go away in time, but if your condition persists well past your pregnancy, treatments such as facial peels and laser resurfacing are excellent at treating the condition.

You’ll want to be cautious when it comes to sun exposure when you suffer from melasma because sun exposure can worsen the condition.

Photo of black beauty by Craig

Photo of Asian beauty by Makani5

These models are the top black models in the industry at present and it’s quite the homage that Vogue Italy would feature Liya Kebede, Sesilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and Naomi Campbell. Liya Kebede made the front cover while the other three black beauties graced the pages of the rest of the fold out.

The July issue of Vogue Italy is far more than just showcasing four pretty faces, it’s about featuring successful black women in the arts and entertainment world.

There has been a lot of talk that the fashion industry doesn’t use black models in the same way they did a few decades ago. Naomi Campbell, known for her candied talk, has highlighted this discrimination for a long time now. I’ve hear of some of the crucial excuses some designers have used to justify why they aren’t using more black (or Asian) models and it’s quite sad that such talk would still be prevalent in 2008.

I remember as a teenage admiring pages after pages of black models in magazines and that’s just not something you see as often anymore.

In fact, the reason why Yves Saint Laurent makeup was the first line of cosmetics I bought with my allowance money as a teenage was because he constantly used black models in his fashion shows and as the “face” of his makeup line.

Along with the four cover ladies for their July 2008 edition, Vogue Italy has featured a long list of the top black models in the industry for decades: Iman, Karen Alexander, Tyra Banks, Veronica Webb, Gail O’Neil, Yasmin Warsame, Alek Wek, Alva Chin, Arlenis Sosa Pena and Chanel Iman.

New York Times Fashion & Style did a report on the discrimination of black models in the fashion world: Conspicuous by Their Presence.

I quite like the angle New York Times uses in this article to highlight the fact that in the US African Americans women buy $20 billion worth of clothing each year and the country has made history by having the first African American in a position where he might be the next President of the United States … and let’s not forget Condoleezza Rice’s position, yet designers aren’t all that interested in seeing black sport their designer wear on the run way or in fashion magazines.

During my conversations with Amoy, one thing was clear: weekly and regular deep conditioning treatments are the on only way to ensure that women with Afro hair maintain the health of their mane. It does matter if you have a chemical relaxer, braids, extensions or if you wear your hair natural … you need to treat your hair.

It’s important to remember that a lot of products on the market that call themselves “treatments” will actually clog your pores and simply coat the hair without treating it. You want to make sure you choose good quality products and that means you might have to spend a bit more.

Over the years, I’ve bought several thousand dollars worth of hair care products, and these ones seem to have been the most effective at restoring my hair.

Don’t think the list below is only for women with Afro hair. Women who have curly hair and those who have damage hair due to thermal excess (aka too much blow drying and flat ironing).

If you don’t know where to start, I think you’ll find this list to be useful:

1. Ojon Restorative Treatment: I absolutely L-O-V-E- this deep conditioning treatment that I started using after my hair had been severely damaged by an ex-hairdresser.

1. Ojon SWA 8-week treatment: This is an exceptional product to thinning, brittle hair. You will not believe how healthy your hair will feel in as little as 6 weeks.

1. Aveda Color Conserve: This is not as moisturizing as some of the other products on the list, but if you have coloured hair, this might be a good treatment to use during the two weeks that follow your colour to extend its vibrancy.

1. Nexxus Keraphix: This restorative protein treatment is my secret weapon. I always use it the week before and the week that precedes my chemical relaxer in order to fortify the hair.

1. Redken Smooth Down Butter Treat: This product will leave your hair feeling like silk. It’s extremely moisturizing and makes untangling hair a quick process.

1. Aveda Damage Remedy: This product is very similar to the Redken Butter Treat. It’s been formulated especially to restore moisture to severely damaged hair and chemically damaged hair.

Amoy is a celebrity hairdresser in New York and she’s coiffed the tresses of many famous black beauties such as “Project Runway” Canada’s host Iman, Naomi Campbell, Joy Bryant, Angela Bassett, ex-editor-in-chief of Flare Magazine Suzanne Boyd, Nia Long (from the series “Big Shots”) and Victoria’s Secret supermodel Selita Ebanks. Amoy has also styled the hair of über-fashion designer Donatella Versace and Sting’s wife – Trudie Styler.

I’ve noticed a huge number of people coming to the site looking for details on Amoy Pitters and I thought I’d make it easier for everyone by re-listing the links to the posts:

Celebrity hair style secrets of famous black beauties

Amoy Pitters’ haircare guide for Black Beauties

Mistakes black women make when it comes to basic hair care

Mistakes black women make when it comes to chemical relaxers

Mistakes black women make when it comes to weaves, extensions and braids

Photo by Bnghair

Top photo of Iman from Iman’s website

I’ll be honest that I’ve had people think I’m much younger than I actually am and my aestheticians who see me without any makeup have also commented on my wrinkle-less skin.

There is only one person who has ever been able to guess my age and that’s my black Latino friend Rafi (my ex-colourist … and that’s before I had any greys).

When I asked him how in the world he knew when most people thought that I was a decade (or more) younger than I am, he responded: “I know my people” (in other words, he was able to tell the age of other blacks even when non-blacks weren’t able to).

Now, before making a gross generalization and stating that all darker-skin beauties never show any signs of aging, I should highlight that lifestyle affects 80-90 per cent the way we age. I have seen dark-skin beauties who looked far-far-far older than their age, because they were carrying a heavy burden or because they had been hit by illness or simply because they made terrible food and diet choices.

That said, melanin (the substance that gives skin its colour), plays a huge part in how different ethnicities show the signs of aging. Lighter and fairer complexions are very much susceptible to aging faster because harmful UV rays from the sun can penetrate their skin more easily and deeply. As a result, their skin loses moisture more quickly, and collagen breaks down more rapidly than in a thicker, darker skin. Darker-skin beauties have a built-in anti-aging barrier in melanin because of its photo-protective role.

Just in case you were wondering, melanin is found at the bottom of the epidermis. It acts as barrier against the rays that damage the dermis, acting as a built-in sun filter and considerably slowing down the signs of aging.

Now, it’s important to keep in mind that although darker-skin beauties might not have to worry as much about photo-aging, they still have concerns about skin cancer, as melanin does NOT protect the skin against skin cancer.

So, in essence “black CAN crack”!

Darker complexions should be aware of these facts when dealing with their acne:

1. Hyperpigmentation

Darker skin usually develops dark spots; in some cases the scars are so dark, they appear almost blackish in colour. These darkened spots or hyperpigmentation on the skin occur at the site of the healed acne flare-up. Hyperpigmentation is caused by excessive melanin production (darker skin tends to produce more melanin than fairer complexions).

The darkening of the skin is a normal reaction when dark skin becomes inflamed, such as after a rash, scratch or pimple. Some of the hyperpigmentation will gradually disappear over time, but some more resistant spots will remain on the face and body for a very long time. Darkened spots or hyperpigmentation is one complaint among dark-skinned acne sufferers. Just like acne, hyperpigmentation can diminish your self-esteem, make you very self conscious when you’re not wearing make-up and affect your ability to feel as confident as you once did. Another reality check for darker-skin beauties is the fact that choosing coverage when you suffer from hyperpigmentation can be a nightmare. Most darker-skin women tend to have uneven skin tones, when you add the complexity of hyperpigmentation, you find yourself with a face that has so many different shades.

How to treat dark spots – You can use a topical skin-lightening product to treat dark spots. Some skin-lightening products are available over-the-counter, while stronger formulas must be obtained via your dermatologist or your medical spa. Your dermatologists may also recommend topical acne treatments (such as Retinol-A) which are usually successful in fading the discoloration.

Before trying a skin-lightening product, you should always consult your dermatologist. Several potentially harmful skin-lightening products are entering North America and these products have the potential to worsen acne and can cause other skin conditions, such as severe dermatitis and rosacea.

If you didn’t have the opportunity to read a post we wrote on this topic, you can catch it here: Non-invasive treatment for scars

Always wear sunscreen - Although there are no clinical studies to support this claim, some dermatologists find that repeated sun exposure leads to longer treatment time of acne scars. Regardless of the severity of your acne scars, you should always wear sun protection, even if you have a darker complexion. That said, daily use of sunscreen SPF 15 or higher helps resolve hyperpigmentation more quickly. Make sure that only use “non-comedogenic” sunscreen so that you won’t clog your pores.

2. Not all acne treatments suit darker skin

Certain acne medications that have a drying effect on the skin, such as benzoyl peroxide, should only be used under the supervision of a dermatologist. Benzoyl peroxide and other types of acne medications, which are very drying, may irritate your skin and prolong post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Not all is lost for darker skin acne sufferers, as a number of medical studies show that retinoids (Retinol-A) can safely and effectively treat acne on darker complexions without the drying effects when used properly.

You should also keep in mind that benzoyl peroxide can also decolourize darker skin.

3. Hair pomade and adult acne

A recent survey of black women who were also acne sufferers, revealed that 46.2 per cent use pomade, oil or ointment for hair to style or improve the manageability of their hair. Within that group a whopping 70.3 per cent of patients using pomade developed forehead acne.

This type of acne is called “acne cosmetica” or “pomade acne.” It occurs when pomade blocks pores and acne develops on the scalp, forehead and/or temples-places where pomade comes into contact with the skin. Pomade acne usually consists of blackheads and whiteheads. Ladies, “less” might be more if you are a Black Beauty who is also an acne sufferer! If you use pomade to decrease scalp dryness, try applying pomade one inch behind the hairline. If using pomade to style or make hair more manageable, try applying pomade to the ends of the hair only to avoid contact with the scalp and hairline. In order to diminish pomade acne, you want to stop using pomades for a certain period of time. Once you stop using hair pomade, your pomade acne should clear within a few months. You should always consult your dermatologist and hairdresser when making any changes to your skin and hair regime.

Many black women may not realize that most pomades, oils or ointments for black hair are made with mineral oil and other pore-clogging oils. We’ve been told by a number of hairdressers, including celebrity stylist Amoy Pitters, who specialize in black hair that not only are these products not the best for the skin, but it turns out they’re not the best for your hair either. You might want to opt for natural oils such as emu oil, coco oil, jojoba oil and an African favourite – shea butter to manage your hair without clogging your pores. Another useful tip if you do use pomades, oils or ointments is to wrap your hair at night before retiring to bed. You should avoid at all costs having greasy hair pressed against your face while you sleep.

4. Choose your moisturizer carefully

Many dark-skinned acne sufferers who also have combination or oily skin should carefully choose their daily moisturizer. You must imperatively opt for a non-comedogenic moisturizer to avoid clogging your pores. You can simply check the label of the product before buying it to ensure that it is in fact a non-comedogenic moisturizer. Your beauty consultant will help you with this decision.

If you still have acne problems after switching to a non-comedogenic moisturizer, consult your dermatologist.

5. Keloid may go hand in hand with acne-prone dark skin

When acne scarring occurs with darker skin, keloid may sometimes be unavoidable. Keloid is best described as a large raised scar that spreads beyond the size of the original wound. Keloid doesn’t affect all dark skin acne sufferers, but it is a real concern. Keloid usually surfaces on the chest, back and jaw line. If you suspect that you might be suffering from keloid, contact your doctor immediately.

If you want to know more about keloid, you might want to visit the following sites:

Keloids on answers.com

Definition of Keloid

Your best treatment: Keloid treatments may involve pressure, silicone gels, surgery, laser treatment or radiation therapy. Your cosmetic dermatologist or regular dermatologist will help you make the best decisions in choosing treatments that are aggressive enough to prevent further scarring.

Source: Adapted from Bates and Taylor SC studies

Photo by Babasteve

That said, you’ll quickly notice that mixed-race Americans, Canadians and Brits (such as half South East Asians, half Afro or half Middle Eastern or an even more complex combination of races) are much more cautious about laser resurfacing. Rightly so, laser resurfacing is one of those risky cosmetic skincare treatments for darker skin and mixed raced beauties.

It is very difficult (if not nearly impossible) to determine before the treatment how your skin will react to the laser. Some dermatologists will say that “their laser machine” is suitable for all skin complexions, but that can never be guaranteed 100%. In general, darker-skin (including Asians, South East Asians, Inuits, Native Indians and Latinos) or mixed-race beauties must keep in mind the possibilities of severe hyperpigmentation and skin discolouration (trust me … I know this first-hand).

Dark spots, scars, uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation are some of the most common age related problems that face many darker-skin beauties. There are many safer treatments that can be used to deal with these skincare aging issues. Your cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon will assess the best treatments that will give you results…safely.

If you are still considering laser resurfacing, you’ll want to ask a lot of questions, do a lot of research and ask (ok, demand) for a patch test before moving forward.

You’ll want to keep in mind the ultimate sacrifice for darker skin beauties: certain treatments will alter your skin tone in an irreversible way…yes, I’m talking about permanent skin damage.

Photo by McGun

You can imagine how excited I was to learn about hair care for Afro hair from a woman who was an expert in the field.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always wanted to know from a celebrity stylist which were the secrets Hollywood stars used to always ensure they look glamorous and that’s exactly what I did when I spoke with Amoy. I asked her if she’d be willing to reveal a few celebrity secrets and she was up for the challenge.

Amoy was willing to spill the goods on Selita Ebanks, Iman, Naomi Campbell and Joy Bryant.

Selita Ebanks: This Victoria’s Secret from Cayman Islands gets often mistaken for a Black Latina (aka Blatina … as I call us) because of her features and skin colour. Regardless of her ethnic origins, Selita is an absolutely gorgeous woman with a killer body. I’ve seen the Victoria’s Secret photos and have looked at that mass of hair with much envy. When Amoy revealed that Selita shamelessly uses extensions … I felt much better knowing that Selita had a little help in the hair department. Selita Ebanks plays with extensions to add fullness and to easily change her looks. Since she often loves to play with hair colours, she can colour the extensions instead of damaging her own hair. Selita is often cast for swimwear shoots, which require her to spend a lot of time in the water to capture the right photo. She’ll use wavy extensions to create that illusion of the perfect curl for the camera.

Joy Bryant: Movie actress and former fashion model for Tommy Hilfiger, Joy Bryant is known for her tough girl roles. Perhaps her most famous role might be alongside Jessica Alba in the 2003 movie “Honey”. Joy has always been seen wearing sleek, long and shiny hair. In recent years, Amoy revealed that she’s decided not to relax her hair bone straight and she’s now opted for a texturized look. She still plays with extensions to add length and fullness to her naturally beautiful hair for movie premieres and events that require a vampier look

Naomi Campbell: Although well known for her bad-girl and diva attitude, Naomi is officially the biggest black model ever to have sashayed down the cat walk. Naomi has been sporting extensions for as long as I can remember. She had been wearing her extensions super-long for many years, but recently we’ve seen her with a few short bob looks that would make Katie Holmes (aka Mrs. Tom Cruise) and her BFF (best friend forever) Victoria (Posh) Beckham red with envy. This Jamaican-British beauty used to sport golden highlights, but now she’s back to a more classic hair colour for her extensions. She’s also back to wearing longer extensions and has moved on from the bob hair dos she wore so well.

Iman: Personally I find Mrs. David Bowie flawless. I’ve been a huge fan of Iman since I first saw her as the face of Yves Saint Laurent make-up in the 80s as a teenager. I truly admire Iman’s grace, beauty, business sense and her choice of a husband! This Somalian beauty uses wigs instead of extensions to go from long to short and from redheaded to golden blond. It’s been quite obvious from her recent debut as fashion-dominatrix (I mean host) on the popular series “Project Catwalk Canada” that Iman’s hair styles are as much part of her beauty as her perfectly applied make-up.

Playing with extensions to enhance your look:

Amoy Pitters really likes to play with extensions for her clients (Black Beauties and Caucasians alike). She feels so many models and actresses have to get frequent touch-ups while on set or during photo shoots and years of mechanical treatment (brushing, blow drying, curling and flat ironing) will leave the hair fragile and brittle. Extensions are an ideal way of creating any look while protecting your own hair.

About Amoy Pitters

If you’re visiting New York City you can book an appointment with Amoy’s Beauty Salon located at 239 East 10^th Street. The number is 212-529-5153. If you have family or friends in London (U.K.) you might also want to let them know that Amoy works in London each month for about one week. If you call her New York salon, you’ll be able to get more information.

Photo by Christopher Peterson