By: Miatta Massaquoi
@HairNations

Natural hairstyles such as twists, coils, braids, and free-form fros are starting to command more and more attention these days; thanks to Lace-front wigs. Lace-front wigs are full wigs with mesh lace attached in the front beyond the "hair line" of the wig that is custom fitted, trimmed, and temporarily glued to the skin around the hairline.

At times, the lace does provide natural looking partings in the hair. A custom made lace front wig could cost up to $20,000 and a good one can be purchased for up to $3,000.  There are much cheaper, payless and poor quality ones that can be purchased for few dollars.

When poorly applied, the attachment can be visible to the eye and can come unattached due to highly expressive facial movement, rising of the eyebrows, or sweat. The glue could become too stiff and not move with the forehead skin. Another problem with the lace wig is that it causes hyperpigmentation around the headline. Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of an area of skin or nails caused by increased melanin.

We asked two of Chicago’s outstanding hairstylists, ‘What is the hottest hair trend among African-American women?’ Catrice Moore of Hair 4 U Salon said, “The formaldehyde free Keratin Hair treatment is becoming more popular with my clients,” “It straightens hair without losing the integrity of the natural hair.”

Susan Laws of Laws Concept Salon said, “Natural hairstyle is the hottest hair trend among African-America women.” According to Laws, some of the products she uses for natural hairstyle are Curls, Mixed Chicks, Mizani and Kinky-Curly.