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Dustin Yom, right, helps Temi Oluajayi pick out hair extensions at the Hair Depot, 127 N. Duke St. in York. Yom said that he s interested in Chris Rock s documentary Good Hair since black women make up a large portion of his clientele.
Shannon Waters wishes that "good hair" would be scratched from people's vocabulary.

The owner of Sheer Styles, 46 W. Philadelphia St. in York, said the term refers to soft, wavy, easy-to-manage tresses.

"It's not kinky or nappy," Waters said. "It's not chemically straightened. It's wash and wear."

Most women aren't born with the type or color or texture of hair they desire, Waters said. But society teaches people that good hair is beautiful, so women spend a lot of time and money to get it.

She said black women, most of whom have kinky hair, use heated styling tools, chemicals and various other techniques to achieve straight styles.

Comedian Chris Rock recently investigated how hairstyles affect black women for in his documentary "Good Hair."

Dustin Yom said he wants to see the movie since a majority of his customers are black women. His store, Hair Depot, 127. N. Duke St. in York, has thrived for the past five years.

Extensions of all lengths and colors line the walls. At $65.99, synthetic hair is less expensive, but it tends to tangle more easily, he said. Human hair extensions, which behave like real hair, run up to $400.

Customers take the extensions to salons. Beauticians braid their regular hair tightly to their head and then sew the extensions into the braids. The results resemble natural hair. Most extensions can be dyed, curled and styled, too.

Another popular option is lace-edged wigs that are attached to the head with adhesives, Yom

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said.

But adhesives, perms, relaxers and color dyes contain chemicals that can dry out hair, so he stocks plenty of hair moisturizers and leave-in conditioners.

Diarra Niang said she doesn't like to deal with chemicals. The owner of Diarra African Hair Braiding & Beauty Supply, 601 W. Market St. in York, has been braiding hair for 19 years.

She does sew-in extensions, but specializes in creating braided styles.

The advantages of braids are that they're low maintenance, last up to three months and prevent hair breakage during cold months, Niang said.

The disadvantage is that the plaits can take eight hours to complete. Niang charges $60 for cornrows -- hair braided in an upward motion to create raised rows -- and $200 to braid an entire head of hair.

Yom said there's a vibrant salon culture in the area. Many of his customers switch up their style often. Streaks of color are popular with the younger crowds.

"I don't think people realize how big the (hair) industry is," he said.

This year's Central Pennsylvania Hip-Hop Awards added categories for best salon and barbershop.

Primp Agency -- a network to connect hairstylists and makeup artists to those seeking their services -- celebrates its grand opening Saturday at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts, 50 N. George St. in York.

Marisa Wilson's Beneath the Surface Salon, 624 W. Market St. in York, is involved with the company.

She said the idea of good hair and bad hair dates back to slavery. But now beauty schools teach that there is no such thing as bad hair.

Primp operates with the mentality that everyone -- regardless of ethnicity or economic status -- deserves to look good.

Zulieka Woodard, who works at Friends the Salon, 101 N. Newberry St. in York, said she grew up longing for good hair.

She has since learned to get creative with styles to help clients look their best. She's adopted a new definition of beauty.

"Every hair that's taken care of can be good hair," she said.

emccracken@ydr.com; 771-2051


If you go

What: Primp Agency Grand Opening

When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7

Where: The Strand Capital Theatre Lobby, 50 N. George St., York

Cost: $25

Details: Primp Agency is a network designed to connect Central Pennsylvania hairstylists and makeup artists to those seeking their services. The event includes food, a cash bar, live music and a silent auction to benefit the York City food bank. Ticket are available at the following locations: The New Hub Store, 51 S. George St. in York; Panache Plus, 405 W. Market St. in York; Beneath the Surface Salon, 624 W Market St. in York; KrysLyn's Bridal Boutique, 286 W. Market St. in York; Mr. Mike's Record Store, 27 S. Third St. in Harrisburg. For more details, visit primpagency.webs.com


About the movie

What: "Good Hair"

Release date: Oct. 23Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 95 minutes

Plot: Comedian Chris Rock makes a documentary to explore how hairstyles impact the black community after his daughter asked, "Daddy, how come I don't have good hair?" On a quest to answer her question, Rock visits hair care professionals, beauty shops, barbershops and celebrities including Ice-T, Raven Symoné, Dr. Maya Angelou and Eve.

For details: www.goodhairmovie.net

"Good Hair" might face legal troubles:

A federal judge refused to halt the release of the Oct. 23 nationwide release of "Good Hair."

Comedian Chris Rock and the film's producers were sued in Los Angeles by documentary filmmaker Regina Kimbell, who claimed the comedian stole several ideas from her documentary "My Nappy Roots." She said she screened her film for Rock in 2007.

U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer watched both films and didn't see substantial similarities.

Kimbell and her attorney were seeking an order blocking the film's release and said they will continue to pursue the case to trial.
Source: Associated Press