The September Issue // Beauty // Staying Trim

Staying Trim

Hi, I’m Oscar James, Tyra’s longtime hair stylist. She was only 19-years-old the first time we worked together in a tiny little NYC apartment. We've both come a long way since then, but honey, if there's anybody who knows this woman's hair it's me. I've done the whole gamut with her; I've done it natural, put in clip-ins, weaves and styled her wigs.

Even though Tyra has worn extensions for years, we've always been mindful to take care of her real hair. We don’t compromise it for any look; it's her real hair that is most important.

Underneath those wigs, her hair has grown so much and it’s in great shape. (I’m really proud of it!) But if I could share one Golden Rule about hair with you that I’ve always reminded Ty-Ty, it’s this: "If you want it to grow, you got to let it go!"  In other words, trims are a M-U-S-T.

We've been letting Tyra's real hair—and the color— grow out a long time; it grew really long, but in order to get it nice and blunt, and in order to get rid of most of the color, we had to cut almost three inches off! Baby, you should've seen her squealing! (Well, you really can on the Tyra Show; we cut it on camera.)

Listen, whether or not you wear faux hair, and no matter what your real hair texture, keeping it trimmed is a major part of helping hair grow longer and stronger. Tyra is proof!

 

How can I tell when it’s time for a trim?

OJ: When your hair gets tangled easily and is hard to comb straight through, or when you can see clear through the ends, it’s time. Checking your ends regularly is definitely a good habit to develop. If you have just removed any type of hair extensions, check them as soon as you take the added hair out.

 

How often should I get a trim?

OJ: In general, every 6-8 weeks.

 

Approximately how much should be cut off?

OJ: It depends on how damaged your hair is, but usually about 1/4 inch.

 

What does a trim really do for my hair? I don’t want my hair shorter.

OJ: What doesn’t it do? A good trim makes hair easier to comb and style, and always it makes it look much fuller. Although a trim can seem like a mini-haircut, don’t worry about your hair being shorter, trims actually help your hair grow.

 

Do you keep your hair trimmed? Let us know.

Chanelle Clarke

I always keep my hair trimmed. I actually cut my hair a few years back. Is there anything such as products to make it grow longer

SJHM_x@blackberry.orange.co.uk sunnyboy
horley

PLEASE HELP ME! ive got myself in such a rut.. im literally addicted to dying my hair and recently ive just stopped. ive stopped doing literally anything to my hair.. i dont wash it for like 2 days.. i never ever use hea ... morePLEASE HELP ME! ive got myself in such a rut.. im literally addicted to dying my hair and recently ive just stopped. ive stopped doing literally anything to my hair.. i dont wash it for like 2 days.. i never ever use heat on it! not even my hair dryer and one bad thing is i really dont want to trim it! my mums a hairdresser and so i know i should but i just dont know how to style my hair (its a bob..longer at the front shorter at the back) any styling tips?

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Natasha Granqvist
Gothenburg, Sweden

I look better in shoulder-lenght hair than in extremely long so I trim it all the time! It's a great way to get rid of split ends which I have a lot of........ gonna trim my hair to morrow........ Fierce and Love! P.S. ... moreI look better in shoulder-lenght hair than in extremely long so I trim it all the time! It's a great way to get rid of split ends which I have a lot of........ gonna trim my hair to morrow........
Fierce and Love!

P.S. When trimming is it better to go to a professional or is it something you can do at home with a friend??????????

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Monique Hunley
fort wayne
Indiana

im trin 2 grow mi hair back out it used 2 b sooooo long but i cut it nd put in bangs nd now i hate them i miss mi old hair : (

Krystle Arneaud
Port of Spain

Hi tyra i am growing out my hair from relaxer to natural i want to no what i can use for my hair to grow

Mikiala Ferguson
Dallas!!
Texas

WELL NO I DNT.. LIKE UGH!! I COULD NEVER.....EVER!!! CUTT MY HAIR.. ASLT MARCH WAS THE LAST TIME I DID.....I CRIED... SHE CUTT TOO MUCH!!.. BT IT DID GROW BACK FAST =) BUT ANW I JUS FLAT IRON MY ENDS..... O_o ?? =)

Brittany Shephard

I haven't cut my hair in SIX YEARS. I wish I had. I didn't believe it helped hair growth. I had hair almost to my bellybutton and it broke to my shoulders. I have been wearing extensions ever since (3 years) It hasn't gr ... moreI haven't cut my hair in SIX YEARS. I wish I had. I didn't believe it helped hair growth. I had hair almost to my bellybutton and it broke to my shoulders. I have been wearing extensions ever since (3 years) It hasn't grown much. It doesn't look unhealthy but it must be, looks like I'll be booking a trip to the salon soon.

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KyAnna Pitts

I use to keep my hair trimmed all the time when I was younger but as I got older I just brush it off. I guess I should start back now. I wear weaves though. So when I take my weave out, should I get my hair trimmed befor ... moreI use to keep my hair trimmed all the time when I was younger but as I got older I just brush it off. I guess I should start back now. I wear weaves though. So when I take my weave out, should I get my hair trimmed before I put another one back in? Much Love =)

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Asiya Abdul-Rahman
Kumasi

Oh yes, i always get my hair trimmed whenever i go for a retarch, like every 5 to 6 weeks. It is very good even though u will feel bad that ur hair is going, it makes u look much beautiful.

Leah Sternberg

i have curly hair and everyone likes it and compliments it....but i cant style it however i like....if i go to a salon to get it cut i can get a bob or i can get layers you cant see because of the curls...i wanna permamn ... morei have curly hair and everyone likes it and compliments it....but i cant style it however i like....if i go to a salon to get it cut i can get a bob or i can get layers you cant see because of the curls...i wanna permamnently straighten it and cut it anyway i want....i understand once my hair grows back ofter i striaghten it the new growth with sinch up and be curly and i also know sometimes perm. doing stuff doesnt last so i wont cut it till i know it sticks. despite tht im sick of my curly mop.

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Alison Bartlett
Southampton

i want my hair to grow now, i had it cut like Victoria Beckham did (the very short pixie crop) and i loooooved it, it looked amazing, but i wanted it to grow so i could have it long and lucious for once, and its now at t ... morei want my hair to grow now, i had it cut like Victoria Beckham did (the very short pixie crop) and i loooooved it, it looked amazing, but i wanted it to grow so i could have it long and lucious for once, and its now at that horrible horrible stage of grown out where you cant do ANYTHING to it because it just looks aweful!

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honey casapay

thanks for the tips Oscar y hair really needs a trim

Gabriella Arana
Colorado Springs
Colorado

You rock my socks off! :) you just saved the life of my hair. so in honor of my curls i thank you oh mighty hair lord :) your a rock star.

Roxanne Castra

Tyra,I think it is wonderful that you decided to show your real hair, be proud of it girl. For me, I usually wear my real hair out, and when I do, some people stare at it. I have had people say that it looks like weave ... moreTyra,I think it is wonderful that you decided to show your real hair, be proud of it girl. For me, I usually wear my real hair out, and when I do, some people stare at it. I have had people say that it looks like weave because it's long and reaches almost to the middle of my back.

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andy viramontes
Chaparral
New Mexico

omg....i think i need a trim trim..hahahah thanks OJ for the tip's

Brittany Carter
Owings mills
Maryland

Yes i keep my hair trimmed but trimming doesn't do anything for me. I tried going to the hair dresser, that didn' t work.

marissa jones
pittsburgh
Pennsylvania

Thanks Oscar for the tips!!! keep doing what you do best!!

marissa jones
pittsburgh
Pennsylvania

Well thank you Mr. James!! i have long hair. my mom teaches me, ands shows me how to take good care of my hair., and i am very thankful for that, because my hair is the main thing, that makes me feel pretty. but the prob ... moreWell thank you Mr. James!! i have long hair. my mom teaches me, ands shows me how to take good care of my hair., and i am very thankful for that, because my hair is the main thing, that makes me feel pretty. but the problem is...i dont get my hair trimmed often! even though my mom said to get my hair trimmed, its healthy for your hair. my sister mia hair is longer than mines now, because she gets her hair trimmed often. when i visit the shop, once in a blue moon thats when i get my hair trimmed. but itzs very important and i dont want my hair to break off, because i already have bleached hair.

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Samantha Hutchinson
Hertfordshire

Oscar how can i grow a healthy, long hair?

Gem Burrows
Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera Bahamas
Florida

Yeah...you have to trim those ends...i've been natural now for about 1year and 7 months and I've had about 5 inches trimmed off of my hair...and it's healthy.

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