A panel of experts met Thursday in the EMU Ben Linder room to discuss different techniques for braiding, weaving and straightening hair.
The student group Black Women of Achievement (BWA) hosted Ethnic Hair Care Day as an informal way for student group members and friends to mingle and learn tips for different hairstyles. Attendees could approach the table throughout the night to ask about certain techniques.
Attendees generally exchanged and learned many helpful tips for their hair.
“It’s very helpful to know where around Eugene you can get your hair done,” said BWA co-director Ashley Nesmith.
Ebony Lawrence sat on the panel to give advice on weaves, and Alecia Savage lent her knowledge on braiding.
A veteran braider of six years, Savage said braiding allows a “break from hair care maintenance.”
While the braiding process itself takes an average of 10 to 12 hours to complete, the braids can last as long as five months.
BWA invited salons and people from the Eugene area who specialize in different hair techniques to attend the event.
“A lot of people come form Portland and do not know where to go for their hair,” said BWA co-director Shante Stuart.
Last year Stuart “found someone to braid (her) hair” and from suggestions made at Ethnic Hair Care Day, switched from “gel to a heavy conditioner.”
“Many hair product ads aren’t targeted to ethnic hair,” said Amanda Lopez, a member of Mujeres, a women’s empowerment group within MEChA.
Lopez attended the event last year and returned because she found the information helpful and enjoyed supporting and socializing with other campus groups.
“The event was originally for parents of adopted children,” Stuart said.
When families adopt children from a different ethnic background, they can encounter difficulty in caring for the child’s hair. Whether kinky, wavy or straight, people from different ethnic backgrounds have different types of hair.