DID YOU KNOW?...                         Celebrity hair. Long, luxurious celebrity hair that bounces like Beyonce's. Moves like Mary's and twirls like Tyra's. Everybody seems to want it. But for many women, especially African American, strands of silky, back-length locks that never sweats out (in other words get frizzy) and holds a curl for days can only be bought. And then it must be braided, woven or glued in. Enter the latest must have in black hair care - the lace front wig. Lace fronts are the next "miracle product" designed to give black women (and white men in the case of John Travolta) what society tells them (and what many now believe) is perfect hair. The fad started with transvestite RuPaul almost a decade ago. Within the last five years, many black celebrities, from Halle Berry to Vivica Fox, began wearing the wigs. So when you see Tyra and Beyonce with hair that's 'laid' - seemingly flawless and straight, most likely the lace front is the reason. Though the lace front wig is not a new thing, it's new to most people outside of the entertainment and health care professions. "Lace fronts were first developed for cancer patients and balding women," explains Diane DaCosta, 15-year veteran of hair design and author of 'Textured Tresses: The Ultimate Guide to Maintaining and Styling Natural Hair."Celebrities have been wearing them for years. These wigs were always used in movies, and drag queens have always used them." Black hair care has indeed evolved. Since the turn of the 20th century, the hot comb has been replaced by relaxers, no-lye relaxers, braids, weaves and wigs made from Hawaiian silky, human, synthetic, Kankelon and knotty hair textures.

The wig also has evolved, and the lace front is at the top of the heap. In essence, lace fronts are wigs that have a small piece of lace mesh attached to the front which you attach to your head (by double-sided tape or glue), giving the illusion of a seamless hairline. If one is custom made, human hair is individually pulled through the lace, for an even more realistic look. A custom made lace front with the most expensive hair (Remy Indian) can cost upward of $16,000, according to Seheil Stotts, a celebrity hairstylist who recently suggested that a now-bald Britney Spears use one. Most good custom made lace fronts go for about $2,000-$3,000 Yet for all of their realness, lace fronts are not perfect. Outside of their considerable expense, they can be visible to the naked eye and can come undone if facial muscles are too violently moved or they sweat. Speaking of, there have been some very embarrassing photos floating around the Internet where the lace front has shown or the line has "torn" - the most famous being of Beyonce on stage (shown in the picture gallery). They say all publicity is good publicity and thats how lace fronts probably became talked about, sought and aquired in the first place.