Holiday Season Hair
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| Holiday Season Hair December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Hairstyles, Trends
There's something simultaneously retro and modern about feminine, romantic curls, pulled back and accented with an eye catching accessory. Right now I'm loving the Chloe colection by Lilla, luxe headbands and hairpins available at bylilla.com. The Lotus Pin is bad and bold in black and gold, and the Bloom headband is gorgeous and distinctive. And it's a definite splurge at $84, but hey it's the holidays -- you deserve the best!
Updos are elegant. Updos are classy. Updos are formal. Sweeping your hair up automatically makes you look mature and dignified and they're a great way to show off your makeup and jewelry. When I first blogged about Michelle O's up-tucked hair, I wasn't sure if she'd cut it or just styled it differently. Turns out an up-tuck is a great way to transform yourself for an evening.
Streaks of color If you're down with clip-in hair and extensions, tis the season! You can add temporary color to your hair without the aid of any chemicals with the right clip in pieces. If you're averse to hair assistance in the extension department, you may want to try a temporary solution like Clairol's Jazzing. It's incredibly easy for at-home use.
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| Teacher Cuts Child's Braid - What Would You Do? December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Video, Hair Politics File this under: When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong. This story comes to you by way of Elegant Ignance -- meet seven year old Lamya Cammon. When she's nervous or bored, she plays with the beads at the end of her braids. And one day at school, her new teacher wasn't having it. Since that original report, Essence.com caught up with Lamya's mother, Helen Cunningham for more details on the outrageous incident. Apparently this teacher didn't think she'd done anything wrong, because she was frustrated with the child's behavior, and because she didn't think Lamya's hair was actually her own natural hair. Oh, so it's OK to just cut off a microbraid or an extension, to put a little girl in her place? Where they do that at? Milwaukee Public Schools gave the teacher a $175 citation for disorderly conduct. I'm not one to advocate ignorance or violence, but if that had been my little girl, I may have caused some disorderly conduct myself. Having done a little teaching, I know it can be incredibly frustrating trying to reach a student who is disengaged or not paying close enough attention. But seriously, there had to be a better way to get this seven-year-old to behave, that didn't end with a pair of scissors and tears. What do you think the teacher should have done? And what would you have done, if you were Lamya's mother?
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| Willow Smith's Hair: Too Cute or Too Much? December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Hairstyles, Trends, Hair Politics
I'm not one to gossip, so you didn't hear it from me. But over the weekend, the Internet was abuzz over one little girl with a very grown-up hairstyle. Nine-year-old cutie Willow Smith accompanied her famous parents to Norway, where the family performed for the Nobel Peace Prize concert. And although her brother Jaden's mop of curls got lots of attention, Willow's half-shaved Rihanna-esque haircut stole the show. Here on BV Hair Talk, we strive to cover all things hair-related and hair-raising, but kids are generally off limits. We extend the same courtesy to little Willow as we do to Zahara Jolie Pitt , Malia and Sasha Obama, or any other celebrity child of color coming up in the spotlight -- let a kid be a kid. Willow is clearly feeling herself and loving the hairdo.
But having said that, my mama wouldn't have let me get that haircut at age 9, no matter how much I begged. So inquiring minds want know. Dear readers, is a style like this appropriate for a little one? Is this cute and fun or much too much for a girl? What do you think?
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| Hot or Not: Sheryl Lee Ralph December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Photos, Hairstyles, Hot or Not 
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| Hot or Not: Serena Williams December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Photos, Hairstyles, Hot or Not 
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| Hot or Not: Jermaine Jackson December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Photos, Hairstyles, Hot or Not  Hot or haute mess?
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| Hot or Not: Jada Pinkett Smith December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Photos, Hairstyles, Hot or Not  Is it sophisticated? Old school? Or just plain wrong? But wait...all is not lost! Jada rocks a mean modern outfit in luxe layers of black. She's redeemed. 
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| Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment - Your Questions Answered December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Interviews, Hair Care, How-To, Trends When my mother recently told me that I should "look into that Brazilian keratin treatment," I knew there was a phenomenon I was unaware of in my happy, little natural-hair bubble. My sistas who love straight hair have known about this for a while, and now keratin treatments are insanely popular.
To learn more about the procedure, I reached out to an expert. Martha Suarez at the Ritz-Carlton Spa, Key Biscayne (one of the most beautiful spas in Miami) has been offering the Brazilian hair treatment for four years, and she has been a hairdresser for 25. She gladly answered my questions, and I hope, in turn, to answer yours. Please keep in mind that English is not Martha's first language. But together, with patience, we were able to sort out all the issues regarding this hot hair treatment! Why do people seek out keratin treatments in the first place? "One of the things that bothers most of my clients is the frizz. Here in Miami, the humidity can be very high. This treatment eliminates the frizz. I believe this product makes a huge difference in the texture of hair. It leaves the hair in perfect condition," says Martha. When Martha first learned about the treatment, there was some concern about the ingredients used. I'm talking about the F word, here.
I wanted to find out more about the actual process of Brazilian keratin straightening. It turns out, this is the kind of method that really is best done by a professional. "We use the blow-dryer and flat iron to seal the product. The temperature has to be 450 degrees - has to be very high. It transforms the methylene glycol into formaldehyde. But the percentage is so low that this does no damage to the hair. This particular treatment is amazing. The results are wonderful. I don't know any customer who is unhappy with the treatment. Many other times, we use other chemicals -- highlights, color -- that makes the hair very frizzy, but the Brazilian treatment is external and internal. It doesn't matter if the hair is overprocessed, it will always look much better. It stays in the hair for four or five months. If you have curly hair, it loosens the texture and makes the hair easier to straighten. It's an anti-frizz treatment more than a straightener," says Martha. Martha has done every kind of hair-straightening treatment, and she far prefers the results of Brazilian keratin, especially when compared to traditional cream-based hair relaxers. "I like that you can reverse a Brazilian treatment. In three months, your hair releases the treatment. Whereas when you use the other relaxer, you cannot change that. You have to cut the hair because the ends are still processed with it. And the Brazilian treatment doesn't interfere with the other chemicals. However, if someone's using relaxer, and they make a decision to change and use the keratin, their ends are already straight. They will look very nice. But the roots or new growth will look more shiny and pretty. You will notice the difference. Martha warned consumers to be concerned about the quality of the product. "It's very important that they recommend a shampoo after the treatment. You have to recommend a sulfur-free shampoo. I never realized that so many products and shampoos use sulfur. Why would they do that? It is bad for the hair!" You should also be careful of who does your treatment. This ain't a DIY kind of thing. "I really believe that its better if a professional does it. You can't do this well yourself, especially at the back of your hair. And the flat iron has to be very hot. We have to use it continuously. Hair is like a very nice silky blouse, we have to take very special care of it." I agree with that analogy! So what does Martha recommend for anyone seeking this straightening treatment? Step one: "First the consultation is very important. The company we use here -- the name is Marcia Teixiera -- we have three varieties. One for hair with a lot of frizz, one is for virgin hair and one is for processed hair. The strength depends on the kind of hair you have." Step two: "We have a special clarifying shampoo to eliminate the residue of chemicals -- all chlorine. We shampoo the hair a few times, then blow-dry it. But not 100 percent dry. Fine or normal or chemically treated hair needs to be 80 to 90 percent blow-dried, but still a little moist. More dry than wet. No brushing, no conditioner, nothing. The hair has to be ready to receive the cream." Step three: "Then we apply the cream, the keratin treatment. Then we blow-dry. The smell can be strong. We try to do it in an open area and clients can wear a mask if they are sensitive to strong smells. I blow-dry the hair to let the product evaporate at a medium temperature. Then we flat iron the hair -- a very small amount at a time. This is a time-consuming part. With short hair, it takes two hours. We have to use a very thin, small amount of hair at a time. The longest it's taken has been five hours. If it's long hair, the steps need to be very slow. Sometimes the treatment is prolonged if the people want to get color or highlights -- they can do that prior to the keratin treatment." "I don't find anything against the product. If someone wants to do it, first look for a professional -- don't try to save money because this can cost more in the long run! Find a salon that has a great reputation, that uses reputable products and follow the instructions of the products to the letter. The only problem I can see is that people can become addicted to this treatment because it makes the hair look so wonderful," she gushed. So there you have it, from a stylist who currently specializes in the treatment. Did this answer your questions? Have you had this treatment? Would you? Please share your thoughts with me!
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"When Brazilian treatments began, we thought it sounded like a wonderful treatment for hair, but we were worried about the formaldehyde. So we stopped to investigate before offering the treatments. We aren't supposed to use it anymore, because now we are conscious of the side effects. However, formaldehyde is used in many products. It's even in nail polish! But we never realized the amount we're supposed to use. In this case, the FDA approved 1 percentage. Most of the products used in the market have less than 1 percent. But most of the companies don't use the word formaldehyde. We call it methylene glycol."| Hot Gifts For the Hair Obsessed December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Hair Care, Product Reviews
The gift giving season is upon us and before you know it, the big day will be here! Christmas is around the corner, and tis the season for trying to figure out what the heck to buy for everyone. Well, if you've got a lady in your life who is obsessed with her hair, you're in luck! We've got some great suggestions for you that will make your gift one she appreciates and uses often.
Whether you wear your hair relaxed or natural, at some point you'll probably need a good hair dryer. The question then becomes -- do you go for the hard-hat salon style at-home dryer, or the kind you can hold in your hand for heat-straightening style? At Planet Beauty you can find plenty of both. The Hot Tools Ionic Anti-Static Salon Hair Dryer is $73, and perfect for roller sets and deep conditioning treatments. The Hot Tools Tourmaline Ionic Professional Dryer with Pro Moisture System promises to transform heat and air into a moisture-enhancing spa treatment to keep your hair shiny and gorgeous regardless of texture.
If the person on your secret Santa list is a proud natural, you may be perplexed at what to buy for her. We natural women have a long list of products that do and don't work for our hair. The best gift you can give may not be a typical hair product at all. Consider the Eshe sleep set from Sista's Place -- $22.50, and this polyester satin set comes with a triangular scarf, a pillowcase, and a travel pouch. And it comes in a great variety of colors! Another option is the Curl-Ease towel. It's been a lifesaver for my kinky coils, which need all the moisture-absorbing power they can get once I'm out of the shower! $18 and it makes a GREAT stocking stuffer. What hair-related gift do you want this Christmas?
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| Jazzing's Fierce Fridays December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Celebrity Stylists
Strands of Bold Gold, streaks of Cherry Cola, or even a whole head gone Mood Indigo are guaranteed head-turners. You can find bodacious colors like this thanks to Clairol Professional -- their Jazzing temporary hair color contains no ammonia, and no dye. It's vibrant, gentle temporary color fun. And the folks at Clairol are looking to see how fierce your color is. That's right -- Clairol Jazzing's Fierce Fridays is here, and you're invited to compete for some fabulous prizes! Celebrity hairstylist Tippi Shorter is encouraging fans to "road test" one or all of the 5 most popular Jazzing shades - Ebony, Spiced Cognac, Bluest Black, Cherry Cola and Black Cherry. You can vote on your favorite fierce hairstyles for a chance to win daily and weekly prizes! The sweepstakes will run until late January 2010. Daily prizes include samples of Jazzing, and weekly prizes are off the chain -- ranging from Flipcams, digital cameras, concert tickets, and giftcards. And the grand prize includes airfare,accomodations, and a one-on-one hair makeover with Tippi! Click here to join Jazzing Fierce Fridays on Facebook, and click here to follow them on Twitter. Upload your photos, go forth, and be fierce. And if you win, leave a comment and let a bella know!
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| Holiday Hair Accessories December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Photos, Product Reviews, Trends
Here are some of my faves -- all handcrafted and available on Etsy! No lie, ladies. Every single time I wear my flower by Ododo Originals, I get raves, compliments, and OMG-where'd-you-get-that-I-want-one. It never fails. Ododo means "flower," and these flowers never go out of season. And they're specially made to grip just as well on stick straight hair or thick natural hair. Score!
Feathered headbands are super trendy right now and with good reason -- there's something simultaneously retro and modern about feathers. They come in the most luxurious gem colors, and really jazz up a winter wardrobe. Sweet Grass Mill on Etsy has an amazing selection of bold, bright, beautiful feathered headbands that range from $15 to $35. From peacock to "fire pheasant," there's adornment to match your every outfit. Like what you see? Seen anything cuter elsewhere? Let a bella know, I'm always looking for a unique way to dress my tresses!
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| White Women Wear Weaves Too! (And Other Revelations) December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Weaves & Extensions, Trends If you have questions about weaves, wigs, sew ins, clip ins, extensions and/or lacefronts -- I sure hope you were watching Tyra today! On today's show, titled Tyra's Fake Hair Academy, Ms. Banks broke it down like only she could. And together with the as always, refreshingly candid Meghan McCain, they revealed a not-so-secret secret about hair extensions. Women of ALL ethnicities wear them. Did you watch Tyra's Fake Hair Academy today? Did you learn anything you didn't already know? Share your thoughts!
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| Product Review: Luxurious Hair Treatments December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Hair Care, Product Reviews Winter is creeping up, and regardless of your hair texture, you'll discover one essential truth -- all hair needs extra moisture and extra affection during the cold months.
There are some phenomenal, superluxurious hair treatments on the market that promise to infuse hair with much-needed moisture as the weather turns increasingly frightful. Allow me to share some of them with you! First stop Oribe. The man is a hairstyling icon and has a line of products that offer the same kind of luxury that he's been giving to the locks of celebrities for decades now. Packaged in an exquisite and unique multisided black jar, the Signature Moisture Masque even looks like luxury from the outside. The formula features beneficial ingredients such as lychee extract (which defends hair from oxidative stress, photoaging and the deterioration of keratin), watermelon extract, amber extract, macadamia nut seed oil and wild mango butter. It costs $59 for a 5.9 oz. jar and has a lovely but mild fragrance. This product is recommended for weekly use, but daily use is encouraged for those with thicker hair textures. But if you're like me, you might want to reserve this for fortnightly or monthly use to preserve your precious jar!
For my personal texture needs, the Huile De Palme offers the kind of protection I need. This pre-shampoo botanical oil treatment is great for normal and dry hair or hair that's been damaged by color, bleach, straightening or perms. It protects your hair from water and sun damage, so if you're going on a beachy vacay during these harsh weather months, make sure to bring your Leonor Greyl with you! Apply evenly to your hair's entire length (especially the ends), and you can leave this on overnight, or use a steam cap to make sure your tresses really soak up the goodness. A 3.2 oz. bottle costs $42, but with judicious use, it should last a while. Finally, PhytoSpecific is a brand already known and loved by black women who pride themselves on shiny, supremely maintained hair. This botanical hair care brand offers extra nourishment and maintenance for the kind of hair that needs it most -- naturally curly, frizzy and relaxed hair. My homegirls with the most gorgeous relaxed hair have often attributed their dead-straight and shiny tresses to Phytorelaxer, which is NOT cheap, but reportedly is worth it. Click here for a detailed review on the Phytorelaxer process and results.
I've been using the Phytospecific Revitalizing Oil Treatment as a pre-shampoo treatment for a while, and I can honestly say it leaves my naturally frizzy hair feeling soft, bouncy and light. It'll cost you $30 at Sephora. The Intense Nutrition Mask promises root-to-tip hair repair for textured or color-treated hair, and it delivers! And just so you know, it also makes a great detangler if you're in a pinch. It costs $28 at Sephora. I'll be back soon, with a review of affordable drugstore hair products that give black hair the love that it needs! Have you tried any luxurious hair care treatments? What are your favorites?
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| Karen's Body Beautiful Product Review December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Natural Hair, Product Reviews
Allow me to clear up a popular misconception -- natural hair isn't more expensive to maintain than chemically straightened hair. Most of the women with natural-textured hair that I know have learned to care for their hair themselves, without assistance from a salon. It does take a certain degree of trial and error when it comes to finding the right kind of product for your hair. So from time to time I'm going to do some detailed product reviews to inform you about brands that (in my humble opinion) are worth checking out. Please note, I'm not a hairstylist. I didn't go to beauty school. I'm just a natural-haired bella who has tried everything under the sun and can wax poetic about my experiences. So please allow me to introduce you to a brand I am head over heels for: Karen's Body Beautiful. If you're looking for supremely nourishing, decadently scented products for your natural or relaxed hair that is prone to dryness, look no further.
KBB's shampoo is different from traditional drugstore formulas -- it's made with coconut and safflower oils, vegetable glycerin, aloe vera and other herbs that clarify and enrich hair. Despite its 99.4 percent natural ingredients, this shampoo lathers up well and leaves hair soft and sweetly scented, not squeaky clean like shampoos with more detergent tend to do. KBB conditioner has become my go-to co-wash. For those of you who don't know much about the no-poo or low-poo method, that just means that instead of using shampoo twice weekly or however often the bottle recommends, I use conditioner instead because it softens and hydrates my hair instead of stripping away the natural oils. KBB's deep conditioner isn't as thick or buttery rich as other brands, but the ingredients do my hair a world of good. This is a great beginning product for any bella who is transitioning and isn't sure what her hair needs anymore.
KBB makes a variety of hairstyling products -- Hair Butter, Hair Cream, a fantastic Hair Milk that will more than satisfy my natural-haired sistas who have complained that their old favorite brand of hair milk may or may not have changed formulations on them. But my favorite KBB hairstyling product is the Hair Nectar, a lightweight, creamy leave-in I can believe in. Hallelujah! Formulated specifically for "medium to super thick naturally curly textures," this product is perfect for those of us who live in a wash-n-go world. If my hair is frizzy and tangled, a co-wash and detangle with KBB conditioner, followed by some Hair Nectar, restores my curls to being bouncy and defined, the way I want them to be. And the scents! KBB comes in a variety of fragrances to suit every taste. Coco lime, white tea, Egyptian musk, luscious pear. My personal favorites are vanilla latte and honey oatmeal. Both are sweet enough to want to eat and leave a soft cloud of yummy fragrance floating about my head. Like many natural-hair products that pride themselves on great ingredients, KBB ain't cheap. You don't usually find products with this kind of quality under $10. Most KBB products range from $12 to $16, and you get a decent size bottle that will last you through several uses. If you just want to try out the goodies, KBB offers a Heavenly Hair Sample Pack or a Sweet Treat Sample Pack for $25, containing 1 and 2 oz. products, just to satisfy your curiosity. More products reviews are on the way. Next up, we'll hit the drugstore for brands that cost less than $10 but still get the job done. Do you like Karen's Body Beautiful? What's your favorite product and favorite scent?
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| Hair Do or Hair Don't? Corinne Bailey Rae December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Photos, Natural Hair, Trends  I've been a fan ever since I first saw the video for Like A Star on VH1 Soul. There's something truly refreshing, accessible, fresh and classic about her aura. She's got a bearing evocative of Josephine Baker, in my opinion. And then there's that hair! I know many a curly girl who cites Ms. Rae as their hair role model. Since she took a leave of absence from the spotlight following impossibly an painful personal loss, I've been rooting for her glorious comeback. And from the looks of her on the red carpet at the 2009 Q Awards, she's ready too! I am loving these soft, romantic curls. It's the kind of look that you can replicate with old fashioned rollers and some time under a dryer, regardless of whether your hair is naturally textured or chemically assisted. This is a look that I might rock during the upcoming holiday season. Glam, feminine, festive! But that's just my opinion, I'm crazy for big curly hair 24 hours a day. What do you think of Corinne Bailey Rae's new 'do?
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| Andrea of 'Fly' and Her Hair Inspiration December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Interviews, Natural Hair, How-To, Video Around these parts, we watch a LOT of hair videos. And while most are informative, many of them aren't exactly fun to watch. Unless you consider watching someone talk to a camera while standing in their bathroom, fun. Which is why when I laid eyes on the wonderful webisodes being made by Andrea of art and design blog Fly, I had to share with the world! Check this out!
I had to grill Andrea about her inspiration. "My blog is about art and design mainly, and although I'm natural I know there are many great blogs out there covering hair. Still, one of the #1 questions I get is, how do you get your hair like that or what products do you use? Her stop motion videos make natural haircare look fun, vibrant, and EASY! I'm inspired by her technique.
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| Mel B's Baby Angel: Poor Little Spice Girl December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Ah, Halloween. A time to stuff your face with candy and get dressed up in a crazy costume. And every year, the day after Halloween there are celebrity photos that make you wonder -- what the hell were they thinking? This year's case study, Mel B. These days, the only thing "scary" about this former Spice Girl is what she's done to her little girl's hair. Check out the Spice Girl and her family on Black Celebrity Kids.
Look closely at little Angel Iris' hair. Yes, that's a mohawk. Yes, her hair is completely shaved on the sides. And I am sincerely hoping that her hair is straight because of heat, and not from chemicals. And please note her haircut has absolutely nothing to do with Elmo. Even if this child was dressed as a punk rocker, I still couldn't condone shaving a 2 year old's head just for the sake of Halloween. I don't mean to give Mel B the Allison Samuels treatment - I do believe she's being a good mother to her daughter by taking her out to the pony ranch for Halloween. They really do look like a happy family. But when it comes to the hair, I gotta ask. Why? What are your thoughts on this little girl's hair? For More "Hair Talk" Check Out the BV Freestyle Webisode all about hair!
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| Hello, Newsweek! December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Natural Hair, Hair Politics
If you visited Newsweek.com's Human Condition blog today, you may have been greeted by this beautiful photo of two bright eyed, big haired girls. Those adorable little afrobellas are my nieces, Dominique and Isabella! And the article was my response to the latest rebuttal by Allison Samuels. Hey response to the bloggers, if you will, was titled We Are All Team Zahara, and reignited ire throughout the blogosphere. One of my favorite bloggers, Latoya Peterson tackled the Baby Z hair police head on in Jezebel. (LOVING all Latoya's work over there, BTW). Post Bourgie cosigned Latoya's take, and Ta-Nehisi Coates took on the topic for The Atlantic. Then Newsweek invited some bloggers to respond on their site. Tami of What Tami Said wrote Natural Hair Is Not Unhealthy. Author Roslyn Holcolmb who blogs at Stormcrow wrote Hair Don'ts Hold Us Back. Nichelle of 55 Secret Street wrote Its Time To Fully Embrace Natural Hair. And now you can click here to read my final thoughts about Zahara's hair. If you could leave a comment on Newsweek's site, it'd mean so much to me! I hope that puts an end to these shenanigans, at least until the next trip to a toy store, where this little girl will emerge held by her mother, and surrounded by bodyguards, gawking onlookers, and photographers by the dozen.
If you've got a little girl in your life dealing with similar hair issues as Zahara Jolie Pitt and even Chris Rock's little girls - struggling with loving their hair in its unfettered state and appreciating their natural beauty - you might want to get them an inspiring book for Christmas. Of course there's I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, the sometimes controversial Nappy Hair by Carolivia Herron, and Happy to Be Nappy by bell hooks. Now you can add I Love My Cotton Candy Hair by Nicole L. Updegraff to the list. The book takes into account the diverse background of a modern interracial family, the hair issues of biracial kids, and ultimately it's "a story about loving yourself just the way you are." A message any kid (and most adults) should be able to get behind.
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| Team Natural or Team Weave? December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Natural Hair, Weaves & Extensions, Hair Politics
If there's one good thing to arise from Chris Rock's 'Good Hair' documentary, its the dialogue that the film has created. Sure, it stemmed mostly from the fact that some of us felt attacked by the filmmakers' perspective. But, still, we're talking about the issues behind our hair choices, and that's a good thing, right?
Some smart, funny, and brutally honest blog posts and comments have been popping up in the wake of 'Good Hair,' and there's so much to be learned from all sides of the discussion. And recently, two of my friends in the blogosphere (and completely unrelated) declared their hair allegiance. I found their divergent perspectives to be fascinating. In one corner, we've got Brittany of Clumps of Mascara and Loc Rocker, who recently declared her allegiance to Team Natural with a post: 'Who Cares If You Have a Perm? I Don't.'
"...just because a sista takes pride in her natural hair, it does not mean she thinks you too should go natural. I'd rather attempt to bring about world peace than "make all black women go natural." I think it would be fantastic if Black women accepted their natural beauty but if they don't.....life will move on. We have bigger issues to deal with in the black community. I'm more concerned about us owning these hair shops we spend a crap load of dollars in. I am not "better" because I have natural hair. And you aren't better because you live a lye. I'm soooo kidding about that one. It's just a joke. But really...lighten up, people. I'm natural and natural I will stay. I love black hair....the history, the stories, the struggle, the ideas, the perception. I love ladies who can rock a mean wrap. I love little brown girls with candy curls. I think it's amazing what a flat iron can do. Creating and maintaining black hair is an art. I'm amazed by it really. But I'm not amazed by weaves. I'm sorry....it just bothers me. But again, that's my prerogative." Brittany speaks her truth clearly. Click here to read it.
"...it's not like I'm unhappy with my own hair. It's just that why bother trying to create these glam looks with my own hair, when I can just add in this hair and look amazing?! Weave doesn't have to be a bad thing, and I really think that's it gotten a bad rap for no reason. I don't always wear it (I have a cute, blond, weaveless bob right now); but I don't see anything wrong with adding in a track or two...(or three or four) as I (or my hairstylist, the amazing Tracy Washington!) sees fit. I'm always down to try new hair looks. From cuts to coloring, I've pretty much done it all. I currently have a cut, color and Brazilian (which I blogged about in previous entry). And there's no way you could be my man and hate on my weave. I will always wear it, and (since it's professionally done) you can run your fingers through it and it won't fall out or bite you. I love the freedom it gives me to change up my look, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Check out the many looks that I've had over the past couple of years with extensions. As long as it looks dope, who cares?!" All right ladies, let's get ready to RUMBLE! I kid, I kid. I know many of my weave- or perm-wearing sisters have felt judged by women like myself, who proudly rock their natural hair. And speaking from personal experience, I've been the recipient of some nasty side eyes by ladies wearing waist-length Beyonce-grade store-purchased hair. For no reason whatsoever! I think many of our hair issues start with us, and they can end with us. By ceasing the judgment and ill speaking of others, we can grow to embrace and even enjoy each other's differences. But for the sake of curiosity, I wanna know. What team are you on?
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| Worst I've Ever Had December 28, 2009 at 3:59 am |
Filed under: Photos, My Hairstory Maybe it was in the Eighties, when random streaks of color and asymmetrical cuts were the height of fashion. Maybe it was in the Nineties, when everyone was trying to emulate Jennifer Aniston's "Rachel" cut from Friends. You know you've had one, and maybe there's photographic evidence. The worst hairstyle you've ever had. I'll share mine, if you share yours. Ready?
This was taken in 2000, during a visit back home to Trinidad. That's me and my dad, getting a drink at a roadside bar on the way to the beach. And as you'll notice, my hair is short, bright blonde, and so not the biz. That was the peak of chemical damage, my hair was literally fried and dyed. I hate photos from my blonde phase, but I'm glad I went through it...because if I hadn't damaged my hair as badly as I did and experienced the breakage and split ends I was causing myself... I may never have decided to transition to natural hair. I think a month or so after this, I dyed my hair brown again and cut it even shorter. I didn't realize at the time, but that turned out to be my big chop. And I never looked back! So there's my worst hairstyle ever -- brassy, blonde, and damaged like you wouldn't believe. What's yours?
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