Black Sheep by Camryn Mina

Important film by 14 year old Camryn Mina Camryn Mina.

 

Regrowing thining edges

I have been experience some thinning of my edges for a couple of years now.  It all started back when I had long locs (which I loved) that almost reach my waist. A combination of my always messing with my hair and the weight of my locs, caused my edges to get thin on the right side of my scalp. I was hoping that if I combed out my locs, that maybe my edges would start to grown back. But no such luck.

So now, I am hoping that I can find some products and tips to help with both re-growing my edges and thicking my hair. I found a few videos on youtube with women that where experiencing the same issues and what they did to help their hair grow.
 

I am going to be taking some steps to work on repairing my own hair. Here are a list of some of the common tips and products that where used by the 3 woman -

Tips:
Drink more water and eat healthier
Avoid anything that will add tension to your hair
Try to sleep on silk pillow cases
Massage scalp
Keep hair in protective styles

Products that I am considering trying:
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Fertilizing Temple Balm
Rosemary and or Lavendar Oil

Once I am able to purchase these items, I will mark my calendar for 3 months, so that I can come back and let you all know if I saw any progress in my edges growing back. Wish me luck!

Naptural's Traveling With Natural Hair Video

"This video was inspired by all the traveling I did last month! There were a lot of events, so I had to be prepared for any natural hair disasters I might come across! I've made some mistakes along the way, but I learned some great tips on how to organize my luggage and what to pack for my natural hair, as well as how to wear my hair to the airport! I hope this helps you pack for your next vacation or big event!" -  Naptural85

Nico & Vinz Music Video - Am I Wrong

I am  in love with the new song and video from Nico & Vinz called "Am I Wrong". Not only are they singers talented with a great song, the video is also visually appealing and unique.

"The video for "Am I Wrong" was filmed in Botswana. It was put together in a deliberate effort to present a positive side of Africa when the image of the continent is too often mired in negative news stories." - Wikapedia. The song also has a great message of thinking outside of the box and not following the crowd.   To learn more about the singers, go to their website Nico & Vince.

A Lady Named Pearl

Linda Pearl Fils-Aime, also known as A Lady Named Pearl, was born and raised in Miami, FL to parents that migrated from Haiti to the United States.  Pearl started rapping when she was 19 years old after singing background vocals in a studio.  “As I heard the rapper deliver his rhymes,” she recalls, “I thought to myself, this is something that I would like to do.”  That night, she went home and wrote her first 8 bars. The next day, she went to that same studio and asked the producer if she could record the rhymes she wrote. He let her, and when she walked out the booth, he gave her the name "Black Pearl.” Pearl’s 8 bar rhyme was added to a song that later landed on the radio, and her rap career was born. Pearl’s hip hop style is infused with Jazz, African, and Caribbean influences, while blending empowering lyrics with beauty and style. She credits Lauryn Hill, Grace Jones, and Fela as her major influences.

In June 2012, Pearl released her debut album "Transformation" executive produced by Daz-I-Kue of Bugz In The Attic, to glowing reviews. Of the album’s 12 tracks, Pearl states that track number 3, titled “Natural,” is her favorite. The first single from the album, “Natural” pays homage to the natural beauties of the world and has a real connection with audiences. But, the song has an even deeper connection to its writer.

In 2010, Pearl went natural.  “My hair was damaged from chemicals, and I became frustrated. I was wearing wigs to hide the damage,” Pearl remembers.  “After a while, I reached a point, where I no longer wanted to put chemicals in my hair, I no longer wanted to wear wigs or weaves, so I did the big chop.” Pearl refers to this decision as one of the best decisions that she’s made in her life.  “I have found my identity, and I love who I am.”

Going natural has also benefited her career as she has found an audience that shares her values. “I have a unique look, and it's me, no hiding under anything artificial.”  In addition to being a performing artist, a model, and a professor, Pearl also serves as "2013 World's Next Top Natural Hair Model," sponsored by Taliah Waajid. This title helps her spread her advocacy.

Pearl does not feel pressured into conforming into mainstream media’s image of beauty because she is happiest with her current image.  “The youth motivates me to maintain my image,” she says.  “I want them to know that it's not all about weaves. You have options, and you can still be fly, sexy, and cool, rocking your natural hair.” 

For more updates on Pearl, please visit her website at http://www.aladynamedpearl.com.    ~ Written by Kentrice Rush

Aevin Dugas - Holds record for the biggest Afro

A link to this story was just shared with me today. It is about Aevin Dugas who has the world record for the largest Afro.

"Aevin Dugas of New Orleans, Louisiana holds the Guinness World Record for largest natural afro entering the book with an astounding 4 foot 4 inch circumference. Ms. Dugas’ afro is larger than a disco ball and Guinness says that it’s so sizable that she could fit the world’s shortest man inside her hairstyle. The 38-year-old social worker has grown her hair for over 14 years and credits her mother as her first inspiration to go natural saying, “My mom has this picture of her with an afro before I was born, and I thought it was such a cute picture. I was like, ‘Ooh, when I go natural, I want to wear my hair like my mom.’”

But at one time Aevin wished for bone straight hair and got perms which resulted in chemical burns on her scalp. After that she swore off chemicals and went natural sporting the style she wears today. Aevin told the Daily Mail, “I don’t know why, but there’s something very important to me about little girls appreciating my hair and then wanting to wear their hair the same.” As proud as Aevin is of her luscious locks, she also concedes to the downsides of her crowing glory like difficulty with peripheral vision while driving, getting hooked in trees she passes, and getting caught in people’s drinks at clubs. The record holder explained, “I don’t wear it like this on an airplane because people would probably slap me, because it touches people. I’ve had somebody want to beat me up at a concert,” adding, “So it can be kind of problematic, but I still wouldn't change a thing about it.””

To learn more about Aevin, check her out on The Bragg Group. 

~ Sources: Aevin on Facebook 

Franchesca's flat twist faux hawk & Frizzy Hair Tips

Franchesca (aka - chescalocs) is one of my favorite natural hair bloggers and youtube hair-how-to-video Loc style guru.  Check out  Franchesca's flat twist faux hawk how to video and her frizzy hair tips video below.

 

Ms. Natural Music Video

Great music video from Brown Audio, called Ms. Natural.  Besides being a great song, the video is filled with gorgeous natural beauties!

The Unwritten Rules: Let's Talk Hair

The Unwritten Rules: Let's Talk Hair is a hilarious video, with a comedic spin on what happens in the work environment, when people react to a persons cultural differences. I love this video, because any one that has followed this blog long enough, will know that I worked on corporate America for about 15 years. Even though I gained a lot of expereince and learned some life lessons, during my time in the corporate world, I experienced a lot of ignorance based on race, my culture and my hair. So this video speaks to me on so many levels.  I must say that I have a wildly diverse group of friends and family, so racism is not a part of my vocabulary or way of thinking. But! There are indeed some misunderstandings that come up with another culture is introduced to something that they are not accustomed too.

The video stars Aasha Davis, as well as some other talented actors. Aasha has also been on Friday Night Lights, House, Grey's Anatomy, and more.  To learn more about The Unwritten Rules: Let's Talk Hair, check out the website, Facebook page and see the video directly on youtube. Also check out the main website to see other episodes. I look forward to seeing all the videos and want to say thank you to Kim Williams, who created and wrote the web episodes, The Unwritten Rules.

Carolyn Malachi - Beautiful Dreamer

Beautiful song and message from singer Carolyn Malachi. To learn more about the singer, visit her - 

Website

Facebook Page

Alicia Keys - Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)

Alicia Keys has an amazing song out called "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)".  Along with the song, Alicia made a very powerful video, that touches on the racial tensions that surround interracial relationships. The video begins in the 1950s, where Alicia's character faces anger and disapproval from her community for dating someone that is of a different race. The video covers over 6 decades, to the present day, showing that not much has changed since that time. 

This video really impressed me because I could feel a lot of the emotions from the scenes that reminded me of what I went through in my own life. My relationship with my boyfriend, who is a different race, is amazing - because he is amazing!!  Not because his skin is a different color than mine. Being a part of a interracial relationship is no different then being in a relationship with someone of your own race. The only difference is that there are people in the world that choose to treat you with hate, because of their own ignorance or self hatred.

"This is my and my boyfriend's song. Its unfortunate that others can't see the love we share for each other. instead they see a Latin and African American together and start to judge. Love is deeper than skin color."

- Nancy  

"In the video (from the 50s to the 2000s), people have not been accepting interracial relationships. She [Alicia] just shows that prejudice has not changed much since 60 years ago." - Caitlin H.

"It's crazy how not much has changed since back in the day. I use to think racism was dead until this summer when my mom found out my boyfriend was black. She freaked out. Race doesn't matter. Let's be more open-minded than previous generations and end racism! Finally." - MGL

"Interracial Love is beautiful! This song isn't attacking black men nor white men or anything just stating a truth, as to how it once was and in some areas, still is!!! Please grow up and recieve knowledge and understanding becasue IGNORANCE is not a pretty trait!!!" - Y.A.M

"I think that interracial love is beautiful, and also natural. We live in the 21st century, and I would hope to think that you would be able to date anyone, no matter race or origin, without being judged for your own decision. Just because you prefer white men over black man does not make you self hating, just as preferring black men does not make you a racist against white men. It's just preference, I think that the whole point of the video is, that LOVE is colorblind." - B.B.C

This song is one of many great songs off of Alicia Key's album "The Element of Freedom".

Easy Loc Braid Up - from Franchesca

Franchesca Ramsey create a great video tutorial for a cute braided updo. The style was inspired by Model Sepsenahki.

Chunky twist-out Tutorial

To get this look, check out the video tutorial below, from Hydratherma Naturals. To see more information and tips, go to Hydratherma Naturals Website.

"In Love with Locs" Video

Check out this great video created by Keisha (aka - 'decor8mylife' on youtube).  Thank you for creating this Keisha and for including me and so many other natural beauties!

"Mommy"... "you have hair like me!"

Joe-Hannah Louisma's little girl, Gianna, was teased at school because she didn't have long straight hair.  When Gianna came home to mom and dad, they both tried to reassure her that - she and her hair where beautiful. But Giana would look to her mom's permed hair and say I want hair like yours Mommy. This struck a nerve with JoAnna. So one day Joe-Hannah went to the salon and cut it all off.

Her daughter was there with her and was so delighted. The little girl said "You look beautiful Mommy. You have hair like me!" 

This is one great example of how we often teach better, through our actions,  instead of just words.  It is a beautiful message and I am so happy to see that the little girl in the end, talks about how much she loves her natural hair.

Rochelle Richie, how narrates this story for us, was told that she needed to get extensions in order to be and get ahead as a news reporter. She did it and saw her career grow, while wearing the hair extensions for 6 years. But as shown in the video below, she noticed how much damage the extensions caused her hair and just had enough. She cut her hair off and is proud to say that she loves her natural hair. And that she will be working as a reporter from now on with her natural hair.

Can I touch your hair?!?

I originally saw this video on Holistic Loc's, and loved it instantly. I have gotten some of these questions. And yes, folks do just come up and just start touching my hair! Thank you Chescalocs for creating this video.

Plaits!

I went to the salon this weekend. O my goodness... what a treat! I have not been to a hair salon on almost two years. I usually just do my own hair to save money and time. At the salon, I ended up getting my hair braided into plaits (aka - braids). The loctician I saw was Roy from follicles, in Oakland, CA. He washed and conditioned my hair, and then braided it into sections.

When ever I do this style, my hair is always kind of limp. So I love how my hair came out. It has a lot of volume and great curl. I love it!

Six Flags Denied!!!

Sadly enough, my family as supported Six Flags by buying season passes two years in a row. But today, I read a post about Six Flags on a cool blog called Loc Rocker, that there is actual discrimination happening in the company against people with dreadlocks. Six Flags will not hire people with dreadloc's! I am appalled by this, and will not spend money with their park, until they have changed their policies. I plan to write a letter to them expressing my disappointment. And to let them know that this form or discrimination is unacceptable and they have lost a customer because of it. Check out the video below, that describes the incident that brought this news to light.

RE: Suggestions?

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**I just watched this video again... lol. I sure did say "you guys" a lot. Well it is a bad habit of mine. I do know that the majority of the readers for this blog are women. So I do apologize if the phrase 'you guys' was a bit annoying... :-P. I will try to watch out for that the next time I do a video. 

~ Love, Peace & Happiness to everyone ~
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Re: Miss Tyra Banks

Thank you UrbanCurlz, for sharing this video of Tyra's "real hair" premier on her new season of her show. See the previous post regarding Miss Tyra Banks. Tyra looks great, and I hope she continues to rock her own hair throughout the season. But the idea that her hair's natural texture was shown, is probably false. It looks chemically altered. But I still appreciate her not always wearing the wigs, while at the same time preaching to others about accepting themselves as their are. It was a contradiction. So perm or no perm, this is a nice change for Tyra.

Afrobella has a few words to say regarding this episode of the Tyra show:

"Where were the women with kinky, coily, natural hair textures? Why not feature a woman with a TWA? Why not expose her hair as it truly is — unaltered texture and all? Maybe, despite the hype, Tyra wasn’t yet ready. And that I can almost respect that.

Going natural shouldn’t be a fad — it takes dedication, commitment, and courage. Maybe this was a baby step for Tyra. I’m gonna hold out hope that someday she’ll do an episode that truly displays a range of hair textures and explores the deep feelings associated with natural hair. If not now, then hey — there’s always the premiere of season six."

I just want wish Tyra luck. I will always be a fan. Wig, perm, natural hair... what ever. No matter whats going on with her hair, she seems to be a genuinely good person. And she is entertaining.

Also, as shown on the blog Divine Life Collection, Tyra is getting ready to start a new online magazine. Click here: tyrabanks.com to check it out.