Hair Inspiration: Rhonda Ross Kendrick

I first remember seeing Rhonda Ross on Another World when I was a child. Back then, she was rocking her gorgeous locs. Now, she is wearing her natural hair out and it is just as beautiful.

Of course, most people know Rhonda's sister (Tracie Ellis Ross) and mother (Diana Ross). And even though, Tracie has a gorgeous head of hair, I didn't want to overlook the gorgeous mane her sister has also.

Hair Inspiration: Skai Jackson

There's this new show on Disney Channel called "Jessie". I love it! All of the children on the show are too adorable and funny. But, I have to admit that I am partial to the character Zuri played by Skai Jackson. The character has this festiness mixed with adorable that just works. I love whenever she has a scene.

Now you know I just love her hair, right? They put the most adorable styles in her hair. So, I knew I had to feature her as a hair inspiration.

Natural Blast from the Past: Bob Marley

I think we all pretty much know Bob Marley. He was a great musician, singer, and songwriter. My favorite songs by him are "No Woman, No Cry" and "I Shot the Sheriff". I mainly like his greatest hits but, I'm not a gun ho fan that know all his songs. But, I can appreciate great reggae music.

His locs are the bizness. Thick, long, lucious. They perfectly complimented that gorgeous chiseled face with those hypnotic sunken cheekbones.

Natural Inspiration: Lisa Bonet

Stunning!!

She has always been beautiful to me and she as aged so gracefully and beatifully. Her locs are gorgeous. Those locs with that gorgeous face is like a double whammy of beautiful.

Hair Inspiration: Sabrina Alashi

Photo Source: http://www.lemonlimeagency.com/women_layout.php?name=sabrina_alashi

Actress, Sabrina Alashi, is stunning. Her hair, her smile, her skin, her eyes. She has like the total package. But, I am in awe of her hair. It's like she has the perfect hair cut and it fits her face beautifully.

Sabrina is currently part of the cast of Afro City, a web-based show. The fictional show focuses on four natural friends and their lives. You can check out their website {HERE}.

Sabrina did rock long natural hair at one time as you can see in the pic below. And though I feel she looks good with the long natural, I feel the short natural really brings out her natural beauty even more so.

Natural Inspiration: Marsha Ambrosius

Her hair is da bomb! (Do people still use that term?)

But, I simply adore her hair. Her off center part is the business. I decided to also post a bonus pic of her back in the day when her natural was a little shorter but, fierce nonetheless.

Photos like these give me inspiration.

Natural Inspiration: YaYa Dacosta

I've always thought YaYa was gorgeous. I don't think I have featured her as a natural inspiration as of yet. But, her hair is absolutely stunning. I think her gorgeous face really sets off her hair or is it her hair sets of her gorgeous face. Either way, she is definitely an inspiration.

Yall, it is getting too busy right now. So, I have to be out ------>

What I'm Feeling: Fierce Cuts

Photo Source: Le Coil

Lately, I have been really feeling edgy and fierce haircuts. I don't have any plans on cutting my hair but, I have been a little bored with my hair lately. I think that this is the 1-year itch I am experiencing. Meaning, I just want to try something new.

Fierce haircuts really add something to your overall look. You can have on a t-shirt and jeans and look like you're ready to walk the runway or attend Fashion Week. And they really amp up your outfit and style.

So, how do I plan to fight this itch? I plan on trying edgier (yet, elegant and classic) hairstyles. I have a feeling you all are about to see a debut of a number of cornrowed hairstyles and funky updos. LOL. But, not your simple cornrow styles and updos. I'm still working out the designs in my head.

Honestly, in a year or two I wonder if I will be rocking some new and edgy 'do? I guess I'll just have to wait and see...

Inspiration for a Haircut

So, while on the Sartorialist (a fashion blog that depicts the real styles of real people) I saw this gorgeous picture. I just LOVE the shape of this haircut!! And just because she doesn't have my hair texture doesn't mean I can't re-invent this style for my natural hair. So, I think that if I should ever want a new cut this will be my inspiration. My bangs aren't long enough to do the front section of this hairstyle but, maybe one day they will be...

Photo Source: The Sartorialist

Do you find hair inspiration from people with different textures???

Natural Inspiration: Solange Knowles (again)

Yall, I know that I featured Solange as a natural inspiration before but, I just had to feature her again. I simply ADORE Solange. One day I just realized, I am a Solange Knowles fan.

Why? Simply because she breaks the mold. Her fashion is her own. Her personality is hers alone. Her voice is beautiful and I love her style of music. And she just rocks her natural hair beautifully. I really could go on and on...

Now, back to her fashion. Solange's style is amazing! If I didn't work in an office I could see myself rocking a number of her looks. She wears the most unique vintage pieces and she is not afraid of color. She is my girl!

So, a special honor goes to Solange because she is the only natural inspiration that I just had to feature twice.

Natural Blast From the Past: Nina Simone

Nina Simone. She is beautiful. I love her features--those full lips and intense look in her eyes. Of course, her natural hair is on point. I wanted to feature her after hearing my sister sing her song so beautifully at her concert. That song, Why? (The King of Love is Dead) is really moving.

Bonus: Video of my sister, Auset, singing her song Why? (The King of Love is Dead)

Individual Braids (Extensions)

Really, I am not one for extensions or weaves (for me, not judging anyone else). But, I have to admit that I am really digging the sorta comeback of long individual extension braids. I was looking in the Glamour magazine for this month and this photo of this beautiful lady rocking individual braids in a top bun was simply GORGEOUS to me!

These are the pictures from Glamour magazine (April 2011 issue)

It had me searching the internet for more pictures of individual braid extensions. And below are just a few that I am really digging--some are old and some are new.

Honestly, I don't think I will be rocking the individual braids because my hair can't take that kind of tension and pressure. My hair loves loose, no-pressure styles. And it was the picture below that stopped me from ever considering rocking the extension braids. 

That pressure on the edges just puts fear in me.

But, you never know...Maybe some day in the faaaar future I'll be able to rock the look with my natural hair:-)

Tomiko Fraser does a 2nd Big Chop!!! And its gorgeous!

You all know I love me some Tomiko Fraser. She is simply a beautiful person inside and out. Well, my girl just did a 2nd BC and it looks absolutely B-U-tiful.

I love that she has a fearless attitude about tackling and trying out new looks. It is assumed that most people in the modeling industry would not have the courage to display their natural hair while changing it up at the same time. She dispells any of those thoughts.

Her BC was done by the natural hairstylist Felicia Leatherwood.

Click {HERE} for more pics.

First Black Charlie's Angel...and She's Natural:-)

Photo source: www.theybf.com

The "Charlie's Angel" franchise has finally cast their first Black Angel. She is actress Annie Ilonzeh. When I saw pics of her I was so excited. Not only is she black but, she is also natural!!

Her hair is simply gorgeous!

I am so happy that Hollywood is learning to embrace our natural hair and showing the world that it can be the norm.

Click {HERE} for more pictures of Annie in her role and on the set. There is even a scene where she gets her hair wet---putting an end to those thoughts about black women not wanting to get their hair wet.

Natural Inspiration: Esperanza Spalding

This is the girl!

She is simply stunning! Talented, gorgeous, beautiful hair...I could go on.

I must admit that her hair really inspires me. I think that all natural hair is beautiful but, when it comes to what I'm aiming for...this is it. Her hair is so big! You can see her true texture. It always looks so on point and it doesn't even look like she tried (Carefree is the word).

So, Esperanza Spalding definitely deserves to be featured as a natural inspiration. She is one of my main inspirations:-)

Aretha Franklin - I Say A Little Prayer

I simply adore this video! Aretha's natural hair is on point. And because her dancers are all wearing wigs, it makes her natural beauty stand out even more. I love looking at old images and videos of Aretha Franklin when she was rocking the natural 'dos.

Her voice is out of this world and I love to hear it on this song. Enjoy:-)

The History of Our Hair: Angela Davis

We have about a week left in Black History month and you know I had to feature Angela Davis.

Angela Davis is a political activist. Her most popular era of activism was from the late 1960s to the 1970s. She is linked to the Black Panther Party and the Civil Rights Movement. She is also a scholar and author. Click {HERE} for more information on Angela Davis.

A lot of naturals and non-naturals alike associate the afro with Angela Davis. To this day, whenever an afro is being worn people are quick to assume you are part of a political movement--and you may be. However, it is not always wise to make quick judgements simply from a hairstyle.

Also, contrary to popular belief Angela Davis has worn other hairstyles. Of course, if you put in a search for her on the net the first pictures you will find are of her rocking her humongous and glorious afro. But, dig a little deeper and you will find that she was diverse in her styles. Yet, no matter what style you find, she will always be rocking her beautiful natural tresses.

Natural Inspiration: Corrine Bailey Rae

She is so pretty!

I absolutely adore her voice, hair, features, etc. They just all work.

There is no doubt that Corrine Bailey Rae is beautiful and successful. Her voice just soothes me and put me in that mellow, chill mode. Of course my favorite song by her is "Closer". It's on point.

I think she has the cutest and most adorable pixie features. I feel her features were accentuated more with her shorter hair. However, I am digging the longer hair too. Either way, she is rocking it!

History of Our Hair: Ida B. Wells

In continuing with notable Blacks for Black History Month, I will feature Ida B. Wells.

Ida B. Wells was a noted journalist, women's right advocate, speaker, and against lynching. She was also one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She has a rich history and it has influenced our lives to this day. It took strong people like her to give us the rights we have today. Click {HERE} for more information about her life.

Pictures of Ida B. Wells always depict her wearing her hair in an elegant updo. I believe she is one of the inspirations behind the pompadours in the natural community to this day. I even wore my hair in this style before. It just goes to show you that some styles will always be classic and timeless.

Hair Inspiration: LeCoil (Again)

Photo credit: LeCoil

So, I mentioned that I may wear my hair out this weekend to the "Evening Out" function for my church. I went to LeCoil looking for hair inspiration and found some inspiring hairstyles. I have decided that I would like to wear my hair out.

Now, I just need to find the time to take down my hair, detangle it, wash it, co-wash it, deep condition it, etc. Whew! Sounds like a lot but, I can do it:-)

The above pictures are examples of how I want to wear my hair. We shall see how it goes.