Great Linkage: All About Shampoos

My sister, Auset, did a great two-part post about shampoos. I like to think of her as the shampoo queen because she has tried quite a few of the popular brands we naturals love. I took her suggestion when looking for a new shampoo because I no longer like my old brand :-(

Anywho. She covers so much informative information in the posts such as the following: (1) mini reviews on the various shampoos she has tried (2) her thoughts on shampoo bars (3) if moisturizing shampoo is a myth (4)the no poo method (5) the low poo method. And so much more!!

The posts can be found {HERE} and {HERE}.

Great Linkage: A Brief History of Our Hair

I read this article and I thought it was great. It really gives a brief in-depth look on our hair, hair growth, our ancestors hair practices, and so much more.

If you have time click the link {HERE} and check it out. You won't regret it :-)

Great Linkage: 5 Tips to Help You Achieve Length

Recently, Auset put me on this great natural site called Urban Bush Babes. I am in love. The site is run by two ladies with gorgeous heads of hair. But, I must admit that I am a little partial towards Cipriana's hair. Simply because we have similar textures, I love her unapologetic personality, and her funky updos. If only her fierce updos were accepted in the professional world...

With that said, Cipriana did a great post on how to achieve hair length. I agree completely with every point she made. So, you should check out the article {HERE} if you're interested.

Great Linkage: New Sppokeswomen of Carol's Daughter

Photo Source: The YBF

Carol's Daughter just introduced their new spokeswomen. They are Solange (my fave), Cassie, and Selita Ebanks.

Click {HERE} for more details.

Great Linkage: Battle of the Oils

I just read a post on my sister's blog. She gave great details on Extra Virgin Olive Oil vs. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

Honestly, I must admit that I am a EVOO faithful user. You can probably gauge that from my blog. I think that I have used Coconut Oil only once and that was when my sister was staying with me during a break and she had some. But, after I read that article I think I may head out to the local health store and pick up a bottle of Coconut Oil. It really is a shame that I don't own any. I must admit that I still think EVOO will continue to hold my heart.

Check out the link {HERE} to find out the pros and cons of EVOO and Coconut Oil. Its a great article.

Oh, the Ignorance...

So, I'm going along with my Friday with not a care in the world and I decide to check my Facebook. My sister, Auset, posted a link to an article on Black College Wire so, I thought "Let me check this out." Oh the horror!

First off, READ THE ARTICLE {HERE}.

Now, let me get started. I started reading the article with an open mind. I was curious about the title "Natural Hair and Nappy Heads" but, moved on. In the beginning, of the article I was just going along with the flow. La-di-da. She was going on about: reasons for going natural, natural being a trend, guys preferring natural hair, etc. Nothing that really pushed my buttons.

Then, she lost me and my respect with this statement, "Only a handful of females can pull off a short hair cut, let alone natural hair." All females can pull of natural hair because that is the way God made it.

But, she didn't stop there! She goes on to say that "extemely nappy" haired people shouldn't go natural. She says that if you look more like a "slave" than a "queen" with your natural hair then don't do it. She says, "I hate that girls walk around thinking that natural bush is fly when it is not." All of these are IGNORANT comments and I can't believe they came out of her mouth!

I could go on and on about how this article really pushed my buttons but, I won't. I will state my opinion on the matter. Point blank, natural hair is beautiful. I don't care if you are fat, short, skinny, tall, big head, little head, light skinned, dark skinned, brown skinned, etc. Your natural hair is GORGEOUS! Don't get mad that women with natural hair are walking around with confidence. They are confident. And I am tired of the comments of natural hair being equated with looking like a "slave" and "Celie". Please just stop it. God gave us this texture. He made no mistake, no mess in doing so. Embrace it.

And what is funny is that she is rocking a cute TWA. I guess she passes her criteria to rock natural hair:-/ This just goes to show you that you can't judge a person's mindset by their hair.

That's my opinion and I'm out.

Great Linkage: Thoughts On Straightening Hair

My sister, Auset, did a great blog post on her thoughts on straigtening hair. She gave her honest opinion and views. I can appreciate this. I have not really expressed my thoughts on straight hair on my blog but, it does take guts to tell your honest opinion about a popular phenomenon in the natural community.

Check our her post HERE.

Great Linkage: My Sister and I

So, this past Thanksgiving break I put some two strand flat twists in my sister's hair. She posted the video on her blog along with some random facts about it. Check it out by clicking HERE.

Great Linkage: Unlock Your Growth Potential

So, my sister Auset talked quite a bit about how great and helpful Moptop Maven's blog for some reason I kept forgetting to check it out. So, recently I checked it out and I loved it! (She has a new follower in me.) She has some great advice and really helpful tips.

In a previous post, I discussed my hair goals. One of my goals was to obtain length. This is a very popular goal with a lot of naturals. As I was looking at Moptop Maven's blog, I noticed that she did a post on length retention. So, I checked it out and I am so grateful for it! She provided a lot of advice that was not complicated on how to obtain length.

She suggested wearing free flowing hairstyles, going heat free, and other suggestions.

So check out that article HERE. You won't be disappointed.

Great Linkage: Goapele Makes Art with Her Braids

I have always thought Goapele was GORGEOUS. She has been a natural queen since she first came out. The locs were beautiful, her TWA was on point, and her braid styles are unique. I thought it was wonderful that she show a video of her getting her hair done.

First off, I did not know here natural hair was that long! The braid design she wears usually involves wrapping her hair with yarn and then pinning it up. (The video shows more detail). Secondly, it takes time to put in those braids--they're so tiny! And the designs are unique.

I could go on and on so, just check out the video by clicking HERE.

Great Linkage: Changing It Up for Old Man Winter

So, I have talked previously about the importance of protective styling especially in the colder months. While on Naturally Obsessed I saw that she re-posted a previous article that also stressed the importance of protective styling and regimen changes in the winter. She offered some great advice and insight.

So check out the article HERE.

Great Linkage: Prevent Hair Breakage

As I have mentioned before, the Natural Haven is a wonderful site with vast knowledge on natural hair. She comes from a scientific standpoint and it really helps. So, I was just reading an article on why our hair breaks and I have found out some new things that have enlightened me. For instance, I did not know that the hair is weaker when it is wet versus when it is dry.

She also gave a few other suggestions. So, if you are trying to prevent breakage and obtain length this would be a great article.

Check it out HERE.

Is the natural community sadity???

Ok, I'm tripping. I just posted this by mistake on my fashion blog. I need to get it together.


So, I was on the wonderful CurlyNikki yesterday and she had a post that talked about "Natural Hair Snobbery". In this post was a letter from a reader of CurlyNikki who has a texlax (That's what she called it. I'm assuming its a texturizer). She felt that in the natural community we simply embrace naturals and act snobbish toward those who are not natural.

Here are a few points of her letter:
1. Stop saying your natural is your 'God given anything' because you still conform yourself in other ways (i.e. makeup, nail polish, deodorant)
2. She doesn't agree with the term natural and uses it in quotations because we are not 100% natural.
3. She has been natural several times before.
4. She feels the site condemns women who are not natural.

I could go on and on about some of her other points but, check out the article HERE.

Ok, when I read this yesterday I was about to be off work so, I did not have time to comment on CurlyNikki. Then, I realized my comment may become an essay so, I decided to post my thoughts on my blog.

First off, CurlyNikki is a wonderful site (which the reader did state). This is the first site I found when I decided to go natural and it has supported many current naturals on their journey with vast knowledge, experiences from other naturals, and so much more. I am an avid reader of Curly Nikki and I have never felt that the site condemned or put down women who are not natural. She also felt the site supported only curly textured women. However, the site is called CurlyNikki and it is a natural hair site. If she would like support for relaxed hair there are sites that cater to this. She should check out Hairlicious. (I used to be a reader of this site and its pretty good.) Or she could provide a site for support for relaxed/texlaxed hair.

Secondly, I am one of those naturals who give thanks to God for being natural. It takes a lot to look at yourself and accept the glory/beauty/uniqueness that God blessed each of us with. I choose not to conform the hair that He has given me and I am grateful that I came to this understanding. I do not only embrace curly hair. I embrace natural hair for all races. Straight hair, wavy hair, curly hair, kinky hair. Its all beautiful to me because the Lord blessed each of us with a uniqueness. Yes, I do wear makeup, nail polish, and even deodorant (lol). However, I consider these things part of my upkeep. Makeup/nail polish are not permanent. I can easily take this off. Also, I don't wear it everyday. I am just as confident to walk out the house without these things. As for deodorant, that is part of maintaining our cleanliness. That's like saying why do you wear lotion, use soap, oil your skin/hair, etc? Therefore, I do agree with the term natural. It is a simple explanation for our hair.

As for her being natural several times before. Good for her. Maybe one day she will grow to appreciate it.

So...

Am I sadity? Is the natural community sadity??

Maybe some would consider my thought pattern on natural hair sadity. Simply because I prefer natural hair over conformed hair. However, I can just as easily say they are being sadity/snobbish because they prefer relaxed/conformed hair over natural hair. Also, I don't think the natural community is snobbish. It is a wonderful and beautiful thing that we are finally beginning to accept our natural beauty and glory. I don't equate confidence with snobbery.

That concludes my thoughts on that topic. For now...

Great Linkage: How's Your Knowledge on Hair Color???

At one time, I really wanted to color my natural hair. However, I knew without a doubt that I did not want to use the conventional methods of hair color because I feel that they can be harmful to the hair. So, I thought of applying henna to my hair. However, I since decided against henna because of the drying effects. So, while browsing one of my fave blog, the Natural Haven, I saw that she did a post giving details to the types of hair colors. She explained how the difference between henna and conventional hair dyes. She also gave details and illustrations on exactly how dye penetrates the hair.

She suggested that if you want to color your hair that you research in depth on your own. I must agree with her because at the end of the day, only you truly understand your hair. Also, many naturals know how to take care of their hair with hair color. I just didn't want the extra stress of maintaining my hair with color in it.

So, check out the link HERE.

If You Like Fashion...Check Out My New Blog

So, another great passion of mine is fashion. Initially, I was going to start a segment on this blog entitled "My Natural Style". However, I realized that I may talk forever about my style and my posts may become too focused on the fashion side and not the natural hair side.

Therefore, I started a fashion blog. It is called "She Wore Elegance" and the address is http://www.sheworeelegance.blogspot.com I started the blog this past Friday and I have been having SO much fun posting.

Check out the blog HERE if you are interested in fashion.

My natural hair journey is still a great passion of mine and you can trust that this blog will not be neglected. I think its a great thing to chronicle my natural hair and my natural style.

Great Linkage: Learn How to Do French Braids on Short & Coily Hair

I have really been wanting to wear french braids in my hair. I wanted to try them out when I first Big Chopped but, my hair was too short. I have a little extra length but, it was still difficult for me to french braid my hair (I tried this past weekend).
I know I do not have the same texture as the model's hair in this photo. However, I find hair inspirations from everywhere. Her hair is so elegant and beautiful--and so is she. This is why I adore french braids.

I think french braids are so classic and elegant. And it is such a low-maintenance style--once they are in. While on YouTube I found this video of this girl, Naptural85, who teaches how to do a french braid style on tightly coily shrunken hair. Her hair is longer than mine but, I am still going to try the style out.

Check out the link HERE.

This weekend I will be trying to french braid my hair again. However, I am going to try it on wet hair instead of dry (the dry hair was TOO tangled). I am going to first detangle the hair and then put the braids in. Hopefully, all will go well...

Great Linkage: Battle of the Braid-Out and Twist-Out

This week I have been wearing my hair in a braid-out and I mentioned that its has its pros and cons. However, there must be other naturals out there who want to understand the difference between the braid-out and twist-out. They also want to know which is better.

A reader submitted the question to CurlyNikki and she provided insight to her experience with the Braid-Out versus the Twist-Out.

Check out the link HERE.

Great Linkage: Troy Polamalu's Hair Insured for $1 Million

I was simply browsing the internet and imagine my surprise when I saw that Troy Polamalu's hair is now insured for $1 million. That is amazing. As of yet, they are not sure if this is a publicity stunt but, it is shocking nonetheless.

In the past, I featured Troy as a "Beautiful Natural Men". His hair is simply gorgeous so maybe it is best that he gets it insured. I even expressed concern over his hair streaming down his back during games. You never know when someone could become vindictive.

So check out the article HERE. It's insightful.

Great Linkage: It's Time to Rethink that Afro

So, I have stated in the past that I adore wearing my afro. However, I have also admitted that the afro is not the best style for everyday. My reasoning was that I had too many tanges and that picking it out caused excess breakage.

Imagine my delight when I noticed that Jc of "The Natural Haven" discussed the disadvantages associated with wearing the afro consistently. I'm not saying you should completely eliminate the afro from your hairstyle. Yet, it is best to wear this style for a very limited time like 1-2 days.

Check out her detailed and historical advice concerning the afro HERE. She provided some very useful knowledge.

Also, Jc has a great blog! She provides information on natural hair from a scientific standpoint. Very informative!

Great Linkage: Learn How To Do a High Headwrap

I was just talking about using hair accessories to jazz up your look. One of the accessories I suggested was having a headwrap. However, I must admit that I had to learn how to do a headwrap. So, it is only fair that I link you to the video that I learned this from.

I have this favorite Youtuber called "whoissugar". First off, her personality is simply hilarious and out of this world. Secondly, she gives great advice on natural hair. Check out the video, How To Do a Bangin High Headwrap, by clicking HERE and I promise you, you won't be disappointed. In this video she gives detailed and humorous advice on how to achieve these beautiful headwraps.