Thursday, August 30, 2007

Hair Show






I found these great looks on Essence.com and thought I'd share. You can acheive great style no matter what length or texture natural you have. I don't know what I find more beautiful the hairstyles on these ladies or the gorgeous radiant skin on these ladies. Black is Beautiful.

Men, Love and Hair

Okay so I haven't posted in a few days and the ideas have been misseling through my brain at such a rapid pace, I can't seem to find the time to release them from the captivity of my mind. But I digress, today during my lunch break I stole away from the plantation and wandered over to Barnes and Noble. I strolled the aisles and ended up in the romance section where I came across this title "Nappily Married" by Trisha Thomas. My curiosity peaked, I slid the novel from the shelf and saw that one of my favorite authors Kimberly Lawson Roby had given it her stamp of approval, decided it wasworth the $13.95. Back at my desk I immediately began reading chapter 1. The story begins with the main character in "The Chair" at the salon demanding the stylist straighten her gorgeous mass of curls with.......dun dun dun dun a relaxer. I immediately got settled in my chair for an emotional, drama filled ride. OK thats all you get from me, you'll have to cop the book and read it for yourself. I read through the first two chapters, (didn't want Masa to catch me reading on the job :) and decided to pick it back up later. I want to savor the read instead of rushing through it and missing out on its lessons. The reason this book caught my attention is because it explores a natural sisters relationship with her husband. The predecessor to this is "Nappily Ever After" which I haven't read, so I'll have to grab a copy of that as well to get a complete view of the character and her life. Anyway when I did the "big chop" last year I didn't give much thought to it, I just told the stylist cut until you stop seeing straight ends. I didn't care what anyone else thought, and as I watched my curls blossom I began to realize men don't approach me anymore. They stare, they smile, but that's about it. Even guys I've dated in the past don't seem comfortable with my choice of freedom when they see me. One guy in particular, I told over the phone "I went natural and its is so pretty" but everytime he saw me I would have my hair straightened(with a ceramic iron of course), just recently he and I went out and I wore my curly fro. As I walked up to meet him I was checking his face for an indication of what he thought. He was speechless, which is really weird. I said to him "you like", his response as he inspected it from all angles a hesistant "Yeah". That was it. I couldn't help but get the feeling he liked it but didn't love it. Another guy friend came right out and said to me your hair is cool but you should perm it I liked it better that way. It resurrected the question in my head do men really like women with natural hair?You hear guys saying all the time I don't like weaves, and wigs I like natural real hair. Really? It almost seems like the natural is intimidating. I mean sure it takes a great deal of confidence to wear natural hair, its unique and unpredictable. Your hair never looks exactly the way it did yesterday and no other natural looks like yours. I've talked to some women who say my man didn't like it at first but he's fine with it now. Its a subject I'll probably never get any real understanding on but it's interesting never the less. So I pose these questions if you're a natural girl- Did you notice a difference in men's reactions to you? To the girls who are thinking about discovering your roots :)- Is attractability to men a concern of yours? To the guys that check out the site- Would you or have you dateed a woman with natural hair? Whats your take on this issue.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Stylist Shoutout

How well do you and your stylist get along? Do the two of you share common interest, and have stimulating conversation that makes your salon visit feel more like the two of you are 16 year old girlfriends just hanging out having a good time. How well does she understand your hairs needs? Do you have to ask her for routine maintenace or does your stylist carefully go through your hair assesing your personal situation and educate you on what you can do in between visits to promote healthy beautiful hair. Does she make it a point to give you what you ask for or do you sit for hours feeling the weight of her hands through your hair to finally be turned around to the mirror and see something totally different from the picture you showed her 3 times. I'm sure we've all had good and bad salon experiences over the years. I know for me finding someone who I connect with that also has the gift of hairstyling was a challenge until I met my current stylist. We just clicked. Salons are filled with cosmetologist but few have that special gift that makes them a stylist. So if you have found someone who is truly a "Stylist" share her with the world. Sure your hair speaks for her work but your words are what make the difference and word of mouth is a gift that keeps on giving. Support Naturalist. So this post is dedicated to my stylist a real cool sista that stepped out on faith opened her own shop and is living her dreams. A wife, mother, entrepuneuer and sweetheart.
Chaundra-Master Stylist/Loctician. Naturals Salon & Spa, Richmond VA. Hit up the page and shout out your stylist. If we don't promote 'em who will.









































Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Meet Foxy Fro



















Foxy Fro is an idea that I've been carrying around for about nine months now and I've finally decided to give birth to her. I've been a natural beauty for a year and 2 months now and its the best decision I've made in my life. In letting go of the creamy crack and whacking off my shoulder length locs last year I discovered two things, I didn't really need a chemical to straighten my hair and I didn't really know who I was until I fired the imposter and let the real me shine through. On my natural journey I've experimented with a variey of products, as well as tried different styling techniques for my natural hair. I probably don't have to tell you how hard it is to find galleries filled with pictures of natural hair. Usually I find lots of pics of braids, locs, and weaves (figure that one out). Well I say what about us natural curly, kinky, nappy sistas that don't want to braid or loc? What can we do besides an Afro, or a puff to side, back, or top? One of my goals in developing this spot is to provide pictures of free natural syles that you can acheive as a Do it Yourself or when you want to be pampered and visit your local natural stylist. I look forward to hearing from all you Natural Foxes out there who want to take the world by storm by being naturally fabulous.

P.S this pic was taked a minutes after I started this blog, and I'm rocking this lame puff to the back, but I have an appointment tomorrow to get my curls cut and styled. I've found a fabulous natural stylist in my area that understands my hair needs. So check me out tomorrow and see my transformation.