GIVEAWAY: OPI Nail Lacquer Combinations

Summer is an excellent time to play with color. Mixing and matching nail lacquer is a great way to spice up  your look...but most of all it is fun.

I love OPI's creativity when naming there lacquers. It is always a treat for me to look under the little glass bottle..Some of my favorite are: That's Hot!Pink, Dulce De Leche, What's with the Cattitude, Cajun Shrimp, Shanghai Shimmer, Black Onyx and Chop-Sticking to My Story. 

The colors below are: No room for the blues (blue) and Need Sunglasses (yellow)! 

To win any two of your favorite OPI nail lacquers here is what you need to do:

1. Subscribe to this blog via "Join this site" on the left hand side of the page.
2. Follow "KurleeBelle" on Instagram.
3. Leave your email address in the below comment box with the names of your favorite OPI nail lacquers. 

Two lucky WINNERS will be chosen on August 3rd, 2012!

Giveaway inspired by Beautyhigh.com!

KurleeBelle on Instagram!

Hey Kurlees! Exciting news....We joined Instagram! In the next few days we will reveal something really special to our Instagram followers...When I say really special I mean really special...Follow us on Instagram to get a sneak peek at our special surprise.

Search "KurleeBelle"! 

Lil Mama to Natural Hair Haters

I wish I had Lil Mama's mailing address, I would send her a "Kiss My Kurls" natural hair tank! Lil Mama posted a pic of her afro on twitter and started to receive tweets from natural hair haters. Here is what she had to say:

"I posted the picture of my hair and people were like ‘Omg you look like a shocked slave!' I didn’t get one comment from a white person about my hair. All of them came from the sisters that had these bullsh** helmut weaves looking like a fake a** Nicki Minaj. They don’t know who they are. And the people they’re looking to for guidance don’t know who they are either, which sucks."

Here is the photo she posted to Twitter: 

What are you thinking? 

How To Remove Dreadlocks

While at dinner the other night, one of my guy friends was telling me how he removed his dreadlocks. He woke up one day and decided to cut them off because he was tired of the maintenance. Then the idea popped in my head, how do you remove dreadlocks without shaving your head? He didn't want to shave his head, so he removed the locs by cutting each lock one at a time. For those females who are thinking about cutting their locs without shaving, here is some helpful advice on taking out your dreadlocks.

Cutting your dreadlocks: 

What you need: 

Scissors or clippers

1. Begin by using scissors to cut the dreads off one at a time near the root where the hair is less tangled, and then shaving clean with clippers.

(You can also leave 4-6 inches and pick out that amount of hair with a lot of conditioner and a strong metal comb if you are willing to put in a little more work in order to keep some hair.).

2. Finish by washing your scalp and remaining hair thoroughly.

Picking out dreadlocks:

What you need:

strong comb (preferably metal)

high quality de-greasing shampoo

high quality very slippery conditioner

*Look for Knotty Boy removal kit to help remove dreadlocks.*

Duration:

About 15 hours or 2 days. 

Directions:

1. Lay in a bath and soak your dreads completely for at least 10 minutes.

2. Wash dreadlocks thoroughly with shampoo, and with water as hot as you can safely stand it. This will help melt the wax or whatever greasiness has built up over the years. Do this by working small amounts of shampoo into each section of each dreadlock to get the soap into the middle as much as possible.

3. Rinse

4. Work conditioner into each dreadlock and begin to gently pick each dread out carefully with a metal comb, beginning from the bottom and working your way up to the scalp. This will take a long time – but be patient – you will get your hair back.

5. Once you have picked out all of your dreads, condition all of your hair again with a lot of conditioner and allow it to sit in your hair for 5 minutes. This will help repair some of the damage caused by picking.

Source: Dreadlocks.org

A Look Back at Beyonce's Braided Hairstyles!

All along we were thinking protective styling was just for us non-celebrities. Queen Bey was spotted cradling Blue Ivy in her arms while rocking blonde box braids. If you are a Bey-Stan like myself, then you remember when Beyonce first debuted on the music scene with Destiny's Child in the music video for "No No No".

Beyonce, may have evolved from the girl group into a SUPER MEGA star and mother but she is taking us way back this hair do. Let's take a look at the braided hairstyles of our favorite (or at least my FAVORITE) female artist of all time.....Follow me on Instagram for photos of Beyonce's summer home in The Bahamas (Search "terrinique" on Instagram). Gosh I am such a Beyonce groupie!

Bey Now! 

Then....

Special Video Treat: Beyonce's Blonde braids in "Say My Name"....

SNEAK PEEK of Kurlee Belle Products!

Kurlee Fashion Frenzy: How To Get False Lashes without False Lashes!

Hey Kurlees! I found this helpful tutorial on lashes that I thought was worth sharing. In the below video, Nicole Pearl of The Beauty Girl shows us how to get the false lash look by using  "Too Faced Better than False Lashes"! This product can be found at Sephora.

Home Remedies: Aloe Vera Scalp Treatment

Last night I performed an Aloe Vera Scalp Treatment. If you read the previous post "What's causing your dry, itchy, scabby scalp?", then you know that aloe vera soothes the scalp and can be used as a deep treatment.

"Aloe Vera is a herbal medication used in many products to relieve and soothe the skin. Aloe Vera acts as a deep conditioner to moisturize dry hair and has anti-fungal properties.  To relieve the scalp and heal the scabbed area, place the aloe vera gel directly on the scalp.  For this reason, Aloe Vera is one of the main ingredients in our Kurlee Belle's Thirsty Kurls Leave-In Conditioner."

I found this Aloe Vera plant in my yard. I was so happy after finding it, like a kid in a candy store. 

I cut off one of the longer and thicker leaves of the aloe vera plant. The thicker the leaf the more juice. 

After cutting the leaf, I sliced it into 1"inch pieces then sliced the 1" inch piece in half. 

The halves were used to rub on my scalp. You cannot see the aloe vera juice but it is clear and slippery. It also has a very high scent. If you don't like unusual scents I don't suggest using pure aloe vera. 

The aloe vera juice was applied to the scalp. The below picture shows how the aloe vera juice looks once applied to the scalp. (I applied the juice to my scalp by rubbing the fleshy part of the halves across the surface of the scalp.)

This is a close up view. Pure aloe vera juice is a clear gluey like substance. Very sticky. 

These were all the pieces that I used. I stored the remaining part of the leaf in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. 

After applying the aloe vera juice to my scalp, I used my finger tips to massage the surface of the scalp. This motion relaxes the scalp, gets the blood flowing and increases circulation.  After about 15 minutes, I rinsed the aloe vera juice out with cool water and then applied shampoo. My scalp feels refreshed and clean. If you have experienced any type of scalp irritation, scabs or dry scalp I recommend using this home remedy. Repeat until the symptoms go away.

Please feel free to ask  questions in the comment box below. 

I hope you enjoyed! 

Are you in college? Do you have natural hair?

If you are in college and have natural hair, please send us an email: info@kurleebelle.com. 

Subject: College Kurlees! We have something special for YOU! 

Ice Cream & Natural Hair!

Hey Kurlees! I thought this was a cool find to share. For those Naturals in the DMV area, that love Cold Stone Creamery's Ice Cream (I sure do- Founder's Favourite is the business) and Natural Hair check it out! For details visit Natural Hollywood Magazine!

Cool off with Natural Hollywood Magazine and Cold Stone Creamery!

Where: 2500 Boston Street, Suite 1200, Baltimore, MD

When: August 19th, 2012

Are You Ready to "Go Natural"?

~To Big Chop or Not To Big Chop?

One of the easiest ways to start the transition from relaxed to natural is to "Big Chop". If you are new to the natural world and our lingo--Big Chop or BC is the process by which you chop off all of your relaxed hair and opt for a style much like Amber Rose's classic look. If you are not brave enough to BC because a) your employer will not understand, b) your not sure if this style will be flattering to your face shape or c) you've always been a "long hair don't care" kinda girl then the Big Chop is not for you. The other option would be to slowly transition by trimming your relaxed hair as it grows out. If you decide to transition instead of chopping off your relaxed hair spiral rods, perm rods or twists are good way to disguise the difference between new growth and relaxed hair. To speed up the transition process you will need to trim your ends every 6 to 8 weeks. 

Another option would be to wear sew-ins. Sew-ins are a great way to transition because the hair is braided. We know that less manipulation equals length retention. Since your hair is protected it will grow faster, which means more new growth and a shorter transitioning process. There are rules to wearing sew-ins, #1- Straight weaves are a "NO NO". The portion of your hair that is left out to cover the tracks has to be constantly straightened to blend  with the weave. Because of this, that portion of hair will be permanently heat straightened leaving a patch of hair that is different from the rest. Rule #2, the sew-in should not be left in for more than 3 months at a time. Any longer than 3 months, you run the risk of matted and mildew hair. In between sew-ins, it is important that you trim your ends and deep condition every time. 

~What's the real reason behind your choice? Do you have "Hair Lust"?

Lately you've been watching "natural hair" you tube videos or you've been seeing gorgeous pics of "natural hair" ladies on your Facebook timeline. So you think to yourself, "I wish my hair could look like that" or worse "If I went natural my WOULD look like that." This is one of the biggest misconceptions among new naturals and it frustrates many. Although, there is a hair typing system that bundles naturals into certain groups, everyone's hair is different (I do not subscribe to the hair typing system, as I have looser curls in the front and tight curls in the back). Genetics is responsible for  hair texture and determines how your hair will look. For instance, sisters who have the same mother and father may have totally different hair textures. So you cannot look at a strangers hair texture and think that your hair will look like theirs once the relaxer fades away. The "Natural Hair Journey" requires self acceptance and embracing who you are. Know that your hair will not look like Natural Chica's or the random girl you follow on Instagram, your hair is unique. Once you've accepted the fact that your curls are unique to you, you have permission to "pass go and collect $200". 

~Do you think natural hair will be easier to maintain?

The shorter the hair, the easier it is to maintain. Teeny Weeny Afros (TWA) are the easiest, as they require very little styling. As your hair grows, it will require much more maintenance and attention. Detangling long natural hair can be a tedious process and styling it can be a pain. Throughout your journey, you will experiment with different products, styles and techniques to make the process easier but it requires patience. Deciding to 'go natural' is a commitment, much like a marriage. You have to take the time to understand your hair and its needs. Researching products, styles and investing in the right tools will go along way. 

~ How thick is your skin?

New naturals often receive negative comments from their friends, family and coworkers (Remedy: I suggest purchasing the "Kiss My Kurls" tank in our "Natural vs. Relaxed" post). Since natural hair is not your usual look, people will comment on your hair and some of those comments will be negative like: your hair looks dry, natural hair is not for everyone, or when are you going to get a perm? My advice is to ignore all the background noise and find other naturals in your area. Read blogs, join the #teamnatural and #naturalhair discussion on twitter, attend natural hair meet-ups in your city and watch other naturals on youtube for inspiration. 

If you're thinking about "Going Natural" and don't know how. Send your questions to info@kurleebelle.com. 

What's causing your dry, itchy, scabby scalp?

Itching, flaking and scabbing are signs that your scalp has stopped producing natural oils (sebum). This can be caused by chemical irritants in products, changes in weather, or diet.

Some products contain chemicals that may irritate the scalp causing excessive itching and scabbing. If you've changed shampoos, conditioners or styling aids this may be the cause of your discomfort. You should immediately stop using the products and find a product that is less irritable on your scalp.

You may not be getting enough sun. Exposure to the sun helps in killing bad bacteria that live on the scalp. If you are limiting your sun exposure, the bacteria can be multiply rapidly causing the scalp to itch.

Water is an essential part of life. If you are not drinking enough water, your body tends to channel the water that you are drinking to the parts of the body that need it most. Your scalp being lower on the totem pole doesn't receive adequate water to produce natural oils (sebum).

Natural home remedies that can restore your scalp back to normal: 

Aloe Vera is a herbal medication used in many products to relieve and soothe the skin. Aloe Vera acts as a deep conditioner to moisturize dry hair and has anti-fungal properties.  To relieve the scalp and heal the scabbed area, place the aloe vera gel directly on the scalp.  For this reason, Aloe Vera is one of the main ingredients in our Kurlee Belle's Thirsty Kurls Leave-In Conditioner.

Apple Cider Vinegar is a home remedy treatment with a variety of healing properties. You can find ACV in its pure form at any herbal store. Rinsing the scalp with a solution of a half a cup of water and a half a cup of ACV helps eliminate dryness by releasing bacteria that clog pores.  Warning: Be very careful not to get this solution in the eyes. Kurlee Belle's Almond & Shea Butter Moisturizing Shampoo contains apple cider vinegar.

Extra virgin olive oil can be used to moisturize the scalp and treat scabs. Warming the olive oil and then massaging into the scalp can help soothe itchy, irritated scalp. You can leave the oil for a few minutes or sit under a hooded dryer then rinse as usual. Kurlee Belle's Tropical Oils Blends has a ton of essential oils that soothe the scalp.

Is your scalp constantly itching, flaking or scabbing? Will you try any of the above home remedies? 

All Naturals Are Not Created Equal

On the 4th of July, I attended Atlantis' Independence Day celebration for the guest. The event was very organized and well attended. Every year, the Atlantis in The Bahamas hosts a lavish 4th of July fireworks show,  along with plenty of entertainment for it's US patrons. There were cotton candy stalls, photo booths and people walking on stilts dressed up as Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam. It was a perfect evening for the firework display, as it was hot and humid.

I was wearing my hair in a twist updo much like the hairstyle from "Terri's Summer Hair Care Regimen" and thinking to myself, "I am glad I did not wear it out". The night was winding down and we were ready to throw in the towel. I decided to get rid of the extra tickets that we bought and treated everyone to some "Ben & Jerry's" ice cream. Standing in line, I could not help but notice two girls with natural hair standing in front of me. They appeared to be around 17 or 18 years old and were chatting and laughing away. The line was very long and there was only one person working the register and serving ice cream, so I decided to introduce myself to the ladies.

Usually when I see women with natural hair, I always smile or say hi. It's like when you buy a car and you start to see your car everywhere and your like "Oh there is my car's cousin or sister or something". Well I think that naturalistas share a bond. The struggles of dealing with this new found hair texture, what products to use, what styles work best and the confident of showing off your natural self to the world creates an unbreakable bond. I definitely got the shock of my life after introducing myself to these young girls. 

I started off with, "I really love your hair!" then they looked at me and said "Thanks!". Then I asked, "How long have you been natural?" They both said, "All my life." I said, "Oh wow, that's great. I have been natural since 2008." I proceeded to ask what products they used and if they followed any blogs. Both of them looked at me like, blogs? "No we don't follow any blogs." I felt that it was my chance to educate them on the vast amount of information that was available to women with natural hair but they were not interested. Then I realized that there is a difference between women/girls who have been natural all of their lives and us new naturals. 

These two girls were completely clueless of the "Transitioning Movement" (and it did not interest them at all) and the number of women who opted to wear their natural hair instead of getting chemical relaxers. Because they were not accustomed to relaxers their natural hair was not a big deal. It was very surprising to me because I eat, breathe and sleep natural hair. I am excited about my new found beauty and even more excited to share my love for my hair with other naturals. This experience was rather disappointing, as I have never met natural hair women who weren't as excited about their hair as I am. 

New naturals vs. Old naturals...Have you experienced a similar situation?

Esperanza Spalding Sports Big Ass Afro at Umbria Jazz Festival!

All of our favorite natural hair singers/song writers have been performing at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy. Esperanza Spalding, looking gorgeous as usual, sports a BAA while smiling and whoa-ing the crowd. Spalding is a jazz bassist and a chameleon of transforming her music across genres. We love her because she has a stunning voice and even more stunning hair. My hair envy radar is turned all the way up after seeing these recent pictures.

Photos courtesy of Shesomajor.com. The hottest celebrity and fashion blog around! 

Nothing says SEXY like a talented natural hair woman! 

Happy Independence Day Bahamas!

The Bahamas is an archipelago of 700 islands and cays off of the coast of Florida and the place of my birth. The archipelago is an ecological oasis featuring 2,000 breathtaking islands and cays and boasts the clearest water on the planet—with a visibility of over 200 feet. You can see your toes as easily as you can the world’s third largest barrier reef. 

One step and you’ll realize the beauty of each island extends far beyond our extraordinary natural wonders. It’s the smiles on the faces of the Bahamian people. The unique sounds of our rich culture. The warm hospitality of our heritage and our colorful history. Courtesy of Bahamas.com. 

My patriotic outfits....

Bahamian Art

Bahamas Braisin Women by Venita Miller

Jerry Rose

Junkanoo

Famous Bahamians: Sidney Poitier (Hollywood Filmstar), Rick Fox (LA Lakers Star), Lenny Kravitz (Rock Legend), Esther Rolle (Actress- Good Times), Myles Munroe (Evangelist), Kimbo Slice (Streetfighter), Roxie Roker (Actress- The Jeffersons), Baha Men and Shakara Ledard (Model). 

Macy Gray flaunts her Gravity Defying Hair @ Umbria Jazz Festival

Macy Gray, whose personality is larger than life, performed at the Umbria Jazz Festival on July 8th, 2012 in Perugia, Italy. The American R&B singer-songwriter wore a blown out afro with golden brown highlights.

Photos courtesy of Shesomajor.com. The hottest celebrity and fashion blog around! 

Do you like Macy's look? 

Kurlee Fashion Frenzy: Short & Sweet

We are only a few weeks into summer and have already been experiencing record heat. Denim cutoffs are the perfect staple for the summer. I am not talking about "Daisy Dukes" that show the bottom of your derrière but shorts that are chic and cool. Shorts for extra curvaceous girls like myself can be a challenge. The key is to avoid tightness around the legs and let the waistband sit on your hips. The hem should hit where your thigh starts to taper. Try to go beyond the standard blue denim and opt for neon, floral, ticking or ikat print. Pair your new buy with a blazer and white t-shirt, Kurlee Belle's Kiss My Kurls tank or a crisp button down. Here are some ultra cute denim cutoffs that we found!

Forever 21
$19.80

Free People
$68

Miss Selfridge shorts 
$46

7 for All Mankind $168

Jill Scott rocks TWA at North Sea Jazz Festival at Ahoy

The "Why did I get married too" star flaunted a Teeny Weeny Afro (TWA) at the North Sea Jazz Festival at Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands on July 6th, 2012. Jill Scott, one of the pioneers of the Transitioning Movement, has flirted with many natural hair styles over the years including: braided updos, twist outs and big ass afros (BAA). Jill originally hit the scene as a neo-soul artist in the early 2000's, but recently has been focusing on her acting career. Her face has been popping up on screens everywhere. She was the leading actress in the HBO original series "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" (one of my favorite shows of all time), Tyler Perry's "Why did I get married" sequel and will be starring alongside Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, and Phylicia Rashad in the remake of "Steel Magnolias".

Photos courtesy of Shesomajor.com. The hottest celebrity and fashion blog around!

Watch the Preview of the Lifetime Original Movie "Steel Magnolias". I can't wait to see it.. 

Kurlee Belle Video Alert: In case you missed it...

Hello Kurlees! In case you missed it, two new videos were uploaded to our YouTube Channel this week. If you are not a subscriber of our channel, please subscribe today. There will be several contests, product give-aways and t-shirt give-aways exclusively on the channel that you do not want to miss (To subscribe to our channel click here----->Kurlee Belle YouTube.)

In this video, "How to save time when re-twisting your natural hair", I shared the tools I use to two strand twists my hair, along with techniques and thoughts. 

In this video, "OOTD + Natural Hair Twists Updo", I show off the completed style created in the above video along with an outfit of the day. 

I hope you enjoyed the videos! Please feel free to leave comments below. 

Dreadlocks? Yes. You cannot work at Six Flags.

I came across a story of two women who were denied employment, because of their hair, while surfing the web. At first, I thought it was a joke until I got deeper into the content of the article, "Six Flags Denies Jobs to 2 Women Based on Natural Hair." I am not going to react as I usually do, because I do not want to be labelled as the overly opinionated blogger. I will let the facts speak for itself.

Six Flags issued the following statement, when contacted by ABC news to comment on the allegations:  

"Six Flags enforces a conservative grooming policy across all parks. The policy does not permit certain hairstyles such as variations in hair colors, dreadlocks, partially shaved heads, tails, and hairstyles that impair vision. Braided hair is allowed but must be in neat, even rows and without beads or other ornaments."

Really Six Flags? I thought it was 2012 and not 1954. 

The statement itself paints Six Flags as a discriminatory organization. Which makes me wonder, who do they have working in their Public Relations department? There are so many things wrong with this picture that I cannot waste any more time writing about this foolery. 

What is your opinion on Six Flag's grooming policy?

The Afro: The Emancipation of Black Hair

The Afro: Mid 1900's

During the 1960's and 1970's the afro was a symbol of political liberation. Radical activist of the Black Panther, Angela Davis (pictured above) led the movement by refusing to straighten her natural locks. Today, the afro is seen as a high fashion statement from the pages of Italian Vogue to the red carpet.

What is responsible for the rebirth of the afro?

Many would argue that it all started after the release of Chris Rock's "Good Hair" movie in 2009. In his documentary, Chris Rock explored the ins and outs of the black hair care industry. He shed light on the amount of money black women spend on extensions, the number of non-black owned company's that dominate the industry and the dangers of chemical relaxers. The findings revealed in this documentary were riveting to non-black viewers but what really caught the eyes of most black women were the chemicals in relaxers. During a clip, Chris Rock highlighted the dangers of Sodium Hydroxide which is a harmful ingredient found in most relaxers. This ingredient is strong enough to burn through a Coke can or a raw piece of chicken.

The Afro: Late 2000's

Secondly, the neo-soul movement, a style of music that combines soul and contemporary R&B, presents a strong argument for being the pioneers behind the rebirth of the Transitioning Movement. In the late 1990's to early 2000's, artists like Maxwell, India Arie, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo and Jill Scott embraced their natural hair by wearing afros, braids and bantu knots. These artists combined a smooth melodic sound with a cool earthy natural look. Today, artist like Janelle Monae, Solange Knowles and Corinne Bailey Rae, are carrying the torch.

Lastly, Americans along with the rest of the world are becoming more health and environmentally conscious. This can be seen through the creation of the hybrid car, nutritional guides at fast food restaurants and the increasing number of natural and organic brands. Consumers have become more cognizant of what they put on or in their bodies by reading product labels and not putting their well being in the hands of corporate brands. In an effort to live a healthy lifestyle, many have opted to only use natural beauty products such as: deodorants, shampoos and hair dyes. According to Mintel, a consumer spending and market research firm, sales of relaxer kits declined by 17% from 2006 to 2011.

Nearly fifty years after Angela Davis graced platforms across the USA with her outspoken voluminous hair, the Transitioning Movement has taken the world by storm. Whatever the reason may be behind the rebirth of the afro, women in the USA, UK, Europe, Africa, South America and the Caribbean are all celebrating their natural hair.

What influenced your decision to go natural?

Happy Independence Day America!