Natural Hair How Versatile

Words that describe natural hair: kinky, curly, coarse, nappy, liberating, frizzy, shrinkage, springy, cute, and versatile. 

During the summer, I decided to give my hair a break by only styling it once a week (Read: Terri's Summer Hair Care Regimen). With the summer heat and humidity my natural hair styles would almost always disappear once I stepped outside. Now that summer is coming to an end, I've been experimenting with different styles. Fall air is cool with less humidity and agrees with my texture when it comes to retaining styles and avoiding frizz.

Bantu Knots

How I achieved this style:

Shampoo with Almond & Shea Butter Moisturizing Shampoo

Conditioned with Thirsty Kurls Leave-In Conditioner

Applied Kurlee Tropical Oils Blend

Creating style:

Separate hair into medium sized sections with butterfly clips.

Apply Kurl Definig Creme.

Two strand twist section.

Wrap twists in a circular motion to create. Repeat.

Sit under hooded dryer for 2 hours. Let her air dry overnight. 

*In the below photo I have a on a black non slip elastic headband to provide shape to my hair.  

Twist Out

How I achieved this style: Please see Terri's Summer Hair Care Regimen

After wearing twist for 6 days, I separated the twists and applied a silk scarf around the edge of my hair line. 

Tied the scarf in three knots behind my ear on the left side. 

Twist Out Up-do 

How I achieved this style: Please see my video on Natural Hair Twists Up-do

What I did differently in the below photo is I separated the twists in the front and left the twists in the back (not separated) and pinned up the back. 

Follow Me on IG: terrinique

Follow Kurlee Belle on IG: Kurleebelle

Are you changing up your look for the Fall? 

Hi My Name is Terri and I am an addict!

In the above photo, I am at a club in Dubai with all of my friends. Everyone is dancing and having a great time...I am checking my phone. Really? Camera in one hand..crackberry in the other. 

I often wonder what I did before I had a cell phone or what my mom and grandmother did when they were growing up. So much of my life revolves around my handheld device. It is the first thing I reach for in the morning and the last thing I look at before I close my eyes. My friends and colleagues have pointed out on several occasions that I am obsessed with my cell phone....That is when I realized that I may be addicted to technology. At first, I thought that it was a generational thing since the people who were accusing me of my love affair were much older than me. Millennials grew up in the technology era and just think differently than non millennials was my defence. But it really limits us in our interaction with people. I recall having countless lunches and dinners with my friends where we all sat around the table having conversations with one another and constantly checking our phones. Other thoughts came to mind including, that lazy moment when I wanted something from downstairs but was too lazy to get up so I texted my friend to bring it to me. (what? don't judge me. I am sure you've done it too.)

Our phones are definitely inhabiting us from truly enjoying life and the people around us. How many times have you actually stopped to smell the roses or enjoyed a sunset without reaching in your pocket to snap an instagram photo? Are you more concerned with enjoying life or documenting it for others to see?

In a world where "sexting, and f-bomb" have been added to the dictionary it only makes me wonder what kind of vocabulary my unborn children will have and how will they be lacking in their ability to be social?

In effort to enjoy my surroundings and the people around me I have decided to do the following:

-Whenever engaging in conversation with another human being. I will put down my cell phone and give that person my undivided attention.

-While driving, I will not constantly check my phone. I will only pick up my cell phone when I have an incoming call.

-Instead of capturing every beautiful moment on Instagram, I will actually take the time to enjoy the scenery.

I read this article on TIME techland and it brought back some memories.....may do the same for you. :) Click on the photo for a better view.

Read Article

Are you constantly on your phone? Are you more concerned with IG-ing a photo than actually enjoying the scenery? Is your phone interfering with your relationships?

Street Style: Afro Punk Music Festival

The only thing hotter than heat this summer was the cool sounds and styles at the eight annual Afro-Punk Music Festival in Brooklyn, NY. 

Photo Credit: NYTimes

Work It Out!

Photo Source: Curl Rehab

1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and get them sit ups right and

Tuck your tummy tight and do your crunches like this....

One of the benefits of being natural is exercising without having to sweat out your hair. Before I was natural, the biggest deterrent to working out was sweating out my wrap. Exercise and a wrap do not go hand in hand. I remember hitting the gym on my lunch hour. At the time, I worked for a company that allowed employees to hit the gym for an hour and a half during the work day. My colleagues and work-out partners were 'non black' and did not have the same struggles as I did when it came to exercising and hair. I would watch my friend, swoop her hair back in a ponytail and hit the treadmill. It only took her 5 minutes to change from work clothes to workout gear. I on the other hand always needed about 15 minutes pre workout and 35 minutes post workout to get dressed.

I travelled with my Velcro mesh wrap and before changing into my workout gear, I would brush my hair in a circular motion and apply the wrap. Needless to say, I felt a little self conscious walking into the gym area looking less than 'done up'. I would get a couple of stares from 'non black' males and females that did not understand what I was wearing on my head but after a few days I got over it.

The post workout process was even longer, because I had to travel with a shower cap to avoid the water touching my precious strands. In addition, I travelled with my flat iron, to smooth out the bumps as a result of my mesh wrap and the tight curls that formed on my hairline from sweat.

Today, my gym bag is a little lighter (minus Velcro mesh wrap, flat iron and wide tooth comb) and I feel confident when I workout because I still look cute. Unlike, the days when I had straight hair and had to be self conscious of the way I looked with a cap on my head. I can workout with the same style I had when I walked in the gym's door.

My natural hair does not dictate what I can and cannot do. It allows me to enjoy life's activities without restrictions. I can workout and still look cute, swim in the ocean or pool and not have a major hair-attack/heart-attack and forget my umbrella on rainy days.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, in 2010, black women were 70 percent more likely to be obese than white women, and that number only grows for adolescents of our ethncity. From 2007-2010, black girls were 80 percent more likely to be obese than white girls. Furthermore, four out of five black women are overweight or obese, and African Americans were 70 percent less likely to exercise than white people in 2010.  That ISH CRAY!!!!

Water should no longer be a dreaded substance. Get up and work it out!

Has natural hair made activities like exercising and swimming more enjoyable?

That Chick BAD!

Natural hair Inspiration...

Kurlee Fashion Frenzy: The Collar Necklace

Fall is fast approaching and we know it means layers, scarves and boots are in the near future. Collar necklaces are a fabulous accessory that can spice up any look. As of recently, I have been searching for bright colored and cool shaped collar necklaces. A bright color neckalce would make any white tee or blouse look amazing. Cool shapes ad a little hardcore je ne sais quoi, to your look. 

Gold flower Collar Necklace- Forever 21 (purchased forever ago)

Multi-colored bead collar necklace- H&M (purchased forever ago)

I found these collar necklaces that I absolutely adore! 

Kate Spade- $278

Buy Now

Nasty Gal- $20

Buy Now

Aldo- $25

Buy Now

She Inside- $12.64

Buy Now

Check out my instagram to see which one I got! :) 

IG: terrinique

Brooklyn's Finest: A Look Inside the Home of Solange Knowles

As I was flipping through the pages of the latest issue (September 2012) of Elle Magazine, I came across a pleasant surprise on page 475. Featured all the way in the back of my favorite mag, was a lovely photo of Indie singer Solange Knowles and some of her closest friends.

Elle always surprises me. 

Photo of my painted nails after reading the September issue of Elle. OPI Nail Lacquer. Color: Pink Friday!

The article reveals that Solange lives with her son Julez and music-video-director boyfriend, Alan Ferguson. The musican/dj/model lives in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn and moved  from L.A. to be closer to her big sister Beyonce who had been prodding her for six years to move to NY.

Solange leads a pretty normal life, she walks her son Juelz to school everyday, cooks and invites her sister and Baby Blue over for dinner regularly. On the flip side, she hangs with a pretty cool crowd including fashion bloggers from Refinery 29, designers, artists and musicians. 

Solange's home is just as eclectic as her wardrobe. The singer states, "I wanted to find a balance of having great colors and patterns but also a really livable, warm, serene space." and her home is just that. For entertaining, Solange's motto is "Just keep it chill." 

Take a look at Solange's home. I think it's an accurate reflection of her style. 

Photo Credit: Elle

Cute or What? 

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Solange Knowles for Madewell.

Shop Now @ Madewell. I know I will! 

I love New York

I love New York....

Some may say that New York is too crowded, the streets are dirty and the people are not friendly. But no matter what they say it could never interfere with my love for New York. Before, I had ever visited the city, I dreamed about it's streets, the fashion, the food, and the people. I viewed New York as a place free from restrictions and filled with endless possibilities. When I had the opportunity to visit it for the first time, it far exceeded my expectations.

I have been too many cities across the globe: London, Paris, Rome, Shanghai, Dubai, New Delhi, and Amman to name a few but no place compares to New York.

Nowadays, the closest I can get to New York is an editorial in Elle Magazine or watching re-runs of Sex and The City.

As I sit back and dream about one day living in New York.... I will watch the Fall trends unfold through New York's Fashion Week.

Natural Hair Street Fashion of New York! 

I want to hear from the New Yorkers. Is it really as great as it seems?

Photo Credit: The Sartorialist

Esperanza Spalding's Style Blog

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Fashion Has A New Look: Simone Tetteh, Vogue Booking Associate

Working at Vogue is a job that many of us fashion addicts would die for. I believe, it's one of the reasons I have seen the "Devil Wears Prada" about 50 times...not to mention "Sex and the City" (probably seen this about a 100 times) where Carrie Bradshaw was filmed wearing several designer wedding gowns for a Vogue photo shoot. Unlike Ann Hathaway in the "Devil Wears Prada" and  Sarah Jessica Parker in "Sex and the City", this type of coveted lifestyle is Simone Tetteh's reality.  

Simone Tetteh is a booking associate at Vogue and one of the few people to be employed by the BIBLE of the Fashion Industry. Unlike Andy (Anne Hathaway's character in the "Devil Wears Prada"), Simone has a very stylish and high fashion look. She is not the typical bone thin and straight haired girl. She has a unique look and most of all natural hair!

Photo Source: Vogue

You Rock Simone!