A Look Back at Natural Hair in 2012.

2012 was the year of the kinky, curly, coily tresses. The media was buzzing with curly news, celebrities embraced the transitioning movement and several books were written to help women conquer their curls. Here are a few noteworthy natural hair events of 2012....

In December 2012, just when we thought, we had seen and heard it all when it comes to natural hair....Rhonda Lee a meteorologist for an ABC affiliate station was fired after responding to comments about her natural hair. (Meteorologist Rhonda Lee Fired from ABC Affiliate For Natural Hair Comments. )

Even though Solange claims not to give a "damn" about her natural hair or team natural, no matter where she goes her hair gets attention. In November 2012, TSA got a little touchy-feely with Solange's natural hair while she was on a trip in Miami, FL. The question still remains, "What did TSA find in Solange's hair?"

In October 2012, Nicki Minaj aka Barbie, hung up the pink, purple, blonde and every other color wig and gave us a glimpse of her natural hair via twitter.

In the September 2012 issue of O Magazine, Oprah revealed her natural tresses and it became a heated debate on our blog and facebook page when I posted a throwback photo of Oprah's hair in the 80's. (Wait Did Oprah Get A Texturizer?)

Hampton University did the unthinkable and bans dreadlocks and conrows for some of it's business school students in August 2012. (Read More Here). 

The Coiffure Project- May 2012. Glen Nunez, the founder of TYP Photography Studio, released a collection of portraits celebrating the beauty of black women and their magnificent natural hair. (See more photos here.)

Who could forget Viola Davis in that stunning emerald green gown and her beautiful TWA. Viola Davis, star of "The Help", was the talk of the 2012 Oscars and even Joan Rivers of the Fashion Police did not have a bad word to say about the actress's new look. (Viola Davis at the Oscars in February 2012)

What does 2013 have in store for the natural hair community......

 Curly Nikki's Book "Better Than Good Hair". 

The Release of Kurlee Belle Natural Hair Care Products!!!!! YAY!

Are you looking forward to the natural hair movement in 2013? 

Happy New Year! 

Solange Knowles Dressed By African Designers on the Cover of Elle SA

Solange's wardrobe is as colourful as her personality. The stylish singer graces the cover of Elle South Africa in African mix and match prints. Printed top by Tart and shorts by South African designer Loin Cloth. We know that Solange loves colours and patterns. Check out her Brooklyn home featured in an earlier edition of Elle (Brooklyn's Finest: A Look Inside the Home of Solange Knowles).

Do you like Solange's Look? I think it's Cool. 

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? 

Hair Braiding: Should it Require a License?

Photo Source

Braiding is an African tradition. I remember as a little girl, sitting on the floor of my aunt's house as she braided my hair. My braided style would last about two weeks and then I was forced by mom to redo it. It was a painful experience because I was "tender headed" and my eyes were always slightly slanted after she was done. The braiding process saved time in getting dressed and my mom never had to worry about doing my hair. Another benefit was that my hair was protected and it grew faster because of this. 

As I got older, I transitioned from regular braids to box and micro braids. Box braids were my favorite because they looked edgy and took about three to four hours. Micro braids were more versatile, lasted longer but took about eight to ten hours to complete. Since I have been natural, I have not revisited the braided hairstyles because of the time it takes and the damage it did to my hairline. 

Today, the trend of box braids is BACK! Stars like the Knowles sisters ( Beyonce & Solange) were recently spotted rocking their long back to the future braids. 

Photo Source

Hair braiding is an African tradition that is more of an art than a skilled that can be learned. In an African American or black community, everyone knew who had the baddest hair braiding skills on the block. A recent law was passed in Oregon requiring that all hair braiders must have a cosmetology license. Veteran hair braider Amber Starks is challenging the law stating that "braiding is a way for African-American women to start to feel comfortable with wearing their hair naturally, without chemicals." The cosmetology license requires 1,700 hours of beauty school and $10,000. 

Read more: Braiding African American hair at center of overregulation battle in Oregon

Do you think hair braiding should require a Cosmetology license or is it considered art expressed on an individual basis? 

Ok Solange! I am not talking about your hair no mo!

Listen ya'll! Stop admiring and talking about Solange Knowles and her natural hair...because as she says she is not the poster child for natural hair or team natural. Hair is hair and she obviously doesn't care about it.....Well slap me in the face. The last time I saw Solange..She was the poster child for Carol's Daughter Transitioning Movement....which correct me if I am wrong is dedicated to women with natural hair??????? I wonder what the CEO over at Carol's Daughter had to say about Solange's comments since they have been using her along with Cassie for months as the spokesmodel's for their "HAIR" campaign.

So Solange, " I know Carol's Daughter is not your bread and butter but I am pretty sure they cut you a check every so often and would not appreciate you not wanting to talk about no damn hair no mo." #justsaying

DO NOT buy a product because a celebrity endorses it.....because although we in the natural hair community care about our hair and wear satin caps .....they don't really care as much as we do! My goodness...she doesn't even wear a satin cap! lol

Just to add insult to injury...Solange not wanting to talk about hair is like Wendy not wanting to talk about burgers...It's just not right. Your face is all over a hair care website but hair is not important to you?  #cray

I wonder if she even uses Carol's Daughter products.....

Solange Tweets: 

What do you think? Should we give Solange a pass since she was very emotional that day or NOT? I am just outraged that she doesn't wear a satin cap...LOL