Who said bangs were the thing of the past? These celebrity divas clearly didn’t get that memo because they rocked their bangs with sass and style! See here at Stylebazer

If you ask most women what they find attractive in a man, a well groomed mane will be somewhere on the list. For me it’s top seven. A man’s hair cut serves to either mask or highlight his facial features. I don’t know if all men understand the importance of their haircut. A bad haircut can literally make or break a first impression. With that being said, these celeb men have hair that for one reason or another… just works, so much so that we just want to run our fingers through it. Let us know if you feel us.

1. John Legend

John Legend’s hair is the perfect combination of rugged and refined. His thick hair organized in tightly coiled tresses is truly a sight to behold. And apparently, I’m not the only one that thinks so. Last year his hair line, and whether or not it had receded was a trending topic on Twitter.  I’d say his hair line is unchanged but I have to wonder why nobody talked about the hair itself. That’s the show stopper, duh!

By Marissa Charles

You know the classic movie scene where a suicidal person stands on the edge of a building and threatens to jump off? I was that poor sod about six weeks ago.

No, I wasn’t threatening to take my life. I was this close to grabbing a pair of scissors and chopping all my hair off.

Fortunately my hairdresser Richard talked me down from the ledge. “Step away from the scissors, Marissa,” he said to me over the phone. That Saturday morning I awoke with my hair in a knotted, mess of tangles. Matted in some parts, my tresses had clumped into four sections with thick roots and stringy relaxed ends forming peaks on the top. It was a natural disaster.

God must have been with me that day because the whole scenario was enough to give a girl a heart attack. Two-and-a-half months earlier I had taken my first step on the road towards natural hair. I’ve been toying with the idea for a while but I didn’t have the guts to do it. I’ve had relaxed hair since I was 11 and didn’t have a clue how to care for it in its natural state.

So I did my research. I went online and trawled through blogs and videos about embracing your curls and kinks. I entered a world with its own special language of acronyms and abbreviations.

I decided my moon face was too full to go for the BC, the “Big Chop.” (I cannot rock a baldhead or a TWA, a “Teeny Weenie Afro.) Transitioning – gradually growing my natural hair out – seemed to be the better option and wearing extensions seemed the logical way to prevent unnecessary breakage.

I hate wearing braids but if I’m going to do something then I’m going to do it right. That’s why I was pleased when I found what I thought was a reputable braiding salon in Los Angeles where I live.

The establishment shall remain nameless but its website was impressive, as were the five-star testimonials on Yelp.com. The gallery of photos on their page looked good and when I went to see the stylist she assured me she could deliver what I asked for – individual braids that wouldn’t pull my roots or break my hair. She promised me they wouldn’t be heavy and I could keep them in for up to three months.

Dr. Regina M. Benjamin, US Surgeon General and a black woman who might know a thing or two about relaxers, had a few choice words for the attendees at the Bronner Brothers International Hair Show.

“Often times you get women saying, ‘I can’t exercise today because I don’t want to sweat my hair back or get my hair wet. When you’re starting to exercise, you look for reasons not to, and sometimes the hair is one of those reasons.”

She ain’t neva lied. It’s absolutely true that some women exercise less (or not at all) due to a fear of sweating out their hair style.  There’s nothing controversial about her statement and in fact it’s nice to see such a high level person directly address issues that impact black women’s health. But according to a New York Times article, some health analysts question whether Dr. Benjamin should be speaking out on such a “niche” issue (their term, not mine).

“The role of the surgeon general is traditionally, and appropriately, to take on big issues,” said Jeff Stier, a senior fellow at the National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank. “I don’t know whether the surgeon general’s role is to engage in smaller issues like this. It strikes me as bizarre.”

Bizarre, eh? Government studies say that 50 percent of black women 20 years old and up are overweight or obese.  Addressing any topic that could help lead to increased physical activity and healthier, longer lives seems pretty reasonable.  It’s not about addressing a “small issue,” it’s about tackling a major health issue in an informed, comprehensive way.

All that said…have you ever skipped the gym so you wouldn’t mess up your hair? You have? Well, cut it out girl! Oh and be sure to check out Michelle Obama’s hair stylist Johnny Wright in this video where he gives tips on keeping the do tight while you get your body right.

Here we go again! We had so much fun giving away goodies over the weekend, we decided to do it one mo’ gin!  We’re gifting three  more lucky Madame Noire readers with products from Soft-Sheen Carson’s Optimum Care Salon Collection. We hung out with SoftSheen at this year’s Hoodie Awards in Vegas, so you know we put in the good word for you. We MUST hook up our fans!

Log on to our Facebook page today August 17, 2011 at 4:00 pm EST to find out how to win!

Winners will receive the following products:

-Relaxer (Regular)

-Replenishing Shampoo

-Fortifying Conditioner

-Whipped Oil Moisturizer

-Heat Protection Polisher

-Mineral Oil-Free Sheen Spray

Good luck!!

You know we love to give you goodies! This time we’re gifting three lucky Madame Noire readers with products from  Soft-Sheen Carson’s Optimum Care Salon Collection. We’re hanging with SoftSheen at this year’s Hoodie Awards in Vegas, so you know we put in the good word for you. We MUST hook up our fans!

Log on to our Facebook page today August 13, 2011 at 2:00 EST to find out how to win!

Winners will receive the following products:

-Relaxer (Regular)

-Replenishing Shampoo

-Fortifying Conditioner

-Whipped Oil Moisturizer

-Heat Protection Polisher

-Mineral Oil-Free Sheen Spray

Good luck!!

About This Episode

Ericka Dotson is  a mom, a techie, a shoe fanatic and the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Indique Hair, a premier hair manufacturer/retailer with facilities all over the world. They have a manufacturing facility in India, right at the source for the human hair they use. Celebrities like Lady Gaga, Cassie and Jill Scott rock Indique tresses on the red carpet, but because Indique offers affordable, high-quality products, 9 to 5 ladies can indulge too.

Watch the She’s the Boss interview as Ms. Dotson drops pearls of wisdom on how she successfully runs an international company (in five-inch heels no less), raises a teenage daughter and finds time to be fly and fabulous.

Check out why she’s the boss and scroll down for a special treat from Indique!

Ms. Dotson graciously admits her shortcomings with balancing work and her personal life, but she also offers solid, candid advice to aspiring business women. What are some of the best bits of wisdom you’ve been given about managing your career?

Want More She’s The Boss? Check out these other episodes:

• Episode 1: Ericka Dotson
• Episode 2: Michelle James
• Episode 3: Meme Omogbai
• Episode 4: Monif Clarke
• Episode 5: Karine Mehu
• Episode 6: Nikima Frenche

Pssssst, hey Madame Noire readers! Guess what? We have a gift for you! Use the code on the coupon below and receive 10% off your next order from Indique! *Offer is valid until September 30, 2011.*

The best tresses will have you wondering, “Well, is or isn’t it?”  Advancements in hair extension installation, including lace fronts wigs and fusion, are becoming so good that the weave wearer may be left wondering if that virgin remi is actually growing from their own scalp.

Celebrities wear weaves for a variety of reasons that don’t always include additional length.  Weaves are worn for thickness, color change and to endure heat styling and other processes that would otherwise damage their natural hair.  The best weaves require time, skill and a good amount of money and the following list of celebrities ladies have access to all three which explains why their wonderful weavaliciousness.

Our pals over at Uptown caught up with celeb hair stylists Ted Gibson, Tippi Shorter and Johnny Wright and got their recs for best summer haircare products!

Are some of your faves on the list? Head over to Uptown and see what the experts have to say!

What are your fav haircare products and tips for keeping your hair looking fab in the summer?

From the desk of Dr. Phoenyx:

You don’t always have to buy pricey, big name hair products to make your hair shinier, fuller and healthier. Sometimes the best things are actually very simple and found in the produce department of your local grocery store. Have you ever tried yummy foods like bananas and papaya in your homemade hair “treat”ments? I’m a natural haired woman and know first-hand that many of these foods are amazing for hair. They work wonders on my hair. And I’ve been using are few of these foods for years to make my hair softer, shinier, and stronger. So be sure to check out these 5 Yummy Homemade Hair “Treat”ments and let me know how they work for you!