Source(s): Twitter, WENN

Last October Nicki Minaj took to her Twitter page to shut down skeptics who claim that she’s a bald eagle underneath those colorful and festive wigs that she’s known for wearing, releasing a photo of what she claimed to be her natural, extension-free hair. While it’s certainly not impossible that the photo was in fact Nicki’s real hair, many still were not convinced, as her face was not showing in the photograph. Some even claimed that they wouldn’t believe Onika until they saw her track-less roots with their own two eyes. Maybe Nicki didn’t get the memo or she simply doesn’t care to prove that the beautiful tresses are hers. The “High School” rapper recently released yet another photo, flaunting her hair, but never actually showing her face.

Fans were quick to cheer Nicki on for showing off her real hair.

Of course, as with anything, there were skeptics as well. And then there are some who are simply asking “What’s the big deal?”, which is a valid question too. Does it really matter how long Nicki’s hair is underneath those wigs?

What are your thoughts on the Nicki Minaj hair debate?

Source: Bravo Tv

Last night Bravo aired a new tv show, “Fashion Queens” featuring hair stylist Derek J, fellow hair stylist and “Real House Wives of Atlanta” cast member, Miss Lawrence, and media and style maven and Bevy Smith. The three big personalities discussed things like haute couture, trends and what would a fashion show be without the shade that comes with discussing the most egregious fashion faux pas.

The show is primarily about style, so it was interesting Bravo chose Derek J. If you’ve seen some of his public appearances, you might have noticed that more times than not,  he’s far from impeccably dressed. And I’m not referring to the fact that he wears women’s clothes, but more to the fact that he wears ill-fitting, tacky looking women’s clothes. But let me stop. That’s not what I’m here for today.

During last night’s show, I was otherwise occupied, catching up on “Girls” episodes and watching “Golden Girls.” But I jumped on Twitter for a hot second to see that Derek J, whose business is hair, made some interesting comments. He said that he’s “not a fan of the natural hair movement.” Ok, fair. You don’t have to like it. But then he took a step further saying:

“natural hair is not for everyone.”

*Exasperated sigh*

My exasperation is not simply directed at Derek, he’s not even the tenth person I’ve heard say something to this effect. It’s a commonly expressed sentiment in the black community. So, let’s just go ahead and explore this topic.

How can your natural hair, the hair genetics and God intended for you to have, not be for you? It’s yours. To me, it’s akin to telling black folk, melanin or darker skin is not for everyone. Yeah, that’s why the world is populated with people of different tones and hues. But, for whatever reason, that is not our lot in life.  The skin tone, hair and features that occur in your appearance are yours naturally. Now, if you choose to alter these characteristics that’s your decision to make. But if someone chooses to embrace their natural features, their natural hair, it doesn’t mean that “the look” isn’t for them. In fact, it’s not just for them, it is them.

Maybe Derek J and the other folks who’ve made this comment mean to say that every woman doesn’t have to make the decision to wear her hair natural. Which I completely understand and agree with. But to say you don’t agree with the “movement” and then to follow it up with “it’s not for everybody,” makes it seem like you don’t approve of the women who are already choosing to wear their natural hair. We’re all entitled to our preferences; but sometimes said preferences, especially when they border on topics involving race and identity, don’t need to be expressed on national television. As women with free will, I don’t want to hear anyone or anything, man, woman, cat or dog speaking rudely about the texture, not the style or the cut, but the texture of my hair, relaxed, natural, texturized or jheri curled. It’s mine. It was given to me and I’ve made a choice to wear it a particular way. Is it really your place for you to tell me it’s not for me, when that’s what I was born with or that’s what I’ve chosen?

We could argue that women’s clothes aren’t for Derek J; but because that’s what he’s chosen for himself, as fellow human beings, we have to respect his choice to wear them. If we, women who are natural, relaxed and everything in between could get the same respect, that would be great.

Source: WENN

Since Kenya Moore’s debut on Bravo’s hit reality TV show, Real Housewives of Atlanta, some ladies have been dying to know whether or not her gorgeous locs are enhanced by extensions or a gift from genetics. On several occasions she let it be known that for the most part, she doesn’t wear weaves or extensions. In a recent interview with Longing for Length, she did, however, reveal that she’s flattered by many people asking if her hair is real.

“I  think it’s a compliment. I have healthy hair and people pay for extensions to look like my hair. I interpret that to be flattering for the most part.”

The former Miss USA went on to reveal that she is in the process of a launching a hair care line, in an effort to help other ladies to attain beautiful, healthy and luscious hair.

“I am working on my own hair care line and it’s a culmination of all of my favorite products and ingredients that I have come to love. I ‘m very passionate about hair care and love shiny, healthy hair. My products will first help to repair hair and then strengthen it so it will grow longer.”

In an interview with Untitled Flow late last year, Kenya stressed the importance of healthy hair and discussed being a “natural girl.”

“I think weaves and wigs are perfectly fine. My product line is basically to promote healthy hair. You can wear weaves or wigs if you want to, but you can wear your own hair as well. I’m very serlous about healthy hair. I do have my own hair. It is just hair. I don’t live and die by my hair. I’ve worn weaves for a movie but in my every day life when you see me on the RHOA, it’s all my hair. I don’t have fine textured hair. I have very thick hair. I don’t perm it. I don’t’ relax it. I’m wearing color in my hair right now but I don’t put any chemicals in it other than color. I wash it, let it air dry and flat iron it in small sections and use roller sets. As for everything else, my fans who’ve known me for a long time know that I’m a natural girl.”

But of course, these days it appears that it is nearly impossible for one Atlanta “housewife” to venture into an industry without one of her co-stars on her heels. It has also been announced recently that Porsha Stewart is in the process of launching a line of hair products as well. Last month she tweeted a photo of her younger sister with a caption announcing her upcoming product launch.

Judging by the photo, it seems that Porsha will be launching a line of hair extensions, as opposed to actual hair care products, but I suppose we’ll have to wait and see to know for sure. Maybe she’ll do both?

Source: Instagram

What do you think ladies? Would you purchase hair products from either of these reality TV stars?

Follow Jazmine on Twitter @jazminedenise.

From StyleBlazer

If social media has taught us anything, it’s that natural hair isn’t going anywhere! A simple search of the hashtag “naturalhair” will pull up MILLIONS of awesome curly hair enthusiasts on Instagram. So to help feed all of your natural hair cravings, we put together a list of kinky-textured mavens who provide endless hair inspiration. It was SUPER tough picking ten, but after much deliberation, here’s our list (in no particular order).

1. curlBOX

This monthly subscription box, that allows natural hair-istas an affordable way to experience products for curly hair, provides TONS of hair inspiration pics updated several times of day. All you have to do to get your fix on the latest styles and product buzz is to hit that follow button on the curlBOX Instagram account.

See the other 9 on StyleBlazer.com.

Though it is a bit embarrassing to admit now, my going natural was a very vain venture in the beginning. All I wanted was a bouncy, juicy ‘fro like Tracee Ellis Ross.

That was it.

That was my sole reason and goal. So I transitioned for about two and a half years with a series of semi-big chops, weaves, hundreds of dollars worth of product-junkism and perhaps a gold mine worth of psychotherapy behind seeking a head full of someone else’s hair with no luck in that direction.

What I didn’t fully understand until the past few months is that I educated myself immensely in the way of health and fitness and just total body care all while seeking that infamous “Joan Clayton ‘fro.”

I was beginning to love my hair and take my health more seriously in a way I had never given a second thought to, being that my metabolism has always been so high that at my heaviest I was 120 lbs. and at my smallest (yes, even in my adult life) I am 105 lbs. I was researching clean-eating regimens and which foods battle cancer the best. I was keeping journals of my goals both heath-related and faith-related. I was taking a more active approach to my holistic health than I ever deemed necessary before.

And it felt good. I felt good. I was no longer only concerned with the best ways to turn thin hair into thick luxurious locks. Or how to best attain length. My focus was shifting toward the overall HEALTH of my hair and body and mind. I started to accept that I inherently have thinner hair and embraced that fact, choosing styles that best accentuate what I love about myself. I embraced the fact that I am thin and began to work toward maintain healthy weight and eating habits.

I looked up one day and realized that from wanting Joan Clayton hair I was now a more socially conscious young woman, reading the labels of my hair products to make sure they were “Cruelty Free.” It’s even to the point that I take the time to research the different superstores where I purchase my hair and body products to ensure their employment practices are suitable. I recently decided to stop patronizing one superstore in particular when I found that they do no support unions for their employees.

I sat down one day and looked at all I had become, just from one vain moment of wanting to be like someone else and gave a laugh of joyful amazement. I loved who I was becoming. I LOVED her. It wasn’t just about a pretty ‘fro anymore – although once I stopped obsessing over it, my ‘fro decided to be the flyest chick in the game. No offense, Tracee, you’ll always be my inspiration!

This natural hair movement (and it IS a movement) morphed from the silliest of vanities to the most revelatory all-encompassing experiences of my life. And the deeper I choose to go, the more I’m consequently choosing to grow.

My hope for all who are embarking on the natural journey is that you find the same peace, sense of self, consciousness and zest for life that I found.

La Truly’s writing is powered by a lifetime of anecdotal proof that awkward can transform to awesome and fear can cast its crown before courage. La seeks to encourage thought, discussion and change among young women through her writing. Check her out on Twitter: @AshleyLaTruly and AboutMe www.about.me/latruly.

“WENN”

Going natural is a journey of ups and downs as you explore the natural pattern of your curls and figure out which products work best for you. There are a slew of natural hair care products on the market, touting their glory and honor of hair. It’s so easy to succumb to them all and profess that you are a product junkie at your next NHCA (Natural Hair Care Anonymous) meeting, but it can get pretty pricey in your quest. But did you know many of the needed natural hair essentials come from your cupboards? Let’s explore some must haves you need to get your natural hair swag on.

March is women’s month, and because it follows on the heels of Black History Month, there’s no better time to talk about a topic that is very important to Black Women — hair care. Here are our top eleven moments in Black Hair care History.

Biography.com

Self-Styled Entrepreneur Madam CJ Walker Makes Her Mark With Black Hair Care Products (1905)

Combining both beauty sensibility and business savvy, Madam CJ Walker (née Sarah Breedlove) built a wildly successful hair empire, around, among other things, the innovation of the pressing comb, which made it more user-friendly for Afro-textured hair (she had the teeth widened for her target market). Ambitious, driven, and dedicated to her company, Madam CJ Walker became the first female self-made millionaire in the United States.

As we mentioned this morning, SXSW has taken over Austin, TX and the news is already breaking. (It’s trending on Twitter right now.) MadameNoire Business is lucky enough to have a writer on the ground and on the scene — Mary Pryor, aka the Urban Socialista — to report on some of the hot panels. We’ll be posting her coverage from the conference over the coming days.

The Naturally Social panel. Photo: Mary Pryor

The natural hair care movement has grown rapidly within the past ten years.  As African-American hair care products evolve from servicing just one type of hair texture or consumer, there are several opportunities in the marketplace for individuals to find their own ways to educate each other about what is tried and true, catered to a variety of hair types and personalities.

At this year’s South By Southwest Conference, Franchesca Ramsey (YouTube beauty vlogger and comedienne), Myleik Teele (Curlbox), Jamala Johns (Le Coil), Kristen Braswell (Carol’s Daughter), and Patrice Yursik (Afrobella) led a panel called, “Naturally Social” and shared several ways that a dedicated person can jump into this niche, yet profitable space.

How to go natural, the social way:

• Join Tumblr – Tumblr has a large and dedicated audience of users and readers who share and post content focused on beauty, hair, fitness, and fashion.  Post photos and links to some of your favorite styles and products. Try to be mindful of using original content and not stock photography. Share your story and drive authenticity when discussing certain brands and products to your audience.

• Tweet Away – Twitter is a major platform that bloggers are using in order to tell their natural hair triumphs and tribulations. Keep in mind that Twitter growth potential takes time and every exchange online should be viewed as a chance to engage.

• Be Unique – Curlbox’s Teele doesn’t just post pics. The site posts pics of fans showing off their curls and locs. Learn how to develop an overall community for your brand. Creating a community of loyal followers who consistently engage with your content and buy your products will turn into a goldmine.
• Be Authentic – “Being authentic works,” said Teele. The more authentic your voice the more you will be able to be seen as a resource for your target demo. “Reaching out to bloggers that have engagement, trust and influence. Engagement means everything!” Teele added.
• Always Measure – As mentioned by panelist Francesca Ramsey, “If you see a mass grouping of awareness around one product, don’t be scared to question that.” Think to yourself, “Is this an authentic opinion of what you use or a massive campaign spend by an advertiser.”
• Pay Attention to Emerging Tech Platforms – Instagram and Vine are some of the top favorites by many of the panelists. Instagram’s functionality and scale provides exposure to vast audiences. Vine, although still new to the social platform scene, could be utilized as a way to display quick hair tutorials to your audience.

View this niche market with open eyes. As the need for natural hair care products and awareness rises within the African-American community there is ripe opportunity to jump in and create a name for yourself by creating content that stands outside the box.  Brands are watching but be choosy. The wrong spin can go the wrong way if you are looking at this market for just money-making potential.

You can check out Mary Pryor, the Urban Socialista on Twitter.

Source: Shutterstock

From BlackVoices

Is the texture or style of your hair preventing you from being hired? Sounds like a pretty silly question, however it was precisely the topic at hand during a panel discussion entitled “Black Women, Their Hair & The Work Place – A Dialogue” at Georgia State University.

Approximately 100 women gathered last week to contemplate the idea that their skills, talent and intelligence could be overshadowed by a hairstyle. And more often than not, the concern is based on women of color sporting their natural hair.

Yes, the hair that grows naturally from the roots of our heads could be contributing to the growing unemployment rates. Baffling.

Read more on BlackVoices.com.

Source: WENN

Viola Davis

CALLING: Actor and activist

WHY WE’RE SALUTING HER: 

Viola Davis has made us proud on and off screen through dedication to her craft and the ability to intertwine her passion for improving education into her movie roles, while simultaneously introducing a new aesthetic of beauty to be celebrated in Hollywood.

Though Davis’s name has only recently begun to be heard on the tongues of nearly every prominent figure in the movie business, she’s actually been a strong force in the entertainment industry for some time now. Davis majored in theatre at Rhode Island College, where she graduated from in 1988 — and later received an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts from in 2002 —  and a year later attended Julliard for four year as a member of the school’s Drama Division’s Group 22 from 1989–1993.

Only a few years later, the St. Matthews, SC, native won her first Tony and Drama Desk Award for her portrayal of a 35-year-old mother fighting for the right to abort a pregnancy in King Hedley II. A number of roles in major Hollywood productions followed that win, including parts in Antoine Fisher, Out of Sight, and Solaris. In 2008, Davis was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Doubt, and  a year later she was inducted into The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Just one other year after that, Davis won a second Tony Award for her role as Rose Maxson in a revival of Fences, becoming only the second African American woman to win the award after Phylicia Rashad.

It could be said that in 2011 Davis took on her biggest role yet as Abilene Clark in the movie adaptation of The Help. Despite criticism from some who weren’t interested in seeing Black woman portrayed in a servant role, Davis was lauded for her performance with nominations for Golden Globe, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild, and Academy Awards.

It was during the recognition for her role in The Help, that Viola repped for naturalistas everywhere when she hit the red carpet at the 2012 Oscars without her characteristic straight wigs, but with a teeny weeny afro that she was encouraged to rock by her husband.  For staying true to herself while still giving her all to her roles on the big screen, we salute Viola Davis.

Click here to meet all of our salutes.