Madame Noire | Black Women's Lifestyle Guide | Black Hair | Black Love

By Chrissi J

“Why Won’t My Hair Grow?!”

There are several potential answers to this commonly asked question. Unless hair has been permanently damaged for some chemical or health-based reason, our hair is and always should be growing in one way or another. Growing slow, growing fast, growing in crazy directions–it should be growing nonetheless. Everyone’s hair grows on average about ¼ inch every month. If your hair seems to be growing less than that, here are some explanations as to why that may be and tips to help.

1. Breakage- In my experience, this is the number one reason hair seems not to grow. A lot of times we forget to moisturize the ends of our hair so they dry up and break off. You must remember that the curlier your hair, the less likely oil is to reach the end of the strands, so that’s where you need to step in. It is just as important to oil the ends of your hair, as it is to oil the scalp.

2. Split Ends- Split ends can be caused from lack of moisture, heat, chemicals, and plain carelessness. It’s important to trim chemically treated hair every 6-8 weeks, and natural hair every 3-5 months, and make sure to keep hair moisturized to avoid split ends. When hair splits at the end, it splits all the way up the shaft causing breakage and creating a thinner strand. Wearing weave and extensions can also cause split ends, so you will want to trim a little every time you take your extensions out.

3. Scalp Build Up- Grease and other heavy products can clog your scalps pores, stunting the growth of your hair. Your scalp needs to be able to breathe! Use light products that penetrate your scalp and hair. Try to use all-natural essential oils and avoid grease, wax, or jam. If heavy product is required for styling, be sure to shampoo or clean your scalp with an astringent at the end of the day.

4. Diet/Medication- Everything that goes into our body effects what comes out of it… including our hair. Make sure to maintain a healthy diet full of live foods and drink a lot of water. If you’re taking medication, speak with your nutritionist about taking vitamins. Biotin and Vitamin E are both great for hair growth.

More on Madame Noire!

• What’s With Some Black Women’s Fascination With Marilyn Monroe?
• The Dark Side of Being Jealous in Love
• Ask A Very Smart Brotha Live: A*sholes & Disappearing Acts
• Undercover Brothers: Not-So-Famous Brothers of Famous Celebs
• What The Heck Happened To You: What Lost Celebs Look Like Nowadays
• Hair Q&A: Good Weave Hair and Flat Iron Recommendations
• 7 Things That Could Change The Way He Feels About You
• Say Cheese! Unfortunate Yet Unforgettable Celebrity Mug Shots

With another awards show under Hollywood’s belt, it’s only natural that we do our part and congratulate judge the actors even further. You know why you’re here…it’s time for another ‘Best Dressed’ list featuring some of Hollywood’s most fabulous women of color! On Sunday, most of these ladies opted for a variation of white or black gowns, but some folks chose a pop of color. Check out our favorite looks as well as some we we’re not too crazy about.

If you’re into Idris, you know that the man knows how to dress. It’s no secret that the brother is fly. But you might be surprised to learn that he was anti-stylist for a while.

Check out him and the woman who made him a believer in the art of style at StyleBlazer.com.

Coral Blazer by Nasty Gal and Cheetah Print Blazer by Tibi

This year the blazer is getting a much needed makeover. Basic black and navy – while classic – are sooooo predictable. Bright colors and prints update this wardrobe staple in a way that’s refreshingly unexpected. Designers like Emilio Pucci and Matthew Williamson set the tone with their Spring and Resort 2012 collections. Thus, the statement blazer was born! The eye-catching nature of this outerwear calls for more subdued pairings, but risks with color and print-on-print instances are allowed – even encouraged.

Check out these blazers in various styles for every budget and suggestions on what to wear with them. Go on, blaze the fashionable trail!

*Purchase Coral Blazer by Nasty Gal here and Cheetah Print Blazer by Tibi here.

Read the rest of this entry »

At this time of the year, many people have on those long, grandma-ish coats with the husky dog hoods covered in fake fur. Why? Because it’s too cold to play crazy. Better safe than sorry. But if you’re in other parts of the country where your bones are chilled and not frozen, you might not need an Eskimo-style coat. That’s where an awesome leather jacket comes in. People love them because they’re soft and fierce in every fashionable way, but also because a well-lined leather jacket still manages to be warm. If you’re in the market for one while they’re on sale (since leather jackets are pretty expensive), we’ve got a few in different styles and for different kinds of fashionistas. Open your minds and your wallets!

*Note, we tried to keep jackets under $400 for the most part–we understand times are hard…

*Oh, and the opening jacket is by Allsaints, and the above is by Nike.

My 93 year-old grandfather, who is a devout Seventh Day Adventist, rarely talked about women in front of his daughters and granddaughters. (It was a different thing for the boys.) But he couldn’t help but profess his love for Tina Turner for all of us to hear. He was a particular fan of her legs.

As a child, before I’d ever seen “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” I knew Tina Turner as the woman who made my grandfather’s eyes gleam. I knew she had to have something.

While many of us know Tina solely from her biopic, we might have failed to recognize the roads she’s paved for female entertainers. While she wasn’t the first black woman to do so, Tina wore the blonde highlights to perfection. She made it ok for black women to work the rocker look unashamedly and as you know, her story is the epitome of strength and perseverance. Check out some of Tina’s best looks over the years.

Tina told ya’ll back in 1971 that she and Ike never do nothing “nice and easy.” (Clearly.) This picture is evidence of that fact. With her long, thick wigs and elaborate costumes, Tina knew how to “werk” while she was working. Tassels became a staple for the singer as she was known to keep it moving on stage.

LL has come a long way since the Kangol hats. Watch how James Todd Smith went from the scrawny new kid on the block to swole Hip Hop legend and how his fashion evolved with him at StyleBlazer.com.

Photos courtesy of INFphotos.com

Is Solange’s outfit making you green with envy or what!? Let’s decide.

Stepping out for Milan’s Fashion Week, Solange arrived at a party for Dolce & Gabbana this weekend looking very bright and colorful while turning heads in her green getup. Solo rocked this see-through green dress that hugged her figure nicely, and also showed off her undergarments without looking tacky. The dress reached down past her knees and she paired it with strappy black and white heels. Her undergarments included a black, lace, strapped corset top and some fun comfortable briefs (I’m just assuming…), and her jewelry was kept to a minimum with some flashy rings. Her makeup was fresh with a red lip and her hair was big, with what I’m assuming is a wig, but a fab wig nonetheless.

From the moment I saw this look I was in love with it (not the shoes so much though), so this is a steal for me! You rarely get to see a see-through green dress or skirt like this, and as it’s my favorite color, it’s a must-have for me. I probably would have gone with some more dramatic heels, maybe even some pumps, but everything else works for me. Solange is really feeling her new model status and stepping into it nicely. She’s a style winner, and this look is just an example of why. BOW!

What do you think of Solange’s look?

More on Madame Noire!

• Let’s Be Real: Things in Life You Need to Blame Yourself For From Time to Time
• Color on Campus: What It Really Feels Like to Be the Only Black Girl
• The Most Painful Things A Woman Can Say To A Man
• 10 Artists That Blew Up…But Shouldn’t Have
• We Are Family: Shocking Celebrity Relatives!
• Vitamin B(eautiful): Nutrients To Help You Stay Healthy and Gorgeous

The hype for Versace for H&M has finally died down. This can only mean one thing. It’s time for a new fashion collaboration! Enter, Jason Wu for Target!

Teaser images of the collection surfaced last week, but the ENTIRE Jason Wu for Target collection was released on Tuesday. Mr. Wu (designer of Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown) has created pieces inspired by the femininity found in French new wave films. This inspiration can be seen in the details of the garments – chic separates, bows, aline skirts and nautical stripes galore!

“My goal was not to duplicate anything from my main collection,” Wu explains to T Magazine. “Instead I designed completely new clothes and accessories that reflect my taste and have a voice of their own.”

As a bonus, the price is oh-so right for this dainty collection with nothing priced over $60! You’ll find Jason Wu for Target in stores starting February 5, 2012. We recommend developing a game plan now because these collaborations have been known to start cat fights over couture!

Check out the entire collection below:

Are you planning on snatching up a piece of the collection? Or, are you over all these collaborations?

Photos via Glamour.com

More on Madame Noire!

• Fuhgettabout It: 10 Things We Think Men Care About But They Really Don’t
• 7 Hygienic Qualities Some Men Should Learn From Women
• Thank You, Baseball Wives
• The Most Painful Things A Man Can Say To A Woman
• “OOooh Unn Uhhh” and Other Things Black Girls Say
• Do We Ignore Mommy Issues?

NEWS SPLASH! Typically, December and January are filled with snow! You know the drill: snowmen, snow-angels and snow days. Yet for some of us, global warming  has given us 60 degree weather and lots of rain.

More prepared for snow flurries than rain showers? Don’t sweat it! We’ve scoured the stores for practical and stylish pieces for the upcoming drippy days. Come on, let us help you stay dry and fly…

*Purchase ‘I Love Rain’ umbrella here for $17.

Read the rest of this entry »