Eye Candy

Today I went to the Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.  I was grinning from ear to ear... literally (I must have looked like a crazy person) when I saw all these beautiful natural haired women in Cache.  I mean all the sales associates were natural haired women.  One had kinky hair that she wore in a kick-ass chunky afro (fearless!), another had a head full of tight curls that hung down toward her shoulder, and still another had her hair flat twisted in front and a bun in the back (so classy).  All different hair textures and curl patterns but all stunning.  I didn't know where to focus my eyes when yet another naturalista walked in, a customer, also rocking a fro.  I was trying not to be creepy and stare.  I really wanted to ask to take their picture but that might have been intrusive (read: creepy) and they were all pretty busy.  But it made me realize this "natural hair movement" is going strong.  Hell, I"m hoping there is a bit of a natural movement all around.  Not just hair, but our bodies, our faces, nails, eyelashes, what have you.  I'm all about taking care of what gave you!  Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against enhancing your beauty but that's not the same as drastically (and sometimes permanently) changing what you have to fit some "ideal".
I think it's awesome because we as black women are the only women who have this kind of hair and for so long we were ashamed of it (myself included).  But seeing these women wearing it so proudly, unabashed, in the workplace, on a date, just plain put and about being confident and fabulous... it has made me feel great.  It is just an affirmation of our beauty: something that society has threatened to put into extinction.  I love that this hair I have is unique to black women.  I feel a part of something.  As many struggles as I have with my hair I would never dream of going back for this very reason.
Anyway, that's all.  Just had to get that out there. 

PS: I have had these extensions in all of 2 days (see  my previous post: Havana Twists) and I"m already missing my own hair.  Oh and when I asked my boyfriend if he likes my new do, his response?  "It's... different.  So I like it but I like your real hair better and the different styles you do with it.  Your real hair is more fun to play in".  Aww... that's good to hear :)

Versatility

If there is one thing I love about natural hair, it would be it's versatility.  I don't remember being able to switch up my hairstyles like this when I had a relaxer.  And although I keep my hair in a protective style (usually twists) 80% of the time, it's so nice being able to rock a completely different look the other 20%.  I love the looks and encouraging comments I get from people when I wear my hair in a different and unexpected hairstyle.  I love letting my hair out after wearing it in twists for 2 weeks.  Or my new go-to topknot hairstyle that's a still demure but just a change.  Check out 3 of my different hairstyles over the past several weeks.

Natural Hair Inspiration

Hello Bellas!

I am excited to share some inspiration with you.  Actually I'm a little late in sharing this but better late than never right?  If you're into hair porn (read: inspirational photos of beautiful natural hair) as much as I am, you are going to love this tumblr page:  Natural Hair Rules

If you are a new or aspirational naturalista or even a veteran in need of some inspiration as we all are from time to gime, then BOOKMARK THIS PAGE!


I go on here everyday and I never get tired of looking at pictures of natural hair of all types.  The moments when I wonder why I ever decided to go natural in the first place or if I should go back to relaxing my hair, I draw inspiration from these photos.

Below are some examples of the wonderful ideas I get from this website.

I love the haircut!  Short in the back and longer in the front.  One day I hope to cut my hair in a style like this.

I love her hair but I LOVE her makeup... it's not over the top but oh so feminine and gorgeous. The entire look is to die for

I've never blown out my hair, I'm so afraid of heat damage (my hair is very fragile) but I love this blown-out look on her and everything else down to her t-shirt and her African print bangles and necklace

This is my favorite because her hair texture reminds me of my hair texture: thick and course but look how gorgeous!  I"m not sure how she got those beautiful waves in her hair but I will figure it out and rock this look someday

See what I mean?  This is only the tip of iceberg of inspiring things I see everyday on this website.  I hope you enjoy this website as much as I do!  And hopefully there will be many more like this one to show how beautiful natural can be.

Mother's Day Weekend and Hair

 I had a great Mother's Day weekend with my mom and my sisters.  I had to take some photos of us rocking our various natural hairstyles for m y blog of course.  And introduce you guys to my sisters.  Oh and Happy Mother's Day to my mom, my sisters and all the other mothers out there!!

My youngest sister Meikhele is in the process of locking her hair and doing a great job of maintaining it.

Sonya has been featured on this blog many times but she continues to find the fliest hairdos so here she is again looking stylish as usual.  I love this look on her!

This one's a blooper but we were also just being goofy.  Meikhele's face is priceless.  And wtf was I doing???

Second day hair

I wasn't TRYING to hog the camera, I swear!