Celeb Spotting: Nicole Ari Parker

Beautiful actress and natural hair advocate, Nicole Ari Parker shows us exactly how to rock your natural hair with an updo. This gorgeous hairstyle was done by none other than celebrity hair stylist Felicia Leatherwood. Leatherwood has also done hair for ladies such as, Teyonnah Parris and Tomiko Fraser. We can't wait to see more of Parker and her hair at the BET Awards premiering tomorrow night. 

Qu'ality's "NA-TU-RAL" Music Video

Qu'ality's "NA-TU-RAL" (Produced by Qu'ality)

Check out Qu'ality's YouTube channel here

DIY: Hair Smoothie

As we all know being natural can be quite expensive, especially from purchasing new products to try for our hair. I myself have spent tons of money on the latest buzzed about conditioners, hair creams and hair custards. Today however, I'm here to tell you that we have the capability of concocting healthy hair products in our own kitchens! Yes ladies, there are plenty of cheap and nourishing ingredients for our hair found in our our cupboards and fridges at home. Its not only cheap and convenient to mix up our own products, such as conditioners or shampoos, but it's also fun! 

Below I've added a video of one of the very first recipes that I mixed, created by one of my favorite natural hair channels on YouTube Fushionofcultures. My hair felt great when I was done! The mixture left my hair feeling soft and shiny. I hope you enjoy (: 

Mad.Mane of the Week: Ashleigh

Introduce yourself: My name is Ashleigh I am a 22 year old, born in Washington Heights New York City and raised in South Side Jamaica Queens.

What do you consider your hair type to be? If I were to give my hair a type I would say it is a mix between 3c and 4a. My curls are pretty tight and springy.

When and why did you decide to go natural? I decided to go natural during my sophomore at Hampton University. I was more so curious as to what my natural curl pattern looked like.

BC (Big Chopped) or Transitioned? I wasn't bold enough to do the Big Chop so I transitioned. The process was interesting. I could see my roots thickening as time went on and it motivated me to continue with it. Eventually my grandmother, who is a beautician, cut off the thin ends.

I Want Long Hair: 10 Ways to Retain Length

Photo by: mzmoodswingz.tumblr.com

• The first rule is to practice patience!! Your hair won't grow over night and won't grow at the same pace as other's. But, if you take care of your hair and practice healthy regimens your hair will grow in no time (: 
• Pre-poo (pre-shampoo)- Before washing your hair base apply your favorite natural oil like, olive or coconut oil.  Adding a natural oil prevents breakage as well as moisturizing your hair, protecting it from being stripped when you shampoo. 
• Avoid shampoo's with sulfates- Shampoo's with sulfates strip the hair of its natural oils and moisture, causing the hair to become dry. 
• Clarify hair - Applying hair products beings a build up on your hair. Co-washing is not enough to relieve your hair from all the build up, but cleansing with a clarifying shampoo or Apple Cider vinegar will. 
• Finger detangle- Avoid using combs! Comb's are ruff on hair and can cause breakage. By using your fingers you can detangle your hair at a slow and safe pace. 

Product Review: Curls Unleashed Leave-In & Curl Boosting Jelly

Products

Curls Unleashed: Leave-In Conditioner $10.99

Curls Unleashed: Curl Boosting Jelly  $14.99

Good afternoon beauties! Okay, so since purchasing my first leave-in, Kinky Curly's Knot Today (which I absolutely loveeeed), I've been excited about trying other leave-in's...like how did I go a year natural without using any??? I digress... Anyway, lately I haven't had any time to go out and buy any products, but yesterday I finally managed to make it out to Target (my natural hair heaven). As always Target had a wide array of products so deciding which one I wanted to review was a challenge. Finally, looking through the aisle's I came across Curls Unleashed leave-in conditioner. I was already familiar with the brand because a girlfriend of mine back at school had previously given me their curl boosting jelly.  I decided to just grab the Curls Unleashed leave-in and kill two birds with one stone, reviewing the curling jelly as well.

Before using Curls Unleashed I co-washed my hair, while it was damp I applied the leave-in. On the bottle is says that it, "softens and detangles." Let me just say

Mad.Mane of the Week: Courtney

Introduce yourself: Hi everyone! My name is Courtney. I'm 24 years old, I graduated from Hampton U in 2011. I was born and raised in Baltimore,MD. My Instagram is @thatcrazyshxt. 

What is your hair type? I'm not really sure about my hair type. I have several different curl patterns and textures throughout my hair. It's hard to put myself in one category. 

When and why did you decide to go natural? I decided to go natural in 2010. I was bored with my hair and had done everything to it, from weaves to colors to cuts. My grandmom would always tell me that I didn't need a perm (relaxer) so one day I just decided I wouldn't put them in my hair anymore. I had my last relaxer in November 2010.

The Fohawk: A Quick Style for an Edgy Look

Mad.Mane of the Week: Camylle

Introduce yourself: I am Camylle and I am 20 years old.
I was raised in the Bay Area in the City of
San Jose, California.

What do you consider your hair type to be? Putting my hair into one of those categories has always been the hardest thing for me! This is because the front of my hair needs a whole lot of love!! It doesn't curl like the back of my hair, it's more of a wave and this is because I used to pull my hair back into ponytails for track and spent more time straightening the front. I'd say the back is 3b and the front is so limp and barely curly so it's 2c. 

When and why did you decide to go natural? I have been natural all my life, but I had decided to be more conscious of wearing it in it's natural state my freshman year at Hampton. My teammate wore flat twists to practice and so I decided to try it as well. I loved how her curls were so

Black Women Let Strangers Feel Hair on the Streets of NY

You Can Touch My Hair---  Promoting strangers into touching their hair three women, one with relaxed hair, dreads and natural hair, stood on the NY Streets holding up this sign. This awkward, yet somewhat intriguing event has been getting much buzz around the natural hair community this week. The controversial  exhibit, developed by hair blogger Antonia Opiah was created as a social experiment to give non-African descent individuals the chance to feel all types of black hair.

Photos taken from un-ruly.com Instagram

In an article for The Huffington Post Opiah states; 

Black hair is unique. It requires different care techniques and routines. And in a country where we primarily see commercials for white hair products and magazines that mainly cover white beauty topics and TV shows that mainly feature white characters, we, and those curious about us, have to find information about our hair from other sources.

Now I don't know how I feel about this, its like going to the zoo to see animals. I definitely think we should feed curious minds about our hair, but standing on a street willing to let anyone just feel and grab on your hair is WEIRD! That's just my opinion... how do you ladies feel about the subject? 

If you are interested in seeing the exhibit there will be another showing June 8th  from 6-8 at  Union Square, New York City. 

Celeb Spotting: Solange Knowles

Singer and actress, Solange Knowles was spotted at the 6th Annual Roots Picnic, rocking yet another retro hairstyle. Usually sporting a massive Afro or braids, the fashion/hair icon switched it up, performing with her hair in Havana Twist. Her new twists and African print ensemble, by designer Kenzo, gained my approval. This girl can do no wrong in my eyes...she looks absolutely dashing! 

Mad.Mane of the Week: Chelsea

Introduce yourself: Chelsea from Orlando, Florida and I am 21 years old.

What do you consider your hair type to be? 3C/ 4A

When and why did you decide to go natural? I decided to go natural after my freshmen year at Hampton University. I was interested in taking a more active role in learning my roots and culture and going natural was just an extension of that. I was excited to see my natural curls and have thicker and fuller hair.

BC (big chopped) or Transitioned? Both. I transistioned for 6 months with box braids and weaves. After it (my hair) grew about 2 inches I went in for my big chop.