If Your Black, Get Back!

I just wanted to share the preview of Dark Girls a movie by Bradinn French because it left me thinking this past weekend. Thinking not only about myself  and my experiences as a dark skinned woman but about the young ladies that I see and work with  every day. Please take a few momemts to watch, discuss and pass this along. I look forward to watching the entire movie when it is released later on this year.
Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.

Hair Style Of The Week: Hair Regimen Update

I know it has been a while since I have posted a Hair Style Of The Week pictorial but the truth is I haven't been doing much with my hair. As Spring has sprung in the NYC so has my schedule. I realize I am going to have to create a new hair regimen to adapt to my lack of time for weekly washing and deep conditioning and of course protective styling using twists. As of right now my hair schedule consists of bi-weekly washing and deep conditioning followed by a week of wearing pinned up twists and a week rocking a twist out style. Here is my current look:

Last week I wore my hair in pinned up twists for a protective style:

After wearing this style for a week I took the twists out and sectioned my hair in three sections: one for the pompadour, one for the puff, and a third section for a roll. The results:

Profile 

The Back

The Front 

Thoughts?

Labor Day 2011: Brooklyn are you ready??

It's that time of year again! Time for New York City Mas Bands to display their costumes and  open their mas camps. Here is my line up so far! Stay tuned for pics.

Sesame Flyers

Boroketes

As
Exotica Mas
Presents

La Bal de La Masquerade…

an Evening of Mystique and Seduction

Date: Saturday June 11, 2011

Place: Char-lena Chateau 3820 Church Ave
If you miss this, there will be repercussions

Unwind your mind

Expect to wine

After all, it’s Carnival time!

Special Thanks to Vincy Foreign Based

For further information, contact Exotica Mas: 347-749-8080 or exoticamascamp@gmail.com

Exotica Mas

Join the 2010 Band of the Year Champions as we showcase our 2011 Labor Day Theme:
"A Night of a Thousand Dreams"Do You Dare to Dream??
Prepare for your Senses to be AWAKEN like never before...



DJs: GB God Bless, GBM, Spoil Brattz, Infamous Sounds, Pantrin Vybez, Hyperactive Sounds. Lots of guest surprises!!

Limited Advance Tix goes sale April 30th!!
Ticket Locations:
RAMAJAY Mas Band House: 950 East 92nd Street
Online @ Simply Click Play Or Click Thru Flyers To Enter Gallery

Ramajay Committee Members

Location: RAMAJAY Mas Camp (Indoor/Outdoor Venue)
950 East 92nd Street. Between Foster & Farragut

Doors open 6pm

Live Model Fashion Show! Registration begins after show!!

Ramajay Mas

Karma Band... Official Launching should take place this June

5 Summer Must Haves: #2 The Crop Top

Ri Ri Rocking a Tribal Print  Crop Top

 To be 100% honest I cringed when I realized that the crop top would be a definite must have for yet another summer. Why? Lets just say the song "Tuk In Yuh Belly" comes to mind when I think of showing off my midsection. ; 0 )  Lately  however,  I have noticed the versatility of the crop top. Some looks to try: pair one with a high waisted skirt, drape one over a slim fitting maxi dress, or simply add a tank top underneath to add dimension to your outfit. What I love most about this piece is that it can be a casual every day option or coordinated with heels for a more glamorous event. Here are some looks I liked:

Solange...Crop Top and High Waist Bottom

I love this look

Kelly Rowland...keeping it simple

  Not convinced? Do you want to try making one yourself at home before you commit to purchasing one? Well, get an over sized shirt, a pair of scissors, and click play! Enjoy!

Curly Girl Collective: A Celebration of Textured Beauty

Just saw this in my inbox! Think I may have to add this to my list of weekend events! Will you be there?

COLLECTIVE EXPRESSIONS: A CELEBRATION OF TEXTURED BEAUTY

SUNDAY, MAY 22
4 PM – 8 PM

BRIAN FARRELL'S ART STUDIO at CHELSEA MODERN

447  WEST 18TH STREET (BTWN 9TH & 10TH AVE) NYC

 

FEATURING

Manicures & Mini-Makeovers

Live Hair Transformations & Demos

Curly Cocktails by Harmonie

Live Art Installation (*Raffle of final painting with proceeds to Petals-N-Belles*)
VENDORS: Esther Woo Vintage::Quelly Rue Designs::CanDid Art Accessories (*Purchases are cash only*)
Product Swap (*Bring a goodie & leave with something new*)

Deluxe Product Giveaways (*Get those raffle tickets for a chance to win some great prizes including a Huetiful Steamer, I Love My Hair t-shirts, and full size hair and body products from 12 major brands!*)

The Mane Event - A Big Chop!! (Performed by Miko & Titi of Miss Jessie's)

And LOTS more! Mingle, sip, share and shop!

 

DON'T FORGET TO LIKE US AND FOLLOW US
for a chance to win exclusive GIVEAWAY PRIZES at the event:

TWITTER: @ILOVECGC
FACEBOOK.COM/CurlyGirlCollective

 

Due to limited space, Early Arrival is strongly encouraged. RSVPs confirm entry for one.

BE FABULOUS::BE YOU::BE THERE

5 Summer Must Haves: # 1 The Romper

As Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer, approaches I can't help but be lured to some of my favorite clothing stores in order to pick a "few" items to spruce up my wardrobe. However, because of my budget I am limited in regards to how much I can buy as a result I narrowed down my wish list to five basic essentials that would give anyone's summer wardrobe a boost. Today's pick: 

The Romper:

Why I love it? In my world there is nothing better than a one piece outfit. Case in point, my favorite item to wear to work is a dress because it takes most of the work out of looking put together. So when I was introduced to the romper I was in love with its simplicity. They come in a multitude of styles: short, long, capri, halter, tube top, sweetheart, solid, floral, stripped, casual, dressy, in cotton, silk, or linen, pocket less, or pocketful, so the possibilities are endless. I have to be honest, I shunned the romper when it began appearing  in my favorite stores because I have a short torso and did not believe any romper would fit me correctly, but I was wrong. After trying on a few rompers I learned which styles worked for me.  Here are a few looks I like:  

Beyonce... preppy plaid

Rihanna ...keeping it casual

Rihanna...dressing it up

Meagan Good

Me...looking a little scared...but you get the point...lol

Try Forever21 and Target if your unterested in trying out the romper look for less!!!

Spice Mas...SummerCrew Bikini Cruise 2011--Ticket in hand!!

Well not actually IN my hand but after searching a few websites, sending a few emails, and using my Western Union account, I now officially have two tickets to the  SumerCrew Bikini Cruise on hold for me at the Mas Camp in Grenada. One fete secured ... many more to go. Why did I go through so much to secure this ticket? Well, this review on trinijunglejuice.com sealed the deal for me. Don't want to click the link? The first lines were  " "... BIKINI CRUISE was a BESSSSSSSSSSSSS Boat Ride! For my 1st time in Grenada, 1st Spice Mas, 1st Carnival Boat Ride, ohhhhh gawd, the Bikini Cruise impressed me in EVERY WAY!!!!"


How can I resist? ; 0 )

Photo Source: Trini Jungle Juice 

Photo Source: Trini Jungle Juice 

Saying that I can't wait would be an understatement! 

Confessions of a Soca Addict!!!

SOURCE 

There are only a few things I obsess over more than hair, and one of them is CARNIVAL! I love every aspect of Carnival: the soca music, the people, the fetes, the costumes, the glamour, and most of all just the ability to let go and be FREE! So there should be NO surprise when I say that as we speak I have my plane tickets and lodging for Barbados' Crop Over 2k11, Grenada's Spice Mas 2k11, and of course Trinidad Carnival 2012!!  Madness ....I know. Be on the look out for posts about band launchings, costumes, fetes, and all things carnival. Thinking about hitting up a Carnival this summer  (there are quite a few) or perhaps experiencing The Greatest Show on Earth aka Trinidad's Carnival? Need a little inspiration? Click play, sit back, and enjoy the vibes.

Lil Rick-->Work--Crop Over 2k11 <--

I LOVE this song ; o )

Rihanna--Nappy Hair Don't Care!?!?

I love Rihanna and I love her single Man Down (it's generally playing on repeat in my living room), however I actually was not a fan of the cover art for the single. I realized I was not alone when a "fan" tweeted today that Rihanna's hair looked nappy in the picture. What did Rihanna have to say about this? Click here and find out! How do you feel about Rihanna's reaction?

Raven Symone Au Naturale

I might have been the only natural who missed this BUT....

Raven Symone at the Disney Dreamers Academy this past March rocking a TWA! I'm a fan.

Happy Mothers Day!

My sis, my mom, and myself... 

I just wanted to say Happy Mothers Day to every mommy, auntie, grandma, and godmommie out there!! I know it isn't easy but you all are doing one of the most difficult jobs in the world! Take this day to rest, relax, and reflect. ; o )

Source

Natural, relaxed, kinky, curly, or straight we ALL have to deal with split ends. My personal relationship with split ends ebbs and flows, sometimes I obsess over them and at other times they don't even cross my mind. Where do I stand now? I'm obsessed with them (-_-)!!! While in the midst of this obsessive period I have come across the most comprehensive guide to split ends on thenaturalhaven.blogspot.com. The highlights: the post uses scientific research to back all the claims that are made and it is styled like an online magazine. Check it out here and tell me what you think.
: o )



Damaged hair strands...They come in all shapes and sizes! (-_-)



Walgreens Shea Moisture BOGO #overdidit

You all remember it...the Walgreens Buy One Get One sale on Shea Moisture Products that Naturalista's all over blogged, vlogged and tweeted about. When I first heard about it I was completely devastated because there are no Walgreens stores near my house (when I say near I mean next to the train station  -_-)  and I thought I was going to miss out. However on the Friday before the sale ended my coworker mentioned to me the  BOGO sale is also available on walgreens.com (why didn't I think of that). Needless to say I made a bee line towards my computer and began adding every Shea Moisture product my heart desired into my shopping cart. Unfortunately Walgreens website did not allow me to mix and match any of the products and as a result I had to not only succumb to the fact that I would own two of everything, but also cut down on the number of products. Here's what I ended up with:

Organic Yucca & Aloe Thickening Growth Milk-- I thought this would be a great product to add to my moisturizing arsenal.

Organic Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner-- I wrote about the Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque in an earlier post and had no complaints so I decided to give the conditioner a chance.

Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie -- This product has been part of my styling arsenal on and off since this summer. As a result I decided to give it a whirl again!

Organic African Black Soap Purification Masque-- I will be in Barbados and Grenada this summer for two weeks and have been considering styling options for the trip since I purchased my tickets. I doubt I'll be washing my hair often during that time so I figured I would try this masque for scalp cleansing.

Organic Yucca & Aloe Anti-Breakage Masque--I 've never saw this product at Target and since I am constantly looking for a new deep conditioner I added this to my shopping cart. Notice one of these are missing, I was hi-jacked by my sister for it!


Hindsight is 20/20 and I realize that I do not need two of everything. I'm thinking it's time for a product giveaway.   ; o )  

Giveaway rules and reviews of these products to follow. Ciao!

Rockie's Big Chop--Part Two

All in all Rockies big chop experience was a good one. She left Khamit Kinks with her curls popping and a list of the products they used in her hair, she was all set.

Unfortunately she  did notice a couple of straight strands present in her hair days after her big chop which left her a little dissapointed because she thought that they would have ALL been removed. She actually plans on visiting a barberer this weekend to "even" up her fro. (Ladies please tell me if this is a common post big chop experience...I'm curious).

Rockie, her cuz, and I ...Post BC

How's that for a texture shot? ; 0 )

I have to confess I never thought Rockie would actually become a natural. Why? Simply because she has transisitoned a few times before and gave up and reverted back to her relaxer. She was about six months in when I finally realized she was in this for the long run. Here are a few of her transitioning hair styles:




Blown Out Roots



Sleek Ponytail



Rockie (rod set) and I (flat twist) last summer ...



Braidout...Rockie decided to cut her permed ends little by little as she transitioned...

Curly Fro

Bantu Knot-Out

Kinky Twist

Kinky Twist

Kinky Twist

After Rockie took this pic she decided it was time for her big chop

It's official Rockie is a Natural Beauty....