Natural Hair Icon: Alicia Keys

So, the other day while I was in the midst of conducting my massive manhunt for a formal natural hair style (yep...I am still at it) I came across pictures of Alicia Keys at the Billboard Music Awards a few weeks ago.

Fire!!! I LOVE this style. It is simple but definitely fierce. I rarely ever think of Alicia Keys when I am looking for natural hair inspiration because her hair texture does not resemble my own  but CLEARLY I have been missing out.  Remember when Alicia Keys  would only rock her signature cornrows...

although they were always fresh and creative they are nothing like the styles she has been sporting lately.

Alicia at the American Music Awards

Alicia at the  Grammys ...

Alicia Keys NYE 

Who is her stylist? I love the fact that she still incorporates braids in her hair styles and often in ways that you would never expect. Don't think you can replicate these styles on your own? I beg to differ. Most of these styles begin with a slicked back high ponytail... add some Marley hair or Kanekalon hair, braid it, pin it, and your good to go.

Kanekalon..

I may be over simplifying the process just a tad but I do believe you can create your own version of these hot looks.

Check out these YouTubers for inspiration:

Natural Hair Icon: Solange Knowles

I love this girl and I am constantly impressed with the multiple hats she wears! From being a song writer, a  mother, performance artist, and now a naturalista, she does it all. Solange has rocked many natural looks from the classic twa, to Janet Jackson Poetic Justice braids, twist outs , full on fro's, and turban wraps. Not only does she have a unique versatile style she always looks like she is having so much fun rocking it! I can't wait to see what look she comes up with next!

Natural Hair Icon: Corinne Bailey Rae

I guess the first thing I should say is I love Corinne Bailey Rae's hair as much as I love her music. She is an artist who is in heavy rotation on my I-Pod especially when I am in a neo-soul groove. In addition to this I have a lot of respect for her not only as an artist but as a woman. In 2008 her husband Jason Rae died unexpectedly from a drug overdose but despite this Corrine continued to sing, write, and perform all while grieving the loss of her husband. She is the picture of resiliency and a natural beauty. 

Like A Star--My Favorite Song by Bailey Rae! Enjoy ; )

Natural Hair Icon: Kim Love

If I had to select one person who inspired me the most in regards to the quest to  take care of my natural hair and even starting this bog I would have to chose Kim Love of kimmaytube. When I first started watching her YouTube video's this summer I was still rocking my hair extensions. I knew I needed to make a change but I was not sure how to go about it and then I found her. I soaked up all the information she had to offer, watched EVERY video she posted and quoted her randomly. I was obsessed.  Although she does not post new videos frequently I still check her channel every once in a while and yesterday as I was sitting underneath the dryer deepcoditioning my hair I came across this:

and this:

If she can do it, so can you!

Natural Hair Icon: Troy Polamalu

They don't put just anybody on the cover of the Sports Illustrated!

I love this man! He’s a beast on the field (check him out today playing in the Super Bowl against the Green Bay Packers) who knows how to make light of himself (I love his commercial) and takes pride in his beautiful locs.

He’s a force to be reckoned with in more ways than one!

(Let's Go STEELERS!!!)

Natural Hair Icon: Janelle Monae

I had fallen in love with Janelle Monae's style before she was anywhere near mainstream. Her look was natural, which was rare and edgy for a rising star. Many bloggers and "vloggers" (video bloggers) have tried to duplicate her signature natural pin-up hairstyle, but none in my opinion has mastered it like Ms. Monae.

Yet another hair style I will add to my repertoire.



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Want to learn more about J Monae? Check out her site: http://www.jmonae.com/

Natural Hair Icon:Yaya DaCosta

The Pic in Essence Magazine's February Issue

Last night when I got home I practically ran to my mailbox to look for my copy of Grown Ups from Netflix. I absolutely LOVE Adam Sandler - and I also LOVE Netflix - so you can only imagine the level of pure excitement as I walked into my lobby.  Although Adam Sandler was not waiting for me in the mailbox, which left me disappointed and pleasantly surprised at the same time, but my new Essence magazine. As I was flipping through the pages I saw a picture of Yaya DaCosta (America's Next Top Model Cycle 3 and most recently in Disney's Tron Legacy) in all her natural glory. I realized that I had forgotten about her and just how radiantly beautiful she is. I admire her strength to remain a natural while pursuing her acting/modeling career and aspire to have natural loc's like hers.