Tag: African

Fabulous Natural Hairstyles That Are Trending In 2020

by Queen SueSue, posted in Fashion/Beauty, Woman Hair Crush Wednesdays

The year 2020 has ushered in new fads and crowd-pleasing hairdos. So hold your applause while we go over the top hairstyles that many Queens will be rocking in 2020.

The Braided Bob

back view photo of woman in denim outfit leaning against metal fence
Photo by Christine Cerdan on Pexels.com

Many braiders will be busy this winter season because the braided bob will be a must-have protected hairstyle. Are you feeling like the Egyptian ruler Cleopatra? Then throw in some gold beads to make your hair pop. Embellished braids are also a hot look. Adding color and/or hair ornaments will make you stand out as unique. Don’t forget to keep your moisturizer close by. If you do not moisturize your hair while they are in braids your natural hair will break off. Shorter braids mean less time sitting at the salon. That is why the braided bob is in high demand.

Textured Bang

shallow focus photo of woman wearing denim top
Photo by Marlon Schmeiski on Pexels.com

Bangs don’t only have to be worn with straight hair. Many who have curly textured hair are cutting the front section of their hair to create bangs. To add some flair, you can put your hair in cornrows and let your forehead be covered with beautiful curls. And if your hair is already short then there is no need to get scissors.

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Image Credit: Youtube

Micro Locs

Micro braids used to be a popular option for women of color. It gives off a professional vibe and can be styled in many ways. But now with the natural hair movement in full effect, many are opting for micro locs. Women of color are the leading demographic in the United States to own a small business. We do not have the time to spend hours in a chair installing micro braids. We want faster alternatives. Micro locs look neater than traditional locs and have more versatility. They can be started by creating tiny braids, twists, or interlocking.

Structured Cuts

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When marches for fair equality were in full effect, both male and female African Americans would proudly wear full afros. To end Jim Crow laws blacks would march the busiest streets in the country to slow traffic and business revenue. Their afros could be seen from far away. Now with hair color being more advanced, structured cuts are being used on afros. The same way a gardener would trim a bush is the same way our afros are being worn with individuality.

Wet N’ Wavy Hair

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Image Credit: Youtube

The “I just got out of the shower and don’t have time to blow dry my hair” look will continue to trend in 2020. You can slick it back with a Cantu styling product. Pairing it with feline eyeshadow will surely make heads turn. It is a very easy look to maintain and it does not require that your hair is drenched in water. After your hair is washed as you go about your day, the H2O will eventually dry up. So you have to use a product like Super Wet Gel that will give your hair a long-lasting wet look. To find a product that works for you will take some trial and error. But it’s worth the research.

Did you like what you just read? Then get in touch! Shoot me an email if you need content for your blog.

Sources:

https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curls/the-top-8-natural-hair-trends-expect-to-see-everywhere-in-2020

The Runway Has Spoken and 2020 Natural Hair Trends Are Seriously Stunning

https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/afro-hair-trends-2020

 

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Ten Affordable Products You Can Use On 4C Hair

by Queen SueSue, posted in Fashion/Beauty, Thrifty Thursdays

Are you just entering the world of natural hair? Are you worried about wearing your curls because of the maintenance involved? Once you have a clear understanding of what 4c hair is and know what products you can buy at a low cost, navigating the world of natural hair will become easier. You will learn to love your 4c hair.

Understanding 4C Hair

In the beauty world, hair types are put into categories. The sections range from Type 2 to 4. Hair type 2 is relatively straight hair. Hair type 3 consists of wavy curl patterns.Hair type 4 curls are more profound. Their distinct curls can be compared to a Z.

Within each hair type, there are subcategories. Type 4 subcategories are 4A, 4B, and 4C. Tightly coiled type 4 curls are harder to take care of because of how fragile tight curls can be. Type 4c hair is the most challenging type of hair because it is coarse, needs constant moisture, swiftly can get dry, can shrink quickly from humidity, and does not have many definitions. In this context, the term definition means varied forms of change. When you wash other types of hair with no products added, the hair might be easier to manage. When it comes to 4c hair though, hair washes alone will not take the kinks out. This type of hair also has a shrinkage of more than 75 percent. So even if your hair has grown three inches, it may only look like 1 inch of growth unless you use a stretching technique.

Hair Products That You Can Afford For Natural Hair

It is universally known that 4C hair is the most fragile so it can easily damage or break. It can be compared to a delicate vase or fine china. When you are moving and packing glass, you make sure that the glass is covered with large amounts of newspaper or tissue so that the glass does not shatter. Likewise, those of us with 4c hair that is constantly on the go must protect our delicate strands with hydration and moisture.

  1. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar With The Mother 
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    Image Credit: Amazon

    Apple Cider Vinegar is a big savior that is praised by many natural hair care bloggers. What makes it ideal is the fact that it is a safer alternative to traditional shampoos. It has no harsh chemicals and does not strip the hair of its natural curls. You have to dilute it with water before rinsing it through your hair. You can buy it from Amazon for only $8.16.

  2. Indian Healing Clay 100% Natural Bentonite Clay
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    Image Credit : Revelist

    Bentonite Clay has been raved about because it effectively removes build-up from your hair. It adds definition to your coils and can leave your hair feeling soft. It can be brought from Amazon for $10.95.

  3. Africa’s Best Hair Mayonnaise
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    Image Credit: Africa’s Best Hair

    This product sells at many beauty supply stores for about $4. It is a deep conditioner full of olive oil and egg protein. It is designed to seal in moisture and strengthen your hair.

  4. Mega Moist Conditioner
    ausiie
    Image Credit : Amazon

    Priced at 4.94 at Walmart, this conditioner will protect your strands from extreme humidity. With ingredients like Australian aloe, sea kelp, and jojoba oil, detangling will be easy.

  5. African Shea Butter 100% Natural
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    Image Credit: Amazon

    Shea Butter is a great sealant for kinky hair. Some say that it is most effective when used in its raw form. If you apply it from the root to the tip while your hair is still wet it will lock in moisture. You can buy it on Amazon for $5.39.

  6. Hollywood Beauty Olive Oilolive oil A hair product that can be found in many beauty supply stores, this oil is a great scalp treatment that will not clog your pores. It can be purchased on Amazon for $9.93.
  7. Jamaican Black Castor Oil Jamaicanblack This is a must-have for 4c hair types. The texture is very dense which guarantees that your moisture will be locked in. Rubbing it regularly into your scalp promotes hair growth. You can find it on Amazon for $12.34.
  8. Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizerkeratin This product is sold at Sally Beauty for $6.69. The keratin protein stops breakage, builds body, and protects color.
  9. Creamy Oil Moisturizer Hair Lotion
    creme of nature
    Image Credit : Amazon

    If you want to use heat styling on your hair, this lotion can protect against the high amount of heat. It also won’t leave any sticky buildup in your hair. It can be brought from Amazon.com for only $6.37.

  10. Wild Growth Hair Oil
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    Image Credit : Facebook

    A personal favorite for many, this rich plant-based formula conditions and softens hard to manage hair. It promotes strong, thick hair growth and has many great reviews. It only costs $7.82 at Walmart.

” A black woman without her kinks is like a leopard without spots.”- Island Naturals

Did you like what you just read? Like, follow, and comment below. Share your thoughts. Message me for a free consultation if you need my writing services. 

Afro Puff Bubble Ponytails Are Trending

by Queen SueSue, posted in Fashion/Beauty, Woman Hair Crush Wednesdays

Photo: Pinterest

With winter in full effect, our Queens want a quick easy hairstyle that is gorgeous and protective. New natural hairstyles are popping up, and when examined closely you can tell that they are trying to mimic a tribal look. Afro puffs were hot back in the ’70s when a lot of women of color were fighting for civil rights and revolutionizing the way they wore their hair. Since the summer Afro Bubble Ponytails have been favored as the go-to protective hairstyle. Now with many people being “woke” to the discrimination that natural hairstyles face in the workplace, relaxers are becoming a thing of the past. Nobody wants to put on their strands creamy crack, so the versatility of our hair is now being showcased globally.

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Photo: Aliexpress

Why Relaxers Are No Longer Popular

For many years, Afro heads straightened their hair to get that exotic look. I remember I wore a relaxer on my hair until I became a teenager. I used to dread going to the hair salon because of the hairstylist’s facial expressions. What was not expressed in words was conveyed in body language. The task of getting through a thick head of 4c hair is not an easy one. By the time they reached the back of my hair, my scalp was already burning. Tears would fall from my eyes as they told me I still had to wait some more minutes before they washed it out. The burn you feel from having a relaxer in your hair for too long can be compared to taking a lighter and putting it on your scalp. I truly believe that hairstylists would leave the relaxer in my hair longer than what was recommended because my hair was so coarse. Scalp burns are not the only side effects of relaxers. Uterine fibroid also can result from perms.

The market research firm, Mintel, estimates that by 2020 will be the smallest area of the black hair market. Hair relaxer sales fell 38% between 2012-2017!

The early to mid-2000s saw a huge shift in how we perceived African beauty. Being a 90’s baby I noticed many R&B groups rocked a perm and/or long weaves. But by the early 2000s, Nollywood movies exploded in popularity and viewership. I notice that the standard of beauty in these movies was light makeup and natural hair. Even in Brazil, online searches for “Afro hair” have tripled in the last two years. So it is safe to say that natural hairstyles are trending and are here to stay.

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Photo: YouTube

Ponytail hairstyles are a great hairstyle to wear at the gym, work, or even a formal event. They help to keep your hair out of the way so you can focus on your daily routine. Nadula is an astounding hair company that offers affordable ponytail hair extensions. They have a buy one, get one 50% policy for those who purchase 2 of their ponytails. With their array of different curly textures, you can’t go wrong. Spice up your natural hair with Nadula’s ponytail weaves.

How To Achieve The Afro Puff Bubble Ponytail Look

Some like beads. Others like silver/golden hair clips. Whatever accessories you choose to use, just make sure you follow these steps correctly so that you can get the look that you desire.

  • First, part your hair into sections. Section your hair into the number of ponytails that you want. For a child, many of them like to rock smaller ponytails.
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Photo: 21Ninety
  • Second, apply the gel to the scalp of your sections. Hold each section down with rubber bands to keep the ponytail in place.
  • Next, add the Marley or Afro hair that you purchased to your natural hair. Lay it against your natural hair and keep your real hair in the middle. Skip this step if you are just using all of your own hair. Clip-ins are perfect for this look.
  • Lastly, twist the accessories around sections of your ponytail to create the “ball” look.

For a visual tutorial, here is a step by step instructions from YouTube content creator Nneoma Okorie:

You are smart. You are beautiful. You are important. To stay educated and inspired, follow my social networks for updates and fashion tips.

Sources: https://21ninety.com/learn-how-to-achieve-the-trendy-afro-bubble-ponytail

https://fashion-history.lovetoknow.com/body-fashions/afro-hairstyle

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Femicide In South Africa

by Queen SueSue, posted in Around The World Saturdays, Lifestyle

Shuga is a TV show that I always get excited to watch everytime a new season comes on. It’s first season was videotaped in Kenya, and it was how Lupita Nyong’o  got her first main acting role. Ever since then, it has changed countries, jumping from Nigeria to South Africa. Pretty soon a new season will be filmed in Coite D’voire. It touches on the issues a lot of people of color face, such as discrimination, finding oneself, relationship problems, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. But what really caught my eye was The Down South Season 1 , which depicted life for youth in South Africa. And what really broke my heart ( although the story was fictional) was how a young 15 year old character Tsholo (pictured in first image, image credit: MTV Shuga) dies after being in a abusive relationship with 24 year old neighborhood taxi driver Sol. It moved me to research a trending topic called Femicide. Global Americans states South Africa  as the 3rd country in the world to have a “very high” rate of femicide, with El Salvador taking the lead. What exactly is femicide? Why is it such a huge problem in South Africa? And what can be done to prevent it?

The Meaning of Femicide

The spectrum of violence is a long one. It can start off as just a verbal insult, grow into physical assault , and explode into murder. Femicide is the actual killing of women.

The World Health Organization has this to say about femicide: “Femicide is usually perpetrated by men, but sometimes female family members may
be involved. Femicide differs from male homicide in specific ways. For example, most
cases of femicide are committed by partners or ex-partners, and involve ongoing abuse
in the home, threats or intimidation, sexual violence or situations where women have
less power or fewer resources than their partner.”

There are different types of femicide:

  • Intimate femicide– A murder of a woman by their own current or former husband or boyfriend. An ongoing study by WHO found out that over 35% of femicides are committed by the persons own current or former intimate partner.
  • Murders in the name of honour-  ” ‘Honour’-related murders involve a girl or woman being killed by a male or female family member for an actual or assumed sexual or behavioural  transgression, including adultery, sexual intercourse or pregnancy outside marriage – or even for being raped . Often the perpetrators see this femicide as a way to protect family reputation, to follow tradition or to adhere to wrongly interpreted religious demands. Murders in the name of ‘honour’ may also be used to cover up cases of incest .”  -WHO Organization. Wow. So to cover up a crime like rape or incest that was not even the females fault, some families decide its just best to kill off the woman , so the family’s reputation can be “protected”. Very barbaric and sickening.
  • Dowry-related femicide- This is when a conflict involving the bride price enrages the in-laws so much, to the extent that one of them decides to just kill off the newly married woman.
  • Non-intimate femicide- When a female is killed that has had no relationship with the man. It usually happens after sexual aggression. It is random and is sometimes done by a creepy stalker or a secret admiring psychopath.
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Photo by CHRISTOPHER MARQUEZ on Pexels.com

Why Is Femicide Such A Huge Problem In South Africa ?

The South Africa Police collected data that shows that a woman is murdered every 3 hours in South Africa. Nationally this is 4.8 times the global average rate.

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Image Credit: MatieMedia

The Institute For Security Studies explanation is understandable. It points to apartheid as one of the main reasons why violence in South Africa is at an all-time high. With so many years of inequality and abuse of power on their plate, many South Africans have no reasons to respect the law. And to this day, the European race still holds most of the power and wealth in South Africa. Much of the poorer class, which is comprised mostly of blacks , in this day and age still do not have access to psychologists or lawyers who will fairly fight for them. Although wrong, what usually happens when a man who has carried the weight of stress and trauma has nowhere to turn? They unleash their pain on a woman. And just one blow can become fatal.

What Can Be Done To Prevent Femicide?

 

Increase Education, Intervention and Research

The more men that become informed of these horrifying statistics,  the more awareness it will bring to the situation. It can move many SA men to be on the lookout for potential violent situations. If you see a female neighbor that is bruised, try to figure out what is going on. A lot of protests are going on with women marching the streets, but more men need to be involved.

Restrict Gun Ownership And Increase Gun Laws

Guns should only be used for hunting animals only. (That is my opinion, and I am sticking to it.) The government needs to enforce stricter gun laws so that a lot of deaths can be prevented. If guns have to be seized, then so be it.

Train And Sensitize Health Staff/Police

Health care workers and police who are on the scene during violent situations need to be trained thoroughly. Proper documentation needs to be made, and improving detections needs to be done.

The community as a whole can do much to prevent femicides from happening. Walk away from abusive relationships. Say no to domestic violence. Need help? Always remember that you are not alone. Call one of these numbers if you are being abused or if you know someone who is being abused:

  • POWA (People Opposing Women Abuse): 011 6424 345
  • Gender-based Violence Command Centre: 0800 428 428 (emergency line) or *120*7867# (please call me facility)
  • Tears Foundation helpline: *134*7355#

Do you have a story to tell concerning the topic of femicide? Any input or advice to give? Comment below.

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Black Girl Blues

by Queen SueSue, posted in Lifestyle, Mental Health Fridays

(Image Credit: Twitter)

It is a affliction that develops within us after being strong for too long. After being faced with barriers, negative outcomes, surviving trauma, inheriting a serious health issue, or coming from a disadvantaged background, many Queens of color fall into depression. “Black Girl Blues” has become such a hot topic that may books, movies, and even local community events are focusing on it. And yet, the stigma within the African and African-American community remains.

With a lack of resources and funds, many black Queens self-medicate by becoming workaholics, alcoholics, drug-addicts, or even sex addicts. What causes depression? Why is being a black female, and being depressed such a huge epidemic? How can a black Queen deal with depression?

What Causes Depression?

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The Johns Hopkins University of Medicine has admitted that women of color try to fight their way through anxiety and depression by themselves. The whole stereotype of being the “strong black women” has been ingrained in our minds for too long through mainstream media. “Anyone can experience mental illness. There is no group, gender, sexual identity, race or cultural belief that can prevent it from occurring,” says Richards, M.D. “And it’s actually happening at higher rates than most other illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer.” In the African and African American community ( I personally make it a point to separate the both because we are similar and yet so different), many attribute depression to someone who is weak. In the African American community it is quite common to hear depression be turned into a joke, and someone suffering from it is sometimes used as a source of comedy relief. In the African community when you bring up depression you are often the target of shame and mockery. Your relatives may go out of their way to embarrass you and make you feel as though you are not strong, that is why you can’t “get over it”.

Women of color suffer mentally more than the general population because we lack so much. When you have been stolen from, abused, neglected, and oppressed for centuries,more than any other race, you suffer more from violence, PTSD, poverty and homelessness. All of these negative components create a concoction of depression in a Queen’s mind.

The Three Strikes : Being Black, Being A Female, and Being Depressed

 

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Every hit black TV sitcom I have watched whether it was “The Cosby Show”, “Living Single”, or “The Jeffersons”, the black leading female was always portrayed as being so strong. She always had a extremely witty demeanor with a hysterical comeback that would always save the day, and it would seriously get on my nerves. I mean why couldn’t Clair Huxtable ever have an emotional breakdown in front of her kids? Didn’t being a lawyer and seeing all of the corruption in the system ever depress her? Did not moving on up to the East-side emotionally exhaust Mrs. Jefferson? Queen Latifah did see a therapist while acting in “Living Single”, but it was not a reoccurring topic.

“During slavery you were supposed to be the strong one. You weren’t supposed to speak. You were supposed to just do,” said Esney M. Sharpe, founder and CEO of the Bessie Mae Women’s Health Center in East Orange, N.J., which offers health services for uninsured and underserved women. “…Our moms and our grandmothers always told us to suppress. Just be quiet, chalk it up, get up, dress up, fix your face, put on your best outfit and just keep going,” she said.

Women in general are more likely to experience depression than men do. (What a surprise.) But when your black, and a woman, your chances of experiencing depression are higher than the rest of the general population.

How Can A Black Queen Deal With Depression?

1.) Choose a provider that demonstrates cultural competence. Your healthcare provider should be able to provide care to you despite your belief, values and behavior. They should also take into account your social, cultural, and linguistic needs. If they can’t, then you need to find a replacement.

2.) Walk away from toxic relationships and/or family and friends. The saying : “You are who you sleep with”, is very true. You cannot have a healthy mind if you choose to have a partner that is constantly insulting you, demeaning you, cheating on you or beating you. The same goes for your friends and family. Misery loves company. If they are not uplifting you, you need to replace them with people who will.

3.) Seek help from a mental health provider. “I do think our community could use a lot of healing and I do think there’s a lot of potential for psychotherapy in our community,” said Psychologist Orbe-Austin.

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