Tag: Fashion/Beauty

Rihanna Rocks A Classic African Hairstyle For Vogue

by Queen SueSue, posted in Fashion/Beauty, Modest Model Mondays

For the May 2020 issue of Vogue, Rihanna chose to represent with a beautiful, classic hairstyle.  Her hair was styled in what is called the Betsimisaraka hairstyle. Such homage brings awareness to the distinctive styles that women of color display.

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Image Credit: UK Vogue

 

The Betsimisaraka Hairstyle Originates From Madagascar

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Image Credit: eBay

What makes this hairstyle so iconic, is the fact that Madagascar was discovered by women. Tropical and serene, this island is located off the east coast of Africa. The natives that inhabit the land carry Indonesian genes. A vessel arrived 1200 years ago on the island holding 30 women. It is a possibility that they sailed off course. Extensive DNA studies have traced today’s residents to these 30 women, who probably mated with African men who were already there. Indonesia and Madagascar have a distance of 5000 miles. So their trip across the Indian Ocean was quite a lengthy one.

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Image Credit: Picuki

Madagascar prides itself on having a mixture of Asian and African descent. They have many tribes, one of them being Betsimisaraka. Plaiting hair is seen as important to one’s beauty among their women. The Betsimisaraka hairstyles includes 5 tufts, 2 on each side, and one behind. They also wear numerous plaits that are not fully braided at the end, as Rihanna modeled.

Gold and silver pins are sometimes put in their plaits, right above their forehead. Other ornaments used are crocodiles teeth, bones, or shells. In the late 19th or early 20th century, the way you wore your hair let people know your rank and financial level. The rich would wear many silver and gold ringlets in their hair. Married women would wear their hair twisted up. Unmarried women would let their hair flow over the shoulders. In the year 1822, the Europeans arrived, and they introduced their unique way of styling hair. But that did not stop the Madagascar women from wearing their native hairstyles.

A Barbados Singer Who Pays Tribute To Culture

“I feel like I have no boundaries. I’ve done everything – I’ve done all the hits, I’ve tried every genre – now I’m just, I’m wide open. I can make anything that I want.” – Rihanna

This is not the first time Rihanna has shown love for her people. Just recently she donated $700,000 to Barbados so her people can have respirators during this pandemic. And for the cover of her Limited edition i-D Rihannazin cover, she sported cornrows. Her stylist for both magazines was Yusef Williams, a British-Nigerian. Cornrows are another popular African hairstyle. They have been seen in ancient paintings dating back to the early 5th century BC.

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Image Credit: i-D Magazine

Our motherland is where civilization started. So many inventions that began in Egypt have reached every corner of the globe. This includes different stylings of hair. How amazing. Our roots don’t only grow past our scalps. They have grown to touch many hearts.

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An African postal stamp, Image Credit: Dan’s Topical Stamp

 

What classic African hairstyle do you like to rock? Comment, like, and subscribe.

Sources:

https://www.seeker.com/madagascar-founded-by-women-1765687347.html

https://www.msn.com/en-za/lifestyle/lifestylebeautyandstyle/crowning-glory-rihannas-top-3-iconic-fashion-cover-looks/ar-BB120Xet

History of Madagascar, By William Ellis, Joseph John Freeman

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How Does Body Image Affect Our Self-Esteem?

by Queen SueSue, posted in Fashion/Beauty, Mental Health Fridays

A thin waist, clear complexion, and perfect hair. It is every Queen’s dream to have the perfect body image. But is your idea of body image realistic? If not kept in check, the way we view our bodies can severely impact our self-esteem and mental health.

What Exactly Is Body Image?

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When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see, or do you wish that you were someone different? Our body image is how we view our self in our mind. It is how we behave when we think of our height, weight, skin tone, facial structure, curves, and hair. Some avoid looking into the mirror because they struggle with self-hatred. A positive body image is essential to our mental health.

Eating disorders and depression is linked to having a negative body image. Women are more likely than men to have an obsession with how they look. This is because of the pressure from the media. Magazine covers often show thin bodies and light skin complexions. TV shows have adjusted to an extent, but it still the norm to see someone with light skin and a thin frame to be playing the lead role. Your past and circumstances also affect how you view your body. If you were always teased and bullied as a child, you might be the adult that is always trying some extreme diet. And struggling with obesity causes some to have a form of bulimia. To avoid weight gain, some even force themselves to vomit by putting their finger down their throat. This is an unhealthy practice that can lead to heart failure.

Myths That We Need To Ignore 

So many myths in the fashion industry has distorted how one views their body. Because of false advertising, many resort to methods that may change their appearance for a while. But in the long-term, your inner health and outer beauty will suffer.

person holding a hand cream
Photo by Retha Ferguson on Pexels.com

Lightning creams. Having dark skin is a beautiful thing. Don’t ever feel like you have to buy lightning cream to change your skin tone. The side effects of these creams are cancer, infertility, permanent scarring, skin inflammation, etc.

person holding injection
Photo by Retha Ferguson on Pexels.com

Butt injections. The beauty industry sadly likes to push the whole “Big Booty Judy” hype. What is not being promoted enough though, is the females who have lost limbs, skin tissue, and even their lives from butt injections. Even if you get it done by a licensed professional, the dangers are not worth the risk.

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Tanning beds. There is an infatuation with being light-skinned and it has caused skin cancer in Caucasian women. Tanning beds emit UV rays. This can cause premature aging of the skin, wrinkling, and age spots. It also can cause melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

woman in red dress using laptop on table
Photo by Ree on Pexels.com

Extreme fasting. It is a huge myth that starving yourself is a healthy way to lose weight. Intermittent fasting can help you control how you eat, but going without food for days can affect your kidneys and damage your metabolism.

Our bodies can be likened to a temple. We need proper nourishment, respect, and love. As long as you are eating healthy and getting the proper exercise, you are on the right track. Don’t overstress yourself with unrealistic standards. Practice saying positive statements about yourself in the mirror every day. How we look on the outside is only one component of what makes us. How we are on the inside matters more. So, love what you see, and keep on working on becoming a better you.

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Sources:

https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/body-image-and-mental-health/body-image

Toward a More Inclusive Understanding of the Body Image Construct: Findings from Studies with Black Women: The Role of the Media in Body Image and Eating Disorders

 

 

 

 

 

 

Queen Boss: Madam C.J. Walker

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

Many self-made bosses jumped for joy when they heard about Netflix coming out with a new series, centering around the life of Madam C.J. Walker. It was inspired by her great-great grand-daughter A’Lelia Bundles’ biographical book “On Her Own Ground”. As Black History Month comes to an end, let’s all learn more about the first black female millionaire in America.

Humble Beginnings

Madame C.J Walker’s real name is Sarah Breedlove. She was born on December 23, 1867, on a cotton plantation in Louisiana. Her parents were slaves. By the time they had her they were free, which made her the first in her family to be a free-born child. By age 7 she was an orphan and by age 14 she got married. One of the reasons she married so young was because she was trying to escape an abusive household. By age 20 she was a widow and had a 2-year-old daughter.

Ambitious Spirit

Sarah knew she did not want to live a life of financial distress. Plus she had a baby looking up to her. So by 22, she moved to St. Louis Missouri. There she became a part of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she met many business-minded black men and women. This inspired her. She was a washerman only making a measly $1.50 a day, but she had dreams of building an empire.

By the early 1890s, Sarah had financial troubles and a scalp disorder. Her hair was falling out and she needed a solution. She became her own hero and created hair care treatments with home remedies. She used Annie Turbo’s Malone “The Great Wonderful Hair Grower”. Annie was a successful black hair care entrepreneur. She recognized her ambitious spirit and hired her as a sales agent.

From Rags To Riches

Sarah moved to Denver Colorado in 1905. There she fell in love with Charles Joseph Walker, an advertising agent, and got married again. With that marriage she reinvented herself, learning about marketing from her husband. She changed her name to Madam C.J Walker and created her own hair care line. Her husband was a great supporter. He was the driving force behind her getting promoted all across the country. Before she knew it, she went from making $1.50 a day to gaining thousands of customers and employing 3,000 workers. Indianapolis became the state where she relocated, and from there she built a factory for her products. She created countless job opportunities for women of color. She educated, trained, and encouraged many through her various clubs/conventions. With 40,000 workers in the United States, Central America, and the Carribean, she truly transformed herself into a self-made boss. Her net worth was the equivalent of several million dollars by her late 40s.

As she got older, she developed high blood pressure, which caused the health of her kidneys to deteriorate. But that did not stop her from being a kind, giving person. In her will, she asked that one-third of her money be given to her daughter. The remaining two-thirds was to be given to charity.

To this day there are hair products bearing her name. Madame C.J Walker Beauty Culture is available at Sephora retailers. The United States Postal Service issued a stamp in the remembrance of her. She proves that if you want to be a successful entrepreneur, your past does not determine your future.

madamc.j.walker

Sources:

Featured Image Credit: fromgirltogirl.com

https://www.biography.com/inventor/madam-cj-walker

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/madam-cj-walker

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/madame-c-j-walker

How Cornrows Saved Slaves Lives

by Queen SueSue, posted in Around The World Saturdays, Fashion/Beauty
slavemaps
Image Credit: Face2Face Africa

Cornrows have a long history. They hold a lot of significance in African culture. It is worn by children, men, and women all around the world regardless of their ethnicity. Originally from the Sahara region, paintings show that this hairstyle has been worn even in 3000 B.C.

The most known way to wear it is straight down, which each cornrow paralleling each other. But it also can be worn uniquely in zig-zags or by mimicking the form of a snake.

In the Carribean region, it is called “canerows”. They do this to respect all of the slaves that planted sugar cane. What many World History classes won’t teach you, is that cornrows are lifesavers.

Cornrows Were Used As A Map To Escape

In many African communities, cornrows convey a person’s social status, age, marital status, and even their amount of wealth. Blackdoctor.org has written this about cornrows: “Depictions of women with cornrows have been found in Stone Age paintings in the Tassili Plateau of the Sahara, and have been dated as far back as 3000 B.C. There are also Native American paintings as far back as 1,000 years showing cornrows as a hairstyle. This tradition of female styling in cornrows has remained popular throughout Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa and West Africa. Historically, male styling with cornrows can be traced as far back as the early nineteenth century to Ethiopia, where warriors and kings such as Tewodros II and Yohannes IV were depicted wearing cornrows.”

When the Atlantic Slave Trade occurred, millions of innocent civilians were stripped from the Motherland against their will. Some rebelled by jumping off the slave ship before they even arrived on the land. They viewed death as a better option than a life of being treated as property. Others who fought back where terminated immediately. And some cleverly used another approach.

Upon arriving on North/South American soil, slaves were forced to shave their heads. Slave owners claimed that the shaving of their heads was just for sanitary purposes, but it was more behind it. Thick African hair has a lot of weight to it. Some slave owners would say that our hair was “unruly” and a distraction. This was a tactic used by Whites to strip Africans of their identity and culture. But not every slave would keep their hair cut. Some would grow their hair out because they had a masterplan in mind.

Cornrows are styled in a neat and tidy way. The creative geniuses amongst us used this beautiful hairstyle as a map with directions to escape plantations. All across North and South America paintings have been seen of zig-zag cornrows. A story that proves this is the story of Benkos Bioho.

The Brave Benkos Bioho

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Image Credit: Alchetron

Benkos Bioho was a King that was captured from Africa in the 17th century. He managed to find a port city on the Colombia Carribean coast. It took several attempts to escape from his masters. One day he finally managed to escape. He then proceeded to build San Basilio de Palenque.

This King strategically built a walled city within a foreign land that he was forced to be in. It was with the intent of saving slaves and giving them a place of refuge. A place that they can experience freedom while getting their lives together.

After building a village, he invented a new language. Then he got an army to assist others to freedom. He came up with the idea to create maps in cornrows.

Most slaves did not know how to read or write. And even if they did know how to read or write, if they were caught writing messages of escape, they would have to bear extreme punishment.

Cornrows were a way to communicate without getting caught.

Braids And Gold

Another informative fact that many do not know is that gold and seeds were hidden in slave braids. After escaping, to survive you needed food and money. So the seeds were used to plant their own crops. The gold was preserved so they could make transactions on their own land. Today San Basilio De Palenque still stands. It has a population of about 3500 people.

In this modern age, from West Africa to North Korea you can see humans showing off their own version of cornrows. We no longer have to hide gold in our hair. We can proudly intertwine them over our braids. The tradition of wearing this hairstyle will be popular for years to come.

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Image Credit: Youtube

Sources: https://face2faceafrica.com/article/how-cornrows-were-used-as-an-escape-map-from-slavery-across-south-america

https://www.edtimes.in/africans-used-to-hide-escape-maps-from-slavery-in-their-hairstyles/

Ten Super Cute Winter Items for 2020

by Queen SueSue, posted in Fashion/Beauty, Modest Model Mondays

We are already in the second month for 2020. The snow is falling and the humidity is gone. Climate change is in full effect. With winter blowing cold air and giving us freezing temperatures, one should make it a priority to bundle up. With all the layers that have to be put on, fashion must be a part of your everyday wear. Here are 10 super cute outfits that will leave you dressed to impress.

The Bank Blazer

smiling woman standing near railing
Photo by Godisable Jacob on Pexels.com

Are you feeling like a boss? Then have no fear, the bank blazer is here! What is lovable about this look is the fact that it is very professional looking. It will also add some warmth to your body while you feel comfy. If you want to keep it simple, just add a white T-shirt underneath.

Long Sleeve Sweater Dress

photo of woman wearing blue long sleeved dress
Photo by Godisable Jacob on Pexels.com

Sweater dresses are a must-have because we all have those lazy days where we do not want to throw on a whole suit. We just want to slip into a long dress without adding too many accessories. Wear a sweater dress and some knee-high boots, to save yourself time.

High-Waist Button-Leg Pants

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Image Credit: May Kool

High waist pants are a great way to show off your figure. If they are plaid they can easily be worn with a plain turtleneck. Show off ’em legs gurl!!!

Maxi Dress

red haired woman in white and black floral sleeveless maxi dress
Photo by Godisable Jacob on Pexels.com

Maxi dresses are an affordable, colorful item. It can be worn under a long coat. They are usually made out of thin materials so you can layer it with a wool sweater.

Faux Leather Wide-Leg Pants

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Image Credit: Pretty Little Thing

With wide-leg pants on you are leaving ample room for leggings to be worn underneath. Also, there will be plenty of space for knee-high socks and boots. Add a bold cheetah sweater and you will be good to go!

Puffer Jacket

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Image Credit: High Snobiety

The puffer jacket was made infamous after Drake was seen wearing it and doing the salsa to hip hop music. Very creative move on his part. Another musician that used a puffer jacket to make his song go viral was Big Shaq. The irony of his music video was the fact that on a very hot day he was seen in a heavy jacket screaming “Mans Not Hot”. On a beach. While everyone else was wearing shorts and flip flops. This jacket will increase the heat on your body for sure.

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Image Credit: Hip Hop N More

Bohemian Midi-Dress

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Photo by Joy Deb on Pexels.com

The bohemian look is full of multicolors that can be worn with hiking boots. These dresses are light, so make sure to wear layers.

Capes

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Photo by Ayshen Ergun on Pexels.com

Are you feeling like a hero? The classical look of capes has transformed into a modern trend. It can be worn in a casual way or as eveningwear.

Shoulder Pads

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Image Credit: Tots 90s

The 1980s look is coming back because vintage is the new savior. You want to look like an office owner but don’t want to break your bank? Then buy a shoulder pad coat suit from your local thrift store.

Faux-fur

woman wearing brown fur beanies and white and balck top
Photo by Ali Pazani on Pexels.com

Environmental awareness is at an all-time high. With global warming causing concern for many, wearing real animal skin is no longer in demand. You can shield yourself from freezing temperatures with faux fur.

Sources:

https://www.vogue.fr/fashion/article/the-17-fashion-trends-you-need-to-know-for-fallwinter-2019-2020

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g29553913/winter-work-outfits/

 

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

shallow focus photo of man wearing green sweater
Photo by Daniel Adesina on Pexels.com

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

 

#Destiny Harrison: Baltimore Salon Owner Slain

by Queen SueSue, posted in Around The World Saturdays, Fashion/Beauty

Image Credit: News Break

We lost an astounding, ambitious, go-getter in the fashion/beauty world. Destiny Harrison was a visionary ahead of her time. By the age of 21, Destiny was a licensed cosmetologist and owned a beauty salon that she built from the ground up. With so many triumphs at such a young age, no one expected a tragedy to occur.

The Madam D Beauty Bar Inventor

Destiny Harrison was born in Maryland on April 16, 1998. As a child, she always had a love for hair. She would spend her time attempting to do cosmetology for family and friends. As a teenager, she attended a vocational high school in Baltimore and got her certification as a hairstylist. She was a hustler. She worked at Popeyes, Walmart, and did her peers’ hair on the side. She was well known as the girl who could hook you up with fresh bundles, weave, and some nice edges. Right out of high school she attended University. Her major was business administration with a minor in fashion. She consistently marketed herself, once posting on Instagram “I wanna be so well known in this hair industry that I will no longer have to introduce myself.”

With years and years of practice under her belt, Destiny became a successful licensed business owner. Even with her juggling a business, she still managed to maintain good grades in school. Many of her clients adored her. Her social media accounts are filled with positive feedback for her work.

By 2017, she launched the Madam D Collection website, which displayed units, bundles, weave, and many hair care products that sold well. Having a successful online store takes a lot of patience, perseverance, and hard work. By 2018 her prosperity increased because she was seen mingling with celebrity hairstylists like Shekinah. One of the Clermont Twins had her ponytail done by her. By the end of 2018, she gave birth to a beautiful baby daughter and named her Dream. Her salon was opened, and her brand expanded.

Salon Owner Feared “For Her Life And Business”

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Image credit: Earkandy Radio

Baltimore is notorious for its high crime rate. Many news reports state that it is on track to reach the highest per capita murder record in the nation. What is most unfortunate to know though, is that a lot of local business owners are being targeted for heinous crimes.

On Dec. 9th, Baltimore salon owner Destiny filed a police report. While working in her salon, Destiny saw intruders inside of her business stealing weave. When she approached them, they attacked her. She sought a protection order. “I fear for my life and my business”, she stated in her police report. The people involved with the attack were her neighbors. The female that assaulted her while she was pinned down is a hair and makeup stylist herself.

After charges were pressed, Destiny was enraged and filled with fear every time she went to work. An environment she once loved became an unsafe ground. On Dec. 21st in the evening, another intrusion happened at her business. The intruder was equipped with a gun and fatally shot Destiny in front of her clients. Her baby daughter Dream also witnessed this horrendous crime. Two men fled the shop with $3000 worth of bundles. No arrest for the murderer has been done yet. Dream is currently with her grandmother, but will forever have to live with the emotional scars of losing her mother.

“It’s unbelievable that some evil soul would do something like this,” said her uncle Dewine McQueen.

Her mother created a GoFund Me page which states: “We lost an angel due to tragedy that broke hearts all over Baltimore. We are asking that if anyone has any monetary donations we would greatly appreciate the help to lay my beautiful daughter in peace.”

If you have any information about Destiny’s death please contact homicide detectives at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7Lockup.

Sources : https://thegrio.com/2019/12/25/destiny-harrison-baltimore-slain-business-owner/

GoFund Me Page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/destiny-harrison-funeral

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 
    applecidervinegar
    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
    revelist
    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
    africamayonnaise
    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
    africasheabutter
    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
    wild
    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

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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

View at Medium.com

Smart Ways To Save While Shopping For Beauty Products Online

by Queen SueSue, posted in Fashion/Beauty, Time And Money Management Tuesdays

You know the old saying: “A penny saved is a penny earned?” Well, through coupons online much can be saved if you are diligent and resourceful.

Where To Look For Online Coupon Codes

Every time you take a walk through the mall you might feel wary of making a purchase. So many items are overpriced. And forgetting paper coupons is easy to do. That is why many people are opting to shop online. RetailMeNot.com offers coupons that can create a happier shopping experience. Stores like QVC, Sam’s Beauty, Skin Store, and Beauty Brand is promoted on their website. Coupons.com is another great site that has categories in beauty and apparel brands. With the winter season upon us, women want to keep their skin glowing and moisturized. Harsh cold winds can cause extremely dry skin and chafing. L’oreal Paris, Cover Girl, and Macy’s are featured on coupon.com. These brands have cosmetics that can protect your skin. Groupon.com is another popular one that regularly gets promoted by celebrities. Advertisements on local beauty salons with discounts for hair services are easily accessible on their site. Their site is customized so that each user can find ways to save with local businesses. If you do not want to put forth the effort of searching different sites you can find a browser plug-in that will do all the work for you.

Be attentive though at the requirements for each coupon. Some coupon sites show success rates for their coupons, and it has been reported to be about 40-50%. So read what is the expiration date is and keep trying out different codes. This will help you to see before you purchase what works, and what does not.

Online Sites That Have Beauty Discounts

There are sites on the web that specialize in providing affordable beauty products. The most popular ones that stand out are Harmon Discount, Forever 21, and Madame Madeline. “Harmon Discount is my ultimate favorite. It’s super inexpensive for drugstore beauty products, so I buy everything in bulk,” says Ashlee Glazer, Laura Geller’s global artistic director. Maybelline, Revlon, CoverGirl, Neutrogena, and much more are sold with a deduction. Forever 21 is another well-known beauty store that houses low-cost products. “Forever 21 is another one of my favorite inexpensive places to shop for beauty,” says Glazer. “I love to buy makeup bags for travel and fun products (like lip glosses shaped like unicorns).” Madame Madeline is famous for eyelashes. “I love Madame Madeline for brand-name lashes at a discount,” says makeup artist Mary Irwin. And with mink lashes being in demand, many opt for a ghetto fabulous look that does not hurt their budget.

Keep in mind that some stores also offer price drop refunds. That means that if the price on the item you purchased drops a few days later, you can call and ask that they refund you the price difference. Check to see if your credit card offers price protection. Signing up for email alerts on various companies can also give you first dibs on sales.

Has any of these techniques assisted you in saving on online beauty products? Feel free to comment below. Also, follow me on Instagram and Twitter for more updates on fashion/beauty.

woman in brown and gray t shirt sitting on brown wooden table
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