I felt compelled to write today about something that is a total deviation from the normal topics covered on this blog. Today marks the National "Day Without A Woman" Protest.  To participate in this protest, women were encouraged to take the day off from work (one day strike), refrain from making purchases, and to wear red in solidarity of the movement.   As a Black Woman, I am proud to stand in solidarity with other women from all walks of life.  For many years women have dealt with unfair hiring practices, unequal pay, inadequate workplace protections, and inappropriate treatment... If you are a Black Woman then times that by two. The Black woman has endured all of the above and are often looked at as mere sex objects; nothing of value or worth.  I strike because I want to bring awareness to the plight of women, especially women of color.   With Donald Trump and his band of inexperienced simpletons running this country, the time has never been more ripe for women ...
Have you ever encountered a fellow Naturalista that just wants to criticize everything about your hair journey?  I know that I have had my share of run-ins with what I call Natural Hair Fascists. The criticism received from these Fascists can be disheartening, to say the least.  It's bad enough that women with natural hair will face judgment from people that won't understand your journey, but getting it from other Naturals is just absurd!  When you embark upon your natural hair journey, you want nothing more than to be embraced by other women traversing the same journey.  As you try to grow comfortable in your new curls, coils, and kinks, it is nice to hear words of encouragement from women like you.   The beginning stages are the most critical, because it is at this point in time that you constantly wrestle with the idea of just giving up and getting a relaxer.  The support and inspiration received (or lack thereof) can either make or break your hair journey.   To let...
So I had been toying with the idea of subscribing to one of these Meal Delivery Services.  It seemed like every time I turned around, there was some advertisement for Home Chef, Blue Apron, Hello Fresh, etc. I could be browsing on Instagram and then BOOM! Hello Fresh's sponsored ad would appear in my timeline.    I began doing my research on the various companies and decided to pull the trigger with Home Chef. I chose Home Chef because of a couple of reasons: I had a coupon code to receive a deep discount You can choose from different meal options Menu Options available appealed to both , the kids and adults in my household Many meals are low in calories Ordering I decided to start off with the two meals per week just to see how we liked it. The site allows you to order up to 8 meals per weak and up to 8 servings per meal... I imagine that this can get quite expensive. Ordering from their website is a pain in the butt if you do it from a mobile device.  The orderi...
Since winter began, I have experimented with something new.  I decided to straighten my hair during the winter months.  My stylist makes sure to deep condition and apply a protein treatment before straightening my hair.  I have noticed that the silk press has reduced many of the problems that I associate with cold temps such as dryness, shedding, tangles, and split ends. It is easier to maintain a silk press during the winter as opposed to the summer cause you are not competing against humidity. Although it is easier, there are some steps you can take to make your silk press go the distance. Protect Your Hair at Night I protect my silk press by either rolling it with flexi rods or by putting 4 large braids in my hair.  I then place a bonnet on my head before drifting off to sleep.  When I wake up I unravel my hair and use my Denman brush to gently brush my hair to my liking. You can also wrap your hair around your head and tie it down with a silk scarf. I do not do this becau...
W ith 2017 in full effect, I thought this would be the perfect time to introduce you all to some new products that have quickly become my  NEW FAVES.  As many of you already know, I'm a sucker for hair products and so I am always experimenting and often times wasting money on the latest product to hit shelves.  I have made every effort to limit how much money I spend IN STORES on hair products, and have forced myself to stick only to trying the products that arrive in my monthly curlBOX.  Check out this  post   for more information on this service that I use.  Listed below are some of my favorite products that I have received from curlBOX.  BABASSU OIL Mint Deep Conditioner  by Mielle Organics This deep conditioner smells great and feels even better as you massage it throughout your hair.  It has a tingling sensation and will have your feeling soft. I also really like the fact that this product was created by Monique Rodriguez, a women of color.  I'm all about...
Let's keep it real, there will come a point where you will be bored with your hair. Boredom striking can lead to some actions that you may regret later. For me, boredom caused me to do an asymmetrical cut that left me with a shaved head on one side... Think Rihanna circa 2009. It seemed to take a century to recover from that cut. Don't get me wrong, this style is still something fierce, but it did not cooperate with my very round face. If you are in need of a change, be sure to look at three ways to cure your hair boredom... Just remember to do what works for you and your style sense. Add a pop of color  Changing your hair color can liven up your curls and make you feel reinvigorated.  Be adventurous (as long as your career allows it) and explore color choices that take you out of your comfort zone yet compliments your face and style.  If you are not experienced with coloring your own hair, be sure to see a colorist that specializes in natural hair. Try a ne...
Issues regarding race relations have been on the rise with the increasing news coverage on police brutality, the Black Lives Matter movement, Trump Ideology, and more. With all of the coverage relating to "Black" -vs- "White", the concept and accusation of Cultural Appropriation has spread like wildfire.  Seeing all of the hoopla surrounding this term, I thought it was good idea to weigh in on Cultural Appropriation. So what is Cultural Appropriation? According to   Cultural Appropriation and the Arts , Cultural Appropriation is the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of another culture. Well okay, this doesn't seem so bad... or does it? When I read this definition aloud, the words assimilation, or acclimation come to mind. People often have to adapt to their environment in order to survive or deal with a given situation or scenario.   So what's the big deal? The problem comes in when someone adopts elements of a culture ...