10 Affirmations for the Natural Woman

1. I am blessed and highly-textured.
2. They hate my hair because they love it so much.
3. My hair has the potential to be long,thick, and healthy.
4. I love my hair, no matter what I've been taught.




5. If the comb breaks,it's not my hair's fault.




6. Anything worth having is worth fighting for.




7. I'm beautifully different from other women across the racial spectrum.




8. My hair is appropiate for the work place.




9. Being natural is good for my health, in every way.




10. My natural beauty is someone's inspiration.

Monthly off the subject: Fine Black Men

I didn't want to do it! I wanted to keep this blog strictly about natural hair...but I found a compromise. Once a month, I can talk about anything. This month,the topic is fine black men. Forgive me, for I am too lazy to put their names.

My First Fro-Hawk!

Everytime I've tried this style, it never came out right. Now I'm starting to get it. The more practice I get , along with some giant bobby pins; the better my fro-hawk will become. Please feel free to send me comments, emails,etc to help me better my fro-hawk. But until then I will be wearing braids.

Product Showcase: Jilbere Shower Comb

This is not a hair product, but a hair tool. If I didn't tell you about it I would be a total be-yotch! I use this for my hair when I condition it in the shower to detangle. I also use it on dry hair. The material that it is made of is an antibacterial plastic. I just love the feel of the material in my hair. (I know that's a weird,strange thing to say. )You can find it at Sally's for under $7.00. It is worth the money.

References of Hair in the bible

I make it a goal to refer to the bible in everything I do in life. Yes, even hair. It's not that serious, but I just wanted know what the bible says about hair. There are only two scriptures listed below, but I found more. The others didn't pertain to what I was looking for.

• Songs of Solomon 4:1

Behold thou art fair, my love;behold,thou art fair;thou hast dove's eyes withing thy locks:thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from Mount Gilead...

• I Corinthians 11:15

But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her. For her hair is given her for a covering.

Happy Father's Day! Don't forget that man who made you natural!

The third Sunday in June is Dad's time to shine. The greatness of fathers is often ignored and having a father is a blessing not everyone experiences. Don't forget to celebrate the father figure in your life. And lets us always give thanks to the Almighty on that day, too, because He may be the only father some may have.

...for all his youtube videos.
...so he won't forget to be on time.

...maybe your dad has a sweet tooth.

...just to make sure he smells great on his celebration date.

Check This Out Guys! Hope to See You There!

An exciting tradition, The ESSENCE Music Festival®, began in 1995 as a celebration of the 25th birthday of ESSENCE Magazine, July 4th weekend in New Orleans. Three days of cultural activities and three nights of performances by some of our greatest African-American artists made the Festival a success. The Festival has grown in stature and attendance every year and is an annual destination. It is the largest African-American music and empowerment event in the country, with more than 270,000 attendees enjoying evening performances, plus free daytime sponsored activities, empowerment seminars and celebrity meet-and-greets.With the best musical artists, the most powerful speakers and the biggest national brands, the ESSENCE Music Festival is three days of unparalleled music, celebration and community. For more info click on the picture above.


Courtesy Of Essence.com

Contact

• Email: monee126@gmail.com


• Myspace: www.myspace.com/luvlyafrodite


• Blogtv: www.blogtv.com/people/monee127

When I post : my schedule

For the time being, I am posting once or twice a week. One of those post will most likely be a product showcase.Some people post two post a day, not me! I might throw a random post out there every now and then, because there are somethings that just pop into my head and onto the keyboard. That's all...for now.Chao Bellas!

Product Showcase: Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream

This is a reasonably-priced item that I find at Wal-Mart, Wal-Green, CVS, or any dug store; on the "ethnic" hair aisle. I would never use it as a leave-in. When I would spray my hair with water to re-style it, the cream would coagulate in my hair,leaving me with white beads everywhere.One thing I have noticed, is that people with hair textures of 3c and below don't have the "white-bead coagulation" problem. So as a leave-in it is best for women with textures between 2b-3c.

However... I do use it as a deep conditioner. I apply it to damp hair with a processing cap. Then I leave it in overnight or sit 45 minutes under a hooded-dryer.Another reason I like it is because shea butter is at the top of the ingredients list,as it should be.

Why his hair is longer than hers: Men having longer hair than women

It has long puzzled me on how a man could have long, thick, and luscious hair;while some women have thin ,short, and or brittle hair. Then I realized , men are not as concerned about hair as women. Meaning they don't flat-iron their hair every morning,curl it every night, or manipulate it as much. They want to be neat and presentable, that's it.

On the other hand, women want to be glamorous. Curly today,wavy yesterday,and bone-straight tomorrow. With a side of orange bangs,red tips, blue roots,and purple highlights. A woman's arsenal can consist of blow-dryers,flat-irons,hot combs,relaxers,coloring-kits,brushes,combs,hair gels,hair lotion and potions, pomades...I think y'all catch my drift. But all a man might have is a brush,a comb,some pomade,and a scull cap.

Men who choose to wear their hair long obtain the length by following the three postulates of healthy hair: no chemicals,wearing protective styles, and no heat.A majority of men follow these postulates subconsciously.They don't know they're wearing protective styles;all they know is that they look good in their braids,twist,or loc's. And if they're wearing any of these three styles, they don't feel the need to chemically or thermally treat their hair.

Some women will disobey all three postulates at one time. They will rock a relaxer and color-treat their hair, wear it down everyday; after they have flat-ironed it. At night women will go to sleep on a cotton pillow, with no head covering; sans cap ,scarf etc. While her boyfriend or hubby lies next to her,in his scull cap,do-rag,bandana or whatever it may be.

After all this mind-bogging analyzing and assessing, I've come to the conclusion that some men have longer hair , because they keep it simple and healthy. At the same time women can be too complex trying to keep up with hi-fashion styles that require excessive manipulation. Too much manipulation can cause thinning and breakage.

What women need to realize is that they can be stylish,professional,and beautiful by keeping it simple; while maintaining a full head of healthy, full hair.

Summertime and your....

...hair is moisturized, combs are sliding and the texture is high.
-Summertime, by Porgy and Bess




Summertime is here and it can be stressful for some afrodites' tresses. Especially if you live in a hot,arid climate or hot,humid climate. Your hair tends to dry out.


When I first went natural, this spritz was my staple. I think I will begin using it again. ( with my own spin on it, which I will tell yall about in a later post.) It contains vegetable glycerine, not the rose water kind they sell in Wal-greens and Wal-Mart. You have visit Whole Foods Market, Trader Joes, or your local health food store for this. If you don't live near any of these stores , google 100% natural , organic vegetable glycerine. Vegetable glycerine is a natural humectant; it pulls moisture out of the air and attracts it. Makes hair super soft. Even after hair has dried.

Recipe:

• 1 oz. vegetable glycerine
• 3 fl.oz. water
• (optional) 1 tbsp. castor oil ( or your favorite natural oil)
• 3-5 drops of favorite essential oil
• one clean spray bottle

Preparation:

1. Place vegetable glycerine in spray bottle.
2. Add water and oils.
3. Shake well, until water turns an opaque color.
4. Spray on hand, if your hand feels slippery; vegetable glycerine is ready.

Tips:

• Use sparingly on humid days.
• works best on afro puffs and twist.
• the best way to use is after hair has been co-washed and is still damp. Spray and style as desired.
• Spray in hair before styling to create more pliable hair.
• Buy a small spray bottle for when you're on the go.

Troubleshooting:

• If hair is very sticky, decrease amount of vegetable glycerine or increase amount of water.
• Don't just give up on this hair spritz, experiment until you get desired results.
• Use less vegetable glycerine if you live in a very humid climate, to prevent the " drippy jheri curl juice" effect
  

Ode to the Afrodite: a poem called Beauty

This poem came about when I was thinking of an idea for a new post. My high school had recently held a talent show, and this young man, by the name of Theron Mcghee, entered one of his pieces. Honeychile,let me tell you! It's hard to get a standing ovation out of me, but I gave him one. Needless to say, he won first place for spoken word.So I sent him a message on Myspace, and asked him would he write a poem about natural hair for my blog. He said yes, and here it is.

Beauty

lets take it back to 72

where everybody was rockin' the fros

yea the nappy do

none of those additives and straighteners

yea natural was the flavor

now it seems that everybody is haters

on those that are brave and bold enough

to wear the hair god has given them

the hair god has carefully picked for her or him

its crazy

as soon as the child is born they're checking the baby

"do they have good hair?"

"do they have bad hair?"

why should you care?

now there's nothing wrong with perms and hot combs

but lets not judge those that are bold

and know the roots of their home natural hair is beautiful

not something that should be considered as unsuitable

- Theron Mcghee, member of 'The New Left'

Contact T.Mcghee: Hoyas20@yahoo.com

M.I.A: Summer Vacation

Okay...here's the deal. I will not be blogging for a small while. I will be in ATL, enjoying my vacation. I might make an occasional post , don't hold your breath. I will definetly be back before mid-August. So don't un-Follow or let my temporary abscence deter you from following or subscribing to me . In the meantime, one of my fellow natural people will be making occasional post , to keep my site alive. Paz, carino , y amor. Chao bellas.

Heat Protectants During the Summer

I use heat protectant creams during the summer, to protect my hair from the heat and harmful rays of the sun. The particular brand I use makes my hair soft and easy to detangle;its a great sealant.

If you decide to use it , I recommend that you apply it to slightly damp hair, then style. Apply to hair before twisting for great twist-out, or before bantu knoting. The effect will be luscious,poofy hair. I said "poofy", not frizzy.

L'Oreal Studioline Hot Straight can be found at drug store, but I found this one on clearance in my local Albertson's.

K.I.S.S

I would say this means " keep it simple stupid," but I prefer " keep it simple sista". This method of hair care keeps you from going broke, losing hair , becoming a product junkie, and many other negative outcomes of being too extravagant. K.I.S.S. is especially important if you are "newly natural", because you have a lot more to learn about caring for your hair.

Let me tell you how I keep it simple : wash, detangle,moisturize , and protective styles.







1.Washing: I use Dr.Bronner's Castile Soap concentrate . The directions for dilution are on the bottle. It does a good job of cleaning the hair and last for a long time. My dilution ratio is 1 cap full of soap to 12 fl.oz. water. It doesn't matter which shampoo you use, try to keep it as organic and natural as possible. Staying away from sulfates.Don't forget to use a conditioner afterwards. I recommend Suave tropical coconut conditioner or Herbal Essences Hello Hydradtion, ( you know...the one in the blue bottle.)












2. Detangle: Get a wide-tooth comb, a spray bottle filled with plain water, your fingers, and some patience. Once you get the hang of detangling your hair , it will be a breezy. I love to play in my hair ,so I enjoy detangling. You must understand that you hair should be damp or close to it; never comb hair when it is dry. Detangle as much as you can with your finger and then use the comb.Be gentle.










3.Moisturize: This is the key to healthy hair. Don't follow after all the other afrodites that rave over a product, it may work for them , but not for you. Find what works and stick to it; experimenting every so often. The best times to moisturize are during detangling and while styling.

4.Protective Styles: are styles that don't not require much manipulation. You can either refresh them with a quick spritz and pat;or take them down once a week. The less you touch your hair, the more length it will retain. Some styles to try are two-strand twist, braids, flat-twist updos;anything that last for at least a week and still looks decent.