December 8, 2011 by Ann Tillage
Can you believe it is almost winter already? Stores are weighted down with racks of new exciting fashions but how do we know what’s really ‘in’? In any other season pairing studded boots with sweat pants was a faux pas, but this fall is different! The store mannequin wasn’t wrong but hasn’t really shed any light on what this season is all about so here are some tips to get you on track:
- It’s hip to be square this season! Finally! In fact, not just square, the more shapes the better according to design houses like Balenciaga and Celina who turned to YSL for geometric inspiration when it came time to build their fall collections. Don’t limit yourself to square! What about rectangular, octagonal or trapezoidal! O.K, you get the idea!
- And better yet, you can be comfortable this fall. Some major collections got their runway inspiration from the gymnasium. Dress up those sweats or luxe designer kicks. It’s all about workout ready shapes in street ready fabric this year.
- Boyfriend jeans with button down shirts are out! This season’s borrow-from-the-boys trend demands a gifted tailor. Channel Marlene Dietrich in a slim-fit tuxedo from Stella McCartney or Dolce & Gabbana. Picture rich, black velvet, and don’t be afraid to accessorize with a floppy bow-tie collar and bowler hat! Wow, what a statement!
- To really nail the trend, channel the midcentury chic of Helen Gurley Brown, Cosmopolitan’s legendary editor-in-chief and the author of Sex-and-the-Single-Girl, whose neat skirts and proper pumps defined what a high-powered woman looked like in the early 1960’s.
- You don’t need a Harley to jump on this season’s biker trend, but it sure wouldn’t hurt. Whether you pair yours with lace or spiked studs, you’ll have trouble making it through fall without a leather jacket.
Fall 2011 is an exciting time to be alive. Electric and racy, comfortable and chic. Start with the jacket and find your groove! Clothes with great functionality yet wow factor punch.
October 28, 2011 by Ann Tillage
Why do we exercise? If the answer is to check people out at the gym then I suppose having every hair in place might seem imperative. If you exercise for reasons other than that, such as to stay fit, lose weight, or simply because you love the rush of endorphins and are quite the addict, then there should be no reason to worry about your hair! The current surgeon general suggested that black women are in poor health because they won’t work out in fear of messing up their hair. While this is a huge blanket statement that many would disagree with, as black women have many life experiences that cause poor health. However, for some not exercising due to concern of messing up a hairstyle, is a reason that should be knocked out cold.
Exercise should be the time you set aside for yourself. Take a walk and enjoy the sunset or jog around the neighborhood. It clears your head and gives you energy, not to mention extend your life and isn’t that worth a wreck hair-do? We think so, but we’re also here to help. Black women are by no means the only race of women who care about messing up their hair by exercising; in fact ALL races of women straighten their hair on a daily basis. Many of these women too don’t exercise because of sweating out their straightened hair, blow out or “NEW” hair-do. The fact that Black women are open to discussing this problem, allows for solutions. There are many hair accessories available that keep your hair neatly out of the way while you work out. Take advantage of them. Many are stylish and give you a totally different look. One solution that we recommend is the “That’s Tight Satin Headband” by Sharmooz.
Some of the benefits of the work-out satin headband are:
- Fits tight around your head yet very comfortable
- Keeps hair and fly-aways from face
- Will NOT “dry-out” or pull your hair.
Good grooming does illustrate pride and self respect which is why exercise should be an active part of every woman’s life. However, if vanity follows you to the gym, shell out a few dollars to get hair accessories that are functional and cute at the same time. Don’t spend too much time worrying about the appearance of your hair, as if your health goes, your hair simply won’t matter. Exercise for yourself and let accessories take care of the hair!
[Quick Tip - Allow the hair to dry or use a hand dryer to dry the hair before removing the satin headband. This will reduce the recoil of "damp hair"]
October 12, 2011 by Ann Tillage
More and more women are starting to realize the benefits of transitioning from chemically processed hair to hair that is all natural and devoid of chemicals. Many of these women still straighten their hair, but simply have decided to use a bit of heat instead of harmful chemicals, which can seep into the scalp and eventually enter the blood stream. No matter what hair style you opt for, deciding to style without chemicals is definitely a positive choice. However, there are some tips that will help you make the transition a smooth one and we’ll outline a few of those here:
Condition wash your hair regularly
When you delve into the world of natural hair, you’ll find the term “co-wash” used quite a bit. This term simply means to use conditioner to wash your hair instead of regular shampoo. For women with coily and curly hair the benefits of co-washing or washing with conditioner are many:
You soften the hair and make sure it’s moisturized instead of stripped of moisture
You can wash your hair more often, because conditioner adds moisture to your hair
Use satin bonnets and satin hair wraps
While transitioning, you’ll want to make sure your hair maintains as much moisture as possible. As curly or coily hair is very delicate, you also don’t want to break your hair, by using moisture grabbing cotton products on the hair. We recommend sleeping in satin and the “Sharmooz Satin Bonnet” in extra large is great for natural hair styles.
This bonnet has many benefits, a few of which are:
- Perfect size for long loc and braids
- Great for keeping “big” or “full” natural hair styles in place, as it’s 4 inches larger than a regularbonnet
- The satin fibers won’t break or tear delicate curly or coily hair
Be gentle on your hair and to yourself
Naturally curly or coily hair is the most delicate hair type. Even though many are used to pulling and tugging their hair, the opposite is needed to maintain a healthy head of natural hair. Always detangle from the ends of your hair and work your way up. Do this every time you wash your hair and make sure you’re gentle, especially if you’re transitioning the hair of a child or teen.
Transitioning can be difficult for some and there are days when your hair may not do what you want it to do. Don’t sweat that and don’t be hard on yourself or give up transitioning. Your natural hair is beautiful or you would not have been created with it, learn to love it and with these tips you’ll be well on your way to managing your natural hair with style and ease.
Stayed tuned for weekly tips and ideas on how to transition from relaxed hair to natural!!
