"Did you Add to it?"

I got a really interesting question this past Saturday at my daughters Soccer game. I try not to dwell on the negative, when it comes to creating content for this blog. But the comment keeps nagging at me. The best way to get something out of your system is to talk about it. It was not a extremely major incident, but none the less, it stood out to me as odd.

So I am sitting down with my fellow soccer moms, and a lady (mother of a family friend) that I have not seen for a while recognized me before I saw her. So she starts to say hey... I almost didn't recognize you. Then she makes her hands go up and down as she looks at my hair and says "You added to it!"

I at first I froze... lol. I didn't quite understand what the hell she was talking about. But then I realized that she somehow thought that my hair was artifice and that I could just add to it to make it longer. I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt, and assume that she did not mean any harm. Ignorance often comes from just not being educated on certain matters. So I just turned to her and politely said "It's growing." And she then said "Ohhh....." as if that was an odd theory; and then went on her way... lol. So it was not a huge thing. I just needed to get it out of my system. Thank you for reading!

Curly Style Inspiration

Naturally Leslie talks about one of her hair styles, that has that "wow" appeal. Check her out she achieves her 'two-strand twist out' on her blog.

The Dutchess Legging

The House of Dereon has a new pair of leggings on their site, called The Dutchess Legging. I think these are cute. But this has to be outfitted carefully - maybe with like a longer blouse. This could go from being hella cute - to just trashy if not worn correctly. What's your opinion?

What do you think?

Me Likey!

These boots are slammin! Featured on Garance Dore ....

Also, check out electric styled shoes by Jimmy Choo, featured on High Snobette -

"Those who can not afford hot, cute - but expensive shoes... blog about it! lol...." - Karen :-p

Baby dancing to Beyonce

Too Funny! Click this picture link to see this video.... Or go to SingleBabies.com.

Cute H.B. Card... :-D

Here is one of a few cute Birthday cards, show on The Bright Side Project today. The card was designed by Melissa from the site Operation Nice.

Join Me on YMIB!

I just became the member of the website YMIB. I have been eyeing this site for quite a while, admiring the beauty of it all. Really just looking forward to being able to sit down and read some of their great articles. I click on to the site yesterday, and saw one of my favorite natural hair inspirations, Franchesca, featured on the site -

So that got me interested in reading the other stories and blog post on the site. And I love it. So now I am a member. To check out my YMIB page, go to Naturally Beautiful Hair. If you are member, click to add me as a fiend.

Natural Hair Beauty Spotlight - Dana Moore

Beautiful photo of Dana Moore. This photo is featured on Pangaea's Garden

*Please note that the Pangaea's Garden contains artistic photographs of woman in slight nudity.

Fashion by African Designers

Beautiful designs by some great designers.

"Collection of clothes by African designers Eric Raisina, Tiffany Amber, Jewel by Lisa, and David Tlale." Source - The Chocolate Fashion Blog

Eye Candy - Mehcad Brooks

- Above photo source: Divine Life Collection

Giveaway Winners for International Beauty!!

Good morning everyone,

Last week, I posted a challenge for a Naturally Beautiful Hair Giveaway. The 2 prizes for this giveaway are 2 separate 3-piece sets of Peruvian Earrings. The challenge was for the readers to submit links to photo's of international beauty, from around the world. There where 6 photo's that were submitted, each beautiful because of the cultural richness. The two winners are:

**Angel: Her photo is of Gambian beauties in their traditional dress.

**Natural In the Making: Her photo entry is of a young Samoan woman practicing for Tausala.

Congratulations to the two winners. Remember, which ever winner that contacts me first at naturalhairbeauty@gmail.com, will have first choice in what package (#1 or #2) they want.

Also, I want to thank all of the people that participated in this giveaway. It is always a joy to see something new and beautiful from another country and culture. Please take a look below at the rest of the entries.

Inspirational Photos of the day

Photos by Photographer Thomas Schweizer

Men's Appreciation of Natural Hair

Clutch Magazine Online has a great article on how much many men appreciate women with Natural hair and beauty. The author of the article, Laquita Thomas-Banks, introduces the article by saying "this is a spotlight of various thoughts and views from black men on the subject."

Here are some quotes:

"love it. I truly believe it takes confidence for someone to be their true self in this world; to be what we were created to be, flaws and all. It shows that you love yourself in a very pure way.."

"That kind of love produces confidence, and alleviates fear; something we can all agree is beneficial."

“It’s one of the sexiest things ever…it’s beautiful”

To read the entire article in full, and see the 6 videos from the men, click here: CutchMagazineOnline.

Reader Question for You

I received the following question from a Naturally Beautiful Hair reader, regarding hair loss. I wanted to ask you all, if you can read the following question and let the reader know if you have any advice for her.

"Good Evening Karen,

I have been a longtime lurker at your blog as well as being loc'd for 3 1/2 years. I have noticed that front edges, especially the sides are starting to grow very thin and I am afraid traction alopecia may force me to cut my locs. I have sworn that locs would be my permanent hairstyle--but I am afriad the thinning around the edges
may become permanent and then I will be bald. I don't see the same problems
with other loc wearers who have long locs such as yourself and celebrities such
as Nerissa Irving. Do you have any suggestions for encouraging growth or perhaps
shaving the area?

Thanks,

Signed Anonymous"

Acceptance

I just decided to reject a really negative comment that someone left today. I think everyone is beautiful. All races and all cultures are beautiful. All skin colors and all hair types, are worth praise.

So I always find it very odd when someone has hatred or racism against other cultures, but that they still fill the need to read our blogs. I just don't get it. If you don't like dreadlocks and have issues with our culture: meaning any one with natural hair - why waste your time visiting our sites, that are about this subject. I respect all opinions when they are constructive, useful and positive. There is no place for hate-filled messages on this blog. If that is where you heart is, please click next to go to another blog.

Much love to all of my positive, intelligent blogger friends and faithful readers.

L.A.M.B Justice Sandals

L.A.M.B Justice Sandals. Cute!

- Source High Snobette

Jewelry Giveaway!!

Yesterday, I posted about some cute handmade Jewelry that I purchased from an online site called Peruvian Earrings. To see the post, click here. I went a little crazy and brought 16 pairs of earrings from the site. Which was way more than I needed. So I would love to share some of the pieces with two readers.

Here is package #1:

Here is package #2:

To win one of these packages, please give our readers a taste of international beauty. Post a link of a picture that shows the beauty of a different culture from around the world. Please include a brief description of the picture with the link. There will be two winners chosen on Wednesday, September 16th at 9 pm. The winners will be posted the next day, with a picture from the submitted link. From the two winners, who ever emails me first, will get to choose what package they want first. Good luck ladies!

Re: Miss Tyra Banks

Thank you UrbanCurlz, for sharing this video of Tyra's "real hair" premier on her new season of her show. See the previous post regarding Miss Tyra Banks. Tyra looks great, and I hope she continues to rock her own hair throughout the season. But the idea that her hair's natural texture was shown, is probably false. It looks chemically altered. But I still appreciate her not always wearing the wigs, while at the same time preaching to others about accepting themselves as their are. It was a contradiction. So perm or no perm, this is a nice change for Tyra.

Afrobella has a few words to say regarding this episode of the Tyra show:

"Where were the women with kinky, coily, natural hair textures? Why not feature a woman with a TWA? Why not expose her hair as it truly is — unaltered texture and all? Maybe, despite the hype, Tyra wasn’t yet ready. And that I can almost respect that.

Going natural shouldn’t be a fad — it takes dedication, commitment, and courage. Maybe this was a baby step for Tyra. I’m gonna hold out hope that someday she’ll do an episode that truly displays a range of hair textures and explores the deep feelings associated with natural hair. If not now, then hey — there’s always the premiere of season six."

I just want wish Tyra luck. I will always be a fan. Wig, perm, natural hair... what ever. No matter whats going on with her hair, she seems to be a genuinely good person. And she is entertaining.

Also, as shown on the blog Divine Life Collection, Tyra is getting ready to start a new online magazine. Click here: tyrabanks.com to check it out.