Inspirational Photo of the Day

 

- Source

Giveaway Winner!! Cranberry Satin Flower Headband

Thank you everyone that participated in the  Cranberry Satin Flower Headband giveaway! After much consideration, LaShay has picked Finally Ja'Net as the winner!!  Ja'Net, please email LaShay at hello@hotdogsandpoodles.com  to claim your prize!

Link of the day - Tatiana Ali

Bossip posted a great photo of Tatiana Ali. To read more, check out the article there: Source

Giveaway winner!! Sweetbeatz music CD

The winner of the children's Sweetbeatz's cd giveaway is Micah Rose!  Thank you Micah for participating. The singer and creator of the cd, Meredith, will be contacting you today to get your information.

Jessica Alba Long Hair Pictures

Jessica Simpson Long Hairstyles Gallery

 

Wintertime.

Things have been really busy the last couple of weeks with lots of tests and essays I've had to correct, but now, finally, I have a holiday for the next two and a half weeks. It feels so nice to be able to relax and just be with my boyfriend (he came a week ago and it's been lovely so far) without having to get up while it's still dark in the morning.






Coat by Thomas Burberry, sweater from Mango, skirt, beret and tights from H&M, shoes from Sixtyseven and bag by Miu Miu.

Goapele's Hair: Style How-To from Black Voices

(Image above from Kontrol Magazine)

See below for a great article and Style how-to video from Black Voices.

I Want Her Hair: Goapele!
By Aisha I. Jefferson on Nov 29th 2010 12:00PM
 
"Once known for donning waist-skimming locs, Goapele is turning heads with a cornrow-design updo that is truly a work of art.

For those who may remember, on first sight Goapele's natural coiffure is a throwback to the chic braided styles that actress Cicely Tyson wore in '70s. But Goapele, whose father is South African, says the hair creations worn by the late South African singer Miriam Makeba married with styles typically worn on straighter hair served as inspirations for the look seen above -- think the bouffant hairstyles of the '50s or the teased and overly hair-sprayed 'dos of the '80s.


Although the look doesn't have a formal name, it's an artistic conception. "I like to kind of mimic styles you would do with straight hair because it looks so different when you do it with natural hair," says Goapele, who cut her hair four years ago into a short, cropped cut. "It's a way for me to keep things fun and interesting for me now that I've moved on from the locs. And it's a way for me to keep my braids unique."

The Oakland native, who received a lot of attention when she wore her hair locked, is now receiving much of the same type of notoriety for this hairstyle, which takes about nine hours to complete and another two or three hours to wrap. "The braids are so small. And she's patient and so steady," says hairstylist Anana Scott about the timely process.

If sitting for nine hours sounds challenging, Scott says bear in mind that the amount of time is relative and "depends on the thickness of the hair, the width, and sometimes length of the braids and how elaborate the style."

Goapele usually wears the updo for two to three weeks (she doesn't like for it to get fuzzy) and uses a dry shampoo like Organic Root Stimulator Herbal Cleanse ($6.39,Sallybeauty.com) to wash her scalp. She then wraps her hair at night with a silk scarf and moisturizes with Organic Root Stimulator Shea Butter Moisturizing Lotion ($8.29, Sallybeauty.com) or a Carol's Daughter Tui hair oil ($8.50, Carolsdaughter.com).

"As for thread wraps, the design is taut– but not unbearable. It will last through washing, swimming, etcetera, but make sure for both braids and wraps that you keep the scalp moist with light oil after washing," Scott advises. How does it affect the edges? As a way to preserve her edges and avoid any scalp stress, Goapele sports two-strand twists in between getting this style. " I really like for the edges of my hair to get a break for about one and a half to two weeks," she says.

Thread-wrapping isn't a new style for Goapele, however. Scott used to style and thread-wrap the singer's hair when she was a little girl. And even though Scott learned this technique from her Mississippi-bred grandmother, who used do a similar wrap style with women's hair decades ago, she says it's a technique that definitely has its roots in Africa.

"I am glad to say not all of the culture was stripped from us during the dark years!" Scott says.

Watch the how-to video to see how Scott creates this look on Goapele."

~ Source

Here are a few more images of Goaple rocking this unique braided style.

"In Love with Locs" Video

Check out this great video created by Keisha (aka - 'decor8mylife' on youtube).  Thank you for creating this Keisha and for including me and so many other natural beauties!

Featured Reader - Paulette!

 

 

Thank you Paulette, for sharing photos of your cool natural style.  Paulette also has a great Etsy store,

Dahlia Soleil Collection.

Link of the Day - Artwork by Leonceo!

Artwork by Leonceo Omar Bennett. Inspiration came from a photo of Amber.

Holiday Hair by Kem

   

Hello all! I was recently styled by a local Loctician, Kem Simmons (aka - KnappyKhem). I would say that my hair came out like a piece of art. With my lovely naps and all.... :-).

Giveaway!! Cranberry Satin Flower Headband

For a chance to win the Cranberry Satin Flower Headband, you must follow LaShay on twitter and become a fan of her facebook page. Once you have completed these steps, please reply to this post telling us how you would rock this cool accessory! The contest will end on December 18th, at 10 pm.  After LaShay picks the winner, the person's name will be posted on the blog the following week.

About LaShay:  LaShay Carr was inspired to create accessories while on the hunt for an amazing hair piece for her wedding. After finding out how overpriced hair accessories were, she decided to make her own, thus the beginning of her accessory company. Hotdogs & Poodles specializes in handmade earrings, hair clips, headbands, and for the fashion forward lady on a tight budget. Currently, she is in the transitioning stage of becoming natural and can't wait to wear her headbands and hair clips in a soft curly afro.

http://www.hotdogsandpoodles.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/hotdogsandpoodles

http://www.facebook.com/hotdogsandpoodles

http://twitter.com/lashaycarr

Hat So Me - Holiday Discount!!

Suzanne, from HatSoMe, has offered all Naturally Beautiful Hair Blog readers a holiday discount. Read more about Suzanne's inspiration behind the Silk and Satin lined hat and scarf line:

"The idea to create this line of hats, came from my own frustrations from having my hair damaged every year from wearing unlined winter hats. This year I decided to do some thing about. I created HatSoMe.com with the vision of pairing fantastic and stylish winter hats with silk and satin linings.

Offer: 10% off order of $25 or more, plus free shipping on all US Orders

Expires on: 12/31/2010

Offer Code: NaturallyBeautifulHair10

JILcreations (aka -The Flying Ewe) Custom Doll Hair

Carolyn from JIL Creations (a.k.a - The Flying Ewe), takes dolls and creates custom hair as requested by the customer. I love, love her work. Check out her Custom Doll Hair album for more details.
*To have your dolls hair custom made by Carolyn, please contact her on Flickr.com.  You may need to have an account with Flickr in order to email her. Try this link for Carolyn's contact page.

Giveaway!! Great Childrens Music CD

Vocalist and Songwriter, Meredith Wright, has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway. Her CD (that sells for $15.00) called Sweetbeatz, is filled with children's songs that are upbeat, positive and fun. This prize will make a great gift for Christmas; or can be used as a birthday gift for a little boy or girl. To hear samples of her song, check out her websites music and lyrics page. To win this CD, reply to this post answering these two questions - 

1. Tell us how do you rock your baby's/child's hairdo? Or what is our favorite natural hair style on little kids? 
2. After visiting the Sweetbeatz's website, tell us one interesting thing you learned?

You must answer both questions to be considered. If you have picture links of a great hairstyle, please include that with your entry (but not required). The contest will last until December 18th at 10pm. After Meredith has chosen a winner, check back the following week, for information on how to claim your prize. Good luck!

32 CANDLES Giveaway Winner!!!

Thank you everyone that entered the 32 Candles book giveaway.

Ernessa T Carter, the author of the book, has choosen a winner. The winner is Naptural Aaronni!! Congratulations!! Please email me at naturalhairbeauty@gmail.com with your shipping address, and your prize will be mailed out this week. Thank you again to everyone that participated in the contest.