Puff Balls

Puff Balls

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Viola Davis Stuns on the Oscar Red Carpet


Hello everyone,

I am simply blown away by the gorgeous Viola Davis at the Oscars. Hurray to her for putting aside the wigs, weaves and sporting her natural hair. No, I'm not saying that wigs and weaves are bad. I am saying that I think Ms. Davis' natural hair is simply elegant, stunning and unique on the red carpet. I am ecstatic and hoping she wins the Oscar!

Whew-hew!!

Tina

Friday, February 24, 2012

Nicole Ari Parker Introduces Save Your Do Gym Wrap! Time to Hit the Gym with a Vengeance!


Hi everyone,

I LOVE the idea behind Nicole Ari Parker's Save your Do Gym Wrap! http://saveyourdo.com/

The product seems to directly address some women's complaints that they don't workout because it will mess up their hair. The Save your Do Gym Wrap is one of those ideas that makes me think, "MAN!! Why didn't I think of that?!" Kudos to Ms. Parker for thinking of it and bringing it to fruition! I need to buy one (or several) ASAP. Has anyone tried it yet?

Image found at http://saveyourdo.com/


Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Gray hair chic? Daphne Guinness' gray locks revered


Hi everyone,

Hair coloring is big business! Mintel's 2005 Hair Coloring Report estimates that the U.S. hair coloring market is $1billion - I couldn't find world figures...hmm, perhaps that's an entrepreneurial venture waiting to happen. Jump on it! :)

I've heard many people talk about how they HAVE to color their hair. They refuse to be mousy brown, dull blonde or boring black. Instead, they want vibrant, youthful color! Which brings me to the discussion of gray hair. According to some, having gray hair is even worse than having dull hair.

Thus, I was surprised to find this article: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/46479961/ns/today-style/#.T0UTI4ePluo. The article, "Granny chic? Going gray is a hot new hair trend" chronicles the rising chic of gray hair. Thanks in part to movies like "Marie Antoinette" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0422720/) and social maven Daphne Guinness (http://daphneguinness.tumblr.com/)*, gray hair is being voluntarily donned! In fact, some women are COLORING their hair gray.

What do you think, is this a fad or do you think it will have staying power. Would you color your hair gray?


*The tumblr site is an homage to Daphne Guinness. To contact her, she can be reached via her twitter page referenced above.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

"In our Heads About Our Hair" a new documentary is out!


Hello everyone,

Anu Prestonia (of Khamit Kinks acclaim! http://khamitkinks.com/), Maitefa Angaza and Paulette Maat Kesa Tabb have co-produced a film entitled, "In Our Heads About our Hair" from Hemamset Angaza on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/user3996039). The documentary explores the relationship between Black women and our hair, specifically examining how hair may affect self-esteem.

The producers are careful to mention that this film was not in response to Chris Rock's "Good Hair". In fact, the documentary was started before Mr. Rock's movie was released and the documentary covers different ground than Mr. Rock's film.

I am excited to see it and, if you're in the NY area, please let me know if you get a chance to view the documentary!

Thanks!

Image found at: http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.indiewire.com/static/dims4/INDIEWIRE/f9f6e20/4102462740/thumbnail/680x478/http://d1oi7t5trwfj5d.cloudfront.net/4f/596c3042e511e197b6123138165f92/file/headofhair.jpg&sa=X&ei=IB9ET8ajKsf30gH-54naBw&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNFbVLpdiVkNHQxkWFEeLxwv4PQCdA

Monday, February 20, 2012

UPDATE: Hair growth--> Foam rollers

I LOVE the results of rolling my double-strand twists!

Hmm, what will my hair look like in the morning after using foam rollers?

My hair is growing by leaps and bounds. So much so that my double-strand twists are starting to sprout out in some...interesting ways. Soooooo, I bought some good old fashioned foam rollers and rolled my twists. I'll be sure to post a pic tomorrow! I love the opportunity to explore my hair!

Tina

P.S.: I got lazy and only used end wraps on some of the rollers. I know, I know, it's better for your hair when you use end wraps on foam rollers. Forgive me.

Hair Relaxer --> Uterine Fibroids??? (I know, I was shocked at the possibility too!)


Hi everyone,

It's one thing when you hear about somebody's cousin who got scalp burns from a "bad" relaxer. This sounds like an isolated incident where someone improperly used the relaxer. However, it's quite another situation when the American Journal of Epidemiology, a peer-reviewed journal published by Oxford Press, publishes an article describing a longitudinal study (participants were followed over time) in which evidence suggests that hair relaxer use increases the risk of uterine leiomyomata (i.e., uterine fibroids). WHATTTTTT???!!!!

Reputable medical resources (e.g., the Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/uterine-fibroids/DS00078/DSECTION=risk-factors and the Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/uterine-fibroids.cfm#f) indicate that Black women have an increased risk of uterine fibroids. WHAT IF HAIR RELAXERS HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS INCREASED RISK?

Something to REALLY make us think if that fly, convenient and straight hairstyle is worth it. On top of that, we perm young girls' hair?! Wow, I think we need to investigate and do better!

Here's a link to the abstract (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22234483) and I've also copied it below. Please let me know what you think.

Abstract

Hair relaxers are used by millions of black women, possibly exposing them to various chemicals through scalp lesions and burns. In the Black Women's Health Study, the authors assessed hair relaxer use in relation to uterine leiomyomata incidence. In 1997, participants reported on hairrelaxer use (age at first use, frequency, duration, number of burns, and type of formulation). From 1997 to 2009, 23,580 premenopausal women were followed for incident uterine leiomyomata. Multivariable Cox regression was used to estimate incidence rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals. During 199,991 person-years, 7,146 cases of uterine leiomyomata were reported as confirmed by ultrasound (n = 4,630) or surgery (n = 2,516). The incidence rate ratio comparing ever with never use of relaxers was 1.17 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06, 1.30). Positive trends were observed for frequency of use (P(trend) < 0.001), duration of use (P(trend) = 0.015), and number of burns (P(trend) < 0.001). Among long-term users (≥10 years), the incidence rate ratios for frequency of use categories 3-4, 5-6, and ≥7 versus 1-2 times/year were 1.04 (95% CI: 0.92, 1.19), 1.12 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.27), and 1.15 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.31), respectively (P(trend) = 0.002). Risk was unrelated to age at first use or type of formulation. These findings raise the hypothesis that hair relaxer use increases uterine leiomyomata risk.


Image found at: http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://cynthiaswilliams.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/relaxer.jpg&sa=X&ei=kuBCT6a8MMr20gG0nKzGBw&ved=0CAoQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNHEgnlrqOEKjbYi8dFYDipzh652PA

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Farewell Ms. Houston



Dear Whitney:

It deeply saddens me to know that despite being one of the most beautiful, down-to-earth, and talented women of our times, you felt inadequate. I think all of us feel that way at one time or another.

That tells me that we all have a God-sized void that nothing else can fill. I believe that your home going service will bless many people, as many of them will seek Jesus as a result of seeing faith in action. It was amazing to see just how much you loved The Lord. I'm so glad that you're safely in His arms now. Rest sweetly Ms. Houston. You will not be forgotten.

Hugs and prayers.

Top image found at: http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.chicagonow.com/becoming-nikki-lynette/files/2012/02/566886_356x237.jpg&sa=X&ei=nz5AT7rwMOrv0gGaiozkBw&ved=0CAoQ8wc4IA&usg=AFQjCNEktjIHEPJLQrEL481cDNAV9KzDgQ

Friday, February 17, 2012

Natural Hair Strongly Embraced

Filmmaker Cindy Hurst

Hi everyone,

You may recall that I wrote a post pondering whether regional differences might create cultures that are more or less accepting of natural hair (see the post here: http://tropie7189.blogspot.com/2011/11/north-more-hospitable-to-natural-hair.html).

I came across an article from a student at Northern Kentucky University that suggests that women ALL OVER are indeed embracing their natural hair! Here's a link to the article: http://www.thenortherner.com/arts-and-life/2012/02/15/natural-beauties/comment-page-1/.

The article mentions a film called "Natural Woman", a Sankofa Project Production by filmaker Cindy Hurst (pop quiz: how many of you remember the post I wrote about "Sankofa"?). Here's a link to a a trailer for the movie: http://www.naturalwomanfilm.com/.

While it might sound like these issues are specific to African-American women, I argue that the underlying principles of embracing one's natural self apply to women AND men from all walks of life. It's about learning to accept one's natural self. What do you think? I look forward to your comments. Thanks for reading!

Image found at: http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width/hash/0b/f5/0bf52dddccb9086b8793287061a82d5c.jpg&sa=X&ei=joM-T6vUOIb20gGzypi_Bw&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNFzfRfFxqo3UKU97dGhVcmrAZ_OXg

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Heart & Soul Magazine: New Leadership


Hi everyone! If you haven't already, I suggest you RUN not walk to get the 2012 special issue of Heart & Soul Magazine (http://www.heartandsoul.com/). I have to admit that in the past I wasn't the biggest fan of the magazine: it was a great idea but lacked the best execution. Well, now that the magazine is under the leadership of George E. Curry (http://www.georgecurry.com/, remember Emerge Magazine?!) , that has all changed. The magazine has new content, new contributors and a new fan! Further, the magazine's scope has been expanded to include all women of color. By the way, I don't have a personal connection with the magazine and no one paid me to say this. I just LOVE to support excellent work!

Of particular interest for those interested in hair is the new column entitled "Tresses" by Jacqueline Tarrant (founder of the Hair Trauma Center in Chicago- http://www.hairtraumacenter.com/). I smiled when I saw that the focus of this issue's column was on exercise and hair. Whew-hew! As someone who is in an on-going BATTLE to maintain a healthy body weight, I appreciated the articles insightful candor. For example, did you know that consistent cardio exercise leads to wider blood vessels and that wider blood vessels facilitate more rapid hair growth?! HELLO! While you're working out and shrinking your butt you're simultaneously growing your hair. Ha! That works for me.

There is also a call for several 30-day challenges (think hot yoga, meditation and nutrition), a column on skin care, plus articles on health (even a dedicated column to HIV / AIDS given how it disproportionately ravages communities of color). I hope that you enjoy the magazine as much as I do!

Happy Valentine's Day: Love Yourself!


Hi there!

Happy Valentine's Day! This afternoon my husband treated us to a lovely lunch rendezvous at a local French bistro. Oh my goodness! I love LOVE.

Speaking of love: what do you think about the notion that how you wear your hair says something about how you love yourself?

Here's an interesting article from my alma mater, New York University: http://nyulocal.com/on-campus/2012/02/14/weaves-perms-and-going-natural-rejecting-narrow-narratives-of-black-women-in-the-media/

The article explores how and why more and more women are embracing their natural hair. I look forward to your thoughts!

Image found at: http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://whwweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/self-love31.jpg&sa=X&ei=beQ6T7DXO8Hk0QHIubXUCw&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNE5BFLlnMZT75OvfUjsdY4RCtYfJA

Monday, February 13, 2012

I'm back: Viola Davis Pics!


Hi everyone,

Well, I'm writing this post a bit with my tail between my legs. I truly thought that I'd be able to have a FABULOUS new website for you all by this time. Unfortunately, the request for proposal process is taking MUCH longer than I anticipated.

Not to worry! I plan to post here while the website is under construction. Oh well, you live and you learn.

Anyway, there has been LOTS going on as it relates to hair. One thing that made me shriek with joy was the Los Angeles Times spread featuring Ms. Viola Davis (http://www.latimesmagazine.com/2012/02/viola.html).

In the spread, the thespian is interviewed about her career, prestigious award nominations and life in general. However, her mane was almost the main attraction! Ms. Davis you are simply STUNNING! I can only imagine the pressure in Hollywood to have a weave down your back so I APPLAUD you for sporting your natural do.

What do you all think of Ms. Davis' do?