Goapele - BET's Soul Train Awards


I was happy to see Goapele (my natural hair inspiration for many years) on BET's Soul Train Awards, this past Sunday. She was one of many talented singers that paid tribute to Anita Baker during the awards ceremony.





To learn more about Goapele, check her out at Goapele.com

Winner of the Naturalbella Tote Bag!!!

Hello all!  The contest for the Naturalbella Tote Bag ended this past weekend.  Racquel from QuellyRue Designs  has emailed me and and has choosen a winner. There were so many great response's, that Racquel wish that she could give a bag to everyone that responded. But since their can only be one winner, the person that will be getting this great bag is:
Barbara!

Congragulations Barbara on winning the contest. Please email Raquel directly at quellyruedesigns@gmail.com to claim your prize. Thank you again for everyone that took time to participate in this contest. Both Racquel and I both appreciate it!

Loc Tutorial - Nautilus inspired updo

Franchesca Ramsey  inspired the latest link of the day. Now I have to update the post with the tutorial video that Franchesca recently posted. Take look! This style can actually be achieved with loc's, kinky hair and curly. Love the style. Perfect for the holidays!


Rocking out with Kelis!

I am loving this song by Kelis called Brave! Powerful message that speaks to where I was and where I am.
I was weak... but now I am strong!


Happy Holidays!!!!




Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Have a great holiday weekend.

Link of the Day!


Fabulous hair style from Franchesca Ramsey.

Younikness - Jewelery & Accessories

Fabiola Bernard , owner and designer of Younikness,  founded the one of a kind, handcrafted accessory line in January 2010.

"What really motivated me to start making accessories was me going natural and seeing other natural ladies with their naked hair. Natural hair is beautiful on its own but adding that flower or that bow to your hair will definitely accentuate your hair and complete your look."




To see more great jewelry and accessories, go to  Younikness.com

Inspirational Photos - Wahidah Shaba Fowler

Inspirational photo from one of my favorite models, Wahidah Shaba Fowler (she is also a spokesperson, and community activist).
Wahidah Shaba Fowler

"Though Wahidah claims Brooklyn as her hometown nothing can take her away from her West Indian heritage. Her mother is from the beautiful island of the Bahamas and her father is from the mystic land of Guyana. Wahidah thinks of modeling as another way of expressing her passion, which is a visual art, to her every inch of her body is paint and the world is her canvas. Though Wahidah is fairly new to the modeling world, some of her resume consist of her modeling in music videos such as Maino (Hi Hater), Red Café (Things you do), Steelo (Make Up My Mind) and Skull Gang ft Juelz Santana (I am the club). Wahidah is also a correspondent in which she has interviewed celebrities such as Fabolous, The Dream, Christina Milian and Ryan Leslie (just to name a few). Wahidah has also been featured as a guest speaker in the film, "A Girl Like Me" by Kiri Davis (which won numerous awards and was seen on The Oprah Show). Wahidah was also featured numerous times on BET (2008 Notarized Countdown, Rap It Up). She has also done runway shows for Thando Kafele (National Hair Show), Raggauffin (Trace Mag) and Alize Rose. Wahidah is also the host of the #1 online Hip Hop news show titled, “The Friday Hip-Hop Report" for Jump Off tv and AllHipHop.com. Check Wahidah out in the film "Don't Blink" from Kotch Films, the release date will be late 2009...."  - Source


http://www.WahidahFowler.net
http://www.twitter.com/WahidahFowler
http://www.facebook.com/WahidahFowler 
http://www.myspace.com/BlackDiamondsinc

Boutique de Bandeaux Headbands

These gorgeous headbands are from Boutique de Bandeaux

"We specialize in handmade couture-inspired hair accessories for thick, curly, & kinky natural hair. We use vivid colors and over-sized pieces to ensure our accessories they stand out in your voluminous tresses. Our designer headbands are not only crafted to be fashionable, but big hair friendly!" - Source
 

Featured Reader - Aja!

Meet Naturally Beautiful Hair blog reader Aja. Aja talks a little bit abut her transition to natural hair and what inspires her -
 

Q: How long have you been Natural? If you transitioned from process hair to natural hair, what made you want to change?
A: I transitioned to natural hair after having been a 'relaxed' girl for more than 15 years.  I started (slowly) making the switch to natural products after a health concern made me more aware of the things that I was introducing to my body--this was back in 2001. Since then, I've eliminated pork, white sugar/flour and a few other foods from my diet. I started my transition (via braids & chignons) in May 2009 and finally mustered up the courage to Big Chop (BC) in November 2009; it's one of the best decisions that I've made! I've made it my goal to be as natural as possible, not only with my hair, but with my overall well-being.

Q: What has been the most amazing or surprising part of your having natural hair?
A:  I think the most amazing & surprising part of being natural is that my hair is even more manageable now than it was when I had a relaxer. When I was relaxed my scalp suffered most of the burden; it had been burned from the chemicals within the relaxers and therefore itching and flaking became "normal" to me. I would go to the salon for a doobi on Saturday and by Tuesday I'd be washing my hair--not because it was dirty--but to remove the dry, chemically burnt patches of skin from my scalp. I was doing too much to my hair. I had a collection of products and none of them made much of a difference. But now that my hair is chemical-free and I'm feeding my body more of what it needs (as opposed to what I want), I've been able to slowly nurse my scalp back into shape. It's still not 100% healthy, but it took time to...
damage it so it will also take time to heal it. Scalp issues aside, I also find being natural much easier because now I get to make moves the way I want to without my hair dictating how the day will go. I no longer worry about not being able to go swimming, to amusement parks or even on a date with my husband based on whether or not I'm going to be able to pull off a certain style because I haven't had a relaxer in a while. Natural hair is extremely versatile and if you're good to it, it will be good right back to you!

Q: What is your maintenance routine? What product do you love?
A: My maintenance routine is pretty simple: I cleanse/condition/leave-in condition/hydrate/ and style. During the colder months, I cleanse/condition/leave-in on a bi-weekly basis while moisturizing my scalp (and sometimes hair depending on the style) about once every 3-4 days. I haven't used any heat on my hair since May 2009 and I really don't have the desire to; right now, I'm really just enjoying my kinks.
As far as products are concerned I keep it really simple, using mostly all natural (either store brought or handmade) products. 

The staple products that I love are:
  • To Cleanse: Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap (Almond & Peppermint are my favorites)
  • To Condition: Giovanni's Smooth as Silk conditioner and Direct Leave-In conditioner
  • To Hydrate: Organic coconut oil with a few drops of rosemary essential oil (for my scalp) & for my hair, I use a cream from my own natural product line: SheaCoCo Love  (which is a great moisturizer for both thirsty skin & hair).
Q: What advice do you have for any one that is considering go back to their natural texture or getting their hair loc'd?
A:  I'd say, "go for it and don't allow anyone to make you feel anything other than fabulous!" I know it may sound cliché` but I think we are all unique, and the one thing that makes me truly unique is how I was made to be. I was born with caramel skin, full lips and kinky hair in my DNA and I feel blessed to be this way. Don't be afraid to let the real you shine through!

Q: How can we keep up with you and your journey (for example: Facebook, fotki, tumblr, twitter, and more)?
A: Please feel free to keep up with me & my natural journey via:
-Twitter: @AJANaturals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blessings,
Aja Walker-Rice
AJA Naturals, LLC
732-539-4165
Natural products for body mind & spirit
Follow Us:
Try Us:
"AJA Naturals.. What Nature Provides"

Great Qoute - Take it to Heart


In an past episode of the Oprah Show (from Monday, September 27, 2010), Oprah was interviewing Serena Williams. They were talking about Serena's love life, and she was expressing how it has been a difficult road for her to find someone.  Oprah said something so very very true. 

She said "You can't go around dimming your light just to be with someone else." Oprah told Serena that she was a powerful woman, and only the most amazing man will be able to come into her life and not only accept her for being a powerful woman, but embrace it. 

I was soo happy to be reminded of this. Ladies and Gentleman, you should never have to bring yourself down, to make someone in your life feel better.  This is a very powerful and important message that we all need to take to heart.

Shoe Fetish! Peeptoe Platform Shoes


Long time readers of the Naturally Beautiful Hair blog knows that I have a serious shoe fetish. But often low funds keeps me from buying up every shoe in site (a guess thats a good thing... lol).  So often online browsing is the closes I get to seeing shoes I would love to wear. Check out these cute shoes, called Peeptoe Platform Shoes, from The Kandi Aisle.  This shoe comes in Tan, Purple and Blue.


More Shoes & Boots. One of each please! he he

Giveaway!!!! Naturalbella Tote Bag

Racquel, owner and creator of QuellyRue Designs, has offered to sponsor a giveaway on the Naturally Beautiful Hair Blog. The winner of this giveaway will win this beautiful Naturalbella Tote Bag -


To win this tote designed by Racquel, respond to this post telling how through your own love for the natural hair, that you have help other women and men embrace and celebrate their natural hair beauty? The contest will end at 10 pm on November 28th, and the winner will be chosen by Racquel.  Best of luck to all that enter the contest!

To learn more about QuellyRue Designs, check out the following links:

Emma's Twist

Barbara from Chasing Metamorphosis, did a twist-out for her daughter Emma's hair, for the last Bay Area Natural Hair event. And it was gorgeous! Barbara talks a little bit about how they achieved the look - 
"I add some moisturizer (Organics Root Stimulator Shea Butter Detangler Moisturizing Lotion) and then twisted her hair." Before Emma went to bed, she put on a satin bonnet and then twist where taking out the next day. "I took some coconut oil in my hands and ran it down the length of each twist before untwisting. I separated each twists a bit for volume, threw a couple of green flower barrettes on the side and she was ready to rock her natural!"
Thanks Barbara. I love this style. And it is perfect for Emma... :-)



Zenzele - Product Review


I used a new hair care product this month, called Zenzele.  After washing my hair, I used the Leave-In Conditioner  and Sangria Hair Oil on my scalp and hair. It felt great and the smell is amazing. My mom, who was there while I was washing my hair, walked by and asked what was that amazing smell? It was the Zenzele conditioner and hair oil. I also shared the Zenzele souffle with a friend at a recent Natural Hair Event, and she said the souffle "smells like a vacation". I though that was pretty cool.

After I washed my hair, I wore my hair in a braided loc bun, shown here. I recently took my hair down, and my loc's looked great!!

To find out more information, check out their website -