ROOTS & RHYTHM: Lauryn Hill - "Everything is Everything"

This week's rhythm is tuned to the vibe of Ms. Zendaya Coleman.  Let's show some love for beautiful locs!

Loc Love: Adding texture for the win.

She handled a situation many deal with often in a graceful, well-thought out manner.  In front of the world. Bravo.

Celebs: Natural Hair at the Oscars, 2015

Oscar nominated Director, Ava Duvernay rocked her real locs in the regal updo.

With all the talk about Zendaya's locs on the Oscar Red Carpet, I thought you'd like to see some of the other natural hair celebs who rocked their hair on the carpet. It's so refreshing to see women of color embrace the natural texture of their hair. For so long we've been asked to tock fake hair to 'fit in'. Although there's nothing worng with weave (y'all know I love me some weave), seeing the variety of texture is different and good. Keep up the good looks ladies!

HAIR LUST: Faux Fab

I'll say it once and I'll say it again, NATURAL HAIR IS SO VERSATILE! Add to that the remarkable amount of natural textured extensions and you can have a 'good hair day' everyday! No need to worry about damaging your precious strands trying to achieve color, just add extensions. You can be a blond bombshell one day and a jet-black warrior the next. This picture illustrates just that. The model is working this look and it's given me some inspiration. Hmm . . . maybe I'll add some color soon . . . we shall see.

Does this look inspire you? Let me know in the comments section!

NEWS: E! Host jokes that Zendaya's locs smell like weed! Offensive?

 Zendaya Coleman, actress/singer, walked the Oscar Red Carpet rocking the trendy and stylish hair style, Faux Locs. As with most red carpet arrivals, the folks over at the E! network love to discuss the celebrity style. On today's Fashion Police, host Guiliana Rancic joked that Zendaya's locs may smell like "patchouli and … weed". Then the hosts laughed. However, it's not funny.  

Click here to view video of Guliana's joking about Zendaya's locs. 

Twitter caught wind of the situation and started addressing the television host citing her commentary was rude and offensive. I'd have to agree! Wearers of natural hair work hard to present the world with positive examples of black hair and culture. While some people with locs may partake in marijuana - does that mean they all do? Why jump to such a vast conclusion about a simple hairstyle?

Zendaya's response, originally posted on twitter

Zenday published a wonderful and inciteful  response to Guliana's thoughtless joke. I like the fact that she bought up how young she is, her family history with the hair style, and how it's detrimental to the outlook of black people who choose to wear their hair in its natural state. Some may think of this as a small offense but it's thoughts like these are what make it hard for people to transition to their natural hair. 

Zendaya with her father - who wears real locs

What are your thoughts on this exchange? Leave your comments below. 

ROOTS & RHYTHM: Lenny Kravtiz - "I Belong To You"

It is always nice when some artists make their way back into your playlist to remind you why you love them.

When Lenny Kravitz shared this video of his impromptu session with a high school band, it triggered musical memories of all the good music he's created.  When I first heard, "It Ain't Over Till Its Over", I knew I would always be a fan of his work.  He's proven me right.

Lenny with Locs.

I also remember the initial "shock" when he cut his locs.  Although I've come to appreciate this version of him, he had a pretty nice phase with his locs.  I like them more now than I did then.  I guess I can understand and respect the process more at this point.

HAIR LUST: Braids and Beauty

I had to share one of the photos from my recent shoot for Fab Glance (my fashion & style site). Since I'm growing my sides out, my braids have become my staple style. And as you know, I'm getting ready for Nashville Fashion Week, so upping my workouts is a must! My favorite protective style is box braids. They are affordable, versatile, and long lasting.  Click HERE for more pics of this shoot!

Whats your favorite protective style?

PHOTO: Curl Patterns found in natural hair

I stumbled across this wonderful pictorial while on FaceBook. This photo shows the most common curl patterns/hair types found in black hair. This is one of the BEST photos I've found to identify curl patterns.

Although some feel curl typing in the natural hair community is divisive - I don't agree. Knowing your curl pattern vs. envying and being jealous of other curl patterns is a WHOLE 'nother story. Knowing your curl pattern will help you find the best products and techniques to help retain length. Plus, we know that curly hair is more prone to tangles, split ends, and environmental damage that hinder hair growth. Those issues make many think black hair can't grow long. It's important to understand your curls. Online shops like CurlMart.com can help find products that work for your curl pattern.

Of course I have to give credit to the photographer and stylist responsible for helping these women grow long natural hair. Her name is Reniece a hair stylist out of Atlanta. She shares her techniques and personal hair journey on her YouTube channel, ReneiceHairTV. She doesn't have many video's on her channel, but what's listed will give you faith that your hair can grow LONG too. Check out the video below - you'll be so inspired!

ROOTS & RHYTHM: Erykah Badu - "Cleva"

Valentine's Day is upon us and thought of love and being in love are front and center.  One of my favorite thoughts on love came from Dick Gregory:

"To be loved, be lovable."

A simple, yet real truth.  The easiest way to begin with self-love.  When we take the time to offer ourselves the love that we wish to experience, it will attract more like it in every area of our life.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Samson's Secret Hair Growth Supplements

I wanna be mad because Samson's Secret hair growth system has made me have to remove a weave installation months earlier than expected, a braid installation weeks earlier than expected, and is the cause of my hair getting to fro status faster than I'd ever imagined. I wanna be mad, but NAH! I'm happy as happy I can be. I'm not saying this is a miracle potion, but it's pretty close. Let me tell you about Samson's Secret 

Samson's Secret is a hair growth SYSTEM that works at stimulating hair growth topically (drops) and internally (capsules). Made from 100% natural ingredients, you take two capsules a day and add three drops of the liquid to whatever drink you'd like. The pills are small and easy to swallow. The liquid is tasteless and can be used topically; massaging it into areas of concern on you scalp.

This product has been around for more 20 years, being used in hair salons. Now, the company is poised to take over the hair world. The difference between Samson's Secret and other hair growth supplements is that Samson's Secret targets the blood stream and the removal of toxins. By doing this, it supports the flourishing of hair follicles, promote hair growth, and stimulates the nervous system to aid in stress reduction. 

Ashiya's Hair Diary: Loc Goals

When I decided to cut my locs off to restart them, I did so with a desire to "get to know" my hair texture.  I didn't need to cut anything to figure that out.  By slowing down the maintenance process, I've allowed enough new growth to become quite familiar.

Loc Goals: Lauryn's locs were always lovely.

I realized the real conversation around starting my locs should have been about texture and not about the size I wanted them to be.  I wanted to create locs that I could easily style, so their size was my biggest concern.  When I think of the maintenance they required over the years, I can see how my hair should have started out clearly now to achieve the same goal.

EVENT REVIEW: Curl & Cocktails, Nashville, Winter 2015

Melissa, Kenya, Candice, and Jomilla at Curls & Cocktails

Last week, our favorite naturalista, Kenya, aka HalfieTruths, hosted her great event, Curls & Cocktails. If you've never been to a Curls & Cocktails event, you've missed out! Curls & Cocktails is a great event where natural haired ladies come together to network and share. There's no 'program', it's just a time to socialize and meet new people.

The Natural in Nashville team was happy to be in the building. This time, Curls & Cocktails ws held at Flipside restaurant in 12th South area of Nashville. The hip restuarant served up great drinks and tasty diner style treats. It's a must visit for dinner and I heard their brunch was tasty too!

Make sure to follow Kenya on Instagram and Facebook (@halfietruths) for updates and announcements on Curls & Cocktail. You can also follow the Curl & Cocktails social media pages too!

Flipside restaurant on !2th South, Nashville, TN

Candice chats it up with atendees

Jomilla's Hair Diary: Stuck Between a Wig and a Braidout

Fresh crotchet braids in New York...see how happy I am?

I recently had some crotchet braids that I had to take out prematurely. I got them installed right before New Years and they lasted me about three weeks before they took a turn for the worst. I can’t blame anyone but myself because they actually looked good up until last week when I decided I wanted a change and washed and combed them out. Me and my darn indecisiveness. The hair I used for my crotchet braids was Cuban Twist Hair. I curled it with medium sized perm rods before getting it installed and it looked nice, full and natural. I went to New York with some friends on New Years day and while I was down there I was getting countless compliments. People back home and my Instagram followers all went crazy over it when I posted pictures. They all thought it was my real hair!

I wish this was all mine!

But unfortunately all that beautiful hair is gone now. I'm guilty of overbrushing. I brushed so much hair out that I had big spots in my head where you could see the braids peaking out underneath. Not good!

So after coming to grips that it was time to let go I washed, deep conditioned and twisted my hair in big sections like I usually do. I noticed that in that short time of being up my hair had grown! But only in the front. *side-eye* For some reason my bangs are getting longer and longer while the back of my head just stays the same length. I really don't understand. Especially because I manipulate the front more often than the back.

No bangs all in my face I don't need to see today -_-

As a new natural I often get urges for long, silky hair again....Brazilian, Malaysian, Peruvian. *starts daydreaming* But I refuse to get a sew in and go back to my old routine! I really want to continue my wash regimen and deep conditioning every week because you know what they say "consistency is key." Thank God for wigs! I really want straight hair for my birthday next month and since I agreed to do the 6-month no heat challenge I decided I’ll get a wig similar to the texture of my hair. Of course I will give you the details of the wig when I get it but until then I will be letting my hair breathe and rocking my usual twists outs.

Curls on fleek! Haha