Power & Influence of the Natural Hair Movement

Did you know that YOU are changing how hair care products are being marketed recently? Yes. YOU-the one who decided to accept the way your hair grows out of your scalp-yeah, YOU. Have you perused through your local hair care retailer to see numerous product lines (once marketed to women with chemically-treated afro/ethnic hair), now expanding to include products to style afro/ethnic hair in it's natural texture (e.g., Aphogee)? It is unprecedented to be able to walk into your corner drug store or pharmacy and find a multitude of products specifically designed to further enhance and beautify your hair. Anyone who was hesitant to take the natural plunge, now has the tools and resources readily available. It's incredible. And all you had to do was make the (sometimes brave) decision to wear your hair just how it is.

I wonder what other change you could influence by deciding how (and on what) you are going to spend your money???? Hmmm....

It doesn't stop there...just go to YouTube and search 'natural hair, 3/4/a-c, or anything related to natural beauty'. You will find tubers who show everything from how to care for and style one's own natural hair,  to DIY natural hair care products. You've (in some way) helped to create a rich and supportive community. A community who strives to promote individuality and esteem, without demeaning others whom have not yet made the decision to follow suit. 

Who knows, I may try my hand at creating a tutorial, vlog, etc.  

;-)

By the way, I saw some very interesting footage come across one of my social media feeds...Have you seen the Huffington Post-Black Voices feature on Anthony Dickie's hair regimen method? Did I totally miss this?

Anthony Dickie, sir, please clone yourself! Thank you.

I never thought to do this, but I may give it a try. Have you tried this technique? What techniques do you use to spruce your look?

What is Beauty?

PopArt - Lupita Nyong'o by JoeyHazelLM on deviantART

People magazine recently released their Most Beautiful List of 2014. At the #1 spot was none other than award winning and rising star, Lupita Nyong'o. No one [that I am aware of] is surprised to see yet another accomplishment like this for Nyong'o. As I celebrate with her along with other women (and girls) of color for the achievement, I asked myself (as I do with any such list): "What makes her so beautiful?" and further "What is beauty?"

The easy answer is to Nyong'o's beauty may demand that one simply 'look at her!' Her face is symmetrical, so she's biologically beautiful. Her skin is smooth and even as far as the eye can see, so she is dermatologically (it's a word for the purpose of this blog-lol) beautiful. She's the darling of every red carpet in Hollywood. Her accent isn't so thick that the untrained ear is unable to comprehend what she says. Yet, her accent speaks to just how cultured she is -- how worldly she is. She attended and graduated (with honors) from one of America's best schools - Yale University (a trend we are starting to see more of, but that's for a different blog). The point is, she's not just a pretty face. She's got brains and beauty. Apparently, she has personality too. Still, her ability to show such grace and humility isn't all that makes her beautiful.

What is beauty?

It is her ability to own and master all of those things while still knowing that there is more ground to cover. More to attain; to grow; to achieve. The essence of her says it all. It isn't an innocence or naiveté. It's the opposite. It is an unexpected maturity from someone just over thirty years old.

When my brother's eldest daughter was born, we observed that she visibly favored our/his features and darker complexion. I recognized that image issues may be a potential challenge, and I gladly took it upon myself to esteem her as often as necessary (without going overboard-balance is everything). She was and is beautiful - all of his children are. However, we knew that in this society,  standards of beauty vary from what is considered beautiful in our homes. Being Liberian-American, I personally did not experience the negative effects of colorism until I got to school, as family members and friends were (for the most-part) shades of ebony, chestnut and chocolate. Due to my experiences at home, the effects of childhood taunting (as it related to my complexion) did not seem to phase me to the same degree as other girls and boys a similar complexion. So much work had been done at home and within my family's network. I was esteemed in that area. Yes, I recognized that I was darker, but I was also told that I was pretty, smart, talented, humorous and more.

Lupita is beautiful. There is no doubt about that. However, her beauty comes from so much more than what we see.  I hope little girls (and the little girls within) strive to enhance the internal beauty that all are capable of sharing with the world.

It is so important for all to be represented on mainstream media outlets for this very reason. My niece is all grown up now. She recently told me that Lupita Nyong'o was one of her favorites -- already. It's amazing, and I love it. Her family esteemed her as a little one. Now Lupita and others like her, are reinforcing what we've known all along: that you can be beautiful no matter what the conventional standard dictates.

Watch this endearing exchange between veteran and emerging beauty icons, Alek Wek and Lupita Nyong'o (respectively): 

Be beautiful.

Holiday Shopping...

...And no, I don't mean shopping for the holidays. I'm referring to shopping during holiday sales. Word of caution: BE CAREFUL!! Here are my top 5 tips for braving retailers during a Labor Day, Memorial Day, Valentine's Day, President's Day, Sunny Day, etc. Sales:

5. Write a list of what items you are looking for.

4. Shop with (and on) purpose.
Decide if you are shopping for a specific event or with someone else in mind. Whatever you decide, stick to the plan!

3. Use the buddy system.
If you have a friend who enjoys the sport as much as you do, ask if they would accompany you. They may be helpful in supporting your mission to stay on target - and it's always fun to have a companion come along for the ride. If you end up trailblazing solo, use your mobile phone hands free device, and have at it! :-)

2. Do the math on your own first.
Some of us may not be math whizzes - and that's ok. This isn't an exam, so pull out that calculator. Have an idea of what your savings will be before your turn in the checkout line. There's nothing worse that disappointing sticker-shock...but nothing better than discovering that you are saving more than what was marked on your potentially new item. If you like those types of surprises and want to rely on a retail associate and cashier, you can disregard this.

1. Start at the sales racks and work your way out.
This is an oldie but goodie, and has not failed me yet. We usually find the sale items in the back of the store. That is by design. Instead of falling for that strategy, head to the rear where the larger discounts are located. After factoring in the compound "total store discount" of 30-75% (on some items), you'll be more pleased than you thought!

No matter what you do for this holiday - Memorial Day - please take a moment to remember those whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that we are able to live freely as bloggers, readers, and citizens.

n.videl