Narkissos Fashion show 8th/Casual wear

Narkissos Fashion show 8th/Casual wear

3 year old's sew-in weave!! :-(

 Absolutely Crazy! Never, can I see, how someone can justify giving a 3 year old child a sew-in weave. It is not that serious!!  The mother in the video is getting her daughter ready for a pagent. She states that they usually use clip in hair pieces but she decide to do a weave on her child's head this time. I am sure the little girl would have been even more beautiful if the mom had taking time time to create a style with her daughters own natural hair and texture. Wow....


Can rubbing your nails really increase hair growth?

I've been holding back on writing this post for months now for fear of sounding like a complete loon. But I've decided that since we're all friends here, you all will at least forgive me if I do sound crazy. You see it all goes back to either late 2009 or early 2010 when I was chatting with a co-worker from India. From time to time we discuss holistic treatments and such. So we're talking about meditation, eating right and so on when all of the sudden he tells me this: "Do you know what my dad does for healthy hair? He rubs his fingernails together." "He does that all the time and his hair is thick and healthy." My friend has to be in his forties, so if his dad has thick and healthy hair, that would be considered a great accomplishment.

I've heard of adding strange herbs and pouring oils over your scalp for healthier hair, but rubbing nails together was something totally new to me. Was rubbing your nails together for long hair equivalent to clicking your heels together if you wanted to get your wish? To me the idea sounded that farfetched. Even so, the very next moment I could get in front of a computer I immediately began to seek out the merits of this claim. Turns out that there's quite a bit of information online about rubbing the nails together to impact, shedding, growth, and even grey hair.

Being the curious individual that I am, I immediately sought to uncover the logic behind this method (if it deed indeed work). What I did discover is that most believe the nerve endings in the fingertips are also connected to the scalp. In Chinese acupressure, certain parts of the body are stimulated to directly impact other areas. So as we create friction by rubbing our nails together, the scalp is then also stimulated. In essence, the scalp is said to receive increased blood flow and stimulation as we rub our nails together. Best of all, the technique only has to be practiced for 5-10 minutes daily (twice a day is recommended).

When I scanned online posts for testimonials, most people either laughed it off as complete nonsense or said they did it for a little while but remained inconsistent. Along with the naysayers, there were also the group of people who said they practice this technique regularly and have seen positive results. I was amazed when I read from some people that they felt their scalp itch, or tingle when using the nail rubbing technique. So what about me, you ask?
Well I did use this technique religiously for a little over a month. I rubbed my nails together for several minutes periodically throughout the day. My friend from India even caught me doing it one day at work and referenced our conversation a month earlier.

So what results did I experience? First off let me just say that my nails were the most beautiful they'd ever been when I "rubbed" regularly. They had a gorgeous natural shine to them. Not only that, they were thick and strong. Retaining nail length was not an issue. So even for this result alone, I think the practice was worth it. Now let's talk about my hair. When my friend first alerted me to this technique, I was well into my relaxer stretch. I was already packing plenty of new growth. When I finally did relax, I was all smiles over the amount of length I'd achieved in the duration of stretch. Unfortunately, that was the same stretch were I was plagued with massive tangles. So that kinda took away some of the glory of the length I'd achieved. Not too long after my touch up, I neglected my nail rubbing practice. When I think back to why I stopped, the only reasons I can think of were because I was doing it so frequently, that I feared it looked like I picked up a nervous habit. I could be sitting in a business meeting and there I was rubbing my nails together.

That was several months ago. I find myself looking back now wondering what could have been if I kept this practice up regularly. I'm looking down at my chewed up nails reminiscing of the days were I had fabulous, thick, healthy nails and a head full of dense new growth. For this reason, I've decided to re-implement this practice into my routine. This time, however, I decided to share with you incase anyone out there wanted to try. If it turns out that nail rubbing does actually encourage hair growth, I'd be wrong for not sharing. Think what this could mean if it's true. You could be giving yourself a "scalp massage" while sitting in a waiting room without actually touching your scalp. Either way, the results, for me, were promising enough for me to reinstitute nail rubbing into my daily life once again.

So basically the technique only involves rubbing the nails together. I would describe is buffing your nails as you would with a nail buffer, only instead of a buffer, you use your other set of nails. That's it! One can do it for 5-10 minutes a day or longer if desired. So who's open minded enough to give it shot?

Red Hair Styles

Red Hair StylesRed Hair Styles

Red Hair StylesRed Hair Styles
A more subdued choice would be red-brown or dark plum. Once the primary color is added, it can be enhanced with highlights of copper or mahogany shades that complement the base. On the other hand, if the hair is already a darker shade like brown or black, an extreme color such as berry-red or fire-engine red is the best choice.

To be risky and daring, choose deep plum or mahogany low lights. These range from golden blonde to deep, rich copper and include everything in between. Highlights of different shades of copper are wonderful choices if the hair color is currently brown or a darker shade of blonde. Remember to talk to your parents before you make any drastic changes so they won't be too shocked by the result! Of course there is also the option of adding subtle highlights of plum or golden-blonde for depth.

Also, the choices are unimaginable with an abundance of shades and colors to chose from including strawberry blonde, copper blonde, darker copper, or even fire-engine red! Regardless of the shade chosen, red hair is noticeable and stylish, making a distinctive statement. For teens who want serious pizzazz in their teen hairstyles, red is the way to go!

Just for fun!

Wouldn't it be cool to have a drivers license picture that doesn't look like a mug shot?
Make your license Fabulous drivers license, that you wish you always had, here. If you can, share a link of the picture you made by adding a picture link in the comment section of this post. Have a great weekend everyone. ~ Karen

Fall 2009 Haircuts -Long Wavy Curly Hairstyles

Haylie Duff is wearing a luscious long hairstyle with curls and waves while attending the Los Angeles premiere of The Final Destination held at Mann Village Theatre Westwood, Ca. She is looking gorgeous and beautiful with this long blonde hairstyle with medium curls which is a perfect fit for long shaped faces like her.

Fall 2009 Haircuts -Long Wavy Curly Hairstyles Fall 2009 Haircuts -Long Wavy Curly Hairstyles

Fall 2009 Haircuts -Long Wavy Curly Hairstyles Fall 2009 Haircuts -Long Wavy Curly Hairstyles

Fall 2009 Haircuts -Long Wavy Curly Hairstyles Fall 2009 Haircuts -Long Wavy Curly Hairstyles

Dolls by Angela Sutter & Annette Himstedt

I have always had a fascination with ethnic dolls that have features that reflect what an African or African American Woman, Man, or child would look like.  So when ever I see dolls that have features that  representation the culture, I like to share it.

Dolls by Annette Himstedt
Here are a few doll's from Annette's doll collection.
 

Dolls by Angela Sutter
Here are a few dolls from Angela's doll collection online yesterday.  Although they are beyond expensive (2k each... ouch!), they are still lovely dolls.

What do you think?!?  

2010 Hair Trends




Look Chic With Victoria Posh’s Bob

Having a trendy hairstyle is every woman’s dream. Short hairstyles are very much in this season. It is even taking the Hollywood celebs into control, as short hair is easy to manage and looks good if done in the right technique. Victoria Beckham is one such celebrity who is known to create great fashion statement. She is the ultimate trendsetter of Hollywood and is quite known to experiment with her hair. She is now donning her latest hairstyle popularly known as the “Pob” or Posh’s bob. This hairstyle is now pooping all over the world as the new craze. This is a short asymmetrical haircut, gives a messy, and tousled as well as a sleek and chic look.

This hairstyle looks striking and with the help of a skilled hairstylist, you will get a texturizing yet razor straight hair. This is important to get the right amount of life in your hair. Before going for the haircut, discuss with your stylist which aspect of the hairstyle will look good on you and what other changes can be made to make it more flattering according to the shape of your face.

This style looks good on almost every one. With this style, fine hair do gets a lift. Weighty or heavy hair gets their weight lifted out. The base of this hairstyle is shorter at the back and graduates in an A-line bob, which is razored and sliced. This asymmetrically cut bob is done to move your hair forward. It helps to give your face a frame, which also hides all the obscure features of your face along with giving you a sultry look with the way the hair falls on you eyes.

Accessorizing Your Hair with Class

Accessorizing Your Hair with Class

You’ve seen those women. The kind that have so many barrettes, pony tail holders, clips and bows in their hair that you can’t see the actual hair. Unfortunately, sometimes women feel as if their hair just isn’t pretty unless it is decorated as much as possible. When accessorizing your hair, there are a few rules that are important to remember so that you look elegant and classy rather than gaudy and child-like. Think about it – children love to over-decorate their hair, right? It’s just not pretty on adults.

DON’T overdo it on the hair accessories. Whether you are using glue-in sparkles and glitter or just small hair holding clips, it is important to find out what is tasteful and what is too much. A few colorful clips for a fun occasion, or a few glue-in sparkles for a night on the town may be elegant and tasteful, but anything more than that and it’s important to consider how much is too much. DO find other ways to hold your hair into place. One of the biggest reasons women overdo it on hair clips is that they have small wisps of hair that need to be held into place, and think this is a colorful and fun way to do it. Unless you have fewer than a few wisps, however, try using bobby pins that match the color of your hair to hold it in place without being conspicuously bright and gaudy. Following these few tips can help you greatly in accessorizing your hair with class and elegance.

Inspirational photo of the day

How do you get a flattering hairstyle?

Side swept bangs can be flattering

Have you ever been at a department store and tried on several different dresses in a dressing room? You might find that one particular dress looks much better on you than the others that you try. Why is that?

Well the big reason comes down to shape.  When it comes to your body, you have a definite shape. Some dresses will flatter certain shapes while other dresses will accentuate your flaws and make you look bad.

The same idea goes for your hairstyle.  If your hairstyle is really designed for someone with a long face and your face shape is round, then that hairstyle will not be very flattering.  The ticket is to find out what your face shape is and look for hairstyles that are designed for that shape.

Another great approach is to get several photos of hairstyles that you like and take them to your hairdresser at your next appointment.  Ask you stylist for his or her opinion on whether the hairstyles you have selected will look good on you.

Don't forget to consider styling time when you are picking a new style.  Some styles will require a lot of styling time in the morning.

What Keratin Complex Infusion taught me about finishing strong

You may already be aware of this but I have been riding the Coppola Keratin train all the way to healthy hair land. Ever since I first used this product, not a week has gone by where I have not treated my hair to this wonderful keratin delicacy. As long as I can remember, elasticity has always seemed to allude me. At one point, I even questioned if such a thing as "elastic relaxed hair" even existed. Was elasticity nothing more than a legend? Was I wasting my time as one who scourers wooded areas in search of big foot?

I almost gave up on this search when I stumbled upon my beloved Intense Rx. Because I experienced such magnificent results, I thought I'd go back to see what else I could find in Coppola's keratin line-up. So I find myself, once again, standing in front of the Coppola section of my favorite BSS. I grab a product called Infusion Keratin Replenisher and immediately begin reading these words on back of the box.

"Coppola Keratin Complex Infusion Keratin Replenisher is a keratin replenisher that automatically opens the cuticle and infuses keratin protein. Keratin Complex Infusion repairs, enhances and strengthens the hair.

Keratin Complex Infusion Features and Benefits:

*Unique formulation with advanced infusion technology Adds high pH replenishers to automatically open the hair cuticle

*Infuses keratin proteins and emollients into the hair.

*Repairs and revitalizes hair during blow drying and ironing.

*Closes the cuticle to entrap nourishment.

*Leaves hair silky and smooth.



I was highly intrigued by the claim that Infusion actually opens the cuticle layer, allowing for deeper penatration of the keratin. Immediately, visions of my hair strand opening up to receive the goodness of my Intense Rx Keratin serum swrilled around in my head. Just as I was about to pick up the product and skip over to the register, a question popped up in my mind. "How am I going to close the cuticle layer once this product has been applied?" Since this is a leave-in, I won't have the luxuary of sealing with a cold water rinse. According to the box, blow drying and flat ironing closes the cuticle. My mind, however, would not allow me to accept that as a viable method of sealing the strand. Logic tells me that, traditionally, excessive heat nomally opens the cuticle. So in an attempt to satisfy my curiosity, I contacted Coppola customer service. I was immediately connected to a wonderful person who took the time to answer all of my questions. Unfortunately, at the end of our conversation, I got the same response to the closed cuticle question-"use the heat from the blow dry and flat iron."

So I continued to let that question marinate in my mind for a couple of days then "eureka"! I knew I had to counter act the Infusion with a low pH leave-in. The lowest pH product I could think of was my trusty apple cider vinegar. "What if I were to create a leave-in consisting of distilled water and ACV?" Once I felt comfortable with the ACV water as a viable solution, I went back to the store to pick up the Infusion.

Then came the day where I got the chance to give Infusion a test run. After deep conditioning, I towel dried and began applying the Infusion. It wasn't long before my hair began to react to the high pH. All of the sudden my hair felt stiff and somewhat brittle. I had to take special care as I parted each section to apply the Rx serum so I didn't cause any manipulation breakage. The good news is that the moment, Intense Rx touched my fragile strands, all was right with the world again. Softness and flexibility was instant. After, the serum was applied I finished the section off with my low pH leave-in then rollerset as usual.

Believe it or not, I have now developed the ability to sleep in a full head of magnetic rollers. So after my rollerset was complete I went to bed and let my hair air dry overnight. The next morning I removed the rollers and va-va-va-voom, my hair was gorgeous. Soft, supple and magnificent. I must say that I truly enjoyed the process of opening the cuticle, applying a powerful product, and sealing it in for maximum effectiveness. I think I will apply this practice going forward no matter the products I use. What good is all the time I spend pre-pooing, washing, deep conditioning, if I don't take the time to complate that final step to seal it all in? I think the ACV/h20 leave-in will be something I incorporate consistently. Not sure how that will work long term but I'll continue to monitor the results. Hopefully, this will be a healthy hair practice where I can reap the rewards from for years to come.

I enjoyed this experience because, not only did I find a couple of amazing products, I also was reminded of the need to finish strong. I read somewhere that the pH level of hair strand is lower near the scalp and higher close to the ends. This process of incorporating a lower pH leave-in helps bring balance to the entire strand. It's all about finishing strong, thank you, Coppola, for this valuable reminder.

Trendy Men Hairstyles

Trendy Men HairstylesTrendy Men Hairstyles

Trendy Men HairstylesTrendy Men Hairstyles

Trendy Men HairstylesTrendy Men Hairstyles
Hair can look trendy when it is either short or long, as long as it has a modern cut. Many men face it and it can become a very emotional and stressful period as men start to lose their hair. The most concerning point for men is hair loss. There are many factors such as age, style, and clothing to name a few that can effect what hairstyles will look good on you.

This style is an updated version of the severe Mohawk hairstyle but without the shaved sides. For those men who want to make a statement with their hair you might want to try the popular “faux hawk” men's hair style. It's currently in style for men to have short, medium, or long hair - or to even have a bald head. Trendy hair styles for men have great ranges.

Summer 2010 Male Hairstyles for Short Hair Styles

Men Haircuts Pictures 2010 presents Summer 2010 Male Hairstyles for Short Hair Styles



Check these Cool Hairstyles for men. Now in summer the weather is very hot and it's time for a new short cool men haircut. Here are some cool haircuts for men. Here are some new cool short haircuts: in different styles for men from cool celebs like Adam Lambert or David Beckham:



 Summer 2010 Male Hairstyles for Short Hair Styles
 Summer 2010 Male Hairstyles for Short Hair Styles
Summer 2010 Male Hairstyles for Short Hair Styles

Rihanna hairstyles new style trends for short hair in summer 2010

African Hair Styles brings you Rihanna hairstyles new style trends for short hair in summer 2010





Rihanna hairstyle can suit any occasion because are very modern and cute but also classy and sleek.Rihanna pinned on the sides of the hair in a more fashionable manner. If you want to have the thick texture hairstyle the actress blow dries her hair followed by the curling of the hair. A short cute hairstyle like Rihanna's look best on the people who have square, heart and diamond shape faces. Rihanna hairstyles have the right balance between modern fun and style. Rihanna hairstyles were a trend setter in the new short hairstyles. But some of the most popular Rihanna hairstyle is the sexy short hairstyles which are razor cut with graduating layers that made her facial features more enhanced. The most elegant looks of Rihanna are seen with the full wavy cut.



Rihanna hairstyles new style trends for short hair in summer 2010


 Rihanna hairstyles new style trends for short hair in summer


Rihanna hairstyles new style trends for short hair in summer 2010

African Hair Styles brings you Rihanna hairstyles new style trends for short hair in summer 2010





Rihanna hairstyle can suit any occasion because are very modern and cute but also classy and sleek.Rihanna pinned on the sides of the hair in a more fashionable manner. If you want to have the thick texture hairstyle the actress blow dries her hair followed by the curling of the hair. A short cute hairstyle like Rihanna's look best on the people who have square, heart and diamond shape faces. Rihanna hairstyles have the right balance between modern fun and style. Rihanna hairstyles were a trend setter in the new short hairstyles. But some of the most popular Rihanna hairstyle is the sexy short hairstyles which are razor cut with graduating layers that made her facial features more enhanced. The most elegant looks of Rihanna are seen with the full wavy cut.



Rihanna hairstyles new style trends for short hair in summer 2010


 Rihanna hairstyles new style trends for short hair in summer


Goapele's New Website


For all of my fellow Goapele fan's.... Goapele (pronounced Gwa-pa-lay) as updated her website and it's worth checking out. Also if you will be in San Francisco tomorrow evening, the singer will be having a Website Release Party For The Re-Launch Of GOAPELE.COM.  To see more details go to her Event's page. She is an amazing singer from the Bay Area and has been a huge natural hair inspiration for me, throughout my journey. To see more of my stories on Goapele, click here and here. To check out her music, click here.

Tropic Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo Review Video

Here is my video review on JBCO Shampoo. For the full product review click here. Enjoy!



Sunshyne

Tropic Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo Review Video

Here is my video review on JBCO Shampoo. For the full product review click here. Enjoy!



Sunshyne

Tropic Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo With Shea Butter

Promises: Gently Cleans & Conditions Hair, Restores Moisture & Promotes Healthy Scalp. Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil does not contain Sulfates, Alcohol and other potentially harmful chemicals used in commercial shampoos. It's 100% Natural.

Directions: Not listed on the bottle.

Ingredients: Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Pimento Oil, Aloe Vera, Lavender and Lemon, Rosemary Extract, Shea Butter, Organic Saponified Oils of Coconut, Olive, Jojoba, Vegetable Gum, Glycerin Extract.

The Truth: Overall, Jamaican Black Shampoo is great! It's sulfate free, moisturizes and cleanses the hair very well. At first I didn't like it because it left a weird film/greasy feeling on my hair making it feel coated yet moisturized and soft at the same time. It was so foreign to me, but after getting the proper knowledge and finishing my wash day regimen steps, I noticed that my hair was noticeably thicker, fuller, and moist after air drying - not just on my wash day, but days later too. I highly recommend this shampoo for relaxed ladies but especially for naturals (both adults and kids).

Tips:
Prepoo with Jamaican Black Castor Oil first then shampoo.

Price:
$10.99 USD 8 Fl. Oz

Click here for more information on Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo.

Hairlicious Rating: (4/5) Very Good

Sunshyne