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Relaxed vs. Natural Hair vs. Weaves vs. Dreads

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:02:21 -0800

Here are highlights from OnSugar blog Krissy's One Stop Beauty Spot.

Women, especially black women, have the ability to change hairstyles like underwear. I support you ladies no matter what you do - just do it right and take care of your hair. For the most part we all practice the same principles when it comes to proper hair care (co-washing, ACV rinse, trims, deep conditioning, etc.). I'm always willing to help people with hair questions and concerns, or at least point them in the right direction. I know plenty of people in that area.

Where I stand on a lot of hair issues:

I'm anti kiddie perms and kiddie dreadlocks on children if they're at an age where they can't make that choice for themselves (unless, of course, it's part of your religion). It's not about the chemicals, it's about the fact that it's a permanent hairstyle on a child. What if your child decides they want to wear their natural hair? You'll have to either cut their hair to transition them to natural hair. Yes, you can remove dreads but unless someone can find me a "safe" method that doesn't damage the hair, then I won't be changing my mind about this.
I'm pro weaves and braids as long as it's done right and your hair is still being kept healthy. If your hair is being done too tight and coming out, it's time to find a new stylist.
I'm pro curly and natural hairstyles within corporate America. I hear a lot of natural haired beauties bragging about self-acceptance and mainstreaming natural hair, but they still search for corporate hairstyles because of their natural hair. A bun will always be conservative no matter what type of hair you have.
I've always encouraged hair dialogue among women of different nationalities. You'll be surprised by the things we all have in common. If your non-black friend is telling you about a great hair balm that she pays $15 for, take her on a trip to a local beauty supply store and show her where to buy it for $5.

Read the entire post here. Want to see more? Start following OnSugar blog Krissy's One Stop Beauty Spot or start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe your stories will be featured on BellaSugar.

You'll Always Have a Placenta in My Heart

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:00:21 -0800

Gross (but useful!) Hask Henna 'n' Placenta ($2) for hair has been around forever, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised that now there are placenta facials.

Placentas, also known as afterbirth, are full of protein, iron, and tons of vitamins and minerals, which, I will allow, make them excellent for the health of hair, skin, and nails. People have been using the placentas of sheep and horses as beauty aids for time immemorial, in fact. But guess what? We have a lot of nice ways to synthesize this stuff now, and you could also just use wheat protein and run-of-the-mill vitamins to get the same effect. I guess treatments like this are more natural, but to me, they're also gross. I used a placenta hair treatment once, and although it worked well, it was no better than some hot oil and a deep conditioner, and it smelled pretty funky. If you were offered a placenta facial, would you take it in all its "natural" glory?

Beauty Byte: Cheryl Cole and L'Oreal Get Blasted For Illusory Ad

BellaSugarUK — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:15:00 -0800

The complaints are pouring in (13 of them to be exact) to the Advertising Standards Authority about the misleading images for the newest L'Oreal Elvive Full Restore 5 haircare products commercial and print adverts starring Cheryl Cole.

People feel that since Cheryl is wearing hair extensions in the ads, they aren't being portrayed as true. However, the complaints have so far been rejected based on the disclaimer in the commercials and the print ads that states that Cheryl's hair is "styled with some natural extensions." This, however, is not appeasing the public, as they don't feel this message is clearly portrayed.

What are your thoughts on these complaints? Do you think that L'Oreal should have been more up front about Cheryl's hair extensions so that people don't think they can have hair just like hers if they use the new Elvive Full Restore 5 range, or do you think that by including the disclaimer they have been responsible?

To see if you can spot the disclaimer in the commercial, just read more.

Photo Courtesy of L'Oreal

Can You Guess Her Natural Hair Color?

BellaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:00:23 -0800

Hair color is a celebrity's best friend. Along with makeup, it's one of the simplest ways to transform a look. But when it comes to Hollywood hair, do you know what your favorite stars really have going on under all that hair color and/or bleach? You're about to find out.

Take the quiz

Best of Bella

BellaSugar — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

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Tame Your Frizz With Tips From John Frieda

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:00:30 -0800

Lack of body or too much frizz: "Most people fall into one [category] or the other," explains hair guru John Frieda. The solution? "A product and a technique," he says. In the 1970s and 1980s, when Frieda first started out, the majority of the products available were just for body and volume. If you had any issues with frizziness, as 60 percent of women do, you couldn't turn to your favorite anti-frizz serum or cream to quell the problem, as those types of products just didn't exist quite the way they do today. At least there was disco, right? Frieda, along with stylist Harry Josh, recently spoke on the stubborn issue of frizz. To find out how to prevent your hair from looking as if it's been hit by a Van de Graaff generator, keep reading.

The Blind Side: An Unexpected Delight

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:30:42 -0800

It's not that the trailer for The Blind Side isn't compelling; the problem is that it combines Sandra Bullock's twangiest, most-over-the top lines with a heartrending song, which makes it seem schlocky. That's exactly what I expected from the movie, but I have to admit that I was wrong - to my surprise, I found it to be a sentimental gem that's actually quite restrained.

The Blind Side is the true story (based on Michael Lewis's book) of NFL player Michael Oher, who grew up in Memphis's projects with his drug-addicted mother and landed in and out of foster homes. He ended up in a fancy private school and in the home of a wealthy family, the Touhys, led by tough-talking Leigh Anne (Bullock). The weaving of Michael's newfound life in the movie is effective, with sweet bits of humor and just enough emotion.

To see what I liked about the film, just read more.

The movie is full of many surprises: first, it looks like it's going to be mainly about football, but it's not all sports. There is proper attention given to Michael's life before he's taken in and the development of the relationships between the Touhy family members and Michael.

Another nice thing is how smoothly Bullock slides into her role. It's not just her wardrobe and hair that transforms her into the high-maintenance Southern matriarch; her manner as the tough mom who's not completely comfortable showing emotion is very natural - not what I'd expect from the laid-back actress.

Quinton Aaron is also impressive as a sad-eyed orphan turned well-adjusted student and son over the course of the movie. It's not an incredibly complex performance, but his teddy bear presence is irresistible. The supporting players are equally as enjoyable: Tim McGraw, whom I didn't expect much from, is charming, while the Touhy children win you over with their affection for their new brother. The late addition of Kathy Bates (whose role is basically an extended cameo) is hardly needed to bolster the movie, but she adds a nice touch as well.

At two hours and six minutes, the movie is a little too long; director John Lee Hancock seemed intent on fitting in nearly every detail of Michael's journey. Then again, at the end you're rewarded with the payoff: footage and photos of the real-life Touhys and Michael. It's an emotionally satisfying ending to a movie that makes no apologies for being so uplifting.

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

Bella Brand: Nature Girl

BellaSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:05:21 -0700

I think - or at least, I hope - that the organic-beauty trend will soon be as big as organic food, and brands like Nature Girl are expertly leading the way. I could have easily fallen in love with this line based on the packaging alone; I love the simple bottles and the colorful, bubbly script. But when I started reading more about these bath oils, shampoos, facial cleansers, and moisturizers, I was really smitten.

Sold at Anthropologie and online, Nature Girl uses all-natural and organic ingredients grown on family-run farms. Not surprisingly, the products are also free of synthetic fragrances and dyes, and Nature Girl shuns animal testing. The brand also donates a portion of its profits to women's and environmental causes. These products are a little pricey, but I'm willing to pay more to support the organic cause. To see the products I'm most excited to try, read more

Petal Power Organic Golden Jojoba Bath Oil ($38) comes in six "synergies" to treat different wellness-related concerns, such as relaxation, sleep, and post-exercise soreness.

I Am Green Cinnamon Bark Extract Face Mask ($45) sounds yummy and versatile: It's designed to nurture and clean normal and combination skin.

Groovy Locks Plant Shampoo ($35) is a sulfate-free formula that contains corn and coconut oils; it comes in three different scents for three different hair types.

Get Marissa Miller's Victoria's Secret Makeup Look

BellaSugarUK — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:16:00 -0800

Wowza! I've been checking out the photos from the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show that took place in New York City last night and they are smoking h-o-t! The Angels are scantily clad in custom lingerie, dripping in accessories and have added five or so inch heels to their already lengthy legs.

But instead of feeling insecure, I just embrace their beauty and focus on their amazing hair (yes, they're all wearing extensions) and their dewy and sparkly-looking pink makeup.

To recreate this look at home, begin with a clean, hydrated and well moisutrised face. Then, apply a primer, followed by concealer to any red areas or spots, and medium-coverage foundation to the face, neck and decolletage. Next, dust a translucent setting powder all over and buff it to a natural finish by using a clean and fluffy brush.

To find out how you can achieve the rest of their makeup look at home, and to see more images of the models getting ready backstage, just read more.

CHEEKS: Although your skin is matte and prepped, all that you've created is a flawless canvas - and now it's time to have some fun! Add a liquid luminzer all over the face and blend into the foundation with a sponge for a dewy look. Next, apply a medium perky-pink blusher to the apples of your cheeks and blend outwards and upwards toward your cheekbones.
EYES: Start by sweeping a pale and creamy champage shadow from the bottom of the lid all the way up to the brows (which by the way must be filled in and perfectly shaped). Then, using a windshield-wiping motion, apply a taupey-grey coloured shadow in the crease for depth and a slightly smoky look. Over the grey, add a touch of pink shadow and blend well. Curl your lashes and apply a powder liner to the upper and lower rims of your eyes. Lastly tack on a full set of false lashes followed by two coats of black mascara.
LIPS: The goal for this lip look is full, glossy and most of all...kissable! The colour should fall somewhere between a pale pink and a medium rose lipstick topped with oodles of shimmery and sheer pink gloss.

View 15 Photos ›

Mmm Mmm Good: Fruit Flavored Shampoos

BellaSugar — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 08:23:40 -0800

Fruit flavored shampoos can instantly turn your shower experience into an aromatherapy pleasure zone! Clarifying shampoos are intended to remove dirt, residue and unwanted oily waxy buildup that has been left in your hair from the use of daily styling products. They are safe for chemically treated or color treated hair since they have been carefully pH balanced to neutralize your hair and scalp. Combine the two and you get these yummy clarifying shampoos:

Fresh Soda Shampoo, $24, bubbles up and fizzes just like soda does! It feels really cool and invigorating on your scalp as you work it into a frothy lather. This shampoo adds volume to your hair while removing residue.

Made from mint, lavender, and grapefruit your hair will be revitalized, vibrant and oil free! Great for all hair types. It is also available in a travel size for $10.

Frederic Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo, $19.50, is made from an old french recipe with an apple cider base. This shampoo smells deee-licious. It will remove nasty product buildup that's been weighing down your hair and will leave you with unbelievable shine and bounce.

For one more, read more

Naani's Naturals Cucumber Lime Clarifying Shampoo, $12.99, contains natural coconut oil cleansers, cucumber, aloe, lime, green tea, ginseng & rosemary. I am sure you can imagine just how mmm, mmm good this shampoo smells! It helps to renew dull lifeless hair while softening and making your hair feel more manageable, clean and full of body.