black girl with long hair

2010-03-07T02:47:00.001-05:00

BLACK GIRL WITH LONG HAIR IS NOW LOCATED AT http://bglhonline.com. SEE YOU OVER AT ----------------------> www.bglhonline.com

BGLH gets a mention in the latest issue of ARISE Magazine

2010-02-08T02:15:00.002-05:00

I’m still trying to get my hands on a pdf of the story that we were interviewed for (about natural hair, of course) and I’ll post it as soon as I get it. But here’s the cover. Go to the magazine’s home page HERE.Continue to follow BGLH at our NEW site http://bglhonline.com.

what's your bedtime reggie?

2009-10-20T00:25:00.010-04:00

Question for J from Chandra:Hello Jenteel,Thank you thank you thank you for your blog I must say first and foremost. I really can't thank you enough for all of the great information and inspiration. I am a singer songwriter currently living in Germany but from Florida. I have struggled with my hair and decisions as regards what to do with it nearly my entire life. After relaxing as an early

Now and Then: Shontae

2009-10-20T00:01:00.005-04:00

Shontae was one of 5 winners in our recent "Now and Then" giveaway."Becoming natural has been the catalyst to my appreciating more features and aspects unique to me and the black community." ~ShontaeI am originally from New Orleans, but I currently live in Richmond, VA...by way of Hurricane Katrina. I'm a single mom to my 8-year-old son and an engineer, who designs plumbing systems for a local A

How do you do black girl bangs?

2009-10-19T00:02:00.004-04:00

I love bangs. Back in my straight-hair days, bangs were my trademark. I was all about the sheeny (though ever-thinning) side-swoop. It was deep to me. Deep enough that I co-signed on this black and white, looking-off-into-the-distance shot taken of me in college, featuring my sheeny bangs.But these days, making "bangs" mainly consists of me laying my hand down flat at the front of my head and

Monday Style Icon: Nia from Baltimore

2009-10-19T00:01:00.003-04:00

Where are you from and what do you do?N: I'm from Baltimore...and I'm in transition. I'll be a college student (somewhere, God willing) in the spring. But right now I work in a high school as a Project Intern for the Youth Development Unit.When did you go natural? Why?N: I'm natural by default. =) I had a relaxer once when I was like seven. And it took my hair out....never again.My mom is natural

Rachel's Review: Ahuacatl = Aguacate = Avocado

2009-10-17T08:36:00.006-04:00

Also known as the “Butter Pear” or “Alligator Pear”, beloved readers, this rather homely fruit yields a rather attractive surprise: an oil that can enrich, health and nourish your scalp. It’s also one of three oils that actually penetrate the hair strand!A healthy scalp is ultimately responsible for healthy hair (and a healthy body before that, but that, is another post, beloved readers). This is

Help me pick a winner for the 'Now and Then' giveaway! UPDATE: We have 5 winners!

2009-10-16T07:34:00.011-04:00

More than 25 ladies entered, and now I have to pick 5 to receive a copy of Chris-Tia's book, "Thank God I'm Natural." As you remember, the giveaway was in honor of the book's author, who went from wigged up to natural. In choosing a winner, I'm looking for a. how dramatic the change was and b. and how well the ladies are working the new look.The winners will also receive a style icon

Now and Then giveaway photos, part 2

2009-10-16T07:09:00.013-04:00

Part 1 hereKasey Then and NowJennifer Then and NowBusayo Then and NowMonique Then and NowBrenda Then and NowYolanda Then and Now

Now and Then giveaway photos coming in!!! Check it out!!!

2009-10-15T18:16:00.033-04:00

We've already gotten some AMAZING photos.In case you're out of the loop, this is from the post below..."Chris-Tia, the recently profiled Harvard lawyer and author just let me know that she is giving away 5 copies of her book "Thank God I'm Natural." So let's turn it into a giveaway!In honor of Chris-Tia, who went from wigged up to natural, I want you to submit photos of your hair BEFORE and AFTER

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program for the "Now and Then" giveaway compliments of Chris-Tia

2009-10-15T13:02:00.013-04:00

Chris-Tia, the recently profiled Harvard lawyer and author just let me know that she is giving away 5 copies of her book "Thank God I'm Natural." So let's turn it into a giveaway! In honor of Chris-Tia, who went from wigged up to natural, I want you to submit photos of your hair BEFORE and AFTER you went natural. Submit photos to contro_versial@hotmail.com (put 'Now and Then' in the header.) I

the moisturizing masterbook (courtesy of j!), pt 1

2009-10-15T12:00:00.001-04:00

This series was originally posted in February (2/5/09) but as winter approaches, I think we all need to have MOISTURE on our minds. This is me trying to get my moisture on with a pineapple wrap...***2/5/2009so, a few weeks ago, jenteel (our resident hair expert for some months now...) put together a bomb package on our favorite topic; moisturizing!in a prophetic twist, i realized that i needed a

Harvard Law School graduate and author Chris-Tia: I nearly lost my job because of my wig obsession

2009-10-15T00:01:00.003-04:00

After accepting a position at one of the top law firms in the nation straight out of Harvard Law School, I felt major pressure to blend in with my white colleagues. I was working long hours and felt like I needed to be a younger version of the ultra beautiful, super smart, and sophisticated Claire Huxtable (from “The Cosby Show”) in order to truly be accepted by my white co-workers. Had I been

Style Icon: GG from Maryland

2009-10-14T18:21:00.001-04:00

"The process of transitioning taught me that anything is possible and helped me see many other ideas and misconceptions that had been programmed into my thinking without me realizing it. My hair reminds me of how much I've grown and all the changes I've gone through over the last few years and I love it." ~ GGWhere are you from and what do you do?GG: I currently live in Maryland. By day, I

Natural hair in the media: Louis Vuitton Spring 2010 show features white models with oversized afros UPDATED

2009-10-13T18:43:00.017-04:00

Louis Vuitton models at Paris Fashion WeekMarc Jacobs, the creative director for LV is quoted as saying that the collection was "about travelers—the movement that came after punk. Then we were thinking about hiking, trekking, and then denim and parkas—city utilitarianism." A full story is here. I'll let you guys add your own caption to this one. What do you think?***Excerpt from Newsweek article

I stand corrected: Drugstore conditioners can work on ANY texture

2009-10-13T00:03:00.000-04:00

So, on a recent post I made the following very unscientific observation:"I find that the looser the texture, the easier it is to use products that were originally made for white/hispanic/asian/loose or straight textured women. While those of us with coarser textures (including myself) have to be more careful." JC, a chemist who blogs over at The Natural Haven had a different take. Peep it:What

Monday Style Icon: Andrea of Fly (with tutorial)

2009-10-12T11:30:00.019-04:00

Andrea maintains Fly, one of the most popular graphic design blogs on the Web which features a daily mashup of fashion, art and design. I'm happy to have her here on BGLH!Where are you from and what do you do?A: I'm originally from Maryland but now call Philadelphia my home. I am a graphic designer, illustrator, and blogger.Some of Andrea's designsYour blog is amazing. Where did you get the idea

Malon: 17 years old and a style icon

2009-10-12T11:25:00.001-04:00

Where are you from and what do you do?M: I'm from Los Angeles California. I'm a student. This year I'm a Senior WOOP WOOP! I love writing, photography, art, and fashion. I'm a slam poet. In the future I want to own and distribute my own magazine!You're only 17. Do you realize that you're further along with this 'natural hair thing' than women twice your age?M: Yes I feel like being younger is

Chris Rock's "Good Hair": Your Reactions

2009-10-11T00:01:00.003-04:00

So I saw Good Hair on Friday... Unfortunately I was late to the meetup. It was raining in Chicago Friday and you KNOW what that means for traffic!!! I slipped into the theater as the beginning credits were rolling and asked a few women if they were "from BGLH". They looked at my like I was crazy, so at the end of the movie I just stood conspicuously in the theater lobby, hoping that someone would

Preview of monday style icon: Andrea from Philly

2009-10-09T10:40:00.001-04:00

Andrea maintains Fly, one of the most popular graphic design blogs on the web. Check our her full profile Monday.

Wednesday Style Icon? Yes!

2009-10-09T10:39:00.007-04:00

Our style icon series has really taken off! More and more women from all around the country and world are emailing in with their photos and thoughts on natural hair.I have been really honored to profile some AMAZING women on this site, and because of the increased influx I will add Wednesday as I day that I profile icons. Not all Wednesdays, but many.Our upcoming Wednesday icon is G.G.In the very

Rachel's Review: Oils that penetrate hair

2009-10-09T00:01:00.006-04:00

Beloved readers, if you’ve followed me for a bit, you know I am very for adding oils to deep conditioners. Oils, by themselves (on clean hair) can be used as a deep conditioner (the infamous “hot oil treatment” comes to mind, but one doesn’t have to heat up the oils from the start if your fear scalp burns). It is best to use coconut, avocado or olive oils for this. Why? They actually penetrate

BGLH Meetups to watch "Good Hair" on Friday

2009-10-08T07:28:00.006-04:00

ChicagoICE Theatres Chatham 14, 210 West 87th Street, Chicago, IL 60620, (773)783-8711, 6:20 p.m. showingSt. LouisAMC West Olive Theater 12657 Olive StCreve Coeur, MO 63141Time to be announcedcontact: caramelpisces@sbcglobal.netLos AngelesNational Amusements The Bridge: cinema de lux6081 Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 900457:45 p.m. Friday showing. It will cost $2 to park.contact: angelina.ucla@

Interview: New York designer Nilea Alexander

2009-10-07T00:01:00.014-04:00

Nilea Alexander is a designer getting major buzz in New York. A graduate of the Parsons School for Design she created her first collection in 2004, runs a vintage booth at the Brooklyn Flea Market called NileA P FleA, and has done freelance design work for Urban Outfitters.She was recently featured as "Girl of the Month" on Urban Outfitters' blog and just finished her newest collection,

Huffington Post writer Lola Jaye explains why she thinks relaxing isn't that big a deal... Weigh in!

2009-10-06T00:01:00.003-04:00

I was notified about this Huffington Post article by a BGLH reader who wished to remain anonymous. She was bothered by the author's conclusions, which downplayed any negative psychology behind black women's decisions to relax and denied any significance to Michelle Obama's choice of hairstyle. I was able to get in contact with the article's author, UK based novelist Lola Jaye. She was willing to

When you email I DO listen... New York designer Nilea Alexander and Huffington Post write Lola Jaye will be on BGLH.

2009-10-05T15:08:00.013-04:00

A few weeks ago, BGLH reader Jemitra suggested that we contact Nilea Alexander, a young black designer who is making a big impression on the New York fashion scene... Nilea's work has been carried by Urban Outfitters and featured in the NY Daily News.Well I contacted Nilea, who is natural, and she liked the idea of being profiled. So she'll be here on BGLH Wednesday (in advance of a flea market

Monday Style Icon (with tutorial): Kim

2009-10-05T00:01:00.012-04:00

BGLH: Where are you from and what do you do?K: I'm from Chicago. I'm a self-employed graphics consultant. I do everything from web design, book illustrations, real-time mindmapping, and conceptual design work like developing board games as learning tools for my corporate clients.BGLH: When did you go natural? Why?K: I first went natural 12 years ago. There are too many reasons to list! But

Sunday retrospective... Is New York reppin harder for natural hair??

2009-10-04T00:01:00.004-04:00

So BGLH reader Kelly left this comment on the profile of our most recent style icon, Sharri from Harlem: "Great style icon ! and also I notice that a lot of the featured naturals on this blog are from New York... or just NOT west coast at that. I'm in Riverside, California and I'm thinkin are we too caught up in the LA, Hollywood look over here? I know I chickened out and postponed my plan to

Video: Chris Rock talks "Good Hair" on Oprah

2009-10-03T00:01:00.002-04:00

Chris Rock was on Oprah talking about his upcoming film. I know this video is only a snippet, did anybody watch the whole show? What did you think.

Why do we get emotional when we talk about hair products?

2009-10-02T00:02:00.006-04:00

So Rachel, our amazing guest product reviewer, just wrapped up a series on her top 15 drugstore conditioners. Afterwards I asked BGLH readers to weigh in on what they felt about the products that made it to Rachel's top 15. Yeh, we all have different textures and our hair responds to different things but it's always helpful, in my opinion, to discuss and compare notes. Sooo for some reason

Rachel: Why I don't avoid mineral oil, sulfates or silicones

2009-10-02T00:01:00.004-04:00

Rachel, our guest reviewer, waxes poetic on products every Friday.For more from her check out her blog http://littlegoldenlamb. wordpress.com/_ _ _Beloved readers, if you read my blog for any long period of time or glance at the brands I've reviewed it will quickly become clear that I do not shy away from parabens, mineral oil, sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), ammonium laurel sulfate (ALS) or

Tutorial: One banana clip, two styles...

2009-10-02T00:01:00.003-04:00

Kimmay is an amazing YouTuber with really inventive styles. She stopped by BGLH to share her looks using a banana clip. Check back Monday for her full style icon profile.FroHawk- I came up with this style after seeing countless of videos on Youtube about creating a frohawk with hairpins or bobby pins. I thought using 7" banana clip would be an easier way to achieve the same look!High Puff - I

BGLH remix: accessories!

2009-09-30T00:01:00.005-04:00

We've profiled some great accessories on BGLH...What are your must-have, go-to accessories? How do they work for your hair?And if you have accessory photos you want to share, email them to contro_versial@hotmail.com!

shedding: how much is too much?

2009-09-29T00:05:00.006-04:00

Question for J from Jae:Hi J,I've noticed that a lot of hair has been coming out when I detangle my hair. I'm just not sure if I should be losing that much, maybe I'm a little paranoid. But if it is breaking, I really want to handle it before it goes haywire. Sometimes even when I slightly manipulate it, I'll see some falling out.Some hair background: I wash my hair twice a week, deep

Monday Style Icon: Sharri (one of our most phenomenal to date!)

2009-09-28T00:03:00.002-04:00

"I love rocking my 'fro. The bigger, the better." ~SharriWhere are you from and what do you do?S: I'm from New York, currently living in Harlem. I work in retail for the Jean Shop.When did you go natural? Why? S: The first time I went natural was back in 2005. The Big Chop had become my only option after months of having my hair sauteed in fire cream and permanent hair color. One day I was

BGLH Chicago meetup to watch Chris Rock's "Good Hair"

2009-09-28T00:01:00.006-04:00

We will be gathering on October 9 to watch "Good Hair", a documentary film by Chris Rock examining black women's relationship with their hair.If you would like to join us here in Chicago, please email contro_versial@hotmail.comIf you are interested in hosting a screening in your own city, please email contro_versial@hotmail.com and we will post your name and contact information on BGLH.

Sunday retrospective: Natural hair and social change

2009-09-27T00:02:00.003-04:00

"I really believe that natural hair acceptance can be the catalyst to propel our people to new heights. Sounds far fetched, but I believe that if we can learn to love ourselves in our natural state and see the beauty within us, we can start to see the beauty in each other. I believe that once this is accomplished we will have more pride in ourselves, our culture and our communities. Perhaps then

Did YOUR favorite product make it on the top 15 list?

2009-09-25T09:12:00.008-04:00

Rachel has just finished her list of the top 15 drugstore conditioners:15. Dove Frizz Control Therapy Conditioner with Repairing Serum14. Dove Intense Damage Therapy Conditioner for Accumulated Damage13. L'Oreal Smooth Intense Conditioner for Thick Hair12. L’Oreal Vive Pro Hydra Gloss Moisturizing Conditioner11. Herbal Essences Break’s Over Strengthening Conditioner10. Herbal Essences Long Term

Rachel's Review: Top 15 Drugstore Conditioners Continued: THE TOP THREE!!

2009-09-25T08:39:00.016-04:00

Beloved readers, we've come to the end of the list! I hope you're as excited as I am! If you didn't see your favorite line in my list, don't worry. Knowing me and my wandering ways, I'll try it at some point. ^_~Without further ado, here they are:3. JASON SEA KELP MOISTURIZING CONDITIONEREgads! All caps in the title? I definitely <3 this. I also really, really, really like scones. In keeping with

Natural bride: Tafakari

2009-09-24T00:01:00.005-04:00

"The style is a bantu knot-out that kept very well throughout the intense Florida humidity. The bantu knots themselves were done earlier in the week (Tuesday) for my Saturday wedding, so it was incredibly easy for my bridal party to help take them down. Instantly styled hair! My wedding day was on August 29, 2009 and the day was a blast; the weather cooperated and provided us with postcard

knotty dread!

2009-09-22T00:05:00.006-04:00

Question For JFrom Nancy:I have had a major problem with knots for months now and they drive me absolutely crazy! I moisturise every two days and use a spritz with water, glycerine and jojoba oil before combing daily. I detangle with Keracare conditioner once a week, I have tried other products and found this to be the best one for my hair. I tie a silk scarf around my head when I go to bed.

Style tutorial by Oghomwen

2009-09-21T09:06:00.013-04:00

In keeping with our attempt to do more tutorials on BGLH, here is Oghomwen with a style that can be three different looks.So I do not know what to call this hairstyle. It is really easy to do and here is how I achieve it:1.) I divide my hair into two sections. A big chunk in the back and then a little section in front. 2.) The night before I put the big section at the back into a single plait.

What do we mean when we say long/fast-growing hair is genetic?

2009-09-18T00:03:00.015-04:00

The issue of genetics has come up recently on BGLH.First with a reader wondering if, after a lifetime of short hair, her hair could actually grow long, and second in the comments section for the profile of the lovely Chime who has a huge and gorgeous mane.So, is it true?Genetically, do black people have the slowest growing hair and therefore limited to short hair?Well, I am personally inclined to

Rachel's Review: Top 15 Drugstore Conditioners... coming down to the end! Picks 4 through 6!

2009-09-18T00:01:00.002-04:00

Beloved readers, the list continues.If you don't see your favorite brand listed, please don't feel slighted. I haven't tried everything...yet. ^_~I don't shy away from silicones and the like, though there are some more "natural" offerings here.I mention Biotin and humectants in these reviews. For my beloved readers, who may be unfamiliar with those terms, humectants are ingredients that promote

Style Icon: Chime

2009-09-16T00:01:00.007-04:00

When you change your thinking on what beautiful hair is, it changes the way you look at beauty in general and that is extremely important for Black women in today's society. ~ChimeWhere are you from and what do you do? C: I am from West Point, Mississippi. I recently stopped working at The Department of Human Services to pursue two creative endeavors; one including Sunkissed, the line of graphic

if your relaxed hair is long and thick, why go natural?

2009-09-15T00:05:00.002-04:00

Thursday I'll feature Chime (pictured above), who had long, thick relaxed hair and opted to transition to natural hair. These stories always intrigue me, because hair damage/lack of hair growth is usually the reason women choose to go natural.This weekend I was hanging out with a relaxed friend of mine who has thick, shiny long hair. She mentioned that her ends are perpetually split/damaged and

callalily's tips for twistout preservation

2009-09-15T00:03:00.008-04:00

I received this email from Callalily who wanted to help out Holly and others in regards to the post that I did on "how to preserve a twist out". In efforts to continue to aid you all with styling here at BGLH, here are her pictures and tips! Hi J: I am a fellow blogger that loves reading BGLH. I wanted to send you this information in hopes to help Holly (and others) that struggle with “how to

climbing deeper into this natural ish... the longer it gets, the more styling it needs

2009-09-14T00:01:00.011-04:00

So, instead of profiling an icon today I wanted to give an update on my own hair. You might have noticed that we started a new series encouraging BGLH readers to write in with their tutorials. I have to admit that it's a bit selfishly motivated, because the longer my hair gets the more help I need with styling. This was me in December 2006.And this is me in an impromptu 'bathroom photoshoot' a

Sunday Retrospective: Natural hair takes patience aka you got to put in your time!

2009-09-13T09:15:00.009-04:00

"Um... I relaxed again cuz my natural hair was taking too long to grow!"So, J and I were talking the other day about some of the e-mails we receive. They might start something like this...HELP!!!!!Then they continue...I just did the big chop and I don't know what to do! I know I can't expect long hair right away but what can I do to get it!!To which my reply isUh... first of all, you should calm

Saturday style tutorials: Curls using curlformers

2009-09-11T22:19:00.021-04:00

BGLH has mostly been about showcasing beautiful styles.But as I am learning, the execution of these styles is harder than it seems! So I'd like to start posting tutorials.I need your help to get this up and running... If you have a great style you would like to share, please email me at contro_versial@hotmail.com. YouTube videos are welcome, though I will ask questions to accompany the

Rachel's Review: Top 15 Drugstore Conditioners continued! Picks 9 through 7!

2009-09-11T09:09:00.014-04:00

For part 1 of this review featuring picks 13 through 15, click here.For part 2 of this review featuring picks 10 through 12, click here.Beloved readers, we're getting to the mid-way point of my Top 15 Drugstore Conditioners Countdown.You're going to start seeing a lot more "natural" products on the the count down after this post. As I've said previously, I haven't tried EVERYTHING. You may not

Krystal: Tips from a style maven

2009-09-08T23:23:00.017-04:00

"Natural hair is just so much more interesting, so much more fierce, and requires so much more confidence! It's a definite challenge, but that's why I love it so much." ~KrystalWhere are you from and what do you do?K: I'm a Jamaican born in Brooklyn, New York, and I grew up in South Florida. I just graduated in May from the University of Florida with my Master of Public Health.So, a lot of

question for j: is it possible to have long hair if i've never had it?

2009-09-08T00:09:00.005-04:00

Question for J from Tasha:Hello ladies, I just want to say that I am in love with the blog. As a new natural of three months, the site gives me hope and inspiration. I am curious about something, and I'm not sure if it has been answered on your blog in the past. I have been getting relaxers since I was seven years old and I am now 29. Before receiving a relaxer, I remember not having long hair as

Rock Solid Regimen: Tamara

2009-09-07T12:39:00.001-04:00

"I’m pro natural hair because your natural teaches you how to care for the holistic woman. To love the whole being." ~TamaraWhere are you from? T: I’m from Houston, Texas... I was born in H-town but my dad went into the Navy when I was 2 yrs old. So I never actually lived there until I decide to go to undergrad. Why did you decide to go natural?T: I decided to go natural as a way of defining

HILARIOUSNESS: white dude uses relaxer to get 'slicked back hair'

2009-09-07T12:37:00.009-04:00

I thought this was really funny! Thanks for sending it in Eliss!!Perhaps relaxer companies can find a new market among white dudes and give black women a break from their incessant marketing.My favorite line:"So you put it in there, it burns the sh*t out of you."

Formal Style: Maeling

2009-09-04T00:04:00.000-04:00

"There are a lot of people who think that having a teeny weeny afro limits them, but I've taken it as an opportunity to be more creative with my styling." ~Maeling How Maeling achieved the look:- cowashed with organix pomegranate conditioner- used rosewater/glycerin spritz to retain moisture and add subtle fragrance- distributed iC Fantasia Hair Styling gel to help define curls ( ran my

Rachel's Review: Top 15 Drugstore Conditioners continued! Picks 10 through 12...

2009-09-04T00:03:00.004-04:00

Click here for part 1 of this review, featuring picks 13 through 15Beloved readers, these are the next three conditioners of my Top 15 Conditioners count down!I want to note again, I haven't tried EVERYTHING. If you don't see your favorite brand listed, please don't feel slighted. I may have not tried it yet, not tried a product from the brand that benefited my hair yet or it was simply

Naturals: Are we too fragile?

2009-09-02T00:02:00.003-04:00

So an insightful BGLH reader left a comment on yesterday's post that I found interesting: "I have reached a point in my own journey where I don't need to hear that it is ok to be natural or that natural hair needs to be accepted. This is not to say that this message is not necessary for others, it is simply not necessary for me... I do applaud the efforts of this blog though and I do certainly

Naturals from around the world/Rock Solid Regimen: Maureen in Holland!

2009-09-02T00:01:00.003-04:00

"I want to show people that there is nothing ugly, unmanageable or hard about afro textured hair." ~MaureenWhere are you from? M: I'm Maureen, 24 years old and I have a twin sister and a younger sister. My parents came from Surinam to Holland in the seventies, we've been here ever since. Currently I live in Leiden, where I used to attend university. This September I will be studying art history

Tonya Mosley: A transitioning TV news reporter tells her story

2009-09-01T00:44:00.018-04:00

Natural hair in the workplace has always been a hot topic on BGLH (see here and here). I've written previously that, in my opinion, TV news reporting is one of the few fields where natural women are actively encouraged to straighten their hair, but I only knew this anecdotally. So I was glad when I got an email from Tonya Mosley, an actual TV news reporter, speaking of her decision to go natural.

Monday Style Icon: Sherrin

2009-08-31T09:29:00.013-04:00

"Natural hair is very rock and roll. Rock it how you want and roll with wherever you go!" ~SherrinWhere are you from?R: I'm from Houston,Texas- born and raised. But I just moved to Los Angeles, California. I'm currently a college student, actress, model, stylist, make-up artist and blogger! I'm sort of a jack of all trades!I love your pictures! Do you model as work or just for fun? And who is

Awesome e-mail/I follow BGLH because

2009-08-29T00:01:00.002-04:00

Date: Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 8:47 PMSubject: my daughter's natural hairAs a white mom of an Ethiopian daughter, I'm often asked when I will get her hair straightened. People ask as if it's a foregone conclusion that we would/should prefer that. I love her curly hair, and while it takes time to style it, she looks like her beautiful self and not like everybody else. She sometimes says that she

Rachel's First Product Review: Top 15 Drugstore Conditioners

2009-08-28T00:01:00.007-04:00

In celebration of hitting 1,000 followers I announced this past weekend that Rachel (of Little Golden Lamb) would be doing regular product reviews. Expect to see Rachel on BGLH every Friday. ---Beloved readers, this is part one of a series of "Top 15" posts to be appearing in the future. In this post, I will be kicking off the count down of my Top 15 Drugstore conditioners, to date. BAAs, all

NY Times article on natural hair...

2009-08-27T19:24:00.008-04:00

Let me preface this by saying that I really hate it when mainstream media tries to handle the "issue" of natural hair... only because they rarely do it well and they NEVER talk about the joys/relief of going natural. But the NY Times does an okay job of delving into race/culture issues, so I figure'd I'd give their Aug. 26 article on natural hair a read.I'm not sure if it's supposed to coincide

acting natural: interview with actress adepero oduye

2009-08-26T00:04:00.045-04:00

"At first I didn’t think there was a place for me in acting. Now I know there is, because I say so. I’ve marked my place. I know a lot of times people say, I don’t think they’re going to let me in. It’s not about waiting for someone to let you in. You just have to show up. I just showed up."You may have seen her in the recent McDonald’s snack wrap commercial; playing “a lady of the evening”

are curls the new straight? [article on racialicious.com]

2009-08-25T12:49:00.008-04:00

BGLH reader Myss Kay notified me of an article on Racialicious.com about the 'mainstreaming' of curly hair even though kinky/coily hair remains firmly OUTSIDE the mainstream.ARE CURLS THE NEW STRAIGHT HAIR? [THE GERMANY FILES]by Carolina Asuquo-BrownJust a few weeks ago I was flipping through the pages of a fashion mag with a friend.An editorial featuring an obviously biracial black/white model

question for J: how do you know whether a regimen is working for you?

2009-08-25T08:56:00.013-04:00

Question for J from Nay Shay:BGLH,I need help!! I recently did my big chop 2 weeks ago. I have read many blogs and YouTube videos, I understand the regimen differs for each natural, and that it takes a while until you find the right one for you. But you know how it is, we're in a day in age where we want things fast... I'm not saying I'm expecting significant growth in 2 weeks, I just want to

Rock Solid Regimen: Brianna!

2009-08-24T00:01:00.007-04:00

I'm pro natural hair because it's natural, it's ours, it's mine and no one, no standard or beauty or ugliness, no stereotype should dictate what I do with something as defining and as personal as my hair. ~BriannaBGLH: Where are you from? Are you a native of that country? Brianna: I'm from Trinidad and Tobago, in the West Indies. Born and raised here. BGLH: How did your family end up there?

1,000 follower festivities: Regular Product Reviews from Rachel!

2009-08-22T00:27:00.026-04:00

You may know Rachel from the amazing (and Black Weblog Award nominated) blog Little Golden Lamb. It's one of the most comprehensive and well-written hair product review blogs on the web. Added bonus? Rachel is natural and recently did her big chop! She's been mentioned on BGLH before; J, our resident hair expert, mentioned her in a March 2009 post. Rachel will be providing BGLH with regular

Style Icon... Sunshine

2009-08-21T00:01:00.006-04:00

We typically profile style icons on Monday but we're switching things up a bit in anticipation of our '1,000 follower festivities' this weekend and early next week. Sunshine debuted on BGLH as a guest blogger on July 2, 2009."My getting the big chop had the least to do with my hair and more to do with letting go of a person who was a creation of the media and pop culture and a need to follow the

workout plan!

2009-08-19T00:02:00.019-04:00

Question for J from Rochelle:Wo! Talk about a wealth of information. Thank you. I work out 5 days a week. 3 of them are in bikram yoga with only 30 min to get dressed before returning to work. How does natural hair care / conditioning fit into that? I generally throw some kind of hydrating something in my hair and put it in a bun. I am really good with hair sticks. But I would loooooove

Monday Style Icon: Karrie

2009-08-17T00:43:00.022-04:00

"i grew up in a family where i was told i was "lucky" to have the hair i do. i was told in grade school that i thought i was "all that" because i had "good hair". i don't think i'm anything. in fact, i've been trying to get comfortable in my skin since childhood. now i feel like i can be myself at 22. i don't have to have 18 inches of jet black european silky weave to feel beautiful." ~KarrieBGLH

First BGLH meetup in the West Loop, Chicago

2009-08-16T00:14:00.028-04:00

All photos compliments of our talented photographer, Norman Baldwin Jr.

preview of monday style icon.. Karrie

2009-08-15T00:03:00.002-04:00

Pin curls on curly hairSo our style icon, Karrie, contacted BGLH on the suggestion of her friend Gem, who was featured here on June 1. Isn't that awesome?! It would seem that a.) BGLH is becoming a family/friend affair and b.) dope naturals are traveling in packs. Okay, I'm going to hypothesize that there's like one dope natural for every 1000 people. But it would seem that we are starting to

Shari wants to know: Where do you get a 'big chop' done?

2009-08-15T00:02:00.009-04:00

So it's official; After debating for several weeks our in house designer, Shari, has decided to do a big chop. That's a foot of relaxed ends gone. She's been blogging about her transition experience (here and here), and now she needs our help to figure out where to get her chop done. Read on...My big chop countdown has started...and it got me thinking. Where did you get your big chop done? Did

natural hair only for pretty black women?

2009-08-14T00:01:00.010-04:00

Some thought-provoking comments have been left on some recent posts. They suggest that natural hair is only for the beautiful.Comment #1some of these same women who cannot let go of their hair have been called monkeys and too black and have seen their sisters and mothers run from the sun.like i said before, i just feel that these women who have not yet freed themselves should be criticized

rachel: NC artist... dope natural hair

2009-08-13T00:02:00.005-04:00

Hey guys, I originally posted this on April 30, 2009... but since we've been talking about big chops/versatility/'it's just hair' I thought this would be an appropriate interview to re-post. Rachel is, by far, been the most diverse chick I've profiled on BGLH. She's done everything from back length locks to a big chop to wigs.A second set of her photos (originally posted on May 2) has also been

rachel: NC artist... dope natural hair, pt 2

2009-08-13T00:01:00.003-04:00

Originally posted on May 2, 2009.___________________________________________________________More looks from Rachel. Thanks so much for sharing, girl! Here are all the places you can find her:http://www.flickr.com/photos/okpauset/http://targetqueen.blogspot.com/http://www.rachelstewart.net/Her art is amazing, so DEFNITELY check her out!Rachel's Art

headband swag

2009-08-12T00:30:00.001-04:00

Mendy from France. Previously featured here.

Meet-up clarification

2009-08-12T00:20:00.003-04:00

My bad, folks!I (Shari) forgot to specify what city this meet-up is in for those of you who don't know.It's in Chicago!!!!!So here's the info again...Saturday, August 15th, 200911AM - 1PMMarket Restaurant1113 W. Randolph St.Chicago, IL 60607

Okay, so NOW i kinda care that solange is bald...

2009-08-11T00:29:00.012-04:00

So when it came to light a couple weeks back that Solange had cut all her hair off, I didn't really care and said so in a post. And let me be clear; I wasn't HATING on what she had done. I just chose not to pay too much attention to it. My site has never been celeb-centric i.e. I'm not going to piss my pants any time a celebrity goes natural. And judging from Solange's Twitter messages the day

Monday Style Icon: Zara

2009-08-10T00:01:00.009-04:00

"I think most people still don't understand that it's truly just hair. They still project their fears and insecurities onto others- that it's not possible to look good with short hair, that having long hair is so crucial to beauty, that one shouldn't rock the boat when blessed with 'good hair'. We need to move past this, seriously, hair is only hair... Short or long hair doesn't change who you

naturals from around the world: nicole in berlin, germany

2009-08-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

"I recently see more African girls my age (I'm 25) with coarser hair like mine rocking fros. A lot of biracial women and men wear their hair natural, some older women in their 40s older (like my mum) are tired of perms and become natural, but still they're not comfortable wearing their hair out." ~NicoleThe Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, GermanyBrandenburg Gate (German: Brandenburger Tor) is a

saturday retrospective: how come our butts — but not our hair — passed the beauty standard test?

2009-08-08T09:53:00.023-04:00

Serena Williams — big butt... and a weaveBeyonce — big butt... and a weaveMichelle Obama — big butt (Barack knows it!)... and a pressI'm no anthropologist but I think it's fair to say that big, round butts are most common to black women — women of African descent.My boyfriend went to the African country of Ghana a few years back, and some Ghanian men sat him down and explained to him that a

preview of monday style icon... this one's for the 'big choppers'

2009-08-07T16:08:00.013-04:00

From the emails and comments I've been getting lately many of you (including our very own Shari) are either considering or have just completed the big chop. Well Zara is our style icon for Monday and the last time I profiled her on BGLH she had hair... lots of it. It's all gone now and I can't tell which look is hotter! Stay tuned for the full interview on Monday! There's also a retrospective

question for j: help for fine hair?!

2009-08-05T01:27:00.003-04:00

From Monisola...Hello!I adore your blog! I just discovered it three days ago. I recently made the decision to grow my mini fro (like 3 inches 4b) into a joyously full Afro! I have a question: how can i tell whether my hair is fine or not? Last, should i moisturize my hair more or less because it is fine, should i deep condition more/less? What general accommodations should be made because i may

BGLH is a Black Weblog Awards Finalist!!!... and a natural high school classmate runs for Miss Jamaica World

2009-08-04T08:58:00.014-04:00

So we made it to the Black Weblog Award finals! We lost out in the 'Best Writing in a Blog' category, but we made it as one of the five finalists for 'Best Style and Fashion Blog' and 'Best Culture Blog'. Voting for the finalists is open until Sept. 1. So please vote for us!!! We're up against some pretty formidable opponents so every vote helps ;) j says: yay! congrats to us for making the

Rock Solid Regimen: Tanisha

2009-08-02T22:11:00.035-04:00

"For me, rocking my natural hair is what distinguishes me and my people. No other race has hair like ours, and it's absolutely beautiful! It defies gravity, and it's a representation of who we are..." ~TanishaBGLH: Where are you from? Tanisha: I am from New York City, Queens to be specific... And I ended up here because my mother came from Jamaica 20+ years ago to the States and she chose to live

sunday retrospective: accepting natural hair begins with us

2009-08-02T00:38:00.047-04:00

A lot of times, I'll hear statements like; "White people appreciate my natural hair more than black people.""I get more compliments from non black people on my natural hair."Followed by some variation of "It's so sad. Why are black people like this?"I'm not going to disagree with those statements. They've been true in my own life at various points. But I am INSANELY uncomfortable with what they

preview of monday's rock solid regimen chick... and a few housekeeping items.

2009-08-01T08:06:00.010-04:00

Tanisha, our Rock Solid Regimen chick for Monday, has some really great twist-out fros (as you can see), so stay tuned for that.NIGERIAN NATURALS: Miss Fizz of http://leaveinthekinks.blogspot.com is holding a get together in Lagos. Here are the details:Date: August 15th 2009Location: News Café or the Icecream Factory, Lagos, Nigeria (will pick one closer to the time)Time: 2pmRSVP: missfizz87@

BGLH interview with white dad of adopted ethiopian daughter who learned to do her hair

2009-07-31T00:01:00.004-04:00

Last week we were all captivated by the images in the Atlanta Journal Constitution of a white dad — Clifton Green — who learned to take care of his adopted Ethiopian daughter's hair. (Click this link for the AJC slideshow: http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/living/braids/) I was so amazed that I tracked Clifton down and asked if he would do a BGLH interview. He agreed! Clifton is a professor at

questions from a newbie... the transitioner edition

2009-07-29T00:01:00.005-04:00

Shari is up in the lab designing a new webpage for BGLH. But she's also trying to figure out a new regimen for her transition from relaxed to natural. Peep her questions and help if you can...(continued from Sunday) There are a few challenges I run into on a weekly basis. Maybe all of you BGLH readers can lend some insight:1. My switch to new products is causing acneFor the first time in my life,

Monday Style Icon: SugarySnowPea

2009-07-27T07:29:00.016-04:00

"Natural hair shouldn't be something that catches people's attention for negative reasons, it should be something normalized in the black community. It's so crazy how accepting yourself for who you are can be so strange to some." ~SugarySnowPeaBGLH: Where do you live? Where you reppin'?SugarySnowPea: I live in NYC! To be more specific, I live in Harlem, and I'm extremely proud to say so! BGLH:

sunday retrospective: letting go of long hair during the transition

2009-07-26T00:01:00.012-04:00

~by Shari (BGLH's graphic designer) I think I got my last relaxer around November or December of 2008. It wasn’t really a conscious decision on my part…one day, I just decided I didn’t need a touch-up. Then a week passed, then several weeks, then months…and here I am now with two completely different hair textures sitting on top of my head.And frankly…I’m a little scared.It was only recently that

preview of monday style icon: sugarysnowpea

2009-07-25T23:27:00.024-04:00

We have another Monday Style Icon with a TON of pics, so I'm going to start posting them now. Stay tuned for the full interview Monday.

solange is bald... not sure why i should care, but let's discuss it anyway

2009-07-24T08:31:00.017-04:00

Solange sporting her big chop***Update! Shari found this on Solange's twitter page. Solange speaks of her big chop.***"listen. if. i. wanted. to. make. a. statement. i. would. have. twitpic’d. photo shoot. ect. i. was. simply. taking. my. son. to. school. stupid. paps. took. pic. ive. had. my. hair. cut. like. this. for. two. weeks. i. was. NOT. inspired. by anyone. but. my. self. i. have. done.

real love: white father of adopted ethiopian girl learns to do her hair... and it looks on point!

2009-07-23T00:01:00.002-04:00

A BGLH reader sent this to me (thanks Miss Bush!) The complete slideshow is at the Atlanta Journal Constitution: http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/living/braids/The father is a professor at Emory University. A few more snippets:

Rock Solid Regimen: Tocktick

2009-07-22T00:14:00.020-04:00

"I think that natural hair is beautiful and unique. I think it's the most versatile hair type there is." ~tocktickBGLH: Where do you live?Tocktick: LondonBGLH: Why did you make the decision to go natural and when and how did you transition into natural hair?Tocktick: To be frank, my relaxed hair was a really sorry mess. At the time when I transitioned, my hair was broken off, dry and see-through.

question for J: why are antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory elements so good for hair?

2009-07-22T00:04:00.010-04:00

J: BGLH's resident haircare expertHey guys, I (Leila) submitted this question to J out of my own curiosity:"So, I've been thinking about this for a while:A lot of things that are good for hair: aloe vera gel, castor oil, bentonite clay, chamomile, have antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Why is that? I mean, how do those properties benefit the hair?"J's response:The

Monday Style Icon: Claire of The Fashion Bomb

2009-07-19T00:03:00.028-04:00

I am very happy to feature Claire Sulmers from the Fashion Bomb as a Monday Style Icon on BGLH. The Fashion Bomb is an award-winning blog that shines a spotlight on urban fashion which is often overlooked in mainstream media.Since its inception in August 2006, The Fashion Bomb has been named Blog to Watch by Women’s Wear Daily, Blog of the Moment by Teen Vogue, and has been featured in Upscale