HAIR LUST: Bombshell Blonde

Nothing like the freedom of the shortest of short cuts. Color your hair any way you'd like, you're just gonna shave it off. I've had friends who've rocked the short hair look for years, and have no thoughts of growing it long. That's the glory of hair . . . do what you like until you're ready to do something else. Be the bomb!

HAIR LUST: Tied Up Simple

This simple look is everything that I believe in. This simple wrapped look is what I've used to keep me from pulling my hair at the edges.  This look will protect your edges and give you some cute style. What simple styles have you tried that ended up being your 'go-to' look?

Hair Lust: Cool Cut

As soon as I start wanting to grow my hair out, I see a picture of a girl

With a cute cut. Then I wanna cut my hair again! Ugh, the agony! But, for real, how fly is this cut?! If you are thinking of cutting your hair, DO IT! It's just hair, it grows back. 

Have you been thinking of cutting your hair? 

HAIR LUST: Short and Curly

Ok, is she not the most gorgeous woman ever! Geesh! Now, her hair, just makes you wanna cut your hair again. Like, for real, every time I see a short tapered cut, I want to cut my hair. But then when I see long luxurious hair, I want to grow mine out. Oh, the life of being natural! Anyway, let's give it up for gorgeous hair.

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.

Hair Lust: Simply Chic

As the holiday season approaches, our thoughts quickly turn to the new year. New Year, new change. Some of you, like our writer Ashiya may be thinking of doing a big chop. There's nothing wrong with that! The simplicity of taking your hair back to a small afro is quite exhilarating. You can giveaway all those products and concentrate on what really works. 

Hmm, may a re-chop is the best thing to clear your mind for a new and exciting year! Will you be re-chopping in 2015?

Hair Lust: The last days of summer

Yes, technically it's Fall. But have you walked outside? It's for real 88° in Nashville! Like dude! I'm drinking my Pumpkin Spiced Latte ICED! What the crap!

So, saw this fly photo on Pinterest and knew I had to post it for our Hair Lust segment. The fun of living in the south is that you can still do warm weather things, even if the calendar says otherwise. That includes rocking fly sunglasses and short hair. Try it! Happy fake fall! Lol! 

For actual fall style, check out Fab Glance!

HAIR LUST: Hair We Grow Again

Today's HAIR LUST photo is a source of inspiration for me. Every since I cut my hair I've dreaded the day when I decided to grow it back. That day is now. I'm ready to have a bit more hair to play around with. However, my hair doesn't grow the fastest and like most, I'm impatient.

Luckily, Pinterest is a great way to give yourself some inspiration. I've found all sort of low, tapered, fro pictures to keep me patient and inspire me to grow strong healthy hair. I'm loving this look! It's so cool and stylish. This time around, I'm gonna enjoy my short fro stage instead of wishing for the big fro so soon.

Melissa's Hair: Shaved Sides and Curly Curls

Since the last time I wrote I was telling you about my struggle with using heat on my hair. Well, I figured out my beloved flat iron was broken - stuck on 350°! So I was burning the crap out of my hair and I've suffered a couple damaged/straight pieces. I knew I had to make a commitment to being heat-free for a couple of months. 

Of course I had fun with the traditional twist- out but I wanted more defined curls. I went to the closet, pulled out the perm rods. I had an idea! 

I washed and deep conditioned my hair with Shea Moisture moisturizing shampoo and deep treatment conditioner. After detangling my hair, I prepped my hair with Motions Leave-in Conditioner. I sealed in the moisture with coconut oil. To set my hair I used Motions Wrap & Set Foam.  

I seperated my hair and wrapped small sections around the small rods. I made sure to smooth the end using a bit more wrap lotion. I finished rolling my hair - using about thirty rods. I wanted to use the hooded dryer, but I slept in the rollers.  Luckily my hair dries fast! 

In the morning I removed the rods. I was skeptical. I didn't want to go to work looking like Kendrick Lamar! I started separating and fluffing the curls to give the look some shape. I began to fall in love! 

Why didn't I try this style a LONG TIME AGO! The curls were very defined and the style lasted for FIVE DAYS! I even got a chance to visit my barber, Tristan, who hooked me up with the sweet line-up and  fancy parts. Needless to say, this style was a hit. I received a ton of compliments. 

It's just a reminder to never be afraid to step out of the box. Try something new! What have tried in your hair? 

NATURAL IN NASHVILLE: Farmer's Market Trio

About two weeks ago I was being a total Stalker McGee as I ate my lunch at the Farmer's Market. I saw these gorgeous ladies eating lunch and I had to snap their picture. This photo represents more than 20 years natural hair! As I approached them, they surprised me by saying they were complimenting MY HAIR! Naturals out here loving each other - I dig it!  

Take a look below each lady share a bit about their journey:

This is Ms. Verdell. She's been natural all her life switching between straight and curly styles.

This is Ms. DJ Hearin - she's been natural for EIGHT years and prefers to rock a short style

This is Brooke G, Ms. Verdell is her mom. She transition for one year and she's been natural for one year.

Shout-out to our readers! Don't be alarmed if we run up on you to take a photo of your gorgeous hair. We have to represent the Natural Hair movement in Nashville.

CELEB STYLE: Lupita Nyong'o is People's Most Beautiful

 

"It was exciting and just a major, major compliment," the 31-year-old says of gracing this year's cover. And especially, "I was happy for all the girls who would see me on [it] and feel a little more seen." - (Lupita Nyong'o via People.com)

This is an exciting day in fashion, style, being black, all that! It's not like a black woman hasn't been on the cover or in People Magaine's "Most Beautiful" issue (Beyonce, Rihanna, and Jill Scott have graced the pages) but Lupita is a bit different. Her features, her name, and her hair are highly identifiable as straight up  . . . BLACK. And not just black, AFRICAN. Not saying we needed this (majority white publication) to validate black beauty, but it's a big deal because we just don't get this type of recognition in 2014. It's sad, but it's true.

Lupita is having an amazing year. Her confidence shines through with each speech, each award won, and each magazine layout. She's patching some holes in the colorful beauty road that so many have fought to walk on. Congrats Lupita! you are gorgeous inside and out!

See editor, Melissa's, choices for Lupita's best looks 2013-2014 on www.fabglance.com!

HAIR LUST: Some curls with a braid on the side!

I don't know where I found this photo, but I knew I had to post it here. Lately, I've been obsessed with finding styles that suit short hair. This cute look is great for transitioners and for short hair naturals. It's also a good way to experiment with the shved-sides look.

Would you rock it?

CELEB STYLE: Lupita rocks the MTV MOVIE AWARDS red carpet

Y'all, she's like a black Barbie! Like - this picture is so much OH MY GOODNESS. I just love how Lupita's hair stylist arranges her hair - sometimes she rocks her lovely natural fade and sometimes they add extensions. The point, she never lets the length of her hair dictate her style. LOVES IT!

Check out my BEST DRESSED celebs from the MTV MOVIE AWARDS 2014 on www.fabglance.com

HAIR LUST: Short & Sassy Coils

I've been talking to some friends as they are transitioning into the #naturalhair life. Some have gone from always having long hair to now having short coils and some are growing out their hair and having to deal with it for the first time. To both I say, be patient! 

Be patient with your hair, yourself, and those around you. There's nothing wrong with short hair! Everyday won't be a "what the crap is going on with my head" day. And, yes, one day it will all come together. 

This hair lust photo is dedicated to all my transitioners, my "I didn't think my hair was THIS kinky" girls, and 'everyone hates my hair' except for me. I'm thinking about you! 

MELISSA'S HAIR: No heat, Low Heat - it's a challenge!

Oh my! February came and went so quickly! I almost forgot it was my turn to post a Hair Diary. So here we go.

So last month, I talked about the various ways I've styled my hair since shaving my sides. This month, I really focused on not using heat on my hair. I love flat-ironing my hair - but I suffered some heat damage, so I had to stop doing that. I decided to challenge myself not to use heat. There's no way to FULLY recover from heat damage, but you can take extra care of the ends so your hair doesn't break off.

I did alright. I didn't use the flat-iron at all during February. I used the blow-dry, on a lower heat setting, one time because I had to leave quickly and it was really cold outside. Here's the two looks I rocked during February:

Here's my super puff. Basically, I two-strand twist my hair with Miss Jessie's Baby Butter creme. Click here to read my review of Miss Jessie's Baby Butter Creme. This look usually lasts about three days. This photo was snapped on Valentine's day. As each day passes, my hair usually gets more and more fluffy. Then I wash it, and start the process all over again. I usually put flexi-rods on the ends of the two-strand twists in order to disguise some of my straight pieces.

I call this look, The Johnny Bravo! Basically, I'm growing my hair as long as possible so that I can have the SUPREME pompadour! This look was achieved by blowing my hair (almost) straight using Dr. Miracle's Curl Care Blowout Foam. Then securing my hair with a small hair comb. It's super easy, and I can create this look in five minutes. If you have shaved sides, I suggest you perfect this look, it's super easy and looks very polished. You can make the pompadour as big or as small as you'd like.


So, I'm going to keep this NO/LOW HEAT party going. I did experience some nice growth. In addition, after a couple deep conditioning treatments, some of my straight pieces are getting wavy again - YAY! I'll keep you posted on my NO/LOW HEAT challenge.

Oh yeah, March 30th is our first meet-up! I can't wait to meet everyone! YAY!!!

Candice's Hair Diary: Return of the Mini Twists

Happy Monday!

Let me preface this by saying that these mini-twists were not my idea.  I was forced coerced nudged to revisit this style by Melissa. I had been considering the style prior to the suggestion, but I decided against it. My hair has gotten longer, and I thought that it would take entirely too long to install mini-twists.

The top right is the beginning. The top left is the finish line.

In short: I was wrong. It took nearly the same amount of time that it did the last time I did mini-twists. If I exclude the breaks I took during the install (to eat, talk on the phone, and choose movies on Netflix), I spent between 6.5-7 hours on my hair. BUT... I've had them in for 3 weeks. I still have about a week left before I take them out. I've curled them and I've washed them; even the wash and set process only took about 15-20 minutes. Hair in this protective style is very low maintenance, but even a protective style needs a little TLC to stay in tip top shape. I used water and aloe vera gel to moisturize. I followed that with coconut oil or shea butter to seal in the moisture.

Straightening my twists after curls was as easy as 1. wash, 2. condition, 3. pin

and set

My twists are definitely coming down this week. I've seen what can happen when you leave mini-twists in too long. I don't want to have to deal with the tangles and knots that come with twists that try to become locs. It's been a good ride so far. Also, my urge to cut my hair has been quenched. I've been wearing my twists either curled or slightly shrunken. I LOVE rocking shorter hair. Especially since I've been craving a cut and my face is slightly more "short hair compatible" lately.

Short hair and loving it. Results of a flexi-rod set on mini-twists

I've already said that I'd never do mini-twists again because 1.) They are so time consuming to install. 2.) My arms get tired. 3.) They are so time consuming. But truth be told, I spent 6.5 hours on my hair. Before it's done, I will have gotten a whole month of super low maintenance styling. I think that it's a fair trade. Actually I come out on top doing mini twists. So... yes. I wouldn't have done this style again without some urging from a friend. But I may do them again I might do them again before the length of my hair makes them a little less worth the time of the install. Plus... PLUS I got to rock hats during the winter. Big-haired naturals are all too familiar with the hat struggle. It seems small, but sometimes it's the little things that make it all worth while.

I'd say this is protective style is a win in the winter or summer. What's your favorite protective style?

ROOTS & RHYTHM: 'Til the End of Time' - Timothy Bloom feat V

I thought this song would be a great entrance into the month of love. Just in time for Valentine's Day, I came across this song while cruising tumblr, 'Til the End of Time' by Timothy Bloom featuring V. Back in 2011, Timothy Bloom and his co-writer (then, girlfriend) V. Bozeman wrote this amazing song - then released a more amazing video to match.

Timothy Bloom and V

What I loved about this video is the iconic black love that is showcased by the beautiful couple. Their gorgeous bodies, slowly oscillating while this video goes from black and white to full color, showcasing the most beautiful brown bodies one has ever seen. It's just a sexy video. The visuals are on the edge of intimacy that is usually reserved for private times.

SO FIERCE, NO HAIR REQUIRED!

I don't know what happened to Timothy Bloom - but he needs to make more music. However, V. Bozeman has done well with her career, being mentored by Cee-Lo, she's working on her independent project. V has an amazing voice and her FIERCE style! She is #teamshorthair #shorthairdontcare #baldandbeautiful! I went to her website and was BLOWN AWAY by the snippets of new work coming our way. Can't wait!

LISTEN! AMAZING! Let's cut our hair NOW!

Anyway, lets get to the video. Just enjoy it and lets all collectively wish for the rebirth of amazing R&B music!

HAIR LUST: Curly Cue

The longer you stay on your natural journey, the more you realize that simplicity is the key to maintaining your sanity! When I saw this photo I though it spoke to the glory of a simple look. Some days it's ok to let you hair do it's thing.

HAIR LUST: Shaved sides sexy!

Now that I've shaved my sides, I'm always looking up pictures of other naturals with shaved heads. Sometimes I worry about the grow back process, but hey, I gotta live in the moment. Any way, check out this FAB natural diva. Her shaved style with bold blond accent is so FLY! You can follow her on instagram -> @lemondelle

MELISSA'S HAIR: Sometimes you feel blue

Hmmm . . .  thinking of a master plan

Now, you know I love my new haircut. However, my favorite way to wear my hair, since my new cut, is straightened. But we all know, heat and natural hair is not a good combination. Well, not all the time. So, I had to figure out a nice protective style to give my hair a rest.

Love wearing my hair straight and slightly textured

Truthfully, I've caught a couple of straight pieces since wearing my hair in my new favorite style. Striaght pieces equal heat damage and "ain't no body got time for that!". So I decided, I needed to get a protective style to continue my healthy hair goals. Just because I shaved my sides doesn't mean I'm ready to shave my entire head - just because I got heat damage.

So, I installed a set of marley braids/twists on my hair. And for a bit of flair, I added a blue streak. Seriously y'all, I've been wanting to rock some blue hair for a long time. However, my super curly, super sensitive hair doesn't do well with advanced color. Added a colored extention to my hair gave me the falir I was looking for. Of course, some people don't like it, and some even called me GHETTO (that's another post entirely) but I like it and that's all that matters.

I'm going to rock these out for about three week. I think I'll install again, but use the full length of hair, I want a more dramatic look. Secretly, my goal is to have long hair and shaved sides like Casssie. To achieve it, I have to keep protecting my hair and stay AWAY from the heating elements. You know I'll keep you posted!