THANK YOU KCBC GIRLS!

I am taking time to say a special thank you to these natural ladies for helping me with this assignment. They were so willing, patient and fun to be around!!  We may have nothing in common but our roots keeps us together. Thank you ladies 

Left to right (official kcbc girls):
Kember Arrindell
Kashia Beckles
Roshea'-lee Andrews
Jamila Annisette (myself)
Chrisle Pujadas
Jo-marie Henry
Malika Murray

All About Bantu

Today, many people are talking about wearing a Bantu Knots as a style for naturalistas. But today I am going to share some of the origins of Bantu Knots that most people are maybe unaware of. 

Jo Marie: An official KCBC model

Bantu knots is a hairstyle used for maintenance by many woman and girls in Africa and the Caribbean. However, it appears to me that not may people knew or were interested in the hairstyle until the 20th century natural hair movement. Now personally, I have knows about Bantu knots all my life but I never liked the idea of these little balls on my head. I think only because of this strong natural hair movement filled with cheerleaders and persons who are focused on ensuring that you accept your natural hair, that I began wearing my Bantu knots out.

 "Bantu knots also known as Zulu knots are created when the hair is sectioned off and twisted into knots. The shapes of the sections depend on how the hair is parted, and can easily be made into diamond, triangle or square shapes, but the possibilities are endless. This hairstyle can be worn on any hair type and any hair length, although it is popular among people of African descent.”
-snip-

The word Bantu was first used by Wilhelm Bleek (1827-1875). Bleek was a linguist born in Germany.  His dad was a professor of Theology at Berlin University and Bonn University. Bleek graduated from the University of Bonn in 1851 with a doctorate in linguistic. He studied Hebrew before falling in love with African languages. He moved and lived in South Africa and spent most of his life there researching and investigating the languages. It’s in Cape Town that he met his wife Jemina Llyod.  His wife did with him much of his researches and continued alone after his death. He actually died in South Africa and was buried in Cape Town.  See!!! Now you know about the man who was the first to use the word BANTU!

Now I know you guys get bored of the history and stuff... lol... So I will just leave you with some names that Bantu knots are also known by. 


Janx - Trinidad

Pepperseed - Trinidad 

Cork Screws - Barbados

DoDo - Nigeria

Nubian Knots - United States

Zulu Knots - South Africa

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed and you learned something! 

"BEAUTY IS NOT IN THE FACE; BUT IN THE LIGHT OF THE HEART"

How I achieved my Birthday Hair!

I am not a fan of change or trying new things. I buy what I know and I hardly ever experiment with food, especially if my money spend! lol I carried this bad habit throughout life and if became a drag! I needed some color to the grey life! So now I try new foods, new drinks, go to new places, meet new people and try new hairstyles!! 

So I am keeping my promise of writing a blog on how I achieved this look! This is called crochet braiding.  

Things you would need:

Noir Afro Twist Braid

Crochet Needle

Cup of hot water

Step 1: Cornrow entire hair going from front to back. 

Step 2: Split each Afro Twist Strand in 2

Step 3: Using the crochet needle, you lock the hair inside the needle and push it through your cornrow. 

Step 4: When the braid goes through your cornrow, it's going to look like a show lace that's folded in half. When you are at the point, you take the loose ends and put it through the looped part and pull it tightly, creating a knot. 

Step 5: I create a double knot by looping it back through  before tightening (this is optional) Then you proceed to comb through the braid. ( It is easier to handle when you comb through it because it behaves like natural hair)

Step 6: After I complete the surface, I proceeded to wrap portions of the hair around my finger and form a knot.

Step 7: I dipped the knot into a cup of extremely hot water. (Please ensure to keep a towel close by to protect your back and ear)

Step 8: Unknot braid when it is completely dried and you will get your lovely dropped curl. Many people use the curling rods but I find the finger knot to be just as effective and less costly. 

Feel free to message and ask any questions Curlies!

Look at the tutorial I used here.

PROTECT AND STYLE

What is a Protective Style?

A protective style is any coiffure configuration that keeps your ends safely tucked away. These hairdos require very little daily upkeep and help strands stay moisturized

This was my protective style in the form of crochet braids

Cnnstant washing, combing and detangling weakens your hair. Therefore it is possible to experience hair fall whenever you touch it because of this. 

Braids can be used as a form as protective style.. Braids can be used in many ways. I achieved the look in the picture above by using braids. You can use braids to cornrow on your scalp or you can have them fall loosely as plaits. The both styles are effective and hides your ends from potentially harmful effects of regular styling.  

Popular types of braids

• Box
• Cornrow
• Two strand
• Three strand
• Ghana
• Fishtail
• Micro
• French
• Dutch
• Waterfall
• Milkmaid
• Bubble

Other ways to Protect your hair using these styles are by using wigs (I never used a wig before :O), twists and updos.

 PS I took out my protective style after one day... I'm not sure why. I think I just was not accustomed to seeing so much hair on my face LOL.... But I'm sure it'll suit you. 

STAY BEAUTIFUL CURLIES!

 

Sponge Twist for Naturals (Males and Females)

My Sponge Twist

Hey guys! Sorry I've been away for a bit! The semester is taking a tool on me! Nevertheless, time to get back to business. So have you ever experienced seeing someone way younger than you getting to do something so amazing that you wish you could have done as a child? For example, when the past government gave laptops to the form one students and you're like, "The government didn't even provide all the text books when I was in school!!"..... Yeah, I'm having this dilemma currently.

My mother who is currently at her TWA (teenie weenie afro) stage is using a twist sponge. The thing about the twist sponge is that it only works really well with TWA's, in my opinion. There are supposedly Twist sponges for long hair but I do not see how it makes too much sense. When I was at the TWA stage, I had to take the palms of my hands and rub my hair in circles to achieve that fine twist look. But now, there's a sponge!! Just my luck! 

So it is basically a piece of sponge with strategically placed holes on the surface. The use of the sponge is to create many neat little twist throughout your hair in a very short span of time. I wish I had this back then because I used to sit with my rat-tailed comb and the mirror and twist my hair for about an hour. But this look is achievable in under five minutes. 

Below is a video you can look to see how the process goes.... Yes curlies, the guys are involved this time, so you better get on board as well!

  You can order your Magic Twist here.

Four BEST foods for HEALTHY HAIR

Many times we naturals forget that we can actually consume food via the mouth, like normal people do since we have a tendency of putting it in our hair. I mean half the things I see in the trolley when my mother and I are making groceries can substitute as some real good moisturizing hair masks... lol.. Coconut oil, eggs, olive oil, mayonnaise, honey, bananas and my absolute favorite AVOCADO! 

If there are any men reading..... no need to worry. This is all very normal. lol 

Below I listed the top four best foods that result in healthy hair. Now, don't get me wrong, I am a lover of DIY hair products but I also respect the natural process healthy foods releasing their nutrients throughout the body and carrying out their functions.  

1. SALMON

Fish like salmon and sardines are packed with healthy omega-3 

fatty acids that you body cannot make, therefore you have to get them from food supplements. They help protect your body from disease but your body also needs them for hair growth and to keep hair full and shine, 

2. SPINACH

Spinach is full of amazing nutrients. it has tons of Vitamin A, plus iron, beta folate and vitamin C. These work together for healthy scalp and mane. They keep your hair moisturized so that it doesn't break. 

3. POULTRY (PROTEIN)

When you do not get enough protein, hair growth "rests." Since it stops and older hairs fall out, you can have hair loss. To get protein from meat, pick lean options like chicken or turkey, which have less saturated fat than sources like beef and pork.

4. SWEET POTATOES 

Have dry hair that's lost its shine? Sweet potatoes are filled with a good-for-you antioxidant called beta carotene. Your body turns beta carotene into vitamin A. That helps protect against dry, dull hair. It also encourages the glands in your scalp to make an oily fluid called sebum that keeps hair from drying out. 

"Confident enough to be humble. Beautiful enough to be natural."

5 Successful Professionals Who Rock Their Natural Hair Fearlessly

A co-worker came to me this morning asking:

"Did you see her hair this morning? It is so big and out there. (Making hand gestures) That's not appropriate for work."

When I asked why it was not appropriate, this was the response:

"I am just not accustomed to that kind of thing."

For some, natural hair is just a fad that will soon get tiring as soon as the next new thing pops up. However, for many wearing their natural hair is a way to shun society's long-standing expectations of beauty and create a new standard. A standard that allows a woman the right to wear her hair as it naturally grows and still feel beautiful. 

Therefore, I do not understand how natural hair could come across as an unprofessional way to wear one's hair. For quite a while, the unique characteristics of black women have been undermined by Eurocentric standards of beauty and many of us have been trained to think that our hair in it's purest, natural state, affects our skills and abilities. 

Below are some ladies who challenged the nonsensical notions and made success theirs.  

1. Solange Knowles

Solange stepped out on the scene with her unapologetically huge fro! Puma saw her and wanted her. They soon after named her their new creative consultant and art director. 

2. Issa Rae

Issa Rae, creator behind the workplace comedy, The Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl (over a million views) incorporated stigmas faced by natural hair females in the workplace. She is on her way to launching her new movie with Shonda Rhimes  called "I hate L.A. dudes." There's success for ya! 

3. Ursula Burns

Ursula Burns is the head of Xerox. As the first black woman to ever secure a chief executive position in a Fortune 500 Company, Burns never allowed her Afro textured coils deter her from the pinnacle of success.

4. Esperanza Spalding

In 2011, this beauty received an award for the Best New Artist. After receiving her award with this enormous Afro, everyone wanted to know who was this woman who was brave enough to do this in a world filled of Beyonce's and Nicki's. She broke the mold while collecting one of the Music Industry's most prestigious awards.  

5. Tracee Ellis Ross 

Daughter of Dianna Ross, Tracee Ellis Ross worked in the magazine industry, which led her to modeling and subsequently acting. Many people know her big hair from the old time hit series "Girlfriends". After appearing on several other shows and movies, Ross eventually landed another lead role in the series Black-ish. The show has been a success and weekly showcase for the actress's talents and Fro. Tracee Ellis Ross is another successful natural who says "When they look at me, I hope they see a woman who accepts herself." 

See Curlies! See why I do not understand what they mean when they say our hair is "unprofessional?" Our hair does not affect our ability to be beautiful, intelligent, hard working or successful. Keep your head up and your hair big! 

"There is no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let others be inspired by how you handle your imperfections."