L'Oreal-Mizani is doing the most!

L'Oreal Paris has just signed alt-pop uber-star Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes, as the new spokesperson for their professional grade, kink-centric product division, Mizani.  Shoniwa is famous for her daring fashion,  and super-sweet vocals.  She is not afraid to werk her kinks!  Kudos Mizani.
Hit the flippy-flip for more pics of the beautiful Mz. Shingai. - YB

FOLLOW FRIDAY!!

If you like what you see on the blog, follow us!  Click the 'Join This Site'  link directly under the archives to your right.  Once we reach 100 followers, we will be doing a Shea Moisture Give-Away to one lucky kinky!!!  Help us reach that milestone.  We promise, you won't be sorry!! - YB

Lolzzz!!! Kinky GIF of the Week!

Solo in Cannes!

It's nice to see a natural sister getting so much shine on the world stage.  Solo Knowles in Stephane Rollande at the Great Gatsby Premiere in Cannes.

3 Simple things you can do RIGHT NOW to increase hair growth!

So you're interested in growing your hair longer, faster. Me too! There are a few things that you can do everyday that will help you on you mission:

Massage Your Scalp
Increased blood flow to the scalp leads to increased hair growth. The key to scalp massage success is consistency. Massage your scalp for 2-4 minutes everyday, keeping your fingers planted in the same area, and moving them slowly in a circular motion, applying only moderate pressure.  You can add oil to your massage regimen to lubricate your scalp. Pure natural oils - olive, avocado, almond, jojoba, or coconut -  will be your best bet!

Inversion Therapy
Inversion therapy is a fancy name for hanging upside down.  Opinions are mixed as far as the efficacy of this treatment!  If the idea that increased blood flow to the scalp will help increase growth, then inversion can't hurt!  You don't need any fancy equipment.  You can simply hang you head off the side of your bed, or bend over (while standing), as if to touch your toes.  Downward dog is always a handy pose for inversion.

Drink Water
It is a scientific fact that inadequate water consumption has an adverse effect cell function.  Hair growth is a cellular process where by the follicle divides, pushing cells outward into the shaft, constantly. If the follicle does not have enough hydration, it's ability to divide (grow) will slow down, and eventually diminish.  So drink your water people!!

Oregon Legislature Passes Natural Hair care Bill



Amber Starks - Natural hairstylist and advocate for the new Oregon Natural Hair Legislation.

This is a really cool story.

In many states, it is illegal for people to practice natural hair care (braiding, twisting, locking, cornrowing etc.), without a cosmetology license.   Any one who has a cosmetology license,  knows the rigors of prep, study, and testing to become certified. It's no joke - 1,700 hours of training at a minimum.

These requirements have stopped many Africans and African-Americans from practicing something that has been passed down from generation to generation.  It has stopped black women from running these types of businesses, and has driven the respective revenue out of the state.  If you think about it, there are no chemicals involved, no clippers, no heat, no scissors....so is it really fair to require so much training?  I think not...and the lawmakers of Oregon agree.

Democrats and Republicans came together unanimously to strike down the current requirements, and instead have implemented a much less intensive online certification.  This is a very smart move on the legislators' part.  More small businesses = more revenue for the state.  Win-Win. Read more about the decision here.  - YB

BENETTON is Back!

Benetton was the go-to brand for multicultural, political, cutting edge, shocking, and beautiful advertising back in the 1980's and 90's.  They are back, doing what they do best for Spring 2013.  We ride hard for anyone who bigs-up Alek Wek! Hit the flip for some more gorgeous pics.

Throw Back Tuesday!!

Now I'm not advocating smoking but this ad is giving me life right now!!

The Accidental Twist-Out!

So, I like to take my hair out of my protective style on Fridays....let the locks breath for a day before I wash on Saturdays.  This week, I took down my hair, and I think I may have had a half way decent twist-out...  It's been a while since I've had an OK twist-out.  I've had to contend with my mini-chop, and my weakened edges, which have conspired to keep me from twist-out nirvana.

Now, I will say, twisting your hair for twist outs requires more prep - different products, and perhaps a tighter twist to promote definition.  Being that a twist-out was not my intent, I didn't use any stylers (just curl enhancing smoothie and shea butter), and my flat twist were big-ish and not that tight. The result is what you see.  I kind of likey.

 

Have You Ever Heard of MSM?

I hadn't either until quite recently.

After I posted the article about L'Oreal's  new hair growth product, I got to thinking.  I said to myself: 'Self, you know what would be awesome?  Being able to extend the anagen (growth) phase in your hair growth cycle.'  I thought I had come up with the most brilliant idea in the world.  If you can extend the growth phase, you can buck your genes, and have longer hair than you are genetically predestined to.  You follow?

 I decided to Google my brilliant idea, thinking it was somehow original....What I discovered was a supplement called MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), which it alleged to extend the anagen phase of hair growth.  MSM is 'a naturally occurring form of sulfur found in many foods', that is critical in providing the sulfur necessary to produce collagen and keratin - the proteins required for healthy hair growth.

There has been limited research done on the efficacy of the sulfur-based supplement, with  one unpublished study claiming increased hair growth in subjects, and a published study claiming hair growth in rodents.  The majority of the information available is anecdotal....you can check out many stories or less shedding, thicker hair, etc on any natural hair care forum.  Widespread scientific studies have yet to be done.

I have not tried MSM, and I probably won't, as I've been seeing tremendous growth with my current hair regimen, and vitamin/biotin regimen....If it ain't broke....

I'd be interested to know if any of you guys decide to try it.  Sounds interesting!  - YB

Read more about it on WebMD:
and form our friends at LongHairCorner.com