Are Locs/Natural Hair appropriate in the workplace?

Corporate Professional

Business Professional

Times have changed but not quite enough. After having some conversations with my clients and hearing of their experiences in the corporate realm it makes me wonder have times really changed?

Listen you corporate thugs, (those that try and dictate how a person is supposed to look in a business setting) locs are just as if not more professional than those who wear scraggly weaves. You can't be serious and think that someone who comes in with a weave that literally sits atop their head looking like a helmet or a person who's hair is limp and oily or with a bad color job is business professional. And what does hair have to do with someone's ability to do the job hired to do anyway?  Besides how does a persons hair affect their ability or skill set to do the their job? The answer for some could be "Confidence". If a person feels confident on the inside it will show in aspects of their life. But when Big Corp inserts doubt now said persons work may slack a bit. This could be a far fetched idea but hey it's just my opinion/thought process. 

Ava DuVernay

That's like saying that the person who gets a D on a paper but wears straight hair or low cut is better suited to pass the class rather than the person who gets an A and wears locs or natural hair will likely fail the class. Sounds pretty silly right? Well this is the logic you are sending when saying someone is not a professional b/c they choose to adorn a more natural look with their hair. 

Hidiyah Green

Come oooooonnnnn we have professionals such as; Ava Duvernay - Screenwriter, Hadiyah Green - Medical Physicist, Dr. Kari Williams - Trichologist, Brian Terrell - Lawyer, Carolyn Edgar - VP /Legal Counsel for Estée Lauder and Kellen Darada - Attorney to give some examples of locs being represented in Professional America. Not to mention there are a host of others that are not known, that are excelling while working in their professional arena.  

Dr. Kari Williams

No one should feel the need to contemplate how they wear their hair in order to please the masses nor should they have to think that their hair will be the reason they don't get a promotion or a career of their choice. Besides  experience and qualifications are the basis that deems a person employable, right? People who work hard and have drive, passion, focus and put forth effort to be the best at what they do should be rewarded for it and not passed over simply because of their hair. Trust I understand  having a look that appeals to the client base. But if you are uncomfortable with how one chooses to wear their hair then maybe you shouldn't be in face to face arena and should work from home. 

Brian Terrell

Carolyn Edgar

Locs are stunning and versatile. They have the ability to fit in any environment with proper grooming and care. Locs can be professional, corporate friendly, formal and creative. So to all my corporate professionals, kudos to you for being excellent at what you do while rocking your locs out loud and proud!

Corporate Professional

Instant Locs - 5 reasons you should choose this technique

Instant Locs

Instant Locs - Smedium Size

There is a new trend sweeping the loc world and its called Instant Locs/InstaLocs. Yes this is a thing now. Gone are the days of starting Locs with comb coils. Today there are a wide variety of techniques to start Locs. 

For those that didn’t know here are a few ways to start locs:

• The traditional comb coil 
• Double strand twist
• Interlocking/ plaits 
• Instant Locs and 
• Loc extensions 

So you've decided to start Locs. You have been doing your research and want more information about instant Locs. Well here are 5 reasons to choose this technique over the others.

Large Instant Locs

Instant Locs on Relaxed Hair

Starter Dreadlocks - Straight Hair

1. Shorter time to achieve mature Locs - with instant Locs you will have the look of budding Locs on day 1. The process is long and tedious but afterwards you won't have to hear people ask, “What are you doing with your hair?” You'll shave off several months of the loc'ing process with this technique
2. Curl Pattern/ Texture is not of concern - Instant Locs can be done on anything from straight to overly curly or for those that follow the "Hair Type/ texture guide" from  2A to 4C. The technique matts the hair to create a loc with a tool. Even if you have relaxed ends, like literally it almost doesn't matter what you have going on with your hair, you can get choose this technique. Don't fret anyone will be able to adorn this look with a professional Loctician. 
3. Longer hair is best suited for this technique - so you've been told that your hair is too long to start Locs. Unfortunately you went to someone who is not well versed on all things Locs/dreads. Lucky for you because instant Locs requires longer hair to achieve this look. The only down side is that you'll loose inches based on the method used to mat your hair. But you'll have mature Locs before you know it.
4. Perfect for the active person on the go - you work out, play sports or just sweat a lot. Unlike the comb coil method, instant Locs allows you to sweat profusely without worrying about how your starter locs will look afterwards. Not to mention the fact that you won't have a matted mess atop your head. Because with instant Locs being interlocked at the scalp it will be easier to maintain and keep bases solid/ together.
5. Shampooing made easy - with instant Locs you can shampoo your hair when needed. (Although not recommended in the first few weeks) if you are in dire need of cleaning your hair you can. You'll be able to shampoo your hair without the stress of all your hair being matter together and your bases will stay in place.  

Smedium sized Instant Locs

The cost of instant locs varies depending on the area you reside (But be prepared to pay as it is extremely time consuming and a well trained stylist won't be cheap.) It will take anywhere from 4-9 hours depending on the length of your hair and the size you desire them to be. Either way this is a great choice for those seeking to have the look of locs on day 1 with their natural hair.  Remember that I S.imply K.eep Y.our H.air H.ealthy! 

The New Era of Locs - Locs Banned & Faux Locs on Runway

It's 2016 and locs have made quite the scene in America this year alone.

Let's begin with popular America and you have Justin Bieber garnishing locs, aka dreadlocks, on his blonde tresses. Although he received quite a bit of backlash from his “cultural appropriation” and rocking this “dreadlock style” the better half of America thought it was trendy. Did we forget Kylie Jenner did the same thing in 2015?  But when Zendaya wore faux locs to the Oscars OHHHH HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

Taking a stroll over to Goddess Locs/Faux Locs becoming ever more prominent as a staple summer style. For those that choose to wear this style, its great, as you are now a little more awake in finally seeing the beauty of locs, that many of us have adorned numerous years already. (Slow Claps hands for you stepping outside the box) I'm happy to see more women embracing natural hair and the plethora of styling options. 

And what about the introduction of the “FAUX LOC WIG”? (Lawd help me now) So the wonderful people over in China, talented and quick (admiration), have fused together the wig and faux locs. Who knew this style was that popular? Like, I literally watched several beauty and hair bloggers try this “thing” on in several YouTube videos.  (Eyes wide open then side eye smirk)

Moving forward we have in the fashion world Marc Jacobs styling his models with faux locs, during Fashion Week for the launch of the Spring 2017 collection. (Essence Magazine Article) Again “Cultural Appropriation” strikes at best in the “Good Ol’ U.S. of A”.  Marc Jacobs is quoted by saying that  “I respect and am inspired by people and how they look. I don’t see color or race - I see people. Appreciation (Appropriation) of all and inspiration from anywhere is a beautiful thing.”  Ugggghhhhh here we go.

Yet in the same month we have the federal appeals court that ruled that locs can be banned at work. (Huffington Post Article) So wait you mean to tell me, that having locs is a determining factor on whether a person will perform their job? Sheeeeesh you have got to be kidding me.  I mean, when did hair become something that interferes with how knowledgeable (brain) or talented (hands, eyes and etc.) a person is? 

So America, Merica what you are telling me is that, I as, a black person cannot wear natural locs in a corporate setting/environment as they are “mutable”(alterable) and not “immutable” (unalterable). Yet celebrities such as the likes of Tyra Banks, Megan Goode and Ciara are, at best, different for wearing a goddess faux locs. While other pop culture celebs: Kylie Jenner and Justin Bieber are innovative and trend setting. (Rolls eyes).  The fashion world can strut faux locs down the runway while China exploits this whole “culture appropriation” and America’s eerily strange fascination with locs.

I’m so confuzzled (confused and puzzled) right now. As a woman who has been adorning natural locs for the past 10 years and who services a gamut of professionals; both men and women who are phenomenal employees, management and business owners; most of which have been in their careers for a minimum of 4-5 years. I am extremely appalled at the forthcoming of ignorance and “culture appropriation” that has come to light in the past few years. Show me where on the SAT, ACT, LSAT, CFP, MCAT, and any other state, government licensing board and educational board where locs or hairstyles deem a person employable/knowledgeable.  (I’ll wait)

Well, all this shows is that locs are a trending topic! So if you are just starting your journey or been down with team locs, apparently we are the new “it thing”. Don’t fret my lovelies. Locs are not going anywhere, not now and not ever. Our ancestors back in ancient Egypt, I meant Kemet, wore locs. How do we know? Take a look at the hieroglyphs on the walls in stone… Looks like locs to me! LOL  Anywhooo I will ensure to S.imply K.eep Y.our H.air H.ealthy as locs are stunning, especially when maintenanced by Angie SKYHH.

How to Achieve a Natural Glow

Natural Skin Care

In today’s society where beauty is considered to be plastered on with what looks to be 10lbs of makeup, how do you maintain beautiful skin naturally? The answer is very simple… meal planning and water.  I know that sounds like it’s too good to be true.  What you put in your body comes out through your hair, skin and nails. So make better decisions on what you eat and drink.

Meals that are well balanced and heavier on vegetables will give your skin the glow you’ve always wanted. I mean did you really think that fried foods, cakes/pies and sodas was going to have looking flawless like Beyonce’, Rhianna or Kim K.? Ensure that your meals include a spectrum of the rainbow. Colorful meals not only look good on a plate but they also provide an abundance of vitamins and nutrients that will aide in beautiful skin naturally.

Take a moment and think of your favorite plant or flower. Now would you nourish that plant or place those flowers in soda or juice?  So why do you feed your body those overly sweetened drinks?  The key to elasticity in skin is consuming plenty of water, at least a gallon a day or as close to it as possible. Keeping hydrated with water significantly reduces the aging process, which curtails wrinkles and saggy skin. Combine with a regular exercise routine and you can look young forever.

Now for those of you that have indulged in unhealthy eating habits and your skin shows it by means of acne, scars and etc. there are some topical remedies that will help. But first you MUST adhere to advice that was aforementioned in order for it to work.

Keep the following items at home as they will help to achieve radiant skin and reduce the visibility of scars:

-       Fresh Lemons

-       100% Pure Tea Tree Oil

-       Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO)

-       Coconut Oil

-       Ground Cinnamon

-       Raw Honey

-       Greek Yogurt

-       Turbinado Sugar

By mixing a combination of these ingredients you will notice smoother, blemish free, glowing skin, which will almost eliminate the need for any makeup.

Lemons are acidic and have natural lightening affects.  By applying fresh squeezed lemon juice to scars on a regular basis, it will over time lighten scars and blemishes.

Tea Tree oil is antibacterial and will help to alleviate acne. Tea tree oil MUST be diluted with a carrier oil such as JBCO or coconut oil when applied to the skin. Best result when used at night before retiring to bed. Or it can be applied then steamed into the skin with a hot towel.

JBCO is used to help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It provides a amazing moisture to your skin and aides in keeping that youthful look.

Coconut Oil has a ton of uses and its antimicrobial. It provides a light UV protectant from the sun.

 

Ground cinnamon when mixed with turbinado sugar and raw honey will give you natural looking pink lips. Not only that but it will make you lips softer and more kissable, so pucker up and scrub away! Blend ingredients with fresh lemon juice to lighten dark lips.

Greek yogurt contains natural bacteria that will reduce inflammation and the severity of acne breakouts. It is an alpha hydroxy acid that will exfoliate dead skin cells. Mix with honey and lemon juice to lighten and moisturize at the same time.

These tips, will over time, work with consistent use to give you that “I woke up like this” look, naturally. Eventually you will reduce the need for makeup and be beautifully you from the inside out!