Faux Locs

Ciara

 There is huge trend of women rocking faux (pronounced like foe) locs *if you can't pronounce them by now you should not wear them and by the way; do us all a favor do a twerk dance with a 18 wheeler*.

Zendaya

After Ciara sported them during her pregnancy and Zendaya wore them at the Oscars, now many women are seeking to sport this look. Amongst the natural locs this trend is stirring up some controversy. While natural locs and naturals are saying this is a disgrace to those that are truly natural. Then there is the issue that many professional stylist don’t want to offer this service as so many non professional stylist are “low balling” and charging way less for this extensive service.

Meagan Goode

Many naturalistas say that this is like a slap in the face to those that have grown their locs for many years to have that long beautiful look of natural locs. Where as this style uses synthetic hair; which looks very shiny and plastic like. Some naturals are using this as a protective style during the summer. While others are wearing just because it’s trendy and many celebrities are embracing this look.  I only caution those deciding to wear this style to ensure that you have the right proportion of synthetic hair to the base of your natural hair as well as not being super tight to scalp. These locs are heavy which creates stress to the hair follicle which cause breakage and or alopecia. So choose your installation tech with extreme caution. Cheap doesn’t equate to best or healthy, nor does most expensive either.  Do your due diligence.

Tasha Smith

Professional stylist don’t want to offer this service as because so many unprofessional or home stylist have low balled this service that many people don’t want to pay for the long hours of installation that this takes. Depending on length and size these locs can take 6-10 hours to complete. With that being said many stylist say that they can make more money by taking their regular clients in a day as opposed to taking this one client with such a lengthy service. Faux locs has a very similar install such like loc extensions. This is a temporary style that can be worn for up to 2 months. So stylist other argument is that people who get this service will not return for anything else. As a stylist myself, I do prefer people who will become long term returning client. We, stylists, like clients that we can grow with and become like family and friends.

Jhene Aiko

Either way faux locs are very popular this spring and summer. Whether you are a naturalista wearing for protection or a weave wearer who wants a more natural look or a woman whom just wants to fit in and be a part of the trend. No matter if you are a professional stylist that offers the service at higher cost or the home stylist that does it for the low low. This style is definitely here to stay during the warm months of heat and humidity. Its definitely a personal preference whether you wear them or offer the service. To the stylist, get your coins and to the people who rock this look wear it with pride…Eff the naysayers (well as long as they look good and not a mess LOL)

Rhianna

Blatant Subliminals

While many of you are watching the new Fox drama entitled Empire. Which some of you see the portrayal of the typical black stereotypes and the Willie Lynch Letter being acted out on prime time television. There is a blatant subliminal message that they are portraying and that many are overlooking. 

What is that message you ask? Well its the message of ALS in African American Men. Why all of a sudden is there this surge in promoting awareness to this disease? Hmmmm I am not sure. But with the numbers showing that ALS mainly affects Caucasian Men with a study that was done from January 1 2009 to December 31, 2011 neurologist submitted 5,914 case reports and 75% were Caucasian (between the ages of 60-69), 11% Hispanic(50-69 in age), 9.3% African American (between the ages of 50-59) and 3.6% Asian (60-69 in age).

(courtesy of http://www.neurologyreviews.com/the-publication/clinical-news-meeting-coverage-and-literature-monitor/article/als-incidence-varies-by-race-and-ethnicity/6e443d620fd37220f3174a9e4632f1c9.html) 

So with such low numbers amongst African american men, it makes me wonder if they are creating awareness of this disease with the Empire Show and the Ice Bucket Challenge because they are secretly increasing the numbers by intentionally infecting black men with the disease. There was a study done that shows that Gulf War Veterans are twice as likely to develop the disease. 

When research is done on a disease researchers have to recreate it in order to figure out how to come up with a cure. I don’t trust the government when it comes to disease control and cures. As we all know that cancer has been in research for years and reportedly there is no cure. Yet the pharmaceutical industries, radiation treatments and dialysis companies are growing rich exponentially from “extending lives" by way of offering feel good for now drugs and services. 

There is an epidemic in America where they like to keep everyone sick so that companies can profit off your illness. With the Food and Drug Administration being one huge conglomerate that pumps unnatural things into our food and water supply to keep Americans in this perpetual cycle of fake food and dirty water which makes people sick and sick people buy prescription drugs. Wake up and see what the government is cooking (bacon is on the menu LOL but so serious). 

Let’s be more conscious of what we consume in our bodies. Stop eating fake foods and stop making these pharmaceutical companies rich. Leave the pharmacy and seek out your nearest farm-acy. Grow your own foods or find a community garden in your area. Open your eyes and realize the real lies in prescription drugs that only mask the pain for a short amount of time and never heals the underlying cause. Consider this a friendly reminder that what you put in your body comes out in your hair skin and nails. Its really simple to be healthy and drug free. 

Powerful Remarks from Zendaya

Here we go again with yet another ignorant comment about locs in the media by uneducated persons who don't have them.

This is what locs look like when they are "stylish and edgy" (according to rancic)

So apparently Giuliana Rancic thinks that people who wear locs smells like “patchouli oil and weed” and Kelly Osbourne agrees (courtesy of http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelzarrell/zendaya-wrote-a-powerful-defense-of-her-dreadlocks-after-rac#.cxVAPoVzw). I am curious to know if they actually know anyone or met anyone that has locs. Its quite interesting that same person could say that Kylie Jenner's locs are "stylish and edgy" out of one side of her mouth then turn around and say negative comments about Zendaya's extremely neat faux locs out of the other side of her mouth (LMAO *gives major side eye*). Although, I am elated that Zendaya had such a powerful and educated response to the backlash of her hairstyle choice.  In her response she noted some well-known people in the media who wear the beautiful mane of locs.  She even gave credit to people, whom I had never heard of before, who also choose to wear locs.  I have a new found respect for Zendaya after such an atrocity of negative comments were made during the E! Network Fashion Police show.

This is what locs look like when they "smell like patchouli oil and weed" (according to rancic)

This is another example of how some people are blind to the fact that different is beautiful. As well as beauty stands out of the crowd and refuses to blend in. Locs have always had negative connotations in society. And I believe that my fellow locstars can change this thought pattern. After being at the Bronner Brothers International Hair Show this weekend in Atlanta. I saw some pretty amazing styles and all kinds of people choosing this loc’d look.

I believe that locs should be acceptable everywhere, from schools to corporate America to the Entertainment Industry (outside of rap).   Locs are a statement to one’s own identity and to some are apart of their personality. By rocking your locs out loud no matter if they are dreadlocks or locs, neat or frizzy, freshly styled or no maintenance for several weeks, you stand out in a crowd by means of your mane saying I’m different. Locs and dreadlocks are worn by a gamut of people: students, business professionals, entrepreneurs, entertainers and more. As a community of locstars and dreadheads we have to shatter this ill-advised thought process of negativity. We will not be classified as a generation of misfits because we choose to wear our hair outside of the mainstream. We hold our heads up high, walk with pride and we put our best into anything that we do while achieving greatness.  We are not our hair but we are a positive force to be reckoned with! Locstars and Dreadheads unite!

Rancic issues an apology:

Consultations

Why Consultations Are Important

Ever been to a new stylist and you left unsatisfied with the work? Have you had a first time visit with a stylist that performed below your expectations? Well here are the reasons why it didn't work out for you.


As a client seeking a stylist you should want to interview them prior to that stylist performing services on you. This is an important key factor, as this will allow you insight into their skillset and knowledge level. At the time of a consultation you should seek the following:

1.     Pictures of their work: This will allow you to see their styling abilities and progression photos of their clients.
  

2.     Products used: They should be able to explain to you what products they use and why.

3.     Knowledge of their craft: How well educated are they of the services they provide.

4.     A sense of their work environment: Is it comfortable for you? Is it peaceful, private, and clean?

5.     Obtain a feel of the stylist personality and work ethics: Are they professional, personable, easy going?

By setting up a consultation you will be able to get a better understanding of the stylist providing services. As well as explain what you get for your money. You should feel comfortable in their environment and get all your questions answered. Some clients skip this step and once they get services rendered they are unsatisfied. Going to a stylist that requires a consultation will ensure that you are happy with your hairstyle or maintenance and you are receiving a value for your monies spent. Consultations can range in price from free to upwards of $100.  Sometimes money for consultation can be applied towards services while other stylist charge for their time and knowledge. Either way if you are required to do a consultation usually you will be happy with services and feel much more comfortable with the stylist that will be caring for your tresses. It’s really easy to S.imply K.eep Y.our H.air H.ealthy.

Anthony Mackie disrespects people with "dreadlocks"

After reading and watching the interview with Anthony Mackie online for The Grio:

http://thegrio.com/2015/01/20/anthony-mackie-selma-oscar-snub-black-white/

My thoughts are as follows:

First of all, basically what you are saying anthony is that black actors and actresses are NOT “damn good performers “ or “the best the industry has to offer”.?  I guess to you a black person would’ve had to create the first movie, produce, direct, act in it, do hair and make up, edit, promote and sale way over budget in order to be considered for an Oscar in your book. Humph… inserts blank stare. I’m just saying, there are way too many talented, best in the industry and damn good black performers that have been snubbed time and time again, when it comes to the Oscars.

Anthony Mackie blank starring at himself

Side note: Honestly I didn’t think that 12 Years a Slave deserved an Oscar. It was not the best acting that I’ve seen. Just a different version/view point of the same old slave story that been told over and over and OVER again. Lupita, I love you lady with your gorgeous dark skin tone and eloquence that surpasses most.  But why did you really get that Oscar… Let me remind you: it was a hand me down just to say “Oh we gave Y’all an Oscar, so shut up with your nagging and take this award for being a concubine of the slave master.” Oh wait isn’t that what Halle Berry won her Oscar for too… being the white man’s concubine.  Hmmmm seems to be a trend her for black female actresses. Let me go even further Hattie McDaniel won an Oscar in 1940 for playing a “Mammy” role in Gone with the Wind. Fast-forward to 2009 and when Mo’Nique wins it for playing a drug addicted, welfare recipient, bad mother, and angry black woman in the movie Precious. Let’s not forget Octavia Spencer in The Help, serving white people and raising their children in their homes.  So it looks to me as most of the wins are for black people playing negative roles. As far as the male actors we are not going to speak on that, too much too little time.

Secondly you said that, “People are just tired of being bombarded with race right now,” Mackie said. “So everybody is shying away from certain topics and certain movies.”  Soooo the movie “Black or White is not a race movie… Hmmm title sure does state otherwise.

Now on to the most blatant lines of self hate.  ““Like my nephew wanted to grow dreadlocks. I’m like fine, I’ll sit you down and I’ll watch The First 48 with you and everybody you see on that show, that’s doing something wrong, they’re black dudes with dreadlocks. So, do you want to be seen as part of the problem or do you want to be an individual?”

“Let’s just say you have locks and you walking down the street. The police pull you over and say you fit the description of somebody.  You start yelling and arguing with the cops. Next thing you know you pressed up against the wall going to jail for something you’re not even involved in just because you look like somebody and you don’t know how to handle yourself,” Mackie said.

Anthony Mackie giving side eye to own comments.

Like really dude, I’m curious to see your response would be the same if you had a niece and she wanted to date a white man. Would you sit her down and have her to watch episodes of COPS, because just about every person on there is a deranged white man on drugs. Crazy right, yeah I know.

The third thing for you to stereotype dreadlocks says to me that you have zero interactions with people that have them.  *In my snooty white voice* I take it all of your friends are white.  *Does snobby fake laugh* TUH, Dude give me a break. I have a well assorted group of clients and most of which work in corporate America, working as high as C level executives and some are well to do self sufficient entrepreneurs. These men and women are law-abiding citizens who not only stand out as an INDIVIDUAL because they don’t conform to the standards of what America sees fit for a black man or woman.  You my friend, blend in and make the white people feel safe when you have a low cut hairstyle for men or a long flowing weave or relaxed hair for women.

The loc stars and dread heads that I know definitely don’t contribute to the problem when they are consistently overcoming barriers, roadblocks and pure hate from those that don’t share the beautiful hue of black. Matter of fact when they excel they stand out and never do they blend in, showing people that you cannot clump “everyone” together. Your comments were just as ignorant as someone saying Every black person receives welfare benefits. Numbers show that most recipients are white.

I get it you are trying to play it safe so you can continue to work, but you fail to realize that you, mr mackie are part of the problem, much more than you know. For you to belittle your own race proves you have no backbone, no love of self and furthermore no respect for our race. I officially revoke your black card and shred it to pieces. Your love of money and self-hate is proving you to be a disgrace to even be called black. Your own mother should spit in your face while your father bops you upside the head. How dare you to even form your lips to say that every black man with dreadlocks is a part of the problem? Or maybe this was a stunt tactic to drive people to go see the movie you play a supporting role in. You boy are no Denzel Washington, Not even a Will Smith, or even a smidgen of Samuel L. Jackson. Get over yourself, most people only know you from your 1 blockbuster hit The Hurt Locker or the movie Notorious.

It’s sad to see when someone makes it to top the feel the need to deprecate the ones that supported him or her from the beginning. I pray that you become conscious and wake up then I can reissue your black card. LOL Understand that you have a platform that can be leveraged in a positive way, yet instead you used it in a negative light. I hope your nephew does grow a set of “dreadlocks” and he will come to me to get them started.  I will sit him down and show him the true king that he is. I will enlighten him on how our ancestors were kings and queens and wore their hair in its natural state. The opportunity to open his mind to see how beautiful, intelligent, creative and unique our people are would be priceless. Teaching a young king to be unlike you would make a world of difference. Meanwhile I'll leave you with this video: