WE'VE MOVED

Hi all! We've moved to a new home.  Check out the new Rock Your Natural blog at www.rockyournatural.tumblr.com.  Hope to see you there! :)

GOOD HAIR: The After-thought

I went to see the Good Hair movie and the disappointment that I expected was confirmed. The movie seemed to focus more on weaves and perms; natural hair was barely discussed at all. With a title like "Good Hair" one would assume (or at least I did) that the filmmaker would actually discuss the real issue of "Good Hair/Bad Hair," but Chris Rock failed.

Although, much of the film was entertaining, there were also many parts that made me cringe. He took a controversial topic of Good Hair and made a mockery of the term. Chris Rock is a comedian, so I expected him to be funny, but I also expected him to get to the root of the issue; sadly he did not. I will spare you the details, for those planning to see the movie.

He did shed light on the negative effects of a perm on our hair and stressed that little girls should not use these chemicals, especially. He also took us "behind-the-scenes" in the weave industry by going to India where we get a large amount of the hair supply for weaves. Women in India cut their hair as part of a religious sacrifice once a year and that hair is then "given to God" in a temple. What they don't know is that the same hair they "give up to God" is being sold to American women at a Beauty Supply store near you! None of the proceeds go to the women who sacrificed their hair.

Just remember, if you are going to the movie with high hopes of a deep discussion about Good Hair vs Bad Hair, while destroying myths about our own natural hair, you will be sadly disappointed. However, if you are looking for a good laugh, then by all means, go see "Good Hair." Perhaps, he will make a Part 2 and really get to the root of Good Hair issue. We shall see....

Chris Rock's Good Hair Movie: A Pre-Thought

As most of you know, Chris Rock was inspired to create the film "Good Hair" after his precious daughter asked "Daddy, how come I don't have good hair?" Being in love with my natural locks and addicted to promoting natural hair, I instantly became excited and intrigued all at once. I thought, "Finally, somebody is going to bring the "Good hair/bad hair issue to light!" I expected the audience to leave the theater feeling encouraged and reassured that the natural hair growing from our scalp is beautiful and in fact good hair regardless of texture, density and color and we don't need perms and weaves to have "Good Hair"; perms and weaves are just options. Furthermore, I hoped the film would covey the message that Good Hair is healthy hair. Watch the trailer:

I must say, my high is coming down. After listening to reviews from those who've watched the pre-screenings and after watching the above trailer, I get the sense that Chris Rock, fails to answer his daughter's question about good hair. I also got discouraged after seeing all the celebrities at his promo parties rocking only weaves and perms, including his wife. For the record, there is nothing wrong with weaves or perms. I am happy that women have so many options with their hair. However, the message that seems to remain is "natural hair is still not good enough."

With all that being said, I'm still going to go see it because I am curious! Do I expect the film to encourage women to Rock The Natural? NO (although I secretly hope it does)! I hope that it explores the fact that the natural hair that grows out of our heads is good hair and we can be just as beautiful when we "rock our natural."

I will definitely fill a theater seat at the movie launch on October 9 to give you my final thoughts. For more information on Chris Rock's "Good Hair" visit http://www.goodhairmovie.net/ and see when the film launches in your area and go see it for yourself.

Tell me your pre-thoughts?

Delays Delays....

Hello all! I'm so sorry for the delays. Two things have caused me to take some time off from blogging...

1. My beloved cousin passed away by his own hand and I have been mourning his loss....I'm just starting to pull myself together again. His death was very sudden, tragic and completely unexpected.


2. On a more positive note, my product line, Donna Marie, is growing faster than I ever imagined and I'm thrilled! BUT....its also taking up much more of my time since I have accepted two new wholesale vendors and I am making all the products by hand! Posts will be coming soon. Keep checking back. In the meantime, check out the products at www.beautybydonnamarie.com

Thanks for your support!

P.S. Tell me what you would like to see more of on this blog (e.g hairstyling options, product explanations, home recipes, salon reviews etc). I'd like address your concerns, inquiries etc. when I return...

I'll be back in two weeks

I'm away on my Jamaica wedding/vacation. I will post again in two weeks and show you how to Rock Your Natural, island style.

Plus, stay tuned for pics of my natural hair style of choice for my wedding!

Stay tuned!

Your hair is cute...but not for your wedding....

About two posts ago, I told you a story about my soon-to-be husband loving my natural hair and embracing the idea of me rocking a natural style for our upcoming wedding. While hubby loves my hair, I've gotten more than enough rude comments from my girlfriends.

This comment tops the list, "Don't wear your hair natural to your wedding, its cute for a nice day at the park, but not your wedding!"

HUH? Where did we as black women go wrong? Who told us that our hair wasn't "glamorous" enough to rock during important events? Why should I have to put a weave in my hair to be gorgeous at my wedding?

I noticed that all of my friends that made such negative comments rock weaves constantly. I have no idea how their natural hair looks! They literally hide behind those weaves and feel that they are an absolute must have to be gorgeous. As I said before, I don't condemn weaves, I used to rock them too and still might (I haven't had one in almost a year), but I certainly don't think I need one to be beautiful.

For those of you who are about to jump the broom or for those looking for some inspiration for hairstyles to rock during important, upscale events check out the Khamit Kinks Blog for tips.

How do your non-natural friends feel about your natural hair?

Taking the Big Chop to the Next Level

Kelis


Britney Spears made headlines when she did it! Newcomer, Amber Rose made it fierce and singer Cassie followed suit. Kelis even had her own stylish variation that preceded this new trend. I'm talking about shaving it all off! Rocking a "baldini" is daring, but would you have the guts to do it? It certainly would minimize styling time and there would be no need to be a product junkie. A little bit of oil sheen and you're out the door!



Cassie


Amber Rose

Would you do this Big Chop?