Ok, so I’ve heard about this method on the internet and decided to share. You know how full wigs always have a black part? Well, since nobody has a black part I will explain how you can use something very simple to make that part look real.

You will need:

1. Wig of choice

2. Eyeshadow

All you need to do is dap some scalp colored eye shadow on the black part and VOILA! A more realisitic looking part.

Before:

After:

This is Silhouette Sani in 1b. I love this wig so much I think I’m going to order another.

Here’s the wig on the model. They never do the wig justice!

Hey everyone! I started a forum for black hair cared called theGLAMlife. It’s a place for women to converse about black hair care. Many black women do not practice good hair practices and therefore have severely damaged hair. Hopefully, the word will get out about this forum, not only to women who are in need of good haircare advice but to those who already know and we can all become enlightened.I’d appreciate it if everyone could check it out! Thx.

http://theGLAMlife.getphpbb.com

Here’s a quick preview of the site:

Hey all! Ever get those synthetic BSS wigs that are so shiny they practically blind you? Well, here I will show you how to tone down the shine and make the wig look more natural.

You will need:

1. A bowl/container big enough to place the wig in

2. Vinegar (distilled white or apple cider)

3. Baby powder

First, fill the container 3/4 of the way with water. Second, pour in 2 capfuls of vinegar. Allow the wig to soak for 1 hour. Gently wring the wig out and allow it to dry. Once it is dry, take some baby powder in your hands and rub it together. Then, run the powder through the wig. Repeat as necessary.

This is the end result (Sorry, I can’t find the before pic)

Jason Nwansi performed this powerful piece on BET UK for black history month this year…

Also check out his single (as Wan-Cee)  “What’s Urban” ft Neon Hitch

Hello readers, I haven’t been updating awhile but that’s because I haven’t had much going on. I bought this wig about 3 weeks ago and have been wearing it ever since. I keep my hair cornrowed underneath. About once a week I mist it with a mix of fabric softener and twist up the curls overnight. It helps cut down the frizz.

The style is Flora by Silhouette. I ordered a 1b but this brand runs dark so it is more like a 1.

Do you shop at Casual Male XL? Did you let their recent mailing sit on your kitchen table for over a week and nearly throw it out in the trash? If you still have it, open it immediately. There’s a $20 coupon inside that’s good until Christmas Eve and the best part is you only have to spend $20 or more pretax to get it.

I have some nice watches that I only wear to the office or when I go out and need to make an impression, but I also have a handful of watches that I like to wear with my casual wear clothes.

626 Blue has a line of watches for all occasions at Casual Male XL. I picked out this one for $30, but after the discount was applied I only paid $10 plus sales tax.

A steal for a watch I can wear on Casual Friday or on weekends, don’t you think?

Samkvæmt nýjustu fréttum er “fráleitt að skerða sjómannaafslátt þar sem hann er hluti af launum sjómanna” (http://ruv.is/heim/frettir/frett/store64/item311214/).

Þetta er laukrétt ábending hjá talsmanni sjómanna.

Hún hittir hins vegar ekki allskostar í mark hjá mér sem talsmanni Bandalags háskólamanna á tímum þar sem einmitt er verið að afnema hluta launa minna félagsmanna vítt og breitt.   Og engar líkur á að því linni.

Sjálf ríkisstjórnin hefur fyrirskipað þessa launaskerðingu með “leiðarljósi” sem hún gaf út í vor í skýrslu um aðhald í ríkisrekstri.

Auk þess að afnema laun með beinum hætti með breytingum á ráðningarkjörum, þar sem m.a. yfirvinnutímar og akstursgreiðslur eru teknar burt, eru kjör launafólks skert með  breytingum á vinnufyrirkomulagi, vaktakerfum og/eða starfshlutfalli. 

Þannig hefur allt undangengið ár verið unnið markvisst að því að minnka kostnað við launagreiðslur til fólks yfir ákveðnum lágmörkum (400 þúsund krónur í heildarlaun eru viðmiðið hjá ríkinu og lægri tölur hjá sveitarfélögum).

BHM þiggur alla aðstoð, sjómanna eða annarra, við að benda á hversu fráleitt það er að afnema hluta launa fólks á erfiðleikatímum.

Við gerð stöðugleikasáttmála lýstu fulltrúar BHM vilja til að bíða með kröfur um kjarabætur til þess að hægt væri að lagfæra kjör þeirra tekjulægstu.  Það er súrt í broti að fjármögnun þeirra kjarabóta og launahækkana á lægstu töxtum skuli þurfa að sækja með launalækkunum fólks úr okkar röðum.

Nú eru í farvatninu breytingar á skattkerfi landsins og ljóst að þörf fyrir aukna innheimtu til hins opinbera er mikil. 

Á erfiðum tímum má álíta eðlilegt að skattahækkanir til að mæta slíkum kröfum séu lagaðar að aðstæðum ólíkra hópa og reynt að hlífa þeim sem hvað lökust kjör hafa.

Þannig mætti vel rökstyðja að hlífa lægstu hópunum við hækkunum en leggja þær frekar á ”breiðu bökin”. 

Ef við hins vegar setjum hugsanlegar skattkerfisbreytingar í samhengi við yfirstandandi launatilfærsu milli tekjuhópa,  getum við þá með góðu móti haldið því fram að nú séu aðstæður að lækka skattheimtu einhvers staðar í kerfinu?

Auf in den Norden: Re-Loc Party – introducing the new location of Black History Month Hamburg 2010! Am Samstag, 14. November 2009 um 22:00 Uhr…
We invite everybody to join us for a jump up at Café Schöne Aussichten in Hamburgs city center directly at Planten un Blomen city park.
soul, afrobeats, reggae, salsa and live performance of Love Newkirk – don´t miss it!

Bring your friends and good vibez!!!

www.endhivaids.com

In the event Joe Stern-McGovern, President of Universal Artists, International, hasn’t made this point clear, in the name of the betterment of mankind, it is his intention to guide UAI into even further ventures of charity through the medium of the arts.

Coming early in 2010, please look for the World Mixtape, brainchild of Joe Stern-McGovern of UAI and Pure-Records of Tokyo fame, as well as various contacts throughout Western Europe. The agency’s coalition of sorts intends to release the mixtape, an American phenomenon which creates not only entertainment for the common man of the streets, but a vehicle for the next generation of hip hop artists to display their wares at an affordable price in the name of world health and the relief of the human condition.

www.myspace.com/blackflockgang

For further clarification of the definition of a mix tape, such as those which helped launch the careers of heavyweights such as Nelly and Ludacris, look for postings which clarify the concept from several of Universal Artists, International’s own top acts such as Mouf Piece of da City, one half of Dem Hardheadz, blood brothers, and the notorious lyricist and frontman, Mr. Hood Shuttlesworth of the FAM Boy$ out of Birmingham, Alabama.

Such concepts, as defined by authentic masters of the game, should help apply validity to Universal Artists, International’s product as one of genuine quality and true to the game. Along with the products defined, our guests to the major charitable site under construction, www.endhivaids.com, will find educational links to help increase awareness of HIV/AIDS, as well as methods of prevention and sites which to donate or participate in the uphill struggle against the disease.

It's all about Ms. Fame

One feature of particular interest to fans of Universal Artists, International and Shaka Production’s lineup of stars such as Black Flock Gang, A-Dub and Lil’ J, Christian Levi, Ms. Kesha Lee, Nya aka Not ya Average, Black and Haze, Casey Rankin, Funk Daddy, Gallas One, JJ Cruz, Dem Hardheadz, FAM Boy$, The Bionic Rapper, Peter Damian, and the dubious and provocative C4 of Houston fame is the availability of downloads, CDs, merchandise such as apparel, posters, etc. with company logos and the names of your favorite Universal Artists, International and Pure-Records’ favorite artists at reasonable prices, with wide selections, and various proceeds going directly to benefit the duo’s favorite charity’s.

Peter Damian: The One and Only

Please make sure to track Universal Artists, International’s progress as we continue to use our funds and your www.paypal.com donations to payments@universalartists.net towards the creation of the www.endhivaids.com site which will lead to global efforts to eradicate a wide array of world maladies and injustice through donations meted out according to need, with special consideration given to our personal choice, pediatric AIDS.

www.universalartists.net

For more information, please visit us at www.universalartists.net, www.myspace.com/universalartists, www.youtube.com/universalartistsintl, www.myspace.com/joesternmcgovern, www.myspace.com/universalshaka, and www.myspace.com/blackflockgang in addition to our global blog, www.universalartists.wordpress.com.

For any opportunities at your own stab at stardom, please direct your A&R queries directly to the form on our contact page of www.universalartists, or for matters of production, shaka@universalartists.net. For domestic bookings, please call 1(619)757-1301 at our San Diego/LA Metro office, or by writing to blackflockgang@myspace.com. For international bookings, matters of retail or wholesale, or any similar kind, please contact Joe Stern-McGovern’s personal assistant at joesternmcgovern@myspace.com.

Gallas One: UK's Finest via Glasgow

If you are another label or corporation interested in sponsoring Universal Artists, International in our efforts, please write to guy@universalartists.net or info@universalartists.net.

Help support Universal Artists, International (www.universalartists.net) and Pure-Records (www.pure-records.com) with  www.endhivaids.com, the first step towards positive global change and awareness, as well as careful consideration for the social conscience of manking and betterment of society.

Pure-Records in conjunction with Universal Artists

For years, the nape of my neck had a weird M shape that I thought was normal:

Well, just to experiment, I decided to give more attention to my nape when moisturizing and conditioning.

Here’s the result:

This is after 2 months of care. It has filled in already. I will continue to take care of it so it will hopefully get thicker

Focusin on BHM i have decided to compile a list of the top 3 people that have influenced me and encouage me to purse all my goals knowing that i  have a fair chance in the world. the struggle is not yet over but taking inspiration from these three gives me strength  to wake up each morning knowin that am that much closer .so here they are:

Nelson Mandela: a great icon and role model for many around the world for his struggle for freedom during apartheid. After spending 27 years incarcerated he went on to become South Africa’s first democratically elected president. He is the prime example of the statement ‘Never give up’ because even when he was down, he never lost hope.

Barack Obama: you could say he is the role model of the 21^st century for many people, not just blacks. He’s ambition seemed almost impossible given the past and ongoing problems with racism in America. However again he proved that determination and standing up for what you believe in will lead to victory. He became the first African American president.

Martin Luther king: probably the most famous of the civil rights movement leaders who was assassinated before his dream was realised. he paved the way for many to continue the struggle for equal rights and it is because of death Obama was able to even run for office in the first place. We owe alot to Dr King.

Der Black History Month wird in Englands Black Community seit 30 Jahren gefeiert, anders als bei uns und in den USA nicht im Februar sondern im Oktober. Das Programm findet Ihr hier : http://www.blackhistorymonthuk.co.uk und hier International Slavery Museum Liverpool.

• Black History: Green History Series, British Museum, 17 Oct (free)
  Short films, documentaries and talks on climate change, poverty and sustainability in Africa and the Caribbean, plus sustainability awareness in the UK
• Family Day: Black History Month, Sutton House, 25 Oct (free)
  Black music, art, food and dance for all the family
• Black History Month Trail, Sutton House, 1 Oct-31 Nov
  Follow the trail to learn about the lives of influential black Londoners
• Black History Month – Struggles for Black Community, Rich Mix, 24 Oct
  Colin Prescod, Chair of the Institute of Race Relations, presents two seminal documentaries on contemporary Black history plus a Q&A session
• In Conversation with… Diane Abbott, Museum of London, 21 Oct (free)
  MP Diane Abbott, the first black woman elected to Parliament, shares her defining memories of London
• The Price of Sweetness, Museum of London, 24 & 27 Oct (free)
  Interactive workshop of poetry, rap and sugar bowl-making with rap artist BREIS
• Black History Month – Family Workshops, Imperial War Museum London, 26-30 Oct (free)
  Hands-on, drop-in session where you can learn about African, Asian and Caribbean servicemen and women in the Second World War
• Writing Africa: Marking 10 Years of the Caine Prize, British Library, 10 Oct
  Celebrate 10 years of Africa’s highest literary award with Booker Prize Winner Ben Okri Brian Chikwava, Chika Unigwe and Binyavanga Wainaina.
• ”Here’s One”: Roland Hayes, British Library, 27 Oct
  Remembering Roland Hayes: son of former slaves and the first African-American man to gain fame as a classical singer throughout the world, with Michael Harper
• Football Workshop, Westminster Academy, 7 Oct
  Talk to professional players and try out your skills, with Paul Canoville, Chelsea Football Club’s first black player, and London Tigers
• Historical Boat Trips, departing from Tate Pier, 13 & 20 Oct
  Learn about life in London during slavery on a guided Thames boat tour
• Mary Seacole Play, Beethoven Community Centre, 14 Oct
  Cleo Sylvestre performs a play about the life of Mary Seacole, followed by a chance to meet Mary in full costume and ask questions

I felt that it was my duty to watch Behind the Music: Bobby Brown last night. After all, I devoted two whole hours to the Whitney interview, the least I could do was give Bobby an hour. I also wanted to see who would have been more alert and sober: Lil’ Wayne or Bobby Brown. But I must say, Mr. Brown surprised me. I am seriously thinking of getting a “Team Bobby” tee-shirt. Here’s why:

1. Bobby Brown was sober and alert! His eyes were clear. He sounded connected to everyday things like reality. He made sense and it made sense to him that he made sense.

2. Bobby was more sincere with Whitney. As I noted in my Whitney critiques, Whitney had been prepped within an inch of her life. She seemed almost precognizant the way she knew what Oprah would ask and what she wanted to hear; even if she didn’t, Oprah force fed her lines like she was Oprah’s five-year-old in her first school play. There were moments when the cool sophistication slipped, but there was too much time spent blaming Bobby for her addiction. More importantly, she didn’t care about singing and performing. She said that several times.

On the other hand you have Bobby, fully ready and willing to take the blame for every stupid mistake and decision he made in his life. Without Oprah force feeding him lines on how remorseful he was, and without too many references to how the public crucified him and all stood behind Whitney, he told his story sincerely. He was charming and confident, yet realized his youthful indiscretions and bad behavior. Plus, he loves singing and performing. He has a passion for it, a passion lacking in Houston.

Don’t get me wrong; I like I Look to You. It’s a solid effort from a mature woman with a good voice, but anyone with half an ear or one eye can tell the depth of passion isn’t there.

3. Bobby Brown looks heathy. OK, so he looked fat, too, but that’s beside the point. He no longer has that smoked-out skinny look. He is rumored to be on the next installment of Celebrity Fit Club, so he’s even working on that.

4. He’s touring with Heads of State, i.e., him, Johnny Gil, and Ralph Tresvant. All I can say is when are they coming to Central Florida and where can I buy the ticket? His bandmates have forgiven him for the Home Again tour, and he is still on stage being Bobby Brown, sans the drug addictions.

5. Bobby Brown inspired me. I came into this thinking I was about to see yet another trainwreck, or at the very least, a heavily-assisted but still shaky recovery. Britney and Whitney are both back physically healthy, but they have so many handlers and public relations people engineering everything they do and say, how long will the squeaky clean Stepford Wives images last this time before they explode again? Bobby Brown still has a long way to go, but he seems to be aware of that. “It’s about knowing your triggers,” he said. His is loneliness. According to Whitney, hers was Bobby, yet she is still tempted to use with no Bobby in sight. She blames him for everything, as America always thought. He takes responsibility for what he did, admitted that he had the problem, and is surrounding himself with people who care about him and want him to do well, but he is ultimately taking as much responsibility for his recovery as for his fall. Whitney’s recovery is largely credited to her mother, her daughter, and Clive Davis. Until Whitney admits this was her problem and that she needs to be responsible for her own recovery, I feel she is on shakier ground.

At the end of the day, I say, “Go Bobby. I wish you the best, hope you make it. I’ll keep you in my prayers.” And thank you for being accountable for you. That’s the sincerity I wanted, in the place I thought I was least likely to find it.

2Blu2BTru

As I stated in my “About” page, my hair texture is a mix of 4a/b. I have 4b around the left side and nape. 4a everywhere else

Completely dry that is. I carefully comb my hair with a wide-toothed Jilbere Shower Comb AFTER putting conditioner in it. I rinse out in the shower afterwards. This is how little hair I get in the comb as compared to before:

P.S. This is two days worth of hair

I’m sorry, I had a before pic but I can’t seem to find it. If/When I do, I’ll edit this post

We’ve all heard them. Those common misconceptions we have about our own hair and if you’re like me, believed them at one point.

1. The “good hair” comment — Let me just say that there is no such thing as “good hair” but there is such a thing as bad hair practices which unfortunately many black women practice (over-processing, excessive heat usage, lack or moisture, etc.) All hair is “good”
2. “Black hair grows when it’s dirty” –Wrong!! A dirty scalp actually hinders growth. Hair grows its best when the scalp is clean.  I had a girl tell me back in high school this very statement. Of course I believed it because I never washed my hair and it was still there (horribly unhealthy might I add). So, you wouldn’t go a month without bathing your skin so why should you do the same to your hair?
3. “(Tight) Braids make your hair grow” — False. Hair grows regardless, all the time no matter what you do to it and tight braids actually cause detrimental damage. They can rip the hair right outta your head and take the folicle right along with it, thus leading to permanent hair damage. Slowly and surely your edges will disappear.
4. “Cutting your hair makes it grow” – This is again FALSE. Hair grows from the roots, not the tips. If your hair is damaged and you cut it and notice and improvement, it is because your hair was growing and breaking at the same rate therefore, you saw no progress.
5. “You must get a relaxer every 6 weeks or your hair will fall out” — Spacing out your relaxers, aka, stretching is actually better for the hair. It reduces the risk of overlapping which weakens the hair and causes breakage. Also, it is exposed to the chemical less often therefore less chance of damage. When stretching, it is very important to keep your hair moisturized as the hair tends to break at the line of demarcation if it’s allowed to get dry.

Just goes to show the versatility that wigs offer. This is the same wig worn three different ways.

More recently (April ish) I’ve gotten into wigs as protective styles. You can style and manipulate the heck outta these things while keeping your hair in tact underneath. Here’s some pics:

Freetress Equal Ace Girl – 1B

Freetress Sonoma Girl – TT33

This is a wig I made myself back in June.

I used Envy – Shakira weave – 11 inches

This is my attempt of crochet braids a second time. They turned out much better than the first. I used about 2 1/2 packs of Freetress Water Wave. I kept them in for four weeks.

I did these back in mid-March