1Blessed Natural Mag

1960s: Chaka Khan on Soul Train (photo courtesy of Flickr- danxoneil - cropped)    Happy Friday my blessed naturals! Singer Chaka Khan has been a natural hair icon for her whole career. I love the fact that she has always rocked big hair whether it was straight, kinky, or curly. Chaka Khan  Her hair matches her voice for sure (smile). Click here to read Chaka Khan's biography .  What do you think of Chaka Khan's hair? Related Articles: Black History Month: Don Cornelius Get your 1BlessedNatural t-shirt in time for spring!

Yolanda Adams' (photo courtesy of Facebook- Yolanda Adams page ) Yesterday, gospel artist Yolanda Adams posted a photo on Facebook of her hair in a puff and bang decorated with a blue and white scarf. Adams' has been transitioning her hair from permed to natural for 1 1/2 months. The singer tweeted the caption: Ok Guys it's been a month and a half training my hair. What do ya think? Be Nice!! LOL!   I'm glad to see Adams letting her roots show. I think it looks cute on her. Plus, I don't know of any popular female gospel artists who are natural. When the gospel duo, Mary Mary first came out,  Tina Campbell rocked her fro, but now she straightens it. It will be interesting to see Yolanda Adams' natural hair journey. What do you think of Yolanda Adams' transitioning photo? Related Articles: 1BlessedNatural Spotlight: Yolanda Adams' Fishtail Braid                    ...

Hi my blessed naturals, If you've been reading my blog from the beginning, then you know that I am not a big fan of hair typing. My reason for not being a big advocate in the past was because I felt like everyone should get to know their hair and what works for them. However, I realize that hair typing can help others who have a similar hair texture with developing a hair regimen that works for their hair. As a result, I have created my own curl profile to help you all who may have a similar hair type. This will include information about my hair type and the types of products and regimens that work for me . Some items may be commonly known for naturals in general. Many naturals refer to the Andre Walker hair type chart. My hair would be in the 4B   4A category. My Curl Profile Texture: soft, fine, and tight curls or coils              Hair Thickness: Thick            ...

Happy Tuesday my blessed naturals! Every once in a while, a music artist comes along that reminds you of the beauty of a specific genre (s). When I first heard "Catch Me" by Autumn Tuesdae', it reminded me of how R&B used to be and why it needs to go back! Check her out here : Catch Me by Autumn Tuesdae'   What do you think of "Catch Me" by Autumn Tuesdae' ? Get your 1BlessedNatural t-shirt in time for spring!

On Sunday, February 23, 2014, I attended the " Whoosh Natural Hair Health & Beauty Event " held at Ariya Plaza in Newark, NJ. There were about 5 to 6 vendor tables present at the event. There were a few representatives from the Hair Design School in Union, NJ. One of the school's graduates "J" was rocking red yarn twists. J said she stayed up Saturday night completing the twists. Underneath the yarn twists were locs that the naturalista had started growing 1 year ago. J said she installed the yarn twists because she wanted to do something different. Although, her hair was very tight and heavy, she said her yarn twists were worth it. She is going to keep them in for 1 month. Representative from the Hair Design School The company Organo Gold was also at the event. If you read my article "' Back to Healthy Eating' Challenge ", then you know that I like Green Tea. Organo Gold sells tea, coffee, soap, and lotion. I ...

Kimora Lee Simons with her 2 daughters (photo courtesy of the Kimora Lee Simmons Official Twitter Page) Today model, fashion designer, and entrepreneur Kimora Lee Simmons was in the news for allegedly having a secret marriage, but I don't care lol. I noticed that her children are rocking their natural curls, and I think they are too cute! Simmons has long thick curls, but straightens her hair. It has also been rumored that she rocks a weave . Her daughters, Ming and Aoki Lee Simmons have long loose curls and waves. Their little brother, Kenzo Lee has a cute little afro full of tight coils. Kimora Lee Simons with her children (photo courtesy of the Kimora Lee Simmons Official Twitter Page) Kimora Lee Simons withher  children (photo courtesy of the Kimora Lee Simmons Official Twitter Page) What do you think of Kimora Lee Simmons' children's hair? Related Articles: Natural Haired Characters in Video Game      ...

Hi my blessed naturals! I hope you all are having a great Wednesday. I just wanted to share a photo of my mini two-strand twists from earlier this month. The picture above was taken right after I finished them. My hair was stretched quite a bit. I like black and white photos, but I always forget to use the feature, lol. So, I decided to use it for the photo above. Also, you can follow me on Instagram . Use " #1BlessedNatural" if you'd like me to feature your natural hair photo on there. See you all, soon! What  natural hairstyle are you currently rocking? Related Articles: Mini Two-Strand Twists Photos and Video                             1BlessedNatural Spotlight: 1940's Photo of Little Girl with Puffy Braids                             1BlessedNatural Spotlight: 1940's Photo of African Threading The 1BlessedNatural t...

Mary H. Graham (photo courtesy (cropped) of Flickr- MLibrary ) I can only imagine being an African-American woman attempting to finish college in the 1880's when race relations between Blacks and whites were chaotic. Kudos to Mary H. Graham who was said to be the first Black woman to be accepted and graduated from the University of Michigan. Graham earned a bachelor's degree. Read more about her story...  If Mary H. Graham were alive today, what would you want to say to her? Related Articles: Black History Month: Dominique Dawes                           Black History Month: Don Cornelius (1936-2012)                           1BlessedNatural Spotlight: Venus Williams        ...

Hi my blessed naturals! I've been using the Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Fortifying Conditioner since I first started experiencing protein overload . It was really beneficial for my hair during that time. I didn't want it to go to waste, so I continued using it afterwards. Product: Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Fortifying Conditioner Place: Local beauty supply store Price: $4.99 Claims: 3 Nutritive Fruit Oils: Olive, Avocado & Shea/ Dry, Damaged Hair/ Fortifies with nutrients for silky hair that's full of life - Nutre para un cabello sedoso Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Elaeis Guineenis (Palm) Oil (Palm Oil), Behentrimonium Chloride, Pyrus Malus Extract (Apply Fruit Extract), Glycerin, Parfum (Fragrance), Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine HCI, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Citric Acid, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil (Olive Fruit Oil), Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract (Sugar C...

natural hair puff and flat twists with accessory Hey my blessed naturals! The northeast is currently experiencing another snowstorm, lol. Some of us already have 2 or more feet of snow on the ground from Thursday's snowstorm. This one is approximately the 8th one we've had this winter. Thank God for making it through dangerous conditions, though! In hair related news,  I'm back to wearing my puff with flat twists style. Today, I wore one of the $1.00 discount hair accessories I bought a long time ago. I love the decorative silver and metallic, wire comb because the teeth are curved. This way, I don't have to worry about it causing breakage when I pull it out of my hair. Also, I have a few short hairs in the back of my head. When I pull my hair into a high puff or bun, they fall from the rest of the group lol. For the past couple of days, I have been wearing one horizontal flat twist across the back and pinning the end of the twist into the puff. Problem...

Teyonah Parris wearing a crown Goddess Braid style Actress Teyonah Parris has been making waves in Hollywood with her natural hair. The Mad Men actress mad big news in the natural hair community when she rocked a fierce pompadour updo on the red carpet of the Screen Actor's Guild Awards in 2013. Parris has continued to rock her beautifully thick and coiled hair both on and off the red carpet. She posted a picture on Facebook of herself wearing a beautiful crown Goddess Braid style. The actress wore a long strapless, red dress with a slim black belt. In my opinion, Parris has been one of the entertainers who has shown that natural hair is beautiful and can be worn in elegant styles without altering its texture to fit a European standard of beauty. Go Ms. Parris! Teyonah Parris wearing a pompadour updo at the SAG Awards (photo courtesy of the Teyonah Parris Facebook page) What do you think of Teyonah Parris' Goddess Braid style?  Related Articles: 1B...

Dominique Dawes and Gabrielle Douglas (photo courtesy of Dominique Dawes Facebook page) I remember being a little girl and watching gymnast, Dominique Dawes on television. She was an excellent gymnast. When I would try and do flips like her, my grandfather would tell me to stop before I broke my neck, lol. I remember seeing the determination in her eyes, and I loved it. I never became a gymnast, but I enjoyed watching Dawes because I saw myself in her. Dominique Dawes gave every Black girl who flipped or tumble salted on a mat, hope that they could become a gymnast. Dawes paved the way for women like Olympic gold medal winner, Gabrielle Douglas .  She was a 1992 Olympic medal winner. She was also a member of the 1996 " Magnificent Seven " United States Olympic Team. The other 6 members included Shannon Miller (another favorite), Kerri Shrug, Dominique Moceanu, Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, and Jaycie Phelps.  Dawes made history as the first African-American female ...

Violette's big afro (photo courtesy of Violette L. Meier) Last week, I was blessed with the opportunity to interview author, poet, and folk artist (untrained) Violette L. Meier. Her books include Angel Crush, The First Chronicle of Zayashariya: OUT OF NIGHT, and This Sickness We Call Love: Poems of Love, Lust & Lamentation. The Atlanta, Georgia native's most recent work includes Tales of a Numinous Nature: A Short Story Collection which was released in January of this year. Not only is Meier an author, poet, and artist, but she is also naturalista! 1BN: How long have you been natural? VLM: 2 Years.  1BN: What made you want to go natural? VLM: I've always had something in my hair since I was a little kid. I've had everything from Jheri Curls to perms when I was little. I tried to be natural around 2007, and it was hard for me. I didn't know what to do with it [natural hair], so I went back to relaxed. I think it was actually 2011 when I tried ...