1Blessed Natural Mag

                                                    1BlessedNatural: Lil Mama Posts Positive Message About Natural Hair and Health (photo cred: Instagram) Rapper and actress, Lil Mama posted a positive message to women about natural hair and health on Instagram. The entertainer said,"Be Healthy Ladies. Our Natural Skin & Natural Hair [sic] needs the same attention we give hair extensions, units, and make up." Her message was the caption of a black and white picture of herself with a thick and pretty twist-out. I agree especially with the second part of her quote where she says, "We must love ourselves no matter what. Also [sic] practice mental health, clear your mind, meditate, pray, and seek peace." I think that as ...

Mushiya Gives Military Women Fashion and Natural Hair Makeovers (photo cred: Brainchild Associates) On January 11th, 2016, WEtv star of Cutting It: in the ATL and Runway Curls owner, Mushiya Tshikuka hosted a natural hair and fashion makeover day for women in the U.S. military and veterans. The event was called #NaturalsStandTall and featured 7 makeovers and a discussion about natural hair regulations in the military. After the women received their makeovers, they were given the chance to show off their new looks in a fashion show. Tshikuka, who is also owner of the The Damn Salon collaborated with the Minority Women Veterans Organization (MWVO) for the event. MWVO's "Glamming Forward" campaign director Nyrea Liferidge and spokesperson/image consultant Monique Sellers-Greene both participated in the natural hair conversation hosted by Tshikuka. Both Greene and Liferidge are U.S. military veterans. The women talked about struggles in the military with natura...

This week, I received the blessing of interviewing my Aunt T, who is an 83-year old Breast Cancer survivor. In 2005, she was hit with the shocking news that she had the terrible disease. T. could not believe that it happened to her. The older woman was faced with limited options, and she chose to have a double mastectomy. After surgery, T. underwent several rounds of chemotherapy treatments. Shortly after the treatments commenced, the older woman's hair began to fall out in patches. "My hair just started falling out... I couldn't believe it," she said. The frantic woman grabbed a plastic bag and began putting the plugs of hair into it. It's been 8 years since her surgery, and Aunt T. is still cancer free (Thank God). Her hair has also grown back. I asked her if she did anything special to promote hair growth; she said she did not.  It grew back on its own. Before losing her hair, T's hair was chin length. Now, she keeps it at a length that is less than...

I t's always interesting when people want to let you know their opinion of your appearance, as if you asked them. This is the case especially with natural hair. Last week, I was standing at the bus stop with 3 teen boys. My hair was in an afro with a small part in the front, down the middle adorned with two bobby pins.When we boarded the bus, I sat in a window seat in the back. Two of the boys sat in the seats in back of me. One of them sat in the seat facing the aisle, across from me. The 3 young men decided to let me know my hair was "wolfin'" but, they didn't say it to me directly, of course lol. The young teens had a conversation about hair. The boy sitting across from me explained how he usually gets shape-ups so he could get "all" of the women. The young man's word choice for women, reached far below to the other word that begins with an "h" and rhymes with snow. No respect! They kept saying, "Her ish is wolfin". Th...