What the heck is “Beautifully mane”? How was I inspired? Check out the link below.
Tag Archives: Black women
Is the term “nappy” offensive?
So I came across a heated twitter discussion ( as always ) a couple weeks ago about the word “nappy”.
The question was, Are you offended when people, whether black, white, hispanic, what have you, use this word to describe African American hair?
Needless to say, there were TONS of very colorful responses. Some thought the term “nappy” is utterly despicable, and should never be used in the English language. Others weren’t as offended by the derogatory term, simply because they “don’t care” or it doesn’t bother them as much.
Source:http://Www.globalcouture.net
PERSONALLY… I think the term “nappy” is such a slang term, and we all know it derived from the slave days. “Nappy” was used to describe African American hair that has more of a “coarse”, kinkier texture. In my opinion, it just has such a negative connotation, and RING to it. It sounds gross. Im not a fan of the word.
Naturals, what are your thoughts? Are you offended by the term “nappy”, or does it not bother you? Post your thoughts and comments below!
Always remember: You are Fearfully, Wonderfully and “Beautifully mane.”
Check out this FLY Natural Hair Cuff Bracelet!
Check out this FLY Natural Hair Cuff Bracelet!
Naturals, how F – L – Y is this bracelet?
This accessory is in my opinion, the perfect addition to a Natural Girls accessory collection. Check it out, share your comments below & don’t forget to reblog and follow the fabulous just pearlz by following the link above.
With kinks,
Lizz
Always remember: You are Fearfully, Wonderfully and “Beautifully mane.”
Light Skin vs. Dark skin: Are we at Race War with OURSELVES?
So, I came across a very compelling article the other day on the web. It was entitled, “10 Unnacceptable cycles Black People have to change.” I will make sure to have the link will be posted below.
The title immediately grabbed my attention, I had to see what this was all about! Scrolling through the list, I saw the cliche stereotypes that our race does seem to hold true such as poverty, crime, sexual promiscuity (For clarification, I am not saying other cultures cannot be held accountable to these stereotypes as well), etc. I came across the eighth thing on the list which was as follows: “Intra racial discrimination”.
Below its title, it stated “We are one community made of up various colors. At no time should we place one complexion over another. Without divisiveness, we are a force.”
Powerful. I began to ponder… what did they mean by this? I immediately began to think of all of the “Light skin” vs. “Dark skin” memes I have been witnessing lately. Are we at a stage in our history in which one complexion within black culture gets preferential treatment over the other? Interesting, right.
To fully understand intraracial discrimination and the skin color paradox/color complex within the African American community is an issue that I not only feel very strongly about, but it needs to be addressed.
The United States of America is known WORLDWIDE as the melting pot, made up of various cultures, races, religions, and backgrounds. While in some cultures, diversity isn’t typically embraced as freely, but here? We embrace it, we live it. And it hasn’t always been this way, especially in African American culture.
From the time period in which slavery was abolished, to the Civil Rights movement, to electing our FIRST EVER African American president of the United States, our country has come a long way. Although racism, as we know it, is still present, it is not necessarily PREVALENT. But there is a question that comes to mind… What is the actual meaning behind “racism?”
Sure, there is Racism as we know it, which can be defined by Google as “The belief that all members of each Race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that Race, esp. so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.” This includes stereotypes against races, discriminating against other races, religions, or others who we think are drastically different than us, in a way that we are not accustomed to.
Historically, you could argue that lighter skinned African-Americans get preferential treatment over darker skinned African-Americans, because they are seen as being closer to white. Unfortunately lighter people have received preferential treatment throughout the years, especially when it comes to educational, employment, and social opportunities. This standard that light-skinned people are treated better than other complexions has inevitably created a divisive skin color paradox, with serious psychological repercussions.
For example, this whole “Light skins be like” and “Dark skins be like” trend on Instagram and other social media avenues. Sure, this trend started off as jokes that DO IN FACT hold truth, but are we discriminating against our own race?
If I see a African American of a lighter complextion in passing, do I automatically assume they don’t reply to texts, or are more emotional? Is it meant to be light hearted, or is it new age racism?
And don’t even get me started on this whole Drake thing. Saying he’s emotional because he’s light skinned, or that he’s “soft” and everything. Again, these assumptions and stereotypes do hold some truth to them, but when is enough ENOUGH? Are we taking these jokes too far? Is someone bound to get offended? Is it fair to say that we are discriminating against our OWN RACE?
There is no right or wrong answer to this never-ending question; just facts, thoughts, feelings and emotions. This topic has been heavy on my heart and I would love to hear your comments and thoughts below.
Are we at a race war with ourselves?
Thanks guys!
Always remember: You are Fearfully, Wonderfully and “Beautifully mane.”
What are you leaving in 2013, or taking with you in 2014?
Happy Tuesday, Naturals and Lifestyle bloggers!
I cannot BELIEVE that it is New Years Eve already. I don’t know about you, but 2013 really flew by. Literally.
Without making this a super long post, there are many goals that I have in mind to set for the New Year, as well as decisions I am going to make when it comes to my personal relationships, finances, career, and not to mention improving the health of my hair HAIR GROWTH.
Here is a quick look into my goals for the New Year, and then I want to know: “What are you leaving in 2013, or taking with you in 2014? What are your goals? Comment below!”
1. Growing my hair to bra strap length
Not to mention get one of these shirts! Shirt is awesome. One of my goals is to grow my hair NATURALLY from the current shoulder length it is at now, to bra strap length in 2014. Ill write a post soon on what exactly I plan to incorporate in my wash routines and hair care regimens to attain this goal.
2. Cut off toxic relationships
This year was such a GROWING year for me when it came to building friendships, losing friendships, and even losing someone who I thought was the love of my life ( Link to that post is below, entitled “But, I love you…”). I learned that when you are at a place in your life in which you are GROWING, not everyone can accompany you on that journey, as cliche’ as it may be. Loyalty is extremely rare, and instead of giving people a ton of second chances, I am ready to start giving more FIRST chances and allowing new friendships to blossom… and eventually, a new love. In due time.
3. Get this blog ROLLING!
Naturals and Lifestyle bloggers… Let me tell you. I have been wanting to start a blog for the longest time. Writing and sharing my personal experiences especially when it comes to my hair has been a passion of mine, and I am elated that I chose to embark on this journey, as well as connect with so many other bloggers/vlogger’s out there! Already within three weeks of blogging, I have over 500 followers total that get updates on my blog, over 1500 views and my stats have been booming.
And sidenote: I am working on my first ever professional book review of “God, where is my Boaz?” by Stephan Labossiere. Super pumped, I will make sure to keep you guys posted on that.
I have to say…Yall show SO MUCH LOVE, which is so needed not only in the black community, but just as women and as Natural hair girls. We need that support and those SUPPORTERS, who are like, “You rock, keep it up”, “Never give up”, or “Take that weave out!” like I got in the comment section of my post on whether or not I should keep my weave in. Haha.
You guys are awesome, and I am looking forward to my future with WordPress as a Blogger.
So, thats all she wrote! 😉 Just a few of my goals for 2014. I am SUPER PUMP for the New Year, and for a brand new start in this wild expedition we call “life”.
Now its your turn! Share some of your goals, and comments below. Can’t wait to see what you guys are looking forward to in 2014.
Ta Ta, for now!
With kinks,
Lizz
Always remember: You are Fearfully, Wonderfully and “Beautifully mane.”
Check out how I let go of a past love. “But, I love you…” https://beautifullymane.wordpress.com/2013/12/23/but-i-love-you/
The full Ted Talk Beyonce features on “Flawless”
This. is… LEGIT. Check out the Full Ted Talk featured on Beyonce’s “Flawless” entitled “We should all be feminists.” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Remember to share your thoughts/comments below!
Oldie but Goodie
So yesterday was my wash day! I had all my products organized and layer out, lit my candle, turned on some Yonce’ ( Yes, I am still completely and UTTERLY obsessed with the new B ;)) and I was SUPER PUMP for the washing process.
Yes, I treat my wash days like date nights. Gotta show your hair a little TLC!
Now I had my conditioner and my essential oils ready for when I got out the shower, but I couldn’t seem to locate my shampoo. I began to look all over for a good ten minutes, all in my room and my bathroom and I could not find my shampoo! And I knew I still had some!
After a good 15 minutes of searching, I came to the realization that I had ran out of shampoo… Cue the violins.
I began to panic.
I didn’t want to deal with the hassle of going back out to the store to purchase any shampoo, so I decided to go into the kitchen, dig in the pantry and pull out the old “oldie but goodie”… Apple Cider Vinegar.
Stuff has MAD BENEFITS! Lemme tell you naturals… This stuff is LEGIT. There are a ton of health benefits to it, which you can check out below; but for your hair, it can be used as a clarifying shampoo when mixed with water. Its known to revalitize your hair if your suffer from dullness, or dryness without stripping a ton of oils from your hair. You can pick it up at any local grocery store or health food store… and its MAD cheap.
I chose to use this as a clarifier as I try to clarify my hair at least once a month, simply to get rid of excess product buildup that I may have. Clarifying your hair every month is super important, especially as a “natural” since you don’t want those products that you know and love to stop working for you because of the excess use.
Before I hop into the shower, I took out an applicator bottle and mixed the apple cider vinegar with one part vinegar and one part water. Once you mix the two, simply shake the applicator bottle a bit and you’re good to go.
You can also use a standard old shampoo bottle or whichever tool you would like; the benefit of using the applicator bottle for ME in particular is began I currently have a partial sew in installed. Gotta get to those braids and roots. 😉
Once its applied, I began to simply rub the mix in and massage my scalp, just as I would with a standard shampoo/co- wash, and rinsed it out. Easy as 1, 2, 3. Super organic, gluten free and a great product to use on the regular, or if you’re having a day when you just don’t feel like using an actual shampoo/co- wash.
Just wanted to drop this as a REMINDER to remember the oldie but goodies! Sure, we love our Carols Daughter and Shea Moisture, but the grocery store/health food store products still work just as well. 😉
Please share your comments and thoughts below. If you liked this post, feel free to reblog and share it as a link with your other followers!
You guys have been showing so much love on my page; Naturals, you ROCK! I cannot wait for my future with wordpress as a writer, as well as soon starting vlogs on YouTube of my journey.
Ta Ta, for now!
Always remember: You are Fearfully, Wonderfully and “Beautifully mane.”
Beginners Guide to Natural Hair
Beginners Guide to Natural Hair
Good tips. Check it out!
Curly girls! I need your advice!
Alright, Naturals.
I have had a partial sew in installed in this “Beautiful mane” of mine for about three weeks now. So far, its been great. Its long, flowy, I have been whipping my hair back and forth in peoples faces and switching, and so far its great. BUT. I do have one thing to say: I am getting tired of it. So tired of it, yall.
My scalp itches, it feels like I am wearing a hat, and quite frankly… I miss my kinks and coils. Frizziness, dryness, and all. 😦
The dilemma I have is this: I wanted a weave for a trip I took to Florida. So, I got my weave. I did it, I got it, I loved it, I scratched my itch, and now I want it O-U-T. But naturals let me tell you… Yall KNOW weave is not cheap! Part of me really wants to get my return on investment.
So I come to you for advice! Waving my white flag!
What should I do? Should I keep it in for at LEAST another month, or should I kiss this hat goodbye?
Help a sistah’ out. Post your comments and share your thoughts below. Thanks guys!
Always remember: You are Fearfully, Wonderfully and “Beautifully mane.”
What section of your hair takes the LONGEST to grow?
A few days ago after my wash day, I saw how much my crown area had GROWN! I was so happy. My crown area is the part of my hair that takes the LONGEST to grow out, simply because of the heat damage that I had in the past.
So nice to see hair growth. What part/section of your hair takes the LONGEST to grow, and has it grown? Share pictures, your thoughts and comments below!
