Cultured in Media

Tired of that same old hair style when going out with friends? Well, I did a little something different this weekend. I just "shook" my hair and pinned it back. It came with a nice, feathered look with a hump in the front and a banana clip. It's simple, fast, and a nice protective style with low manipulation. Give it a try. You will love the finished look

Well the post that I get asked most about is the one with Rasheeda. Asking is her hair real and how to achieve the look. Well yes, her hair is 100% real and natural.  This weekend, my friend decided to try the style out and let me post the pictures so you can see how easy it is to obtain the look. This style was done with a sew-in. Braids to the side, and a part left out to cover the tracks of the "wet n wavy" weave. Nothing too complicated. 

I have always loved her hair from the first time I seen her in a movie. We all know that she plays the lead role in Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns, but did you also know that she wanted to become a doctor but ended up graduating at the top of her class with a degree in mass communication and was on her way to being a top-notch account director in the advertising world? Well besides her busy schedule, somehow she always seems to maintain her beautiful hair. From the information from a magazine she was in, she had stated that she perms her hair twice a year since it is easier to maintain this way. But she prefers more "natural" styles like rocking buns or braid-outs for fuller looks. Despite whatever type of hair she have, I will always be in love with her healthy and thick hair.

I flat ironed my hair on Sunday for the new semester of school. So since I hate hair being in my face these days, I decided to do the "old-school" half up, half down style. I sectioned off the top half from the bottom. Pinned the front half uup into a loose bun and waaalaaah....look complete. Quick and simple. Look below for pictures of the finished look. (click images to enlarge)

 I attempted to imitate the style above and kind of fell short, BUT I found something that worked out better for. (Look below) I had to block out my face because I was getting ready for work and was just waking up lol so don't be alarmed. Instead of letting it hang loose, I pinned it up in the back and did a little side bang. On day 2 and three, I rounded up the hair and put into a low bun. Very fun hairstyle to play around with. It doesn't have to just sit in that one position.

Since I was away without my flat iron, I had to wait to do a length check for this month. Well I was pleasantly surprised at what I saw in the mirror. I knew it had grew as I was wearing my wash-n-go, it seemed to hang looser. I also noticed my curl pattern is much more of a 3b type in most places and then a 3a in the front. I wont bore you to death with the reading, so here is my august length check picture. I plan to be mid back length by December. 

I get asked how do I achieve this look. Simple put, it's just a French Braid done on a week old flat iron job.  Run some oil through hair, comb towards the middle, then begin to loosely braid hair down the center or towards the side. After you have completed that, tuck the ends under and pin with hair pins.  After bobby pins are secured, pull the braid towards the sides very carefully. Swoop the front part to the side or wear bangs if you like. Look is officially completed.

There is no quick recipe to grow African textured hair fast. You have to have patience. One of the things I learned during my journey is that not every product that states it will grow hair +5 inches in one month will actually do what it says. If that was the case, everyone would walk around here with long hair down to their feet. HOW FAST DOES HAIR GROW? The speed of hair growth is approximately 0.5 inches per month without stimulants or supplements interfering with normal growth rate. This estimate would give you six inches of hair for the year. You also have to keep in mind that your lifestyle choices such as diet, age, exercise, and healthy hair practices all affect your growth rate. Sometimes it can enhance your rate and often it can have a negative affect. Keep in mind that our hair grows in coils, curls, that do not get moisture down through the rest of the strand.  TIPS FOR HEALTHY HAIR GROWTH: I have documented tips that have helped me along my j...

I love this type of hair. I love hair that looks exotic. Our roots, African textured give us a wide range of looks to amaze other cultures/races/nationalities. Our hair is like no other.  Well today, let's focus on Afro-Caribbean type hair with the tight, curly hair. Hair types that are similar to this are the Hispanics.  Every one's hair is different regardless of race, but this hair type has hair needs that require lots of moisture to keep the ends from breaking off. Unlike other hair types, since this hair is curly, moisture that is naturally made from the scalp doesn't travel down the strand do to the twisting of the hair, hence the need to deep condition. This helps to strengthen, protect and repair hair and give it lubrication and shine when conditioning.

Everyone loves a good braid-out. The style is easy and quick for most.  What you will need: Regular sized comb Oil (I use JBCO) Scrunchie Usually, I do it on hair that was once a wash-n-go. Since my hair is not tangled when in wash-n-go's, I can usually just part and slowly comb out the hair to begin my braid. I almost forgot to mention, I use my homemade oil on my scalp, massaging it in as I go. Take a small size of leave-in conditioner/oil and rub through hair, making sure to hit the ends.  Now you are ready to part and braid. I do two on the side with the rest going straight back. The smaller the braids are done, the more tiny crimps/curls you will have. In my opinion, I like the fuller look so I do mid-sized braids. After you are finished braiding hair back, tie the scrunchie at the bottom of hair going the whole way down like above, I found this to have a more "curl" towards the end upon take-down. Only thing left to do is spray over with water, not soak...

I love doing quick, little-cute like styles in my hair. I love the versatility that it carries. So I tried something new this past week and absolutely love it. First I had to Deep Condition my hair because it was way over due. I also knew that I was going to the beach with my other half so I had to get moisture into my hair before hand. I usually deep condition with Dr. Miracle's packet or that ORS replenishing packet. I deep condition under a cap with at least 45 minutes depending on what I feel like doing to my hair. The Dr. Miracle packet has a tingling effect once left on and continues even after you wash it out. It makes the hair so soft that you can just run your fingers through without any tangles or curles getting stuck. After washing out the deep conditioner, blot your hair dry. I put together a photo show my usual process for this type of style I am doing. Blot hair until water is not dripping. Apply leave in conditioner and some oil onto hair, rub it through,...

I love this bun so much. So simple and easy to do. I know not a clear image but tutorial coming real soon. Similar bun styles that I use. All buns were done with my natural hair, no added stuffers or socks. All you have to do is know how to "fluff" your hair out and bun around it for a full look.

If you noticed Rasheeda, I guess most consider her the "rapper of the south," is a natural hair artist. In one of her blog videos she answers the questions that most want to know. 1)Is your hair real? 2)Are you natural? 3)What race/nationality are you? To summarize the video, yes she is a natural, DIY, wash-n-go type of girl. Straight African-American and loves to just shake her hair and be on the move. My type of girl! So after drooling over how beautiful her hair is, I had to try this hairstyle out. Of course I will add my own twists to it but I really think this style is cute for her face. Similar to the frohawk  that is posted below. In conclusion, tonight I will do a similar style and post up later today.  XoXo Extra pic of her flat ironed hair