Cultured in Media

(Article by Lisa Stark from ABCNews) It was blinding headaches that sent the 46-year-old New Yorker running to her doctor. Alarmed, her physician did blood work and ordered an expensive MRI of the brain, as well as another kind of brain scan. Everything checked out as normal. There was no apparent explanation for the sudden pounding in the patient's head, a pounding that was not eased by medications. Stumped, the doctor sent her to a neurologist, Dr. Orly Avitzur of Terrytown, N.Y., who finally unraveled the mystery. "When I went to examine her and simply touched her scalp, she pulled away and winced when my fingertips touched her quite gently," Avitzur said, describing the unnamed patient, a social worker. Avitzur took a closer look and noticed something unusual. "She had hundreds of these tightly braided hair braids," she said. It turns out the woman was suffering not from a neurological condition, but from  a side effect of her new hair extensio

I love seeing how black people practice hair care in other places besides for the U.S. Upon looking at Africa, I noticed that is where most of our creative styles are founded. These photos are brought to you by the a tribe in Kenya. Even the men "imitate" hair. I love how creative these people are. They also make designs for their hair. Love it.

Very simple style that you can do with a single braid, or you can have two separage braids. Just swirl the tail end into a curly bun, continue to pin under. I would give you my version of it as well but remember I'm in box braids, therefore I am unable to show you. Or for a more tighter version, try the one below

Egg shampoo: Ingredients: 1 egg 1 tsp of olive oil 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tbsp castile soap if u have u can also add : 1/2 cup of herbal tea (optional ) 1-2 drops fragrant essential oil ( optional ) 1 tsp of vinegar ( optional ) 1 tsp of honey ( optional ) procedure: Mix all the above ingredients using a blender, until the mixture gets a very smooth texture. Pour it in a bottle & store it in refrigerator.  (credit to sweetoo from Indus)

My sister actually gave this moisturizer to me because she knows I am always preaching "moisture, moisture, moisture" for our hair. I can't tell if it is working yet or not, but I can tell you that the smell is pleasant. This lotion is not too thick and not to thin, it's like the perfect combination to run through your hair smoothly and evenly.  I mostly use as a leave-in conditioner. But since I am rocking box braids right now, I am using this as a moisturizing agent daily with these synthetic braids. So far so good. Will let you know how it works in a month. Rich in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for the ultimate in silky-smooth deep-conditioned hair and a moisture-rich healthy scalp. Benefits: •    Perfect for blow drying, maintaining short hair styles,        and moisturizing curly styles  •    Moisturizes to help repair dry, damaged hair  •    Provides a healthy looking sheen •    Protects against the effects of chemical processes        a

"How am I going to wear my hair for prom?" Don't worry, I have done several heads for events like proms or homecomings. I find that in order to pick out the type of hairstyle you want, you must first have your dress picked out. Believe it or not, certain dresses, match a particular hairstyle. If you are wearing a long dress, try wearing your pinned up: It makes you appear more elegant and shows off your face more. If you are wearing a short dress, try wearing your hair straight down with a little curl underneath: I don't know, it makes it sexy and stylish to me. Also, if you're one of those girls who is going "too short" with the dress, it will take some of the focus off of the dress and more to your face and hair. =) Just thought I would throw that in here. If you want something not so normal or formal, wear an updo or retro sleek styles. You could even try "natural" textured hair. Other style options:

We all remember her as Fancy on the Jamie Foxx show. I remember her because of her beauty. She always just had beautiful skin to me that I always wished I had. You know, that flawless clear skin. Well did you also know that she is Haitian? Of course you did. Anyway, I always loved her braidouts/twistouts. I tried to find her hair-care regimen and I mean I tried hard but for some reason, she doesn't really talk about her hair practices. Go figure. However, I did find a couple of picture of supposedly her "naked hair." Garcelle Beauvais seems to have relaxed hair, I could be mistaken but I doubt it. And it also appears her natural texture (judging from the images of her needing a bad touch-up), she seems to fall right into a type 4b. Either way, her hair stays gorgeous with extensions or without.

Okay, I'm late again. But this time it is hair related. I have been busy taking care of business and also putting back in my box braids for the past three days. I finally finished and will now catch up on the topics for this week. Since I didn't post like I should I am playing catch-up. The following will be posted by 8am tomorrow morning. Hair from around the World: Grenada Product Review: Olive Oil Hair Moisturizing Lotion Surprise Topic: Prom Season Hair Celebrity Hair:  Garcelle Beauvais  And since I made you all wait, I can at least show you my box braids. Full view will come later as well. I didn't style them yet.

Nothing special. Just co-washed with white rain extra moisture conditioner. Then let hair dry in a silk scarf for until most of the water was absorbed. I then put olive oil moisturizing lotion throughout hair and then fluffed. Quick, easy and stylish

Quick and easy style that just about anyone can do in less than five minutes flat. Materials needed: Scrunchy two or three bobby pins (depending on your hair thickness) Optional: Comb or brush (if you want a sleek look. I did not comb or brush hair at all. This was done on a wash and go) Hair spray/gel/jam to slick sides down if you want How to: Part a small section on one side of your head in the front for a leave out. Section must be big enough for manipulation. (see image above; click to enlarge) Take the remaining hair and pull it to one side of your head and put the scrunchy around it. Preferably the opposite side of where you plan to put your "bang" (front section)  With that ponytail, make a loose bun and spread it towards the side. Pin down loose ends that stick up if you want a clean look. Move on to the front section. You can simply leave a bang out or pin to the sides. See video for options. Look complete. Youtube Video

I am a big fan Mary Mary. I love their music and most of all, I love their reality show. They show how they are positive African-American women who are on their grind and keep it all about God, family, and living life for fulfillment.  I also like how they are very expressive, don't let that church music fool you. Especially sister Tina Atkins-Campbell, boy oh boy is she expressive.  Always ready for the camera, both sisters always look fabulous, down to their hair and make-up. Have you noticed their naturally long hair? Best believe I noticed it. I am assuming they are using the weaves as protective styles for their hair. In that industry, your hair goes under a lot of abuse. There aren't many shots of their real hair online, but of course, I managed to find a few. Hope you enjoy what I did find. Tina is a hard one to find online.  But she did state elsewhere that they are both naturals who wear their hair straight and protected under weaves.

Who says you can't have healthy hair while using heat on a consistent basis? Okay, wait, let me rephrase that...Who says you can't have healthy hair while frequently using heat no more than once a week? There. That is better.  I never really had any trouble using heat often. Only time I really had trouble with heat use was during my relaxed days when I would perm, color, blow dry, and then flat iron a few times within the same week. Now that I look back and think about those times, I see that was my problem. That and not moisturizing my hair. I was doing all of this on dry, damaged hair AND WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF PROTECTANT. How crazy was I? Well I was doing my usual browsing through youtube and came across a youtuber who uses heat 3-4xs a month with no damage. Her hair journey is inspiring.  Check out her story:

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Since I began blogging back in July, I have had the same banner. I decided with increased traffic, should come an increase in this webpage.  I ask that you hang in there with me during the upgrades. It will be well worth it.  Say goodbye to the old banner.

Finally I have a break from work and decided to write as many posts/articles as I can this week for the readers. I received report that I had over 5000 readers last month and I am hoping to get past that this month. Therefore, I am mapping out a plan of action to keep me on track weekly. I will continue to do this since it seems easier as far as keeping interest of myself and everyone else as well. Sundays: Hairstyle of the week   (This will give you the latest trend on quick, diy hairstyles that will keep you looking ready for the world) Mondays: Surprise topic  (I will choose what to discuss. General hair topics, such as,  hair growth products that actually work, what to do if hair is breaking for no obvious reason...) Tuesdays: Hair from around the world  (See how other cultures care for their hair) Wednesdays: Celebrity hair  (Your favorite celebrities and their hair care) Thursdays: New product of the week (hottest and newest hair item) Fridays: Homemad

I DECIDED TO FLAT IRON MY HAIR DURING THIS "90 DAYS OF NO HEAT CHALLENGE." ONLY BECAUSE I HAD OBLIGATIONS TO ATTEND TO. THIS WILL BE THE ONLY PASS THAT I USE. ESPECIALLY SINCE I ONLY HAVE ONE MORE MONTH TO GO. THIS IS THE LONGEST I HAD BEEN W/OUT HEAT. IF YOU PAID ATTENTION TO MY LAST LENGTH CHECK BEFORE THE CHALLENGE AND TAKE A LOOK AT MY CURRENT LENGTH CHECK, YOU WILL SEE THE HEALTH AND GROWTH THAT I HAVE KEPT DURING THE TWO MONTHS WITHOUT HEAT. I HOPE YOU ALL JOIN ME FOR THE NEXT MINI "NO HEAT" CHALLENGE.