Category: Afro Chics Digest

Airplane Read: 32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter

Leave a comment

 

I was doing some traveling a few weeks ago to Virgina and so when my mother suggested that I read “32 Candles’ by Ernessa T. Carter on the plane ride across country. I decided to take up on her offer and it was the best entertainment I’ve ever had 5,000 miles in the air. Traveling time was 10 hours and my eyes barely left the pages, as I read through countless hours cramped on southwest with peanuts and cranberry apple juice.

The main character “Davie” was very entertaining, and it was nothing short of a fairytale.  The author redefined the “Girls Gets Boy” theory by building the story from Davie’s childhood until her 30’s so I was able to capture her dysfunctional relationship with her mother, to going mute until she moved to LA, and falling in love with her high school sweetheart that she used to stalk.  I am not giving anything away at all because the descriptions and witty stories will take you on a roller coaster trough adolescent love, maturity, and life lessons that every women face growing up.

I found it very interesting that the author was able to paint a picture throughout the story of Davie’s natural hair.  When she was a child it was untamed and everyone teased her about the way she looked but as she grew up and moved to Hollywood she didn’t buy into the perms and wore her hair in a big Afro.  It will bring confidence to those who feel discouraged about their own looks.  Not everyone starts out as the most popular girl in the school with the blossoming personality and the bright future. It’s not so often you come across black novels that portray the protagonist in such a way that all women can relate it to their own real-life situations. Ernessa T. Carter made sure to let the reader know that your fairytale will come true, you just have to learn to love yourself first and be comfortable in your own skin.

So if you are traveling this holiday season, or you are looking for a bit of entertainment to your mind, this will be a novel that you should pick up. Just check it out in the library!

Sesame Street’s “I Love My Hair”

Leave a comment

I think this video so adorable, I’m happy that Sesame Street continues to uplift children in many ways with education and self-image.  It was adorable to see the lil fro puppet dancing around. What a fun sing-a-long.  Sesame Street better be around for me little ones.

I had to share this with you all, thanks to Hanae for showing us.

Essence Goes Natural: November Issue 2010

1 Comment

I think this is dope, I’m excited for my copy to see what the writers have captivated for the natural hair sistahs. What do you think?

Afro Chic’s Kinky Curly Curling Custard: Revisted

Leave a comment

I’ve decided to give Kinky Curly Curling Custard another revisit and this time, I did the KCCC Twist-Outs.  When my hair was much shorter I was able to apply the product without mess or hassle but when I obtained a certain length KCCC became too cakey on my hair.  I didn’t want to give up on it because I loved the product so much that I tried a different way to apply it and it actually lasted longer than before.

Like usual I washed and conditioner my hair, and when soaking wet I pleated my hair into four sections.  I sectioned those pleats into small individual twists by using a healthy amount of KCCC to each twist. And this is what it looked like:

Each twist is about 1/2 to 1 inches whith to ensure my curl pattern and definiton.  Realizing that my hair was extremely wet afterwards I decided I’d go 24 hours until I took them out so below will be what the result next day.  I didn’t use a comb to unravel them, instead I fingered styled them until I got the texture I was going for.

I was satisfied with the bouncy curls for about 3 days until then I slicked it back into a ponytail. Nonetheless, I think it’s a great hairstyle for the fall. 🙂

Afro Chic’s Pick: Hairtrition Conditioner

Leave a comment

What caught my eye as I was strolling down the aisle of Sally beauty supply were the nutrition facts on this bottle.  I immediately felt that my hair would eat up this conditioner in no time.  It’s literally everything you need in a bottle for the fall season. We are so busy trying to take care of every aspect of our body to ensure healthy living we always seem to neglect our hair, and mines is screaming “give me vitamins!!!” So I tried it, and so far so good.  Here I have the Hairtrition Color Protection Conditioner but the line is equipped with conditioners, shampoos, leave-ins, and sprays that can fit your personal lifestyle and current hair condition. That photo of me below is me after I washed and set my hair, please excuse me unenthused expression on my face.

Chic Facts: formulated with Coconut Oil, Sunflower Seed Extract and UVA/UVB Protectants, extends the life of your hair color up to 66%*. Hairtrition delivers vital nutrients your hair requires to be unbelievably manageable, silky, shiny and radiant. only $6 at Sally Beauty supply!

Afro Chics Pick: Curly Chicks Expression Tees

Leave a comment

Curly Chicks is an online boutique designed specifically for the naturally curly sistahs.  Stocked with accessories, jewelry, and apparel you will be sure to find something that fits you.  I love expression tees and have featured many and I find Curly Chicks to be so adorable because they have a line for the little ones. Whether you are a curly chick or know one, these make great stocking stuffers (yes I’m thinking Christmas already).

Here are the Logo Designs:

Make sure you visit www.curlychicksonline.com for more details!

Les Nubians- Liberté

1 Comment


I woke up this morning feeling like death but after downloading Les Nubians new single “Liberte” I am no longer complaining and feel more “liberated” then yesterday. Just a little background; “liberte” was the names of the national anthem of Guinea which means “Liberty”. Les Nubians are currently on tour where they stopped in my area, Oakland Ca. at Yoshi’s. Although it wasn’t 1998 for me, I remember their introduction into the world with their hit single “Makeda” which was a big eye opener for the US after other African artists like Fela who paved the way for the exposure of African Music worldwide. You can check out their website http://www.lesnubians.com for the exclusive downloads, tour dates, and more!

Natural Hair Protagonist in Young Adult Fiction Series

2 Comments

For all you book nerds out there, there is a new young adult book series entitled “Perfect Shot” which features the lead protagonist with natural hair.  The author Debbie Rigaud is the first of Simon & Schuster Pulse Romantic Series to feature a African American woman with natural hair as the protagonist.  I think that it’s so dope that were getting spotlight in the books as well so I will definitely be supporting this author.  You can check out the interview HERE with bglhonline.com where Debbie Rigaud shares her thoughts on why a natural heroine is important.

Afro Chic’s Pick: Bee Mine Products

Leave a comment

Like every week I wash, condition, and style my hair so that it will look fresh and well kept but this week I decided to try new products and was given a slightly different and pleasing results.  Thanks to Bee Mine Products for sponsoring the site, I was given the opportunity to try 3 new products from the line which are 100& Organic products specializing in hair growth.  They come in sprays, conditioners, shampoos, hair butter, and more.  They smell of sweet candy and feel nice and soft on your natural or even chemical tresses. The products used on my hair were “Bee Hold Curly Butter”, “Deja’s Hair Milk”, and “Avocado cream  balanced conditioner”.

Here’s brief discriptions of each given to me by Tracey of http://www.beemineproducts.com:

Bee Hold Curly Butter – It’s a very versatile product because it gives a light hold as well as moisturizes the hair.  You can use Bee Hold Curly Butter to lay down unruly hair be it natural or permed.  Use it for twists, flat twists, puffs, rod sets (permed & natural) twist & curl, etc.


Deja’s Hair Milk – Has very versatile uses in it detangles, conditions, moisturizes the hair and when used daily can be used as a daily leave in.  It has no protein so those that like the fact that it’s protein free will love the rich thick moisturizing effects of Deja’s Hair Milk.


Avocado Cream Balanced Conditioner – Is a light protein and moisturizing conditioner.  Very moisturizing and does have a light protein balance that nourishes the hair without weighing it down.  Those that are protein sensitive should not use ACBC as a daily co-wash due to the fact that it does have a mild protein in it.  Those that use it have experienced a wonderful change in the condition of their hair.

I have been SO ANXIOUS to try them out so here’s how it went:

I washed my hair with my own shampoo and then used a generous amount of the Avocado balanced conditioner to devour my hair, the smell instantly took my breathe away.  After about 3 mins I rinsed my hair using a detangling comb and towel dried it.  Since my hair LOVES moisture I based my hair with the Bee Hold Curly butter before I used the product to do my twist-outs. (I also used a tiny bit of murray’s lock gel, just for extra hold).  I sat under the dryer for 30 mins.

When I woke up in the morning, I fingered through my twist outs with Deja’s Hair Milk which gave it extra shine.  Results? I cant stop touching and smelling my hair all day, not to mention the fluffy bouncy-ness (is that a word?) it gave to my walk.  I’d like to say that my hair has a mind of its own and will probably look totally different tomorrow, but I am sure I will starty using Bee Mine products if not daily but  on a monthly basis.  Thank You Bee Mine Products for making my hair look and feel GREAT!

For more information please visit their online store for testimonials, reviews, and samples!

http://www.beemineproducts.com

This product has been Reesa Speaks Approved 🙂

So You Want to Go Natural? (Reader’s Request)

3 Comments

I’ve recently recieved emails and answered questions to my peers and readers who are curious about their naturality.  I am delighted that you guys would look to me for advice and opinions for I’m still on my journey but I don’t mind taking you guys along for the ride.  I am currently in the process of writing my “Hair Story” for http://www.going-natural.com and as I tell my story over and over to writers, websites, and you guys, this will be a liberating experience for your mind, body, and soul.

If you are afraid of wearing your hair at it’s natural state, I suggest that you transition.  To me, depending on how damaged or processed you hair has been transistioning can be very hard.  You may decided to stop the perm and just wear weaves or braids or even a wig but make sure that once you stop that creamy crack that doesn’t mean you do nothing to your hair.  My opinion is that if you are willing to learn how to care for you hair then I’d suggest you go forth with the transistion.

The Big Chop.  That’s how I started my journey, as I told you before in my testimonies I wasn’t given a choice and because my hair was so damaged I had to remove the broken hair which left me with 2 inches of new growth.  Yeah, I had to grow up fast, but I am thankful for it because I was put out there like a fish in the sea and immediately fell in love with my naturality.

So if you are thinking about going Natural, the one thing that you have to build is confidence and acceptance of oneself.  You may not have it now but once you transition to this side you will learn all of these characteristics.  But the cool this is, you will not be ALONE. Our community is big and rapidly growing.  This journey will teach you to love every part of your body at its natural state and will give you hollistic reasons to want to take care of your mind, body, and soul naturally.

And so, I open this forum up for you guys to share you thoughts, concerns and advice in the “Natural” Community! Positivity! Post your comments below!