Blatant Subliminals

While many of you are watching the new Fox drama entitled Empire. Which some of you see the portrayal of the typical black stereotypes and the Willie Lynch Letter being acted out on prime time television. There is a blatant subliminal message that they are portraying and that many are overlooking. 

What is that message you ask? Well its the message of ALS in African American Men. Why all of a sudden is there this surge in promoting awareness to this disease? Hmmmm I am not sure. But with the numbers showing that ALS mainly affects Caucasian Men with a study that was done from January 1 2009 to December 31, 2011 neurologist submitted 5,914 case reports and 75% were Caucasian (between the ages of 60-69), 11% Hispanic(50-69 in age), 9.3% African American (between the ages of 50-59) and 3.6% Asian (60-69 in age).

(courtesy of http://www.neurologyreviews.com/the-publication/clinical-news-meeting-coverage-and-literature-monitor/article/als-incidence-varies-by-race-and-ethnicity/6e443d620fd37220f3174a9e4632f1c9.html) 

So with such low numbers amongst African american men, it makes me wonder if they are creating awareness of this disease with the Empire Show and the Ice Bucket Challenge because they are secretly increasing the numbers by intentionally infecting black men with the disease. There was a study done that shows that Gulf War Veterans are twice as likely to develop the disease. 

When research is done on a disease researchers have to recreate it in order to figure out how to come up with a cure. I don’t trust the government when it comes to disease control and cures. As we all know that cancer has been in research for years and reportedly there is no cure. Yet the pharmaceutical industries, radiation treatments and dialysis companies are growing rich exponentially from “extending lives" by way of offering feel good for now drugs and services. 

There is an epidemic in America where they like to keep everyone sick so that companies can profit off your illness. With the Food and Drug Administration being one huge conglomerate that pumps unnatural things into our food and water supply to keep Americans in this perpetual cycle of fake food and dirty water which makes people sick and sick people buy prescription drugs. Wake up and see what the government is cooking (bacon is on the menu LOL but so serious). 

Let’s be more conscious of what we consume in our bodies. Stop eating fake foods and stop making these pharmaceutical companies rich. Leave the pharmacy and seek out your nearest farm-acy. Grow your own foods or find a community garden in your area. Open your eyes and realize the real lies in prescription drugs that only mask the pain for a short amount of time and never heals the underlying cause. Consider this a friendly reminder that what you put in your body comes out in your hair skin and nails. Its really simple to be healthy and drug free. 

Zendaya Educates the Masses

Here we go again with yet another ignorant comment about locs in the media by uneducated persons who don't have them.

This is what locs look like when they are "stylish and edgy" (according to rancic)

So apparently Giuliana Rancic thinks that people who wear locs smells like “patchouli oil and weed” and Kelly Osbourne agrees (courtesy of http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelzarrell/zendaya-wrote-a-powerful-defense-of-her-dreadlocks-after-rac#.cxVAPoVzw). I am curious to know if they actually know anyone or met anyone that has locs. Its quite interesting that the same person could say that Kylie Jenner's locs are "stylish and edgy" out of one side of her mouth then turn around and say negative comments about Zendaya's extremely neat faux locs out of the other side of her mouth (LMAO *gives major side eye*). Although, I am elated that Zendaya had such a powerful and educated response to the backlash of her hairstyle choice.  In her response she noted some well-known people in the media who wear the beautiful mane of locs.  She even gave credit to people, whom I had never heard of before, who also choose to wear locs.  I have a new found respect for Zendaya after such an atrocity of negative comments were made during the E! Network Fashion Police show.

This is what locs look like when they "smell like patchouli oil and weed" (according to rancic)

This is another example of how some people are blind to the fact that different is beautiful. As well as beauty stands out of the crowd and refuses to blend in. Locs have always had negative connotations in society. And I believe that my fellow locstars can change this thought pattern. After being at the Bronner Brothers International Hair Show this weekend in Atlanta. I saw some pretty amazing styles and all kinds of people choosing this loc’d look. 

I believe that locs should be acceptable everywhere, from schools to corporate America to the Entertainment Industry (outside of rap).   Locs are a statement to one’s own identity and to some are apart of their personality. By rocking your locs out loud no matter if they are dreadlocks or locs, neat or frizzy, freshly styled or no maintenance for several weeks, you stand out in a crowd by means of your mane saying I’m different. Locs and dreadlocks are worn by a gamut of people: students, business professionals, entrepreneurs, entertainers and more. As a community of locstars and dreadheads we have to shatter this ill-advised thought process of negativity. We will not be classified as a generation of misfits because we choose to wear our hair outside of the mainstream. We hold our heads up high, walk with pride and we put our best into anything that we do while achieving greatness.  We are not our hair but we are a positive force to be reckoned with! Locstars and Dreadheads unite!

Rancic issues an apology:

Exposing Deception In Natural Hair Products

At first I would say that it is awesome that finally companies are taking notice to the “Natural Hair Trend” that has taken place in the last 20 years. But after realizing that most of these companies are just capitalizing on the influx of people embracing their natural coifs, ingredients are the least of their concerns. From bloggers that advertise national brand products, to packaging/displays utilizing celebrities, to advertisements strategically placed during your favorite television show. The reality is that many companies found in beauty supply stores and on aisles at the big box retailers truly don’t have natural hair in mind when formulating the actual product. 

So the next time you are in a beauty supply store or big box retailer, take a look at the many products that are marketed towards natural hair, turn it around and look at the ingredients. Now compare those ingredients used in products that are just labeled for black hair (specifically relaxed hair)… See any similarities. You do don’t you. Do feel some kind of way? You should, see what these national brands have realized is that taking a product and repackaging it to market towards the natural hair community is a multi billion-dollar market. So why actually try to change the formula of a product that is already doing well, instead they give it a spin off name, create a label and utilize key words found that naturalistas have concerns for. Grrrrreat Marketing, *gives round of  applause* Deceptive little ...*shut your mouth*

After being a part of many blogs and dialogue on social media as well as email/Skype, with other natural women and men, I have found that people like being blindsided. Why you ask? Tuh, most people don’t like spending money on their hair, for quality products or just have been burned by inexperienced stylist. With that being said, most will rather spend money on cheap products that claim to do something and in reality it doesn’t do anything it describes, yet it does cause a ton of other issues.  Combine that with the misuse of multiple products at once, lack of professional care and daily/weekly abuse that one may subject to their crowns to that equals a mess of a disaster.

The damage done has lead to a few of blogsites, magazines, Natural hair specialist and small business products dedicated to dispelling myths in the natural hair world.  Women and men alike are asking the same questions such as “why is my hair dry?”, “Why am I experiencing breakage?”, “How do I get rid of buildup?”, “How do I get my hair to look like the box or this picture?” and “How do I get my hair to hold a style?”

SMH, WELLLLLP… let me help you by answering all those questions with one answer. Try checking your ingredients on your products used in your coifs.

Be wary of products that say “No Wax”, “No Beeswax”, “Does Not Cause Buildup”, “Alcohol Free” and etc. Usually some of those products will contain an alternative to those ingredients. Think of it like reality television… It’s called reality but in most cases its scenes are a skewed reality that is situationally set up and fueled by liquor.  Labeling on national brand low quality products is to suggest the opposite of what it contains and what it does. 

By investing in professional care from time to time and high quality products you can see and feel a difference with your crown. When speaking of professional expert care I mean someone that has a license and seeks education to keep abreast of trends and products. High quality products will have more natural ingredients that you can pronounce with in the first 5-10 ingredients. Don’t get sucked into a pretty label, celebrity endorsements or typical phrases that imply the opposite like the aforementioned and “For Natural Hair and Locs”.  It starts by knowing key ingredients and what they do and how to read in between the lines. It’s really simple to S.imply K.eep Y.our H.air H.ealthy

Consultations

Why Consultations Are Important

As a client seeking a stylist you should want to interview a stylist prior to them performing services on you. This is an important key factor, as this will allow you insight into their skill and knowledge level. At the time of a consultation you should seek the following:

1.     Pictures of their work: This will allow you to see their styling abilities and progression photos of their clients.
  

2.     Products used: They should be able to explain to you what products they use and why.

3.     Knowledge of their craft: How well educated are they of the services they provide.

4.     A sense of their work environment: Is it comfortable for you? Is it peaceful, private, and clean?

5.     Obtain a feel of the stylist personality and work ethics: Are they professional, personable, easy going?

By setting up a consultation you will be able to get a better understanding of the stylist providing services. As well as explain what you get for your money. You should feel comfortable in their environment and get all your questions answered. Some clients skip this step and once they get services rendered they are unsatisfied. Going to a stylist that requires a consultation will ensure you that you are satisfied with your hairstyle or maintenance and you are receiving a value for your monies spent. Consultations can range in price from free to upwards of $100.  Sometimes money for consultation can be applied towards services while other stylist charge for their time and knowledge. Either way if you are required to do a consultation usually you will be happy with services and feel much more comfortable with the stylist that will be caring for your tresses. It’s really easy to S.imply K.eep Y.our H.air H.ealthy.