Bull’s Eye: Miss Jessie's products coming to Target Stores

Miss Jessie's Natural Hair Products will have a new spot on Target store shelves' starting this March. 

So if you love Miss Jessie's products you will soon be able to make a quick stop in Target to get your fix. 

 

 

photo credit: Missjessies.com

Random Natural High Shot

Newness: Urban Outfitter Headbands

Urban Outfitters is one of my favorite stores.  That store knows my style to a T.  :)

Anyway, check out these headbands that have out for the new season.  Just lovely for natural hair.  :)

 

Beaded Applique Headwrap $24

 

 

40's Beaded Headwrap  $24

 

 

 

 

photo credit: urbanoutfitters.com

Coming to a Closet Near You!: Natural HIGH Tee’s

 

 

Coming to a closet near you! This spring. . Natural HIGH Tee’s will make an official debut.  Here are some pics of the prototypes.  The Men's T-shirts  and Ladies tee’s will be made on American Apparel 100% cotton. 

Stay Tooned

Hair Experiment: Pin-Curled Twists

Here is a couple of pics from my most recent hair experiment.  I two-stranded my hair as usual, but then pin curled it.  It gave it some extra body.

I used the jumbo size bobby pins.  Those work the best in my hair. 

It looks better as it gets older believe it or not, because the curls loosen up. I like to pin up this style when I pin curl it. 

Check out my pin curl job in the pic above.:)

Not to bad uh?

In this pic, my hair is pulled around my forehead like a bang and pinned on the side, by my temple. 

In this pic, my hair is pulled over to one side and pinned down on top of my head. 

Remember this pic?  I’ve had it in an eariler post.  I pinned curled my twists in this pic as well.  My hair is all pinned up in the back and pinned on the side in the front.  See, it gives it a fresh new style and a nice pin up.

 

Here is the style from one side. 

These pics were taken when my hair was about 3 days old.

Black Barbie Addiction Continues. . . . .

Yup! I think I am starting to have a Black Barbie addiction! It’s all good though.  I mean come on it’s Barbie's, what’s not to be addicted to. :)

I was in Target a couple days ago and ended up in the toy section.  Please don’t ask me why, because I don’t know myself.  I know it started with a couple oooo’s and ahhhh’s and that was it. 

Anyway, check out this new Barbie Basics line Mattel/Barbie has out now.  Not sure how long it has been around, but I think it’s pretty new. 

There will be different collections along with Model Numbers.  This specific Barbie is in the first collection and is number 4.  From what I have seen, these Barbie's are all dressed in very simple ‘basic” black clothes.

I thought she looked very different and loved it.  She has a short cropped hair style and looks a little more ethnic then many of the rest of the black Barbie's I have seen. 

 

 

Dolls are $19.99 in Target and Barbie.com

I See Blue People

Ok, So I went to see Avatar.  It’s been ummmm maybe about 3 weeks now.  Anyway, it was a good movie, but very long.  Yes, I did nod off a couple times, but we aren’t going to talk about that. 

The story line was a great, along with the visual effects in 3-D, hence my shades.  Yesssss I kept them:)

Avatar’s creator and director, James Cameron was on Oprah last week sharing his vision for the movie. 

Although I think it is a great movie, I do not think it was as amazing as many are making it seem to be.  I’m really trying to make the connect with greatness of it.  The movie did walk away with two Golden Globe awards last night. 

Help Haiti!!!!!!!!!!!

 

It will be one week tomorrow since the devastating earthquake shook Haiti’s core.  Every bit helps, whether its clothes, prayers, or small donations. 

The Red Cross is an official place to make a donation to Haiti relief. 

Beware of fake and phony places to donate. 

 

 

 

Photo credit: redcross.org

Hairstory II: KR Update!

Our very first hairstory featured Katrina Rene’e. 

Well, here is an update on her hair journey along with some beauty shots since she was last featured. 

I had my first blow out last week, since going 'natural' about 6 1/2 months ago. I was surprised at how much my hair has grown.  In fact, I didn't even think my hair was long enough to be blown out! 

I was shopping at the mall when someone approached me and complimented me on my beautiful twists.  That person had a blow out and their hair looked awesome - flowing, healthy and shiny.  She informed me of her hairdresser who was located at Bubbles Hair Salon in the mall. 

Immediately after speaking with her, I went to Bubbles to speak with the hairdresser, Besa, who I found out had been featured in Seventeen Magazine.  Besa looked at my coils/gel twists and said she definitely could do my hair.

I was excited about the idea of getting a "new" hairstyle as I was somewhat getting bored with wearing twists, everyday for the past 1/2 year (since late June).

Of course the day of my appointment I was nervous.  I didn't know exactly what to expect.  Technically, I've never had a blowout.  Many years ago (approx 12yrs) when I was natural, I had my hair pressed.  By the time, Besa had completed my hair, I looked fabulous! 

She trimmed all the ends so my hair was now truly even.  Although I was getting my ends trimmed when getting twists, since my natural curl is tight, the trims, as expected, were not perfectly even. 

After my blow out,  my hair was VERY soft and shiny. It was obvious how healthy my hair was and I was very proud. It had grown a lot and my hair has a tendency to grow slow.

I am excited to see how long my hair will grow with it being in it’s natural state.  That will be the real test in addition to it staying healthy.  My hair had previously been broken off (prior to going natural) and now it’s  back in business! 

It didn't have much of a bounce to it though, but it hasn't ever.  I think if I continued to get blowouts and 'train' my hair, perhaps it would a gain a little bounce.  I also noticed my hair has to be 'trained' to be curled.  My hair has never been the greatest at holding a curl and I see that still is true.  I must roll my hair, on sponge rollers, of course every night to ensure my hair has some curl to it the next day.

I've decided in order to avoid heat, I rather sponge roll my hair, then flat iron it consistently.
I only want to touch-up my hair once with heat.  I plan on doing so tonight because my hair is starting to revert back. It's been about a week since the blow out. I think I will try to get my hair blown out maybe once every six months.  This will allow me to see the true status of my hair (i.e. ends trimmed, observe length etc.).

 

In fact, I now feel like anyone who has natural hair, especially, if you have a tight curl like me, to get your hair blown out every now and then.
I'm definitely ready to go back to my twists! I didn't realize how low maintenance they are; with a blow out I have to dedicate extra time at night and in the morning to my hair.  With my twists I literally "get up and go" and rain is not my arch enemy!

When it comes to maintaining my hair I like to use Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  I buy it from the grocery store and put it in squirt bottle.  Also from time to time I like to use Carol’s Daughter’s Hair Butter.

I’ve noticed my hair being “drier” in the winter months and have to use the olive oil more consistently.  My old hair dresser also suggested Jojoba or Almond Oil. 

When she did my twists she used to wash my hair with black soap and sometimes tea tree (the tea tree agitated my scalp though so only used once).  She would twist my hair with shea butter (a concoction that was homemade) and Fruit of the Earth aloe vera gel. 

I've received numerous compliments at my job on my blow out! People love it!  People liked my twists too, but I think b/c I have something new it tickles them even more.

I've gotten so many compliments it almost makes it a little difficult going back to my twists...lol.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Katrina for giving us an update on your hair journey! We look forward to hearing more:)

 

Photo credit: KR

Got It: Barbie “Diggin It” Tee

Check it out! I got my Barbie Tee. 

If you’ve been following the blog you know I have had my eye on this shirt.  I finally found it over the holidays.  I got it a little big because it will definitely shrink when I wash it. 

I think this is suppose to be Barbie’s friend Christie, who was the very first black Barbie, introduced in 1968.  After Christine was introduced, other cultures and races were created, such as Teresa who is an Hispanic and Kira who is Asia. 

Photo credit: barbiecollector.com

Art Appreciation: Kadir Nelson’s Cocoa Cola Company Campaign

I’m sure everyone has seen some of Artist Kadir Nelson’s Artwork, whether you knew it or not.    Nelson’s art has been in  popular circulated magazines such as Ebony and Essence.  

My monthly Essence subscription for the pass 3 or 4 months has always had these beautiful Cocoa Cola Company ads in them.  All for the love of Black History. 

 

“Be Heard”

“Be Legendary”

“Be Giving”

LeBron James

“Be Driven”

 

 

I think I’ve found another favorite artist!

*Essence’s February’s 2010 Issue features “Be Legendary”

photo credit: kadirnelson.com

Product Junkie: Carol’s Daughter’s Conditioning Spray

Here I am, back at it again.  Yes I love products.

This time its with Carol’s Daughter's Tui Leave-in Conditioning Spray.  My mother bought me some and as you can see I have already used a lot of it. 

 

 

I like to spray it on in the morning to freshen up my curls and loosen them up a bit. 

So far, so good!:)

Goodwood: Fresh finger rings

$25.00

photo credit: karmaloop.com

Newness for Youness: Chain Earrings by Melody Ehsani

 

Likey?

$62.00

photo credit: karmaloop.com

O.P.I.: Alice in Wonderland

Everyone remembers Alice in Wonderland right? 

You know, the curious little girl that take an imaginative and magical journey through a special place called “Wonderland?”

Well, Walt Disney Pictures and director Tim Burton is bring the movie back to theaters in March for a new version. 

O.P.I. Nail Polish is presenting some new colors with some fun names to go along with the film.

New Colors:

• Thank you So Muchness
• Absolutely Alice
• Mad as a Hater
• Off! With Her Red

Check them out here.

Sade "Soldier of Love" Video

Here is the Sade "Soldier of Love" Video. .. I don't know how official it is, but here ya go! :)

Hairstory 2: E stands for Emerald

Ladies and Gents, Here is another Fresh Face Beauty, Emerald. 

Check out her brief hair story:

I got my LAST relaxer February 2008. I transitioned with kinky twists and did my BC on New Years Eve of 2008.
I do not put any heat in my hair. Right now I’m washing it with dove products. Afterward, I apply unrefined Shea Butter to it and put in my two-strand twist.

What made you go natural?
My hair is really thick so even with a relaxer it would never look completely straight. I decided in high school that I would try going natural just to see what my natural texture was capable of. I tried a couple of times but always ended up relaxing it after about 7months. This final time in 2008 I did some research and found some transitioning styles to help me stick to the commitment of a Natural Hair Journey...after a couple of months I did my Big Chop (BC) and to me there was no turning back after that.

What was the hardest thing to get pass?
I think the hardest thing for me to do and get past was the BC. I told my family I was going natural but no one took me seriously until the day I BC'ed my hair. Growing up, society brainwashes you to believe to be beautiful you must have long hair and initially, I felt freed from that belief when I cut off my relaxed ends. But the next morning was another story- I looked in the mirror and I cried. It was hard but I think I just really had to get use to my new look....As I look back I am so proud of myself. I think it takes alot of inner strength to go against what you are used to. But as long as you only listen to yourself and not what others deem "beautiful" going natural can be a very educational experience.

I just recently started to oil my scalp with Kemi Oyl. Generally, after washing it and twisting it up I leave it alone for a few days. During the week I may add a little Carol’s Daughters Hair Milk or even some Luster’s Pink Lotion.

 

What is the hardest thing now being natural?
I think the hardest thing about being natural is staying natural. People tend to forget that going natural is reversible...with one weak moment you can relax it...but if you do place that chemical in your hair you have to remember how long it takes a long time to get back to natural after that.

My staple hair style right now is twist-strand twists. Sometimes I may rock cornrows in the front or sides with a twist out in the back or middle like a faux hawk.

 

What is your favorite hairstyle?
I love twist outs. I think that every time I twist my hair up it looks different when I unravel it....throughout the week I wake up and its like a new style everyday!

 

Sometimes I wash it and braid it up…take it out in the morning and let it do it’s own thing…with a headband or a flower :-)

 

Do you feel like a different person after shedding the perm?
I think I am a different person. I pay more attention to the products I use. When I got "perms" I would just slap any products in my hair that would lay it down. Now that I am natural I lean toward natural products and oils and I stay clear of products with harmful ingredients.

Do you think going natural is for everyone?
It can be. Natural is not just a look that is for a certain type of person. The way I see it is we were all born natural,so why can't everyone be natural again?

 

Photo credit: Models own

 

Thanks Emerald!

 

*If you’d like to be featured, shoot me an email at emailnaturalhigh@gmail.com  I’m always looking for natural beauties to share their hairstories. 

Product Junkie: Lush This!

Check out my goodies my sister got me from LUSH.  If you have been following the blog, you know I love LUSH.
It’s a Canadian based cosmetic store that has branched off to all parts of the world.  The make fresh handmade cosmetics.   Everything from bubble bath to facial creams and lots of other fun smelly good stuff. 
They have many stores across the U.S., but seem to be pretty spread out.  The nearest one to me is about 2 hours away,sad face. 
 

Karma Kream (body cream)  7.9 oz. $25.75
What’s in the container: Orange Flower Water (Citrus dulcis, aqua), Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Glycerine, Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Steatric Acid, Triethanolamine, Patchouli Oil (Posgostemon cabin), Orange Oil (Citrus dulcis), Lavendin Oil (Lanvadula hybrida), Pine Oil (Pinus), Lemongrass Oil (Cymbopogon Flexuous), Elemi Oil (Cananrium Commune), Tincture of Benzoin (Styrax Benzoin), Cetearyl Alcohol, *Cinnamal, *Citral, *Geraniol, *Citronellol,*Limonene, *Linalool, Perfume, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.
*Things that occur naturally with essential oils. 
 
This body cream is wonderful. It’s very smooth and has a nice light fresh scent.  It’s a little pricey so I have used it very sparingly. 
The second pic is a cartoon sticker of the person who handmade the cream along with expiration date. Hey Nic!
  All their products are freshly made and expire after sometime.  I’m sure I will use this goodness up before the expo date.  :)
 
Karma Soap-Meditative Patchouli Soap
Ingredients: lemongrass, orange oil, pine, patchouli
This so has the same scent as the karma kream
3.5 oz.
$8.69
Cuteness uh?  It’s wrapped up like it was in the grocery store:)
 

 
 

Squeaky Green Solid Shampoo
Ingredients: Rosemary, nettle, peppermint
1.9 oz.
$7.95
Yes, this is solid shampoo for your hair.  They have all kinds of shampoos to include many of the traditional liquid types.  I haven’t tried this out yet, but will definitely keep you posted.  :)