Natural Belle

Nykhor Paul For Mara Hoffman

2012-01-26T16:17:00.000Z

Check out the collection here

Solange Knowles @ Tiffany's Event

2012-01-26T12:01:00.001Z

These are the first pics of Solange at the Tiffany's event hosted by Garance Dore and The Satorialist. Solange rocked a gorgeous Christopher Kane neon dress and was spotted dancing to Britney!

Natural Belle for KisforKInky

2012-01-25T21:51:00.000Z

I knew we would cross paths eventually! check out this weeks Kinks On The Catwalk profiling the fro-tastic Julia Sarr Jamois HERE

Solange Knowles for Garance Doré

2012-01-25T16:53:00.005Z

Garance caught up with Solange at her New York apartment, such a lovely picture and Solange effortlessly mixes geo prints with a hint of leopard

Shop the look

Outfit Of The Week

2012-01-25T12:17:00.000Z

I'm leaping into spring, even though it is likely to snow I just can't wait to try out the spring colour palette so with the addition of a wool jacket and opaque tights I'll be venturing out in this look!

The humble pencil skirt will be making a huge impact on my wardrobe this spring/summer I picked up the one pictured from ASOS I love the exposed full length zip at the back and the punchy green colour teamed with this H&M white shirt, I was going to stop there but more my darlings...is like more! so my turban(made from Sari fabric), Batik Print(meen) ring and gold cuff necklace had to make a guest appearance!

So Far...So Haute

2012-01-24T15:57:00.004Z

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The Afrolista's rocking Paris couture fashion week!

Ajak Deng For Dior

2012-01-24T08:59:00.002Z

source

Joan Smalls & Jasmine Tookes for Giambattista Valli

2012-01-24T08:52:00.000Z

WORK...!

Natural Street Style

2012-01-23T22:13:00.001Z

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Street Style: Julia Sarr Jamois

2012-01-23T15:35:00.002Z

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Shop The Look

More of the same, the one thing i'm looking forward to in regards to the coming fashion weeks is Street Style snaps of Julia Sarr Jamois....I barely care for the clothes coming down the runway!

The Songstress: Inna Modja

2012-01-23T14:33:00.001Z

Follow The Restless Life on Tumblr

Solange Knowles for Instyle

2012-01-23T14:08:00.000Z

check out more image Here

Solange is working up such an Amazing book!

Chanel Iman for L'Officiel

2012-01-23T09:57:00.000Z

The Disillusioned Natural

2012-01-22T18:11:00.000Z

"Hi Belle,

Been a fan for quite a while, about 2 and half years, I really appreciate what you do through your blog, the pictures you put up are a real inspiration to myself, friends and family that natural beauty is indeed very precious. Through your blog I have definitely learnt to value it more and to be more proud of it

I am writing to you because I cannot seem to cope with my natural hair! I have been natural for over 4 years now, but only wear my hair in single plaits, because my hair is so thick, plentiful and wiry, I am unable to comb it.

Once I take the braids out, I could spend an hour in the shower untangling my hair with my fingers, followed by an extensive moisturising session and a gentle comb, but my hair is still tangled.

I feel like I am unable to wear my natural hair out due to the fact that I am unable to comb it. I have been enduring this for the whole of my life, this is how my hair is and I accept that.

But what really bothers me is that every time I go to the hairdressers to get my braids done, they yank and rip at my hair.

The salon floor is always covered in large tuffs of hair from the hairdresser breaking and ripping my edges and ends off, making it impossible to grow my hair longer. I have attached a picture of my hair when combed out at the salon.

I have even started losing my edges, I have attached a picture of myself (in the light blue scarf) to show the extent of the damage. I really do think I need to give up the braids.

I am really desperate to find some good advice of how to manage my natural hair. I have tried wigs, weaves and even the occasional misguided jerry curl and relaxer in the past.

I love the idea of having my natural hair, but I find that I have not been able to enjoy it to date; it is almost as if my hair has become a burden to me and I am very close to cutting it all off

At the moment my hair is in braids and I wash it once a week with head and shoulders shampoo because my scalp is so dry and itchy. When my hair is damp, I run a bit of olive oil all through my hair and scalp.

Once it is thoroughly air dried I then condition my scalp with a medicated scalp ointment called damatol, specifically for dry scalp.

I take my braids out after about 2 months, and wash it before getting it redone usually in a couple of days.

When I have finished taking out my braids, I use my fingers to gently de tangle and shampoo my hair. After washing the hair, I dry it till damn then I condition with some olive oil and air dry.

I hardly ever use heat on my hair, I just use the cool air setting on my roots when my braids are taking too long to dry I am hoping if you had any advice as to any styles (in regards to my round face shape), techniques, salons that could help me. I really don’t know what to do.

Kind regards,

Clueless from Berkshire"

Dear Clueless from Berkshire,

Firstly you are not alone in your feelings of disillusion it is almost a right of passage to feel this way at some point. and we here so many 'success' stories from women who are thrilled with their journey and their flourishing hair we sometimes forget that some of us find the process hard.

My first piece of advice would definitely be to stop braiding your hair and going to the salon that you say rip at your tresses. their are many salons that use bad hair practices it seem's that you may be visiting one of them*

Constantly braiding your hair for 4 years is the reason you are losing your hairline, this is due to traction alopecia* caused not only by braids that are installed to tightly, but for long periods of time. A good stylist would have noticed this and refused to braid your hair until your hair and scalp are strong and healthy. Anita Grant tells me;

"extensions will weigh down on the natural re-growth and caused split ends, knots and damage from the papilla (inner most root of the hair). The first thing I would ask her to do is try Organic Virgin Coconut Castor Hair Oil"

I would also suggest you incorporate some naturally derived products into you regimen, Head & Shoulders* in known in the salon industry as the harshest product for hair, often used to strip colour out of hair. If the chemicals in this product can remove colour just imagine what it is doing to the natural oils that we need to maintain healthy hair! this shampoo could also be aiding your dry scalp Anita Grant confirms;

"Scalp build up is inevitable because we, as humans, secrete sebum and sweat from the apocrine (sweat) glands and sebaceous glands located in the dermal layer (second layer) of our skin/scalp. At the same time our old skin/scalp tissue cells regenerate and sloths off naturally as dead skin/scalp tissue new skin/scalp tissue forms.
Everybody is different but if she has an overactive gland or two, which is covered by various products, then the dead skin cells lining the opening of her hair follicle will not shed properly and clog up her hair follicles - producing build up - which creates an ideal environment for bacteria. Bacteria loves oils that are not easily absorbed (like Petroleum, mineral oil and lanolin) into the skin, scalp and hair. As her hair does not seem to be porous build up on the hair shaft and cortex can lead to dryness and breakage"

Anita suggests using an ACV (apple cider vinegar) rinse which is the most common alternatively you could try coconut water.

Deep conditioning your hair is a must, Anita assures me that deep conditioning your hair will help to smooth cuticles and give your hair a healthier appearance, you should deep condition your hair every other week, though remember deep conditioning will not repair damaged hair, however it will improve the health of your new growth, so get rid of those damaged ends with a good trim.

Focus on getting some much needed moisture into your hair, water is your friend and the best moisturiser seal in that moisture with oil or butter

Conditioned and moisturised hair will help with the manageability of you hair, making your hair easier to maintain and de-tangle.

Lastly I suggest you keep styling simple, embrace the humble two strand twist,(learn how to do it here) it will protect you hair from over styling.

Check out YouTube for great video's for style and techniques that are simple and easy to learn

I hope that this has helped you and that you begin to enjoy your natural hair journey

*this is just my opinion anyone experiencing hair loss should consult a specialist and any tips and advice given by myself or Anita Grant are purely from our own personal experiences

All I Could Do Was Cry: R.I.P Etta

2012-01-20T22:16:00.001Z

"My mother always told me, even if a song has been done a thousand times, you can still bring something of your own to it. I'd like to think I did that"-Etta James

"You can't fake this music. You might be a great singer or a great musician but, in the need, that's got nothing to do with it. It's how you connect to the songs and to the history behind them"-Etta James

And I cried because I am a huge fan and because this is sad.

1938-2012

Top 10 Tweeter Via Africa Style Daily

2012-01-20T21:27:00.000Z

colour me thrilled! I have been named one of the top 10 people to follow on twitter by Africa Style Daily also making the list are @stylepantry & @ciaarifique

Be sure to follow me on Twitter my account is now set to private but all requests are approved @naturalbelle

Marian Kihogo for Grazia UK

2012-01-20T07:09:00.000Z

Stylist, Blogger & all round lovely lady Marian was featured in Grazia this week and taught us a few tricks of her trade......

on how to liven up a winter wordrobe......"play with texture and swap blacks for rich, moody hues, such as navy, burgundy, and forest green"

you can read more in Grazia magazine out now! be sure to support this stylista!

The Cover: L'Officiel 1971 ft Pat Cleveland

2012-01-19T22:03:00.000Z

Shop Vintage Pat HERE

The Outfit: Folake of Style Pantry

2012-01-19T17:26:00.003Z

Colour Clash like a pro folake rocks red, yellow & green more

Julia Sarr Jamois for Topshop Edited

2012-01-19T15:29:00.000Z

"The one piece I saw on the SS12 catwalks that I have to have... are the Prada flame sandals. They're amazing. You couldn't help but smile when you caught a glimpse of your feet in them"

This week at Topshop the edited picks have been hand selected by none other than wonderland editor Julia Sarr Jamois. pick from this seasons top shop must haves with a Sarr-Jamois flavour!

"My style signature is... mixing loads of different things together, textures, prints, colours. I like looks to be bold, but still fun"

Read Topshops Interview with Julia HERE

Julia Sarr Jamois for Tibi + Style Steal

2012-01-19T14:46:00.002Z

Shop Julia's Look Here

I've been waiting for these promo shots from Tibi to hit the web, with the lovely Julia Sarr Jamois showcasing the new collection love the clean simple lines in this shoot though I also LOVE her usually statement capsule wardrobe (click above to steal Julia's everyday look)

Chanel Iman & Luisa Bianchin for L'Officiel

2012-01-19T11:23:00.000Z

Love all these vintage americana editorials, Chanel Iman covers L'Officiel head to toe in Dolce & Gabbana, Luisa wears a mix of looks from this seasons mid century modern trend (aka hommage to the 1950's) I also spy pin curls and a turban or two!

via Fashiongonerogue

The Necklace: Anita Quansah

2012-01-18T21:31:00.002Z

Stunning bead, feather and metal work from Anita Quansah, these are strong statement pieces of which Shingai Shoniwa and Estelle are fans. The London based designer check out her full collection here

Hair Talk: Sasha of I Love Afro

2012-01-18T14:46:00.001Z

Sasha on left with the other fab half of I Love Afro

Firstly introduce yourself? Where are you from and what do you do?

Hi my name is Sasha Ricketts, born and bred in West London (UK). I am half of the company I Love Afro (natural hair products for afro and curlier hair textures) as well as working in financial services.

How long have you been natural? If all your life, what has kept you from relaxing your hair?

I have been natural for 5 years and I'm loving it!

How did you transition, did you big chop?

It's a bit more complicated. I was told by my stylist at the time to Big chop due to extreme damage after dying my hair blond and relaxing it (I thought it was cute at the time). I refused to have it shaved to a number 1 so she left some of the relaxed ends and I wore a short Halley Berry inspired style for a month while it grew. A month later all the relaxed ends were removed I was left with about half an inch of hair which was scary but quite exhilarating at the same time.

What were the main reasons for your choice to wear your natural hair?

As I mentioned the choice wasn't mine to begin with due to my constant changing of hairstyles, colours and DIY jobs my hair was on it's last legs so the only option was to cut it off and start again. The beginning for me was hard as I wasn't mentally prepared for it but very quickly (within weeks) my confidence grew I realised I was beautiful no matter how I wore my hair as women can often hide behind it.

What are your earliest hair memories? How did these memories influence your hair journey today?

I have many hair memories, good and bad but the one that stands out the most is being about 4/5 years old walking around with a pillowcase on my head and looking in the mirror praying that my hair would be that length. My mum had an array of wigs that I also use to put on (wow looking back I think I was obsessed with length). When I first became natural all I could think of was all the things I could do with my hair once it reached SL, APL, but now I’ve passed these goals I’m not any more satisfied than when I had 4 inches of hair. I often wonder if I really appreciated each stage of growth enough, you know the saying "you always want what you can't have"?

What does having natural hair mean to you?

I definitely think for me it's on a deeper level than just style choice as Tasha (other half of I Love Afro) and I created a business around it. I have never felt more comfortable in myself since becoming natural I love feeling and texture of my hair as well as the versatility it gives me. I no longer feel the need to experiment with cuts and colour to try and be different as I know I am unique. I do feel that I am more in touch with my roots but to be honest I’m not sure if that is due to my hair or just that fact that I’m older and wiser.

How do you keep your hair looking so good?

My basic regimen consists of washing and conditioning my hair once a week, I moisturise with a water based lotion (Shea Moisture Lotion) and seal in the moisture with a butter or oil (Coconut is the oil of choice at the moment) followed by a putting it in braids or flat twists. Because I wash and condition so regularly I find that my hair doesn't need much else such as protein treatments etc. I try to avoid using heat, as my ends can get very dry so to stretch my hair I use the banding method which works really well.

I definitely keep my hair in good condition by identifying what it needs so depending on how it feels I may add extra moisture, wash it or deep condition it etc.

What products do you use in your hair?

Since creating our I Love Afro range these have been my staple products. As for a favourite if there were any I couldn't live without it would have to be the Wash & Go Shampoo and the Shea Butter Melt.

What are your go to hairstyle? (Favorite hairstyle’s, how do you achieve it?)

My go to hairstyle is definitely a braid out it's quick easy and always gives me fantastic results. I use either the Shea Butter Melt or Choco Butter Melt to achieve frizz free definition.

How do you protect your hair in the winter months?

At the moment I am experimenting with different cornrow styles, making sure it is kept moisturised by regularly spraying/ spritzing my hair. I also wear a lot of updo's in the winter as my ends become very dry so tucking them away is the best way for me to keep them healthy. I love my woolly hats but always wear at satin scarf underneath as wool can suck the moisture out of your hair.

Do you have any advice for women starting out on their natural journey?

Create a regimen that works for you, what works for one person may not work for another. Make sure you enjoy each stage of your journey, just like growing into a women you wouldn't be the rich, beautiful person you are if you skipped all the difficult and uncomfortable parts, they are learning experiences.

What made you start you own product line?

We started our business in 2008 as we found sourcing afro hair products from the UK difficult. Our initial thoughts were to import US products and sell them in the UK but thought why not make our own!! We took time to learn structure of our hair, researched ingredients to promote manageability and learnt the foundations of formulating to create our own product range. Since then I Love Afro has gone from strength to strength.

Do you have any advice for budding businesswomen?

If you have faith and belief in your business idea as well as yourself then you are half way there.

Keeping focused and driven is important as when hurdles present themselves you need determination to carry on. An important element that I think is often overlooked is remembering that "you are your product/ service" make sure you represent your business to the best of your ability by presenting yourself in a professional manner.

Visit I Love Afro Here you can also attend the I Love Afro event 'A Day With I Love Afro' on 4th February 2012 in central London get details Here

Backstage: Solange, Julia & Oroma at Alberta Ferretti

2012-01-18T11:07:00.000Z

Follow LURVE Mag Notes & check out Oroma's Therapy