http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/index/ The positive expression of black aesthetics by Lady Kinnks. Visitors may surf our blog to find the celebration of natural black hair. en blog@kinnks.com Copyright 2010 2010-03-11T01:01:55+00:00 http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/push/ http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/push/#When:01:01:55Z I typically do not watch the Academy Awards, but something compelled me to stay up and watch this past Sunday. Sapphire The movie Precious is based on the book Push.  “Push was unpublished before being discovered by the renowned feminist literary agent Charlotte Sheedy, whose interest created demand and eventually led to a bidding war. Sapphire submitted the first 100 pages of Push to a publisher auction in 1995 and the highest bidder offered her $500,000 to finish the novel.”(1) WOW! I read Push years ago.  While reading, I could not put it down.  I was on a roller coaster of emotions at the turn of every page.  Author, Sapphire starts the book with phonetic spelling, as the main character Precious grows mentally, her writing improves.  Labeled controversial by some, Push exposes issue of incest/rape, teen pregnancy, low self esteem, and literacy to name a few.  Lee Daniels Congratulations to Mo’Nique for her award winning role in the movie!!  I was first introduced to Precious producer, Lee Daniels from his role in Monster’s Ball.  During an interview, he explained that Black folk did not identify with Monster’s Ball because of the subject matter about a reformed racist.  Like Precious, Montser’s Ball shows what generational curses can be passed down.  Lenny Kravitz Precious also features previously loc’d cutie Lenny Kravitz pictured with Lee Daniels Geoffrey Fletcher I grew up in Connecticut, so big up to CT native Geoffrey Fletcher for Best Adapted Screenplay for Precious. The Precious Crew… Links You May Enjoy… * (1) Wiki: Sapphire * List of black Academy Award winners and nominees * Official Movie Site Natural Hair Supporters, Random Thoughts 2010-03-11T01:01:55+00:00 http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/field_slave/ http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/field_slave/#When:04:37:28Z Joking around, TRYING to be funny, I told someone they looked like Susan Boyle.  Not to mention, she was a Black woman that had no features to resemble her.  She really took offense and said that, I looked like a field slave with my nappy hair. I don’t know about yal, but it really hurt my feelings.  The whole situation had me lost for words.  I think it hurt mainly because, I don’t look at my friends in terms of light skin and dark skin.  It also left me with many questions on the mindset of people within 2010.  Would it be better if I looked like a house slave?  Honestly, to be a descendant of any slave shows the strength and determination that is within our blood.  The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in 1865, 145 years ago.  I am proud, in this short time, ‘we as a people’ have advanced, however…‘We as a people’ still have stragglers with a “slave mentality”.  They say things like, “She’s pretty for a dark skin girl.” I didn’t really get a full grasp of the color issues within our community until I read Color Complex by Kathy Russell, Midge Wilson and Ronald Hall.  Yes, I was always aware of the rules of color, what was “in-style” and kool at the time, but I really didn’t understand the WHY of our color complex.  The book states: To trace the origins of the color complex, we must return to the year 1607 when three ships sailed into Chesapeake Bay, stopping at Jamestown,...  After reading, my perception changed.  Dark skin was my new favorite thing… I didn’t want to be like everyone else and think White is right. For centuries, we have been taught that the darker the skin, the uglier the person.  It is not fair to assume that one should question what they have been taught all their life.  As cliche as it sounds, the only weapon one has is to read.  After reading, and arming yourself with knowledge, you will know that Black, in all shades is beautiful. Links You May Enjoy… * Racialicious: Darker Skin Glam Girls * Why do people think dark skin is not beautiful? * Model: Ajuma_Nasenyana * Where does Alek Wek rank on the AskMen.com celeb chart? Conspiracy Theory, Random Thoughts 2010-03-08T04:37:28+00:00 http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/marsha_hunt/ http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/marsha_hunt/#When:04:22:03Z Although we celebrate “Black History” every day on Kinnks.com, I want to be sure to highlight natural hair legends.  Marsha A. Hunt (born April 15, 1946) is an American model, singer, novelist and actress. In 1968 Marsha Hunt appeared in London’s HAiR.  HAiR is the ground breaking, Broadway first rock musical. The Vietnam war was escalating, so HAiR’s plot about a New York street kid and his friends deciding if he should burn his draft card was a hot issue. Songs about sex, drugs, race and personal liberation were controversial. A bigger stir was caused by a moment before the interval, the entire cast appeared naked under a dim blue light. Marsha continued to get a lot of media attention, despite only two lines of dialogue in HAiR. Three months after opening night, she became the first black model on the cover of Queen, a British high fashion magazine. Most of us know Marsha Hunt from her famous photograph pictured below.  For me, it shows how your natural beauty is exemplified once you embrace it. The nude photograph was taken in 1968 by photographer Patrick Lichfield.  The photo appeared on the cover of British Vogue’s January 1969 issue.  Almost 40 years later Hunt again posed nude for Litchfield, recreating the pose for her Vogue Magazine cover five weeks after she had had her right breast and lymph glands removed to halt the spread of cancer.  The new photo appeared on the cover of her 2005 book, Undefeated, about her battle with cancer. For more information on the amazing Marsha Hunt * Official Marsha Hunt Website * Wiki: Marsha Hunt Natural Hair Supporters, Legends 2010-02-18T04:22:03+00:00 http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/romantic_headtie/ http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/romantic_headtie/#When:03:17:39Z I hope you had a Happy Valentine’s Day! If you are single on this commercially romantic day, I hope you used it as an opportunity to pamper yourself.  You deserve it!  It sounds like a lot of you, especially wild sleepers, have problems keeping their hair under wraps over night.  A few of you have asked, what do you use to cover you head at night?  My husband thankfully is a fan of my natural hair. I recently asked him what he thinks of my head ties… To my surprise he explained it is not sexy.  He seemed a bit annoyed.  Is that the curse of being married to a Black woman? Scarfs tend to be uncomfortable, and leave my kinks flat like a pancake. Some scarf materials also leave lint in my hair.  Satin bonnets leave my hear wild, and all over the place in the morning.  I like the loc soc or old pairs of pantyhose.  Some times I cut the legs of, some times I don’t.  I use the legs to imitate hair while mirroring Beyonce’s latest video. I like my plain black loc soc.  It is more appealing than an old pair of pantyhose on my head. So tell me readers, how do you remain attractive at night while protecting your natural hair?  Men, what do you think of the head tie of your significant other? Random Thoughts, Routine 2010-02-15T03:17:39+00:00 http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/scoss/ http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/scoss/#When:01:56:39Z My hair has been in a yuck for a while.  My twist-outs lasted a day or so and kind of fell apart.  I couldn’t figure out why, but I realize I deviated from what works for my hair, the SCOSS routine.  I honestly couldn’t get the comb through my hair and experienced more hair lost than usual. My newest SCOSS routine… Shampoo: I broke my only Shampoo rule, “Must be clear”.  I tried Herbal Essences’ Hello Hydration Shampoo.  I read great reviews.  It was great at first, but my hair seemed to gain too much build up.  I then tried the clear Herbal Essences Drama Clean, but it seemed to dry my hair too much.  I went back to TRESemme.  Instead of the Moisture Rich Shampoo, I tried Flawless Curls Moisturizing Shampoo.  Did I mention 32oz for less than $5?  Condition: Since I didn’t have good luck with the Herbal Essences’ Hello Hydration Conditioner, I went back to TRESemme’s Smooth & Silky Conditioner.  Before washing, I drenched my hair in it and covered with a plastic bag for a few hours.  My soft manageable hair is back!  After blow drying, I sectioned hair into several Bantu knots for ease of styling. Oil: Yipi for coconut oil!!  I went to Whole Foods and bought their brand Expeller Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil.  The pressed oil can be used as a dietary supplement!  What surprised me the most about the coconut oil is since I’ve used it on my face, my breakouts have decreased significantly!  I swear my hair and skin just drink coconut oil. Being that we are having a very dry winter, I “greased” my scalp with Jojoba Oil.  Alternative Successful Oils: Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Morocco Oil Shea Butter: I love 100% Shea butter!!! This week I used Jane Carter’s Nourish and Shine.  It consist of different butters with grapefruit and pear essential oils.  JC’s Nourish and Shine gives my hair its shea butter fix, and acts as styling butter that smells like citrus goodness.  (Every Kinnks Tee purchased will receive a free Nurish and Shine sample courtesy of Jane Carter herself!). Style: Before the Super Bowl, I popped in American Gangster in the DVD and started twisting.  I may decide to curl, or pin up twists to provide versatility throughout the week.   Question and Answers * Erica: I would like to know do or have you ever had an itchy scalp and what can be done about it? Keeping your scalp clean and moisturized will help with an itchy scalp.  You may wash your hair too much, or not enough.  Experiment with the SCOSS routine to see what works best.  If severe, you may need an anti-fungal shampoo or to consult a dermatologist. *Valerie: How do I achieve soft hair? Try the above routine, my hair feels soft, and manageable every time.  Note that since we have such unique hair, one person’s favorite product may be your worst.  Good luck experimenting. *Machelle: Since going natural I don’t know what to use for my scalp. When I had a relaxer I used regular grease now I am lost and my scalp feels dry! When I think of grease, it is somewhat sentimental.  It reminds me of the bonding time my mom spent parting and greasing my scalp.  The truth is that grease is filled with petroleum, which does not allow your scalp to breathe.  Try different oils mentioned above and you’ll never go back.  You probably won’t need as much oil as you did grease. *Wanda: What’s the best hair products for natural hair? A common mistake I make is thinking one product will be the new it!  I tried this with Coconut oil and my hair was sooo thirsty!  Find your ideal routine, then experiment with different products to see if you see an enhancement.  If not, you know you don’t need it. *Erica: What do you do to your hair a night? At night I use a loc soc, or old stockings with runs.  I avoid tying my hair because it makes my hair flat while a “stocking cap” will keep it in place without making it a pancake.  Remember to wash your pillow case, combs, brushes, and head ties as often as you wash your hair. Products, Routine 2010-02-08T01:56:39+00:00 http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/guest_blogger_denise/ http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/guest_blogger_denise/#When:01:17:57Z I was blessed to spend time with my brother and family in Arizona.  The dessert’s beautiful tones were breathtaking.  I had the opportunity to jot notes during a heart-to-heart discussion with my sister-in-law about her 20-year natural hair voyage.  I am inspired that Denise is not only in love with her natural hair, but proud to rock her beautiful graying hair.  Who says graying hair is taboo?  (Denise and Myself posing in Sedona, Arizona)Read more about the Natural Salt-N-Pepper below… ________________ I have had relaxers, Jheri curl (Michael Jackson look), and hair extensions.  I actually wore extensions for three years at one point.  I would take them out and put them right back in.  No matter what style I tried, I always came back to natural.  Natural is easy, and it pleased my husband.  Being natural is convenient. Childhood Back in the day, If you had short hair in Trinidad, they would call you all types of names.  When I was nine or ten, I would wear my afro puffs.  I was Ruff –n –tuff with my afro puffs.  When I first had my full afro, it was back in the 70s.  At first, everyone wanted to press their hair.  I was too young; my grandmother would not allow me to.  Then the black power movement came, and I was finally in style with my ‘fro. Say It loud, I am Black and Proud.  It wasn’t until the late 80s I went to Medgar Evers, a Black college in New York that I felt sexy because of the way I wore my hair.  I had my son, long hot pink nails, mini skirt and an afro.  The guys would constantly tell me how real and good I looked.  I was even asked to be featured in a magazine.  I was considered uplifting, and called nice names like African Queen.  I started to appreciate how I looked, because I realized it was a beautiful thing.  Being in a Black school it was so appropriate, my hair seemed to fit.  I was more comfortable being there with my afro. Now I am older, this is me, Denise.  Anything else will just be fake.  Now you can do natural styles.  I’ve always had an afro(giggles).  It is the most natural thing for me to do.  I have no desire to put any straightness in my hair.  Sometimes I toy with color.  Weather I do it or not, I don’t have to.  I don’t feel obligated. Salt-n-Pepper Hair At one time, I couldn’t deal with the gray.  During my grandmother’s funeral, I looked around and saw all the beautiful gray-haired women like my mom.  I also saw the beautiful images of my gray-haired grandmother who I looked just like.  To honor the women of my family, I decided to stop coloring my hair.  When I first started wearing my hair salt and pepper, some people were in disbelief.  You’re not going to color it, they would ask.  But others would say, wow you are so beautiful with your silver hair.  You wear it with so much pride, I could never do that.  I tried to encourage them that they were just as capable.  I started to get a lot of compliments.  My friend, who makes quilts told me not to ever die my hair because I have such a distinguished look.  I feel good wearing my hair like this.  I noticed, when you see other people with gray hair, you feel a bond.  Just like if you see other people with natural hair.  You compliment each others hair, it’s the Salt and Pepper secret club. Men and Natural Hair When I decided to stop coloring it, he suggested I continue to color it.  After I explained to my loving husband I wanted to do it for me, he seemed to be on board.  After I owned the look, and I would mentioned I wanted to color it he would say: No, keep it salt and pepper but short.  Whenever I would have braids, or straightened my hair my husband wound’t touch it.  Once I cut my hair he will rub it, and its seems as if he falls in love with me all over again.  He just loves the natural look, and loves my hair.  He seems satisfied long as it is cut really short!  . Do you have any advice for anyone going Natural? When you wear your hair natural, feel the beauty and appreciate your hair.  That is what God gave you.  Feel beautiful.  Earlier when people told me I was beautiful with natural hair I wouldn’t believe them.  But take the time to just believe people.  I feel real.  You don’t have to put any strengtheners to feel like anyone else or go through pain and suffering. ________________ Read about More Kinnks Natural Hair Guest Bloggers Become a Natural Hair Blogger Guest Blogger 2010-02-01T01:17:57+00:00 http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/web_finds1/ http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/web_finds1/#When:02:46:21Z Did you miss me?  I have not had the opportunity to blog as often as I would like, but I thought I should drop you a quick line and apologize for my absence. DC Natural Hair Examiner Ms. Laquita, Natural Hair writer extortioner, has featured yours truly, Lady Kinnks in DC Natural Hair Examiner.  She writes… With it’s home base located in Richmond, Virginia, Kinnks.com is a worldwide community of resources, history, tools, and advice for people with natural hair. Kinnks’ mission is to enrich the lives of those who were taught they are not naturally beautiful, and it’s goal is to be the informational source for all things natural hair.  Lady Kinnks, the lady behind Kinnks.com and her hair story… Read More Thank you Laquita for being a continued supporter of Kinnks.com, and helping free women of the diaspora.  Another Natural Hair warrior is Yardley. Work Hair Since I deal with corporate America daily, I have received opposition because of my natural mane.  Thankfully, my skill within the business world, and hair has been accepted more times than rejected.  Ms. Yardley of The Coil Review continues to provide share her love from Kinnks!  Corporate America, The Business World whatever you want to call it is no longer a one track (no pun intended) hairstyle… do you!  The Coil Review has been gracious enough to feature the following blogs and articles by Kinnks.com. Riches In a Recession The View Tackles Natural Hair The Real Black Barbie Visit The Coil Review’s First Commercial… Side Part, Tuck Under Type of Girl Linnky Love, Web Finds 2010-01-29T02:46:21+00:00 http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/haiti/ http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/haiti/#When:14:43:24Z The Haiti Earthquake has a third of all Haitians - 3 million people - in need of emergency aid, Read More I am so hurt and sad.  If you have the means, I listed options for providing financial support.  You can make a difference… donating just five dollars will mean a lot to an earthquake victim. Look at that (wo)man in the mirror! Donation Options * Red Cross *  We’ll donate $5 to the American Red Cross for every Kinnks Tee purchased (Expires January 31, 2010) Current Events 2010-01-14T14:43:24+00:00 http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/2009_in_review/ http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/2009_in_review/#When:14:59:17Z January 4, 2009 we posted our first entry, My Natural Hair Story.  Lady Kinnks presents, the Psychology of Natural Hair.  A blog is born!  Before taking on this enormous task, I struggled.  Does the internet really need another natural hair blog?  I decided to invest the time into creating a blog to speak on the natural hair experience rather than the “how to”.  Race, age and gender influence my experience, but it is amazing how different your experiences are by just having natural hair!  Can you believe there are enough stories to full a blog? Lady Kinnks blog is year old today!!  Within 2009 our Kinnks Directory grew to over 400 links all dedicated to natural hair!  We also successfully opened our shoppe, with three types of Kinnks Tees. January 20, 2009 history was made! Our 44th President Barack Obama is sworn into office!  For me, words can not describe what this means for so many.  I am also glad to have a positive African-American family-role model that mostly EVERYONE admires.  Unfortunately, being the First African-American family- there has been small controversy.  One that I thought was ridiculous is the criticism of Malia’s “ethnic” hair.  Read More Hair for many is somewhat of an armor.  I would have never thought it would stop a speeding bullet.  Last February, Ms. Bond stopped a speeding bullet with her weave.  Yes yal, her weave!  Read More While visiting South Carolina State University, rapper David Banner made the comment “Blacks Don’t Love Themselves.” He said that Black women who perm their hair are examples of black on black crime and media control.Read More April, we visited the Baltimore Natural Hair Show We lost a legend, the King of Pop Michael Jackson.  Michael Jackson is one of the few successful icons who we’ve none from the beginning of his life to the end.  Just like we experience rights of passage from the afro to our our first hair chemical treatment, so did he.  Read More In August, I also discovered my favorite alternate hair style.  I will always love the twist out!  But the ‘FRO HAWK influenced my inner rock star!  Read More Southeastern Art Association ‘African-American Festival’ where we saw the come back of the high top fade amongst the young-ins Read More August, with 90+ degree weather here in Richmond we went to the Happily Natural Hair Day event and took plenty of pics.  Read More  We had our first feature article in kinky fabulous thecoilreview.com, Riches In a Recession.  Our first online radio interview with Black Hair Talk Live. Tyra has bloggers talking with the announcement that she would start her new season with her natural hair.  Natural Hair bloggers every where turned in to see the infamous super model without her trademark weave.  Disappointed we were.  The show should have been advertised as real hair, not natural hair.  Read More Chris Rock’s documentary Good Hair sure had a lot of people talking about African-Americans and their very interesting hair obsession!  Read our Review The argumentative ladies of the view even talked about natural verses relaxed hair.  Read More Mattel decides to create a line of African-American Barbies, In Style.  We think better, Read More The Movie Avatar features natural hair, Read More Then to end to year, we hear a crazy teacher cuts a student’s braid, Read More I had a few posts in which I asked you various questions… Is Natural Hair Patriotic? How does Natural Hair differ by region? Is Smoking Natural Hair a contradiction? Oh yes, and don’t forget the 9 Beautiful Guest Bloggers! This is just a highlight.  Many more posts to review.  Well, I have learned a lot my first year of blogging.  It can only get better :o)  Thank you for reading!  Your feedback is always welcomed.  Shoot me some electronic mail to blog@kinnks.com! Peace, Love and Shea Butter! ~Lady Kinnks About Kinnks 2010-01-04T14:59:17+00:00 http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/happy_new_year/ http://www.kinnks.com/blog/index.php/site/happy_new_year/#When:03:11:39Z Looking into 2010, ask yourself, what are you thankful for, and what can you improve on? Wish you health, prosperity and clear thoughts in 2010. Happy New Year from Lady Kinnks :o) 2010-01-01T03:11:39+00:00