Life & Style: Style and Beauty
Features
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Supermodels: Where Are They Now?
- They once ruled the runways -- how about now?
Then & Now
FilmMagic
Oscar's Fashion Winners and Losers
- Halle Berry scores, but Queen Latifah's dress disappoints
Red Carpet Style
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Meet Jourdan, Chanel and More!
- A new generation of black models works the runways
Up and Comers
Black Hair Care: Hair Apparent Blog
Lets talk about textured curly coils and every type of hair. The Hair Apparent black hair care blog brings you all the information you need for beautiful African-American hair.
Filed under: Interviews, Natural Hair, How-To, Video
Around these parts, we watch a LOT of hair videos. And while most are informative, many of them aren't exactly fun to watch. Unless you consider watching someone talk to a camera while standing in their bathroom, fun.
Which is why when I laid eyes on the wonderful webisodes being made by Andrea of art and design blog Fly, I had to share with the world!
Check this out!
I had to grill Andrea about her inspiration.
"My blog is about art and design mainly, and although I'm natural I know there are many great blogs out there covering hair. Still, one of the #1 questions I get is, how do you get your hair like that or what products do you use?
Black women are so hungry for this kind of information. So I wanted to make some videos about my hair. And I wanted to make it fun and really different."
Her stop motion videos make natural haircare look fun, vibrant, and EASY! I'm inspired by her technique.
Andrea's got some more awesome natural hair videos in the works, and she's also a BRILLIANT artist. I want all of her hair paintings. Homegirl is crazy talented! Check out her blog and her YouTube channel.
I stay looking for hair inspiration, how about you? Where are you finding your hair inspiration these days?
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Ah, Halloween. A time to stuff your face with candy and get dressed up in a crazy costume. And every year, the day after Halloween there are celebrity photos that make you wonder -- what the hell were they thinking?
This year's case study, Mel B. These days, the only thing "scary" about this former Spice Girl is what she's done to her little girl's hair. Check out the Spice Girl and her family on Black Celebrity Kids.
Look closely at little Angel Iris' hair. Yes, that's a mohawk. Yes, her hair is completely shaved on the sides. And I am sincerely hoping that her hair is straight because of heat, and not from chemicals.
And please note her haircut has absolutely nothing to do with Elmo. Even if this child was dressed as a punk rocker, I still couldn't condone shaving a 2 year old's head just for the sake of Halloween.
I don't mean to give Mel B the Allison Samuels treatment - I do believe she's being a good mother to her daughter by taking her out to the pony ranch for Halloween. They really do look like a happy family. But when it comes to the hair, I gotta ask. Why?
What are your thoughts on this little girl's hair?
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Filed under: Natural Hair, Hair Politics
If you visited Newsweek.com's Human Condition blog today, you may have been greeted by this beautiful photo of two bright eyed, big haired girls. Those adorable little afrobellas are my nieces, Dominique and Isabella! And the article was my response to the latest rebuttal by Allison Samuels.
Hey response to the bloggers, if you will, was titled We Are All Team Zahara, and reignited ire throughout the blogosphere.
One of my favorite bloggers, Latoya Peterson tackled the Baby Z hair police head on in Jezebel. (LOVING all Latoya's work over there, BTW).
Post Bourgie cosigned Latoya's take, and Ta-Nehisi Coates took on the topic for The Atlantic.
Then Newsweek invited some bloggers to respond on their site.
Tami of What Tami Said wrote Natural Hair Is Not Unhealthy.
Author Roslyn Holcolmb who blogs at Stormcrow wrote Hair Don'ts Hold Us Back.
Nichelle of 55 Secret Street wrote Its Time To Fully Embrace Natural Hair.
And now you can click here to read my final thoughts about Zahara's hair. If you could leave a comment on Newsweek's site, it'd mean so much to me!
I hope that puts an end to these shenanigans, at least until the next trip to a toy store, where this little girl will emerge held by her mother, and surrounded by bodyguards, gawking onlookers, and photographers by the dozen.
If you've got a little girl in your life dealing with similar hair issues as Zahara Jolie Pitt and even Chris Rock's little girls - struggling with loving their hair in its unfettered state and appreciating their natural beauty - you might want to get them an inspiring book for Christmas. Of course there's I Love My Hair by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley, the sometimes controversial Nappy Hair by Carolivia Herron, and Happy to Be Nappy by bell hooks. Now you can add I Love My Cotton Candy Hair by Nicole L. Updegraff to the list. The book takes into account the diverse background of a modern interracial family, the hair issues of biracial kids, and ultimately it's "a story about loving yourself just the way you are." A message any kid (and most adults) should be able to get behind.
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Filed under: Natural Hair, Weaves & Extensions, Hair Politics
If there's one good thing to arise from Chris Rock's 'Good Hair' documentary, its the dialogue that the film has created. Sure, it stemmed mostly from the fact that some of us felt attacked by the filmmakers' perspective. But, still, we're talking about the issues behind our hair choices, and that's a good thing, right?
Some smart, funny, and brutally honest blog posts and comments have been popping up in the wake of 'Good Hair,' and there's so much to be learned from all sides of the discussion. And recently, two of my friends in the blogosphere (and completely unrelated) declared their hair allegiance. I found their divergent perspectives to be fascinating.
In one corner, we've got Brittany of Clumps of Mascara and Loc Rocker, who recently declared her allegiance to Team Natural with a post: 'Who Cares If You Have a Perm? I Don't.'
"...just because a sista takes pride in her natural hair, it does not mean she thinks you too should go natural. I'd rather attempt to bring about world peace than "make all black women go natural." I think it would be fantastic if Black women accepted their natural beauty but if they don't.....life will move on. We have bigger issues to deal with in the black community. I'm more concerned about us owning these hair shops we spend a crap load of dollars in.
I am not "better" because I have natural hair. And you aren't better because you live a lye.
I'm soooo kidding about that one. It's just a joke. But really...lighten up, people. I'm natural and natural I will stay. I love black hair....the history, the stories, the struggle, the ideas, the perception. I love ladies who can rock a mean wrap. I love little brown girls with candy curls. I think it's amazing what a flat iron can do. Creating and maintaining black hair is an art. I'm amazed by it really. But I'm not amazed by weaves. I'm sorry....it just bothers me. But again, that's my prerogative."
Brittany speaks her truth clearly. Click here to read it.
But in the other corner, we've got the equally awesome Andrea of Essence magazine and The Glamazons blog. Andrea is an unabashed fashionista and in her post, titled 'The Truth About Weave: I'm Never Giving It Up,' (which is part II of a weavealicious post), she lets her love for the yaki shine bright.
"...it's not like I'm unhappy with my own hair. It's just that why bother trying to create these glam looks with my own hair, when I can just add in this hair and look amazing?! Weave doesn't have to be a bad thing, and I really think that's it gotten a bad rap for no reason. I don't always wear it (I have a cute, blond, weaveless bob right now); but I don't see anything wrong with adding in a track or two...(or three or four) as I (or my hairstylist, the amazing Tracy Washington!) sees fit.
I'm always down to try new hair looks. From cuts to coloring, I've pretty much done it all. I currently have a cut, color and Brazilian (which I blogged about in previous entry). And there's no way you could be my man and hate on my weave. I will always wear it, and (since it's professionally done) you can run your fingers through it and it won't fall out or bite you. I love the freedom it gives me to change up my look, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Check out the many looks that I've had over the past couple of years with extensions. As long as it looks dope, who cares?!"
All right ladies, let's get ready to RUMBLE!
I kid, I kid.
I know many of my weave- or perm-wearing sisters have felt judged by women like myself, who proudly rock their natural hair. And speaking from personal experience, I've been the recipient of some nasty side eyes by ladies wearing waist-length Beyonce-grade store-purchased hair. For no reason whatsoever!
I think many of our hair issues start with us, and they can end with us. By ceasing the judgment and ill speaking of others, we can grow to embrace and even enjoy each other's differences.
But for the sake of curiosity, I wanna know. What team are you on?
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Filed under: Photos, My Hairstory
Maybe it was in the Eighties, when random streaks of color and asymmetrical cuts were the height of fashion. Maybe it was in the Nineties, when everyone was trying to emulate Jennifer Aniston's "Rachel" cut from Friends. You know you've had one, and maybe there's photographic evidence. The worst hairstyle you've ever had.
I'll share mine, if you share yours. Ready?
This was taken in 2000, during a visit back home to Trinidad. That's me and my dad, getting a drink at a roadside bar on the way to the beach. And as you'll notice, my hair is short, bright blonde, and so not the biz.
That was the peak of chemical damage, my hair was literally fried and dyed. I hate photos from my blonde phase, but I'm glad I went through it...because if I hadn't damaged my hair as badly as I did and experienced the breakage and split ends I was causing myself... I may never have decided to transition to natural hair.
I think a month or so after this, I dyed my hair brown again and cut it even shorter. I didn't realize at the time, but that turned out to be my big chop. And I never looked back!
So there's my worst hairstyle ever -- brassy, blonde, and damaged like you wouldn't believe. What's yours?
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Hair Galleries
What's Hot?
Everett Collection/Getty Images
Fifty Years of Black Hairstyles
From bouffants to cornrows, box braids to lacefronts, Hair Apparent takes you on a hair ride for the ages.
Hairstyles Through The Years
BV on Style
BV on Style covers black style, urban fashion, and hot celebrity looks; everything the urban fashionista or fashionisto could want!
Filed under: Celebrity Style , Budget Fashion, Red Carpet
Plenty of celebrities came out for the Soul Train 2009 Awards in Atlanta, wearing an onslaught of camera ready frocks. Get a star look for less with the following three recommendations:Get Kandi's feather hemmed cocktail dress...
With this $79 Strapless Feather-Detailed Dress by Rampage.
Find Keri Hilson's Dolce & Gabbana look a like...
In this $20 Cire Slip Dress from Forever 21.
And channel Keshia Knight-Pulliam's grown up style...
With AK Anne Klein's $99 Longsleeve Boatneck Sweater Dress.
Which look is your favorite?
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Filed under: Fashion News
Painting models' face brown or black, or contemporary blackface, has become quite commonplace in recent fashion TV shows and editorials.Paris Vogue painted model Lara Stone a deep bronze for their October issue:
Tyra Banks then followed suit, shooting her newbie contestants as various races for an 'America's Next Top Model' Shoot :
And finally, V Magazine topped them all with Sasha Pivovarova in blackface in their November Issue: 
It seems that the fashion elites are collectively resorting to face paint for their avant garde editorials.
While Paris Vogue came under fire for their photos, Tyra Banks and V Magazine haven't been criticized. It also begs the question: If African-American mogul Tyra Banks is painting people other races for purposes of artistic expression, is the practice truly racially insensitive?
What do you think of this new fashion trend? Are people simply being too sensitive...and missing the inherent beauty in skin painting? Or are the people doing the skin painting remiss in ignoring the historical implications of blackface?
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Filed under: Celebrity Style , Interviews
Right before Halloween, Moet Hennessy invited me and a short list of twenty nine other journalists to come and taste their brand new cocktail, Black Masquerade, featuring Hennessy's new mixable cognac. The drinks were delicious, the vibe festive and the guests charming.
But nothing really compared to the event's co-host , model and actress Eva Marcille (formerly Eva Pigford), who was there with her equally stunning fiance, actor Lance Gross. I know just what you are thinking: " What did they look like in person?" Just as beautiful as they do in pictures! Even more, Eva, who was decked out in sky-high platform heels, wide-leg light blue jeans and a beautifully draped tan blouse (with a daring scoop back), turned out to be more of a fashionista than I'd imagined.
Naturally, I had to scoop her up for my weekly style questionnaire. Read our one-on-one interview after the jump.
What brands can't you live without?Christian Louboutin, Yves Saint Laurent and Giuseppe Zanotti.
What's your everyday bag?
Those change all the time. One day it could be an oversized Baboushka Gucci bag, another a Chanel clutch. But because I'm usually in L.A., I don't have to carry a big bag most of the time.
Stacked wedge or stiletto heel?
Stiletto!
Tailored blazer or leather jacket?
Leather jacket!
Why is fashion important?
It's everything!
What one item is going to be in heavy rotation in your wardrobe this season?
Oooh, these Louboutins I just bought! They have pops of purple and blue! I haven't even worn it yet!
Any advice for BV's fashionista readers?
Stay current! In fashion - and really life in general - those who succeed aren't necessarily better than those who don't - they are just better informed.
Read more from Zandile on her daily fashion blog, The Blay Report.
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Filed under: Red Carpet
You bought the wig, searched the accessories and even sprung for the expensive make up you knew you'd only use just this once. But, just when you thought you served up the best Halloween costume, Hollywood did you one better. From the Simmons sisters to Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey, some celebs went all out this Halloween.Nick and Mariah kind of confuse me. Is it just me or aren't they wearing what they always do? As of late, Cannon always seems to be wearing a suit and Carey (since '96) always seems to be wearing ...nothing. 
Ditto Selita Ebanks who is giving us the same look - and cornrowed hairstyle - that we've seen in the past. 
Rihanna and her bff Coco T(did you know they knew each other?) used the season as the reason to do what they always do: wear very little clothing. I get the whole sex appeal thing, but is it just me or did the concept of them being Tigger (from Winnie the Pooh) and catwoman (?) get totally lost in translation?
On the other Angela Simmons' costume (pictured on the right) offered something different from her usual look. I can't actually figure out if she is a mouse or a French maid, and, while it was silly, it was totally sexy too. 
Teyana Taylor, one of my favorite music artists at the moment, echoes the whole silly thing, but it's just not as sweet. What exactly is she? Are they? Is this? We're thinking Sheneneh from 'Martin,' but one can never be sure...
But Terrence J, co-host of BET's 106 & Park, totally took the cake as Lil Wayne. For a second there, I actually thought that was Young Weezy I was staring at.
I wish singer Tyrese could have been more impressive. I get his costume, but I don't get why he chose it. Who was your fave?
Read more from Zandile at The Blay Report.
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Filed under: Celebrity Style , Fashion Files, Fashion News, Budget Fashion
KIM KARDASHIAN COSTUME? Tyra Banks went there! She dressed up as the reality star on a recent taping of her talk show. We think she nailed it! [PopCrunch]
BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE: So why not get a hot deal? From JCPenney to Bluefly, find the top five winter coats under $100. [Budget Fashionista]
TEYANNA TALKS: The music artist spills the beans on virginity, watching Jimmy Neutron and her friendship with Chris Brown. I'ts a juicy interview, to say the least. She also talks about her new lip gloss line, DOPELIPS, which debuts in 2010. [Egypt Says So]
CUTE KID Rapper Kid Cudi gets grown and sexy for GQ Magazine's Gentleman's Ball. We're very into the sophisticated get up on the street style icon. [The YBF]
FAB FASHIONISTAS The search for America's most stylish blogger continues! Cast your vote for which fashion blogger walks the walk as well as they talk the talk. [Stylist]
MILITANT MONICA The R&B singer confuses the fashion crowd in a coat thats a dress or a dress thats a coat...or is it a coat dress? See it for yourself.[ Go Fug Yourself]
STREET WALKING .....would be kind of impossible in these Alexander McQueen "Armadillo"shoes. [The Blay Report]
HOLIDAY DRESSES Those office parties are right around the corner, so it's never too late to start. Check out Kate Moss' amazing Holiday collection for TopShop. [Jeremy Dante]
RAE LOOKS RADIANT After a much-deserved hiatus, Corrine Bailey Rae appeared on the Q Awards red carpet looking super fab. [Red Carpet Fashion Awards]
CUTIE CONTEST The search for America's most stylish blogger continues! Cast your vote for which fashion blogger walks the walk as well as they talk the talk. [Stylist]
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What's Hot: Best & Worst Dressed
ABC, Getty Imagees
Best & Worst Dressed TV Stars
Do you often find yourself longing to dress like the ever so chic Wilhelmina Slater on 'Ugly Betty'? Don't you wish 'Grey's Anatomy' star Chandra Wilson could get a pair of sexier scrubs? There are some actresses whose style is simply a blaze on set while others are not so hot. Style Spotter decided to weigh in on TV's best and worst dressed women.
Style Spotter Spots: TV's Best & Worst Dressed
You've Got Black Voices Mail
I Want Muscles
Getty Images (2)
Strong Arm Us!
Jada, Regina, and, of course, Michelle Obama, work hard and it shows!
More Diesel Divas
Kanye West: Diggin' His Style
Fox/Getty Images
Kanye West has the big, bold fashion sense to match his larger-than-life persona. What are they five key elements that make 'Ye a fashion star?
Red Carpet Damsels
Getty Images
Rihanna leads the pack of beautiful black women rocking the red carpets of the world.
Black Style: Red Carpet Photos
What You're Talking About
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