BGLH remix: accessories!

We've profiled some great accessories on BGLH...What are your must-have, go-to accessories? How do they work for your hair?And if you have accessory photos you want to share, email them to contro_versial@hotmail.com!

shedding: how much is too much?

Question for J from Jae:Hi J,I've noticed that a lot of hair has been coming out when I detangle my hair. I'm just not sure if I should be losing that much, maybe I'm a little paranoid. But if it is breaking, I really want to handle it before it goes haywire. Sometimes even when I slightly manipulate it, I'll see some falling out.Some hair background: I wash my hair twice a week, deep

Monday Style Icon: Sharri (one of our most phenomenal to date!)

"I love rocking my 'fro. The bigger, the better." ~SharriWhere are you from and what do you do?S: I'm from New York, currently living in Harlem. I work in retail for the Jean Shop.When did you go natural? Why? S: The first time I went natural was back in 2005. The Big Chop had become my only option after months of having my hair sauteed in fire cream and permanent hair color. One day I was

BGLH Chicago meetup to watch Chris Rock's "Good Hair"

We will be gathering on October 9 to watch "Good Hair", a documentary film by Chris Rock examining black women's relationship with their hair.If you would like to join us here in Chicago, please email contro_versial@hotmail.comIf you are interested in hosting a screening in your own city, please email contro_versial@hotmail.com and we will post your name and contact information on BGLH.

Sunday retrospective: Natural hair and social change

"I really believe that natural hair acceptance can be the catalyst to propel our people to new heights. Sounds far fetched, but I believe that if we can learn to love ourselves in our natural state and see the beauty within us, we can start to see the beauty in each other. I believe that once this is accomplished we will have more pride in ourselves, our culture and our communities. Perhaps then

Did YOUR favorite product make it on the top 15 list?

Rachel has just finished her list of the top 15 drugstore conditioners:15. Dove Frizz Control Therapy Conditioner with Repairing Serum14. Dove Intense Damage Therapy Conditioner for Accumulated Damage13. L'Oreal Smooth Intense Conditioner for Thick Hair12. L’Oreal Vive Pro Hydra Gloss Moisturizing Conditioner11. Herbal Essences Break’s Over Strengthening Conditioner10. Herbal Essences Long Term

Rachel's Review: Top 15 Drugstore Conditioners Continued: THE TOP THREE!!

Beloved readers, we've come to the end of the list! I hope you're as excited as I am! If you didn't see your favorite line in my list, don't worry. Knowing me and my wandering ways, I'll try it at some point. ^_~Without further ado, here they are:3. JASON SEA KELP MOISTURIZING CONDITIONEREgads! All caps in the title? I definitely <3 this. I also really, really, really like scones. In keeping with

Natural bride: Tafakari

"The style is a bantu knot-out that kept very well throughout the intense Florida humidity. The bantu knots themselves were done earlier in the week (Tuesday) for my Saturday wedding, so it was incredibly easy for my bridal party to help take them down. Instantly styled hair! My wedding day was on August 29, 2009 and the day was a blast; the weather cooperated and provided us with postcard

Sunny's Girls are the Ultimate Go-Getters: Go Getters Book Lauch Event Atlanta

Debra Shingley, author and ultimate Sunny's Girl hosted the launch of her new book, The Go Getters Girl's Guide.

From left to right Nikia in Natural Wave Indian Hair 18", Dafina in Natural Wave Indian Hair 20", Author Debra Shigley, Africa in Bohyme Brazilian Wave 14" 1

Amazon describes Debra's book as the manual for every girl who desires to be the girl who knows how to get the job and lifestyle she's always dreamed of but who always looks good doing it.

Filled with insightful interviews with hundreds of successful, stylish young women--including award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien, Spanx founder Sara Blakely, and bestselling novelist Emily Giffin--The Go-Getter Girl’s Guide provides a no-excuses, big-picture way of thinking about your life and career.

So please support one of our talented Sunny's Girl and pick up a copy of her fabulous book.

Trend Alert: Loose Elegant Waves ... 2009 Emmy Edition

We've identified a lovely trend at the 2009 Emmy Awards...loose and elegant waves. Our personal favorite was Vanessa Williams! Who was yours?

To achieve this look we'd recommend a nice body wave such as Bohyme Body Wave to create the elegant waves.

Best cupcakes in Atlanta!

Best cupcakes

Posted using ShareThis

Cupcakes are an integral part of Sunny's. As any Sunny's Girl knows we take our cupcakes and champagne very seriously.

So... we were delighted to see our new fave cupcake spot be acknowledge by the Atlanta Journal Constitution for best cupcakes in Atlanta.

Cami Cakes is right down the street from Sunny's Atlanta. Their cupcakes are a decadent, beautiful and delicious. A rare feat in the cupcake world.

See for yourself. Visit camicakes.com and see for yourself.

knotty dread!

Question For JFrom Nancy:I have had a major problem with knots for months now and they drive me absolutely crazy! I moisturise every two days and use a spritz with water, glycerine and jojoba oil before combing daily. I detangle with Keracare conditioner once a week, I have tried other products and found this to be the best one for my hair. I tie a silk scarf around my head when I go to bed.

Style tutorial by Oghomwen

In keeping with our attempt to do more tutorials on BGLH, here is Oghomwen with a style that can be three different looks.So I do not know what to call this hairstyle. It is really easy to do and here is how I achieve it:1.) I divide my hair into two sections. A big chunk in the back and then a little section in front. 2.) The night before I put the big section at the back into a single plait.

What do we mean when we say long/fast-growing hair is genetic?

The issue of genetics has come up recently on BGLH.First with a reader wondering if, after a lifetime of short hair, her hair could actually grow long, and second in the comments section for the profile of the lovely Chime who has a huge and gorgeous mane.So, is it true?Genetically, do black people have the slowest growing hair and therefore limited to short hair?Well, I am personally inclined to

Rachel's Review: Top 15 Drugstore Conditioners... coming down to the end! Picks 4 through 6!

Beloved readers, the list continues.If you don't see your favorite brand listed, please don't feel slighted. I haven't tried everything...yet. ^_~I don't shy away from silicones and the like, though there are some more "natural" offerings here.I mention Biotin and humectants in these reviews. For my beloved readers, who may be unfamiliar with those terms, humectants are ingredients that promote

Video Spotlight: Whitney Houston's Million Dollar Bill

Our Fave Sunny's Girl Melina directed this beautiful new video for the original Sunny's girl Whitney Houston.

Let your Hair Live a Little!

Ready for a change? Good news! You can refresh your style and boost your self-esteem just by visiting the salon. If you've been walking around with the same hairstyle for years,or you've never tried a new look well now is the time to change your hair...change your life!
Our girl Rihanna is one to always update her look by recreating her haircut...we love it!
So here are some ways you can update your hairstlye:

• Search magazines for your favorite celebrity hairstyles and trends...go ahead an rip out the pages....the best way to communicate with your stylist is to show them exactly what you want
• Go to a stylist that you can trust, one that will listen to you
  
• Get their advice about hairstyles that will compliment you the best and also those that are most realistic for you
• Don't be afraid to play with color, texture and length
• Make your hair an investment...don't go for low quality hair extensions...as the better the hair the better the outcome

Rock your new look until it's time to get a new one.....never limit yourself to being ordinary and make hair extensions your ultimate accessory!

Style Icon: Chime

When you change your thinking on what beautiful hair is, it changes the way you look at beauty in general and that is extremely important for Black women in today's society. ~ChimeWhere are you from and what do you do? C: I am from West Point, Mississippi. I recently stopped working at The Department of Human Services to pursue two creative endeavors; one including Sunkissed, the line of graphic

Sunny's Hair Solutions:Hair Breakage

Is your hair stressed out from day to day wear? Are you experiencing breakage and brittleness? If you want to give your hair a break but still rock extensions here are some fabulous options you may like:

• Invest in a designer wig or an adjustable cap lace-front-that way you don have to apply glue to fasten it. Deep condition hair on your down time with a water-based moisturizer (we love Cantu Shea Butter leave-in) and an oil whether it be coconut oil or olive oil. Wearing a wig gives you the flexibility you need so that you can tend to your tresses as often as you'd like.
• Invest in a custom fall, which is basically like wearing a wig,but as custom suggests you can have it made any way you want with the hair of your choice. This too gives you some flexibility.
• If you choose to wear your own hair, then clip-in extensions should be your number one accessory! Add temporary volume and length with our favorite Lord and Cliffs 3 piece clip-in extensions.
  

Breakage is not natural, and is an indication of an imbalance within the hair strand. Broken hairs do not fall naturally from the head, but are typically a sign of mishandling or abuse. The proper treatments and balance of protein and moisture will help stop breakage in its tracks.

if your relaxed hair is long and thick, why go natural?

Thursday I'll feature Chime (pictured above), who had long, thick relaxed hair and opted to transition to natural hair. These stories always intrigue me, because hair damage/lack of hair growth is usually the reason women choose to go natural.This weekend I was hanging out with a relaxed friend of mine who has thick, shiny long hair. She mentioned that her ends are perpetually split/damaged and

callalily's tips for twistout preservation

I received this email from Callalily who wanted to help out Holly and others in regards to the post that I did on "how to preserve a twist out". In efforts to continue to aid you all with styling here at BGLH, here are her pictures and tips! Hi J: I am a fellow blogger that loves reading BGLH. I wanted to send you this information in hopes to help Holly (and others) that struggle with “how to

Looks we Love: Kerry Washington

It's been a minute! But wow! We love Kerry Washington and her effortless yet classic style.

To recreate her look:

• Sew in 6-8 ounces of Natural Straight Double Drawn Indian hair in 14"
• Use lightweight hairspray such as Air Control by Aveda
  
• Curl hair with 1" barrel by placing curling iron 2 inches down and wrap hair in a spiral pattern around barrel for 10-15 seconds
  
• Immediately transfer curl pattern to velcro rollers to allow hair to cool into curl pattern
• Create 1" part slightly off center
  
• Release hair from velcro rollers and apply more hair spray to keep curls and lightly separate hair with fingers for an effortless yet controlled coif

Get Her Look:Leigthon Meester-VMA Style

If you wanna vamp up your look, try Leighton's sexy tousled waves. Here are some step by step tips to attain your celebrity look if you have naturally way hair:
1. Start by washing your hair with a volumizing shampoo (clarifying shampoos can work well too, since they don’t weigh hair down).
2. Use a light, volumizing conditioner — but just on the ends of your hair. Gently work the conditioner through your hair using a wide-tooth detangling comb. If you have any snarls and tangles, make sure to get them out now because you won’t be combing or brushing your hair once you rinse.
3. Rinse well and wrap hair up in a towel. We love the super absorbent ones, since they really help speed up the drying process.
4. Once you unwrap your hair, it is extremely important that you do not comb or brush it out. This is essential to preserve your hair’s natural wave patterns as well as to take full advantage of the texture created by giving your hair some time to dry while wrapped in the towel.
5. Using your fingers, work a small amount of curl enhancing gel or texturizing curl spray all the way from the roots to the tips of your hair, scrunching and twisting random sections of hair as you go.
5. Allow hair to dry naturally, but make sure to periodically scrunch and tousle your hair as it dries.

If you don't have naturally wavy hair follow steps 1. and 2. and then:
3.Get hair completely dry
4.A curling iron works best for fine, straight hair. Separate half-inch pieces and wrap around the curling iron's barrel in a corkscrew fashion. Hold briefly, for less time than if you were going for a very curly look, then release.
5. Let sections cool and gently loosen with your fingers into waves.
6.The secret to a long-lasting tousle is the finishing step when styling it. A holding (not stiff) spray, like Aveda's Air Control Hair Spray, helps hold fine hair's new waves. To create the finishing, piecey look on curly or wavy hair, apply a styling wax or heavyweight balm, like Artec Texture Paste, just to the ends.

climbing deeper into this natural ish... the longer it gets, the more styling it needs

So, instead of profiling an icon today I wanted to give an update on my own hair. You might have noticed that we started a new series encouraging BGLH readers to write in with their tutorials. I have to admit that it's a bit selfishly motivated, because the longer my hair gets the more help I need with styling. This was me in December 2006.And this is me in an impromptu 'bathroom photoshoot' a

Who was the best Sunny's Girl? MTV VMA Awards

Sunday Retrospective: Natural hair takes patience aka you got to put in your time!

"Um... I relaxed again cuz my natural hair was taking too long to grow!"So, J and I were talking the other day about some of the e-mails we receive. They might start something like this...HELP!!!!!Then they continue...I just did the big chop and I don't know what to do! I know I can't expect long hair right away but what can I do to get it!!To which my reply isUh... first of all, you should calm

Recreate her Look: Toni Braxton

We are so excited for the return of all the divas like Whitney Houston & Toni Braxton. Toni Braxton was the original Sunny's Girl of the 90's open declaring her love for hair extensions when she went from her short crop to her luscious long curls.

So her new single Yesterday is out for an album slated to drop in February.

To recreate Toni's Look:

• Use 2 packages of 909 Pre-tipped hair extensions in 16" in color 479- this color provides the multi-tonal caramel highlights
  
• Use 1 package of 909 Pre-tipped hair extensions in 16" in color 6/1010- this color provides the ash brown base color
  
• Use 1 package of 909 Pre-Tipped hair extensions in 16" in color 4a- this color warms the whole look with medium brown tones
• Have slight layers point cut in the hair around the face
• Use a diffuser to allow the natural slight wave of the hair to create a tousled look
  

Saturday style tutorials: Curls using curlformers

BGLH has mostly been about showcasing beautiful styles.But as I am learning, the execution of these styles is harder than it seems! So I'd like to start posting tutorials.I need your help to get this up and running... If you have a great style you would like to share, please email me at contro_versial@hotmail.com. YouTube videos are welcome, though I will ask questions to accompany the

Rachel's Review: Top 15 Drugstore Conditioners continued! Picks 9 through 7!

For part 1 of this review featuring picks 13 through 15, click here.For part 2 of this review featuring picks 10 through 12, click here.Beloved readers, we're getting to the mid-way point of my Top 15 Drugstore Conditioners Countdown.You're going to start seeing a lot more "natural" products on the the count down after this post. As I've said previously, I haven't tried EVERYTHING. You may not

Wiggin Out with Sunny's: Real Housewives of Atlanta Wig Party

We can't wait to finally see tonight's episode of Real Housewives of Atlanta. Sunny's Girls along with our fave Atlanta stylist Derek J, hosted a Wiggin Out Party for the lovely Kim Zolicak and Nene Leakes this past March.

It was so much fun and as you can see the ladies felt taken over by our mantra...Change your Hair...Change your Life.


Want to host your own Private Sunny's Beauty event? Sunny's Girls can recreate for you and your friends a customized Evening of Beauty incorporating:

• Custom Clip In Services
• Eyelash Extensions Services
  
• Alter Ego Wig Evenings
  

We offer these personalized events for birthdays, Bachelorette parties and just for Girl's Night.
Call (404) 355-7077 and ask for Africa Miranda

For the Ultimate Sunny's Girls...do you recognize any of our top selling wigs at the party....
Here's a clue... Princess in 24/613 allowed Nene to "channel" Kim

Looks we Love: Kim Kardashian back to brunette

Definitely a look we love! She's back the Brunette Kim Kardashian...

What do you think?

Yay! Kim Kardashian is saying bye bye to Blonde

We love love love Kim Kardashian... she just might be our favorite Sunny's Girl. So we had to say we were a little sad when she abandoned her signature dark hair for blonde this summer.

So we are so happy to read on her blog that she's going back to her roots this fall.


Are you ready to embrace fall?

Considering returning to your roots for fall? Consider using Clip In Extensions to gradually flirt with the right color for your roots.

Need color suggestions?
Lord & Cliff Clip In Hair in colors:

• 4, 4/27/M30/33, 6/30 These are medium brown colors with auburn highlights
• 8/10/24, 6/16/12/613 These are ash blonde with dark blonde undertones
  

Looks we Love: Tyra's Real Hair!

She's a Sunny's Girl after all. There was initially some skepticism about her declaration of Wear your Own Hair Day.

But... we must say that she does embody our thoughts on hair extensions, they are meant to be the ultimate accessory...not the ultimate necessity.

We at Sunny's always encourage women to take care of their hair underneath their wigs and extensions to ensure that you can continue to switch up your look and be just as proud of your real hair as you are of your hair extensions and wigs!

Krystal: Tips from a style maven

"Natural hair is just so much more interesting, so much more fierce, and requires so much more confidence! It's a definite challenge, but that's why I love it so much." ~KrystalWhere are you from and what do you do?K: I'm a Jamaican born in Brooklyn, New York, and I grew up in South Florida. I just graduated in May from the University of Florida with my Master of Public Health.So, a lot of

question for j: is it possible to have long hair if i've never had it?

Question for J from Tasha:Hello ladies, I just want to say that I am in love with the blog. As a new natural of three months, the site gives me hope and inspiration. I am curious about something, and I'm not sure if it has been answered on your blog in the past. I have been getting relaxers since I was seven years old and I am now 29. Before receiving a relaxer, I remember not having long hair as

Rock Solid Regimen: Tamara

"I’m pro natural hair because your natural teaches you how to care for the holistic woman. To love the whole being." ~TamaraWhere are you from? T: I’m from Houston, Texas... I was born in H-town but my dad went into the Navy when I was 2 yrs old. So I never actually lived there until I decide to go to undergrad. Why did you decide to go natural?T: I decided to go natural as a way of defining

HILARIOUSNESS: white dude uses relaxer to get 'slicked back hair'

I thought this was really funny! Thanks for sending it in Eliss!!Perhaps relaxer companies can find a new market among white dudes and give black women a break from their incessant marketing.My favorite line:"So you put it in there, it burns the sh*t out of you."

Britney...Circus Recap

We loved the concert, the costumes, dancing and stage production were amazing. Her fans were all rooting for the old Britney we knew and loved. We had such a great a Sunny's Girls Night out.



On the left...Sunny's Make it Custom Clip In's with Natural Wave Indian Hair in 18" and on the right Brazilian Wave in 12" in color 1B!

Weave, Wig or Weal.... We Love It!

How did we not come up with this concept!?!?

Love it!

A game will definitely adopt!!

Did you see it? Sunny's Wigs on Atlanta Housewives

We love our Atlanta Housewives!!! We were more than thrilled at the opportunity to provide the wigs for the Alter Ego photo shoot by Derek Blanks featured on last nights episode.

Britney here we come....

We are too excited for Britney's return leg of her Circus tour which hits Atlanta tonight.

Sunny's Girls will be in attendance!!!


We can't wait to see the Alexander Mc Queen Designs... the dancing...the drama and the hair extensions that only Britney Spears can give!!!

Introducing....Eyelash Extensions at Sunny's Atlanta

Lavish by C. Davis is now exclusively offering Eyelash Extension Services at Sunny's Atlanta. Prices begin at $35 for a set of individual Eyelash Extensions.

To Schedule an Appt. call 404.604.4686

For the Month of September she is running a Oprah & Gayle Special:

• You & Friend can receive individual eyelashes for $50... in order to receive promotion both parties must be present at time of application
  

Formal Style: Maeling

"There are a lot of people who think that having a teeny weeny afro limits them, but I've taken it as an opportunity to be more creative with my styling." ~Maeling How Maeling achieved the look:- cowashed with organix pomegranate conditioner- used rosewater/glycerin spritz to retain moisture and add subtle fragrance- distributed iC Fantasia Hair Styling gel to help define curls ( ran my

Rachel's Review: Top 15 Drugstore Conditioners continued! Picks 10 through 12...

Click here for part 1 of this review, featuring picks 13 through 15Beloved readers, these are the next three conditioners of my Top 15 Conditioners count down!I want to note again, I haven't tried EVERYTHING. If you don't see your favorite brand listed, please don't feel slighted. I may have not tried it yet, not tried a product from the brand that benefited my hair yet or it was simply

Poll: Thoughts on National Wear your Own Hair Day???

As a group who not only sells hair extensions but lives for hair extensions... we aren't quite sure what to make of Tyra's declaration that she is going hair extension free.

After years of benefitting from the versatility and protection that wearing wigs and hair extensions offer why should everyone now be directed by Tyra to wear their own hair?

While we at Sunny's are always encouraging women to take care of their own natural hair and to give themselves a break from the toll that hair extensions can take on your hair... we don't think that any hairnista should force another hairnisita to discard her hair extensions just because we decided we want a break from ours....

So we'll let you Sunny's Girls weigh in on this:

Is your hair aging you??

A new interesting product on the market taps into women's fear of aging.... as if we need one more anti-aging product to purchase. But they do make an interesting point... just as skin gives away your age...maybe your hair is to. Read more about the product and decide for yourself.

Naturals: Are we too fragile?

So an insightful BGLH reader left a comment on yesterday's post that I found interesting: "I have reached a point in my own journey where I don't need to hear that it is ok to be natural or that natural hair needs to be accepted. This is not to say that this message is not necessary for others, it is simply not necessary for me... I do applaud the efforts of this blog though and I do certainly

Naturals from around the world/Rock Solid Regimen: Maureen in Holland!

"I want to show people that there is nothing ugly, unmanageable or hard about afro textured hair." ~MaureenWhere are you from? M: I'm Maureen, 24 years old and I have a twin sister and a younger sister. My parents came from Surinam to Holland in the seventies, we've been here ever since. Currently I live in Leiden, where I used to attend university. This September I will be studying art history

Product Spotlight: Indian Natural Wave Closure & Frontals

We just received a long awaited shipment of Indian hair Natural Wave Lace Closures and Frontals at our Atlanta Location.

• The lace closures retail at $125 & up and are available in 16" and 18"
  
• The lace frontals retail for $150 & up and are available in 12", 16" and 18"