Kamis, 29 Oktober 2009

Looks we Love: Toni Braxton ... So Yesterday


OMG!!!!

We love it Toni! We love it!

Radiant at our Atlanta location just made a custom wig for a celebrity Sunny's Girl... so we were thrilled to see Toni Braxton rocking a similar style on her latest video for So Yesterday.

If you are looking for your own custom wig come to Sunny's to discuss your options!

Plus we love how her set is an ode to Hollywood Regency style that inspired our Sunny's Cash Wrap.

Images courtesy of Bossip.com

Rabu, 28 Oktober 2009

Looks we Love: Naomi Campbell by Michael Kors




Francois Nars the legendary makeup artist and founder of NARS Cosmetics, releases his book of celebrity portraits to celebrate the 15 year anniversary of his cosmetics company.

While Naomi is such an a amazing palatte if you wanted to recreate her look this is the Sunny's Girl recommendations:

1. Purchase Bohyme Egyptian Wave in 14" and 18" in Color # 2

2. Have your stylist sew in a full head of extensions and razor in blunt bangs and soft face framing layers. The 14" package of Bohyme Egyptian Wave should be used on top to create natural layers and the 18" should be used at the nape of the neck to create the length.

3. Wash hair with Ever Pure by Loreal and then allow the hair to dry with a diffuser to control the soft natural wave of the hair.

4. Line your eyes with a soft kohl eyeliner in a dark brown shade and add plum and neutral eye shadows in the crease of lid. Finish off the eye with black mascara:  a personal staff fave is Dior Show Blackout in Black 099

5. Dust the cheeks with Taj Mahal by NARS to deliver a soft accent to your cheekbones.

6. Channel your innermost diva!


Images courtesy of Elle.com

Senin, 26 Oktober 2009

Looks we Love: Melanie Fiona




The song It Kills Me by Melanie Fiona was playing in our store the other day and we liked what we heard so much that we decided to look her up online. She is a look we love!!!

We're sure we've stumbled upon someone to look out for.

To recreate Melanie's long feminine locks we recommend Natural Wave Indian Hair in 22". We'd blow dry the hair until is 90% dry and then spray a lightweight hairspray on 1" sections of the hair and wrap it on the outside of the barrel of a 1 1/2" curling iron. Allow the curls to cool and then brush out with a wide paddle brush to diffuse movement into the hair style.

Runway to Realway? Blade Runner Inspired Bangs



We're definitely a fan of the heavy bang but Louise Goldin debuted her entire Fall 2009 line featuring models with Blade Runner inspired heavy bangs.

We're not cosigning this as a look we love. But maybe it's runway to reality interpretation will be a look we love.

Your Thoughts?

Jumat, 23 Oktober 2009

Rabu, 21 Oktober 2009

Looks we Love: Kim Kardashian, LaLa and Ciara


The ultimate Sunny's Girl celebrated her birthday this past weekend in Las Vegas. What a stylish set of friend's she has.

To achieve LaLa and Ciara's look we'd recommend 10 ounces of Indian Hair Natural Wave in 22". To recreate their long big-barreled curls we'd blow out the Indian Hair and then using a lightweight hairspray such as AirControl by Aveda we'd use a 1" curling iron to create spiral curls and then set with pins to cool into the curls.

To recreate Kim Kardashian's ode to Sasha Fierce we'd use the ever so easy Lord & Cliff One Piece Clip In Extensions and clip it in towards the nape of the neck and crown area and secure that into a high ponytail. We'd tease the crown area to recreate the voluminous pump ponytail look.

Images courtesy of kimkardashian.com

Selasa, 20 Oktober 2009

Clip in Extensions with Derek J



We love our Derek J. He's the Ultimate. So we were thrilled to showcase one of our favorite products. The Lord & Cliff One Piece. Lord & Cliff is by far the best brand of clip in extensions sold on the market. The price does not convey the quality and ease of use.

Derek J is also a huge fan of the versatility that clip in extensions offer.

What's your Halloween look this year?




How is it already Halloween? There's nothing like Halloween to put your finger on the pulse of pop culture. This year we can't quite predict what type of Halloween costumes people will be gravitating towards. While Amy Winehouse and Posh Spice are so two years ago, is everyone really going to be Kate Gosselin or Lady Gaga?


Looks we Love: Penelope Cruz


We couldn't help but having our breath taken away by the November issue of Vanity Fair layout of Penelope Cruz.

We love her confidence. To achieve her look we'd recommend a great wig such as Star by Henry Margu or Cleo by Bobbi Boss to recreate the blunt bang and long bob look that allows her to channel her inner Sophia Lauren.

Images courtesy of Vanityfair.com

Senin, 19 Oktober 2009

what's your bedtime reggie?

Question for J from Chandra:Hello Jenteel,Thank you thank you thank you for your blog I must say first and foremost. I really can't thank you enough for all of the great information and inspiration. I am a singer songwriter currently living in Germany but from Florida. I have struggled with my hair and decisions as regards what to do with it nearly my entire life. After relaxing as an early

Now and Then: Shontae

Shontae was one of 5 winners in our recent "Now and Then" giveaway."Becoming natural has been the catalyst to my appreciating more features and aspects unique to me and the black community." ~ShontaeI am originally from New Orleans, but I currently live in Richmond, VA...by way of Hurricane Katrina. I'm a single mom to my 8-year-old son and an engineer, who designs plumbing systems for a local A

Minggu, 18 Oktober 2009

How do you do black girl bangs?

I love bangs. Back in my straight-hair days, bangs were my trademark. I was all about the sheeny (though ever-thinning) side-swoop. It was deep to me. Deep enough that I co-signed on this black and white, looking-off-into-the-distance shot taken of me in college, featuring my sheeny bangs.But these days, making "bangs" mainly consists of me laying my hand down flat at the front of my head and

Monday Style Icon: Nia from Baltimore

Where are you from and what do you do?N: I'm from Baltimore...and I'm in transition. I'll be a college student (somewhere, God willing) in the spring. But right now I work in a high school as a Project Intern for the Youth Development Unit.When did you go natural? Why?N: I'm natural by default. =) I had a relaxer once when I was like seven. And it took my hair out....never again.My mom is natural

Sabtu, 17 Oktober 2009

Rachel's Review: Ahuacatl = Aguacate = Avocado

Also known as the “Butter Pear” or “Alligator Pear”, beloved readers, this rather homely fruit yields a rather attractive surprise: an oil that can enrich, health and nourish your scalp. It’s also one of three oils that actually penetrate the hair strand!A healthy scalp is ultimately responsible for healthy hair (and a healthy body before that, but that, is another post, beloved readers). This is

Jumat, 16 Oktober 2009

Help me pick a winner for the 'Now and Then' giveaway! UPDATE: We have 5 winners!

More than 25 ladies entered, and now I have to pick 5 to receive a copy of Chris-Tia's book, "Thank God I'm Natural." As you remember, the giveaway was in honor of the book's author, who went from wigged up to natural. In choosing a winner, I'm looking for a. how dramatic the change was and b. and how well the ladies are working the new look.The winners will also receive a style icon

Now and Then giveaway photos, part 2

Part 1 hereKasey Then and NowJennifer Then and NowBusayo Then and NowMonique Then and NowBrenda Then and NowYolanda Then and Now

Kamis, 15 Oktober 2009

Now and Then giveaway photos coming in!!! Check it out!!!

We've already gotten some AMAZING photos.In case you're out of the loop, this is from the post below..."Chris-Tia, the recently profiled Harvard lawyer and author just let me know that she is giving away 5 copies of her book "Thank God I'm Natural." So let's turn it into a giveaway!In honor of Chris-Tia, who went from wigged up to natural, I want you to submit photos of your hair BEFORE and AFTER

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program for the "Now and Then" giveaway compliments of Chris-Tia

Chris-Tia, the recently profiled Harvard lawyer and author just let me know that she is giving away 5 copies of her book "Thank God I'm Natural." So let's turn it into a giveaway! In honor of Chris-Tia, who went from wigged up to natural, I want you to submit photos of your hair BEFORE and AFTER you went natural. Submit photos to contro_versial@hotmail.com (put 'Now and Then' in the header.) I

the moisturizing masterbook (courtesy of j!), pt 1

This series was originally posted in February (2/5/09) but as winter approaches, I think we all need to have MOISTURE on our minds. This is me trying to get my moisture on with a pineapple wrap...***2/5/2009so, a few weeks ago, jenteel (our resident hair expert for some months now...) put together a bomb package on our favorite topic; moisturizing!in a prophetic twist, i realized that i needed a

Rabu, 14 Oktober 2009

Harvard Law School graduate and author Chris-Tia: I nearly lost my job because of my wig obsession

After accepting a position at one of the top law firms in the nation straight out of Harvard Law School, I felt major pressure to blend in with my white colleagues. I was working long hours and felt like I needed to be a younger version of the ultra beautiful, super smart, and sophisticated Claire Huxtable (from “The Cosby Show”) in order to truly be accepted by my white co-workers. Had I been

Style Icon: GG from Maryland

"The process of transitioning taught me that anything is possible and helped me see many other ideas and misconceptions that had been programmed into my thinking without me realizing it. My hair reminds me of how much I've grown and all the changes I've gone through over the last few years and I love it." ~ GGWhere are you from and what do you do?GG: I currently live in Maryland. By day, I

Looks we Love: Zahara Jolie Pitt


After reading a ridiculous article in the otherwise reputable Newsweek criticizing Angelina Jolie for not keeping her daughter's hair pulled back or in cornrows. Sunny's would like to declare that the look we love most of all is a young girl wearing her natural hair as it is. Free of chemicals and tight styles that cause small traction Alopecia bumps along the hairline. Any look that empowers girls to realize that while hair is the ultimate accessory....it doesn't define you!



Images courtesy of Newsweek.com

Selasa, 13 Oktober 2009

Natural hair in the media: Louis Vuitton Spring 2010 show features white models with oversized afros UPDATED

Louis Vuitton models at Paris Fashion WeekMarc Jacobs, the creative director for LV is quoted as saying that the collection was "about travelers—the movement that came after punk. Then we were thinking about hiking, trekking, and then denim and parkas—city utilitarianism." A full story is here. I'll let you guys add your own caption to this one. What do you think?***Excerpt from Newsweek article

Senin, 12 Oktober 2009

I stand corrected: Drugstore conditioners can work on ANY texture

So, on a recent post I made the following very unscientific observation:"I find that the looser the texture, the easier it is to use products that were originally made for white/hispanic/asian/loose or straight textured women. While those of us with coarser textures (including myself) have to be more careful." JC, a chemist who blogs over at The Natural Haven had a different take. Peep it:What

Monday Style Icon: Andrea of Fly (with tutorial)

Andrea maintains Fly, one of the most popular graphic design blogs on the Web which features a daily mashup of fashion, art and design. I'm happy to have her here on BGLH!Where are you from and what do you do?A: I'm originally from Maryland but now call Philadelphia my home. I am a graphic designer, illustrator, and blogger.Some of Andrea's designsYour blog is amazing. Where did you get the idea

Malon: 17 years old and a style icon

Where are you from and what do you do?M: I'm from Los Angeles California. I'm a student. This year I'm a Senior WOOP WOOP! I love writing, photography, art, and fashion. I'm a slam poet. In the future I want to own and distribute my own magazine!You're only 17. Do you realize that you're further along with this 'natural hair thing' than women twice your age?M: Yes I feel like being younger is

Sabtu, 10 Oktober 2009

Chris Rock's "Good Hair": Your Reactions

So I saw Good Hair on Friday... Unfortunately I was late to the meetup. It was raining in Chicago Friday and you KNOW what that means for traffic!!! I slipped into the theater as the beginning credits were rolling and asked a few women if they were "from BGLH". They looked at my like I was crazy, so at the end of the movie I just stood conspicuously in the theater lobby, hoping that someone would

Sunny's Fall Shopping Event Recap: Atlanta




We want to thank everyone who came out for our Fall Shopping Event.
All of our favorite Sunny's Stylist came out to support our event including Metowi Willingham, Michael Campbell and Wanda Barrett of Lotus Salon and the infamous Derek J.

Our favorite customers came out in droves to take advantage our rare sale on Indian hair and receive our fabulous swag bags!

Thanks to Lavish by C. Davis, Nikia Yancey and Metowi Willingham for participating in our beauty event.

Jumat, 09 Oktober 2009

Preview of monday style icon: Andrea from Philly

Andrea maintains Fly, one of the most popular graphic design blogs on the web. Check our her full profile Monday.

Wednesday Style Icon? Yes!

Our style icon series has really taken off! More and more women from all around the country and world are emailing in with their photos and thoughts on natural hair.I have been really honored to profile some AMAZING women on this site, and because of the increased influx I will add Wednesday as I day that I profile icons. Not all Wednesdays, but many.Our upcoming Wednesday icon is G.G.In the very

Kamis, 08 Oktober 2009

Rachel's Review: Oils that penetrate hair

Beloved readers, if you’ve followed me for a bit, you know I am very for adding oils to deep conditioners. Oils, by themselves (on clean hair) can be used as a deep conditioner (the infamous “hot oil treatment” comes to mind, but one doesn’t have to heat up the oils from the start if your fear scalp burns). It is best to use coconut, avocado or olive oils for this. Why? They actually penetrate

BGLH Meetups to watch "Good Hair" on Friday

ChicagoICE Theatres Chatham 14, 210 West 87th Street, Chicago, IL 60620, (773)783-8711, 6:20 p.m. showingSt. LouisAMC West Olive Theater 12657 Olive StCreve Coeur, MO 63141Time to be announcedcontact: caramelpisces@sbcglobal.netLos AngelesNational Amusements The Bridge: cinema de lux6081 Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 900457:45 p.m. Friday showing. It will cost $2 to park.contact: angelina.ucla@

Selasa, 06 Oktober 2009

Interview: New York designer Nilea Alexander

Nilea Alexander is a designer getting major buzz in New York. A graduate of the Parsons School for Design she created her first collection in 2004, runs a vintage booth at the Brooklyn Flea Market called NileA P FleA, and has done freelance design work for Urban Outfitters.She was recently featured as "Girl of the Month" on Urban Outfitters' blog and just finished her newest collection,

Senin, 05 Oktober 2009

Huffington Post writer Lola Jaye explains why she thinks relaxing isn't that big a deal... Weigh in!

I was notified about this Huffington Post article by a BGLH reader who wished to remain anonymous. She was bothered by the author's conclusions, which downplayed any negative psychology behind black women's decisions to relax and denied any significance to Michelle Obama's choice of hairstyle. I was able to get in contact with the article's author, UK based novelist Lola Jaye. She was willing to

When you email I DO listen... New York designer Nilea Alexander and Huffington Post write Lola Jaye will be on BGLH.

A few weeks ago, BGLH reader Jemitra suggested that we contact Nilea Alexander, a young black designer who is making a big impression on the New York fashion scene... Nilea's work has been carried by Urban Outfitters and featured in the NY Daily News.Well I contacted Nilea, who is natural, and she liked the idea of being profiled. So she'll be here on BGLH Wednesday (in advance of a flea market

Workout Hair: How to Manage your Hair During Exercise


Many of us avoid working out because we don't want to deal with our hair or we just don't know how to. It's sometimes a lot of work but with everything there's always a solution.
The obvious options to managing hair are: wearing hair in a ponytail, wearing headbands to control flyaways or bangs, putting hair in a braid and/or wearing a hat or visor.

While these options are great lets really look into them as well as ways we can manage our hair after we've worked out.
1.Block excess sweat. Although perspiration is a good thing while working out, the natural salt from perspiration can dry out delicate roots near the scalp. If sweat is a problem, consider wearing a wide cotton headband that will absorb the sweat from your forehead before it makes contact with your scalp or bangs.

2.Avoid wearing a baseball hat or similar type of headgear. Caps may actually block the sweat glands, which can leave hair drying sweat spots along your hairline. Even worse, many caps will provide you with an instant smashed look that might be challenging to erase after your workout is over.

3.If swimming is part of your regime, apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair before you dive in. Wear a cap when possible. Wetting your hair with water completely before, and right after, will help prevent excessive chlorine damage.

4.When pulling hair hair in a ponytail or a braid, make sure you're doing it loose enough so that your hair can breathe. This will also prevent your hair from breaking.

5.Although steamy showers seem tempting after a grueling workout, avoid hot water shampoos that can dehydrate your stands.Lukewarm water is always best for shampooing your hair under any circumstances. Indulging in steam baths, saunas or Jacuzzis can also dry out your strands. Always apply a dab of leave-in conditioner to your stands or wrap a towel around your strands to further block hair damaging heat.

Bed Head:How to Protect your Hair while you Sleep



Have you been waking up to rough, knotty hair or finding your hair on your pillow? When we toss and turn, dragging or rubbing our heads and hair across the fabric of our pillows we can snag the cuticle layer of the hair against the fibers on the pillow. This rubbing results in roughing up the surface of the hair shaft and leads to the tangles and knots.

Here are some tips to keep your hair healthy even while you sleep:
-Sleep with hair in a braid especially if you have long hair or wrap your hair
-Use a silk or satin pillowcase to sleep on
-Use a satin or silk night cap or scarf to tie down hair
-For curly hair, roll your curls and use bobby pins to secure then, this will avoid marking and will cut out the discomfort if you were using rollers

Minggu, 04 Oktober 2009

Monday Style Icon (with tutorial): Kim

BGLH: Where are you from and what do you do?K: I'm from Chicago. I'm a self-employed graphics consultant. I do everything from web design, book illustrations, real-time mindmapping, and conceptual design work like developing board games as learning tools for my corporate clients.BGLH: When did you go natural? Why?K: I first went natural 12 years ago. There are too many reasons to list! But

Sabtu, 03 Oktober 2009

Sunday retrospective... Is New York reppin harder for natural hair??

So BGLH reader Kelly left this comment on the profile of our most recent style icon, Sharri from Harlem: "Great style icon ! and also I notice that a lot of the featured naturals on this blog are from New York... or just NOT west coast at that. I'm in Riverside, California and I'm thinkin are we too caught up in the LA, Hollywood look over here? I know I chickened out and postponed my plan to

Jumat, 02 Oktober 2009

Video: Chris Rock talks "Good Hair" on Oprah

Chris Rock was on Oprah talking about his upcoming film. I know this video is only a snippet, did anybody watch the whole show? What did you think.

Kamis, 01 Oktober 2009

Why do we get emotional when we talk about hair products?

So Rachel, our amazing guest product reviewer, just wrapped up a series on her top 15 drugstore conditioners. Afterwards I asked BGLH readers to weigh in on what they felt about the products that made it to Rachel's top 15. Yeh, we all have different textures and our hair responds to different things but it's always helpful, in my opinion, to discuss and compare notes. Sooo for some reason

Tutorial: One banana clip, two styles...

Kimmay is an amazing YouTuber with really inventive styles. She stopped by BGLH to share her looks using a banana clip. Check back Monday for her full style icon profile.FroHawk- I came up with this style after seeing countless of videos on Youtube about creating a frohawk with hairpins or bobby pins. I thought using 7" banana clip would be an easier way to achieve the same look!High Puff - I

Rachel: Why I don't avoid mineral oil, sulfates or silicones

Rachel, our guest reviewer, waxes poetic on products every Friday.For more from her check out her blog http://littlegoldenlamb. wordpress.com/_ _ _Beloved readers, if you read my blog for any long period of time or glance at the brands I've reviewed it will quickly become clear that I do not shy away from parabens, mineral oil, sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), ammonium laurel sulfate (ALS) or