Come On And Braid My Hair

Cold temps mean two things to me: fur coats and protective styles. In terms of the latter, I am currently rocking box braids, and I love them.

With any protective style, it is easy to get stuck in the ponytail rut and I REFUSE. I do have to say my go-to for my braids is an undo.....annnd I am a little over it.

That is where you come in. I need some new styles for my braids and I'd love to see your suggestions! Tag me on Instagram @LenoraTheScribe with your favorite braid styles and I will try my best to recreate and tag ya so we can compare. 

Sharing is caring!
Looking forward to seeing your recommendations! 

xo   

Beyonce's Box Braids Are Too Dramatic

picture via lorensworld.com 

So I know I have not blogged in a month of Sundays (why do I feel like I start every blog saying this lol), but it is a great explanation for that. I have recently moved to the city of my dreams, NYC!

But that is not the purpose of this post.

So I was checking the news stories of the day online and the first story that pops up was a picture Beyonce's new box braids holding baby Blue Ivy with a headline that reads something to the effect of "Beyonce's Dramatic New Look."

Now one, why is this considered top news of the day, and more to point, why was news of Beyonce's wearing braids considered dramatic according to the media?

Now I am FAR from a Beyonce stan but I happen to love the Beyonce's latest look, partially because I have been jonesing for the throwback Janet Jackson "Poetic Justice" box braids for the past year or more-and now it seems everyone is going box-braid crazy, and I think it is absolutely a gorgeous look.

Perhaps I was reading too much into a headline, but it was something about the way the news story was framed that struck me. What is so dramatic about braids? Or is it just shocking to see BEY in braids? What was more disturbing/disgusting was the negative comments I came across on natural hair forums that seemed offended at Bey's return to hair braids, like she had been long casted out of the natural hair style island. How soon we forget that Beyonce rocked imitable honey-toned braids, twists, afros pre-world domination in her Destiny Child days.

Vintage pic of Bey's natural look via http://charcoal-ink.com/

I believe one of the things that is so great about being a girl is the liberty to change your look.  Black women in particular take pride in being able to switch up our look, so I'm not surprised to see  Beyonce, or any other sista' with a new 'do, especially braids. Hell I am ready to snatch this weave out and get some myself in this heat. But it seems to me that it is something about Beyonce wearing more "ethnic" hairstyles that makes people uncomfortable. Beyonce herself was even quoted back in the day saying how self-conscience people made her feel when she wore her hair more natural circa her "Austin Power" movie days. Fast forward a few months later, we slap in a straight blonde weave, come out with "Dangerously In Love" and the rest is hair weave/music history.

I know I would be quite annoyed if people criticized me every time I changed my look or rocked my natural hair, but it is price of fame I guess. *shrugs*

SPRINGING FORWARD

"See I'm just forward looking, that's how I really see,
See while you Valentines, I'm thinking Christmas trees."- Lupe Fiasco, "Beamin"

Though it is still very much winter around my parts, as evident by my heavy scarf and thick gloves, I have been anxiously waiting for Spring so I can try out some new looks. Here are just a few: 

Baby-pink makeup palettes (and clothes)

Big bangs

Tribal head scarves interwoven in braids

Orange lipstick+orange nail polish+specs=yes, please (have adored this L'OReal ad for some time by the  by)

My obsession with nail art is sure to continue, only in brighter, bolder designs 

D.O.L-Death to the Lace Front Wig

Sigh. You know, I reeaaaally didn't want to do this, but it is time to officially put yet another unfortunate beauty trend to bed. With the power invested in me by Blogger, I am declaring 2011 as the year lace front wigs are put down. I just can no longer take it.

From an extremely warm place in my heart with nothing but the utmost concern, I say this with all the love I have in me, ladies:

TAKE THE LACE FRONTS OFF!!! They’re done. Over with. Finished. A don datta. No more. Please, move on already.

I, rather hastily and optimistically, thought we had moved on from the lace wig movement, but lately, to my mounting fright, I am noticing a slight resurgence and I MUST bind thee in the name of all that is holy.

No matter what celeb or who you see on the daily wearing them, they have had their time and quite frankly, at this point they look ridiculous-even Beyonce and Tyra have seemingly moved on to other hair extension means, so that in itself should be your cue.

I too admittedly partook in the lace front mayhem extra hard; the thought of a seamless, natural-looking hair weave changed just about every hair enthusiast's world, myself included. I have witnessed chicks get in frenzied altercations and clear out entire hair inventories during lace wigs sales at the beauty supply, like no joke. Therefore, I realize the severity of the hair weave. But now as a result of my lace wig days, I am left with nothing but recovering, thinned edges and old pictures of myself wearing what I now call the hair helmet.

Lace wigs are no longer the revered novelty they once were, they just look ridiclously fake.

To be clear, I am proud, card-toting member of W.W.W.W. (Women Who Wear Weave) and I make absolutely no qualms about enjoying a good weave every now and again. Like most women of W.W.W.W. my hair journey has included slight detours with tracks, half wigs, sew-ins, anything with horse hair attached. Lately I'm proudly rocking a crown of my natural hair, but know I plan on enjoying more weave in my bright future with no apologies.

Therefore, do not confuse my sentiments as yet another radical diatribe about why women should not indulge in extensions to enhance their look-it's fake, it's unhealthy, blah, blah, blah. That's not what this is about. I am merely saying as far as the blatant lace fronts are concerned, please do not wear them if you can help it because it’s just simply wack, outdated and unnatural, no matter how much baby hair you use to cover the net (which is another post entirely). Trust, I am just trying to look out for you and yours, and you know who you are too-your scalp is probably tingling now suffocating underneath that horrible, itchy net. I’ve felt your pain.

So I say to you, sis… snatch it off and free yourself. Swing it in the air and declare that this year you will no longer be slave to the dreaded lace wigs.

With all that said, I realize this may offended some of my political connects, but I was told to keep it real, keep it 100 and I had to do my due diligence, for the greater good of women looking their best everywhere.


Besos,
Lenora