Sesame Street: The I Love My Hair Video

I cannot say enough about how much I LOVE this video. I don't care about who produced it as much as I care about the positive message it projects. But the fact that Sesame Street brought it to me, is even better. I'm a child of the 70s and grew up on the teachings of Sesame Street. The I Love My Hair video means so much to me because in 2010, I wear my hair natural and it's ok. It is not a political statement; it is not my trying to be defiant against "The Man". I choose to wear my hair without chemical processes. For those who choose to wear relaxed hair, that is their choice too. I do not judge because I have worn relaxed hair in the past, for years and years. But at this point in my life, I don't think I ever will again.

As with all of programming hours of Sesame Street that I watched as a kid, I am happy to still enjoy Sesame Street at 41!

Stay Tuned!

Hello Everyone!

School is finally out and I will be able to get back to blogging on a regular basis! Yay! It was a rough school year for your girl but it's over and not a minute too soon cuz I was about to quit! But not in this economy so I held on and now. . .I'm ready to kick back!!!

I will be celebrating my Nappiversary on June 11 and will be having my very first contest! I think the prizes are fantastic. I will be giving my Nappylicious readers & Fotki fam a heads up before I release to the general public on YouTube!

The video is almost ready as I'm doing some post production work as I wait for my Fashionista Poochie of Poochie's Closet to finish a few photos.

Until then. . .stay tuned!

~Napp

Happy MMX!

I had to come on to wish all my followers a Happy 2010!

I love the Roman Numeral version of 2010: MMX!

May all of your hair dreams come true!

I Maxiglided My Nappyliciousness!

We wore hats to work today for "Hats On" against cancer. Since being natural, I've not liked to wear hats because I totally look like a goober! I decided to Maxiglide my hair.

It took about 20 minutes. I instantly missed my nappyliciousness but I was happy with the results. It gave me a chance to see how much my hair has grown and how deceiving shrinkage is. See the complete process on my YouTube channel. (While you're there, please comment and rate the video.)

When I walked into the building, one of the secretaries blurted out: "Pimp". I wanted to yell back "B" "K.M.A.!!! This woman still wears a freakin' pineapple wave!!! Yes. A freaking shellacked pinned up 1985 pineapple wave. Thank God I was able to bridle my tongue because I was about to let her have it. I had just walked in from a massive down pour and my whole self and clothing were drenched! I may have looked like a wet pimp but when I go home, I can shower and wash my nappyliciousness back but she would still be a jackass!

Pre-Poo Process

Since becoming natural, I have maintained healthy hair. I have not noticed hair breakage or any other hair issues. I am a confessed product junkie but I do have certain hair regimen that remain unchanged: the Pre-Poo Process.



Pre Poo is short for pre-shampoo. I like to pre-poo if I've used various products on my hair that may have contained silicones which can cause build-up on the hair shaft. If I don't use a natural cleanser like baking soda or bentonite clay to cleanse my hair, I will use a regular shampoo that may contain SLS (sodium laurel sulfates). In attempt to combat any drying effects of the SLS shampoo, I like to coat my hair with an oil such as Amla oil or EVOO (extra virgin olive oil). I heat the oil in a microwaveable dish for a few seconds and transfer it into a small bottle which allows me to pour easily.

Once the oil is applied and is coated over my strands, I will apply a layer or two of plastic wrap to hold in the heat. I then apply a thick towel on top of that in order to hold in heat. You could use a heat cap or hooded dryer to speed up the process but I like to use this time to do household chores or read a few pages of a book or magazine.

When the time has passed and it is time to rinse, it is important to add the shampoo to your hair BEFORE adding water. Oil and water do not mix. Adding the shampoo first breaks down the oil on the hair shaft before the water is added. I like to apply the shampoo once or twice; it just depends on what my hair feels like. I follow up with a conditioner and voila! I'm ready for styling. I don't do a deep conditioner at this point but I suppose you could if your hair needs it.


Until later. . .

~Nappylicious

Censorship or Selected Cities?

I decided that I would go see "Good Hair" this weekend. When I checked the internet for show times, I could not find a theater showing the movie! Since I was using my telephone, I figured I needed to breakout the laptop and really do a thorough search. No luck. I thought Chris Rock was releasing the movie in cities "where black folks are". My mirror hasn't lied to me or the other people I know. No movie! Is this city a victim of censorship or selected cities? I don't do bootleg so I guess I'll have to wait until it comes out on DVD. Dang!

Chris Rock's Movie "Good Hair"

Hello Everyone!



Doesn't it seem like hair is on everyone's minds these days? I am very excited about that. I have always been obsessed about hair. Back in high school, my friend Pam and I could spend hours on the phone talking about hair, hair products and how to use them. The makings of a product junkie!



I am excited about Chris Rock's new movie, "Good Hair" that arrived in theaters this weekend. I was hesitant about seeing it as I've heard mixed reviews. I did not want to be upset leaving the movie. I was probably the only person in the world who missed Chris Rock's first appearance on Oprah promoting the movie. So I really had no idea what to expect. Knowing Chris Rock and how crazy he is, it could go either way.



Two things happened that swayed my decision to see the movie: Seeing Chris Rock on Oprah yesterday and hearing Dr. Maya Angelou on XM 156 talk about hair. Now if you know Dr. Maya, she is a no nonsense woman. If it were foolishness, I don't think she would embrace and endorse the movie as she has. When I saw Chris Rock's second appearance on Oprah yesterday promoting the movie, the negative feedback and its justification was, in my opinion, unwarranted and downright foolish! I understand not wanting to be the butt of a joke but the belief that mainstream America would now ridicule since secret hair routines of African Americans were revealed is absurd! Or the comment from "Shirley" that was read on the Oprah show that said white women's silky hair gave them an advantage over us and that's why our men wanted them? WTF? There is no secret to black hair. Chris summed it up by saying "secrets rot the soul"!



As a natural haired woman in America, I have other African Americans asking me questions like "how'd you get your hair like that?" or "is that a straw set?" or "can you comb your hair" or students asking if I'm African. Last time I checked, I was born in the USA. Heaven forbid that someone think I'm gay just because I'm natural. To each his/her own, but I've always been "strictly. . . you know! The most offensive comment/gesture ever made to me about my hair came from a relative who offered to give me money to get my hair done. I blamed it on the alcohol but I came close to using all the cuss words I knew and I know how to string them together and hurt your feelings, believe that! But I refrained and just stared at him with daggers in my eyes.



I think the big hoopla about this movie, though I haven't seen it yet, runs deeper than the movie. It's struck a nerve with black folks because we've rarely embraced our hair, especially in it's natural state. We were often put down and made to feel bad because of our kinky hair. We thought straight or silky hair would make us more likable. I know some real jack asses with straight hair.



What I hope for this movie is to open dialogue about hair, with other races and within our own homes. There are members of my own family who still don't like my decision to wear natural hair. But that is my choice. I have more freedom because I'm not sitting up in somebody's beauty shop all day to get my "hair done". I have more money because I don't have to pay someone to "do my hair'. However I do spend money on hair products so maybe I don't have more money! LOL. But seriously, we should take this movie as a one about acceptance. Live and let live.



I'm looking forward to seeing the movie and I will come back with my review.



Until then. . .

~Nappylicious & Proud

Nappylicious!

Today was a great hair day. I am not a morning person so I wear puffs everyday. But when I come home and take it down, my hair is on point! Check her out! Pardon any craziness you may witness! LOL.