I love a pretty, feminine headband – nothing jazzes up an understated look better, IMO. But with oversized curly hair it can be hard to find one that fits, and if you find one that fits it can be hard to find a hair accessory that’s just the perfect size to stand out among your kinks and coils, while not being oversized and costumey.

That’s why I am smitten with L’Ange, the silver grey rosette headband by Boutique De Bandeaux. This Etsy store specializes in “handmade couture-inspired headbands for straight, wavy, curly, & kinky tresses.”

Their model is SO adorable – love her hair and that her personality comes out in her photos. And I’m loving Boutique de Bandeaux! Finally a pretty floral headband that I know will handle my hair with gorgeousness and grace!

L’Ange costs $19.

* Want of the Week is a new series of posts, featuring a random hodgepodge of stylish and desirable items!

Originally posted at BVHairTalk. Longer reviews to come soon!

No matter how you wear your hair, health should always be the watchword. It’s become more and more of a beauty concern. Finally, some brands are getting the message and delivering the goods. Here are some of the latest products on the shelves, that promise to nourish your tresses.

Carol’s Daughter has billed their latest products as The Ultimate Hair Detox. And now they are available to the public! The Rosemary Mint Purifying Duo are a shampoo and conditioner TKO. Work the shampoo deep into your roots and rub it on your scalp with the pads of your fingers — the rosemary extract will deliver antioxidants, the marine extracts impart hydration, and the peppermint oil gives a refreshing tingling sensation. The conditioner leaves the hair shiny and moist thanks to jojoba oil. The combination is $28.50.

Miss Jessie’s Super Sweetback Treatment is now available for sale (scroll up to see it on that link), and it promises to be “the essential treatment for growing out naturally curly, kinky, and wavy hair.” This super rich softening treatment is loaded with shea butter and centella extract, which is regarded as a growth stimulant. At 16 oz for $48 this isn’t a cheap product, but if you’re a fan of the Miss Jessie’s brand, this could be what you’re looking for.
Read the rest of this entry »

Did you see the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics? If you did, and you’re a longtime Afrobella reader, you may have instantly recognize Canadian opera singer and former Afrobella of the Week, Measha Bruggersgosman.

I interviewed Measha back in 2007 when she was touring with the Cleveland Orchestra. It was such a pleasure to see her on NBC, singing before an audience of 3.2 BILLION people!!

In case you missed her performance, click here to see the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, and to hear Measha’s Olympic hymn. Her hair, her makeup, her dress — all looked AMAZING. Click here to visit her official website, and click here to read my interview from 2007!

Measha, you continue to make Afrobellas everywhere very proud! Keep shining!

That photo above is from the Washington Post, from a photo gallery titled The Roots Of It. But it could easily have been me, 25 years ago. Or any one of you bellas reading this, I am sure.

This weekend’s Washington Post included an absolutely lovely article on the traditions (and trials) of braiding a little black girl’s hair. Click here to read Balm: By styling her daughters’ hair each morning, she was attending to something deeper than a beauty ritual, by Lonnae O’Neal Parker. This riveting personal essay reveals how hair styling is so much more than just tending to the superficial exterior, in black culture. Please read it, it’s SO good.
Read the rest of this entry »

Originally posted over at BVHairTalk.com.

I must be honest — it’s difficult writing about hair care and beauty products at a time like this, when thousands upon thousands are suffering in Haiti right now. But good news from the world of hair and beauty — some very charitable companies have stepped forward to give support to our brothers and sisters in Haiti, just as they need it most.

Every donation to Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti organization that is made through Karen’s Body Beautiful will be matched by the company. Also, KBB is sending products directly to Haiti. Click here to visit Karen’s Body Beautiful, and click here to go straight to the donation page.

Super fly jewelry designer Camille Peace of Peace Images will be donating a percentage of all her proceeds this week to Yele Haiti. Click here for details, and click here to visit her Etsy store. Her loc chains are gorgeous!

Sarah, designer of hair accessories line Sarenzo Beads, will be donating 20% of every sale that uses the word Haiti at checkout. Click here for details, and click here to visit her web store.

If you know of another business that is legitimately donating funds to Haiti, please let me know in the comments below. Our hearts go out to Haiti at this time of unbelievable tragedy.

With every news report, with every wretched photograph or dire update on social media, my heart goes out to Haitian people suffering in Port au Prince and those relatives and friends around the world who are desperate with worry for their loved ones. I keep thinking of David Rudder’s classic calypso, written so long ago, but so poignant today.

Haiti, we’re sorry.

Have you donated money? Clothes? Canned goods? If you’ve done something to help the situation in Haiti today, please tell me in the comments below.

If you know of another business that is legitimately donating funds to Haiti, please let me know in the comments below. Our hearts go out to Haiti at this time of unbelievable tragedy.

2009 was one helluva year for me, in oh so many ways. I enjoyed a blessed 12 months, chock full of change, adventures, travel, and yes — products to review. And as the year has come to a close, I’d like to share my 25 favorite new finds with you — some I’ve reviewed before, some I’m finally reviewing now, all of which you just may want to enhance your lifespace with. And to make things fun and readable, I’m breaking it all into 5 sections. Here we go!

First category: HAIR!

1. Karen’s Body Beautiful. I was lucky enough to review several products from this Brooklyn-based hair and body care line, and I fell in love with just about everything I tried from their line. The soap and body lotion are incredibly moisturizing, but their hair products were what really blew me away. Try the shampoo and conditioner. They treat my hair as gently as it deserves.

2. HPO Simply Curly. I wish this product was around when I was first transitioning. It is everything I’d been looking for. Creamy and light, beautifully fragranced, and made from the ingredients my hair craves. I just can’t get enough!

3. Curls Curl Gel-les’c. I’m not a fan of hair gel in general, but the creator of Curls came up with something so unique and special, she’s got me rethinking my feelings about gel-type products. Gel-les’c is part serum, part gel, all incredible. It converts my frizzy hair into perfect coils, and doesn’t have that crunch factor I hate in so many other gels.

4. Leonor Greyl Huile de Palme. Thank you, Leonor Greyl! Without you, my hair wouldn’t last through the weather transitions I experienced in November and December. Going from the tropical heat of the Dominican Republic back to the snowy chill of Chicago wasn’t easy, but thanks to this detangling, protective oil, my tresses stayed attractive throughout. Love!

5. Drops of Nature Revive Nutritive Sheen Serum. This is one of few products that I currently use, that I know would also be equally loved by my sister, my mom, and my aunties. Argon and amla oil, rosemary, sunflower, and grapeseed oil. Pure and perfect. Leaves my hair looking shiny, smelling lovely, and feeling strong enough to withstand the elements.