I am one of those women who has finally returned to the days of my crazy curly mane and I must say that it feels fantastic. I decided to embark upon the journey 15 months ago and didn’t want to take the “big chop” so instead I just opted to grow it out the good old-fashioned way and trim as I went along. It wasn’t any easy feat and some days I chose hats and headbands over actually doing my hair.

This weekend, I wore my natural hair out for the first time and was petrified, only being reassured of how great it is when I saw that 90% of the women at the party I attended were also rocking their hair in its natural state. An even bigger fear swept over me going into the office for the first time, but the responses were overwhelmingly positive from, “Nice hair” to “I would pay for a head of hairs like yours”. This all might sound vain, but in a world of straight-haired women, the idea of walking into a room with hair that is literally larger than life can be quite daunting.

The reactions from men are also very interesting and polarized in my experience either being “I love your hair” or “I don’t understand why women would want to wear their hair nappy”. Yes I have heard both. The infamous article written by Satoshi Kanazawa at Psychology Today is only another clear indication of just how much scrutiny and criticism black women’s beauty is under on a constant basis.

Going natural is not just prescribing to a trend, but it really is going against the grain. This is not to say that not having natural hair makes any woman less daring, but in a society that is still hellbent on aligning with the European standards of beauty, embracing your own natural beauty is almost unheard of. I am not afraid to wear football-esque shoulder-padded jackets or purple lipstick, but I was afraid to wear the hair I was born with and I am quite sure that most women who went natural felt the same way. This isn’t a call to arms to stop getting relaxers but more an embrace and acknowledgement of the courage it takes to literally let yourself go free.

What are your thoughts on natural hair? If you have it, did you have any reservations about wearing it out?

-Faith Cummings

This popularity has reached its pinnacle, even garnering an article in the New York Times, but there is nothing positive about the latest development in the weave business. The article profiled the alarming number of thefts occurring at black hair salons all across the country. The covetable items being stolen? Human hair, Remy specifically.

Allegedly, thieves give synthetic hair the once over and pass it by along with valuables including cash registers, stereo systems, televisions and much more. This isn’t a total surprise as Remy is the most expensive kind of hair and the best-looking, thus insuring a good sale for this new gang of weave wielders.

Cities all across the nation have experienced these type of thefts from Houston to San Leandro. One beauty shop supplier was killed in Michigan due to this heinous type of crime. Another case occurred in which a 16 year-old girl used pepper spray on a clerk to run away with her hair extensions without paying for them. In other salons, an upwards of $90,000 worth of Remy hair has been stolen.

“It’s sort of a sign of the times. Folks are being entrepreneurial, and weaves and hair extensions are expensive, so it’s not surprising that people sell hair the way they sell things on Canal Street, like knock-off purses,” said Dr. Neal Lester, an English professor at Arizona State University. With the advent of weave theft, the phrase “snatching weaves” has taken on a new and dangerous meaning.

What do you think of this recent uptick in crime due to stolen human hair? Should we reconsider our hair choices in order to avoid violence? Did you ever think it would come to this?

Image Source. Quote Source.

Being healthy year-round is the mission, but we feel some added pressure once the weather warms up and beach season approaches. No one wants to be that out of shape woman on the sand when the time approaches, thus dropping ten pounds for summer in the words of Drake is a necessity. With incessant exercise, we wear out our workout gear and thus a few new pieces for the season are needed.

What are your favorite brands to wear while working out?

-Faith Cummings

Image Source.

Most feel restricted and bored with their choices when it comes to business attire. It becomes a tedious process and it often extracts your personal style from the equation, turning you into just another office-bound drone. Alas, some solutions are here. Check out these tips for making your office style simple and chic.

1. Focus on separates and comfortable, stylish shoes
Separates make everything in life easier. Blazers, a-line skirts, trousers: these are the pieces that office attire is made of. You can wear them over and over in new ways and no one will notice. Same thing with footwear: each season buy a comfortable, yet stylish pair of work appropriate heels and you will be set for months.

2. Create your own personal twist
You might already be stuck behind a desk, so do you really want to be stuck with boring office style? Make each outfit your own and then own it. Whether it be cinched waists or colorful blouses, give each ensemble your own personal twist and become known as the best dressed in the office.

3. Don’t be afraid to re-wear and rework your favorite pieces
Most of us get in the mindset of not wanting to wear the same thing twice. If your wardrobe is extensive, you shouldn’t let beautiful clothing go unworn, but you should also wear what you love. Do not be afraid to wear the things you adore once a week in new ways whether it be your favorite pair of studs or your most magical pencil skirt.

4. Always plan the night before
So much time can be wasted when you choose your ensembles in the morning. Take an extra ten to fifteen minutes each night to pick out your outfit for the next day and iron what you need to. You will save yourself a great deal of stress and time.

What are your tricks for flawless office style?

Harry Belafonte is a legend in the realms of film, music and social activism and his long and amazing career and no nonsense attitude call for total respect and praise. If I know one thing, it is that you do not poke fun at him. Well, until today.

Mr. Belafonte was featured on KBAK Eyewitness News (a Bakersfield, California station) for a 6am interview, discussing the new HBO documentary “Sing Your Song” based on his life. After the news anchor’s introduction and greeting, the camera cut to Harry Belafonte, but he seemed to be sleeping. Not “I dozed off while waiting for an interview to start at such an early time in the morning” sleep, but a “third layer of my dream Inception” kind of sleep. Mr. Belafonte does wear a hearing aid, which would have made it difficult for him to hear the news anchor, but even after a few very fitting “Day-O”s and several attempts to wake him up, he did not budge.

Was no one in the studio there with him? Was there no camera man who could have helped? Seems strange to me, but no less hilarious.

Harry Belafonte is much too cool and smooth to ever admit it and at 84 years old, he’s very much allowed, but this will still be a laugh out loud moment for the next few days.

See the video below.

There is a industry-wide consensus that buying fakes is unacceptable. Back in my intern days, when I was trying to fit in with the luxury-buying crowd, I, admittedly, purchased a knockoff. Naturally, by not having a salary or my mother’s cash to back it up, I went for a bright green Goyard that I was sure looked just like the real thing after meticulous comparison. I even had people in the industry compliment me on it which means two things: They had no idea that it wasn’t the real thing, or it was a Mean Girls compliment where they immediately talked about me behind my back. Nevertheless, it was just a buffer until the days I could really afford it.

On the other hand, I love brands that aren’t luxury like Deux Lux and handbags from ASOS. Both brands have quality pieces that are on trend and are extremely durable (without maxing out your credit card). I can pair them with a Stella McCartney blouse and Proenza Schouler sandals, garnering the same amount of compliments.  Luxury isn’t the be-all and end-all, especially for women who know that mixing high and low is the key to great style.

In case you have been asking yourself the age-old question about name or quality, here are some pros and cons to buying luxury handbags.

PROS
1. Owning a piece from a coveted brand with a rich history: As an avid fan of vintage Chanel, I know the value of the brand’s handbags. Designer names are so much more than just the piece itself. You are literally owning a piece of fashion history, as long as you manage to steer clear of pieces that are on trend and do not have lasting value.

2. Designer handbags are equated with status: Let’s face it: Rocking an expensive handbag gives people the impression that you have money. Perhaps not if you rock it with sweats and a sloppy ponytail. But when worn correctly, you are on par with celebrities and “It” girls worldwide, if only for a moment. Luxury handbags give us something to aspire to, even if we do have to save up  to reach our goal.

3. Supporting the craftsmanship of your favorite designers: Fashion is a business. Although there are a number of designers who don’t need our help, there are many who do. Without our support, many brands would fold and succumb to the recession. Buying luxury handbags is also a sign that you respect craftsmanship and quality.

CONS
1. Being a trendsetter doesn’t mean spending loads of cash: “When it comes to handbags, there are so many amazing designers priced to fit every budget. Stella, Chanel and Gucci aren’t the only designers making ‘must-have’ bags. I can buy a $50 handbag from a small boutique that screams ‘unique’ or ‘trend-setter’.” – Meeka Claxton

2. Durability doesn’t only belong to high-end designers: Some of the most inexpensive handbags I own are still going strong, while my most expensive started to show wear after a few months. Look at Coach’s signature handbags: They are some of the most durable in the industry and carry with them a lifetime guarantee.

3. Even those who can buy real, go fake: Tracee Ellis Ross is one of fashion’s style mavens, but even she buys fake handbags. She customized a fake Louis Vuitton tote with graffiti spelling out “Tee Love” and turned something faux into a really cute piece. She also proudly admitted in Essence‘s September 2011 issue that she totes a fake Birkin. Brazen buyer!

Are you a designer brand woman or do you go for what you like, not caring about the price tag?

Don’t we all just love gossip?

No matter how above it we might all pretend to be, sometimes we just have to give in and indulge in the happenings of athletes, artists, celebrities and star train wrecks. It’s an American pastime that we just can’t shake and there are several new gossip bloggers giving us the dirt in real time.

1. Tom & Lorenzo: Project Runway has launched the careers of Christian Siriano and Chris March, but it was also the catalyst that led Tom and Lorenzo to start their blog. They have turned their musings on the design competition into a full-fledged gossip blog centered around fashion and all things gay and fabulous. Using phrases like “Werq!” and inserting eye-rolls to express dissatisfaction and annoyance, they not only give the scoop but will leave you cracking up in the process.

Website: tomandlorenzo.com

2. The Jasmine Brand: “You Sleep, I Blog” is Jasmine’s motto. She certainly gets us all of the hottest gossip from Kreayshawn speaking her mind to interviews with artists like Miguel. From videos to candid pics, bookmark The Jasmine Brand now to make sure you don’t miss a beat.

Website: thejasminebrand.com

3. Juicy Tings: Want to know about Fantasia’s latest troubles or what Anderson Cooper has been up to? Look no further than Juicy Tings. Anthony started the blog in 2010 and since has really encapsulated a wealth of information from music and news to ridiculous happenings.

Website: juicytings.com

4. Noir Gossip: Tenille started Noir Gossip last year to chronicle the happenings of the who’s who of black celebs and people are starting to notice, including us here at VIBE Vixen! Keep up on gossip or fade to black.

Website: noirgossip.com and/or vibevixen.com/tenillegalloway

5. Fresh Like Dougie: Brand-spanking new and just touching the blogosphere at the beginning of 2011, Fresh Like Dougie features the latest in black celebrity gossip from Ludacris in China to the new Miss Universe. The layout is sleek and functional as news is delivered every couple of hours. We definitely see big things happening for this blog.
Website: freshlikedougie.com

In an article on The Huffington Post critiquing Rousteing titled “Olivier Rousteing’s Minimal Changes at Balmain” written by Terrence Phearse, he states:

“Despite his age (and race) Olivier has a myriad of qualifications.”

I had to reread that statement several times just to ensure that I was not interpreting it incorrectly. My conclusion? There is no way to take it but than at face value. Though the remainder of the piece is very positive, and in Rousteing’s favor, that sentence really makes it difficult to even get to the latter part of the piece out of pure confusion. A black designer is qualified despite his race? In 2011, I truly would not have expected to hear that, especially coming from a black writer. None of Rousteing’s qualifications should at all be compared to the fact that he is a black man. responsibility.

Though in bad form, the rest of the article clearly shows that Mr. Phearse applauds Olivier Rousteing’s Spring 2012 collection and believes that he will continue to grow at the creative helm of the brand. But does he truly believe that race is a factor in determining whether or not a designer is capable? Let’s chalk this up to poor judgment and a lack of editing. Let’s also hope that a mistake like this is not made again. A rare occasion such as this for blacks in fashion is too positive and momentous to have it overshadowed by criticism made without foresight.

Read Terrence Phearse’s full article here and make your own assessment.

Pharrell has always been someone to admire in the worlds of fashion and music. He has an eccentric style that allows him to stand out and he really invests in luxury from buying oversized Hermes travel bags on a whim to fronting his own label, Billionaire Boys Club. Pharrell surely does not dress down and he was seen rocking some pretty flashy boots at Proenza Schouler’s Spring 2012 show at New York Fashion Week.

The boots are adorned with oversized Chanel logos: a sight usually reserved for Upper East Side ladies who lunch. Naturally, he kept the rest of his ensemble simple with a white tee, olive cardigan and worn-in jeans, but who really cared about what else he was wearing when all anyone could focus on were those boots?

So are flashy designer logos for men in or out? Do you prefer your man to wear designer as he pleases, but keep it simple and understated? Or are men allowed to partake in the joys of luxury shopping just as we are, with logos and prints galore?