French Magazine Comes Under Fire for Calling White Model in Dark Face "African Queen"

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Numero's March issue featuring Ondria Hardin in bronze face

Fashion never disappoints --- especially when it comes to its depiction of Black models. The latest controversy centers around a French magazine, Numéro, darkening the skin of 16-year old model, Ondria Hardin, and proclaiming her an "African Queen" in its March issue.

Sigh.

Solange on the Cover of Fader

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Our favorite curly Solange is busy as ever, this time lending her curls and fab fashion sense as a model on the cover of Fader magazine. She's quite the model these days, appearing in spreads for Polyvore and Madewell.

Here's a vid if you'd like to take a peek backstage.

                                          Source: YouTube

Black Hair Salon Opens in .... China?

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

                                          Source: YouTube

Black hair salons are international, no doubt. But nowhere are they more international than in Beijing, China, which recently saw  the opening of its very first Black hair salon.

The salon is owned by Congo natives Martha Makuena and Paul Luyeye. It's significant for a few reasons: One, it's in a communist country. 'Nuff said. And second, there aren't that many Black patrons in China. Makuena, who speaks fluent Chinese, started the salon after  she couldn't find a salon to do her hair.

This is what Makeuna told the BBC: “People when they look at Africans they think about bad things,” Makuena said. “They don’t just see me as African, they see me as a person doing businesses.
“They are respecting me and the way I am.”

Fashions At The Oscars

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

As I wait to see if 9-year-old Quvenzhane Wallis becomes the youngest Oscar winner in history for her role in Beasts of the Southern Wild, (fingers crossed) here are some of the red carpet looks at the 85th Annual Academy Awards.

First, Kelly Rowland, just WOW! Love her gown. Very sexy.


And then here's Quvenzhane.

Quvenzhane on the red carpet

Kerry Washington looking glam as ever


 

 

A stunning Charlize Theron in a white peplum strapless gown. Love the hair!

HairCrush Fridays

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Natural hair pictures from around the web.

Lovely color

Thickness

Hair gravity

Beautiful shape

Lush twist out

That color is FIYA!

Dark and Lovely Releases Products for Naturals

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Dark and Lovely is about as synonymous with a box of relaxer as you can get -- who doesn't remember that box of relaxer on the shelf with the black woman with the straightened hair staring back at you?

Well, the brand known for relaxers, headed by Soft Sheen Carlson, is now expanding its sights to natural products with the release of their Au Naturale Line. It joins a leading number of companies who used to focused on relaxed hair who are now developing products for the natural hair market, including Mizani and ORS.

Michelle Obama Bangs: Why She Did It

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

An up close look of First Lady Michelle Obama's new bangs
Source: Getty

 

First Lady Michelle Obama's bangs are hot, and now we know why she made such a bold

move -- a mid-life crisis? Say what, FLOTUS!

"This is my mid-life crisis, the bangs. I couldn't get a sports car. They won't let me bungee jump. So instead, I cut my bangs," Mrs. Obama, 49, said in an interview with Rachael Ray on Wednesday, about her fringe cut bangs and new hairstyle.

Who can't relate?

Robin Roberts Wears a Low Cut Style On Her First Day Back on GMA

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Good Morning America Host Robin Roberts made her triumphant return to GMA this morning, with a low cut faded hairstyle that looks natural. Roberts looked great, her skin is glowing, and she looks healthy following a five-month hiatus a a bone marrow transplant and her second bout with cancer.

Music Mondays: What I'm Listening To

By Tenisha Mercer
HairNista.Blogspot.com

Went to a Dwele concert in ATL last week,  and this is what I'm listening to. This song is from his new album, "Greater Than One." Dwele said in his concert that it's very much 50 Shades of Greyish.

Enjoy!

Vacay and no Hair Products

Took a mini vacay in Savannah and Tybee Island.  And I forgot to bring my hair products. Thank God for V05 Moisture Milks at CVS for 82 cents. Wet it, poured a handful, and this is was the result.

HairCrush Fridays

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Some of my favorite natural hair pics from around the web.

Love the funky hair

Lovely hair and dope outfit

She know she have some hair on her head!

Love those full curls

Love her locs
 

Dope curls

Bangin' twist out  

Do Naturals Do The Most?

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Read an interesting natural hair blog from Think & Grow Chick, who is frustrated by her time-consuming regimen. Can't we all relate? Between pre-pooing, detangling, product applying, drying, etc., this natural is fed up with the time consuming process of natural hair. And I can say that I can totally understand.

I read her regi and I got tired!

NYC Fashion Week 2013 Week Wrap Up

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Fashion Week went out with a bang in NYC on Thursday, and Detroit-born fashion designer Tracy Reese did not disappoint. Reese, who has received lots of accolades after designing the dress that First Lady Michelle Obama wore during the Democratic National Convention over the summer, unveiled a collection of glittery separates with bold prints, animal prints and bright colors such as hot pink.

With stars such as Angela Bassett and Angela Simmons on the front row, this is what Reese revealed:

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for TRESemme

Results of My Green Smoothie Experiment

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com



Source: Simple Green Smoothies

So it's been more than a month since I've added green smoothies to my diet. And I'm happy to report that I've got more energy and have lost about 5-7 pounds. Did I do this to lose weight? No, but it's a great side effect that I'm loving!

Grammy Night Fashions

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Last night's dress code -- no revealing attire -- at the Grammy's couldn't stop stars and celebs from getting their swank on, with beautiful, sexy and revealing haute couture gowns.

Kelly Rowland killin' it in this dress!
Photo Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images
 

Esperanza Spalding's boho look
Photo Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Rhi Rhi turns on the glam
Photo Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Janelle Monae in her signature black and white
Photo Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Beyonce in classic black and white
Photo Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images 

Alicia Keys in a cutout dress
Photo Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Solange in a beautiful green dress with a thigh-high split
Photo Credit: Larry Busacca/WireImage

I LOVE J-Lo's gown. Sexy.
Photo Credit: Jordan Strauss/AP
 

NYC Fashion Week Kick Off

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Organic by John Patrick

NYC is covered in blizzard snow, but that won't stop fashionistas from trekking through inches-high snow, teetering in sky high heels and haute couture designer duds, to New York Fashion Week.

I can't wait to see the pics of all the NYCers in their designer wares, and the fall 2013 runway fashions from designers such as Tracey Reese.

Fashion on!

HairCrush Fridays

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.blogspot.com

The best natural hair pictures from around the web.

Cool vibe

Love it.

Black and yellow

Love the color combo

 

Love the coral lip  

Does Your Hair Cost Too Much?

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.blogspot.com

Some women spend a killing on their weaves

Listening to a popular radio station in Atlanta and a caller said she pays up to $900 a month on her weave; $500-$700 a month when she wants to "save." And that she will skimp on other bills so that her hair stays done.

My thought: That's a top of the line Mercedes car note every month -- on yo hair? Have no idea what she does for a living, but when you add up the cost? It's insane.

That Much on Hair?

It went so above my head, because I've never been one to just throw money at my hair; in fact, I'm the opposite, sometimes being too cheap! But it got me to thinking: How much do we as Black women s spend on our hair, especially those weaves, which ain't cheap. How much is too much?

Years ago, I was amazed that women spent $1,200 to lay away their weaves on the movie, Good Hair. In fact, I'm still amazed. Is our hair that important that we will not pay our bills? How much is too much to spend on your hair? Is your hair your top priority -- over say, your electric bill?

And it's not just weaves. There are many women who get their hair done every week -- to the tune of 60-$75 dollars a pop. It all adds up.

Is Natural Hair Better on Your Wallet?

Cost is one of the reasons why natural hair has become more popular -- it's a lot cheaper. Even if you go to natural salon, chances are you are spending much less money than a weave install. And given the fact that many naturals maintain their hair and only pay for services such as trims or dye jobs, natural hair is a budget saver.

What's the most you've ever spent on your hair?

Music Mondays: What I'm Listening To

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Great song. Describes my thrift store adventures perfectly.

Thirst Store by Macklamore and Ryan Lewis.

A Natural Who Likes Beyonce's Weave

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Beyonce WERKIN' it at the Super Bowl

I  have natural hair. And I like Beyonce's weave.

There, I said it.

*Cue the natural nazis, cuz they are comin' to revoke my natural hair card!*

Does it mean I like my kinks and coils any less? Nope, not at all. It just means I like HER weave.

Does it mean I'll go out and buy Bey's weave?

HairCrush Fridays

By Tenisha Mercer
HairNista.blogspot.com

The dopest natural hair pictures from around the web.