Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Check out these stylish twins

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

I have no style. None. Not when these little twins, "M and D," on Instagram are just dripping swag, you hear me? 

Got swag for days ... These twins are rocking it out, in Ray-Bans, fedoras and scarves, you name it.

They were recently featured on Huffington Post and let me just say that I'm impressed. Follow them on Instagram at 2yungKings. I love their locs and it's clear these two have the style game on lock.

I have no idea how old they are. But I'm taking notes.










Monday, September 29, 2014

Amal Alamuddin kills it

Mrs. George Clooney is giving me fashion life!

After a star-studded wedding in Italy to arguably one of Hollywood's most eligible bachelors - who swore off marriage and had countless famous women whom he made famous -- Amal Alamuddin kills it in this post nuptials ensemble.

Love it!

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Teyonnah Parris rocks this outfit

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Madmen's Teyonnah Parris stay killin' it! I love the entire outfit! I love her style!



Thursday, September 25, 2014

Scandal returns TONIGHT!

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Come 9 p.m. EST tonight, nobody had better think about talking, texting or emailing me. Matter fact, don't even move. 
Because tonight's the night when 'Scandal' returns. My snacks -- and wine -- will be on deck.

You don't know how much I have longed to see Olivia's antics; Thursday nights just aren't the same. I don't even have time to look at a lot of TV during the week, but Scandal is my can't miss show.

Will she ever cut if off with the president? (Nope).

What about poor Jake? Boy, bye! She likes you and Fitz!

And Daddy Pope? Evil.

Of course I'll be tuned in to see what Olivia, played by actress Kerry Washington, is wearing.

So much Shonda Rhimes' stuff going on right now, especially with season 4. So many plot lines, and seeing where they'll unfold this season. But I'm just happy it's back. No, I'm ecstatic. Would have loved a two-hour premiere, but I'll take what I can get.

The show's been moved up an hour (glad I noticed that), to make way for Rhimes' new series, 'How to Get Away with Murder,' featuring Viola Davis, at 10 p.m. on ABC.

I'll be tuned into that, too.

Natural Hair VID: MY TWIST UPDO

Love this style for fall!


Black Celeb Style: Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington slays it during press tours of Scandal earlier this week. I love her classic, feminine and sleek style.


Different, but I like the peek-a-boo triangle cut out.
This has got to be my fave look. LOVE IT! Kerry wears Giles and Casadeij.
Love her classic style in Preen and Christian Louboutin.

Kerry wears Mary Katrantzou






Kerry wears Prabal Gurung and Christian Louboutin



Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Vogue and The Los Angeles Times discover ass and cornrows *NSFW

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Actress Kristen Stewart wears two cornrows
Credit Vogue magazine -- that ultimate harbinger of designer style and fashion -- and the Los Angeles Times with not one but two 'Columbused' discoveries in 2014: It seems that ass and cornrows are, indeed, trends that should be coveted this fall.

So they say. 

How close are we to Columbus Day again?

Surely, these two topics can't be headlines and, more importantly, are written about in mainstream media as if Black folks had nothing to do with either of these so-called "discoveries." This is the problem with "trends." Someone created them. Someone deserves credit for them.

Really now, no one can be THIS stupid? Didn't The New York Times just apologize to "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes for calling her, and I quote, an "Angry Black woman?" And this is the follow up?

And poor Vogue. They've declared that, "We're Officially in the Era of the Big Booty."

Rapper Nicki Minaj
 *Big ass eyeroll.*

Surely Vogue (which goes out of its way to appropriate in not only in their U.S. edition, along with its dearth of models of African descent on their covers and between their pages, but in their European editions as well) can't be this dumb.

Not the magazine whose 2014 European editions showcase Caucasian models in black face on their pages, no? You heard that right ... in 2014. Couldn't be THAT Vogue, which regularly finds new and even more amazing ways to mock and insult Black culture than it already has.




They can't possibly be that stupid.
Or culturally clueless.
Or practice this much cultural jacking?

Or think that because they've declared the "era" of ass, that we're sitting back here ... ass clapping.

*Checks ass.* We as Black women don't have total, 100 percent card carrying rights to plump backsides (you do know that we weren't bequeathed the right to all ass and some didn't get the ass genetic memo) but we've been certainly carrying them 'round for thousands of years, thank you very much, well before Sir Mix-A-Lot sang his ode to, "Baby Got Back!"


Vogue does an obligatory mention of a smatter of Black women - Beyonce, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and it references J-Lo and Shakira, yes. But those are only brief, passing mentions, while Kim Kardashian is covered a bit much, along with the Instagram booty of the year, Jen Salter, and Kimye's bud, Blac Chyna, as well as reported ass jacker and pop singer tuned white woman rapper of the century, Iggy Azalea.

Vogue even mentions the virtually assless, Miley Cyrus. 

This is the standard of ass: And it's everybody who ain't Black.

Catching hell for bootyliciousness

Call me clueless, but we've been catching hell for the bootay way before that. Tried to cover it up. Deemphasize it. And just because Vogue declared it a "thing," and citing Kim Kardashian's alleged fake ass as THE BOOTY standard, what does said woman with a real, God given ass supposed to do?

Go sit down somewhere on my ass? As if we were born with no lovely lady lumps?

Cornrows get no love 

Oh, and the cornrows!

The Times mentions Bo Derek in the very first line -- the anti-nemesis of cornrows worn by generations of young black girls for centuries  -- and just as many grown women and dudes rockin' cornrows in the Black diaspora, breathed a collective gasp of horror.

"Move over, Bo Derek."



Wait.

What?

I thought she made her rounds on this ish in the 70s? As if cornrows started and ended with her. As if she is the be all and end all of cornrows???

But then the author brings it home by mentioning every Caucasian person they can think of who has ever worn a few cornrows. And nary a mention of any Black person in the LA Times. Not one. Because this is the "fall trend" after all.

A "fall trend" that fails to even mention the word, "Black."

"Far from the bead-bedecked cornrows and plaits the actress wore in the 1979 film "10," cornrows with a punk vibe have shown up recently on model Cara Delevingne, singer Rita Ora and actress Kristen Stewart, as well as on the Alexander McQueen, DKNY and Marchesa runways. Madeline Brewer in "Orange Is the New Black" was another forerunner of the trend."

Now this, this made me give no f*cks, when the Times had the audacity to quote Jon Reyman, check me if I'm wrong, a White hairstylist.
'Cornrows are moving away from urban, hip-hop to more chic and edgy,' Jon Reyman was quoted as saying.
Surely, you know "urban," is code for Black, right? Urban is no good. Because, as Reyman said, cornrows were spotted on the runways at Alexander McQueen ...

But this is where Reyman draws the line:
"Just one cornrow or a couple on the side is really cool [as opposed to a headful], but they have to be on the right person with the right clothing." 
Wait. Just. A. Damn. Minute. Who is the "right" person? And there was no Black stylist you could have quoted? Or even thought to quote in addition to Reyman?

A braid is not a braid 
 
It is not Black folks -- not in the Americas, the continent of Africa, throughout South America or anywhere else for that matter  -- who have worn this style for THOUSANDS of years? But this article fails to mention not one person of Black or brown descent?

And to the scorn and collective "umphs" of Black women everywhere, this fool says this:

"A French braid is actually just a large cornrow."

I'm done. Just done.

Since the Times won't take the time to actually feature or reference Black women wearing braids, I will. Let me point out that this blog right here just happens to be littered with images of them -- in all styles, from cornrows and locs to everything in between -- for more than three years now and counting. 



Cultural appropriation, much? 

Now, if you happen to NOT be Black and have,
1. An ass.
2. Cornrows; do not despair.

Those two facts alone don't make it cultural appropriation just because you have them. No disrespect to the Caucasian women from all cultures who get their hair braided on the beaches of the Caribbean; I'm not coming for you. Or the Caucasian women who have ass.

I am coming after a magazine and a newspaper that have the nerve to declare a thing a "thing," and then give no credit to that "thing." Bo Derek can wear braids until her hair falls out. But give credit where credit is due.

I'll be damned if I'm supposed to feel better about something that a people have had for eons, just because you now have it, or can now buy it, or have it braided.

Am I supposed to be happy?

Glad?
Mad?

Am I supposed to feel some kind of way?

Larger "acceptance" of certain things, especially cultural things, by a society, doesn't make it any more or less right, necessarily. My affirmation doesn't come because society deems something I was born with, that countless have been scorned and made to feel bad about for, now suddenly "on trend."

But, what IS cultural appropriation at its finest, actually, is when you take these things that people possess or have knowledge of,  and then then try to erase them as if they never effin' happened. And then they are given not a bit of credit, as if they never had it in the first place.

Like Elvis. Or, you know, like 'Columbused.'

No different that your job in corporate, when your boss steals YOUR ideas and slaps her name on it. at the meeting with the big boss. Or, if you're a singer and you take your songwriter's work and slap YOUR name on it.

You'd have a hissy fit.

And why wouldn't you?

It was yours. You owned it. You're perfectly fine with sharing -- as long as you get credit, right?

It'd be like taking pizza -- which was created in Italy -- and then acting as if Italians never created it. 

So, the hell my women ancestors got for having ass, I want all of that back. Damn objectification. We're already objectified; it's others who are taking the credit for it now. I want Sara Baartman's body on display back. I want all the humiliation, the shame, the scorn, that she felt for her body - doing what her body did naturally -- I want it all back and replaced with pride.

A 19th century rendering of Sara Baartman

I want ass to look as good on a Black woman as it does on a woman who is not Black. 

I want cornrows to look as good on Bo Derek and actress Kristen Stewart as they have looked on generations of Black women, probably since the beginning of time, who wore intricate, braided styles as symbols of their regality, ethnic heritage and protection in the Sub-Saharan climate. 

Because. Remember, ass and cornrows are "things."

But no.

I don't need validation.
I don't need affirmation.

All I need is credit.  And a trademark or two.  









Tuesday, September 23, 2014

First day of fall

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blospot.com

It's the first day of fall. What are you wearing?

Today is perfect for fall colors so I pulled out my $20 jumpsuit from TJ Maxx and my $8 shrug sweater from Ross.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Hair extensions discovered on the remains of a woman in Egypt who died 3,300 years ago

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

There's nothing new under the sun .... even, it seems, when it comes to hair "weaves."

Researchers recently found the remains of a woman who died 3,300 years ago in Egypt -- with intact hair extensions.
Jolanda Bos examines the skull displaying 3,300 hair extensions. theGrio.com
Source: The Grio

The primitive weave was, surprisingly, well-preserved after 3,300 years. The body was wrapped in a mat and not mummified, as traditions called for centuries ago. Perhaps because of the condition of her body, researchers from the Armana Project were able to piece together 70 extensions fastened in different layers and parts of her head - the first weave! -- according to an article in the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Would you pay $50 for nail polish?

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

As much as I love designer fashions, some things are just ridic -- like this $50 nail polish from Christian Louboutin. I love the shoes, but $50 for nail polish?

Seriously, this is where I draw the line, unless this stuff is like Krazy Glue and never wears off.

Launched in July, the French designer has even bottled the signature famous red that lines the bottom of red bottom - which reportedly started as fingernail polish -- and calls it Rouge Louboutin, complete with a long, spiky cap.

What's the most you'd pay for nail polish? 

Friday, September 19, 2014

Halle Berry wears long hair

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Source: ET
Halle Berry is synonymous with short hair, especially her trademark pixie cut. So it's a bit different whenever we see her with long tresses, which she's been wearing about Hollywood lately. This time, it's long extensions (armpit length, maybe?).

This isn't the first time Halle has worn longer hair, though it's usually for movie roles. She wore shoulder length hair for a bit in 2012.

While I'm sure she likes to change things up, she is barely recognizable with the longer locks -- a good thing if you don't want paparazzi stalking you.





Thursday, September 18, 2014

Judge tosses out $30 million wig lawsuit against Nicki Minaj by her former hair stylist and wig designer

By Tenisha Mercer 
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

A federal judge has thrown out a $30 million lawsuit against platinum recording artist Nicki Minaj by her former hairstylist, who claimed the rapper stole his colorful, eccentric wig designs.

In a federal lawsuit filed earlier this year, Terrence Davidson of Georgia had claimed that Maraj, who's government name is Onika Maraj, also broke contracts and reneged on discussions to launch a reality show and wig line. 

But U.S. District Judge Harold Murphy ruled Davidson did not have valid claims against Minaj and her company, Pink Personality LLC.

In the lawsuit, David said he began working as Minaj's hair stylist in 2010, creating multiple wigs that Minaj wore to the MTV Awards, during media appearances and music videos. He claimed that he turned down a reality show to work with Minaj and the wig line. He stopped working as her stylist in early 2013 and claimed Mina stole his designs and started her own line.


Minaj's lawyers said Davidson is upset he lost a famous client and sought to take advantage of his former client's fame.

Minaj's flamboyant, brightly-colored wigs were a big part of her image up until recently, as the rapper has begun to tone down her look. Davidson claims he's also worked wig singer Patti Labelle and rapper Remy Ma.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Dress like Scandal's Olivia Pope

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

From Birkie Bags, Prada to Burberry and other top-name designers, Olivia Pope from the hit TV show "Scandal" (played by actress Kerry Washington) kills the TV style game every Thursday night  -- she's hands down one of the best dressed women on prime-time TV.

Not only do I tune in for the suspense, I also want to peep what Olivia is wearing. If you've ever
wanted to dress like Olivia, now is your chance. The Scandal-inspired clothing collection hits The Limited Stores on Sept. 23, with 78-pieces.

The line is designed in part by none other than Washington, herself, and is priced from $49-$250.

"There needs to be a way that you can feel like a woman...and still feel like you're in full control," Washington said.

It's a whole new take on power dressing, and in a fashion world that has seen casual chic take precedence in many boardrooms and offices in recent years. Olivia single-handedly brought back the grown ass woman in a suit.



I think what I like best about the line is the pricepoint. I probably wouldn't shell out for the haute couture fashions Pope wears on the show, but this is feasible for the budget conscious. I'm loving the
wrapped coats, the suits and the contemporary dresses.

Can't you just see  Liv wearing this??? Scandal kicks off a new season Sept. 25.

Monday, September 15, 2014

What to do with your natural hair this fall: 3 ways to prepare

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Can't you just feel it? There's a crisp chill in the air; it's fall!
Source: ThankGodImNatural

Fall can be a weird time, hairwise. Depending upon where you live, it's not quite winter, yet it's not quite summer, either. Definitely in-between. But now's not the time to slack up on your natural hair regimen, either.

Winter is right around the corner -- the time when you'll most likely need heavy, more durable hair products to beat off colder weather.

Here are some quick tips to get your natural hair ready for fall. 

Why you should NOT wear this dress

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

After all of the gushing, ga-gaaiing and general falling out over the iPhone 6 debut last week, I thought I'd heard the end of it: Every tech site worth their tech covered the launch. Nothing more to report, right?

But leave it to Elie Tahari to capitalize on the publicity with the iPhone 6 fashion "debut." Tahari designed an iPhone dress, featuring, you guessed it, none other than 50 iPhone 6s.

I need to know who authorized this foolishness! Steve Jobs up in heaven?? Whose bright idea was this? Because other than a Halloween costume, or perhaps an Apple shindig like the iPhone 6 press launch, I can't think of anywhere you'd actually wear this.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

There is a beard weave for that

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Y'all know I will clown. Men, women, doesn't matter, it's fair bait when it comes to hair.

But this right here? This is some downright foolery. And I blame it ALL on women who wear weaves (joking). 
Be-weaved on ANTM
Apparently, beard weaves are what dudes are sporting now, as spotted on an America's Next Top Model (ANTM) contestant yesterday.

Apparently, they want to get be-weaved as well, not wanting to leave women alone to wear weaves.

First man weaves, and now this! LAWD!!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

J-Lo Kills it at Fashion Rocks 2014

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Jennifer Lopez SERVED IT at Fashion Rocks 2014, in Brooklyn. She wore a Versace gown with a banded gold collar that extended down to the waist and a thigh high split. Gone, J-LO!




Nicki Minaj performed and wore a cleavage-baring black midriff dress and strappy heels. Nice touch with an understated look with simple makeup and her hair swept to the back and a center part. Beautiful!


Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Tracey Reese debuts Spring 2015 collection

Fresh off the Tracey Reese runway for Spring 2015 ... Photos via Coloures.com

Reese, a Detroit homegirl, is a breath of fresh air, with her fashions worn by everyone from First Lady Michelle Obama to Oprah. 









Monday, September 8, 2014

A post from HairNistas' sister blog, BargainistasATL.Blogspot.com: The Bargainistas' Manifesto


By Tenisha Mercer
www.BargainistasATL.Blogspot.com

I'm a big bargain shopper ... always have been. And that's largely the purpose for this blog. See, it wasn't until I found myself constantly telling people how to save money that I realized that not everyone knows how to do this thang richere.

Not everyone knows how to save a buck. Now, I don't think you need to be cheap or miserly (a closed fist can't receive) but you can use what you save to buy the things you really want, like that Caribbean vacation, splurge on a pair of shoes you've been dying for, or whatever you like.

Bargainistas live by these mottos:

1. Why pay retail? That's right, why? I hardly ever pay retail, especially for clothing -- unless it's something I absolutely need and I don't have the time or ability to get it anywhere else. It's a huge shift in the way you think about buying retail.

Source: StraightMarketing.co.uk

Check out HairNista's sister blog

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

HairNistas, show my other blog some love .... BargainistasATL.blogspot.com.

Hair and fashion is my passion. But so is saving money. Which is why I started Bargainistas just a few weeks ago. Bargainistas.com will help you save, with real money-saving tips that can put cash back into your pocket.

I'm a huge thrift shopper, so a big part of the blog will focus on that. But also discount shopping, as well, for those of you who don't thrift but who just like to save some cash. Who doesn't? 

From time to time, you'll see posts from there featured here, and vice versa. Read it, subscribe, show it some love ... You've been integral to the success of this lil' old blog, which is now three-years old as of last month. Thank you!! Can't wait to see what happens with Bargainistas!


Nude lingerie for brown girls

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

A nude bra is a nudge bra, right? Not if you're a woman of color. Sometimes, it's putting THAT bra or THAT underwear that is supposed to be "flesh toned" and realizing that it doesn't come anywhere near matching your brown complexion.

Enter Nubian Skin. The lingerie line will debut next month that answers the questions most of us brown beauties have wondered about for for quite a while now -why isn't there lingerie that fits MY brown complexion?

Nubian Skin will begin selling a line of flesh-toned bras and panties, in various shades, from cafe au lait to rich chocolate, in early October.

I will be the first one in line. My favorite cami is a brown cami that matches my skin tone. And what to wear under sheer shirts? A flesh-toned bra that doesn't match my tone?

Thursday, September 4, 2014

What's your flesh tone? Nude shoes for women of color

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Leave it to Christian Louboutin to do what a shoemaker should have done a long time ago.

You know how nude shoes have been popular for, the last 3-4 years? Problem is, a lot of those nude shoes looked "off" on brown skin tones; they simply didn't match up skintone wise with melanin-rich folks.

But what if your skin was a deep, dark chocolate? What then? You pretty much had to wear shoes five shades lighter than your skin tone (not a bad look, all the time, but off putting if you wanted that lean leg look with a shoe that, you know, actually looked like your leg). 

Louboutin to the rescue. The French shoe designer debuts "Les Nudes" collection for fall with five shades of nude, starting at $625. From a pale nude to rich chestnut brown, they cover the entire nude color spectrum.

Whose nude? 
It sparked the question: Can Black girls wear nude shoes?

Sure, nudes that were a beige, pale peach or creamy blush looked OK on, say, a fair-skinned Jennifer Anniston, as fashion experts repeatedly advised women to invest in a pair of nudes to create a nice, lean look and elongated leg.

I don't know about you, but I never thought a true nude was the chalky color that came in a box of Crayola crayons; it's actually a mix of various shades of brown. Many shoes in the line have already sold out..
I'm confused as to what took so long, when 22 percent of women in the U.S. identify as "non-white," according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Making nude shoes that look good on women of all hues is just good business sense. We just want tow wear nude shoes that look good on us, too.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Keke Palmer rocks a pixie cut

Love this look on Keke Palmer! The weaves are cute on the actress and TV show host, but I absolutely love this!!!


Keke Palmer in a pixie



Keke wearing her traditional weae

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

It's after Labor Day - and why you absolutely must still rock white! REPOST

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

The rules of fashion are have changed. Yes, HairNistas, you can -- and should -- wear white after Labor Day. I'm glad that this "rule" has changed. After all, isn't that what fashion is about -- breaking rules? Dancing to your own tune? Doing it your way?

I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers those antiquated fashion rules: you know, no patent leather shoes from Labor Day until Easter; no silks and lace in the daytime; the color of your shoes and purse must match; and the list goes on ...

We have so many "rules" to follow in every day society that, fashion is one area where there shouldn't be too many or, at least, make up your own, as long as it looks good on you. Now, I'll caution you: If the weather is 80 degrees where you're at right now, you can definitely pull off white until the temps dip. Personally, I'm loving the 70-degree break we're getting today from the 90-degree temps that have baked HairNistas in Atlanta all summer long.

But ... if you're in an area where temps have already cooled and folks are now wearing jackets or sweaters, you may have to modify this look a bit to make it work for you. Why? Because, it's a bit harder to wear white if you're doing it under a jacket. Something about it just doesn't feel right. Even so, temps usually spike a few times in September, so you can still wear white when the weather cooperates.

If you're itching to rock all white everything post-Labor Day, here are a few surefire ways to pull it off:

White denim skinny jeans: White denim is a classic, timeless look. Add a skinny jean -- or for the really fashion forward, a boyfriend jean, that instantly updates this denim staple. Pair it with jewel tones, such as teal or jade that's in for fall, and you've got a look that will work for both summer AND fall. Oh, and don't forget the bag.



Winter White: Go white or go home! Winter white is totally doable, even now. Spice it up, with a winter white jacket or winter white coat. Pair it with bold accessories, like big, gold hoops or a statement necklace. Or, why not don a white fur vest? The Hotness! Perfect way to segueway to fall.

Source



Monday, September 1, 2014

Naomi Campbell in Harper's Bazaar Mexico and Latin America September 2014

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Naomi Campbell may be 44 years young, but BA-BY, she is killing it!

The supermodel recently covered Harper's Bazaar Mexico and Latin America's 35th anniversary September issue. Campbell also covered Interview Magazine earlier this month.

Via Coloures