HairTroversy: India Arie and Skin Lightening Controversy

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

India Arie on her new single cover vs. an image on the red carpet

 

Known for her natural hair and color affirming lyrics in songs such as "I am Not My Hair" a decade ago, soul songress India Arie is accused of lightening her skin in a new ad promoting a single on her new album, "Songversation."

Wearing a head wrap and a printed jacket, Arie appears much lighter than the rich chocolate complexion that we've come to know her for. And, as you might have guessed, folks are weighing in (as I am, too).

India isn't the first to be dogged with skin lightening rumors. Beyonce is also thought to have lightened her skin for her L'oreal ad campaigns.

Now, India is saying publicly that it's the lighting. Her representatives told TMZ that the criticism is ridiculous and said the lighter images are a photo thing -- angle and flash.

But not everyone is buying that explanation.

Rapper Rhymefest (who?) said, "even " It’s not the lights, even if it’s make up! Why India Arie!? This isn’t You! Please tweet her and ask her why…I hope her music sells I like her message but lookin like Alicia Keys isn’t the way nothing’s wrong with dark skin.”

I'm no photographer, and I have no idea about lighting or angles. All I know is my skin tone on my smart phone come out much darker and lighter depending upon the light and the angle of the camera.

Though India looks much lighter, maybe it's the angle. Maybe it's the foundation. Or maybe she hasn't spent a whole lot of time in the sun (many of us lighten up during the winter and our complexions deepen with the sun.)

I have no idea.

What do you think?

What to Wear: Stripes for Spring

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

A few cute beach looks in stripes

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you can't help but notice how stripes have made such a BIG comeback. Not since the early-to-mid 1990s  have we seen stripes so prominent; they are everywhere -- in fitted blazers, slouchy tops, dresses, you name it, and they have been for a few seasons now.

Now, stripes are very classic and don't go out of style, but you can't deny that stripes are especially hot right now.

So, here are a few ways to transition the look from winter to spring:

Add stripes in lighter colors. For spring, stripes are in all types of things, especially pastels. Pair a striped slouchy top with a pair of pastel skinnies. Or, wear a classic striped dress with an up-down hemline in the front.

Stripes in lighter colors, traditional pairings

Think about striped accessories. What about  pairing a striped eternity scarf with your to-work outfit. This is a way to incorporate a hot "trend" into your normal fashions.



Striped hat

Go bold. This time around, bold stripes are particularly hot. Bold black and white stripes make an excellent backdrop with hot colors such as mint or seafoam green for spring.

Are you wearing stripes for spring?

Nikki Minaj's Waist-Length Hair

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Nicki Minaj's hair on Twitter

Though she's known for her pink wigs and brightly colored weaves, Nicki Minaj revealed straight waist-length hair on Twitter last week.

The famous star tweeted: #LongHairDontCare #HangTime #ImaWearItOutWhenItTouchesMyASS =P

Not sure if it's relaxed or natural. And while many on Twitter and social media sites wondered if that's Nicki's hair (I really don't care), it got me to thinking: What kind of hair would we have if we had a professional team of stylists, as I'm sure Nicki does, at our beck and call daily?

The Professional Stylist in my Head

This isn't just about length though that is a consideration) but also about the care of our hair. After all, Nicki does wear weaves/wigs, so her hair is protected and is able to grow and flourish. But just think what we could do if we had a professional stylist tending to our hair.

No more marathon wash/detangling sessions. No  more of my arms being tired of doing my hair. Access to all of the best professional products -- at a discount.  I'd NEVA have a bad hair day, LOL. Because I could get my stylist to hopefully give me the look I'm going for and, if not, start all over again, LOL.

The closest I've seen others get to this is weekly hair appointments. But, that's not like having someone only dedicated to your hair; your appointment is among many the stylist has in a week. But this would be like someone who knows just YOUR hair, and your hair, alone. How epic would that be?

Now, you would have to watch out about heat styling, as I'm sure many celebrities have to be careful of (blow dryers and flat irons can wreck havoc on any type of hair, no matter how professionally maintained) to avoid heat damage.

What would you do if you had daily access to a professional stylist?

Natural Celebs: Blue Ivy and Beyonce

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Famous offspring Blue Ivy was spotted with her Mom, Beyonce, getting lunch in NYC. 14-month old Blue was wearing two cute afro puffs, and rocking a pair of baby Timbs (you can clearly see Jay's influence, LOL).

Bey, wearing a chic top knot and shades, was seen lugging Blue, who's looking quite big now (she's not a baby anymore). She's probably going to be a tall girl. Though it appears it was snapped by a paparazzi, this photo looks like one of the first clear public images of Blue, who usually is covered  - outside of Bey's documentary -- that the public has seen.

HairTroversy: Derek J Goes in On Natural Hair

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

You'd think that if you were a hair stylist, that you'd at least be open to embracing natural hair. Consider that Black women are abandoning chemical relaxers like a good sale on Black Friday, it would be a good business move. And  especially when you consider that a whole lot of those who get weaved up have natural kinks and coils under their weave.

But not Atlanta salon owner and reality TV star Derek J. He went in on natural hair on an installment of his new show, "Fashion Queens," on Bravo, featuring fellow Real Housewives of Atlanta stylist Miss Lawrence and style maven Bevy Smith.

Natural Celebs: Teyonah Paris of AMC's Mad Men

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

I LIVE for this topknot. That is all!

Mad Men actress Teyonah Parris on the red carpet at AMC's Mad Men season 6 premiere at DGA Theater in Los Angeles. Photo Credit: Michael Tran/Film Magic

Derek Lam For Kohl's

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

Derek Lam or Kohl's

He's a designer who has dressed the likes of First Lady Michelle Obama. Now his couture fashions are coming straight to a Kohl's near you.

Lam is the second designer to join Koh's DesignNation collaboration. He joins a growing number of upscale designers with fashions in major department stores, including Missoni and Jason Wu for Target, as designers whose luxury clothing ranges in the thousands bring their upscale fashions to a broader audience at lower prices.