Because of Them We Can! #OscarCongratulations #HairLove

Congratulations to Matthew A. Cherry and Karen Rupert-Toliver for the well-deserved Oscar win for short film, Hair Love. 

 Because of you, we can!

 

Head Wraps 101

Hey y'all! It's summertime...well almost! Drake said he comes alive in the nighttime. Well I come alive in the summertime! There's so much to do and so much warm, beautiful, sunshine to do it in! I got to be ready to GO, GO, GO! 

These easy peasy head wrap styles let me do just that. 

You can dress them up or down. 

They're great from a style perspective but they're also super functional. Wrap it up after a dip in the pool, a round at the gym, or a romp with the kids (or bae, lol!). 

Try it out!

If you like the video, please hit the like button. 

And please reshare, comment, and most importantly, SUBSCRIBE!

'Til next time Journeyers!

Invictus by William Ernest Henley

Invictus

Image: Google Images

Out of the night that covers me, 

Black as the pit from pole to pole, 

I thank whatever gods may be 

For my unconquerable soul.

Image: Google Images

In the fell clutch of circumstance 

I have not winced nor cried aloud. 

Under the bludgeonings of chance 

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Image: Google Images

Beyond this place of wrath and tears 

Looms but the Horror of the shade, 

And yet the menace of the years 

Finds and shall find me unafraid. 

Image: Google Images

It matters not how strait the gate, 

How charged with punishments the scroll, 

I am the master of my fate, 

I am the captain of my soul.

Image: Google Images

Poem by William Ernest Henley

Be Well Journeyers! And don't forget to come on over to Facebook and chat with us! Just click the 'chat' tab on the the homepage. We look forward to having you!

Novelty by Nature

What is Beauty?

7 YEARS!

I still can't believe it's officially been 7 years since I made the decision to no longer relax my hair. I say it often but in case there is any doubt...

I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now!!!

Click Here>>> See The Rest of My Journey (To Date)!

How about you? Are you still on the natural hair journey? If so, how is your journey going? If not, what changed your path? 

Recently I've seen numerous videos, blog posts, and personal accounts of women who have decided to go back to relaxers. Why? Was natural hair just a fad? More importantly, what does the overwhelming unwillingness to accept our natural hair say about our perception of beauty? As black people, why is it that we overwhelmingly pursue any and everything that is 'other' than what is natural to us? Are wigs and weaves an occasional convenience/novelty or are there deeper psychological issues at root (forgive the pun)?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the topic. Hear mine in this latest video. Be sure to stick around to the end. My super sweet niece is featured (the youngest of the two). She makes my point in a way words never could. Please be sure to subscribe, like, comment, and reshare. Your support is most appreciated!

Be well my friends!

Perm Rods on Natural Hair

Hello fellow Journeyers!

If you've followed my journey you know I'm what I call a 'lazy natural'. I don't like to spend a lot of time doing hair. 

This is precisely why I LOVE perm rods. Perm rods come in a variety of sizes making them perfect no matter how short or long your hair. Even better, these little gems are a great option for natural, loc'd, and relaxed hair! The curls can be pinned into an updo; pulled into a high pony-tail, or simply worn loose and lovely!!!

Check out my new video tutorial on the topic! In this video I show you how I use perm rods to achieve a super cute, super simple, super easy-to-maintain style.

You can find these inexpensive rods at your local beauty supply store. The rods are colored according to their size. The wider the  circumference of the rod, the bigger the curl. The smaller, the smaller/tighter the curl. Here's a great picture from Google Images that displays this point.

Source: Google Images

So you're all set. Try a perm rod style. Be sure to come back and drop a comment and picture showing how it works out for you.

Thanks everyone! 

If you haven't already, I'd be honored for you to subscribe to my YouTube channel. Please like and comment on the video. Reshare as well (post to FB, Twitter, Instagram, or embed on your blog). 

We're all here to help each other along the journey; be it hair, health, or life in general. 

Also, don't forget to stock up on your Quench Moisturizer by Journey to My Roots. Quench is a hand-made souffle of everything your hair needs for optimal health, strength, and growth. 

Until next time...

BE WELL MY FRIENDS!

AWAKE!

Source: Google Images

AWAKE proud King! AWAKE proud Queen! 

The time for sleeping has passed.

The sun has risen. The dawn of a new day has come. 

AWAKE!

Wakefulness casts out the shadows of the sleeping mind.

Truth has exhausted patience.

It demands this moment.

AWAKE!

Step into your rightful place hue-man!

Finite physicality must bear witness to infinite spirituality.

AWAKE!

See the consciously ascended master.

You’ll know them by their crown. 

Each kink, coil, and curl speaks a truth unheard by sound but seen by the third eye.   

They answer to I AM.

Source: Google Images

Unlike diamonds, silver, or gold; these crowns carry a value unfathomable to the mind indoctrinated to a temporal 3-D existence.

These crowns fly in the face of the universe. 

Defying gravity, these kinks, coils, and curls laughingly toss the laws of physics to the side.

Source: Google Images

Contrary to the weary body, lazy intent, or detained mind, these crowns perpetually reach upward paying homage to the Sun of God. 

Source: Google Images

Each strand is a divine antenna; transmitting and receiving sacred knowledge that the universe tunes to my personal frequency. 

My hair is a living testament. 

My hair challenges 'his-story'. It tells the true story of that from which I came. 

My hair helps create my environment. 

It releases pheromones- primordial potions- that draw and drive experiences into my reality.

More than cosmetic, my hair is cosmic.

My hair is divine. 

I am divine. 

I AM THAT I AM!

Big Chop or Transition?.....Deciding to Go Natural

CONGRATULATIONS! 
You've decided to go/return to natural! Now you have to make what may be one of the hardest decisions of the journey. 
Should I big chop or transition?
 Not familiar with either? No worries!

My friend O'Mareen was sweet (and brave) enough to allow me to do her big chop. I'm thrilled to share it with you. In this video I also share information on transitioning. Check it out!

It's been nearly two years since O'Mareen's big chop. 

Look at her now!

I'm so proud of her! Her progress has been amazing! 
(And yes, she's a Quench gal! Order your's today!)

Like O'Mareen, I transitioned a few months and then I did the big chop. 

Was it easy? HECK NO! You guys know that I keep it real. Going natural can be hard. In addition to (re)learning to style your own hair, you truly find the journey is about learning your hair and loving yourself!

It wasn't until I chopped all of my hair off that I realized how many lies I'd internalized regarding society's definition of beauty. 
Now I know better!

NO! My beauty is not determined by my hair. Hair is simply an ornament dressing up what is (or is not) beautiful and that is YOU- the person you are on the inside. Are you kind, considerate, compassionate, honest, generous, humble? If so, you are beautiful! But again, these are lessons you'll learn at your own time in your own way along your natural hair journey. 

I put together a video that explains the various stages I and many other naturals go through when deciding to go/return to natural hair. 

So big chop or transition, if you can do it, you're a survivor! 
Until next time my friends, namaste!!!!

Crochet Braiding 101

They're all the rave and now I understand why. Besides being super cute, crochet braids are super simple! I did a loved one's hair this past weekend and it was so easy, I decided to do my own hair as well! I've gotta admit, I'm pretty excited about the results.

What do you think?

All you need to crochet braid is a crochet needle and the hair of your choosing. 

Pick up a crochet needle at your local beauty supply store for ~$1

Next choose your hair!
While I chose a coiled more 'natural' texture, you can achieve whatever look you want. Simply pick the hair color(s), texture, and length that suits your fancy. I used the following:

Once you've picked your hair and purchased your crochet needle, you're all set. 
Learn the technique in this SUPER SIMPLE tutorial! It can't be any easier to learn than what you'll see in this tutorial. Hope you agree.

Try it! I'm sure you'll love it as well!

*** Please SUBSCRIBE, like, comment, and reshare. Tks!***

Be sure to share your feedback in the comments and be sure to head over to Facebook and join us in the conversation. While we talk hair, we talk so much more. Join us!

Click the picture to head on over:

Problem with the link? Click >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/JourneytomyRoots/

Stretching Elastic Headbands #quicktip #naturalhair #relaxedhair

If you follow me, you know I like to keep it simple. Many of my hair styles involve elastic headbands. 

One of the questions I often get is:

Q: How are you able to wear those headbands without them being so tight? Mine leave me with terrible headaches!

Learn my tip to stretching elastic headbands in this tutorial video. 

Hope this helps! 'Til Next Time Journeyers!