Category Archives: HairBlues POV

Beauty, Beauty Change, black hair, HairBlues POV

Can Black (Kinky) Hair Be Beautiful?

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Sometimes at HairBlues I like to take a “time-out” to focus on a particular topic: today’s pause is to consider (again) “what is considered Beauty”?  In other posts I have discussed “Bald” as a beauty statement, and “how to deal with making your hair loss beautiful”.  We’ve focused on weaves and wigs as beauty statements. In this post the focus is  on African-American (Kinky Hair), and where we are as women who wear this hairstyle as a fashion and beauty statement.

Everywhere I go these days I see beautiful  natural (kinky) hairstyles worn by both  young and mature black women.  As a baby boomer, I am only a little jealous that many of those styles had not been thought of when I first strutted my Afro hairstyle :).  But, after more than 40 years since black women freed themselves from the stigma of having “bad” hair, and James Brown (the Godfather of soul) made it clear that being Black was something to be proud of (which included natural, unprocessed or straightened hair worn by black women) this discussion is still going on – that is to say – black hair not traditionally combed is not necessarily considered a thing of beauty on black women.

What a wonderful thing that black women have progressed even further to feeling comfortable with “wash & wearing” their hair without combing it out.  I remember when I first did that over 30 years ago how mortified my Mom (rest her soul) was that I was going outside without “picking” my hair out.

Nowadays it warms my heart every time I see a young woman who has the freedom and courage to wear her “natural” hair.  But, is there a price she is going to pay for doing that? Apparently, the answer is YES – for some black women. However, an article by Demetria L. Lucas, “Why Does My Natural Hair Get No Love”, published on The Root (http://www.theroot.com),  suggests that oftentimes our conclusions about “not getting any love for natural hair” may need self-reflection, as well as self-reliance.

At Hairblues we agree:  Beauty after all is not only in the eye of the beholder, but in the heart and mind of the “Beheld”.

See you at the next post!

Beauty, HairBlues POV

Gabby: Golden Beauty!

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BEAUTY– how it gets defined is always intriguing . I once read a story about a person who had no teeth. The person sharing the story reported she had never seen such a beautiful human being.  The beauty she said was in the happiness of his eyes  and smile.  It was in his demeanor. Everyone who was lucky enough to be in this person’s presence felt mesmerized by the beauty this person radiated.  No teeth. And beautiful nevertheless.

How many of you were fortunate enough to see  the young, and beautiful African-American woman Gabrielle (Gabby) Douglas perform in the Gymnastics competitions? How many of you saw her fly through the air with sheer strength, precision, and grace?  Courage in its highest form.  This young woman took her body to the level of winning a GOLD medal! She is the first African-American woman to win the All Around in the history of the Olympic games.

Well, if you were one of the many focusing on Gabby’s hairdo, I’m afraid you missed the show…and you missed history in the making.

At HairBlues we were astounded by the conversation that evolved during Gabby’s Olympic performances. We considered that those who were discussing Gabby ‘s hairdo had possibly missed the show. That is the only way we could explain this mind-boggling occurrence!

 True Beauty ♦ Excellence

 

The show Gabrielle Douglas gave the world was singular in its accomplishment.  That’s how she earned the Gold Medal for the United States. She is the best in the world, folks, in her Olympic category  the All-Around.

As the saying goes “let’s  not get it twisted”. How many feats can you do (or anyone you know) flying through the air – and keep your hairdo in place at the same time?

We at HairBlues Congratulate Gabrielle Douglas –  an Olympic Golden Beauty. Let’s focus on the importance of that accomplishment! Hairdos come, go, and change.

Olympic History is forever! Let’s be proud that an African-American woman has made history as an American unforgettable, and girls around the world have a beautiful new image to emulate!

Let’s keep a Beautiful Focus !

Beauty Change, Hair Loss Tips, HairBlues POV, In the Know

Disguising Your True Beauty

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How many disguises have you created since you learned that you would be counted among the innumerable women undergoing hair loss? HairBlues has written about it before, and although hair loss by itself is not a life threatening process, it does indeed bring high concern, and anxiety to many.  The stories at the Women’s Hair Loss Project blog brings us further understanding of what it can be like to find yourself in this predicament. At the same time, there are also uplifting stories from women who have managed to get married, have productive lives, and moved on with this challenge in hand.  We hope you will too.

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At HairBlues we feel compassion for those many women who have not found their comfort level yet.  We can only hope they discover that with, or without, their disguises in reality their true beauty is within them.  Surely, others really looking for true beauty will find it in them too.

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The American Hair Loss Association has given some guidelines for attacking hair loss proactively.  Make sure to visit the blog when the opportunity is right for you.

♦ Oral Contraceptives are a common cause of hair loss for many women today. Women who use oral contraceptives need to be sure they are taking a low androgen index pill. Read More…via American Hair Loss Association – Womens Hair Loss.

♦ Women are in a “Catch-22” position when it comes to drug treatments for androgenetic alopecia. While many drugs may work to some degree for some women, doctors are reluctant to prescribe them, and drug companies aren’t exactly falling over themselves to test existing or new drugs specifically for their ability to prevent and treat female pattern baldness. via American Hair Loss Association – Women’s Hair Loss / Treatment.

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I hope this is helpful !

Beauty Change, HairBlues POV

Challenging Ageism & Ego: A Perspective

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Beauty.

When I find myself obsessing about hair loss, I remember that as we age, we are challenged in the process, and by the process itself.  Losing one’s hair is one of several challenges.  But, let’s concede that hair loss, on its own, is not a life threatening challenge.  Cancer.  Heart Disease, Diabetes.  The need for Bone Marrow. Mastectomy.  These are just a few challenges that can intrude into one’s life.  I would bet that you never thought of hair loss in a positive way!

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Well, today think again. Step up to the challenge to move forward by thinking in a  positive way.  See  yourself differently.  Reinvent.  Be grateful that all you have to do is make a beauty change. Or, think of yourself as  a beauty change.

Let’s get busy being grateful!

♣  🙂  ♣

HairBlues POV

Word: An open reply to a comment or two

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I want to take a  moment to speak about the focus of HairBlues. Some of you may not  have had the opportunity to read the About page, so what better place than “right up front“ to take a moment and respond to your opinion.

HairBlues is fortunate to receive comments from its visitors, some even complimentary – and I want to openly say ” Thank You!” 🙂

When you visit the Blog you will  learn that it’s a friendly page, designed to make you feel relaxed, and less stressed by the current condition of your hair: thinning, balding maybe, or just generally perplexed by the very uncomfortable feeling that you cannot control what is happening to your locks.

When I discovered that something was “eating my locks” I had NO clue what to do. I pretty much “wished” it would go away, all on its own. This I came to learn is what many women feel at the first sign of hair thinning, or hair loss – all the while continuing to lose hair.

HairBlues believes women come in all sorts of beautiful variations, and so, we will share our  various reflections to give you ideas for coming to accept the change you’re experiencing with your hair –  whatever that may be.

That’s pretty much it in a nutshell. No miracles. No claims of  knowing the best medications, or other remedies. We are not doctors. We are not offering medical advice,  just honest opinions, and pointers to places that may have answers for you..  We do the on-line “legwork” … then we share what we’ve found with you.

If you come here often, I assure you there will always be food for thought and something interesting to read and learn where your haircare needs are concerned.

We hope you will visit frequently. HairBlues is a “Help Blog”.  Stay tuned 🙂