We've seen lots of crazy beauty contraptions that have come straight out of Japan, but there's so much more than that. There are some smart ideas in this skincare book, for instance, and cherry blossom prints never go out of style. Looking for inspiration? Here are a few items that are influenced by Japanese culture — some even made with sake. Whether you like yours warmed or chilled, there's a little something here for everyone.
Here's some hair advice from OnSugar blog Naturally Obsessed:
A Naturally Obsessed reader asks:
What is the best way to go about detangling my natural hair?
The first thing you want to do is to divide your hair into sections. However many sections you do will depends on the length, thickness, and texture of your hair. I usually do four to six sections because my hair is very thick and highly textured. Next rinse your hair thoroughly. The conditioner allows more slip when the hair is soaking wet.
The next step is to soften the hair. If you have tight curls like mine than you know that just loading the hair with conditioner is just not enough sometimes. Apply your conditioner one section at a time then braid the hair. The braids will help to stretch the hair and prevent it from getting even more tangled. Cover the hair with a plastic cap and let it set for a few hours or even overnight. This will loosen up the curls a bit, making it a lot easier for your wide-toothed comb or Denman to get through. When it comes time to detangle, you'll do one section at a time. Unbraid it and begin to comb or brush it slowly from the ends up to the roots. If you come across a knot, work it out carefully with your fingers. Repeat, rinse, and style.
Want to see more? Start following Naturally Obsessed or start your own OnSugar blog. We may just feature your post on BellaSugar.
If you're of South Asian descent, you're in luck. MAC Senior Artist Vimi Joshi has 15 years of experience in the makeup world, and she's worked with film stars including Freida Pinto, Vidya Balan, and Bipasha Basu. We asked her to share some basic tips along with her recommendations for creating the hottest Bollywood looks. Read on for the first part of our series with Vimi.
What should South Asian women look for in choosing a foundation?
South Asian women generally have a much darker undertone, which can vary from red to blue to peach. It’s really important to take your time when choosing a foundation shade. The incorrect undertone can make your skin appear blue-gray.
To see two other tips, read more.
Here are highlights from OnSugar blog Brown Suga Fashion & Beauty Blogazine.
So, last weekend I decided to style my hair after feeling like I was in a hair rut. After being fairly pleased with my twist-out, I opted to give a Bantu knot-out a try. Oh my gosh, I think I found my signature hairstyle. This style is perfect for someone that is transitioning or otherwise and is super easy to do.
Some people may attempt to do their Bantu knot-outs after washing their hair, but I actually did mine with my hair completely dry and the results were amazing to me. I seriously didn't think it would come out well and I just knew that my effort was going to be a waste. Boy, was I wrong! The results were more than I could have asked for. The only "dilemma" I had was trying to figure out how to fluff my hair up so that the parts that were made in my hair weren't visible, but I think I tackled that issue fairly well.
I took pictures of the process so that I could share with you all, and I will attempt to walk you through all the steps I took to achieve my desired style.
Read the entire post and see the rest of the instructions here. Want to see more? Start following OnSugar blog Brown Suga Fashion & Beauty Blogazine or start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe your stories will be featured on BellaSugar.
Here are highlights from OnSugar blog Krissy's One Stop Beauty Spot.
Women, especially black women, have the ability to change hairstyles like underwear. I support you ladies no matter what you do — just do it right and take care of your hair. For the most part we all practice the same principles when it comes to proper hair care (co-washing, ACV rinse, trims, deep conditioning, etc.). I'm always willing to help people with hair questions and concerns, or at least point them in the right direction. I know plenty of people in that area.
Where I stand on a lot of hair issues:
Read the entire post here. Want to see more? Start following OnSugar blog Krissy's One Stop Beauty Spot or start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe your stories will be featured on BellaSugar.
If you've ever felt as though you'll look bad unless you straighten your hair, get highlights, go blonde, get a perm, or cover your grays, you should see Good Hair. If you care about the effects narrow normative beauty ideals have on the people around you and the larger world, you should see it. Heck, if you've ever felt like you "needed" to do anything to be attractive or accepted, you should see it.
This movie's great triumph — and great tragedy — is that it deftly picks apart our social constructions of beauty and shows us just what they look like underneath. And believe me, though it's sometimes funny, it's certainly not pretty. Chris Rock has, disarmingly, disturbingly, hilariously, and sometimes very poignantly explored the minefield of hair products and social signals that African-American women are forced to navigate. The result is a film that's brimming with life as well as contradictions. See this film, and you'll never look at a hair process (or extensions, for that matter) the same way again.
Years ago, when hair expert Keneesha Hudson allowed her curly locks to go natural, it proved to be a positive experience. "I feel a great sense of freedom wearing my own hair," she told me. "It definitely has a much more organic feel to it. It doesn't hold me back from any activity — from anything," she added. As owner of Urbanbella salon in Atlanta, Keneesha educates women about embracing their own curl. She's already offered us tips on taking care of curly locks, as well as taming unruly strands, and now it's time for tips on cuts and styling. To find out her sage advice, just read more.
As owner of Atlanta's Urbanbella salon and apothecary-style store, Keneesha Hudson has learned a thing or two about hair — particularly when it comes to kinky, curly, and wavy textures. That's why I consulted with the leading expert in the category on how to tame those unruly curls; and now, I have more of her helpful tips. No matter what kind of curl texture you've got, if your hair has some type of wave to it, this post is for you. Just read more.
As owner of Urbanbella, an Atlanta apothecary-style salon and store that caters to women with kinky, curly, and wavy hair textures, Keneesha Hudson has mastered the art of the curl. The two major complaints she hears most frequently are the appearance of unwanted frizz and increased dryness, particularly during the cooler months. And while sometimes the bedhead look is hot, other times, that dryness and frizz can get in the way of having an amazing hair day. So I asked Hudson what tips she gives her own clients on getting a quick fix for unruly curls, particularly when rolling right out of bed when the hair tends to be at its most uncooperative. To find out what she had to say, keep reading
While we wait with bated breath for tonight's ANTM campfest, here's another Tyra-based diversion. On last night's Larry King Live, Ms. Banks talked more about her decision to show off her natural hair on her show. (That hairy video is here.) According to Tyra, she wanted to show off her natural hair in a "raw" way:
I've worn weaves and wigs and pieces and clip-ons and clip-outs and clip-downs and around since I was 17, 18, and I wanted to show the real me. I wanted to show the raw me, and I just got out of the shower . . . and then came out of here — on this stage, and this is me. This is me. . . . Hair for black women, we spend $9 billion a year on hair products. So growing up as a young girl and seeing images in the media where they're saying that a certain type of hair is beautiful and yours isn't is very difficult for a black woman. It's a long, political thing that we can do a whole show about.
So will she do a show? That remains to be seen. And as some readers have pointed out, it's a bit incongruous to promote the "accept your natural self" message while rarely featuring natural hair in the Top Model makeovers. Do you think Tyra's choice to show off her natural hair is helpful, or does her other weave-heavy show send a mixed message?
