BellaSugar

Good Hair Has a Greater Point

BellaSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:00:22 -0700

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.

How-To: Raven Symone's Sweet, Nude-Toned Good Hair Premiere Makeup

BellaSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:00:29 -0700

At the premiere of Chris Rock's documentary Good Hair (which I am waiting with bated breath to watch) last night, there was a lot of glam - and a whole lot of fake hair, as at any red carpet event. Gabrielle Union and Nia Long looked unbelievably gorgeous, as usual, but my favorite look of the night had to be Raven Symone's: it was cute, very wearable, and in a palette that's perfect for the new season. To find out how to get her nude and neutral-shaded look, just keep reading

Check Out the (Very Good) Good Hair Trailer

BellaSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:05:52 -0700

Earlier this year, Chris Rock announced his upcoming documentary, Good Hair. After his little girl asked him why she doesn't have "good" hair, he set out to explore why Black hair is so frequently divided into "good" (straight, long, smooth) and "bad" (curly, natural, kinky) in our culture.

The film is being marketed as a comedy, and Chris Rock is indeed as quick-witted and hilarious as ever. But still, it's hard to watch this trailer and not notice how very unfunny these good/bad hair concepts can be. And it's even harder not to feel a sting when Rock, failing to sell some Black hair to a wig buyer, jokingly says "So my nappy hair is not worth anything." This film looks fascinating, and I can't wait to check it out. What about you?

What Does Chris Rock Know About "Good Hair?"

BellaSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:04:45 -0800

A mention of Chris Rock's name doesn't exactly conjure up thoughts of heartfelt documentaries, but that may change soon. Premiering at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival this week is a project close to his heart. Inspired by his daughter Lola, Good Hair exposes his discoveries while trying to answer the question: "Daddy, how come I don’t have good hair?” If you've never heard it yourself, labels of "good hair" and "bad hair" are often provided by strangers, stylists, and even loved ones in the Black community based on the texture, thickness, and the styling ease of one's hair. Even though it's not always said in a derogatory way, Chris Rock gathers stories and observations to find out exactly what this is, why it is, and what it means for the esteem of the people who receive these unwanted titles.

What's your take on this phenomenon? Watch a Sundance "Meet the Artists" clip where Chris Rock discusses his reasons for making the film and then share your thoughts when you read more.

Source