Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Natural Hair Care Hawaiian Style!

Hi Natural Lovies!

OK. If you have not signed up to receive Hairizon's Newsletter, you are definitely missing a treat. It was recently revamped to include great tips on hair care. A subscription will also ensure that you learn of our special deals and shhh!...secret sales. Here is our latest newsletter written by Hairizon 3CO Joi, featuring Hawaiian haircare tips!


My friend Aaren, owner of Pozzibilitiez, showed me pictures from a recent trip to Hawaii.
In all the pictures there were native Hawaiians with long, beautiful hair. I began to think, how do they grow such long hair?  Then my research began and here is what I found out:






Hair Tips From Hawaii:

1. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has been used in hair treatments for thousands of years and in 1999 a study found that even on chemically damaged hair, coconut oil provided a lubricating film and penetrated water into the hair, preventing the lifting of the surface cuticle and its breaking by the force of a comb. Coconut oil treatments add shine and strength to all hair types. Coconut oil can also be used as a leave-in conditioner on curly, thick hair. The 

curlier the hair, the  more coconut oil can be used without a greasy look. Curly hair absorbs the oil. Start with 

a small amount in clean, dry hair and add more until the hair is glossy. Rub some into the scalp and into the 

ends of the hair. Also, Coconut oil has anti-fungal properties that heal the scalp and hair.


2.  Kukui Nut Oil Treatments
The
 kukui nut tree is the official state tree of Hawaii. Hawaiian natives have used sweet oil to heal acne and to soothe a variety of burns. In traditional Hawaiian culture, babies were anointed with the oil to protect them from elements of nature, such as salt and sun. 
Hawaiian Kukui Hair Treatment for shiny and lustrous hair:
Lightly warm 1/4 cup kukui nut oil
Massage onto your scalp and hair. Let set on scalp and hair for 5-15 minutes. Shampoo out.
3.  Curling irons & blow dryers are the enemy
Let your hair naturally dry.  If it is absolutely necessary, use them on the lowest setting & be careful not to burn your hair
4.  Get regular trims
Split ends prevent your hair form growing to its fullest potential.  Also, use plastic (ouch-less) hair accessories
5.  Eat your veggies
Fresh fruit and veggies have a tremendous effect on the hair
6. Regular hair washing
Because of frequent beach visits, Hawaiians wash their hair a lot. Avoid detergent based shampoos as much as possible.  Conditioner only is always a great option.
7. Time
It takes time and patience to grow long hair, but it is worth it.


Look at these fantastic photos of gorgeous Samoan/Hawaiian hair! All different textures and styles! Simply breathtaking

Beautiful Mature Hair
Young, Sweet, Vibrant Hair
!


Wave Envy
Loc'd n Luscious
OK...I cheated here Wheww! All kinds of fine-ness! Can you blame me though? Really? LOLOLOL


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Kinky Kop!!!!!!

Yes Ladies and Gentlemen! This is the segment of the Kinky Kronicles that gives a special shot out/testimony to/about the products we absolutely can not live without! Today's feature is "Sweet Jojoba Oil" by Pretty Curls!

Sweet Jojoba

Generally, jojoba oil is known for it's deeply moisturizing capabilities, which prevents split-ends and keeps hair looking healthy and vibrant. Some sources even say that jojoba oil stimulates hair growth and cleanses the scalp!

It smells absolutely divine! It is comprised of jojoba oil, and fragrances of jasmine, patchouli, and rose. It is a great two-in-one product as it can be used on one's hair and/or body (I use it on both! lol) After showering, I apply this sweet smelling oil to by body. It effortlessly leaves my skin soft and moisturized. No greazy weezy here, as it quickly penetrates the skin! And my locs are a shining and a glistening as long as I maintain them with a few sprays of this baby every few days or so! 

Come on! Don't take my word for it! Give it a try! Kop your Sweet Jojoba Oil at Hairizon today!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Kronicle Spotlight - Fashion Designer Mimi Plange

Some of my favorite fashion designers include BCBG, Marc Jacobs, Micheal Kors, and Rachel Roy. Yes, I will save up, AND wait until it's on sale at Macy's, Bluefly, or Dillard's to get their pieces! :-D. But in honor of black history month, I decided to peruse the internet to search for some hot new African American/Black designers on the fashion scene. How convenient was my stumbling across an expose' in  Essence Magazine featuring hot black designers featured in New York's Fashion Week. All of the designers featured in their video gallery are notable (which included Rachel Roy), but one designer in particular stuck out like a sore thumb to me....Mimi Plange



Born in Ghana, Mimi came to the U.S. when she was 5 years old. After she graduated from UC Berkley, with a degree in architecture, she decided to pursue her dream of fashion. She moved to New York, to attend fashion school, and has been there ever since. Besides being sold in her online storeher fashions are also currently sold in Belgium, Kuwait, and now in the U.S. in a boutique in Louisiana.

I am not a fashion expert, nor do I claim to be, but in my opinion, Ms. Plange is a triple threat in the fashion world, where creativity, talent, and intellect all collide to form the beautiful creation which is Boudoir-D'Huitres. Priding themselves on providing modern, timeless, fashion, I believe we have yet to see all that Ms. Plange has to offer to  the fashion industry, and I for one, will be keeping my eyes wide open! Visit her website when you get a chance. I'm positive that you will be floored and amazed! A few of her pieces are shown below for your viewing pleasure...






What do you think of Boudoir D'Huitres? Do you have any favorite African American/Black fashion designers? Please. Share. Enlighten. Inspire!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Natural and Corporate...Can They Mix?

I  was conversing with a friend of mine, telling her the of joys of becoming natural (as I do always, as a shameless advocate of natural living :-)).  She is really excited about  possibly locing her hair. We talked on and on about the beauty, meaning and endless styling possibilities locing has to offer. Then, she expressed her mother's  distaste for locs. She said that her mother is all for natural hair, but she does not care for braids or locs, her reason being, that whenever her daughter decides to enter the corporate world, she believes she will not be accepted.


My experience as a natural-haired black woman in corporate america has been pleasant. But I know that unfortunately, this is not the norm. Many are intimidated by things that look different, are outside of their "norm" and things that, quite frankly, they don't understand. Men have an even harder time gaining acceptance as their long hair is oftentimes equated with hardcore rappers, street gangs and incarcerated felons thereby representing brute vs. brains. It is surely an unfortunate reality we face.

Natural brothers and sisters, it is up to us to prove the naysayers wrong. How will we do this you may ask? We will do it by being the best at our professions while presenting ourselves with class and dignity. Our hair does NOT define us! It is an accessory, an expression of who we are. It should not be used as a means to define who we are. People choose to wear natural hair for different reasons. To some, it is a fad, a look that is popular at the present time that they choose to take part in. For others, myself included, it is an expression of self-love, a magnification of self-beauty, and a symbol of self-empowerment. The beautiful individuals displayed above are distinguished, professional, and are rocking their natural hair. That's right corporate america, the two can co-exist!

Black/African-American natural hair is not just a fad. It is lifestyle for most. It is not going anywhere so all might as well accept it, and get used to it. But of course, there will always be those that will never let stereotypes go, and will continue to refuse to embrace innate truths, and adhere to reason. For those individuals, I would like to part with a few famous quotes:

The whole idea of a stereotype is to simplify. Instead of going through the problem of all this great diversity - that it's this or maybe that - you have just one large statement; it is this.
Chinua Achebe 


An understanding is perhaps better than an alliance, which may stereotype arrangements which cannot be regarded as permanent in view of the changing circumstances from day to day.
Edward Grey 



And to my fellow naturals, for inspiration, I leave you with this:


Stereotypes do exist, but we have to walk through them.
Forest Whitaker


What are your experiences/thoughts on wearing natural hair in corporate america? Please, share, inform, enlighten!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

It's Feb 1st! Hairizon's Grand Debut of Many!

Greetings All!

Thank you for viewing our blog, yet another dimension added to the growing Hairizon name. We hope you enjoy  reading as much as we enjoy writing and delivering you with the latest natural living, fashion, and entertainment news and commentaries.


WE HAVE MOVED! Come visit us at our NEW LOCATION, 341 W Main Street Durham , NC 27701. We will host a grand opening celebration on Saturday, February 5th 2011. There will be food, music, and we will also have a drawing at 3:41 pm where contestants can enter win a $50 shopping spree! (Contestants must be present to win)

Our new hours as of February 1st 2011 are as follows:


Monday                          Closed
Tuesday - Friday           10:30 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday                        10:30 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday                          Closed


If you have not done so already, sign up for our NEWSLETTER to learn of exclusive store events and to receive discount offers in addition to joining our HAIRIZON REWARDS PROGRAM where you can receive 10% off of each purchase and accumulate reward points with each purchase which you can later cash in to receive free product !

Hairizon is proud to launch our first HAIRIZON AND THE COMMUNITY program entitled "Ensured Nutrition". Bring in cans/cases of Ensure nutrition drinks to Hairizon. Your contribution will help elderly and homeless individuals who do not have access to sufficient health promoting foods receive some of the nutrition they desperately need. Proceeds will go to the Presbyterian Urban Ministries of Housing for New Hope.


Want a Natural Meetup Group in Durham? Come to our grand opening celebration and sign our interest sheet!