Beautiful brown girls september 2014 by Linda

All Things Hair!

CONTENTS How to Rock Protective Styles In The Corporate World!

Jasmine Lawrence Takes Natural Hair Care to the Next Level

DIY Hair Care: Banana Conditioner

Sweet Blessings with the Art of Hair Braiding

Editor's Note We made it! Another issue complete and I couldn’t be more excited. This issue we focus all on HAIR! At each Beautiful Brown Girls brunch it never fails that one of the ladies will complement another on their hair, or is looking for a good hairdresser because they are new to the area. Once the hair conversation starts we literally can go for hours LOL. Our hair is our crowns of glory and we treat it as such. Not only do those types of conversations with our girlfriends bring us together, it starts that unbreakable bond with our sistas. When we decided to do an issue focused on all things hair the first person that popped into my mind that I knew had to be included was none other than powerhouse business woman Jasmine Lawrence. Watching her hair care product EDEN BodyWorks grow into such an integral part of the natural hair care industry has been awesome. Many of us have big dreams of pursuing our passions and Jasmine’s story is so inspiring to show that it’s possible. I’m hoping that each of you walk away knowing that the road to success may be a bit of a winding road but the end goal is SO worth it. I also had a ball putting this issue together because I personally am a BIG fan of trying new things with my hair, and new styles. I’m well known for changing my style at least every other month. As a natural hair sista I still like to dabble in finding new protective styles that make my everyday life easier as a mommy on the go. I also like to keep my hair healthy and clean. The awesome DIY hair recipe in this issue will keep you and your hair happy! When we look good, we feel good, and we can then clear our minds to focus on our priorities and being able to put together actionable plans for our lives. Keep pushing! With gratitude,

Christina Duren Christina Duren Editor-In-Chief/Beautiful Brown Girls Brunch Club™ Founder |3

HOW TO ROCK PROT ECTIVE STYLES IN THE CORPORATE WORLD BY: DONNET BRUCE

“I can't tell you the last time I wore my natural hair straightened”

Nothing against relaxed tresses but I have been rocking Kinky curly, and wavy extensions for some time. I’m a Digital Marketing Manager in the corporate world as well as serial entrepreneur. My authentic style plays essential role of who I am in and out the office. When I first went natural 5 years ago, I mulled over so many “what if” questions about wearing my natural big curly hair or extensions in the office. What if…my corporate office doesn’t perceive it well? What if…they think it is unkempt. What if…I’m perceived too bold, militant, and aggressive rather than passive & relaxed like my former relaxed hairstyles. What if I added on clips to achieve a big Kinkier look, or switched to wavy textures.

The questions went on and on until one day - I realize I wasn’t created to blend in any way. I was being genuinely myself which is a queen that loves to accessorize and compliment her look with bold hairstyles. I am unapologetic, fashionable, unique, goal digging, and an inspiring woman that loves to rock different curly-wavy hair textures. After all the interoffice questions, curiosity and experiences, I decided to embrace it all! It was opportunity to show how hairstyles can be a fashionable in corporate world since its images is conforming. It's exciting to be able to wear my curly hair in a variety of styles. Myloveforhairanditsversatilityledmeopenahaircompany.NubianHairOasiswasinspiredbymyCurlistasandmyown personal hair experiences. As a curlista, my hair is a major accessory and the thoughts being accepted in corporate world crosses my mind daily. As young professional, I look to fashionably bold, fun, & fearless women like Tracee Ellis Ross, Tanika Ray, Kerry Washington and Solange Knowles for inspired fashionably corporate looks. My typical corporate look can also transition to after-work social gatherings. Here is one of my usual inspired looks.

Hair :Rockingkinkycurly,orwavystylesisoneofmy top accessories. It’s an opportunity to have a feminine and playful look. I‘ve previously added Egyptian Wave hair extensions for length and volume while growing my natural hair out.

Face: Natural make up is the way to go in the office. You can enhance your beauty with minimal applications. Less is more. Try to keep your makeup light and settled. I use Tarte BB Cream, Cover FX Concealer, Tarte Powder, They’re Real Benefit Mascara, and neutrals tone lipsticks.

Clothes: From a little girl, I’ve appreciated vintage style with a pop of fierceness. Bright colors, prints, geometricshapesandcolorblockingaremyusualgoto’s.

Footwear: Classic pumps are always a way to go, however statement heels complete with a chic and trendy twist.

Hair: Nubian Hair in Egyptian Wave Wand Curled & Tousled Dress: Duro Olowu Clutch: Torquise Clutch from Jai Simone Boutique Earrings: Vintage hoop Shoes: Nine West Ankle Strap Pumps

Accessories: Keep it super light but chic. You can never go wrong with a pair of knobs or classic hoop earrings. I love hoops because they can transition into a nighttime look easily. Either one will work; just in case you have to go to a Happy Hour!

There is nothing like going out into the world with bold hair, your favorite lipstick, personalized outfit, and a bad pair of statement shoes. When tousle my haired style it- it tops the entire look off!

allowing that to radiate from the inside. These two things alonewillmakeyoustandout. Don't leave home without it!

Be bold. Be royal. Be beautiful. Follow @nubianhairoasis on Instagram, Twitter, and No matter what how you Facebook decide to wear your hair while Its more than just hair to me. growing it out, don't forget to Rocking curly or wavy styles wearitwithconfidence.It'sall is one of my top accessories. about loving yourself, and

Hair: Nubian Hair in Egyptian Wave Wand Curled & Tousled Dress: Ice Tweed Earrings: Pearl Knob Bracelet: BCBG LOVE Shoes: Nine West Booties

Jasmine Lawrence Takes Natural Hair Care To The Next Level By: Nicole Roberts Jasmine Lawrence is no ordinary girl. Behind her

bright smile and warm personality sits a young mogul to watch. At the tender age of 13 she started her own natural hair care line EDEN BodyWorks that is now sold in stores worldwide. Media queen Oprah Winfrey called Jasmine a “small wonder” when she appeared on her show with other unbelievable teens. Now in her early twenties Jasmine continues to flourish. She currently works at Microsoft and is set to start grad school this September. Jasmine is not only one to watch, she’s also one to glean from as well. Her business knowledge and womanly wisdom flowed so effortlessly, that I am absolutely certain a talk show is in her future. Beautiful Brown Girls was able to speak with the young entrepreneur about her journey from everyday kid to mini mogul. . BBG:What made you decided to start EDEN BodyWorks at such a young age? Jasmine: I was born in Baltimore but I was an army kid so I moved around a lot. My hair experienced a ton of climates. At age 11 I lost my hair due to a relaxer and after that incident I tried to find a safer

relaxer and could not find anything. After my experience I did not want to use anything with a lot of chemicals. I couldn’t find anything in the stores that worked or was safe for my hair so I began to create my own product. EDEN BodyWorks was a spur of the moment creation out of necessity. I have always been a really crafty person. As a kid I was really into building and creating things. So whipping up something for my hair was second nature. BBG: What inspired you to name your hair care line EDEN BodyWorks? Jasmine: The Garden of Eden. My products are pure and natural, made from the earth. When you think of the purest land you think of the Garden of Eden, and that’s what inspired the name of my hair care line EDEN BodyWorks. remained affordable.

BBG: EDEN BodyWorks products are reasonably I would spend hours learning and playing with hair, and soon Eden Body Works was birthed. priced, was that intentional? Jasmine: I was someone who became extremely frustrated with my hair. When I was able to find a serum that worked I just had to share. I made this product for myself so affordability was always a factor. When I decided to share the products with others I wanted to make sure that the product remained affordable.

BBG: What was your business approach with EDENBodyWorks?

Jasmine: My hair was not something I dealt with or worried about. All I did with my hair was wrap a scarf on my head at night. When my hair fell out I decide that I needed to learn about whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on up there. I started to learn about my hair and I became really excited about what my hair could do. Instead of approaching my hair struggles with frustrations, I turned my hair woes into a ME day.

BBG: What was your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impact on your business?

Jasmine: I attended the two week long NFTE BizCamp at NYU. I was really empowered and thought my product could be a fun way to make money. I had no idea the impact it would have, or that there was such a great need for Eden Body BBG: Many women in the natural hair community Works. I started this business as an opportunity to become frustrated with their natural hair. How do fill a need, and I soon discovered that the need was greater than I had imagined. you deal with natural hair woes?

Jasmine: My parents were really supportive of me from the beginning. Driving me to camp and being my employees. They helped me pack orders and prep for interviews. My business is a family affair. As the business grew they were able to go back to their own lives, and they were thrilled. BBG: What was your reaction when you received the call from the Oprah Show? Jasmine: I was actually asleep when one of her producers called. (Continued) | 10

Jasmine continued: She was really excited and proud of me. It didn’t actually hit me right away, even when the cameras came to our house. The Oprah show flew my family and I to Chicago. My parents were sitting in the studio audience, and then when I walked out to the stage and that’s when it hit me….“I’m on the Oprah Show.” Meeting other kids on the show was inspiring as well. I thought how do I even measure up to these outstanding kids? Oprah asked me really great questions and made me feel comfortable. Right after the show I had an interview with Walmart. BBG: Did you face any obstacles in business concerning your race or gender? Jasmine: I’m in a natural hair space, my customers relate to me but it is strange. Sometimes African American women we feel like we have something to prove, but for me I try to look as good on paper as I do in person. My credentials on paper justify me. I make sure that I look so good on paper that there is no way that you can turn me away. I inherited a strong self-confidence from my parents that I cannot control. I go to a lot of meeting where I am the only African American and many times the only woman. It feels awkward, and I have to wonder what makes these people more qualified then me concerning my hair.

Jasmine: My mantra: find your passion and to your dream. It takes effort on your part to find out who you are. There are so many different alleys or roadways tom find your passion. Its what you were made to do. Women are dreamers; we go for something if it feels right. We need to back up those emotions and be a bit more calculated. You’re living your dream and that great, but in actuality living is hard. When I started my business I was really living it, but the dream was consuming and overwhelming, when I shared the responsibilities I was able to live in a way that I had dreamed about. So finding your passion and living your dream is going to come with a lot of struggles and maybe even a few setbacks but don’t give up, press through it. You need to realize that the struggle is also apart of finding your passion and living your dream. BBG: What’s next? Jasmine: I’m staring Grad School in September, and I’m currently working at Microsoft. I have my own business so Grad School is like picking up a new hobby. It’s a fun hobby that’s a lot of work so I am definitely taking my time.

Jasmine’s EDEN BodyWorks products can be found at your local Walmart, Walgreens, BBG: Any words of wisdom or advice for our BBG CVS, Kroger, or Sally’s. readers?

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live

BANANA COCONUT HAIRC O C K T A I L

NDITIONER

By: Barbara Jacques

Summer is in full swing! This means hot summer days, cook-outs, weekend get-a-ways and cold cocktails. Unfortunately, the hot summer climate and heat can wreak havoc on your hair. Did you know excess sun exposure strips hair of protein? The result is dry, frizzy, brittle and ashy hair. Here’saquick,easyandeffectivesolution toprotectandhelpmaintainhealthyhappyhairallsummerlongforanyhair type.

About the Ingredients:

Banana - Banana is about 75% water, contains natural oils, potassium, vitamin A, C & E. The simple little banana is a powerhouse that helps to restore hairs elasticity, encourages hair growth and restores moisture to damaged brittle hair. Tea Tree Oil – This oil is naturally anti-fungal, antibacterial and it’s also rich in antioxidants. The antioxidant properties helptorepairfreeradicaldamage.Nottomention,ithelpswith dandruff and stimulate hair growth.

You will need: 1 ripe banana ¼ cup of coconut milk ¼ cup of grapeseed oil 3-5 drops of Tea Tree oil 2 tablespoons of honey ¼ cup of conditioner Gloves Plastic cap Dryer Bowl Blender

Honey – a natural humectants, honey is hydrating, rich in zinc, iron and sulfur. All of these vitamins and nutrients help strengthen hair and promote hair growth. Honey will also leave your tresses with a natural shine. Coconut milk – enriched with protein and fatty acids to help strength hair encourage hair growth restore shine and keratin loss. This is our key ingredient.

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Grapeseed Oil – contains a high amount of fatty acids that protect, nourishes and restore moisture loss. It’s also rich in vitamins, penetrates hair follicle and scalp to improve blood circulation and gentle enough to eliminate dandruff and cradle cap.

Instructions: Melt Honey and grapeseed oil in a separate bowl. In a food processor/blender, add in chopped banana, coconut milk, honey + grapeseed mixture and conditioner. Apply to clean damp hair, conditioned hair. Apply mixture from root to tip, cover with plastic cap and sit under heated dryer for 30 minutes. (If you don’t have a heated dryer, leave mixture on hair for 1 hour.) Rinse hair with luke warm water; apply leave-in conditioner and style.

Green Beauty Expert, Barbara Jacques, is the owner and creator of Jacq’s Organics, an all-natural skincare line based in Miami, Florida. With over 10 years of knowledge in green beauty while working with beauty editors nationally, Barbara has focuses her energy on teaching women about the importance of health conscious beauty products, safe alternative beauty rituals,andthesignificanceofenvironmentaltoxinsbothinthebodyandon the skin. Jacq’s Organics (http://www.jacqsorganics.com) located in Miami, Florida, creates hand-crafted all- natural skin, bath, and body products using only the finest quality, ethically sourced, raw materials, which results in an ultra luxurious skin care line.

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SWEET BLESSINGS WITH THE ART OF HAIR BRAIDING By: Ayodele Vassall-Gore

Ancient hair braiding artifacts date back thousands of years to sculptures from Egypt and the Nok culture of Nigeria. People throughout West Africa used hand-carved wooden combs, palm oil, beads and shells to create beautiful hair styles. Mandisa Ngozi, which means sweet blessings, was opened by sisters Valencia and Denise Jones to uphold this ancient tradition. Inspiration Valencia, a FAMU psychology major, styled clients from home in the early 1990’s. “People would request braids or yarn wraps like Erika Alexander from

“Living Single” so they could give their hair a break from relaxers or grow out damaged hair,” says Valencia. “Over time I began to notice the overall health ofhairinitsnaturalstate,”saysValencia. “My degree was African centered, so I was also paying attention to the relationship between hair, culture and self-esteem,” says Valencia. After graduation, Valencia chose to pursue hair instead of graduate school. “We made the strategic decision to operate as an art and braiding gallery instead of a traditional hair salon,” says Valencia. This move helped the sisters avoid certain cosmetology licensing

restrictions. “I decided to build my business around the ancient art of braiding and create an uplifting spiritual experience around natural hair,” says Valencia.

Valencia and Denise Jones

Trust Your Vision While a clean space, professional staff and time management are important, the sisters insist that personalization is key for client retention. “Everything from the candles we burn to the hair oil we use can be adjustedtoyourpreference,”saysValencia.Hairoilsare blended according needs like dry scalp and desired smells like coconut or peppermint. A few mixtures are currently available on www.mandisa-ngozi.com. During the first year of business, the sisters competed in the 1996 Taliah Waajid Natural Hair Show in New York. They won first place and their styles were featured in national magazines. “This win raised our profile and attracted celebrity clientele like Erykah Badu,” says Valencia. Tyra Ferrel from “Boyz n the Hood” and many other loyal clients return because they feel there is no other experience like Mandisa Ngozi

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Passing the Torch Valencia is passing her entrepreneurial spirit down to her daughter. “I feel blessed that she is interested in hair because she also writes music, dances and does make up,” says Valencia. Chikodi, age 15, was recently featured in the June 2014 edition of Sophisticate’s Black Hair. She has been building her clientele for the last five years while attending home school. Some of her styles can be seen on Instagram @youngnaturalstylist and on the Mandisa Ngozi Facebook page. With years of running a successful business under their belt, the sisters set their sights on an expo. Now in its 3rd year, the annual Capital City Natural Hair & Health Expo was established to encourage the local community to meetup and share resources. On September 13, 2014, attendees can expect to see helpful seminars, great vendors and entertainment. Tickets can be purchased at www.ccnaturalhairexpo.com. Valencia’s Hair Business Tips Self-educate yourself about the business. Charge what you are worth. Have passion and a unique vision for your brand in the marketplace. About Mandisa Ngozi Founded in 1996, Mandisa Ngozi is the first full-service naturalhaircareandbraidinggalleryspecializinginchemicalfree styles and hair care products based in Tallahassee, Florida. About Author: Ayodele Vassall-Gore (@avglaw) is an attorney and producer with experience negotiating a wide range of entertainment agreements. She is an avid supporter of independent film and music.