Carbon Black
Introducing the New Era for the Young Contemporary Woman of Color
Top 5 Ways To Handle Being Approached By Guys 6 Trends Cury Girls Do Better
Still Miseducated? Get the real deal on Ms. Lauryn Hill...
10 Final Explainations About Hair
15 Things You Want To
Tell Your Man... But Can’t Why Fashion Was Better Back Then...
Introducing the New Era for the Young Contemporary Woman of Color I am proud to introduce Carbon Black, a new and exciting magazine editorial experience focusing exclusively on urban fashion, music, beauty and relationships. Filling the void for up-to-the-minute style from the street to the red carpet, Carbon Black offers the fashion and beauty obsessed with visually stunning layouts, and some of the dopest styling, and photography! Carbon Black promises daily fashion, hot new music and beauty concepts, designer and model profiles, weekly features, how-tos, and more!
Carbon Black’s Manifesto:
• Timeless beauty starts from within. • Makeup is an accessory – not a necessity.With or without, we’re gorgeous! • God gave us these natural kinky curls; we will learn to embrace and manage them. • HEALTHY hair is the only “Good Hair” we know. • Trends are made solely to inspire; we will still hone our own personal style. • When all else fails – accessorize for your life! • We will learn to dress for our body types. • A flawless face, luxurious head of hair, and fab outfit can be achieved at any price point; budget beauty queens and bargainistas unite! • Beautiful people have beautiful personalities.
Carbon Black’s Reader Profile:
• She enjoys change, and always switches up her look. • She is cultured and diverse in her taste. • She embraces her shape, and makes sure to dress for her body type. • She is honest about her means and does not purchase what she can’t truly afford, but… • She knows how to achieve high-fashion, designer looks at a fraction of the cost. • She understands the basics of makeup application and can achieve a flawless face in ten minutes or less. • She is never afraid of standing out in a crowd; bold colors, statement accessories, and big hair are often her signature. • She sets trends without even knowing it, because she always remains true to herself, and her personal sense of style.
~ Coretta R. Troxler
Fashion & Style Why Fashion was
better
Back Then...
Back in the days when men were dapper and women were demure, the clothing was a reflection of the attitudes they carried. Today, clothing, or style in its true form, is becoming more and more obsolete. This is not only because most clothing as of late has leaned in the direction of tawdry, label-laden, and unoriginal—it’s also because people have forgotten how to dress for themselves. Fit, whether something is complimentary or not, and personal tastes, have given way to following over-the-top trends, not trusting your own style instincts, and ignoring the size you really are. As a result, mainstream clothing today is so far from what it used to be . . . or more importantly, what it should be. In my humble opinion, the best era for fashion was circa late 1940s/early 1950s/post World War II. The styles of the time were modest, yet form-fitting, with lady-like silhouettes and subtle feminine detailing. This was evident in some of the popular pieces of the time, which included just-below-the-knee pencil skirts, dainty pillbox hats, and shapely pin tucked blazers. And these weren’t just the kinds of clothing that were relegated to the wealthy or elite. These styles were a widespread phenomenon, touching high and low and everywhere in between. It was not a here-today, gonetomorrow trend, but the product of rooted values, i.e. artisanal craftsmanship and attention to detail. Sadly, over time, this would be a trait that would slowly diminish in the realm of mass produced clothing. In the domain of designer and haute couture, there still exists some form of real quality. The materials used are sturdy, natural fibers and textiles, and are made to last a long time with repeated wear.
This was the case sixty years ago, when synthetic, man-made fibers were hard to come by, and clothes and shoes were made with robust, substantial materials such as unprocessed cotton, leather, and hemp, in the hopes that they would harbor a long shelf life. Today, however, these types of well-made garments mostly appeal to the upper classes, given the high price now put on raw materials and production. As a result, everyone else is left with clothing that is ill-fitting and shoddy at best, with inspiration in repetition. Excessive embellishments are an attempt to hide these shortcomings, which, ironically, make the clothes look even cheaper. In order to resolve this, it’s important to take cues from a time when clothes actually looked like clothes. When you invest in just a few rich, classic, key pieces that are tailored to your frame and transgress throw-away trends, you evoke a sense of true, timeless style. Pieces That Never Go Wrong: 1. A fitted pencil skirt 2. A fitted blazer 3. A simple button-up 4. A full printed below-the knee skirt 5. A tapered pant
Fashion & Style
Fashionable Curves: 6 Trends Cury Girls Do Better 1. Belted: Adding a belt to a loose blouse or flowy dress accentuates your smaller waist and camouflages the tummy area. Tip: Go for wide leather belts to avoid creating a muffin top. Curvy girl that does it best: Janet Jackson 2. Prints: Tribal and ethnic prints are so in this season! What better way to distract the eye from a problem area? Tip: Try a patterned blouse to balance out wider hips or a printed A-line skirt to make a fuller bust look more proportioned. Pair with a dark solid color on the lower or upper half of the ensemble. Curvy girl that does it best: Beyonce 3. Mid/high rise: Ill-fitting, higher rise jeans can look like you raided your mom’s closet. But if you’re equipped with the right curves, they give you plenty of coverage in the back and cinch you at the waist. Tip: Can’t find a mid-rise in your favorite denim brand? Then opt for jeans with a slightly wider waistband. Curvy girl that does it best: Queen Latifah 4. Boyfriend jeans: Jeans that bag and sag too much can come off as sloppy. Luckily, your feminine curves anchor the look. Tip: Cuff the hem of your boyfriend jeans for a crisp, pulled-together look. Curvy girl that does it best: Halle Berry 5. Pencil skirts: Shapely hips and derrieres create a sleek silhouette with this slim-fitting classic. Tip: Pair with your highest heels to elongate your legs. Curvy girl that does it best: Tyra Banks 6. Wrap dresses: The flattering cut isn’t too clingy. Add a belted waist, and violá! Formula for curvy girl chic.
Fashion & Style
Has the autumn fashion trends hit your pockets like some natural phenomena ??? Personally I have been experiencing shopper’s remorse lately. You know when you: A)Go to the mall, just because it’s Friday B)Get something cute....but C)By the time you get home you wish you would have never touched what you purchased. Since I haven’t really been working at one of my TWO jobs, funds have been pretty hard to stretch (yeah I’m broke too). I was just thinking, “I CAN NOT BE THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM!!!!” So I figured I could coach you guys on what to actually to do stretch your money long enough to go places, IN CUTE NEW OUTFITS!
Every True Shop-Aholoic Needs to Read This!
#1.ONLY USE CASH! As a BIG spender you have to understand the amounts that you are spending! For the whole day/weekend you are going to be BIG spending. This includes transportation to & from the mall, as well as the cost of your snacks. Shopping does make you work up a sweat while picking out head turning outfits. So the point of only using cash comes into play because with cash you can actually SEE how much you are spending and (even better) stick to a budget. So when you get your budget adjusted, take that amount out of your account and leave your card at home to prevent any temptations. #2.Don’t Just Shop, Think! There is no doubt that my mom has raised a true shopaholic. And there is not a person in this world that can tell me there is a bigger release than shopping. With that said, I noticed for the most part I FEEL good coming out of a store weighed down with bags, but now I know that you have do more than just “feel” while you am in the store. You think about what I am buying. My new process for purchasing an item is: A)Do I need it? B) Realistically, How often will I use it? C) How much is it really worth to me? #3.Plan to Spend What I have noticed is that the more you take unplanned trips to the mall, the more you will spend unnecessary amounts of money. Therefore, tame yourself. OK challenge yourself and somehow(yes, i know its hard to do at first)only go to the mall if you really need to buy something specific(maybe an outfit for a special occasion, etc). If that’s not the case depending on your “situation” try to limit yourself to once or twice a month.
Relationships & ♥
Female vs Woman So your new boo uses the word “female” instead of “woman.” The first time you heard him say it you blink, but decided to hold your tongue. It’s understandable that most men do not mean to insult or demean women when they make patriarchal statements. Black men often have a very difficult time recognizing and addressing gender oppression. After your early morning coffee, you reflect on his use of “female,” and how it makes you feel as a woman….Some of you may be thinking so what big deal he says the word female, but if you really think deeper into the scheme of things you will also start to ask: “Why should I prefer to be called a woman instead of a female?” Historically, both nationally and internationally, Black women have been denied access to womanhood. We have certainly served in every capacity that one believes a woman should serve. We have been breeders, cooks, and cleaners. We have been partners, working beside our men in fields and factories, while still maintaining our obligations at home. Within our struggles for freedom, we have also struggled for our humanity. For these reasons, a strong sensitivity has grown about being referred to as a “female.” Ultimately it challenges a woman’s personhood. Someone may ask: “Doesn’t female and woman mean the same thing?” Well, not exactly. A female is defined as: “of, relating to, or being, the sex that bears young or produces eggs.” It is a biological definition that denotes one’s sex.
The “one” in that sentence can refer to any animal with the capacity to reproduce. Woman, however, is described this way: “the female human being (distinguished from man).” In observing these definitions, one can conclude that being called a woman establishes humanity. I am human. I am woman. Some men, and even women, will dismiss this word choice desire as something overblown. Does it really matter? Do we damage women by calling them females if we don’t have malicious intent in doing so? I have talked to men who have dismissed the need for this distinction as much ado about nothing. My response to them is to use an example of how words challenge one’s identity. I remind them of Black men marching through southern streets shouting and carrying signs that simply read: I am a man. I ask them how would it make them feel if a White man, today, called them “boy.” Would these Black men, who have also struggled to be recognized as men and not things, dismiss that word choice as being no big deal since said White man holds no malicious intent. I argue that the answer is no. We must remember that all of the “isms” are founded in a desire, whether conscious or subconscious, to continue institutions of hierarchy and power. We are fighting the same battles here. We have to be tender with one another. It is how we have survived, it is the only way we will continue to do so. Therefore, when you speak of me and my sisters, please use the word woman. I thank you in advance.
Relationships & ♥
s ’ y d o b o N ’ n i l i Sm
“Ay ma, why you look so mad?” “Baby, you’re too pretty not to be smiling!” “Smile, girl! It can’t be that bad!” If we are rating annoying, inept macking on a scale of “Yo, shawty!” to “Damn, you got some sexy ass lips,” then the “Smile!” lines would fall somewhere in the middle. But while they may not be as offensive as drive-by sexual innuendo, I still find them to be patriarchal power grabs, and I’m no fan at all. The expression a woman carries as she walks down the street very well may be an indicator of her mood. A scowl could mean “frustration.” A forlorn look may speak to sadness. Looking pissed off probably means she’s, well, pissed off. Even if no harm is intended, I find something inherently wrong with a brother essentially ordering a woman become more appealing to his eye. Especially, when she has not expressed any interest in catching it. On the daily, women are harassed daily by men and susceptible to loads of unwanted attention. If a woman is screw- faced, it may have something to do with the fact that someone has made her feel uncomfortable.No one enjoys being the object of a stranger’s sexual desires. Thus, the mean mug is often times a deliberate deterrent; it says, “I ain’t trying to talk to nobody, I’m just trying to keep it moving.” Or, perhaps, “I’m stressed.” Or, “Please, just leave me alone.” Maybe, “I don’t care if you like my thighs; I’m just want to use them to get to work.” Sometimes, a she is happy and buoyant and all smiles walking down the Ave. A text message from a certain person can take me to cloud nine, even in public.
But that doesn’t mean she’s open to strangers getting in my space, and I sometimes have to reign in the joy as a matter of protection. On a deeper note, how many lasting relationships have come from, “Smile more, sweet heart?” I’ve never seen this approach work, though I have watched it fail many times. I’ve never heard a woman say, “I like it when a man shows disregard for how I may be feeling at any given moment and tells me to smile!” Not even once, and I reckon that everything happens at least once, but I wasn’t there that day. Beyond that, I’ve never had a man I would otherwise be interested in address me in this way. So for any fellas who may be reading this, I speak for what I think is a significant number of women who think “Smile!” as an intro is weak. Your initial approach shouldn’t be a smack of disregard for your intended’s feelings. We dig it when the fellas come at us with not only respect, but with something that may actually entice us to speak with you further. In fact, it might even make us smile . . .
Relationships & ♥ Excuse Me Miss... Ladies, it’s officially the autumn season, leaves are constantly changing colors and so has your wardrobe. The change in season automatically inspires you to enhance your ability to stunt on them in your collection of new outfits. Because of this you need to know how to handle how guys approach you. No need to get an attitude because at the end of the day it’s a compliment that a guy wants to talk to you. #IMJUSTSAYING
1. Listen to exactly what he says so that your response is appropriate. 2. Don’t just give him the cold shoulder/pretend that you can’t hear him unless, you know from his wrongful approach that you two would NOT have ANYTHING in common. 3. Don't feel like you HAVE to give him your number. If you are not exactly sure about him, get his number! This way you will be able to decide if you really want to talk to him. (This also avoids major stalkers & bug a boos) 4. If a guy tries to approach you once you have walked a good distance away, still acknowledge him (while continuing to get to your destination). But never walk back to him. Guys love the thrill of the chase and if he runs to catch up with you, don't feel afraid to exchange numbers. (He must know what he wants to make sure it doesn't get away, right?) 5. My biggest tip: Don't act completely conceited when being approached by guys (Unless he is totally & utterly disrespectful. That's a no no!). You never know who u might meet!
Relationships & ♥
Love Is NOT A Magical Occurrence...
The romanticized concept of LOVE being a happenstance, random, out-of-the-blue incidence is arguably one of the most psychologically damaging ideologies to ever happen to us as human beings. The reason so many people are so hateful, angry, distrustful and resentful is because they have not received a dash of the magical fairy dust that makes them Love – when the power to LOVE is only within themselves. This obviously created an uproar amongst the students in the class, who accused me of everything from heresy to blasphemy for believing that humans actually CONTROL love. Well just as I did not back down from that point then, I will continue to reiterate that point now: Love is NOT just something that happens out of thin-air that you have no control over, whether you like it or not; Love is the positive result that occurs after one has chosen to open their hearts to loving someone. Whether you like it or not, there are two types of people who are slaves to the concept of Love being a magical, uncontrollable, unknowable entity: The ones who wait for Love to bless them and therefore act as if they have no personal responsibility to act in a loving manner and the ones who curse love because it hasn’t “found” them yet.
If you are waiting around ’hoping’ that Love finds you, but not making any steps to meet it halfway, you might as well be content with dieing sad and lonely. What many people fail to realize is that even if you WANT Love with all your heart, it just doesn’t magically happen. To love another human being is a tireless and sometimes thankless undertaking, but most of all Love requires you to lose yourself in it’s infinite possibilities just to be able to experience it. It’s great that you can admit you WANT it, but Love is blind, and it will NEVER just randomly see you. If you are bitter, sour and have a frowsy-a*s attitude because you’ve never been in Love before and believe it doesn’t exist, assure you it most definitely DOES. Your own personal frumpiness is preventing you from seeing how often it occurs all around you and your problem with Love stems not from nobody but yourself. People like this are hilarious, because they reject love and inherently choose to NOT engage in Love and then use the fact that it didn’t happen as proof it doesn’t exist. That is absolutely STUPID. How can you choose to NOT go on a diet and then think that allows you to use your weight gain as proof that dieting doesn’t help? OBVIOUSLY if you choose to do the opposite you will get that exact same result. You want to fall in Love? You want PROOF that Love even exists? Well it starts with your mindset and approach to it, and if you are not in the right frame of mind to experience it, then you will NEVER know love. But do us all a favor and stop blaming Cupid, when the only reason you haven’t ever experienced it, is because you haven’t CHOSEN to yet.
Relationships & ♥ The beauty of a good relationship is being able to act and live freely without ever facing scrutiny. well, maybe in a fairytale. It’s no secret. Certain things he does continue to bother you. Matter of fact, those issues ride under your skin like a pulsating artery; how he sucks his thumb at night like a child, the annoying way he mispronounces certain words, or those ashy and calloused hands that he allows to live another day without lotion or hand cream. These are the same crusty hands that he uses to rub you down every night, that just about peel the skin off of your back every time he touches you. But why fear to speak the truth? No one wants to be the recipient of someone else’s critical eye. However, being open and honest is far better than forcing yourself to deal with something that continues to annoy you. Here’s a few things women wish they could say to men, but are too afraid to.
* Unless you’re a tweener, basketball shorts don’t belong under your jeans! Boxers or Briefs are the wears of grown men. * If you have a comb over, a front fade that starts towards the middle of your head, or a “peekaboo patch” in the center of the bush, need we say it? You’re balding. Just cut your hair! * You can tell a lot about a man’s extracurricular activities by looking at the grime under his nails. Scratch much? Please clean them. * Warning: Your love-making isn’t as good as you think it is. Sometimes we wonder why you even smile after we make love, because we’re the only one experiencing the punchline. * God made Listerine so morning kisses wouldn’t cause premature deaths. Use some. * Your relaxed fits are starting to look like skinny jeans. Either buy new clothes, or lets both get a membership at the gym. * Every time you take off your shoes, we experience smoke signals, yet no one comes to rescue us. A little foot powder goes a long way, my funky friend. * There are way too many skincare lines for you to have shave bumps as an adult. * Some of your gestures during sex are a bit feminine and can be a turn off. * We’ve had better conversations with a television. Can you act more interested when we talk, or make a conscious effort to be more interesting? * As if you haven’t heard this before . . . Your mom is pretty mean. * Genetics are everything. We’re afraid to have children with you because we’re afraid they’ll turn out looking like your family. I’m sorry. * We’re just not that attracted to you anymore.
A
fter weeks of saving my allowance, I hand 15 dollars to the cashier. Without hesitation, I assure her this purchase will not need a bag or receipt. With the headphones already on snug, I push play and wait to be embraced by the first sounds of “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” Rather than hearing harmonizing rhythms, a prelude illustrates the scene of a school bell followed by a teacher who calls the roll. The teacher announces Lauryn Hill, but she is nowhere to be found… she was only to be revealed in her music. Back in the days of bulky CD player’s and even bigger CD collections to mach. growing up, there was only one thing to express: breathe, sleep and live music. Personally, I was had the scoop on the hot new music of the 90’s and in August of 1998, I was determined to have Lauryn Hill’s debut album. After watching all her videos, and hearing her voice every time I turned on the radio, I knew I needed more than just a snippet. Her first solo album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” was in one word: transformative and ultimately became a classic to everyone who lived through the 1990’s. At this time, no one was hotter than Lauryn Hill. It extends beyond her undoubted looks, and instinctively smooth yet personal style. Singing in a dark, low alto, Hill reveals well-rounded influences and tastes, seeing herself as a vulnerable vocal hybrid of Chaka Khan and Betty Wright. Even from the beginning of Lauryn’s career, her music skillfully emulates a “musical journey” production style of the inspiring, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Hill’s theme is love. Love of self, of family, of community, and of significant other, with many of the songs introduced by a grade-school classroom discussion on the subject. The many layers of her—rebelliously critical, contradictory, flawed, outspoken, fragile, fearless, and genius is why she is arguably the single most important female figure to the hip hop generation. From the moment she emerged on the global stage in baggy jeans, a simple tank, natural hair, and face without a pinch of makeup. In the 90’s, it was uncommon not to see a young girl who wasn’t emulating Lauryn Hill’s style. Reciting her lines from “Sister Act II,” trying to match her vocal and acting skills are memories that remain cemented in my mind. Although she was new to the scene, Lauryn Hill held her ground by appearing unchanged by the media and exclusively focused on making good music. She was versatile, uncharted, and unlike anything America had ever seen. Caressa, junior Public Relations major from Washington, DC, addresses Lauryn’s image. “She presented a very positive image, a very simple, natural beauty. Listening to her music I definitely related. She showed that you don’t have to be overly glamorous or sexy. Overall it broadened my view of the music industry from the tiny box I though only a few people we allowed to fit into.”
Still Mis Get the real
seducated? deal on Ms. Lauryn Hill...
Ashley adds, “Lauryn’s image opened my eyes to different styles as well as art forms. Even though it as simple, it was creative. I saw her create a unique era unlike any other I had seen before. She definitely fueled my inquiries.” We all became immensely impressed with, insanely moved by this woman’s introspective on our own lives, dreams and beauty. True confessions will state that her lyrics were the single driving force that caught everyone’s attention. “Ex Factor is my favorite song,” says Caressa, DC. “It’s a familiar scenario used in many R&B songs. The exceptional way she presents the situation is what I loved the most about The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” The love for Lauryn Hill’s music goes above and beyond one hit song or single. She gives you variety to choose from. Ashley begins singing her favorite line from the chart topping hit, Doo Whop (That Thing), “It’s been three weeks since you’ve been looking for your friend, the one you let hit it and never called you again.” She says, “Lyrics like that stick in your head for days.” Even being an important element of the Fugees, she was the female of the group. Nevertheless, she rapped just as well, adding just as much cuff to her lyrics as her counterparts. Lauryn wasn’t just the singer of the group; she added flare to the group and didn’t limit herself to only one talent, which in turn made her transform the game in Hip Hop/ R&B. “I saw her create a unique era unlike any other I had seen before. She definitely fueled my inquiries.” We all became immensely impressed with, insanely moved by this woman’s introspective on our own lives, dreams and beauty. True confessions will state that her lyrics were the single driving force that caught everyone’s attention. “Ex Factor is my favorite song,” says Caressa, DC. “It’s a familiar scenario used in many R&B songs. The exceptional way she presents the situation is what I loved the most about The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” The love for Lauryn Hill’s music goes above and beyond one hit song or single. She gives you variety to choose from. Ashley begins singing her favorite line from the chart topping hit, Doo Whop (That Thing), “It’s been three weeks since you’ve been looking for your friend, the one you let hit it and never called you again.” She says, “Lyrics like that stick in your head for days.” Even being an important element of the Fugees, she was the female of the group. Nevertheless, she rapped just as well, adding just as much cuff to her lyrics as her counterparts. Lauryn wasn’t just the singer of the group; she added flare to the group and didn’t limit herself to only one talent, which in turn made her transform the game in Hip Hop/ R&B.
Lyrics We All Know & Love.... Written By Ms. Lauryn Hill L
et’s lov e fail to m ourselves an d we ca ake the n’ row ou s r seeds ituation. Tom t orwill g need is row all dedica we tion.
Lauryn Hill is only human; don’t think I haven’t been in the same predicament. You
know I know what we I only c u z I’m tr got to do. You let said u ly gen ine. D go and I’ll let go uo n ’ t b too. No one’s hurt roc e a ha k w rd hen y me more than you ou rea are a and no one ever gem, lly b Who do I have to be will. respec aby g t irl is just to get some reciprocmum Is this a min just a s . ity? No one loves you iilly game t h at f more than me and no yo u to ac orces one ever will. I keep way? Fo t this rc letting you back in. scream es you to my how can I explain my- th en pre name tend t self? As painful as this yo hat u can’t s just I been, tay. thing has can’t be with no one else. No matter how I think we grow you always seem to let me know it ain’t working. And when I try to walk away, you hurt yourself to make me stay this is crazy.
When Lauryn decides to come back, everyone will be ready. I would love to hear the new things she has written and see how she has grown as an artist. I hope people won’t try to compare her pervious works but instead base her work on her growth. ~ Khalil Muhammad Originality was her best feature, the fact that that she wasn’t afraid to do things differently. Her fear of being swallowed by the media is what kept her whole as an artist and more importantly as a person. It’s good that she took the time to step back into her personal life and regain control. ~ Amber Richardson “Everything, is everything, I wrote these words for everyone who struggles in their youth.” Oh my God, this song was a big part in my coming of age and really seeing myself as a beautiful you girl, no matter what others said about me,” ~ Ashley Dunlap
d
Lauryn will always be in a category all her own. The lyrics alone make Lauryn Hill. The caliber of success she’s had in that short period of time says everything. ~ Ryan Thomas
I hope she will be able to come back without any fears. When the music industry is so different than when she left the scene. Artists were more flexible with the products they put out, because they were so engulfed and mindful of their fan base. I just want her to come back knowing and completely believing in Lauryn. ~ Cameron Jones Not only was she different, she came from a group to a solo project. she gave members of group hope that if things don’t work out collectively, there is always a solo career.~ Omari Jacobs The female MCs I like can’t necessarily be compared. Right now there is no state of Female MC’s. I say that because they don’t represent females in a good light, like Nicki Minaj. Missy Elliot and Lauryn have Similarities but because their lyrical content is on two different spectrums, they can’t be compared. ~ Amira Blackwell
Beauty & Hair 3. “No, it’s not a weave.” Believe it folks; Black women can have long hair! Gasp. No extensions needed. And you don’t have to be “mixed” to have a lengthy mane. I’ve seen women with the tightest kinks and chocolatiest skin to the loosest curl and lightest hue all with bra-strap-grazing strands. 4. “I don’t need to wash it every day.” Caucasian and Asian hair get visibly oily after a few days, but Black hair receives little oil from the scalp and gets dry and brittle if it’s washed every day. There’s nothing unclean about us not washing our strands everyday. It’s just unnecessary. 5. “My locs aren’t dirty.” When starting locs, you may have to skip the shampoo and conditioner, but that doesn’t mean you can’t rigorously cleanse your scalp.Yes, locs are subject to buildup more so than loose strands, but there are ways to clarify them and rid of buildup like ACV (apple cider vinegar) rinses.
Ten Final Explanations Here at Carbon Black, we’re all for open dialogue and the eradication of ignorance—but sometimes we’ve just had enough. To Whom It May Concern: “Hair is like religion and we each have our own rituals,” cultural critic Michaela Angela Davis once said. Respect our rituals. We aren’t obliged to justify them. Here are ten things we’ve had to explain about our hair (to our men, White peers/co-workers, even other Black women) . . . and ten reasons why we’re over it! 1. “No, you can’t touch it.” What gives other people the right to come and stroke our manes like we’re Chia Pets? And the request is usually rhetorical because before we can even respond we’ve got someone patting or running their hands through our kinks and curls. It’s just plain rude. 2. “No, it didn’t grow 10 inches, wavy and light brown overnight.” Seriously, why is the concept of a weave still so foreign to so many people? Everyone from Britney to Beyoncé wears extensions. So if we decide to change up our look over the weekend, please don’t ask us how our hair grew so fast.
6. “Yes, I need to wear a headscarf at night.” Women of all ethnicities would actually benefit from wearing one. Beyond keeping a “wrap” or “doobie” in place, a headscarf reduces follicle damage. And if your man is giving you a hard time about wearing one to bed, tell him the sofa has his name on it. 7. “But my locs aren’t permanent.” Locs aren’t any more permanent than a “perm” (hello?) is. If you get bored, change your mind, want to change up your look, you can grow them out first or instantly take the plunge and do a “Big Chop.” 8. “My fro is NOT a political statement.” Some women just love their natural texture or think it’s more convenient to wear. Not every one with an afro or natural hair is trying to make a proclamation of their Blackness or even wants to be labeled “Afrocentric.” 9. “My locs are versatile.” Just about anything you can do to loose strands, you can do to locs. You can make them curly, straight, cut them into cute bobs or color them. 10. “I don’t relax my hair because of self-hate.” Not every Black woman with a perm or a weave hates her natural texture. At the end of the day, it’s not about what’s on our heads but what’s in it. You want bowl bangs with blond streaks because you know you’ll rock the hell out of it? Then go for it. Every woman of color doesn’t “need” a perm or weave to feel attractive. It’s just hair people!
Beauty & Hair
The Mane Attraction
My cousin and I were chatting about what we were looking for in a mate. Even though my cousin rocks a perm and I am natural, we were both drawn to a creative and free spirit type of guy. Her biggest complaint was that her type of man was not attracted to her and one of the main reasons was simply because of her hair. The men she was used to attracting were very conservative and did not want anything to do with being creative. Understanding where she was coming from, I began to think of my personal experiences when it came to the type of man I attract while being natural versus having other hairstyles. I’ve been natural all my life. However, once I embraced weave both the approach and the type of man who is attracted to me is different. Instead of “Hey cutie,” I get greeted by “Hey sexy.” Even though I am proud natural, I’m still a bit conservative. Okay, I lied—very conservative when it comes to styling my hair. I always tend to pin it up and rock the same 2-3 styles in rotation. One reason is that I simply don’t have time or the energy anymore to experiment with new hairstyles. The funny thing is that even though I’m still just as conservative as my cousin, I attract a different type of male simply because of my natural hair. In fact, usually the beginning part of the conversation begins with, “Oh I love natural hair sistahs,” or the annoying one, “Is that all of your natural hair? Man, I dig it.” Of course people still feed off of the stereotypes that just because you’re natural, you’re a vegetarian and listen to Common. In my cousin’s case, men usually guess she is conceited and vibes to old school R&B because she rocks a permed bob. In reality, she is into to more neosoul than I could ever listen to. My question is, what about the theory that opposites attract? Numerous people love to use the reasoning of opposites attract as the go-to logic of finding a good match. In a lot of cases, however, I see that people are more comfortable approaching someone who reminds them of themselves. So what does this mean? Does it mean that much power lies in the strands and your appearance? Even though you should not judge someone by their outside appearance, it is the one trait that people see first before approaching you. Its simple, if someone feels as if you’re a certain way, they will or will not act on it.
♫ The Music Man ♫ Think of what a def person interoperates as very good music…multiplied by the impact from your favorite song’s impact when you realized that you loved it. Multiply that by what would happen if music never existed until you heard it. Add a million to that and you would get…Wale. He incorporates elements of go-go, a more raw, percussion-driven offshoot of disco that originated in the Washington, D.C. Wale's early singles that were played primarily in his local metropolitan area heavily sampled 1990s go-go records. Wale has a "post-Kanye, post-Lil Wayne, alternative-meets-hardcore type of style. Olubowale Victor Akintimehin or Wale Victor Folarin (for short) was born to Nigerian immigrant parents. He rose to prominence in 2006, when his song "Dig Dug (Shake It)." He became popular in his hometown Washington, D.C. Wale became locally recognized and continued recording music for the regional audience. He’s released several mixtapes and appeared in national media and various urban magazines. J. Cole is an American rapper and producer who is best known for being the first artist to be signed to Jay-Z's label Roc Nation. Cole was born in Frankfurt, Germany and, before the age of 1, moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina. He decided that he had a better chance of getting signed in New York City. He attended St. John's University on an academic scholarship where he majored in communication and minored in business, graduating magna cum laude. Cole started rapping at the age of 12 when his cousin showed him the basics of rhyming. Inspired by Canibus, Nas, Tupac Shakur and Eminem, J. Cole developed a love for telling stories in his lyrics. At age 15, J. Cole had notebooks filled with rhymes but not beats of his own to record them with. His mother bought him a beat machine so he could produce music himself. By the age of 17, he was posting songs on various internet forums under the moniker "Therapist".
Sasha Johnson 24, Silver Spring, MD Publicist
Carbon Black Chicks of the Month
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