Kelly Rowland for Derek Blanks

Kelly Rowland for Derek Blanks, "Here I Am"

Eric Biddines x Art N Hustle = "MLWJC" Premier

Outside of my 9-5, and the pursuit of being a working actor, I work with a lovely group of talented, creative, innovative magicians that go by the name of "Art N' Hustle" The name says it all, we art and we hustle. :) In so many words. Their latest project is the Eric Biddines campaign, the FLALien is an artist based out of South Florida who brings a unique voice and persona to the hip hop genre.

A few weeks ago, the Art n Hustle team in collab with Theory of Culture shot the video for Eric Biddines, "Maybe Later We Can Just Chill", affectionately dubbed "MLWJC". From story boarding, casting, shooting and editing and everything in between this little gem was developed and produced by a team with a vision and the drive to not only be but create.

And with a little nod of the hat to the visionaries before us, I present to you "MLWJC"...

Hair, Styling, Makeup-Me, ivK, Neo

fallblast/ fashionshow

event: fallblast:
where: nocturnal. miami
what: fashion show feat leah, azul by dee harris and empire clothing.
me: hair artist

recently had the opportunity to participate in a unique art fundraiser event in miami. there was music, live performances, dance, fashion, bodypainting, poetry and more. was reunited with the crew from the abff. and met some amazingly creative souls. in charge of hair design for the fashion show which featured styling by none other than dee and emerging designer leah. empire clothing presented their tees with a message. mad hot in miami and humid so hair was falling left&right. [on my non-natural ladies] overall though, the fashion show was a great success and the night was one to remember.

the black snob/ on hair&men

"can i touch it?" read this article over @ theblacksnob that brought this conversation on....check it out.

i am not my hair. or am i? went natural a couple years back. no exact date because i dont remember. just one day i said. no more creamycrack. also love changing my hair. hence the extensions, the theatrical hairpieces [ok. lacewigs], and such. not only does the "fakehair" allow me to play with the many characters of d., also great "protective styling" if done properly. [still figuring out this natural journey] recently decided to change the look and had the opportunity to let my natural go "ahhhh". my locks say thankyou. but then shortly after reverted back to my longhairdontcare. i dont think i am my hair. but sometimes i wonder how much of a hold it has on me. is it for me? or is it for them?

hair tip/ flat iron curls

so before i od'ed on the fashion/style blogs, was obsessive compulsive over my hair. i blame a certain group of online ladies for creating the problem that the boy recently told me "had gone overboard". admittedly did. but did learn a very useful craft that may come in handy sometime soon. theatrical hair anyone? todays tip is flat iron curls. the act of using your straightening iron to create luscious waves, curls and body. surprisingly get asked often, how do i get my hair to "look like that" :

1. it all begins with a great cut. or install [if we are discussing hair extensions]. layers help for the body. and with extensions., i like my hair thick so 8oz is never enough. you can still create great curls without this, this is just maximizing the look.

2. comb/brush hair prior. sounds simple enough. but often i forget to de-snag each section when rushing. take the time to do this. will make hair glide easier through the plates of the flat iron resulting in neater curls and not having to redo sections which damages hair in process.

3. begin with one side at a time. think about the 4 section part for relaxing. or just divide in pigtails. work with one side at a time. reduces overwhelming

3. the next step is explained best in a pic. separate hair in sections. smaller if you have time. but not too thick or not too thin. about 1" -11/2 sections should be enough. this makes it easier to handle hair. use clips, ponytailholders for hair not being curled to get out of the way. now hold the flat iron VERTICAL and place it around your section of hair. rotating either forward or backward [away from your face/towards, here im going farrah so backward/away from face] making sure you rotate all the way down the hair shaft with hair between plates. dont stop turning or the curl wont flow. or [method2]:place hair between plates, then rotate a full 180 degrees and pull flat iron gently down the length of hair. [see vid]

we've since upgraded the flat iron. peeling. really? fake ceramic.

4. i start in back @ bottom and work way to top. using smaller sections at crown and around face. gives more definition. great tip from member@ bhm: with bottom layers underneath, just curl the ends and as you go towards the crown [or the top] and the sides -curl the entire length. creates a heightening effect and volume at top. hope that made sense :>

5. complete your way around. if get lazy. [this can be a workout on arms] use bigger sections @ back for a lighter curl/wave and smaller sections around the top and front. this also is great if in a time crunch. lightly curl the bottom layers and back, [if even time for that] and focus on curling sides and couple top layers for the same effect. "messy bedhead/beachy waves look"

6. bonus: pick it all out. tease a bit. i go through with fingers [not comb/brush] and separate curls lightly. [more if going for drama but curls will naturally loosen through day. pulling curls apart, adding volume and dimension. hold head upside down and shake a bit. and you are now rocking. 'video curls'!

get inspired.
nicole scherzinger. vanessa and angela simmons. lauren london and cassie. and meagan good.

*hope this explains anything or helps. if not. heres a video. which diagrams it better. and perfects my method.
this red/blonde/brown was my favorite work thus far. too bad i dont think theres any recreating it. *shrug

candid.

the youth filmmakers @ the american black film festival

is it bad that i really love this pic because that is an impeccable install...
and ironically showcases 3 beautiful versions of blckhair. ;>

alice goes tim burton

cantwait! first saw the promo pics of old johnny there persuing through i believe it was- through vogue or vanity. somewhere. thats how i came across that they were even doing an alice in wonderland, tim burton style.the shots are enough to get you interested . but knowing how deep and dark he goes makes me even more intrigued. a sucker for the theatrics.

johnny depp as the mad hatter

anne hathaway as the white queen

helen bonham carter as the red queen

aussie actress mia wasikowska as alice

alice in wonderland. release mar 5 2010. starring johhny depp, anne hathaway, helen bonham carter, mia wasikowska as alice. directed by tim burton.
gallerie with in depth zoom action tool

solange

finally!!! i ♥ solange's natural. and that she went natural. its hard to take that step in going there-and with the whole world giving their 2 cents. i could imagine. her face looks stunning. this was @ her red carpet premiere of the newbie and job well done. soft makeup. lovely lashes. pink lips. and her style always gets thumbs up for me. just for not being afraid to step out of that box. i lve. she truly gets 2 kudos from moi, a fellow part-time naturally ever after. and maybe just maybe. she has inspired me to rock mine. more. have to admit. more like her sister though too-part time.

sunkissed

because i've always had a problem playing in peoples heads. and now i capitalize off it.
and i just ran across this oldie but goodie.
note. i know. i wasnt finished but the light was juuust right.
this is j. hair by moi.*
*quick'weave'. custom color. shaggy bob cut

"good" hair

chris rock gets 2 kudos for this documentary and his creative way of approaching the subject. because that tyra episode pissed everyone off. i heard.

act black

compelled to post. sure these kgb folks didnt mean any harm. is it stereotypical? yes. moreso, we need to ask though. why?
as for the 'yak' portion? stopit.

prn*

prn*: hairporn. a bhm thing. hair for the obsessed.
specs: wagmans vs. straightened. flat ironed curled. no product. natural hair