So Mr. Purple Rain himself is back at it again

So Mr. Purple Rain himself is back at it again!!

Prince will be releasing his new song “Breakfast Can Wait” and guess who he used for the cover art? Comedian Dave Chappelle .
If you arent familiar with the Dave Chappelle Show , one of Dave Chappelle’s many characters were Prince.
You can check out a scene here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaKHR6oe52Q

So putting Chappelle on the cover as “Prince” definitely shows that Prince has a sense of humor, and we love it. Prince didnt let us down with the song either, it’s definitely another Prince classic.

Game: Blouses

Check out a clip of the song “Breakfast Can Wait” here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg8NERylAjE

Has Hip-Hop Gone Too Far?

Hip Hop has come a long way from its Run DMC, LL Cool J I need Love days. The art of storytelling  has been replaced with the repetition of n*gga this and B*tch that over a catchy beat. Substance can no longer be found in mainstream Hip Hop.  The constant disrespect of women is something that seems to have become the norm . It gets worse with each hook. When rappers such as Rick Ross are spittin’ lyrics like:

” “Put molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it/ I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain’t even know it.”

I think we can all agree the disrespect has gone too far. Yes, music is art. It is meant to be used as expression and sometimes art can be controversial. However, when you are blatantly rapping about topics such as “rape”, the line of being artistic and just straight ignorant have definitely been crossed. Even the constant use of the B-word is used  casually in any given rap song. Whatever happened to the “Who you calling a B*tch?, U.N.I.T.Y.”  women?  Obviously the times has changed. It isn’t just a “hip hop problem” , its a community problem.  The black community should start to pay more attention to the direction we are headed. Pretty soon we will be right back  in “black face” .  After all, history does repeat itself.

[Spotlight] Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill is as timeless as her music.  From her words to her look, she represented a truth we had not yet uncovered.  She always kept it real. Her head full of locs and voice filled with thought provoking words, its not surprising that she is still an inspiration today. Although, her personal life has been under the scrutiny of the media, it doesn’t change the impact she has made on this world. Lauryn Hill is an influential woman. Her untamed head of locs were definitely attention grabbing,now she rocks an “Angela Davis”  afro.  She exemplifies a natural beauty that eludes from the inside out. 

[Hairstyle] of the Day

Box braids have become very popular…..AGAIN. It’s definitely a versatile hairstyle.  You can style it anyway you want and just have fun with it. Thought this was a cute way to rock them. Jada Pinkett-Smith wears them well, wouldn’t you agree?  Are you rocking the trendy box braids as well? Let us see! Email pics to wordsbysonatural@gmail.com

5 days to Success: Day 3 Balance

Balance-   To bring into or maintain in a state of equilibrium; mental and emotional steadiness. 

Once you’ve created a consistent routine, the next thing to do would be to find balance. Working towards a goal can become overwhelming, especially if it is a goal that takes time. You have to be able to  focus  on your goal while still dealing with the everyday trials of life.  For most people this is where maintaining balance would benefit them most. Stability will always be an important factor in whatever you do. A few ways to establish balance would be to :

Take A Break. Sometimes a mental and physical break is needed. Its cool to want to work hard at being successful , but you don’t want to go into overload.  Don’t overwork yourself. You want to be able to fully enjoy your success once you receive it. Have some fun!  Balance work, rest, and play.

Routine. Having a routine (or structure) is very important . Create a schedule and let that be your guide.

Be Organized.  Your surroundings can and will affect the way you feel. Make sure to maintain some type of organization when you’re working and just in life in general.

Meditation. Whether you’re a spiritual person or not, taking the time to just breathe will be very beneficial. Just a quiet moment to regroup and gather your thoughts is always needed. 

The “Hidden Gems” of Atlanta

Atlanta has definitely become the “Go To” city. New York City better move over because Atlanta is coming for your spot!

Atlanta is already the place to go if you’re looking  for a great location to film a  movie or tv show such as ” The Hunger Games” or “Walking dead”. Atlanta is also considered the “Black Mecca“. The city plays a leading role in black culture, art, and music. Some may disagree, but Atlanta is the type of place where you have to go beyond the surface. The best attractions are the ones that may not necessarily be in the public eye. The “underground world” in Atlanta is the place you should explore. Yes, contrary to popular belief Atlanta is more than congested traffic and gentlemen clubs. Lets explore some hidden gems of Atlanta :

Little Five Points : This is a district in Atlanta that has been around for some time. It’s a cool part of town to visit if you’re into diversity and creative weirdness. Its grungy appeal  artistically enhanced with graffiti, is something that makes it stand out in the city. Little 5 Points is a melting pot of sub-cultures.  You can find everything from clothing boutiques to awesome places to dine. It will definitely give you the “alternative” feel of Atlanta.  If you consider yourself the “artsy’ type, or just looking to meet some cool people,  then Little 5 Points is the place for you.

The High Museum of Art :  Although, this museum is not secret, it is a place that is slept on. There are probably hundreds of  “Atliens” who have yet to visit. The High Museum of Art is the leading art museum in the southeastern United States. This museum is great for anyone interested in art of course, but even if it isnt your thing, you would still  enjoy the extensive collections of American, European, and African art. Its a great place to bring family, friends, and it would be an awesome date idea.

Peters  Street: Yes it is an actual street located in Downtown Atlanta. If bars is your thing, Peters Street is your place.  From the 255 Tapas Lounge to the M Bar , you will be able to enjoy live music and great food over drinks.  There are a variety of bars to choose from on this strip, so have your pick!

Two Urban Licks: This is a restaurant located in the Old Fourth Ward . Its definitely a fine dining place disguised as a “whole in the wall”, but don’t let the warehouse appearance fool you. Two Urban Licks is where urban meets socialite. The food is great and it would make for a great date night as well.

Starlight Six Drive-in: Didn’t know Drive-ins still existed? shame on you. Starlight Six is a drive-in movie theater where you can watch two movie for the price of one. Want to watch the latest movies retro style? then visiting Starlight Six is a must. Dont sleep on this drive-in, especially with the ridiculous inflation of prices at the “walk-in” theaters.

These are only a few “hidden gems” of Atlanta, there are so many others to explore.  Remember, Atlanta is more than what meets the eye.  So have an adventure and discover a hidden gem.

[Product of the Week] Enhancing Herbal Conditioner

If you decided on using the Total Body Black Earth Shampoo (last week’s product of the week) then you would surely need to follow it up with the Enhancing Herbal Conditioner.  After applying the shampoo, the conditioner will definitely add that soft touch to make the hair more manageable. The Enhancing Herbal Conditioner isn’t harsh on the hair and it soothes the scalp. It can be used as a regular conditioner or as a deep conditioner.  The product can be found at your local beauty supply stores for about 8 bucks.

5 Days To Success: Day Two Consistency

Consistency- the condition of cohering or holding together and retaining form. Conformity with previous attitudes, behavior  practice, etc.

Once you have created structure and built a foundation, you would then need to find consistency.  Once you figure out a routine to help you reach a particular goal, stick to it.  Consistency can be a hard thing,  because things do change. However, it is what you do with that change that will ultimately determine how and when you reach your success. You will come across obstacles that may deter you from your main focus but its up to you to make sure you get back on track. Success doesn’t come easy.  Failure is needed a few times in order to better prepare you for the success to come.  Allowing consistency into your life is guaranteed to help things run smoothly.  So, be consistent in your journey.

1. Decide whats most important to you. 

2. Incorporate it into your daily routine.

3. Create the habit of being consistent.

And its okay if you fall a few times, what matters is that you get back up. Remember success is what you’re after, so grab it by its coat tails. 

[Hairstyle] of the Day

Gray is a beautiful color. As a person gets older , gray hair is a sign of experience and wisdom. This is such a powerful hairstyle. The locs just makes it even more beautiful. Are you sporting your natural gray? Send us a pic! WordsBySonatural@gmail.com 

Hair Coloring with Hair Stylist Ayo Smith

Hair coloring is something that could literally make or break your hair. Most people choose to color their hair simply because they seek change. A good hair color can revamp any look. The hair coloring process should definitely be handled with care, especially if you’re attempting it yourself. You wouldn’t want to dye your hair expecting  blonde but getting a blueberry blue color instead.  Lucky for you, we have a few tips from Hair stylist Ayo Smith to give you a little insight into the world of hair coloring. 

TaliahWaajidBlog: What would be the safest way to color hair?

Ayo:  The safest way to color hair would be to use a color that doesn’t have ammonia. There are lots of color companies now offering color products without ammonia. If you are doing it yourself, the health food stores have color products made from vegetable dye that colors well. If you are getting professional serviced color, you would want to ask your stylist what type of products they use and make sure they know that is a must for you to not use ammonia. There are also Henna colors available that color the hair but they might be a little harder to find. There are more choices at the local beauty supply store of color without ammonia, it will be on the box. “no ammonia”

TWB: What are some Dos and Don’ts of hair coloring?

Ayo: Do: Read manufacturer directions before coloring hair when doing it yourself

Do: Use color safe shampoo to keep color vibrant

Do: Consult a professional, when in doubt.

Do: Use color that says 100% gray coverage when coloring gray hair.

Do: Make sure the color is rinsed out of the hair completely , natural hair and locks are thick and color tends to stick to the hair shaft. If not rinsed out completely breakage could occur.

Don’t: Use semi-permanent or rinse when trying to go lighter. It won’t work, only permanent color lifts hair color.

Don’t: Lighten the hair more than once a month, it will damage the hair shaft and cuticle needs time to close and seal.

Don’t: Color the hair black if you want to eventually change it to a lighter color, black dye is very hard to lift off the hair once deposited.

TWB: What would be the proper way to take care of hair after it has been colored?

Ayo:  The proper way to take care of the hair is to make sure you are using leave-in conditioners to add moisture to the hair. The hair tends to dry out quicker with color, since you have removed pigment from the hair. Deep conditions and steam treatments may be necessary. Using a shampoo that is for color treated hair will help retain moisture from coloring. Some shampoos will strip your color and will cause the hair to look dry and dull.

TWB: What would be the best way to treat damaged hair due to coloring?

 Ayo:  If your hair has been damaged by color: stop coloring the hair until it is back in a healthy state which could take 6 months to a year depending on the damage. I would do conditioning treatments on the hair every 2 weeks and trim the ends every 4 weeks.  The hair can only suffer damage with permanent color. Rinses only deposit color into the hair and don’t change the hair structure,  semi-permanent dyes deposit more color into the hair which causes it to last longer. However, permanent hair color takes pigment out of the hair and changes the structure of the hair and if the color is harsh or over processed it will weaken the hair shaft which can eventually cause breakage. Therefore, if damage has occurred consult a professional colorist.

Hopefully this information will help anyone who wishes to color or have colored their hair. If you have any more questions in regards to hair coloring feel free to contact hairstylist Ayo

by email : ayokeisha@gmail.com or phone: 678.760.5303

Visit Platinum Suites Hair Salon in Atlanta, Ga