Paper Dolls: Jones and Jones Fashion

I love this line! Jones and Jones: "Edgy, directional, strong, feminine." Their silhouettes are sleek, clean and most of all do wonders for the slim on top and hippier bottom!



A Street Doll told me she hopes that I always wear dresses. It just fits my personality. I have to agree!



See more here: www.jonesandjonesfashion.com or find them on facebook here!

The Morning After: Don't be Shame, Just Equip Your Game!

On my recent hair trip to Ricky's NYC, I ran across this:



Svedka has developed for $25 the ultimate "Walk of Shame" kit. What's in it?



-a pair of flip flops
-reusable tote bag
-Clementine lip balm
-pop-up hair brush
-folding sunglasses
-Naturally Fresh Deodorant
-Sweetspot Labs On-The-Go, Spot Refresh! Cleansing Wipes
-Sweet Breath Peppermint Drops
-Rickycare Hair Elastics
-Psssssst! Dry Shampoo

While this is mighty convenient--I think it's mighty unrealistic unless you're planning on staying OUT. Because one, who's going to carry this around to the club. Two, are you going to buy this and then bring it back to God knows where you were to transform? Unless you're going to just buy one and leave it at the place you always go when you spend the night out. Three, what do they have to cover up those pum-pum shorts or mini-dress, because that's a dead-give-away. Four, why peppermint drops and not a traveling toothbrush or "wisps"? and finally, is there a men's version? Cause they get caught out there too.

What's Over-dressed?

If you've visited my dating blog Single, Sexy and in the City, then you know the horror I've had with dating and dates in general. I've ran into the crazies, the "lazies" and the all out phases, but recently I ran across a conversation with my beau and we were discussing an event we were going to attend and he was giving me a "run-down" of the scene. As in, no "foofy-foofy" dress needed. I was taken aback for a second because, I consider myself a pretty well-put together person and I pretty much know how to dress for the occasion. While he wasn't taking shots at me--he was giving the general dress code, I wondered--how much is too much? What's "Over-Dressed"?

I know a Street Doll who literally owns probably one pair of flat sandals and a pair of work shoes that are a part of her uniform. However, if you see her 9/10 she's in heels. ALL the time. Winter, Summer, Spring, Fall--heels. While she doesn't have a full face of make-up and all the frills, she will have her hair done, accessorized well, and her heels. Whether we are going to around the corner or around the red carpet she's dressed--to impress.

So when I thought of her and thought about possibly being "over-dressed" I wondered, is there such a thing? While a man can be considered "under-dressed" if he arrives to an event in sneakers that doesn't call for that, can a woman be considered "under" or "over" dressed if she varies between flip-flops and heels?

The answer for me is yes and no. One, there's no such thing as "over-dressed" from my standpoint. If I put it on with full aware of where I'm going--then I'm comfortable, no matter if the people around me have on flats or platforms--I'm happy. However, there are plenty of times where I've had on flip-flops and NOT wanted to go somewhere because I felt "under-dressed."

I guess I say all that to say--"do you." While people have their opinions on what's appropriate. I believe that if you have a sense of fashion and a sense of what you like--then you know what to wear, you know what's comfortable and most importantly--you know how you want to look!

Natural Doll

So I've literally had every hairstyle you can think of. No. Every hairstyle. The one thing I probably have not done is been blond--But I've tried. Recently, I decided to attempt to see what my curls look like sans chemical.

Let's just say I needed a "little chemical." However, the effects of relaxers and the chemicals that we allow to go into our pores are scary. So how do you cope? I remember reading in a book, that said as an African-American woman you are the only person with hair like yours--why in the world would you want to cover it up? That was so enlightening, but then I remembered the answer was because my curls get unruly, nappy and "dry as a biscuit." I don't feel so beautiful after battling that war.

However, I see so many women out there embracing their curls, fighting each day, finding products that work for them and as I stylist, I said, "You know what! I can do this, let's try this"! And then I wake up with these curls and I get out my fatigues, army paint, brush and go to war.

So to help the process, I used a texturizer to loosen the curls a bit. So it's been me, some Bed Head and Hawaiian Silky, each morning, getting it in. And it's been working. However, I am afraid when I actually get about 2 inches of hair and it gets to that weird stage...what in the world am I going to do...?

VMA Dolls

Beyonce's pregnancy announcement--We mean the VMA's aired last night on MTV and as usual, there were thrills, frills, and chills. Here are some of our favorite and not-so-much looks. (All photos courtesy of Getty images)





Selena Gomez looking like a doll!



JWOWW



Demi Lovato--GORGEOUS!



Kelly Rowland--not in love with the bang, but love her look!



Nicki Minaj--At least she doesn't stray from the "Harajuki" theme.

Street Doll! Amber L!

Meet Street Doll Amber!



Long, short, blonde or black, we are starting to think this Street Doll NEVER has a bad hair day. She's bringing flavor to the ATL and doing it WELL.



Amber loves to change it up, and isn't afraid to "dare to be different." She takes care of her tresses on her own and has been short, short and LONG. Currently, she's growing her hair out, but either way this doll is fierce!



Fav Hair Product: Aphogee...Keracare...Mizani
Fav Hairstyle: I love natural looking styles...a lot of body as well as movement.
I'm also very flexible and creative when it comes to styling. I don't look in magazines. I pretty much just go with the flow of what I'm feeling
Fav Hair Stylist: I do all my hairstyles--from cuts, to colors, to extensions, to natural!

Work It Out!

Okay, so your excuse for not going to the gym is your hair.

Bad excuse.

Dr. Regina Benjamin, the U.S. Surgeon General, stopped by the Bronner Bros. convention in Atlanta this past weekend to talk to women about staying healthy and working out despite the stigma that comes with ruining your hair after a work out.

The truth is--she's partly right. As African-American women, it's understandable that you wouldn't want to spend your good hard earned money on your hair and then only to mess it up three times a week, it's stressful both financially and physically.

Here are a few tips to avoid the gym frustration:

1. Work-out at night

Working out at night will allow you to get down and dirty and go straight home. That way you're not trying to fix your "do" before returning to work or before that after work mixer.

2. Scarf or No scarf?

If your hair is a healthy length and you want to wrap your hair and then put on a scarf, that works. However, if your hair gets wet and sweaty (and you don't want to wash it) don't uncomb the wrap until it's dry. Or wash your hair, wrap it and then let it air dry overnight while you're sleeping. If your hair is short, a scarf may not be the best option. So try, just working out and then letting your hair dry and curling for the morning, or wash, wrap and let air dry over night under the scarf. (It better be a silk scarf!)

3. Get a Manageable Style!

I get it, some of you cannot do your hair if came in a box and all your had to do was put it on. Well , hair does now-a-days, but still. While some styles look great in a magazine, if you can't afford to see your stylist on a regular basis to keep it that way, then find something you can do and keep up with. With a great cut, and a great easy style you can work with, working out AND staying healthy will be a walk in the park!

Street Doll! Naima Morgan!

Come blizzard, come rain, hail or sunshine, one thing this street doll will not miss? Her hair appointment. And for good reason! Naima Morgan, hails from Jamaica, Queens and keeps her tresses bumped and curled!





Inventor of the "5-curl shorty" (Where she achieves her feathered bang at home by using a big barrel iron and only five curls), Naima maintains her hair looks by seeing her stylist regularly and using minimal products.



And when you ask her how she keeps her hair looking so great..."It's my CUT," she replies!

Fav Hair Product: Top Brass
Fav Hairstyle: It's a tie--My "Mushroom" and a short pixie
Fav Dollhouse Stylist: Toni Giselle

Stylist Spotlight: Dante Blandshaw

You've seen the tresses of Taraji P. Henson, Angela Simmons, Danielle and other Hollywood stars, but did you know the magic behind their do's was Dante Blanshaw?



His work is fresh, light and gives hair a flawless look.



Blandshaw is constantly upping his game, and often works with an amazing photographer Itaysha Jordan to create creative magic!

Box Relaxers. Do you, do you?

Okay, so relaxers are costing about $50-70 every 4-6 weeks and its starting to take a toll on your pockets. So, you decide you're going to box relax...yourself.

You're going to pick a chemical off the shelf--that you've never been trained with and you're going to put it on your scalp--and hair--and you've done it before--sooo you got this. Right. That in itself doesn't even make sense and you KNOW you need to just spend the cash, however, you're going to do what you want anyway. That being said--here are somethings you should know:

1. There's no such thing as "no-lye" that's a big lie! If a relaxer contains less than a certain percentage of lye in the product, they are allowed to put "no-lye." So keep in mind while it has a less percentage the same risk is associated.

2. Base your scalp! Its imperative that you put base (Sensitive Scalp is an excellent one) all around your edges, on your ears AND part your hair and base between the parts.

3. Relaxer is not suppose to be on 1. Your ends (unless its a virgin relaxer) and 2. Your scalp. If you're relaxing your hair--follow the directions. The chemical can cause damage to your skin and dry out the hair that's been previously relaxed.

4. 15-20 minutes means just that! Leaving relaxer in for an hour, using a dryer, and other methods of "straightening" your hair until it's bone straight is damaging. No hair is going to be BONE straight. If you're relaxing to the point where its sticking to your head--that's entirely too long!

5. After you rinse the relaxer out. Put conditioner on--not neutralizer unless you're really burning. What happens is, the relaxer opens up your cuticle and by using conditioner first, its like pouring the conditioner directly into the hair shaft, giving you moisture and overall better hair. Rinse the conditioner, then neutralize at least 3 times to seal the cuticle, bring the hair back to a normal ph and ensure that all the chemical is out.

Always wear gloves! Be careful! And please--if you have children or know someone with children--please don't think that there is a such thing as a "kiddie relaxer"! NO child should be using a relaxer. Take her to a natural salon or stylist who can help!

Street Doll! Akosua J!

One the flyest Midwest Street Dolls to hit the ATL, Mrs. Akosua J, and she keeps an adorable style, tries new things and isn't afraid of a little color. She's had everything from the bob to a pixie and they all look fab on her!



Mrs. AJ keeps up the current trends, knows what's fab for her face and trusts her stylists to make it happen!



Fav Product: "Hands down, Nairobi Wrapping Foam Lotion, it's crack for the short cut."
Fav Hairstyle: Short pixie (Melinda Williams style) or the layered bob

Wrap It Up...Or Not.

Alright, so you just got your hair done--or not and you're spending the night...."out." (We don't judge) However, it's time to call it a night and you have a decision to make--put on a head scarf...Leading us to ask--do you wrap or not?

The answer: YES! I know, I know it's so not hot to take the time to wrap your hair, or find your scarf in your purse to keep those tresses from drying out, but reality is--your hair you will have forever--whatever you're doing--you may not!

You already know why. One, it keeps your hair from drying out and being damaged by less than satin sheets, two, it protects the style and three, it helps retain the natural oils your scalp is producing, thus giving you overall healthy hair.

Still skeptical--try www.headcovers.com, they have some adorable prints and styles of scarves that are probably better than the tattered one you've been holding onto for years. If you're a thrift shopper check out the scarf section, sometimes (actually, most of the time) there are some dope vintage scarves that you can snag for under $2, and they're usually 100% silk (Which by the way yours better be to! *raised eyebrow*).

Braids? Yay or Nay?

So, for the past month I've been threatening to get braids. Each time that I do and tell a Street Doll, she tells me, "Sit down." But really, are they back? At one point and time braids were more than just the convenient way to grow out your hair without heat and styling damage, they were actually a style and were considered "pretty." However, with the return of more women wanting to go sans chemical and with stars like Solange rocking the "Poetic Justice braids," they seem to be making a come back.

It could be said that braids remain for "college girls," young girls and anyone under 18, but braids (if taken care of properly) are a great way to grow your hair AND wear that cute bun on the top of your head, with sunglasses and red lipstick. My little cousins have them--note the word little--but they look adorable. Okay well not pre-teens but they are surely under 25. And how old is Solange anyway? Well, the verdict is still out, but kudos to those who have ventured back to the 90's without the rest of us.

By the Oz.? or By the Pack? Weave Woes.

Recently, a Street Doll, asked us what's your favorite weave to use? These days there are so many brands and so many different types of hair to buy, it gets confusing. A referral always helps! Here are The Dollhouse favs from the oz and the pack:

By the oz.:

1. Extensions Plus

Extensions Plus has a wide range of textures, colors and lengths available. Their hair comes in "bundles" and it's usually about $130+ per bundle. By far this is our favorite hair. It's "treated" before it reaches you, so it's soft, the curls remain, it doesn't shed like other hair and it's reusable.

2. Indique Hair

Indique Hair is a great brand located in NYC, that also has soft texture, minimal shedding and they have textures that are very natural looking and not shiny (yaky). The only setback with Indique is they don't offer colored hair, so you will have to invest in a colorist or stylist to get the shade you want if it's not dark.

By the Pack:

This is an age old debate, however, we have some favs--

1. Outre/Remy Velvet

They have a yaky, a European wave and the hair is great to work with. It ranges from $65-$80 a pack and is considerably comparable with hair by the oz.

Quick Fillers, Quick weaves, Quick fixes...

1. Model Model

The hair is minimal on shedding, comes in several textures and waves. It ranges about $20-30 a pack.

Other brands that have been thrown around: Bobby Boss, Indian Remy, Outre Yaky

Some keys to great weaves: Choose a brand that has low shedding, a good soft feel and most importantly--lay off the products! Most hair if it's not a Indian Remy, is already treated. Along with the natural oils that your scalp emits there is no need to continuously spray your weave with oil sheen, spritz and other products.

Need a quick, lightweight shine? Try: Bed Head Head Rush

What's your fav hair to use?

Street Doll! Dezi B!

Not everyone walks the red carpet everyday, but some of us just make it look like we do. Dezirae Bradley (@DeziraeB) is blessed with some gorgeous tresses and always keeps her hair fresh...oh and fly!


Dezi is trying something new with her hair and growing it out--while we love her short--we're also biased :D! However, she takes pride in keeping her hair healthy and invests in the proper products to keep her "Dolled Up"!

Fav product: Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Shampoo, Giovanni Conditioner
Fav style: Her Mohawk!
Fav Dollhouse Hairstylist: Toni Giselle

To Invest? Shampoo Do or Don't?

Ladies always want to know what shampoo or conditioner to use, and when they get an answer if it's not in the aisle at the drugstore or under $10...they run for cover. However, some of those same ladies don't mind splurging for new "red bottoms," or never miss a trunk show. Truth is...healthy hair starts at the root. Investing in a shampoo and conditioner that's going to moisturize, condition and overall give your hair a healthier outlook is worth it!

While some expensive salon brands won't do more than the shampoos on the drugstore shelf, some of them will do better and MORE. The key is investing in a product that gives your hair the results you're looking for. If you don't want to just go peeking in Ricky's, try asking a stylist what some of his/her favs are. Let them know your hair's condition and have them give you suggestions. There are even some salons that carry pricy brands--try asking them to "test" some of them at your next shampoo and then ask for a 10-15% discount if you really love the product. A true stylist should never shy away from recommending a great product and a salon should be invested in your hair care as much as you are! I mean hey, look at how many dentists "recommend" a certain toothpaste!

Don't shy away from brands like Joico (one of our favs) because they carry a hefty price tag, really invest in your hair care. The next time you want to have that extra martini or hop n a cab when you can take the train--just think where that extra money can go, to something that's going to be with you FOREVER!

Naturally Beautiful!

One of the biggest questions people have with natural hair--What products do you use?? It's the never ending quest to find which products prevent frizz, loosen the curl, gives it shine and gives you an all day look. (We know! We know! That tame to flame look after your curls dry gets annoying. While there are many products that work for ALL different types of curl, the truth is--you have to find one that works for you. It's trial and error, but eventually you'll find a product that melts into your curls and does exactly what you want it to do. In the meantime, for those ladies who wash-n-go here's a trick to keep your curls hydrated--and tame!

1. Wet hair in the shower and co-wash. (Co-washing is only washing those curls with conditioner. Some shampoos tend to dry out hair, especially natural hair and co-washing helps retain some of the moisture.)

2. Towel dry hair, but leave a little water to saturate the curls.

3. Spray Hawaiian Silky Miracle Worker 14-n-1 It's like a curl activator, leave-in conditioner, moisturizing miracle in a bottle!!



4. If you like a more "puff" or volume look, let your hair air dry. Otherwise, pump a little Bed Head Small Talk into your hands and rub through your curls, make sure to cover the whole head and let air dry. The Small Talk dries, but not into a crispy but a semi-stiff cover to your curls, where you can brush through them for a soft look, or leave dry for a "wet look"



For a final extra oomph! Spray with a little oil sheen and I promise you'll love your curls!