Bronner Brothers August 2015 Hair Show

The August 2015 Bronner Brother Hair Show showcased names like Paul Mitchell and Kim Kimble.  It also highlighted manufacturers:  Design Essentials and Avlon.  The classroom assignments were easy to find.

This particular show had a "mainstream" feel to it like a Premiere Orlando or ISSE Long Beach.  However, the size of the show was much smaller than ever before.

When I saw that a "Fantasy Hair" class was being offered for FREE, then I was sold! Bronner Brother August 2015 Hair Show was the place to be.   Ampro Gels and "Weaven Steven" did not let me down.  I literally have been praying that I could find a class on fantasy hair, and my prayers got answered.  I was inspired and empowered at this show. I only attended the event from 11am to 4pm. I completed two classes.  Mixed Chicks had one about embracing curls along with the Fantasy hair class hosted by Ampro Gels.  After my free classes, I was back on the road before traffic got too bad in Atlanta.  

Another "Weaven Steven" hair artwork: Bird of Paradise.

Pictured is the scene at 11:30am on a Sunday.  I decided not to pay $40 to go onto the exhibit floor because I felt that I could get products shipped directly to my salon for about $10 in shipping charges.  I also had no intentions of spending hundreds of dollars.  I used to plan for $100 to 300 spending budget, but in light of the hair trends now, half the women in the USA are NOT even wearing their own hair.  

And those who are wearing their own hair, I have seen so much variety in hair that the trend seems to be "NO consistent trend!"  My most popular salon request is crochet braids, but honestly, I have not put forth the effort to master the technique because I do not think it looks natural on people.  It is cute, but most times, the technique screams "not mine" which seems to be a trend as well.  I personally am not ready to attach my name to the latest trend.  The fantasy hair pushes creativity for special occasion hair and hair competition.  That excites me!

Star Struck at the 18th Annual World Natural Hair Show

Aevin Dugas is known for having the world's largest afro.

 April from vh1's Sorority Sister TV show came out to support the event.  She was not scheduled for any appearances, but I recognized her walking around, and she graciously agreed to take a picture with me.  I absolutely loved her on the Sorority Sister TV show.  She was the best dressed; had the best hair; smart, lively, theatrical, and one of the classiest divas of the show. I just loved her!!!!

 22" of natural hair weave by Curl Genetics.  Their longest length is 28 inches. The black hair is the model's own natural hair.  The brown color is the weave.  The company's focus is on texture.

Jane Carter Solution

Design Essentials

Taliah Waajid looked awesome in red.  I did not get a picture of her, 

but this was my first show attended of hers and I just loved it!!!!  I also had a lady to recognize me from my youTube liquid Chalk Tutorial.  I felt like a little celebrity.

A great day trip indeed!

My Horrible Hair Dream

I woke up in a panic attack recently.  I dreamed that I was a hair model for a hair show, and the platform artist cut all my locs off and gave me a relaxer.  I was numb in disbelief.  I was almost in tears.  My heart was racing.  Then finally, I felt my head and with a sigh of relief, my locs were still on my head. Whew!

Of course, I had to really take inventory of what was my source of anxiety.  Was it the relaxer?  or  Did I miss my locs?  Honestly, I think that my biggest panic was the thought of starting my locs over beginning with day one.

I honestly do not know how some people have said they are on their third and fourth set of locs. Oh no, not me.  I have weathered quite a storm.  No ma'am, No starting over for me so help me God.  I pray that I do not get sick and have to go through chemotheraphy.  I just do not know if I could start with day one ever again.

My loc journey was a rough one.  I finally see that the light at the end of the tunnel is brighter and closer.  I don't want to make this journey again.  It may be because I am single, and I did not come from a family where locs were an option.

I received an email from Sisterlocks headquarters today about the June 2014 Essence magazine article grouping Sisterlocks into the "dreadlock" category.  I will have to make sure that I pickup this Essence issue.

Dr. C apparently is not happy with the light that they put on Sisterlocks, but my panic attack was real, and it was associated with my Sisterlocks journey.  Sometimes we have to suck up the "Bad" with the "Good."  I have made peace with both.

2013 Mid-Winter Bronner Brothers Hair Show

 I just made it back from the Atlanta Bronner Brothers International Hair  "Weave" Show!  Literally, in my nine years of attending this hair show, I have never, ever, seen this much weave in my life.  There should be a Wall Street stock option for "hair trading."  I barely saw anyone with their own hair showing.  I was simply amazed.

I actually think that the "weave" is a great way to have fun with bold color! So for special occasions, do not rule it out!!!!

Heterosexual men had "weave" . . .  "Drag Queens" had "weave."  If pets were allowed, then the pets would have had some weave!  All types of weave . . . sew-in, glue-in, wigs . . .

And on a more serious note, I learned about "Infusion Hairlines," "Remix Rings," and "Barbering Enhancement Sprays."  So more articles to come, but I need to catch up on some rest!!!!!  Please stay tuned!

Yes! They said "stay tuned."   More to come from the 2013 Mid-Winter Bronner Brothers International Hair Show in Atlanta.

Okay, the snowman was not from the hairshow, but my point about "weave" is everywhere is well noted.  Please see my previous article about the snowman's Payot curls.

Nappy Love Seems to be Conditional

"You is kind. You is beautiful. You is important." This phrase was repeated over and over in the movie "The Help." No matter what your race; No matter what your hair type is; No matter how much you weigh. "You are kind. You are beautiful. You are important!"

When schools were integrated, some Whites began teaching "self-hatred" versus "Black Pride." Blacks are still hating on each other. I witnessed a "sistah" describing another "sistah" as looking like a "wooly mammoth." This comment although it was not directed at me, it ripped me to the core. Where is our Black pride? Why do little black girls think a blonde wig is "good hair?" God created all hair types, and God made no mistakes.

As an intelligent, college educated, self-employed Black woman whose hair in its natural state is probably a "wooly mammoth" would never want to trade places with anyone else. My IQ and beauty has never been defined by what is "socially acceptable." If I need to change my image to fit into society, then that is a choice that I make to play the game of politics. Young ladies must find their inner beauty before they can change their outer beauty. Outer beauty will get you in the corporate door. Your intellect will always keep you above your counterparts. Earn your college education from colleges that are held as prestigious; you will need paperwork to back your intellect. Always dream of your destination, and then plan to get there. Sometimes there is no room to bring "all your friends" along . . . just get there, then you can send for them later. My message is about self-esteem. It must be maintained at all times. As far as finding a hairstylist for those special days, look for a hairstylist that has hair texture that is at least as tight as yours. You will not be able to tell by looking at their hair. You have to ask questions about their relaxer frequency and natural curl pattern. I have to laugh at this point because men rule the beauty industry, and they do not have to grow their own hair. I personally no longer allow any stylist to touch my hair that does not have hair like mine. I have been the most pleased with my hair since I stopped allowing other stylists to do it. I still have not met another stylist in this business who has hair like mine and who has a kind heart. I attended the Bronner Brothers hair show this past weekend, and I did not see a single stylist from my area. This was sad. I have always tried to remain leading edge within reason. I wish there were more stylists that felt the same way in my area.

On a separate note, pictured is two different mannequins. One mannequin has silkier hair than the other. I recently bought the more textured hair mannequin because it was on my wish list. The salesperson said that I can relax it, but I have no intentions of doing so.

In addition, while I was at the hair show, I noticed many stylists. Some had photo shoot ready hair. Others, simply had an afro or colored locs. If I dive deeper into my observation, I will say that hairstylists fall into only two categories: 1)Low maintenance hair (i.e. men and women that don't have a sensitive scalp) or 2) High Maintenance hair (i.e. women with a sensitive scalp.)

I have grown out many women's hair to "bra strap length" (BSL) with Type 4 curl patterns, but they were not sensitive scalp as far as relaxers. There is still a gap in the industry. I asked Johnny Wright about Soft Sheen Carson's new relaxer and scalp sensitivity. I felt that he gave me a generic answer of "Yes, it has been tested on sensitive scalp, and there is less discomfort." Of course, he seemed to be on the defense. I really felt that he gave me a "blow-off" answer. The company gave us a sample pack of the relaxer system. I will try it out eventually and form my own opinion.

I am really about advancing the beauty of women regardless of race. I am also about increasing self-esteem. I covered a lot in this article. Hopefully, some of it is food for thought! Make today productive!