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The ultimate style source for loose naturals, loc lovers and transitioners!

HOT STYLE PICKS!

HOT HAIR

ACCESSORIES

THE RETURN OF THE

SEVEN DAY STYLE

HEALTHY HAIR FOOD

INTERVIEW WITH

ISSA RAE, STAR OF

AWKWARD BLACK

GIRL!

CONTESTS AND

MORE!

INSIDE:

RETA

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$8.50

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CONTENTS3 Community News

& Events Natural News and events

13 The Mail Bag Readers questions

answered

14 Transition Tips Information for soon to be

naturals

15 The Natural Life life talk with notable

naturals

28 Hot Styles Our top style choices

35 Giveaways! Enter to win free

products and services and other prizes

36 Hair Food Food and Recipes that help

hair thrive

50 Suit Yourself Clip and copy looks

53 Brag Book Readers share their

favorite hairstyles plus unedited hot shots from

the styling chair!

54 Artistic Credits

IN EVERY ISSUE:

on the covers: model erica coates

as captured by cipriana thompson

of soulfully speaking Photos; twists extensions

installed by Braids N Hair By La Shawn Carroll, Styled by

LocXurious, makeup by Erica Coates for

Creating Visions MUA; accessories

styled by LocXurious.

living natural:3 Community News & Events

33 Say What!? The wackiest questions asked of naturals and loc wearers

43 haircare for kids

45 The Teen Scene

46 Welcome to NAT-UInfo for college naturals

47 Working out with natural hair

48 Nat Chat Quick Poll with men on natural hair.

49International Naturals

pg. 15

naturalstyle gets awkward with comedic genius issa rae

makeup & skincare:

6 Looking back at 2011

11 Protection Perfection: Prevent winter hair woes

13 the mail bag: Reader questions answered.

14 Transition Tips Afraid to BC? No problem!

20 Seven Day Style Holiday Hair Edition

28 Hot Styles Do it yourself edition!

36 Hair Food

37 Skinsitivity Winterizing your skin

fashion:18 Hair Couture: Accessories youll love.

40fashion focus: Style staples

haircare & styling tips:FE

ATU

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AR

TIC

LE!

20 Seven Day Style

28 Hot Styles Do it yourself edition!

50 Suit Yourself

53 Brag Book

pg. 16

budget friendly holiday gift ideas

BONUS ARTICLE!

pics!

1

Visit naturalstylemagazine.com

Follow us on Twitter: @naturalstylemag

Like us on Facebook: NaturalStyle Magazine

17 makeup bag must haves

Pamela Jenkins, owner of Koils by Nature hosted the first annual Natural is Not a Fad event at the National Harbor in Maryland

on Oct.15, 2011.

The event was a smashing success within the natural hair community and many attendees say they cant wait for the next

one! Filled with great shopping, education on natural hair and good company, Jenkins described it as an

experience, not an event, and who could disagree?

Jenkins is an inspiration and a beacon of light among others in the natural

hair community. Her product line, Koils by Nature, is a popular and solid group of ensemble natural haircare and body potions that many in the natural hair

community go ga-ga for!

To learn more about Koils by Nature and Pamela Jenkins, check out her website www.koilsbynature.com. While youre there,

check out their Nourishing Hair & Body Butters. We happen to love Marvelous Mango!

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS Jewel Afrika gave a great showing at the KBN event.

Their unique jewelry designs were quite the conversation piece. If you didnt make it to the event,

you can buy goodies from Jewel Afrika online at http://www.JewelAfrikaDesigns.net

Jennifer Lord (3rd top right), Creator of Natural Hollywood Magazine and natural stylist

extraordinaire is shown here with a cast of models she styled for a dazzling presentation on the

versatility of natural hair.

The beautiful Cassidy Blackwell, of the popular blog Natural Selection, spoke on the expert panel at Natural Is Not A Fad which educated naturals

on the tenets of caring for unaltered tresses.

Aevin Dugas, the Guinness Book of World Records Holder for largest natural afro, was a guest speaker at

Natural Is Not A Fad. The might of her fro could not be denied as she posed for the cameras sporting her now

legendary coif.

The woman behind the Natural Is Not A Fad event and the creator of the Koils By Nature brand, Pamela Jenkins (shown at the right) strikes a pose with Nyesha Whitten-Wilson during the event.

Get a load of these awesome hairstyles!

The ladies of The Damn Salon showed up to do a few demonstrations and spoke as special guests on the

panel during Natural Is Not A Fad.

3

!SAVE THE DATE!

Check out this section for

information on natural hair

events everywhere!

NORTH CAROLINA

Beauty is Skin Deep

Greenvilles 1st Natural Hair Expo for the mind, body and soul

Date: November 20th, 2011 11AM-7PM

Location: Greenville Convention Center, Greenville, NC

Email: bsdnaturalhairexpo@gmail.com

Contact Info: (252) 258-5730

Feature your next event in the Community News & Events section of NaturalStyle by contacting our marketing team at

mediamatters@naturalstylemagazine.com

MARYLAND (WESTERN)

Natural Hair Care and Holistic Health Conference

Date: November 13, 2011 11AM-7PM

Location: The Holiday Inn at FSK Mall, Frederick MD

On the web: www.westernmdnaturalhairshow.com

TEXAS

Killeen/Fort Hood Natural Hair & Health Expo

Date: November 20th, 2011 11AM-8PM

Location: Killeen Civic and Conference Center

On the web: http://killeennaturalhairexpo.eventbrite.com/

! CALIFORNIA

! Hairs a Thought presents LAs Mane Event

! Date: December 3, 2011 6PM-9PM

! Location: Philippe by Philippe Chow

! On the web: www.lamaneevent.eventbrite.com

! georgia

! Natural Girls Rock Holiday Party & Extravaganza

! Date: November 19, 2011 5PM-9PM

! Location: The Chocolate Bar

! On the web: http://naturalgirlsrockholidaysocial.eventbrite.com/

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In 2011 it was ALL ABOUT layered cuts for locd naturals opting to shape their dos into

looks that cant be achieved by blunt cuts.

The layered cuts of 2011 gave us movement, volume and depth. We

predict the cuts of 2012 will feature more exaggerated length contrasts so it looks like layers are

here to stay. Lush layers: Coming to a pair of shears near you!

Curls and other texture styles exploded in the natural hair

world in 2011. Many endured record-breaking dryer times to get the look. Flexi sets, perm rod

roll-ups and pin curled creations gave us endless possibilities. Loose

wavy looks to super tight spirals graced the heads of naturals this year. If you didnt get in on the

texture craze of 2011, you can rest assured it will be back in 2012. We predict the curly coifs in 2012 will be more stylized using diffusing and

shaping techniques to create different looks and textures with the curls. Loose romantic curls

wi l l a lso maintain a strong presence in the new year.

Up-dos were the style of choice for ladies who like low

maintenance, hands-off hair. The great thing about an up-do is the potential to turn it into another

style when undone. The volume boosting effects of a loosened up-do can lend to a new out style.

In 2011 we saw many hairstyles that were worn by both loose and locd naturals. This disproves the notion that locs are not versatile

or leave you with few style choices.

We bet this trend will continue and give birth to new and hot

styles in 2012 for stylists and kitchen beauticians looking for creative hair

options.

A triple-trend style is shown here with this curly, colored up-do

LOOKING BACK AT 2011 NATURALSTYLES ANNUAL REVIEW

CUTS, CURLS, TEXTURE, SIGNATURE COLORS AND

UP-DOS MADE A SPLASH IN 2011!

NOT SO

DIFFERENT

AFTER ALL . .

A SCULPTED LOOK REMINISCENT OF THE 1940S IS DISPLAYED ON TWISTS (ABOVE) AND LOCS (BELOW)

Loose, defining, temporary texture changing techniques hit the scene with a bang in 2011!

Capturing the same shape and look of loose hairstyles on locs is easy when you have a creative eye...

Layered cuts were a popular choice among naturals looking to swap their long looks for easier to manage, noticeably shorter, stylish strands.

6Clockwise from the top: Model: Laurie Ligon, Hair: Ama Hammah of Fabulocs, Makeup: Cynthia Scott-Cook, Photo: VSM Photography, Model: Kristee Des Champs, Hair: Fabulocs, Makeup: Eboni Luck and Sharon Nichols, Photo: Ashley Drakeford, Model: Tiffany Carr, Hair: Lorin Michele, Makeup: Erica Coates, Photo: Soulfully Speaking, Model: Aishah Bilal, Hair: Fabulocs, makeup: Eboni Luck, Photo: Ashley Drakeford, Model: Andrea Shaw, Hair: Fabulocs, Makeup: Eboni Luck and Sharon Nichols, Photo: Ashley Drakeford, Model: Nicole Turner, Hair: Lorin Michele, Makeup: Erica Coates, Photo: Ashley Drakeford

our top product picks for 2011

The Intense Moisture Therapy, Scalp Treatment and Loc Maintenance Line(s) from Fabulocs.

We LOVE this product line, which consists of oil for heated treatments, a butter-smooth moisturizer, a no build-up loc butter and even a cleansing creme that eliminates the need for traditional shampooing and conditioning. We find that this line works well for most textures, but is a godsend for tighter curl patterns that are difficult to moisturize. If youve got thirsty hair, dont despair! Try this system.

http://fabulocs.com

Jane Carters Wrap & Roll When you need to lay down your edges after finishing a style, Jane Carter came up with the perfect solution for you. A dab will do you with this liquid gem. One pump of this stuff will take give you a smooth, fast drying finish in minutes. Just style, apply, tie down while it dries, and voila! Not only is it great for taming those fuzzy edges, we also love the way it sets twisted and locd hair. Kudos to Jane Carter for helping us hold it together.

http://janecartersolution.com

Taybuttas Natural Remedies Line of All Natural Hair ButtersThis is a truly remarkable product that we had to share. These wonderful remedies are magnificent and smell great. You can apply them to the scalp for a quick hydration fix or you can use it on your hair while twisting or for other kinds of styling for a high sheen. We give Taybutta BIG thumbs up- on both hands!

http://infinitinaturals.webs.com

Alter Egos Garlic MaskWhen your hair is in need of a post-s h a m p o o moisture infusion, look no further than the Garlic Mask from Alter Ego. This concoction will soften your hair and condition it to perfection. Cut your detangling time down dramatically with this peptide rich solution for dryness. The Alter Ego Line was formulated for textured hair so the science behind this product is solid. As a deep conditioner, this product is more than we could hope for.

http://alteregoitaly.comWonder Curl For firm, yet flexible, d e fi n e d c u r l s w e simply love Wonder Curl. The Get Set Hair Jelly and Hair Smoothie combo from Wonder Curl are a great way to get the long lasting curls of your dreams. These products smooth away and tame frizz without making the hair hard and stiff. The makers of Wonder Curl note that the Get Set Hair Jelly is loaded with pro-vitamin B5 (panthenol) to strengthen your hair. As a bonus, Wonder Curl stands up against the enemy curly ladies know as humidity. Try Wonder Curl and get to know your curls and coils a little better!

http://wondercurl.com

Black Earths Protective Mist Bodifier To untangle knots and achieve an effortless comb

through, there is no greater solution than the Protective Mist Bodifier by Black Earth. This pleasant smelling product not only detangles in no time, it provides an added coat of protection with a fast drying, non-sticky finish that we cant stop raving about.. Five stars for this magical haircare staple. We never leave home without it!

http://www.naturalhair.org

th

e Roundup:

pr

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uc

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*Remember to review product labels prior to purchase to avoid possible allergic reactions for those who have pre-existing conditions.

NATURALSTYLES ANNUAL REVIEW

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NATURALSTYLES ANNUAL REVIEW

top ten style picks for 2011 (READER SELECTED)

Clockwise from the top: Model: Star Taylor, Hair: Fabulocs, Makeup: Eboni Luck and Sharon Nichols, Photo: Ashley Drakeford, Model: Tiffany Jones, Hair: Lorin-Michele, Makeup: Erica Coates, Photo: Soulfully Speaking, Model: Nicole Turner, Hair: Lorin-Michele, Makeup: Erica Coates, Photo: JAZZY Photos, Model: NAZZY, Hair: Lorin-Michele, Makeup: Erica Coates, Photo: Ashley Drakeford, Model: Joy Kingsley-Ibeh, Hair: Lorin-Michele, Makeup: Erica Coates, Photo: JAZZY Photos, Model: India Douglas, Hair: India Douglas, Makeup: Erica Coates, Photo: VOX EFX, Model: Precious Arthur, Hair: Lorin-Michele, Makeup: Erica Coates, Photo: VOX EFX, Model: Lesie Kershaw, Hair: Lorin-Michele, Makeup: Eboni Luck, Photo: Dosh Jackson, Model: Tarsa Scott, Hair: Fabulocs, Makeup: Eboni Luck and Sharon Nichols, Photo: Ashley Drakeford, Model: Nicole Turner, Hair: Lorin-Michele, Makeup: Erica Coates, Photo: JAZZY Photos

top unedited brag book submissions for 2011 (Reader Selected)

NATURALSTYLES ANNUAL REVIEW

10L to R from top: Tiffany Jones, Nana Jeffrey-Idun, Tarsa Scott, Joy Carter, Lotrice Parker, Submitted by L. Michele, Tasha Anderson, Nana Jeffrey-Idun, Nimat Young, Krystal Charles, Submitted b: L. Michele, Mia Charles, Rikita Katrell, Shakia Mason, Xquisite Rosa, Submitted by L. Michele, Tarsa Scott, Mia Charles, Jymece Seward, Submitted by L. Michele, Shaynah Curtis, J. Greene, KayCee, KayCee, Submitted by L. Michele, Submitted by L. Michele, Submitted by L. Michele, Mia Charles, Submitted by L. Michele, Tiffany Jones, Mica Charles, Joy Carter, Mia Charles, Submitted by L. Michele, M. Charles

When Old Man Winter tries to frostbite your fro or

put your locs on ice, be prepared to fight back with

moisture infusing strategies that keep hair from becoming

brittle in damaging winter elements.

Dont think covering your hair with a hat is the cure all

for your winter hair blues. It takes some diligence and

attention to your strands to maintain a soft, strong and

moisturized winter mane.

Staying indoors away from the cold should be a sure-

fire, strand-saving strategy, right? Wrong! Some experts

say that forced indoor heat has the same effect on your

hair as a blow dryer would if you used it during the day for

an extended period of time. Needless to say, the results

can be brutal.

MOISTURE RETENTION AND

PROTECTIVE STYLING

Its probably a good idea to steer clear of winter time

wash and gos if you desire to endure the winter season

with hair that still thrives. Why not protect your tresses this

season with a combination of protective styles and a

creamy, rich moisturizer? If your hair doesnt respond well

to heavy cream style products, find a lighter hair dress to

use during the winter and beyond.

Adding a moisturizer to your hair while executing a

protective style can help you lock moisture in for the

duration of the style. The most attractive attribute about

protective styles are their ability to help you cut down on

the amount of daily manipulation you are subjecting your

hair to while maintaining good moisture levels.

For people with locs, especially those that have been

color treated, a good moisture regimen will keep your locs

soft and easy to manage. Remember to gently handle the

ends of your locs and keep them moisturized as well. This

will prevent snapping and breakage. Loc wearers must

also remember to use moisturizer with discretion to avoid

product buildup on locs.

TIME IS ON YOUR SIDE

Protective styles also help you save time in the

morning because you dont need to do so much prep

work to leave the house. So instead of styling, perhaps

you can spend a little extra time with a cup of cocoa and

some marshmallows.

PREPPING FOR YOUR PROTECTIVE STYLE

For a more manageable mane at style time, complete

your detangling during the conditioning process once the

hair is clean. After you cleanse and condition your hair it is

best to gently towel blot some of the moisture away from

the hair before you begin styling.

If you feel the need to blow dry the hair prior to styling,

apply a small amount of oil (dime size) to sections of the

hair and keep the blow dryer moving quickly through your

strands. Remember, quickly does not mean roughly. The

goal is to keep the duration of heat to strand contact at

a minimum by moving the dryer around rhythmically so

that the heat doesnt linger in one area for too long. If your

hair is too warm to touch when blow drying, you need to

adjust your heat to a cooler setting. Your hair doesnt need

to be bone dry to be styled.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A PROTECTIVE STYLE?

If youve racked your brain about a protective style

that can live up to your daily demands, dont! The truth is,

any style that can be worn for a week or more with low to

no manipulation is considered a protective style. Many

like to take it a step further and wear styles that conceal

the ends, the oldest, sometimes most fragile, part of the

hair.

Twist outs, presses and free fros are not considered

protective styles. However, many opt to wear these styles

during the winter as well. Just make sure your hair is well

moisturized no matter what your preference may be.

PROTECTION

PERFECTION SCALP CARE

You may notice that your scalp becomes more dry

during the cold season. To avoid the associated itchiness

and flaking that can happen as a result, you may need to

increase the frequency of your oil, or other topical product,

application.

If you find that increasing the frequency of your oil

applications does not work, you may want to switch to a

different type of oil. Sometimes something a little more heavy

is needed to sufficiently quench the thirst of a dry scalp. For

example, jojoba and grape seed oils are typically light

and work well for persons with normal to

moderately dry scalps. However, if those single

oils arent working, you may opt for a blend of

essential oils as offered by many natural haircare

product makers.

If ever you find that your scalp is irritated, flaky or

itchy and the remedies you are trying arent working, consult

a dermatologist to discuss alternate treatment options.

OUTERWEAR ETIQUETTE

Wool coats, fuzzy hats, warm scarves, ear muffs and

the like are all a part of our winter outwear and chill- chasing

accessories. While these things keep us warm and cute, they

can also be damaging to our hair if not worn correctly.

Coarse fabrics, such as wool, can eradicate the rear

perimeter of your hairline if they are not worn with a silky or

smooth barrier fabric to protect and cover the hair. In

addition to pulling at delicate hairs, fabrics like wool can also

suck the moisture out of your strands leaving them brittle

and prone to breakage.

Hats and scarves that shed can also be a problem for

winter wearers. Shedding fabrics can attach themselves to

your hair or hair products and create a problem with lint

causing tangles during hair style take downs. The small,

clingy properties of these fabrics also make them a pain to

pick out of hair. Again, selecting pre-lined hats and smooth,

no-shed scarves are your best bet when trying to avoid lint

accumulation.

Some ear muffs have moveable plastic or other kinds

of parts that can tug at hair when putting them on and taking

them off. Be gentle and mindful of the hair at the perimeter of

your hairline or those hairs will get pulled off with your ear

muffs!

Select outerwear wisely and avoid kitchen killers and

edge eaters! If you cant locate head coverings with

smooth finish linings, make your own lining. A trip

to the fabric store and a little sewing may do the

trick in creating an effective barrier between your hair

and your outerwear.

Avoid kitchen killers

and edge eaters!

Getting your cold weather haircare regimen right!

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12Background image courtesy of CYCreation, Photo provided by Jason Stitt

By Lorin Michele

So, tell us about your short natural look. Was it the show that inspired you to cut your hair or did you do it for other reasons?

I honestly just wanted to start regrowing my hair from scratch and start using only natural products. My hair was starting to get damaged from some of the different products I was using and I was tired of dealing with it.

I've always wanted a short, no-hassle haircut and had been toying with theidea of shaving my head for a while.

I was also thinking about finding a way to promote my new series and I figured that documenting shaving my head on YouTube would be a great way to promote the series. I was then able to make it work as a storyline for "Awkward Black Girl" as well.

On Gaining Awkward Confidence....Although your character J seems awkward in general life scenarios, she seems confident in her hair. Is that an accurate assessment of her character?

I think J is pretty comfortable with her hair and how she wears it. On the show, she cuts it all off as a way to get over her ex-boyfriend and even though she may endure cheap shots about her lack of femininity, she still wears it confidently.

H o w d o e s t h a t ( c o n fi d e n c e ) translate to you in real life? I would say one of the few things J isn't insecure about is her hair. I, on the other

hand, had always felt self-conscious about my natural hair.

People in middle school and high school made me feel so insecure about it, but now, my short natural hair has given me a new confidence and honestly so have the viewers who support it.

Ever the comedienne, Issa bowled us over with her humorous take on dealing with hair adversity as a youth:

When I was in middle school, I successfully avoided a fight because these mean girls were convinced that I would take something out of my nappy hair and throw it at them. Natural hair: stopping the violence since1996.

Can we expect any changes in J's look over the life of the series? Any more haircuts, etc?

I think J will grow her hair out and try out different hairstyles over the course of the series. As J grows, so will her hair.

What plans does the show have for expanding? Is there a network deal in the near future for ABG?

We're currently focusing on building our audience for the web and trying to monetize it through ads and sponsorships. When we feel like we have a solid audience and foundation, then we'll try to pitch it to networks and see what happens. Right now, I just love the web as a platform. It's so uninhibited.

For more information on Issa Rae and the series:

the

NAT

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Rae s awkward

humor :

"When I was in middle

school, I successfully

avoided a fight because

these mean girls were

convinced that I would take

something out of my nappy

hair and throw it at them.

Natural hair: stopping the

violence since1996."

Issa Rae:The Stanford grad, YouTube star and mastermind of the hit adult internet comedy series, The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl, chats with NaturalStyle about hair and her popular character J.

meet

Issa Rae sports an awkward trademark tee which has become a favorite for online shoppers who follow the series.

WEB: http://issarae.com

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/awkwardblackgirl

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/issarae

Recently featured on CNN and in Essence Magazine, Raes series has created a major buzz among lovers of raw, witty, adult comedy.

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Reminiscent of a vintage style inspired by the group, the S U P R E M E i s a n u p d a t e d glamourous look that is both sassy and classy. Wear this style when you want to give off diva vibes. A secure bun is created in the top and rear of the head while a few loose twists are molded in the front for a sculpted bang effect.

TUESDAY (The Supreme)

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WEDNESDAY (The Fair Maiden)

Find your prince charming in this lady-like hair style. The FAIR MAIDEN flows from front to back with twists that frame the head in a delicate mass of sculpted volume. Hair that is gathered at the rear and sides has been rolled upward and pinned to finish.

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA is the ultimate look for ladies who want to step out in style. Put on your fanciest gems and head out to catch the show in this head-turning style. To achieve this look, volume is concentrated at the rear of the head, sculpted and pinned securely, while the front is side-swept at the hairline.

THURSDAY (A Night At the Opera)

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