Role Models?

'Role Model', or Real-bad choice?

        It seems like the label 'Role Model' has been placed upon celebrities across the nation, leaving young boys and girls with an image to look up to which is more tarnished than trendy.

Here is a list of a few celebrities (In no particular order) whose "role model" cards are in a desperate need to be revoked.

1. Nicki Minaj

        Expressive, trendy and a crowd-pleaser --- yet here is where the lines between animated and absurd are horribly crossed. Although I can respect a female artist who can break into a mostly-male dominated music industry, and then stand toe-to-toe with major artist such as Jay-Z and Kanye West, all respect jumps out the window screaming when such an artist resorts to utilizing her body in every raunchy way possible.. all the time. Without a doubt image plays a huge part into an artists' general make-up, yet Minaj takes image a step too far,  in one instance allowing her manager Lil' Wayne to smack, grab  and grind on her behind on stage in front of her "Barbs"' and "Ken-Barbs". In almost every other instance, Minaj can be found scantly clad in each of her videos, not only emphasizing her assets, but an image that many young girls can be subjected to as well. Although Minaj has stated that she "didn't come in the game to be an artist that appealed to kids" then where does the aware-ness for her younger fans come into play? ie: Sophia Grace rapping the lyrics "when he give me that look then the panties comin' off!" from Minaj's song Super Bass. Long story short, the title 'role model' may not belong to everyone but it definitely does not belong to Nicki Minaj.

2. Rihanna

        The beautiful Barbadian may be a solid entertainer with catchy songs and an exceptional sense of style, but when it comes down to the relationship department, this is where many of the "Rihanna Navy" may be lead astray from their so-called, 'role model'. Knowing full well Rihanna has mentioned she does not consider herself a role model, it still goes without saying that her fans male and female alike can succumb to the decisions she makes in her on screen life, and play a part in their own realities. I don't know if there is a soul on the planet who was not aware of the incident involving Rihanna and then boyfriend, Chris Brown back in 2009. Although the beating of Rihanna in the back of an SUV was "alleged" it was a clear as day in the pictures that emerged the following day, nearly causing a Twitter over-load. Here's my issue, during the aftermath of the incident, Rihanna began seeking Brown out for support on a very low-key note, and recently admitted to Oprah that they "will always love each other." As right as it is to forgive those who have wronged you, it seems Rihanna has completely lost all sense of inhibition, tweeting a sweet message to Chris Brown as he headed to a court appearance: "Praying for you baby, my best wishes are with you today! Remember that whatever God does in our lives, it is WELL DONE!!! #1Love". I'm not sure what to make of this, but it doesn't send a positive message to those who have been involved in an abusive relationship in terms of moving on.

3. Miley Cyrus

      Clearly Hannah Montana is long gone just based on this photo alone. Yet the one thing that bothers me the most with Cyrus is that she seemed to once depend on her Hannah Montana role that brought her to stardom, and within a few years on the Disney Channel show, Miley slowly but surely went through a phase of looks, from country-rocker to edgy-rauncy. I can still remember when I ended up watching the 2010 Teen Choice Awards and saw Miley make her way onto stage...and eventually onto a pole... atop an ice cream stand... in mini shorts and a cut-out tank with a bandeau clearly visible. Not to mention the Disney Channel star was only 16 years old at the time. There are numbers of impressionable young minds who were huge fans of the Hannah Montana star, and were now exposed to yet another side of Cyrus. That being said, it looked like Miley truly was getting "the best of both worlds", and so was a couple hundred teenagers who I'm sure didn't expect to see Miley's pole-dancing skills. On top of that the now ex-Disney Channel star who is only 18 is now set to be married in the following months. Congrats in order? sure. Role Model? Um, no.

4. Justin Bieber

        What happened to the "Never say never" star. The one who gave start to the impossible to not catch, "Bieber-Feaver?" As of late Bieber must truly have started to believe that the paparazzi can in fact be a best friend and a worst enemy at the same time. From "assaulting" a photographer for a tabloid magazine back in early May, to presenting the pap's with a choice finger while driving away with girlfriend Selena Gomez in the passenger seat just three months prior to his incident with the paparazzi assault case. Yet, what kind of behavior is this from someone who admitted he has a responsibility to [his] fans to be a good role model," in June this past summer? I completely understand that things just happend and he is a human being just like the rest of us, but as a celebrity who is known for being in the public eye, and who just "has to be a role model" maybe he should obtain from showing the paparazzi how he really feels when the cameras are still turned on, and pointing directly at him. Just some advice for the future.

All in all as I stated before celebrities are just like us, just different in every other way.

To Dye or Not to Dye

For most females when it come to hair, no matter how thick, curly, fine, or wavy; the hair is the crown atop ones head.


In the words of the great Maya Angelou, it is even more than that. It is "a woman's glory."


Angelou also mentioned that it is "not a good or bad thing --- it's hair." This is where I am on the hair-do sidelines.


Although I do agree that there is no such thing as bad hair, I can speak from personal experience that hair does go awry and can look pretty damn bad sometimes.

I'm talking wearing a hair-net/beanie/fedora even if it's warm out bad.

So in this first post, speaking from a person of color here are some basic rules when it comes to semi-permanent coloring/dyes, relaxers and braids.

 Coloring:
With the summer ombré hair trend making its way out in presence of fall some like myself have or may still be attempting to add a lil' shade of color to their natural colored locks. Yet --- bare in mind whenever a color dye is used on hair no matter semi-permanent or the latter; the color will dry out moisture-deprived strands. Quick-tip: Avoid bleach at all costs, as it speeds up the process of drying out hair follicles. Before coloring hair, wash with a deep-conditioning product, trim dead-ends and lather on any oil that involves olive, Moroccan, coconut, or garlic. Those natural oils work wonders on locking in moisture, and keeping dyed strands smooth and shiny.

 Relaxers/Perm: A true product of magic. Or a chemical based hair straightener containing alkaline --- a chemical so strong that it can burn through an aluminum soda can. In any case when dealing with such strong products always use Vaseline before applying either product, never leave in longer than instructed and always --- always, keep hair moisturized and trimmed on a daily basis.

Most chemical base hair relaxers contain strong alkaline chemicals,

Most chemical base hair relaxers contain strong alkaline chemicals,

chemical base hair relaxers contain strong alkaline chemicals,

chemical base hair relaxers contain strong alkaline chemicals,

chemical base hair relaxers contain strong alkaline chemicals,

chemical base hair relaxers contain strong alkaline chemicals,

 

  

Braids:

Trendy, chic, and completely versatile --- and those are just a few words to describe braids or corn-rows, if you will. Although seemingly complex depending on the hairstyle, braids are a perfect way to restore growth for damaged hair strands or those just patiently waiting to turn their bob-like lengths into long locks. The easiest way to manage these into-woven strands are with plenty of grease to keep the scalp from drying out, and once again --- locking in the up most moisture that most hair types need to strive.


All in all, to each it's own when it comes to hair styles, lengths and colors. Above all, keeping it clean and healthy makes for happy hair. =)