First Lady Gone Natural

A while back the natural hair blogging world went into overdrive when a photo of the First Lady Michelle Obama wearing a beautiful head of kinky curls hit the Internet. Though she looked stunning, it didn't take long to realize that the picture wasn't quite right and photoshop played a major part.

The photo was brought to the attention of fellow blogger and author of Natural Chica, Maeling Tapp. She received messages saying that Michelle Obama's hair looked a lot like hers. When she saw the picture, she discovered that the hair indeed was hers and had been photoshopped onto the picture.

A lot of people who follow my blog said, 'I had a feeling that was your hair,'" Tapp told ESSENCE.com.  "It's kind of surprising that other people recognize my hair so well."  Tapp posted a side-by-side photo of her and the First Lady onto the Natural Chica Facebook page which quickly garnered over 1,000 "likes" and "shares."

Tapp says that she hopes the photo spoof will encourage Mrs. Obama to experiment with natural styles.

"There have been so many positive responses to seeing Mrs. Obama go natural so I hope it inspires her to try and wear more curly styles," said Tapp.

When asked what hair advice she'd give our Commander in Chic, Tapp says it would be to "be creative and experiment with your hair. When dealing with natural hair, there is a lot of trial and error. But if you see it as a really fun way to try new things, it’s not a frustrating process at all. It becomes more of an enjoyable and inspiring journey." 

Imagine how influential she would be, not just to other women, but to little girls all around the globe if she rocked kinky textured hair!!

What to you think? Do you think she would have much impact? Would you like to see her sporting the curls?

The real picture

Read more: http://www.essence.com/2012/03/22/michelle-obama-natural-hair-natural-chica-nikki-mae-photoshopped-image/#ixzz1ypfYu8LS

REAL NATURALS!!! Feature of the month

MEET TIFFANY

When and why did you decide to go natural? When my little sister lost her hair due to chemo in 2009.

What reactions did you get when you decided to go natural? Husband and 2 out of 3 kids didn't like it. Others liked it, some were already natural. Others said they like it, but I didn't know if they were sincere or just trying to be nice.

What do you love most about being natural? It's versatile and I don't have to be afraid of the rain! :-)

Did you transition or Big Chop? Big Chop!!

What is your favorite natural hair style? Twist out

What is your current hair care regimen? Shampoo and condition once a week or every two weeks.

What is the most damaging thing you've done to your hair? Had my hair bleached.  :-(

What are your favorite products? Shea Moisture

Do you have any natural hair goals? Yes, grow it out and HEALTHY

Do you receive negative comments from people, if so, how do you deal with it? Yes, I mean YES! I remember everbody is not going to get it AND I ask my girl Tasha.

Any encouraging words for those considering going natural or are already natural? Mary J's song says it, "Work That". Everybody is not going to get it and that's alright. :-)

Protecting Your Hair While Swimming

It's hot outside and if you are anything like me you enjoy a nice refreshing dip in the pool. While that is all good and gravy, there are some steps you need to take to keep your hair from getting damage from the chlorine or if you are on the beach, salt water.

The first thing you need to do is rinse your hair with tap water before getting in the pool. If your hair strands are filled up with water, then it won't be able to absorb any of the chemical laden chlorine water, lessening the effects it can have on the hair. After swimming, rinse your hair with tap water again. If you are going to stay in the sun, it is best to wear a hat.

You should coat your hair in an inexpensive conditioner before getting in the pool to help to create a protective barrier from the chlorine water. You can also use a natural oil, like coconut oil.

Using a swimming cap is a good option. While they may not keep your hair completely dry and chlorine free and  most people believe them to be unattractive, that extra bit of added protection is worth the sacrifice. On the downside, swimming caps can sometimes be too tight on the head, causing you to pull your hair out when taking it on and off. If this is the case, refrain from using them.

Wearing a protective style, such as braids or twists will help, so less hair is exposed to the water. Braid extensions are also good. Just remember your hair still needs extra care before and after swimming, whether in a style or not. So, make sure to implement cleansing and moisturizing just the same.

Be sure to shampoo your hair after you are done swimming for the day. It's important to use a shampoo that gets rid of the chlorine and mineral build up. Take note that although you rinse your hair after swimming, that is not ridding the hair of chlorine. If you swim every day, then you will need to shampoo everyday. If you're a frequent swimmer, you may need to purchase a special shampoo made for swimmers. You must also remember to condition your hair after each shampoo.

So, that's it! Have a safe and fun summer, but keep those tresses healthy and protected. LOVE YOUR HAIR!!!