Reasons Why You Should Be A Baldie

So you’re considering being a baldie?

Hey I get it. After the last blog post, How To Be a Bald Chick,  you were reading how to be one, now this is just another push to show why women (in particular) should take the plunge even if it is just a one time event. Yes it is daunting especially going into a barbershop where the environment is male dominant. Yes you will have people within your close circle convince you not to cut it (since it can be deemed as crazy). Yes you will probably be missing your tresses. But if you have been, and I know there are some of you who have considered shaving your hair off to a crop/bald style for years, why not just go ahead and go for it! You have one life to live and it’s too short to care what anyone thinks especially when it’s on you. If you’re not convinced yet. Here are a few reasons why you should be a baldie.

1. It’s Easy

Ah the joys of low maintenance: no comb, no brush, not a single single strand of hair. You won’t even need to spend much on hair products if any at all. Life is easy and so is being a bald lady!

 

2. You Will Stand Out From the Crowd

For all the right reasons… this is something you are doing for yourself so you’re not hurting anyone. You just may change a life too. Not many women sport this super cropped look, so when you are out in a crowd… trust me you stand out from the rest of the pack. You’re going against the grain and challenging what beauty if supposed to look like, pretty much a middle finger to beauty standards. And who wants to blend in anyway?

 

3. Keeps You Cool In The Summer

For all those three months of heat and humidity, you want to keep as cool as possible, and hair can be a hinderance. When you cut it all off, you just kept yourself cooler. Plus guys do it, so why can’t you do it?

 

4. It’s Edgy (You Will Look Badass)

There is something quite fearless and bold about a woman who for whatever reason dons a buzzcut or a bald look. Again, even in today’s culture where style can be fluid, the stigma against bald women still prevails. Also, whether it be in a movie or t.v. show, a bald woman is always the badass out of the crew. They are either a warrior, someone who has major powers or just that chick who can fight til kingdom come. Pretty badass if you tell me.

 

5. You Can Change It Up

Yes this is true: you can rock the bald look by using the zero guard on a clipper, you can dye your hair in numerous colours and bleach it without any worries of… it all falling out (yep remember you have no hair).  Patterns come to thought as well, or even having the sides of your head more closely shaved while keeping the top of your head longer to create an elongation with your face. If you love tattoos and is considering to tattoo your head, I know that this would look pretty cool (yes I have tattoos but mom no I will not tattoo my head don’t worry). If you want to rock the wigs, then I say by all means all the power to you. Scarves are also another consideration to the styles. I told you, the possibilities are endless.

 

6. It Will Be a Liberating Moment

You know the hardest process of going bald will not be the shaving process, it will be after when you go out in the world. When you go to work, or head to the mall, you may need to visit your doctor, or even out on a date, your family will have those summer barbecues, or getting ready for a gala… you will get the stares. But those who judge you wrongfully are projecting their insecurities on you. Therefore it is none of your business what strangers, your family, friends or coworkers have to say about your no hair style.

When you go beyond all of this and you believe in yourself, this will be the liberating moment that I am talking about:  all those invisible shackles that you have on yourself when coming to beauty will start to melt.

Oh how emancipating!

Part 1: Ways To Rock Short Hair

I for one growing up never liked short hair.

The long, down to your ass length of hair was the sort of thing that was praised whether it being from relatives or especially commercials. Those shampoo ads where even the women rocking the lengthy hairstyles didn’t even have that naturally, but the message was all about the viewer wanting it. I had the opposite.

Yes my hair grew, but the longest I’ve had my hair was shoulder length and with it being fine, the chemicals in the relaxer (which changes the texture of your hair) did not help. The constant stress over the breakage within my hair was a constant battle and a vicious cycle for my self esteem.  However I’ve always reverted back to shorter hairstyles, even all throughout high-school up until now and discovered that the only reason why I wanted (or fantasized) about the long hair is because that was the message within the media like commercials, t.v. shows, movies and magazines. They all without saying a word told a story where equating to the fact that long hair for women equaled the only form of beauty and femininity.

How many women do you know that’s scared to even cut an inch of their hair let alone buzz it off? With experience I can name almost all that have complimented my hair ( or lack thereof). At times it comes off as a backhanded compliment… but I understand where they are coming from. But if you are like me and loves to express your creativity through your hair by cutting it all off… I say go for it. Life’s too damn short to care what other people think. This long introduction was needed in explanation to my story and my truth. I have a few ways to show you how to rock a short hairstyle.

 

1. The Purple Bob (Box Braids)

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2. The Ginger Parted Buzzcut

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3. The Blonde Buzzcut ( Eve inspired)

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4. The Natural Afro Hair

 

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5. The Undercut (Straight/Curly)

 

 

6. The Natural (Dark) Buzzcut

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7. Something Green… Something Blue… Something Shaven

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Let’s Talk About Ciara’s Style

Ciara may be one of the best dancers of the 21st century. As a singer-songwriter and dancer, there is no denying that at times her talents are often underrated.  With this being stated, I am not here to talk about her music. For the past few years Miss CiCi has stepped up her game when coming to her way of dressing. Her style has helped her get endorsements along with being signed as a model to IMG. Here is a showcase of some of Ciara’s best style moments.

All Black Everything

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There is something very confident about this whole look. She was surely feeling herself… with reason. Ciara looked chic with her short bob along with the black blazer, dress and black gladiator sandals.

All About the Benjamins

I loved everything about this look. This was taken place at the BET Awards in 2013 when Ciara was still with rapper Future. The attire brings back memories from Ciara’s earlier days (Goodies era) combined with Aaliyah’s tomboy chicness.

Tomboy Chic

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Like the late singer Aaliyah along with Janet Jackson, Ciara has mastered the tomboy style in such a refined way. There’s no surprise as to why she is constantly being compared to both artists mentioned above.

Slaying MTV

By far her most edgiest fashion statements  of her career and also one of my favourite looks from the singer. You not only need the figure to pull off an outfit like this but the confidence has to pull the look together. This is a look that can be a total mess or slayage at its best. CiCi slayed this look.

More Award Season

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From the architectural designs to the shimmery metallic dresses, there is one thing that these dresses have in common and it is Ciara’s delivery on holding her own. Congrats on expecting baby number two!

All Dressed in White

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This was not too long after the singer had her first child. The fact that she is showing her tummy gives all women the confidence.

Met Gala Finesse

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I almost did not recognize Ciara with this look; I might also add that I was pleasantly surprised with the statement that she created at the Met Gala event. The Met Gala events are all about having fun along with not taking fashion too seriously…Ciara was having fun with this! The look was timeless (Great Gatsby feel) with a futuristic blend due to her silver hair.

Meet The Wilsons

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The bride has arrived and has also delivered! There’s a reason why Ciara’s middle name is Princess because she looked like royalty at her wedding with this Victorian styled dress that had a long trunk from behind. Simply majestic.

Music Spotlight: 8 Reasons Why You Should Have a Seat At Solange’s Table

If you live in the Greater Toronto area, more specifically Hamilton, then you’ve experienced a non-eventful weekend… weather wise. Musically, with album releases like Solange’s latest effort along with electronic singer Banks. I will try keep the introduction short, but I have been a fan of Solange, also known as Solo, and her work for quite some time. From her music projects like the 2012  (which I can’t believe the time) extended play titled True to her eclectic collection named Saint Heron showcasing standout R&B indie musicians like Sampha and Kelela whom are on her album… it’s safe to say that Beyonce isn’t the only sister who has some musical genius in the family. Here are eight inarguable reasons as to why to you need have a seat at Solo’s table.

Her Style

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Ever since she released her second album Sol-Angel and the Hadley St.Dreams, Solange has separated herself from her big sis’ in a huge way with her quirky sense of style. From mix-matching prints to creating a whole new funky outfit, she rivals the best in the industry like Rihanna and many others.

Her Hair

With natural hair, being on the rise for many black women for a few years, there is no denying that Solo has had a huge influence with this. The picture to the right is her rocking what’s now known as the ‘big-chop’. This is a process where women cut off all other the hair that contains chemicals in them… returning the hair into its natural for. This picture had to be at least seven years ago. Many people in the media didn’t even know what that meant until afterwards. She continues to slay with her blowouts to her long box braids and her afro. Go on girl!

Her Family

I can’t just post about Solo without talking about her kins. It is clear to see her love and dedication for her son on her instagram posts. In 2014, she broke the internet with her wedding to music directer Alan Ferguson; having everyone wear white while the bride herself still slaying! Of course I have to mention her big sister Beyonce somewhere in this paragraph. They have worked together in the past with Solo writing songs for Bey in Destiny’s child; I hope for future collaborations because the Knowles’ sisters are a magical music combination. Her father, Mr. Knowles has had a deep influence on her, some of the reasons are obvious especially on this current album. Tina, Solange’s mother not only influenced her style, but also what it means to love being black… which is pretty special in many ways.

The Music

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What I appreciate about Solange is that she takes her time crafting her music. It has been four years since the release of True (which I still play today) and I still can’t get the song Losing You out of my head. Another point would be how far away she tries to separate herself from pop culture and it’s saturation, being indie in a world where they try to compare her to artists who are considered superstars. Her music is simple yet effective in the message at the moment.

A Crane In The Sky

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There are only words for me to describe Solo’s song and the video which was released from her latest album: sadness, beauty, depression, understanding, ethereal, nature, sorrow, harmony, soulful, redemption, hope, classic, unity, baggage, emptiness, rhythmic, lightness and heavy.

F.U.B.U. (For Us By Us)

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This song is another standout from Solo’s third album. You get a sense of pride because there is a feeling like she is right in the room singing the song to you. It’s emotional and relatable in the times that we live in with gun violence and racial profiling which is a touchy topic for many including myself, but it evokes confidence; I just feel like raising my left fist like no one’s business.

Mad Featuring Lil’Wayne

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Another highlight off of A Seat at The Table, I have many reasons why this song is so important in 2016. From Lil’Wayne’s aggressive lyrics about the frustrations of being black in America to Solange opposing the stereotypical angry black woman vocals hitting people hard with her soft light falsettos from left to right; then there’s Tweet in the background stating, “I got a lot to me mad about,” this gets me every time!

A Seat at The Table

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Lastly, I have to explain why this album is important in this day of age. With topics spanning from issues like what it’s like to be black, a millennial, Tina’s words of encouragement and shutting down the white lives matter topic, then there’s her father discussing how he dealt with the harshness of racism years ago. I have a lot of respect for Master P. He spoke in the majority of what I call skits/interludes in the album, speaking about trying not to sell out in the music industry and also (this stood out to me) how black kids who are poor can’t just go to rehab… they have to ‘rehab’ themselves. Very powerful words. Other highlights of the album is the opener Rise,the soulful Weary, Junie which has a Prince feel to it, the political song called Don’t Touch My hair features the multi-talented singer-songwriter Sampha who also produced the song (which is on the repeat button) and shall I mention the video which is amazing, Borderline (An Ode to Self Care) which features the legendary rapper Q-Tip, and last Scales that is one of the more darker songs album featuring one of my favourite up and coming singer Kelela.

A Seat At The Table addresses uncomfortable topics that are more than necessary to discuss in 2016. It’s loud without having to be aggressive, but lyrically explosive. You might not be able to dance to the record, but it will make you think, feel and uplift.

Grab a chair and take a seat.

Why Creating Your Style is Important

Some may say that clothes are just clothes… why make such a big deal over fashion and style, I beg to differ. Yes I will admit that another girl can be wearing the same dress and even the same shoes as me (which would be a bit of a nightmare with the shoe accessory), but our styles will be completely different when coming to the jewelry that we pick, the way we style our hair, to the way we wear our makeup. This is where our styles become different. That word ‘style’ is so important in so many ways. In school a professor can hand out the same story for the class to do a book report on.  No matter how similar we may agree upon what the story is about as students, our writing styles will be completely different. Fashion style is just like that.  Here are four reasons as to why creating your style is important.

You Stand Out From the Rest

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This sound so cliche but it’s the truth. Having a sense of style creates a sense of self. By this it can mean having certain look like a certain hairstyle of even wearing vibrant nail colours.. style is important. In high school I loved wearing big-funky earrings. Before anyone knew my name, they recognized me being the small girl with the big earring. What can I say…I stood out.

Therefore People Will Remember You

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Again this stems back from standing out. Hopefully you being memorable leads to a positive affect on people than the negative. People are quick to tell if someone is well dressed. No matter what is said like not to judge a book by its cover… that is a lie. It’s always better to be someone who irons their clothes than someone who looks messy. Try going to a job interview look dishevelled and see how far you go!

It Creates a Sense of Self

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I will bring a little philosophy in this and state that we are all meant for a purpose on this earth, journeys of self discovery is meant to be found. When you have a sense of style it creates just that… self discovery. You know you would not try that yellow jumpsuit but if it was in another colour, you might just buy it… this is a sense of self. You have the awareness of what your likes and dislikes are when coming to fashion and trends.

It Brings Out Your Confidence

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This is the most important fact. With style you get a sense of self to stand out from the crowd thus increasing your confidence. As we all know confidence is a deal breaker for many aspects of life. You aren’t only dressing impress other (why would you anyway), you are uplifting your self esteem without really knowing. Dressing well is one thing but when you dress for yourself believing that you can wear an outfit, life changing chapters will occur in life. Remember trends come and go but style if forever.