Recognizable Natural: Teyona Parris

Teyona Parris took the 2013 SAG awards by storm in her one shouldered, Monique Lhuillier gown last night, but it was her gorgeous natural hair soft up do that had the natural hair lovers commenting on all forms of social media Monday morning.  Teyona is best known for her role as Dawn,  Don Drapers' secretary on the Emmy award winning Mad Men.  Her face may be strike you familar though as she has been seen in numerous commercials including this one from last year, when McDonald's was promoting their 20 piece McNugget menu item.

Check out these gorgeous shots of her at this year's SAG awards.  I would love to have this soft updo recreated on my hair for a formal event.  Her hair was styled by celebrity stylist, Felicia Leatherwood.

Felicia provided details on how this style was created and was featured on Essence Online today.

exerpt from their interview:

• I washed the hair with Dr. Miracles Conditioning Shampoo ($6, Dr. Miracles)

• Before blow drying the hair, I used Lawrence-Ray Concepts Leave-In Conditioner ($18.90) & Hair Polish Serum ($22.80, Lawrence-Ray Concepts) as my heat protectant.

• After blowing the hair out, the next step was to section the hair to start the fold and tuck. I separated the hair into four sections.

• For the first section at the nape of the neck, I ponytailed and folded under and tucked it with a closed hair pin, then I proceeded to the next section, moving up the back of the head and repeated the same.

• When we got closer to the sides, I used Hick's Total Transformation Edges ($15, Amazon) to smooth down edges and continued folding and tucking each section.

• The front/top of the hair was divided into three parts and folded with Entwine Exotique Butter Creme Hydrator ($29, Ave You).

• I used my figures to roll the hair and get it smooth.

• Lastly, I finished the look with Lawrence-Ray Concepts Seal-It Firm Holding Spray ($15.60, Lawrence-Ray Concepts) & Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Mist ($7.50, drugstore.com) for shine.

This hair is EVERYTHING!

At a SAG Pre-event Party - I would totally rock this dress.

Loving Your Hair with Natural Care w/ Felicia Leatherwood

I had the opportunity to meet celebrity stylist, Felicia Leatherwood on May 5th at her Loving Your Hair with Natural Hair workshop sponsored by Moni's Haute Boutique & Mhe Magazine.

The doors of the event opened at noon, the event was to start at 1 pm and the event was scheduled to run until 4 pm.  I had a death in the family that week & was rushing back from home from the services so I arrived at the location around 1:20 pm.  When I arrived, Felicia was already up talking.

Here are just a few of the topics that she covered during the workshop that I attended (I'll condense the responses below):

• How often should you shampoo your hair?  Every 7 -10 days
• Be as careful about what you eat as you are about what you put on your hair.  For example excess sugars can cause dry patches on your scalp and cause your strands to dry out.
• She made product recommendations for the following: dandruff, clarifying, leave in conditioners, color, etc.
• Locs/weaves/protective styles with hair added - during summer months and with swimming be sure to keep scalp dry so that mildew and odor don't occur
• Take your time with detangling
• Trimming - at least every 8 - 10 weeks

I felt the workshop was really good for those who are newly natural, who may be overwhelmed with information overload & need to have someone to sort it out, and those who do not have an experienced natural hair stylist to advise them.

I found Felicia to be very sweet, very patient & informative with questions, and had a beautiful spirit.  I also enjoyed the opportunity to network with other naturals in the room and with other vloggers.  Check out some photos from the event below.

Felicia presenting

Felicia talking to some of the attendees

A Style created on site by HairFro You - Shamika Douthit

A style created by HairFro You - Shamika Douthit

A beautiful updo style

The crowd at the event

After the event, it made me thankful that I have a natural hair stylist that knows my hair that I can ask questions of and advise me.  So my question to you is:

Do you have a natural hair stylist?  Do you feel like they are necessary to have during your natural hair journey? Why or why not?

Celebrity Natural Hairstylist Felicia Leatherwood Comes to Raleigh THIS Weekend!

This weekend Celebrity Stylist Felicia Leatherwood will be bringing her "Loving Your Hair with Natural Care" workshop to Raleigh, NC!  Who is Felicia Leatherwood?  Well she is the stylist behind many of your favorite natural celebrity's hairstyles.  For example:

Jill Scott at Why Did I Get Married Too Premiere

Kim Coles

Nicole Ari Parker who recently big chopped

Anthony Anderson

Felicia is based in Los Angeles but has been traveling the world with her workshop in response to the questions she received about caring for natural hair.  During this workshop there will be a Q &A session for your most burning questions, she will perform a few scalp analyses, protective styling will be discussed as well as how to retain moisture in your hair and she will talk about many popular natural hair products.  For the first 60 attendees who register & pay you will get an awesome swag bag full of natural hair goodies!!

You can purchase tickets by going to www.raleighnaturalhair.eventbrite.com. This event is sponsored by Moni's Haute Boutique and Mhe Magazine!

If Saturday doesn't work for you, drop by the Kinks, Curls, and Cupcakes mixer on Friday night in Raleigh at Oliver Twist to meet and greet with other naturalistas in the area.  This event is FREE!  One lucky attendee will receive a free ticket with their cupcake!!  This event is from 7 pm - 10 pm.

If you plan to be at the event, please let me know in the comment section below.  I would love to meet you!!