Lil Loc'd Cutie of the Week!

The triple threat that is Jaida Benjamin!

Jaida Iman Benjamin is what some would call a “triple threat”, but she is more than that. The 14-year-old up-and-coming star can dance, sing, act, and model, among other talents. She was recently announced as Seventeen Magazine’s “Rock The Runway” winner in 2008 and in that same year, she won Girl of the Year 2008 at an American Girl Fashion Show.

Jaida has also been featured in several commercials and print and magazine ads. When she is not busy modeling, Jaida enjoys dancing, singing and adding to her extremely lengthy resume. A triple threat indeed!

Here is proof that there are beautiful young ladies out there with high self-esteem. Comfortable in their own skin, who truly embodies being a Princess....but ready when its time to take her crown and become a Queen. One word for ya honey, adorable.

Thanks to my girl over at Clumps of Mascara for putting me on to this beautiful little wonder.

Jaida’s Fansite

Jaida’s Myspace

Jaida’s IMDB Page

JaidaBenjamin.blogspot.com

Click here to vote for Jaida to be featured in Teen Vogue Magazine!

*Taken from blackcelebkids.com*

Reader's Emails Answered

Hey precious poos! I received this email today and you know I had to share! If anyone has anything to add to help out our reader make sure you leave info in the comment section!

Dear Newbie,

Congrats on your decision to become loc'd! I am confident you will enjoy your newfound beauty, as well as hairstyle.

Let me get right to your questions:

1. Do I haveta sleep with a scarf on??? I am 49 years old and anything on my head at night causes my hot flashes to want to commit homoside. I am afraid that a satin pillowcase with break my skin out ( and I just had it buffed!!!).

While I sympathize with you during the big "change" I have to say that unfortunately you need some kind of protection on your hair at night this early in the stage of locing if you want to keep the hairstyle neat, avoid lint and dust from accumulating in your locs. If you hate anything on your hair because it "holds and traps heat," then take some sheer or even fishnet stockings and cut the legs off. Tie the end and place it over your hair it will keep your hair in place while still allowing the scalp to breathe.

Also, please note that if you don't want to don anything on your hair at night you need protect the locs with at least a satin pillowcase. Whilst a cotton pillowcase may feel soft, experts claim that cotton is highly absorbent causing it to draw moisture from your hair and skin while you sleep. The natural oils found on the scalp are absorbed by the cotton, drying it and making it more brittle. The weave of the cotton is also abrasive tending to grip individual stray strands of hair that may be sticking out of the loc causing them to break.

Hair care specialists have been recommending satin pillowcases to protect our hair and our hair style while we sleep for decades, but why? Well firstly satin is not absorbent so it allows the hair to breath and retain its natural moisture, and secondly the hair slides over the pillow preventing it from breaking and tangling.

Did you know that most medical experts also recommend satin pillows for patients being treated for cancer and hepatitis C where, following the treatment, patients are often in bed for long periods and suffer from frictional Alopecia, the abnormal loss of the hair root and hair shaft from the hair follicle caused by the hair rubbing against the abrasive cotton and damaging the hair cuticles with heat? Sleeping on a satin pillow helps prevent the cuticle heating up during the night as the head moves around and puts pressure on the hair because the head and hair flows over the satin.

2. When is a good time to do my first wash??? After it is securely locked????

You must not wait until is securely loc'd to do your first wash. It is important to wash the hair when it is time for re-twisting. Believe it or not, coiled hair should be washed every 3 1/2 weeks, then after you have worn coils at least 3 months consecutively you can slow the washing process down to every 4 -5 weeks. Your hair will slow down the oil producing process, and can go about 1 1/2-2 monthsa at a time until the next wash. However, washing actually helps the locing process! You have to wash and refresh the scalp. Try not to manipulate and scrub the hair, only the scalp.

To wash coils and tween stage locs:

Get a pair of stockings, cut off the legs and tie together. Stand under the shower head and shampoo coils and twists underneath the shower head with gentle to no manipulation with shampoo. Stand under the shower head to rinse cleanse. Remove stocking cap and follow up with conditioner. After 2-3 minutes. Place cap back on and stand under shower head.

3. How often should I retwist???

I don't know about you but I am vain when it comes to my hair :) So, when my hair was coiled I washed and retwisted every 2 /12 or 3 weeks to maintain fresheness, nice and neat coils.

I appreciate you reading ontheroadtoqueendom.com, I do hope you continue to visit and you are a follower. Make sure to enter giveaways, comment, and stay informed!

If there is anything I have missed or haven't answered please contact me ok?

God Bless, and Happy Locing!

Toshia
"Writing Addict"

Dr. Bronners Magic Soap "All-One"

Very early on in my teen stage of locing I searched high and low for a shampoo that would thoroughly cleanse my locs, leave a great smell, and feel to them. All the "so-called," organic shampoos left me feeling "blah." That is until that fateful day I ran into, Dr. Bronners Magic Soap "All-One" soap.

What grabbed me was the packaging. It was simple, yet had all kind of positive wording, catch phrases, and mantras on the bottle. It claimed to do everything from cleanse the body, to cleansing the hair, naturally.

So I took it home to try it out. It is a strong shampoo, which comes in 8 different fragrances. You can choose from:

• Peppermint
• Eucalyptus
• Almond
• Rose
• Baby Mild
• Citrus
• Lavender
• Tea Tree

I tried the Peppermint. It held its odor firmly for about a week, and I'm pretty sure long thereafter. My scalp felt so good and my locs were squeaky clean! With each fragrance it has a combination of organic extra virgin coconut, olive, jojoba and hemp oils, together with pure essential oils, creates a unique soap that cleans effectively without being aggressive and produces a velvety-lather that leaves the skin and hair silky-smooth and refreshed. You can follow up with one of the conditioning hair rinses.



When locing you should strive to use products which are:

• Completely Biodegradable and Vegetable-Based
• Made with Certified Fair Trade and Organic Oils
• No Synthetic Foaming Agents, Thickeners or Preservatives

Dr. Bronners soaps are sold in natural food markets everywhere!

Fashion Moment

D.ORIGINALS Clothing is a one of a kind boutique set in the heart of Fort de France, MARTINIQUE (French West Indies). It is ORIGINAL as it houses two businesses under the same roof; D.ORIGINALS (men's) and SISTERS (women's).

The first being owned by reggae artist Mystikal Heights (www.myspace.com/mystikalheights) and the second by Heidy M.


Both endeavors began as a joint project to bring ORIGINAL pieces to an increasing demand for unique pieces of clothing in the french islands.

Not only is D.ORIGINALS a clothing boutique it is also a meeting place for budding talent and artists. Upon entering the shops' doors you can often hear singing, a guitar playing. Ooh I love this idea! Original local flavor while you shop? Awesome!


Both entrepreneurs being from the islands, respectively St. Lucia and St. Martin gives the shop its unique flavor. The other reason for its unique flavor is that Mystikal Heights is a respected reggae artist. He started this joint venture due to him often being faced with the impossible task of finding unique pieces for his performances that coincided with his personality.

Soon thereafter, they realized there was also a lack of conscious and Roots Apparel for women and "SISTERS" was launched. For the two fashion has always been second nature, therefore they networked, researched and started to work with several Roots oriented designers.

D.ORIGINALS looks for clothing and jewelry designers who are unique. Designers whose clothing allow an individual to express themselves through their clothing and be an ORIGINAL. They do not carry too many of the same items and our pieces are found exclusively at their shops in Martinique.

They are deeply involved in world of roots and reggae. It is their first love, and they cater to people who have the same love.

D.ORIGINALS + SISTERS

57 RUE PERRINON FORT DE FRANCE
97200 MARTINIQUE
011 596 696 24 15 70

BE ORIGINAL, BE YOU !!!

Photos: DeDieu'X Photographe Auteur.
matniktof.com
0696 91 04 58

Make-up : CLARA ATINE
aida972@hotmail.com
0696 21 47 58

hairstylist : NICOLE VILO : artiste-modiste- KANTE E KANT- 0596 76 74 71
nicolevilo@hotmail.com

Loc'd Beauty of the Week

The electrifying soul angel Cassandra Wilson. The first time I heard Cassandra's down home, earthy voice was when I was on vacation in New Orleans in the summer of 2002. When I heard her voice blaring through the speakers of a cafe down in the French Quarter I was hooked. Hooked I tell ya!

Her voice sounds like a Sunday afternoon, lounging lazily on your front porch with a jar of lemonade. Have I set the stage for ya? If you haven't experienced this phenomenal jazz singer I strongly encourage you to do so!
If not just for the music, honey she rocks a mean set of blonde locs. I have always admired her beauty! She is so comfortable in the skin she's in, she is a true Queen.

Congratulations!

**Congratulations to Drrph she won this weeks' random drawing for the beautifully handmade purse from Cookies, Baskets & More!

Drrph please email me your address information within 24 hours to compulsivewriting@yahoo.com so that I can send you your gift! I appreciate your loyalty to On the Road Queendom.


*Ladies, I actually had to pull three times and had to skip two women who entered the contest because they are not a follower of OTRTQ! To become a follower you simply have to go over to the right side of the blog and hit the follow button. Please remember that the contest rule is you must be a follower of On the Road to Queendom to qualify.*

Reader's Emails Answered

Greetings Sistah,

My name is (Name Withheld) and I am a journalism student living in London. I have to say I am very impressed with what you are doing on your blog. Informing and encouraging black women to love their natural, God given hair rather than hiding it under weaves, relaxers and whatnot. Keep up the good work. I recently started my locs (did them myself, am too broke to afford a loctician lol) I started them last Thursday and I am pretty pleased with the way they turned out. However they are loosing the sheen they had when I first had them done and are Ibeginning to turn fuzzy as hell (which i am pleased with actually). While I was looking through your blog, you talked about the five stages of the locking process, please can you elaborate on them for me cause I am kinda curious and also cos I want 2 know how to prepare myself for each stage. As well I wouldn't mind words of encouragement and advice as an experienced locker.

Thanks for your help, xx.

Dear Name Withheld,
Congratulations on your new found hair freedom! I really appreciate your kind words about my hair blog. Its letters like these that remind me the importance of spreading the knowledge about our natural beauty! You never told me how much length you have. However I would love to go over the locing stages for you!


Coils- Coils are the very beginning stages which many (including myself) call twists, or baby locs. During this stage the hair is parted into small squares or diamond patterns and combed coiled into individual locs. They can also be started by hand, or by using a locing tool. The texture is usually smooth, and shiny but open at the ends. The shine and texture is usually from the product you are using to "train" your twists. Also, its due to the fact that you are shampooing, conditioning, and retwisting your hair every 2 - 4 weeks.



Budding (3 to 4 months)- During this stage each section begins to bond and mat (mesh) together forming a Loc. The ends or middle or each Lock begins to "puff up" and expand in size. The Locs are no longer shiny or smooth as in the coil stage. In this stage the hair is a little difficult to control, giving the head an unkempt look. Here is where the persons' patience, level of commitment, and love of self is tested.



Teen or Tween (6 to 14 months)- The locing process starts at the middle or end of the Loc (at least 1 inch from the scalp). As the Loc begins to lengthen, the shaft becomes solid and closed at the end. Usually the person has locs that are longer and can be easily controlled. The person has either accepted themselves as they are at this stage, or has decided that locing, just isn't for them.



Mature (past 14 months)- Mature Locs are completely interfaced from the closed tip to the base, not including the new growth (at least 1 inch from the scalp). There are no worries that locs will come down. In this stage the hair is usually past 8 inches of growth. Hair should be shampooed, hot oil treated and re-twisted every 3 to 5 weeks.



Beyond Maturity (past 5 years)- This is sometimes called the Atrophy Stage. During this stage the Loc may start to weaken or atrophy at the ends. The smaller the Locs, the more fragile and more likely the atrophy will occur. This stage usually occurs at the nape of the neck and around the frontal and peripheral hairlines. Loc wearers at this stage must pay strict attention to their hairline and roots of their locs. Tension alopecia can occur when locs are larger and heavier at the ends due to the aging process. Individuals may find it necessary to repair weakened locs by combining them with stronger locs, or actually reconnecting lost locs that may have been lost due to atrophy. This is a natural locing process and almost will always occur. I am proud to say that besides combining I have not lost any locs. Nor do I have any hair loss around my edges. Again great care must be done to avoid atrophy. If it doess occur then the loc wearer should explore and confirm if this is due to natural locing and not due to physical or emotional distress. Consult your loctician. Now if your locs are starting to lose its sheen and smoothness this early and you have only started twisting since Thursday we need to visit your twisting regimen. Again how long are your twists? What product(s) are you using to help with the twisting process? Have you washed your hair yet? Please answer these questions so that I can better assist you. Also, check the website for pics to see these different stages! Thanks for contacting me, and Happy Locing!

You Need to Know....

Lisa Nichols!

Lisa Nichols is a dynamic international motivational speaker and powerful advocate of personal empowerment. She is the Founder and CEO of Motivating the Teen Spirit, LLC which is recognized by many as the most comprehensive empowerment skills program available today for teen self-development. As of July 2006, her company has impacted the lives of over
60,000 teens, prevented over 1,750 suicides, reunited thousands of teens with their parents, and influenced more than 975 teen drop outs to return to school.


Lisa Nichols is a proven Entrepreneur and since starting her company in her living room in May of 2000, she has taken it international while doing more than two million dollars in business along the way.

Despite being labeled "one of the worst writers" by her English teacher, she's landed three major book publishing deals with the best selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series. She's appeared as an expert Life Coach on NBCs hit show, “Starting Over” as well as one of the 27 leading teachers featured on the international hit DVD, "The Secret."

Her highly sought after no-holds-barred messages are delivered with powerful intensity as she connects through her candid conversational style with employees of major corporations, members of empowerment groups, entrepreneurs, small business owners, educators, teens, and anyone who has the pleasure to attend one of her many standing room only presentations.

This natural hair diva is comfortable in her own skin, and makes no apologies for who she is or where she's been. This is a woman you need to know. A dynamic and spectacular woman of color. If you are on a journey, and need a little help. If you feel as if you are lost, and just need a pick me up to get back on your way. Pick up one of her books, you won't be sorry!

The Bags are In!

Chile...

I got the bags in yesterday, let me just say its taking everything in my lil power to give one of ya'll a bag! LOL Don't be mad at me I'm being honest. Lawd, the bags are beautiful and very well made. They aren't like those bags hanging up in Target for $9; you can tell the woman making these put her love into them.

Whoever wins tonight is truly lucky! Don't forget, I want a pic of you rocking that bag with what you put in the comment section!

Smooches!
Writing Addict

Asian Locs?

Ever wonder why people in America hate our natural hair so much? I do because other cultures practically do whatever it takes to get their hair coarse, and what some call, "nappy." Look I am not opposed to the word nappy honey, as I am "Happy to be Nappy!" Anyway take a look at the following Asian people sporting locs, and afros! Yes, that't right, afros! They get a so called afro perm, that strips away their natural texture so it can be just like ours!


Hmph, this hairstyle isn't so bad! LOL I might have to bite this look! Anyway, it just makes you wonder how hard foreigners are laughing at our silly tails for hating our natural gifts God gave us!
While we deny, deny, deny our culture, other cultures are eating it up! They are desperate to get what we have and we just take it for granted.
Amazing huh? So while we go and run to the hairdresser to get the creamy relaxer...to relax our natural curl pattern. Someone is running to their hairdresser to get their relaxed and straight hair tightly curled and say what? Gasp! Nappy?




You need to learn to love what you have, and who you are. You say you love GOD but hate what he has given you...the dark and bronzed skin that people are tanning, and spraying themselves to death. The full lips that women are injecting what they can to plump theirs up. The big bottom that you are trying to disguise or work off, while women all over are dying at the hands of botched booty plumping jobs, and paying an arm and a leg for.

This should teach you something, you are a treaure, a jewel, a Queen! Appreciate your beauty, because others sure are.

Wear your blackness like a badge and walk tall knowing you have what others so desperately want...

*Images found from nappturality.com*

Loc'd Beauty of the Week

What you know about Empire Isis?

This North-African loc'd beauty defies all preconceived ideas of your typical Urban artist. Empire ISIS aka ‘Gangstress’ brings a new meaning to word "World Music" by breaking down the musical barriers and fusing Hiphop, Reggae into a pop format on her second LP "Brand New Style".

Half British half Moroccan but raised by a Ugandan stepfather who adopted her - Empire ISIS, grew up in different places such as: Canada, the UK and Morocco. At the age 16, ISIS set off for South and Central America, bicycling through 7 countries from Panama to Mexico. Her adventures in Latin America ignited the spark that would forever change her. However, it was only until she went to the rolling hills of Jamaica that she truly found herself. While filming a documentary about the BoBo Shanti (an isolated group of strict Rastafarians) in the hills of Jamaica that gave birth to conscious dancehall pioneer, (Sizzla) she realized being on stage and singing Urban music was her calling. It was on this trip that ISIS first encountered foundation artists such as Chinna Smith and Dean Frazer who schooled her on the history and making of reggae music. ISIS put aside her camera, and picked up the mic. She set out on her most challenging journey: making conscious urban music for the masses. In sum, Empire ISIS brings a militant, passionate, and high energy type of reggae music which can be appreciated by all. From her unique look to her blazing lyrics, ISIS is a true provocateur challenging peoples perceptions, stereotypes and common modes of thinking. Ultimately, ISIS says, "I want to inspire people to follow their dreams, to do what they're here on earth for"

Reader's Emails Answered

Hey ya'll you know when I receive some interesting email from a reader I am going to share because more Queens may have a need to know!

Dear Writing Addict,

I am trying to loc my hair. It will not stay together at the ends they come undone and the roots come untwisted. I now have what looks like short afro with twists all over. The nape keeps coming undone faster than any other part. Is it ok to put rubber bands (black little ones that are safe for hair) on until it starts to loc?

Thanks for your help,
Signed Trying to Loc It Up!
--------------------

Dearest Trying to Loc It Up,

Greetings! Thank you for contacting me and I do hope that I can give you the answer you are looking for.

It all depends on the personal aesthetic, length of hair, and grade of hair. Methods used are:

*Comb twist
*Backcombing method
*Two-strand twist
*Braidlocs
*Latchooking
*Organic/Free Form

The different hair types are:

Wavy, curly, and kinky or coarse. Again each type of hair requires a different take on locing up that hair honey. If you have wavy, or curly hair its best to use the backcombing, two-strand twist, or braidloc method. But if you have a short afro I'm assuming you have less than 3 inches of hair.

Therefore, I will answer you based on my assumptions (I hate assuming as I do not want to be ...welll u know...so if Im wrong please email me k?).

Combtwisting (my personal favorite):



I also use light aloe vera gel and 100% shea butter mixed together if you have kinky, or coarse hair. If you have fine wavy, or curly hair you can use a light gel. After hair has been shampooed, and deeply conditioned section hair one at a time with the end of the rat tail comb apply a small amount of the mixed product together and take the rat tail end of a comb and rotate it through sectioned or small bunches of hair. The sections should be intricate, and squarelike. Again, I only use shea butter mixture on virgin, coarse, or kinky hair.

Latchook:

Is done by using a crochet hook and taking the tip end of the section of hair and looping it through the area of hair closest to the scalp above it…repetitively repeating this process until a tight series of micro-knots form.

Organic/Free Form:

This matter of locking is using ones hands to break the Afro into unorganized sections and periodically manipulating them until the matted cylinders form on their own.

Your hair should not be unraveling at the beginning stages unless you do not have any product in the hair, you have been shampooing excessively, or you are not tying it down with a silk or satin scarf when lounging around or sleeping. You may use little black rubberbands. But be mindful that there are other ways, the rubberbands can always be cut out of your locs.

If you have very fine wavy, or curly hair you might want to start with the braidloc method. With braids, part the hair in sections that are the size you want your dreadlocks to be. You don't need to break out the ruler, but if you want thin dreadlocks make sure the braids are parted small, medium parts for thicker dreadlocks, and so on. You can begin with either wet or dry hair. If you start with wet hair use a hooded dryer on a medium setting to allow the braids to set. After the hair dries, you may spray your scalp with natural oil for moisture if desired. Avoid using too much oil or too heavy of an oil/pomade as they will be difficult to remove from your dreadlocks.

Also, please note that the nape of your neck will always come down! I have mature locs, and my nape still comes down, no matter how many times I twist it. I believe this is due to the way we perspire in the back of our heads, how it is constantly growing out back there, clothing rubbing up against it. When we lay back in the tub it continuously gets wet. Don't worry about that, just note you will be twisting that area for a long time to come :)

Thank you and Happy Locing!

Tosh
"Writing Addict"

Loc Style Option....

Take a look at these elegant and beautiful updos styled at De Lux Gallery Inc. this salon is located at:

704 Fulton Street Between
South Oxford & South Portland
in Fort Green, Brooklyn
ph# (718) 522-3324

You can also visit their website by clicking here.

Since I'm way out here on the West Coast I guess I'll try and attempt one of these styles this weekend, and I'll post a pic of the outcome! Wish me luck!

Queens Gotta Represent!

So I ordered this dress honey! Oooh so fierce right? Its simple enough to go from day to night. Day with a jacket mind you in the office...but ubersexy at night. Its the strapless bra top tube dress selling at Victoria's Secret on sale for $29!

But how cute is it going to be paired with this African print and handmade large hobo purse. I had to order one of these in blue as well...actually I ordered two....

Wanna know why? Because one of the purses is going to one of my Queens as a giveaway! Yep that's right! You have to stay fierce as a Queen! No slacking off! No excuses...period!

Lil Loc'd Cutie of the Week!

Meet 10 year old Ayana Star of the phenomenal website, sisterhoodagenda.com. This beauty teaches other girls to be global leaders who believe in themselves and their dreams to achieve success.

From now on I am going to feature a Lil Loc'd Beauty of the week as well as the Loc'd beauty of the Week. It is important to highlight our young ladies who has someone uplifting and upholding natural beauty for them. If more young ladies were taught to love themselves at an early age maybe you would never have seen the ignorance on the Tyra Banks show yesterday. Young ladies need to be told how beautiful they are and how they are made in God's image, and how God don't make no junk, nor mistakes in order to make good and informed decisions!

Artwork courtesy of Tonya Engel

Honesty time, at one point I was TERRIFIED of having a daughter! I recently had a little girl two years ago. She is indeed the spice of life for her father and myself. What I find so comical is how she clearly emulates every last thing I do. She constantly tells me how beautiful I am. I laud her with so many compliments and positive affirmations, that she probably gets sick of hearing it. That's just it. If we have young daughters it is our responsibility to keep her from growing up and feeling the need to do what you see in the above painting. If it is taught in the home early on...they will carry it with them early in adulthood.

What is Good Hair?

For Hip Hop News & Entertainment at DimeWars.Com

How long have we as a people been playing with this question? How many of you cringe at that question, or when someone quips, "So-and-so got some good hair?" How many of you like me have heard, "Why on earth would you wear dreadlocs if you have good hair?" What the hell is good hair? Well, society has taught us, as well as some of our own parents, families, and friends that good hair is anything but, kinky, coarse, short, and difficult to work with hair. But in reality anything that isn't taken care of meticulously is "difficult" to work with.

Yesterday, on the Tyra Banks show, she had an episode on "What is Good Hair," and as usual she had women on the panel who are ignorant to facts, and so confused that it would just want to make you cry.

Ladies, if you have seen this particular episode give me your thoughts in the comment section. How are you dealing with the "good hair" dilemma? And is it even a dilemma in your lives? It isn't in mine.

Lets go.....

Loc'd Beauty of the Week

Arekah 'DaGoddess' Dunlap

Arekah is truly a Queen! She hails from Memphis, Tennessee where she holds down a full time job, raises a beautiful adolescent daughter, and still finds time to give back to the community. Ever the talented individual she is an accomplished poet and singer. Arekah is well known throughout the South with her "in your face poetry" where she skillfully discusses today's issues about love and society in general.

This beauty sports a thick mane of coal black locs with a hint of red. I remember when this gorgeous phenoms locs were mere buds...she nurtured, and embraced every stage of her locs growth.

Beautiful indeed!