Well, well, well…natural hair is coming into its own in the technological world. I was contacted recently about a new phone application that launched at the end of July. It’s called GoNappturale. Here’s the deal:
- it’s an urban salon finder
- locates black full service and natural hair salons
- provides contact information for the salons
- provides step by step directions (via turn by turn or maps using Google maps)
I have to say, it’s pretty neat. Of course, living in the sticks, I wasn’t surprised that I could find no natural hair salons in my area. I did test out the app while looking for other black hair salons.
I think this app might be especially useful to those who travel a lot or just moved to a new city. The cost? It’s .99 cents in the Iphone store. The app is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later. It’s also available with the Blackberry.
Thoughts? Opinions?
Wow, I stumbled across this on the Time website (see the full article here).
I’ve heard stories about the “Hair Wars” in Detroit. I have to say, they have some eye catching hairstyles and it would be incredibly interesting to attend. I was hoping to see more natural-eque styles, but I still got an eyeful. From the article:
This is not some eccentric reality show. This is Hair Wars, a 25-year-old Detroit tradition, this year featuring about 34 stylists and 300 models, that has become one of the premier hairstylist events in the U.S. The talent and exuberance on display takes the notion of an economically and psychologically depressed city, and turns it on its beautifully sculpted head. Hair salons are one of the few thriving businesses in Detroit, a hub of innovation in the $9 billion black-haircare industry, and Hair Wars can be a springboard to fame.
You can see more pictures here.
"The Hummer" I have no words.
"Oreo Confusion"--I'm a bit confused myself
"Hollywood" Prep time: 30 minutes....do they mean 30 seconds? Pretty lady!
"Can't B Tamed"...is Lady Gaga missing an outfit?

Essence is hosting a live chat about natural hair on June 23 (tomorrow!). Click here for more details. The chat will include advice from celebrity hair stylists and more!
LIVE IN LOS ANGELES ?
LIKE MAXWELL & JILL SCOTT ?
LOVE KINKY-CURLY ?

HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE ALL OF THE ABOVE!
Enter to win a deluxe gift set of Kinky-Curly products + 2 tickets for you and a friend to see Jill Scott & Maxwell live in concert at the Staples Center Saturday June 5, 2010 @ 7PM
Here’s how:
Visit Wilshire Beauty at 5401 Wilshire Boulevard & fill out an entry card!
CONTEST RULES:
* No purchase necessary to enter.
* Must be 18 years or older to enter.
* Limit one (1) entry per visit.
* Contest ends June 1st @ 8:00 PM
* Winner will be notified and announced on June 2nd.
* ONE (1 ) winner will receive a set of two (2) tickets.
* Winner must provide their own transportation to Staples Center.
NO TELEPHONE OR EMAIL ENTRIES ALLOWED – YOU GOTTA COME ON DOWN FOR THIS ONE!
CLICK HERE FOR MAP & DIRECTIONS

Educate
You can’t change what you don’t understand…Knowledge is power – Sharing the wealth!
Through reaching out to 3 core groups, CURLS™ Customers, CURLS™ Stylists, and CURLS™ Salon Owners, The 4 Step Sustainable CURLS™ Campaign educates these influencers on how small changes can make a big difference for the environment. For example, there are many ways to avoid “product dumping” of used bottles. Regardless of whether they are labeled as recyclable, any time you throw out a bottle you’re causing detrimental effects on the environment. CURLS™ will also show how technology can reduce your carbon footprint!
Through creative promotional efforts like “plantable postcards” organic paper cards that are stamped with our message and embedded with wildflower seeds that you can use to plant your very own tree, organic “CURLS Environista” T-Shirts, and branded recyclable pens, CURLS™ hopes to spread the word in a dynamic and interactive way with all parts of the industry.
To educate salon owners, CURLS™ is partnering up with “Matter of Trust,” an organization of stylists who collect hair scraps that are then recycled and put to good use by being made into mats specially made to soak up industrial oil spills. www.matteroftrust.org/programs/hairmatsinfo.html
Did you know….
· Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions by significantly saving the amount of energy needed to manufacture the products that we buy, build and use
· Recycled materials account for 40% of the world’s raw materials and is critical to our future sustainability
· While plastics decompose, they can release potentially harmful substances into the surrounding ground water and soil, affecting future generations
· Letting your faucet run for five minutes uses about as much energy as letting a 60-watt light bulb run for 14 hours
· Every year, an estimated 706 million gallons of oil enter our planet’s oceans: By far the greatest source of spilled oil is households. Used Motor Oil – accounts for 363 million gallons in our oceans! 50% of Americans change their own motor oil, but only 1/3 of that oil is collected and recycled. 2/3 are dumped down drains or spilled on driveways and onto streets. One typical 5 quart oil change improperly dumped can contaminate millions of gallons of freshwater.
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Newly Natural readers, you have TWO options to participate in this step:
1) CURLS is looking for volunteers in the NY area to join the CURLS Environista Team for a 1 day clean up of a park in Queens. If you have readers in the NY area that would like to sign up, they would receive a CURLS t-shirt as well as a free product of their choice.
CURLS will be participating in this year’s Hands On New York Day on Earth Day (April 24, 2010). If you are interested in joining CURLS and helping to “Give New York City a Good Spring Greening”, we invite you to join our special volunteer team called “CURLS Environistas” today!
To learn more about Hands on New York Day and register to become a “CURLS Environistas” volunteer team member, please click on:
Hands On New York Day 2010
2) Our CURLS Environista team is trying to raise $2000.00 for the charity New York Cares. For every dollar donated, $6.00 in services is provided. Here is the link to donate. Anyone who makes a donation will receive a promo code for a CURLS product discount!
April 10 – 11, 2010
Atlanta, GA
Don’t Miss It!
Georgia International Convention Center
2000 Convention Center Concourse
College Park, GA 30337
For sponsorship and exhibitor packages call
770-716-9056 or toll free if outside of Georgia 877-480-9328
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Come Celebrate Your Natural Texture!
NaturallyCurly.com and Miss Jessie’s Invite You to Our Natural Hair Celebration
Date: Sunday, April 25, 2010
Time: 1pm – 5pm
Location: Avenue Five Institute, 8620 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78757
Cost: FREE
Come Celebrate, Be Inspired and Enjoy Fellowship All About Hair.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
RSVP: HairEvent@NaturallyCurly.com
Visit www.naturallycurly.com/grow_out_challenge for full event details.