BeYouTFull UnivHercity

INTRODUCING THE FIRST EVER - Youth Natural Hair Parade: Check it out! Sunday, July 5th 2 pm at the International African Arts Festival in Brooklyn! I ROCK NATURALLY - Youth Natural Hair Parade To Register contact: info@newbein.com NEW BEIN' = NUBIAN.NYC

It is a well-established and known fact that the number of African American women and men globally and nationally wearing Locs are grossly underestimated in the statistics on Natural Hair.     The Natural Hair industry has its roots essentially as a “cottage industry” an almost “underground” “subculture” industry which pioneers like Madame CJ Walker opened up.   They created a path for struggling Black Women particularly, to have a means of providing for their families.   I recently reviewed “ethnic hair care” industry statistics which definitively indicated many segments within the industry that are unaccounted for by mainstream American reports.   Black Men are definitely not even a part of this equation, not at all. They are non-existent in this arena as in most ( except Sports of course).   It’s really crazy when you think about it because if you walk down any Urban community in America in 2015, you’ll see throngs of “Kings”, Black Men, wearing the ...

Yesterday I had a wonderful visit from a Sister who came to the New Bein’ Showroom in Brooklyn to buy New Bein’ Hair Care Products.  She had read my book ( Hairlocking, Everything You Need To Know) and it inspired her.  She had been contemplating starting Locs and had done extensive research.  What a Divine visit.  This young Sister was intelligent, spiritual, and very self-aware.  She spoke quite poetically about her “hair journey” up until this point (she’s in her mid 30’s).  Some of the things she said really struck me.  She said she was “the dark one” in her family (even though she’s really like caramel toned). Everyone else was "light-skinned".  She had really thick, long, black beautiful hair though, so she was acknowledged for her hair. She said she realized at a young age, that her hair was her “identity” (wow…!)  As she got older she recognized that she had lived and bought into this, even as far as the men she had attracted i...

Would you believe that in 2015, you cannot find LOCS in a dictionary.The Natural Hair Care industry is estimated at 684 million dollars which purportedly grossly underestimates the robustness of the industry.Some authorities quote figures of 3 - 6 billion dollars in multinational corporations. LOCS are totally global and it’s not only black people wearing LOCS but people of all races and ethnicities. Yet, it has not been legitimized or fully recognized as a social and cultural reality.Truthfully, LOCS reflect a phenomenon that has caused men and women to fall in love with themselves again. LOCS have been the most central and controversial of all of the natural hairstyles primarily because of its historical origins as Dreadlocks.  Looking into word origin, we know that “locks” refer to hair as in tresses or tufts; that’s European.  Dread and locks (Dreadlocks), as we know, was crafted into an essentially negative “thing”. Subsequently and consequently, LOCS was re-invente...

One of the most exciting and expanding genres in the hair accessories world is NATURAL HAIR ACCESSORIES !  The precedent for this until recently ignored market really began with the whole “natural” movement, which first manifested in food with a demand for natural foods; foods without pesticides, chemicals, etc.; for healthier eating. Secondly, in consumption, consumers sought natural ingredient products only that bore the precious label of “all natural”. Finally in, “going Green” and respecting the ecology of the planet.  Indeed this movement has grown and is well established in American society now. Also in this “natural era” we are beginning to seea response to the growing need for NATURAL HAIR ACCESSORIES.  As the world is quickly accepting the global citizenry of everyone, “natural hair” has found its way on this path toward recognition and equality. Truth be told, NATURAL HAIR ACCESSORIES have always been created within a multitude of indigenous “ethnic” cultural...

One of the most exciting and expanding genres in the hair accessories world is NATURAL HAIR ACCESSORIES!  The precedent for this until recently ignored market really began with the whole “natural” movement, which first manifested in foodwith a demand for natural foods; foods without pesticides, chemicals, etc.; for healthier eating. Secondly, in consumption, consumers soughtnatural ingredientproducts onlythat bore the precious label of “all natural”. Finally in, “going Green” and respecting the ecology of the planet.  Indeed this movement has grown and is well established in American society now. Also in this “natural era” we are beginning to seea response to the growing need for NATURAL HAIR ACCESSORIES.  As the world is quickly accepting the global citizenry of everyone, “natural hair” has found its way on this path toward recognition and equality. Truth be told, NATURAL HAIR ACCESSORIES have always been created within a multitude of indigenous “ethnic” cultural grou...

For sure, the wearing of HAIR ACCESSORIES was born right after Eve put her loin cloth on.  I am guessing that she grabbed some flowers, of course the most beautiful one’s ever, and wrapped them into a stunning floral wreathe around her hair! As I think about it, all of the Greek and Roman Goddesses wore them.  From Queen Elizabeth’s diamond brooch hairpins, to the Crown of Nefertiti, and the wreath of Diana, every glorious culture on the planet wore fabulous HAIR ACCESSORIES in their crowns! Today HAIR ACCESSORIES are an absolute must for every woman and girl. Perhaps it’s because a woman’s hair has been identified as her Crowning Glory that we instinctively have the impulse to glorify our crowns. No longer do we want HAIR ACCESSORIES just for special occasions, or for stature, we want HAIR ACCESSORIES for everyday style. We used to tie our hair back with things from nature like rope and string. Rags transitioned into kerchiefs and scarves,especially when doing “woman’s wo...

With the advent of Locs, Nubian Locs, Sisterlocs and many other types of Locs, it is noteworthy to identify their origins.  DREADLOCKS is the parent and these are the relatives i.e. cousins and sisters!  One is uncultivated, one is groomed. Both are beautiful reflections of the wearer. Like most contemporary styles, its roots go way back.  In fact, the origins of DREADLOCKS goes back to two indigenous tribes of Jamaica known as the Nyabinghi’s and The Maroons. These were the nonconformists and cultural preservationists that fought against colonialism. They lived within their own self-sustained community and maintained their original cultural values.  The Rastafarians also come from this Spirit and wore their DREADLOCKS as a symbol of their audacity and courage. Indeed to the British their hair was “dreadful” looking (dread is an Old English word). It also reflected the fear they faced when they confronted this powerful group. Their awesome mane, like that of a Li...

LOCS HAIR re-emerged on the scene like gang busters in the 90’s bringing with it the onslaught of Natural Hair mania!  Despite rumors of it being a passing fad it is undoubtedly here to stay! Natural Hair is nothing new; for as long as there has been hair, in its purest sense, there has been Natural Hair.  So, what is Natural Hair? What is LOCS HAIR?  Today with all of the new found definitions and variations we need some clarity. The first inception of Locs goes back to antiquity. From Jesus’ whose hair was likened to “sheep’s wool” and his fellow Nazarene tribesmen who took a vow to not “shorn or diminish their hair”,to the ancient Sadhus of India (and probably the ancient Dravidians), the ancient Khemites of “Egypt”, the ancient African tribes, and the Nyabinghi and Rastafarian tribes of Jamaica, LOCS HAIR is “deeply rooted” in culture and Spirit. Technically, LOCS HAIR is naturally formed when hair that is highly coiled or spiraled in textureis left to its divin...

Our world is so full of diverse ethnic groups. All these groups are widely known for some aspect that is predominant in their culture. So what is it about our African American counterparts that we admire so much? Their ethnic styling of hair, of course! African Americans have always been blessed with luscious, curly locks that they style in ways we could never pull off completely. Be it au natural or long dreadlocks, African American women have always rocked their so-called ethnic hair so perfectly. So what makes this look even better? Hair accessories would get lost in that gorgeous mane. Plain ponytail holders and jewellery would not complement the hair as much as we would think. Bejewelled hair accessories are another story altogether. With the right amount of bling and sophistication, hair ornaments go well with the ethnic hair and make it look classy. Made with different types of materials and colors, there is a wide range to choose from to adorn your hair for the occasion. ...