What's Your Opinion: Willow Smith-HAIRoine or Too Grown?

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Hey guys! So as I mentioned in yesterday's Sunday Cuteness post, Willow Smith, the 9 year old daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, has been blowing up the airways with her new single, Whip My Hair. When I first heard the song, I was blown away at the maturity of her voice. She sounded like a girl nearly twice her age! It is her 'mature' look, however, that has tongues wagging most.

We all remember when the half-shaved head came into rotation. Some embraced the look and some thought it was just plain silly. But when Willow Smith showed up with both sides of her head shaved, people began to ask whether or not it was appropriate for a girl of her age. Some people thought it was just too grown for a little girl. As time passed, Willow's been taking more chances with fashion and accessorizing her new hair with colorful ensembles and braided extensions. I have my own opinion about this but I really want to invite yours here first.

Some people may say that what she is doing is awesome because in an industry that usually tends to manufacture and churn out one look (long weave, tight skimpy clothes), little Willow is creating her own style. Her mom even said on Oprah that she was glad Willow's beauty didn't depend on the length of her hair. Others, however, might feel that she is just too young to take such liberties with her hair and clothes and that she should be dressed in a manner more appropriate for a 9-year old.

So, what's your opinion? Do you like the look, the fact that she is possibly setting a new standard for what Black girls (heck all girls!) can look like and do? Or, do you agree with those who think it's a bit too much for a kid? Weigh in!

Sunday Cuteness: Willow Smith

This young lady has been all over the scene lately! With her new song Whip My Hair she is is really making waves on the airways. I want to talk about her hair more tomorrow and get your opinions. But, for today, just take a look at the many faces and styles of Lil Miss Willow Smith!

Two strand twisting it...

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Rocking the single braids...

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Funky Side-Shaved Straight Do....

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Jungle Prints with the Bouffant...

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Lenny Lenny Lenny!

Images from Essene.com

Is it just me or does Lenny just get better with time? I loved the locs, I loved the short chunky fro, and I love this nicely shorn look as well! Guys, take note. Sometimes nothing looks better than the classic short cut.

Lovely Locs Journey

In case you are on the fence about locking, check out BronzeGoddess01's video chronicling her journey to natural. Truly inspirational! Her hair looks more beautiful with each shot.

Seal's Stunning "Commitment": A Preview

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I belive I mentioned before how much I love the singer Seal. I have listened to his music since I was in middle school and I am super excited to hear these new tracks from his upcoming album Commitment. I wish I could go to iTunes right now to get it but I guess I will have to hold my horses until September 28th like everyone else!

Click HERE to listen to 6 of the 11 new tracks on Commitment and prepare to fall in love with Seal all over again! I really really really like the third one, Secret.

What is a REAL woman anyway?

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There is so much debate over the media's impact on women and self esteem. On the one hand, we are supposed to love our bodies, no matter what the shape or size. Embracing ourselves just the way we are seems to be a common theme among talk show hosts and columnists alike. On the other hand, however, we are bombarded with messages that we need the latest this or that to make us thinner, prettier, younger, healthier, richer, more popular, etc. Whew! It can really confuse even the most grounded of girls out there.

As a school counselor, I see many young women and men who struggle with self-image on a daily basis. As a counseling intern, I remember co-leading a girl's group on self esteem when we began to talk about body types. The goal of the session was to help the girls identify the ways in which the media uses advertising to get us to feel a certain way about ourselves so we buy their products. One girl made a comment about "skinny models" and the other girls quickly jumped on board, ready to bash any woman they found among the pages who was tall and thin. Just then, the counselor I was working with made the comment that we must be careful about going too far in the other direction, that there are some women out there who are naturally tall and skinny just like there are those who are more pear shaped or "big boned". It was a light-bulb moment for me to think about what she was saying.

So often we are taught that real women are not skinny or thin or model-like at all. Real women have curves, hips, thighs, meat on their bones. But, the counselor was right. Some women are just naturally small. Does that mean they are no longer "real"? What is real? Why do we as women feel that we can only be validated if we devalue someone who is different? I say ALL women are real women.

I walked away from group that day, hoping that the girls took away the same message that I did. You don't have to stand in opposition to something or someone to find the beauty within yourself. Someone else does not have to become ugly or less than just so you can be worthy. I guess in the same way, we can apply this to other beauty standards like skin color or hair type/texture. One does not have to be made bad so that the other is good. Light is not better than dark, dark is not better than light. Equally, natural is not better than permed just like permed is not better than natural. It is all good.

What's your opinion?

Corinne at the House of Blues in New Orleans

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Singer Corinne Bailey Rae looks heavenly here at the House of Blues in New Orleans. I am really loving the longer, fluffier hair on her.