Hair Stories: To Shave Or Not To Shave

Cassie Ventura, Lala Vasquez and Keyshia Cole all took the plunge and shaved one side of their head!

1. ConAirPro Moda Groom Single Speed Clippers, $79.99, www.groomers.com 2. Creme Of Nature Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo, Kiwi & Citrus, $3.99, www.walgreens.com 3. Kidada For Disney Couture Pocahontas Gold, $78.16, www.asos.com 4. John Hardy Baby Monkey Silver & Black Palm Wood Hair Brush, $52.50, www.jewelrygalboutique.com 5. Aveda Brilliant Humectant Pomade, $22.59, www.target.com 6. Orangewood Large Porcupine Boar Brush, $6.99, www.sallybeauty.com 7. scunci Classic Pins. $1.29, www.walgreens.com 8. Tui Leave in Conditioner, www.carolsdaughter.com

It used to be that the ultimate hairstyle statement for a woman was to shave your head bald (or close), but these days celebs have put their own twist on the avant-garde style. If your not sure that you, or your head shape, can pull off a completely shaved look, ease yourself into the style by going partially bald first. Cue Cassie Ventura, Lala Vasquez, Keyshia Cole, Raven Symone and the pioneer Kelis. They've all put their unique interpretation of the style by adding hair dye, patterns, track lines and even ultra girly curls on the side of the head still with hair.

If you're going to try this style be prepared. Stock up on bobby pins to stop your long sided hair from falling across the border. Also, invest in a good pomade to keep your shaved side neat and frizz free. As always, keep your hair healthy with a good conditioner like Carol's Daughter's Tui Leave-in and Creme of Nature's moisturizing shampoo. So come on ladies, do Grace Jones proud and get the clippers out!

Style Inspiration: Good Girl Gone Bad

Rihanna Eats Outside of Da Silvano in New York City on June 19, 2007.

Mya and Cassie channel their bad side with leather and patant respectively.

Turtkeneck: Thalia Top, $19.80, www.forever21.com; Necklace: Mingled Half Moon Necklace, $7.80, www.forever21.com; Hobo Bag: Crescent Ring Brass Studded Hobo, $129.99, www.shoplush.com; Studded Bangle: Studded Bangle, $4, www.charloterusse.com; Belt: Wide Spot Elastic Belt, $50, www.topshop.com; Leather Jacket: Nappa Leather Jacket $3270, www.net-a-porter.com; Red Bangle: Leather And Rivet Wristband, $24, www.topshop.com; Platform Shoes: Trippin, $119.95, www.stevemadden.com; Shorts: Linen High Waist Short, $22.50, www.wetseal.com; Skinny Pants: Piper Embroidered Pocket Pant, $32.50, www.alloy.com; Gloves: Wrist Length Stretch Fishnet Gloves with Dot Pattern, $9.99, www.greatglovesonline.com; Black Vest: Filippa Sequin Top by K Karl Lagerfeld, $290, www.net-a-porter.com; Thigh-High Boots: Black Thigh High Boots, $59.99, www.buycostumes.com; Ruffle Shirt: Chiffon Ruffle Top, $25.50, www.wetseal.com; Ankle Boots: Wrap Bootie, $29.63, www.alloy.com; Clutch: Oversized Distressed Bordeaux Clutch, $46, www.amiciaccessories.com; Chain Bracelet: Brass Knuckle Bracelet, $9.99, www.girlprops.com; Black Bangle: Ruby Panther Bangle by Mawi, $466, www.my-wardrobe.com; White Vest: StarLogoTank, $62, www.blackgirlsrockinc.com

Every girl has a bad side. Yes, even you. Dig deep. It’s in there somewhere! Every now and again we need to mix it up a little wardrobe-wise and nothing does that more than bad ass style. If you need a little help bringing out your wild side, just try throwing on some leather, strap on gravity defying boots, draw on some Amy Winehouse-esque eyeliner and strut like it’s your birthday! Take style tips from the three ladies above. Mya dared to take on leather pants – we all know how unforgiving they can be. She softened the look a little by teaming leather with black, chiffon frills. Cassie walked the red carpet in daring thigh-high, patant boots. And Ms. Rihanna, the undisputed princess of darkness, kept it simple with a black vest and skinny jeans, however her brass knuckle boots by Dsquared² took this look to the next level (the real brass knuckles on her hands didn’t hurt the look either). If this is all a bit too vampish for you, try an alternative take on the “good girl gone bad” theme. This Party dress by the theUrbanCollection.com screams “I’m a non-conformist but I don’t take myself too seriously.” After all, being bad should be fun.

I Love My Beanie!

Cassie appearing at MTV's Total Request Live at the MTV Times Square Studios on November 16, 2006 in New York City.

Kelly Rowland out and about in NYC on July 11, 2007.

Malinda Williams attending the Lionsgate screening of "Pride" on March 19, 2007.

British singer Leona Lewis outside The Ivy Restaurant in Beverly Hills, Calfornia on August 3rd, 2007.

If your grandma still knits you “clothes” this would be a good time to ask her to make you something you’ll actually wear. These crochet beanies or berets have been around since the beginning of time. The first time I saw one was on my friend who told me she bought hers in Jamaica. Not strictly for winter, these cozy hats finish the ultimate “I just threw this together” look to any outfit.

The Evolution of the Shirt Dress...

Amerie spotted in London on July 23rd, 2007 while checking into her hotel to promote her new single 'Gotta Work' in London, UK.

Cassie poses at the press conference for the NFL Opening Kickoff 2006 at the Loews Hotel on September 6, 2006 in Miami Beach, Florida.

Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett, member of R&B girl group Danity Kane, attends XXL magazine's Hip-Hop Soul Issue Release Party at Tenjune on December 11, 2006 in New York City.

Tracee Ellis Ross, in a Thakoon for the Gap shirt, at Vogue's Gap/CFDA Party in April, 2007.

This is not your conventional shirt dress. This breed is inspired by what you’d find in your man’s closet. Remember that episode of Sex and the City where Carrie and Big fall into the lake? Carrie heads back to Big’s apartment to change and ends up walking home in one of his shirts. That’s what this look is all about. Looking like you’ve casually thrown on your man’s shirt and you look better in it than he does. Now these shirt dresses do have a feminine edge with cinched in waists and frills despite their masculine undertones. See below for My Picks!

Beach Babes

Beyonce on holiday in South of France on June 15th, 2007.

Selita Ebanks shooting the latest Victoria’s Secret swimwear campaign last month.

Serena poolside on vacation on June 26th, 2007.

Mariah on holiday last week.

Cassie on vacation in Miami December 30th, 2006.

I’m about to go on holiday to Miami and best believe my bikini body workout schedule is in full effect! I have a shape similar to Beyonce’s (though my legs are nowhere near as toned!), so I’m looking for bikini’s that show off my curves but hold everything in. Let me tell you about a mortifying experience I had in Jamaica once. My best friend decided to take me to all the must-see landmarks of her great island and I was enjoying the personal tour until we got to Dunn Rivers Falls. I had no idea that we had to climb this thing and turned up dressed in a completely inappropriate bikini. Suffice to say the strong currents and jagged rocks pulled my bikini bottoms down not once, but a horrifying four times during our climb. My fellow tourists were highly amused but I’m still traumatized. I’m not going out like that this year so I’m taking plenty of sports bikinis (basically anything without strings!).

A Black and White Affair…

Thandie Newton and Eva Mendes attending the launch party for new range of bags created by Mulberry for Giles, at Harvey Nichols, London in January 2007.

Angela Bassett attending the ceremony honoring Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this week in Hollywood.

Cassie posing backstage after her appearance on MTV's Total Request Live last September in New York City.

Sanaa Lathan at the Cosmopolitan Magazine launch of Bebe Sport with Eva Longoria last March.

Kimora Lee Simons posing in the lobby during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2007 in New York City.

Kelly Rowland with designer Tracy Reese backstage at the Tracy Reese Fall 2007 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in the Promenade in Bryant Park this February in NYC.

Sorry the posts have been slow this week I’ve been busy with papers and then blogger was acting up. Anyway, monochrome prints are going to be hot this summer but if you don’t do pretty patterns opt for block colors. Black and white stripes like Cassie and Thandie’s give this look a harder edge.