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.

Catwalk Copy…

Cassie, Tracee and Malinda Williams all rock the Diane von Furstenberg 'Kipper' Blouse in their own style

I’ve received 5 emails from readers asking me where to find the shirt Tracee is wearing with her pencil skirt in the 'Just Pencil Me In' post below. I couldn’t find the exact cut as the ladies above, but I did find the a shirt with the same print (Diamond Confetti) at Nordstorm. It costs $198, but see below for some cheaper alternatives in red, much like the other 'Kipper’ shirt Diane von Furstenberg showed during her Fall 2006 runway show.
Left to Right: Pattern Tie Waist Blouse, $10.00, www.wetseal.com; Anson Top, $29.99, www.gojane.com; Charmeuse Poet Sleeve Top, $24.50, www.wetseal.com

Style on the Go...

UNICEF Ambassador India.Arie attending the Third Annual UNICEF Snowflake Ball at Cipriani's 42nd Street on Tuesday in New York City.
Ashanti appearing onstage during MTV's Total Request Live at the MTV Times Square Studios on Tuesday in New York City.
Cassie arriving at the Fendi party celebrating their new line of bags "B.MIX" which will be released in the spring/summer of 2007 at the National Stadium last night in Tokyo, Japan.
Paula Patton attending the Touchstone Pictures world premiere of "Deja Vu" at the Ziegfeld Theatre last week in New York City.

I had no idea India Arie had been appointed the position of UNICEF Ambassador… Congratulations to her. She looks fantastic in this dress. She wears long evening gowns well. Read more about her UNICEF role here.

Ashanti is making the media rounds to alert people that she’s still alive! She made stops at MTV’s TRL and Sucker Free Sunday as well as 106 & Park all on the same day. She looked great and I loved her hair, although that quiff is a little passé.

Paula Patton is fast becoming the next black A-lister actress. I’m glad too, because I sometimes get a little fed up of watching films starring Gabrielle and Sanaa, as much as I love them. Here she is at the “Déjà vu” premiere which I must watch it soon. I wonder why she never walks the red carpet with her husband Robin Thicke?

Finally, Cassie is sticking to what she does best and that’s looking good on the red carpet. Whilst I wish her skirt was a bit longer she’s working the whole look to perfection. See more pics of Fendi’s B.Mix bag here. I love the silver one!

Style on the Go...

Eve backstage during her Total Request Live appearance at the MTV Times Square Studios yesterday in New York.
Cassie posing at the press conference for the NFL Opening Kickoff 2006 at the Loews Hotel last night in Miami Beach - Diddy, Danity Kane and Young Joc were also present.
Jurnee Smollett arriving at the premiere of "Gridiron Gang" at the Chinese Theater the Wednesday just gone in LA.
Lil' Kim arriving at the M.A.C. Viva Glam VI dinner to benefit Aids research at Cedar Lake yesterday evening in New York City.

Who is Jurnee Smollett you say... Remember that little girl from 'Eve's Bayou'? The main characeter who played Meagan Good's sister? That is her! She certainly grew into a beautiful young woman. Eve and Lil' Kim are scaring me with their respective looks.... Eve's hair is just plain frightening and I see she's feeling the current plaid trend and even though purple is my favorite color, Lil' Kim has managed to repulse me in that outfit. Cassie on the other hand is rocking that belt-over-a-man's-shirt look, I think it's cute but I don't know if i'd actually have the nerve to work it on the streets of D.C. I saw a girl in a club once wearing just a shirt, some 3-inch heels and a big afro... babygirl looked F.I.E.R.C.E!

2006 Video Music Awards...

Beyonce and Rihanna looking 'virginal' in white!
Kelis and Cassie.
Jlo and Ciara.
Christina Aguilera and Monica.

The 2006 MTV Video Movie Awards occured yesterday evening, and here is the breakdown... Jlo killed that outfit with the headscarf, pure and simply! Christina's dress is show-stopping, but I've never been a fan of her bright blonde hair and red lipstick. Ciara could, and should, have tried a little harder, while Monica needs to revert back to a darker and more natural hair color. The top four ladies looked great, though Cassie should have left the necklace at home! See more pics below...

VMA's continued...

Lorianne of MTV's 'Making the Band' and La La
Vanessa Millino and Paris Hilton (!)
Danity Kane and The Simmons family - It's been a good year for both groups.
Inside the VMA's... Nicole and Jessica.
Rihanna & Cassie and sisters, Solange and Beyonce.

I think Solange, Beyonce and Jessica Simpson look stunning in the above pics. Black hair definitely suits Solange it warms up her face which sounds like a funny thing to say, but golden blonde hair doesn't work on everyone. MTV presenter Vanessa Millino, wore a simply gorgeous dress and her colleague, La La looked nice, but I'm not fully convinced by hers! Paris Hilton and Lorianne need to go sit down somewhere. I'll never know what possesed both of them to wear those boots!

Credit: Juicy News for the pics!

Cassie

Cassie at the 'Scarface The World Is Yours' video game launch.
Yes we've all seen the infamous clip of Cassie's 106 & Park 'performance' (and if you haven't here it is... click here!) But despite her shortcomings, i've always liked this outfit which she wore earlier this year on the red carpet. I'm a sucker for dresses worn over pants and this colorful top is really girly and playful! The Forever 21 top below comes pretty close...

Steal Cassie's Style...

Top: Solar Flare Tunic, $17.80, Forever 21
Jeans: Crinkled and Creased Jeans, $34.80, Forever 21

Shoes: Pawla, $44.95 (On Sale!), Steve Madden
Bag: Top shelf Moto bag, $139.00, www.akostyle.com

This look is quite casual, i'd probably wear it to the movies or a music concert. Be sure to add some cute jewelry to the look to give it some shine!

Style on the Go...

Cassie at her self-titled, debut Album Release Party last night at Marquee in New York City Solange backstage at MTV's TRL yesterday
Danity Kane visited TRL on Monday to promote their new album
Eva Mendes was also at TRL on Monday to promote her new movie 'Trust the Man'

It's all about promotion people and the above ladies aren't messing about! Cassie really needs all the help she can get because if you've been reading other entertainment blogs like me, you'll know about the outrage over her 106 & Park performance last night! - Being cute in this world will take you far! As for Danity Kane, i'm actually feeling their style and music, but being signed to Bad Boy has pretty much sealed their fate! I don't know why Solange is promoting that straight-to-DVD mess, but WHATEVER pays the bills! And finally, Miss Eva Mendes, who I personally think is stunning, is out promoting a movie i've heard nothing about!...Get it together Fox Searchlight Pictures!

Note: Unless you are blind in your left eye, you should have noticed the 'Style Watch' feature on the left sidebar... Keep your good eye on it for all the latest red carpet and celebrity party trends! ;)