Why Kelly Rowland's Transparency is Greatly Appreciated

By: India Hill

Kelly Rowland releases another soon-to-be hit record with her new single “Dirty laundry.” a raw ballad where she speaks of private issues she’s dealt with over the years, such as being in an abusive relationship, and feeling jealousy over her former group mate, Beyoncé.

The record is very deep and surprising, as she sings that her former abuser told her “Don’t Nobody Love You but Me, Not Your Mama, Not Your Daddy and Especially Not Bey,”

Interview: Miss SC USA 2013: Megan Pinckney

By: India Hill

Miss SC USA 2013 is Megan Pinckney, a Senior at the University of South Carolina with a passion for fashion and inspiring young girls everywhere. Read&Indulge as this Charleston, SC native talks about her platform "Karacter Begins with K," what she does when the crown's not on, her take on being a women of color in the pageant industry, and so much more.

I'm in Seventeen Magazine! [April 2013 Issue]

Hey Reddlipstick Readers! I have some exciting news for you guys! As some of my readers know I visited NYC for the first time in December for a Seventeen Magazine photoshoot! I was chosen as a Hair Ambassador, advocating the process cutting my relaxed hair and growing out my natural texture.
Now, the magazine is finally here!!
I'm so excited. This is a huge thing for me because I feel like I'm helping the "natural" movement get shine in the best way I can.
And this is even more exciting to me from a journalist's point of view!
I love magazines so much. To get the chance to be a part of one is amazing.

The photoshoot was such an amazing experience! The other girls apart of the shoot were so nice and pretty, and the staff made everything so much more fun. 
 

Please go support by buying the April Issue of Seventeen Magazine [With Ashely Benson on the Cover, page 89.. yeah I'm childish! lol] and tweeting me, or Seventeen Magazine's twitter (@SeventeenMag) and telling us how excited you are about the article! 




Thanks Readers! If you have any questions, comments, etc you know where to reach me!!
XOXO

NEW POST: January Curlkit Unboxing!

Sorry so late guys! But here is the video. [Peep my twist out! lol] I'm gonna write a sum up of the video probably tomorrow. But until then, tune in!
xoxo!

Powerhouse Voices in Genre's Other than R&B

Reminiscent of the powerful voices such as the late Teena Marie, Christina Aguilera,and Mariah Carey, these girls have it. But the soulfulness and passion in their voices may not be recognized by the R&B heads today because these women aren't just singing R&B or soul music; they're singing pop, they're singing soft rock, they're acting on children's television, or hailing from Europe-- If you like Adele and Kelly Clarkson's voices, you'll love these girls.
Read&Indulge as we discover some of the big, soulful voices coming from these young girls.

VLOG: Natural Hair Product Haul/ Review

Hey Reddlipstick Readers! I made another video talking about all the products I've tried on my hair since I Big Chopped and how I felt about them! Alot of these products are from my December Curlkit. Do you have any products suggestions for me?
xoxo!

VLOG: I Big Chopped! + Seventeen Magazine Photoshoot!

Hey Reddlipstick Readers! This is kind of a personal vlog that I wanted to share with you guys! After 12 months of transitioning I FINALLY did the big chop! Yay! I owe some of the credit to everyone who participated in the Reddlipstick Natural Hair Campaign! I'm so excited about this natural journey!

Also, I had a photoshoot for Seventeen Magazine last month!!!! I was so excited and I'm so blessed and thankful for the opportunity! I was apart of a spread talking about transitioning hair.. so awesome!

It's the APRIL EDITION of Seventeen Magazine, so please support and go out and buy!

Thanks Readers!! xoxo

NEW POST: What's in my Curlkit? [UNBOXING]

Hey Reddlipstick Readers! I got my CurlKit Today! This is my first one and I'm excited! I started to do a video of the unboxing for you guys, but my transitioning is getting harder and harder these days and I was looking a tad bit wild! But I will do videos of the separate products for you guys.

Read&Indulge as we find out: What's in my Curlkit?

NEW MUSIC: TAMAR BRAXTON: LOVE & WAR.

Say what you want about Tamar Braxton: she may be over the top and dramatic, but the girl can SANG. 
Early this morning, Tamar released the first single to her album (expected to drop early 2013) called Love & War. No doubt inspired by the relationship with her and her husband, the big name in music (Producer, Writer, Manager of Lady Gaga) Vincent Herbert.
Tamar gives us her soprano and smooth runs on this mid-tempo track, written by Leshawn Daniels, who's written for a lot of the big names in the industry today (Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Brandy ...)
Although Tamar has been deemed the playful diva of both WEtv's Braxton Family Values and spin-off with her husband, Tamar and Vince, it seems that she's serious about her music.
What do you think? Can she get away from the tagline "Toni Braxton's little sister" and breakaway cleanly with her own musical career?
I personally think so. The girl's range is incredible. Kudos to you, Tamar! Reddlipstick Approved.

Not Convinced? Here are some other videos of Tamar singing:
         

  

                       
                                       

Interview W/ Elle Varner!

23 year old Gabrielle Varner, singer of "Refill" and "I Only Wanna Give It To You", graced the presence of my University last night for Homecoming! We were super excited to have her!

I had the pleasure of talking to Ms. Varner about her music, her possible upcoming single, being bullied, her relationship status and she even hit her Whistle Register for me! (The highest note on the piano-Mariah Carey does it all of the time).

And Ladies, you KNOW I had to ask her about her Natural Hair Care Regimen. What does she use on those curls?

Read&Indulge.

ONE WEEK UPDATE: Sheena's Hair Emporium Virgin Indian Curly!

Hey Reddlipstick Readers!

So, I've had this hair installed for a couple of weeks (1 week exactly when I recorded the video.) and I'm really loving it! It's low maintenance, and the curl pattern is beautiful.

When I first got the hair installed, I got ALL 3 Bundles (16, 18, 20) put in, and I thought I looked wild. It looked like soo much hair on my head! So different than anything else I've had. But I've gotten used to it and I REALLY love it!

My only real problem with the hair is figuring out how to blend my natural hair into the curl pattern. I've tried everything: From Bantu Knots, to Flexi Rods, Two-Strand Twists, Cloth-Clip-Roller-Thingies.. nothing really works.

The only thing that kind of works is the crimping iron! 

Zoe Saldana Cast to Portray Nina Simone? WTF?

*My impromptu, unpolished reaction to Zoe Saldana playing Nina Simone in a film*

Say it isn't so. Now, if you all have been reading my blog over the years, you know that I hate the color barriers that Blacks put on other Blacks. "Dark Skinned women are mean, all light skinned women aren't cute," you know, that sort of thing. I was in a one man argument when Essence Magazine did their "Celebrating Women of Color" photo shoot and didn't include one light skinned female. It should be equal.

BUT, this is ridiculous. Nina Simone, as you all know was the sassy, soulful singer from the 60s. With her lyrics celebrating her full lips, curvy hips, dark skin and nappy hair, you would think that Hollywood would the decency to cast someone who at least matched that description. so we could see the familiarity when we watch the movie. But Zoe Saldana? I respect her as a minority and a great female actress, but this is a women who identifies herself as Latina, AND NOT of African descent, celebrates her SLENDER frame with a lighter complexion.  This is a direct contrast to the late singer.

SNEAK PEEK: Sheena's Hair Emporium Virgin Curly Indian Hair + Natural Hair Updates!

Ok. I know I'm obsessing with the reviews and the videos right now. But that's okay, it's all leading up to something big I have planned ;)




So, as you guys know I'm transitioning into being natural (10 months post relaxer!) I had my previous protective style in for 3 months, so I decided to give my real hair a break.


I'm getting ready to put my hair back in a protective style for the fall (and for my birthday which is on the 25th of October!!) with:
Sheena's Hair Emporium Virgin Indian Curly Hair 
3 Bundles: 16, 18, 20

Designs By Day Phone Case GIVEAWAY + Update!

Hey Readers! It's my birthday month (Oct. 25!!) so I decided to host [Along with Dayontice, owner of Designs By Day] a giveaway for you guys!

The prize is a free, CUSTOM MADE Designs By Day Phone Case!

  

Lessons Learned From Karrueche

"Is There Such A Thing As Loving Two People?"

Is the question that Chris Brown poses on his mini-documentary that aired a few days after him and his girlfriend Karrueche called it quits. Needless to say, the break up stirred twitter and every other social network; some people calling it sad for Karrueche, other's feeling terrible for CB, and even some hating Rihanna for playing homewrecker.

Here's my thing: obviously a break up is never fun, and while my heart goes out to Karrueche (all three of them really), can you really feel totally and completely sorry for her?

Let me explain.

Zani Hair Company Final Review : Virgin Brazilian Body Wave

I've been in the reviewing mood lately! This review is of the Virgin Brazilian Body Wave I have installed, 2 bundles of 16 inches from Zani Hair Company. I've had it in for about a month and a half now. I'm not a hair guru or "weaveologist", just trying out protective styles because as of Dec. 2011, I've been transitioning into going Natural!

Shipping/Packaging: Was cool. I ordered on a Friday and received the hair that following Weds. or Thurs. The hair came tied with purple ribbon, and she included a hair care/instructions sheet.

Pros: The hair is really soft and low maintenance. Blends in really well with my natural hair. Her customer service was great, she was very helpful. The price of the hair was reasonable as well.

Cons: The hair did have a distinct smell. It went away with washing but came back when hair was wet or when I sweated in my hair. Also, the initial wave pattern went away when I washed my hair for the first time. I liked that better, so I'm not sure if this is a "con."

Overall: Hair is pretty nice. I would recommend it to somebody. I would give the hair 4 out of 5 ReddLips!

This was my 1st experience with Virgin Hair, what should I look for next time? Leave comments below!
xoxo!

COMMENT!!

Designs By Dayy Phone Case Initial Review!

Hey Reddlipstick Readers! I reviewed a phone case for y'all from designsbydayy.com.

The case was delivered Monday and received on Wednesday, so that's an A+ for shipping (which was said to be 2-3 business days).
I love the fact that the case came with a Thank You Card and a small gift! Soo thoughtful.
She designs for ALL phone cases, and iPads. She also does custom cases.
The case is true to life, VERY pretty. The only problem so far is that it doesn't cover or protect the front of the phone. BUT, it is a fashionable case, not solely meant to protect. Also, she has different case designs, some including front pieces.
This was just the INITIAL review, so I haven't had it long enough to see how it holds up over time.
ALL IN ALL, it was 5 out of 5 ReddLips! Definitely love the design.
Cases are $50, and I do believe they are worth it.
Check them out HERE: designsbydayy.com

COMMENT

Voting 101 With Bakari Sellers

With the Democratic National Convention being held in Charlotte, NC this week and the Presidential Election being right around the corner, I felt like it was important to not only keep my readers entertained, but INFORMED about the importance of voting!
I talked with Morehouse Graduate, House of  Representative Member AND First Vice Chairman of the SC Democratic Political Party, 27-year-old Bakari Sellers. Read&Indulge as he talks about the importance of being informed, voting, and his personal opinions about the race.

I: A lot of the people voting this time around are first-time voters, some just turning 18, and some are just getting registered. Why do you think it’s so important young adults ages 18-22 to vote?

B: 2008 was just the beginning. We need to make sure that it’s more for the good of country, something as simple as Pell Grants. We need to make sure that we are very vocal..because every vote really does matter, that’s not rhetoric at all, that’s the truth. We need to make sure that we are part of the process. If we aren’t apart of the process, our voice won’t be heard on Election Day.

I: That brings me to my next question; a lot of people choose not to vote because they feel as if their vote doesn't count. What do you think about that?

Q&A with Empire Girl: Adrienne Bailon!

As a former member of girl groups 3LW and The Cheetah Girls, Adrienne Bailon is no stranger to the industry. However, this 28 year old Latina Beauty continues to make a name for herself as she pursues her solo career with the help of Singer/Songwriter/Producer Ne-Yo, launches her nail polish line, clothing line.. and even more; all while she stars alongside Julissa Bermudez in the Style Network's Reality Series, Empire Girls.

Read&Indulge as we talk about being an Empire Girl, Empowerment, and all of the upcoming projects Adrienne has up her sleeve.

I: I was watching Empire Girls a couple of weeks ago, and I noticed you and Julissa have great chemistry. Your personalities are so opposite sometimes, it kind of balances out. It looks so natural the way you guys communicate, how long have y’all been friends before the show?

A: Juli and I have actually been friends for almost 10 years. We met in casting at a BET event; when I first met Juli she was the host of BET’s The Center, and I was in 3LW at the time. So we’d go to a lot of the same music industry events. So I met her in passing around that time, and then maybe a year later we actually filmed a movie together called “All You’ve Got,” it was an MTV movie, and that’s when we actually became friends. We became really close friends, because you know, we were filming together.. It was like a really,really great time for us to bond and become friends. Literally, we became so close so quickly that we ended up sharing a trailer. We asked to put our clothes in the same trailer and ended up sharing a trailer.

I Don't See Anything Wrong With Marrying Early.

With celebrities like 19 year old Miley Cyrus just announcing her engagement to 22 year old actor Liam Hemsworth and 19 year old singer Tiffany Evans, announcing that not only was she married since she was 17, but is also expecting, you can cue the elders saying that they are too young to get married, they don't know want their doing, they need to experience life, blahze', blahze', blahze.
I don't see anything wrong with two people wanting to get married early.
My question to you is, why does it seem like people want you to do everything in the world, and THEN get married?
People treat marriage as if it's the beginning of the school year after a long, fun summer vacation.
I'm just gonna hit a few key-points.
Mind you, no I am not married and don't have any immediate plans to. This is just my opinion.