Amber Rose made it hot, while Cassie, Rihanna and LaLa Vasquez have all put their asymmetrical spin on the style. Bald is back in a big way, and I know trendsetters out there are looking for ways to rock the look. 
From encountering women who have decided to take the leap, I've come to realize that the reasons for going bald can vary. It can begin with a passion for fashion -- as evident in this video, where Trinidadian model and fashion designer Yoko explains why she decided to shave her head back in the Eighties. Medical reasons can also lead to a woman rockin the bald head -- for example, women who suffer with alopecia, like Julia Crittendon, or women with cancer, like an alumni of my high school, Omonike Robinson-Pickering.
Forgive me for stating it bluntly, but going bald takes balls. It's for the brave and the bold, women who are ready to accept getting stared at everywhere.
And believe it or not, it isn't always as easy as shaving your head. But of course, it starts there. Here are five steps towards becoming a beautiful bald woman.
Step 1 - Shave it off. For a first timer, it's advisable to either go to a barber or hairdresser. Have them cut off your hair -- perhaps it can be donated to Locks of Love, or some similar service. Then you can either go super cropped -- use clippers with no guard, or an electric razor. Or if you want that cue-ball shine, try out the HeadBlade, a specially devised razor that rolls over your head's every curve and bump, shaving the surface as closely as possible.
Step 2 -- maintainance. Now that your scalp's totally exposed, you're unlikely to have a dandruff problem lurking in your roots. But your scalp does continue to produce oils and occasional flakes. Use a good face wash that fits your needs, and once a week or so, use an exfoliating wash like Ambi Even and Clear, or St. Ives Apricot Scrub.
Step 3 - protection. Your tender head is now fully exposed to the elements! So protect yourself from head to toe with sunscreen. Your skin up there is sensitive and yes, you can get a nasty sunburn, so go for something with a decent level of SPF. Coppertone Faces is great, and for all-over head and face use there's RX for Brown Skin.
Step 4 -- Learn how to work it. Let's be honest here -- a bald head can either make you look elfin and ethereal, or like an alien from outer space. The shorter your hair, the more noticeable your facial features become. So play up your best assets with some fly makeup and set it off with bold earrings. Theres nothing like a fierce bald woman. They're gonna be staring at you anyway, why not give em something pretty to look at?
Step 5 - Rock it with confidence. Whether you've gone bald because of desire or necessity, there might be moments where you feel overwhelmed by the response of others. Brush that away and hold your beautiful bald head high. Half of the time, the people who are gawking at you might be thinking -- I wish I was as brave as she is!
Have you ever gone super short? Bald? What was your experience like? Share your story!
Photo credit .. that's Danielle Evans, winner of Cycle 6 of America's Next Top Model!


Comments: (27)
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By: Michael C Walsh on 7/27/2009 9:10PM
Michelle, get your hair cut again just like your husbands and then you can be as arrogant as he is. Where are your $800.00 pair of shoes and your $2,000.00 purse. How do all you obamaniacs like the tranparency and change.
The only change I see is the change left in my sons College fund. He is a Coward and a Liar.
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By: maryann on 7/28/2009 12:25PM
worked for 25 yrs went to the beauty shop every
wk money money money.retired 2001,been short and sassy ever since my barber keeps me tight
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By: luvergirl on 7/28/2009 3:43PM
I have been wearing my hair natural.. And I love it. I experiment with it left and right. Natural hair is the best. White women laugh at Black women who wear weaves. I personally have no desire to look like a white women myself. They are just as average as the rest of the other races. People want to look like what they look like on T.V. White people don't really loook like the people THEY see on T.V. they think they do but they don't.
lo. Those people have plastic surgery and only look good because of that fact. Weaves are ok, just make them look natural.. You have to have long hair to begin with to wear weaves. Weaves do not look good on people with short hair because it's so noticeable.
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By: Shaniqua A. Jenkins on 7/28/2009 7:35PM
Sisters have been rocking the bald fade for centuries with little fan fare. How in the world did "Amber Rose" make it hot? Hmph
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By: nichole on 7/30/2009 7:47AM
I am a girl whit alopecia. And i've had it since i was born. I'm now almost 18 and over the years i've learned to deal with people staring and everything else that comes with. When i was 5 my older sister would tell me stick your tongue out at the people who stare. And ever since, i have and it's hilarious! I think the women that do cut their hair off, are beautiful. I'd love to see more of it everywhere.
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By: pweekes on 7/30/2009 10:17AM
I feel ,solange u go girl dont let society dictate and define u by ur hair . Women need to just BE .
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By: The V.A.C. on 9/02/2009 4:21AM
I am a black woman and I have female pattern baldness. Im losing more and more hair everyday and eventually I will have to shave it off or wear a wig. I have it cut pretty short now yet long enough to cover. I shaved my head 4 years ago and I looked fine as hell. I got so many compliments from people. My sister said I should be on an Ambi bottle lol. Now the fact that i may need to shave my head isnt so sweet because my fiancee who is black and korean says that he may not be attracted to me with a shaved head and that he isnt attracted to them at all. I wish black men would grow the hell up and stop being so superficial. It's only hair and we are beautiful with it or without it.
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