Sept. 8, 2009 was not only the second Tuesday of the month my sweets. This day, according to media mogul and our best girlfriend, Tyra Banks, was National Real Hair Day!
Accordingly, Miss Tyra, for the season premiere of her talk show, 'The Tyra Banks Show,' revealed her very natural hair. Well, not natural, but real.
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Until now, Tyra has been the unapologetic poster child for the weave (she rocks a new look almost daily between her talk show and the other show she hosts, 'America's Next Top Model') -- the lace-front specifically. As the lead-up to the show, she promised:
"This season on 'The Tyra Show,' we're taking it to the next level and getting more real than ever before by encouraging women everywhere to own and rock what they've got and be proud!"
(Tyra after getting her hair styled -- in all of its weave-free glory!)
Tyra came out with her hair wet (and pretty long), and invited studio audience members on stage to touch and feel her hair and scalpto ensure that it was in fact, real.
Tyra then had her personal stylist Oscar do her hair before the studio audience after he cut three inches. Guest Perez Hilton said it was quite "coquettish."
Tyra Banks: "I feel like it's my responsibility to redefine true beauty, so I've shown myself with no makeup and now I'm showing my real hair -- and it's all because I want more women to be proud of who they are...inside and out."
Before the "reveal," our Afrobella asked whether this was a one-day thing or forever? (Answer: for the season, off and on.) And, frankly, do we care? Clutch mag pointedly asks what Tyra is trying to say by using the word "real" instead of "natural": "But seriously, we applaud Tyra for trying to bring earthiness and naturalness back to beauty, but we don't know about all that realness stuff . Why? Because realness is supposed to be inside a person, right? Not outside. And you can be as natural as the dirt on the ground and still not be real inside. And that's real talk." Well, Tyra used the word "real" because her hair is definitely chemically enhanced. Now, you can't expect Tyra to come out with no weave AND an Afro, right? Talk About It: The BV Community Sounds off on Tyra's Hair
Tyra, who said she will wear her natural hair as well has her usual wigs and weaves for the entire season of the show, stressed that weaves should always be an "option, like a hat you take off and have fun with."
The College Survival Guide
A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.
Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.
Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.
Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.
MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.
Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age
Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.
Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.
Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.
Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!
Comments: (297)
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By: dee on 9/08/2009 10:10PM
Her hair is pretty. However, I was a bit disappointed. I was waiting to see her truly "natural" without process and kinky.I wonder if she will ever truly "rock the real"? It would be powerful and truly a statement to young black females.
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By: MITA on 9/09/2009 7:45AM
TYRA'S HAIR IS BEAUTIFUL. DEE YOU SOUND VERY JEALOUS.
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By: Hagler on 9/09/2009 10:21AM
Obviously, you are not african-american, or you would know that once hair is relaxed it is permanent, hence the term "perm". The only way you will see kinky hair, is for her hair to grow out a little and for her to cut off the relaxed hair!
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By: Brenda Fox on 9/09/2009 1:33PM
Hair is the subject. If you saw Tyra in the movie “Higher Learning”(1995 movie) ( her real natural state) it would make you wonder whether she is really natural meaning length and thickness. Take a look. If she is natural it took her 14 years to get that look. It could be that we need to know the difference between reality and fiction. I do believe it is a reality that models aren’t naturally flawless but people who are tall thin and can be made the American standard of beauty by way of make-up, hair pieces clothes, accessories and air-brush, that is marketable. Tyra along with all of the runways I’ve seen fit’s that description. The style looks nice on her. I wouldn’t take her quoted natural length hair look the way most took Monique’s big beautiful women comedy production though. Productions are productions. She waited 14 years until she made the real her to solve the mystery. Conceivably, she may have extensions. Check her out in “ Higher Learning”
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By: dilutedafrican on 9/09/2009 7:16PM
what if tyras real hair is not kinky or very kinky? I am Tyra Banks complexion and am
African american and my hair is mostly straight I can where it cury or straight without processing it. What difference doe it make she is beautiful whether in natural processed or a weave. I agree with Tyra weaves and wigs are like wearing a hat. It is just fashion to me.
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By: Seana on 9/09/2009 10:23PM
How do you know that her real hair isn't already in it's natural state? Furthermore, why do people even care. I hate all of the attention that black women receive over whether or not their hair is real, wig or weave. It's nobody's business one way or the other. I think we've got much more important things to worry about today other than who's hair is what. WHO CARES!!! And by the way, I think Tyra's hair is beautiful.
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By: xav on 9/12/2009 10:19PM
well i think going just natural is the first step. if she was to go natural she would have to shave off all her hair and start from new. but i think this is the first step and she looks great especially with the new 'do
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By: The Man on 9/09/2009 7:14AM
I just always find it so funny how we as people regardless of race look at each other and be so judgmental of each other when a lot of times the things that we are judging and COMMENTING on in the case of aol "add a comment" is the same thing we are doing, have done and will continue to do so. As the late great MJ said in one of the many hits he gave the world and the hit Siedah Garrett penned ..."The Man In The Mirror" ... If we take the time to be as judgemental to ourselves as we are of others ... this world would be such a better place from that one small observation alone. Those it matter if Tyra hair is process or natural ... its still not a weave or wig or pieces or ect.... but her own naturl her from the root which makes it REAL regardless of what touches may be done to it ... we shine and polish our old shoes when the become dull ... those that make them now NOT shoes because the original shine has a new lawyer on it ... GET A LIFE ... LOLOL
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By: Eros on 9/10/2009 2:33AM
What else is new?!
She is still and will always be who she is (Tyra Banks)... with or without whatever they call those hats she chooses to wear which of course is no skin off my nose.
Don’t take yourself so seriously, folks. We're all here to discuss the subject, and more importantly, to have fun. Now go get yourself into some OCD treatment program-you obviously need it if you actually read all of this mess.
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By: C. Tucker on 9/12/2009 9:08PM
Thank you for your comment. People need to mind thier own business. You're right MJ said it best. Take a look at YOURSELF!
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