When actress and comedienne Kim Coles decided around the new year to shed her trademark microbraids for a headful of her own cinnamon-toned natural coils, she couldn't have imagined the avalanche of support that was to follow.

"I had no idea that this would take off like this, but it's a pleasant surprise. I had no idea that chopping off my hair would be adding to my brand as well," Coles says, admitting that watching naturalistas share their stories on YouTube and other social media forums is her new obsession. "I am amazed and delighted by what I learned from these girls."

Thinking about skipping the gym because you don't want to mess up your hair? Well, fitness guru Donna Richardson Joyner has a message for you: Get over it!

"What good would it be if you had a fabulous 'do but then we are visiting you in the hospital because you didn't take care of yourself?" Richardson Joyner asks, adding, "if we think about our health like we think about our hair, we would be superfine and super fit."

Actress Nia Long recently passed the torch as Dark and Lovely spokeswoman to Eddie Murphy's daughter, Bria Murphy. Long was on hand Tuesday for the 21-year-old Murphy's launch party at the Juliet Supper Club in New York. Murphy's family members, including her dad, sister, Shayne, dad and ex-model mom, Nicole Mitchell, also were in attendance.

Once known for donning waist-skimming locs, Goapele is turning heads with a cornrow-design updo that is truly a work of art.

For those who may remember, on first sight Goapele's natural coiffure is a throwback to the chic braided styles that actress Cicely Tyson wore in '70s. But Goapele, whose father is South African, says the hair creations worn by the late South African singer Miriam Makeba married with styles typically worn on straighter hair served as inspirations for the look seen above -- think the bouffant hairstyles of the '50s or the teased and overly hair-sprayed 'dos of the '80s.

Before 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star NeNe Leakes recently broke her weave addiction and began sporting a natural short 'do, she turned to Atlanta celebrity hairstylist Derek J to create a similar look using a weave.

"She had another stylist for the third season to create her new short coif," says Derek J. , who styled NeNe's hair for the series first reunion show and throughout its second season. Derek J, owner of The J. Spot Salon, also took R&B singer Tweet to shorter lengths using the same weaving technique.

Since Leakes' debuted the Derek J-styled short-weaved look two years ago, more women have requested similar styling that would allow them to don a spiky pixie cut -- like his clients Nicole Ari Parker and Terri J. Vaughn -- without sacrificing their long tresses. This is one of the reasons for the faux cut's popularity.

The weave's color, how it's cut and styling are key to successfully pulling this look off, Derek J says. "The cut is really big because you want it to lay and flow like natural hair," he stresses.