Our favorite Spice gal, Mel B, sits pretty at the launch of Mel B's Sugar Factory Couture Lollipops at Guys and Dolls Lounge this week in L.A. What do you think of Melanie Brown's chignon? Does it age the hot mommy, or is it just the right touch of sophistication for the occasion? The messy bun at the nape of her neck is a nice flourish, but I'm feeling very Libra on this updo.

So for all you who have to see to believe, here's the step-by-step of my very first weave by Miss Dana Gibbs. To get the story behind the weave, go here, 'In Search of Joan (or my very first full weave.)'

THE HAIR:

Conventional wisdom has come a long way when it comes to weaves.

As Marvet Britto recalled in that awful documentary "Good Hair," she used to have to sneak into the backdoor of Extensions Plus in L.A. back when there was shame in the weave game. Nowadays, between Tyra Banks' obsession, Beyonce's blond rivlettes, and the sheer ubiquitousness of it, the weave has come out of the hair closet and into the bright lights!

But that's not why I decided to get one. I decided it was just time. I wanted to try something new. In fact, when I walked into my house after my very first weave, my husband was like, that's not a weave! I guess it has to be long and flowing (or he wanted me to look like Beyonce). It was a paradox of sorts -- a weave that looked like "natural" hair.

And then there was Joan.