When singer Cassie first shaved her head a year ago, no one could have imagined the phenomenon the style would become. Countless celebrities have jumped on the shaved-head bandwagon, including young Willow Smith. But if you think Willow -- who is no stranger to eclectic style -- was inspired by the likes of Cassie, La La Vazquez or Melanie Brown, you're wrong. Jada Pinkett Smith hit up the 'George Lopez Show' recently and revealed the shocking inspiration behind her daughter's wild haircut – her grandmother!

As the summer season rolls around, you can expect to see warmer weather and brighter colors. And I'm not just talking about clothes -- I'm talking hair! Celebrities like Keri Hilson and Raven-Symone have added new shades to their tresses, and if you're thinking about doing the same, there are some things you might want to think about beforehand.

Coloring your hair is a great way to switch up your 'do, but if it isn't done properly, it can damage your locks. Few women think about the products they put in their hair these days, which is why salon hair color brand Wella Professionals has embarked on a mission to educate women on hair color with its Hair Discovery Tour. The tour, which launched last week in New York City, gives those who attend free hair color consultations 25 percent off Wella hair services at a participating salon.

Black Voices caught up with celebrity hair colorist Aura Freidman -- who has worked with the likes of Lady GaGa and M.I.A. -- at last week's event to discuss alternatives to permanent hair coloring, her take on box dyes and tips for black women who dye their hair.

When Brenda McElmore showed up to get her hair dyed at a local JCPenney salon in Downey, Calif., she probably didn't expect to hear "no." Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened. According to McElmore, the receptionist at the front desk told her, "We don't do African American hair." McElmore says she was "astonished" to be denied service strictly because of her race.

After writing several letters to JCPenney about the incident, a representative responded with an apology, explaining that the "salon's receptionist did not feel [the salon's employees] had the technical proficiency to perform the service required." McElmore was not satisfied with that answer. "If you only want color -- I'm not asking for a perm or a style or anything else -- it doesn't take a special person or a special skill to do that," she said during a press conference last month .

McElmore recently called upon prominent defense attorney Gloria Allred to represent her in a lawsuit against JCPenney. In the lawsuit, Allred charges that JCPenney violated California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits businesses from denying services based on race.

Black Voices contacted Allred's office and was informed by an employee that JCPenny has yet to respond to the lawsuit; they have 30 days to do so.

This incident raises an important question: "Should hairdressers be equipped to do all types of hair regardless of where they work?"