Sunday 3 June 2012

My African (Head Wrap) Journey

Ever since I’ve chopped off em curly hair and rocking my short crop (which looked like a longer crew cut version by now) I’ve been out with gelled / moussed / non - gel or non - moussed hair peppered with 1 of my longtime love : African Head Wrap. Many times I’ve fantasised about Erykah Badu's mane (did you notice the height and bulk?).

The ever fabulous Ms Badu

I’ve always thought of African head wraps as alluring, sexy and well, I love wearing my colours and prints too (so what better way than that huh?). I've never worn any sort of head wrap back then only because I love showing off my permed curls (I wish I have em black girls’ natural hair, rocking it like Ashley Everett). 

Ms Everett rocking em sexy natural

I’ve worn em wraps (only with scarfs, gele is so hard to find here) and so far, I love it! What can I say? I just love the look, it makes you feel even more like a queen with it (plus you can protect your head from the sun). I’ve been complimented by strangers and friends alike, asking me to show em how. Malay girls (in the case of strangers) would top the list by being the 1st to compliment / ask for a how-to and I was more than happy to share with them.

Trust me, I’ve unwrapped and re-wrapped it dozens of times and of course I’ve also asked them to go to Youtube.com (for your viewing pleasure I've included it down under) and searched under African head wrap (where they could learn a few styles from all these wonderful ladies on Youtube.com) : 



 


And of course with the lack of volume, this video is most relevant for people just like me : 


I do agree with 1 of the ladies who did these tutorials; you could wrap the same way but it turns out differently each time. Marvellous isn't it? At the end of the day, keep adjusting those lines and play with your looks. It is really not unlike make up application even though this is way easier (for me at least). You’ll get it right J (got it done from my 1st attempt, it’s really that simple!).

Here are some pictures of me with my wraps and I’d like to share more of it but I always have a tendency to forget taking pictures, especially my own :

Sis's wedding banquet - Left (double scarf)

Right view

Casual weekend afternoon (single scarf)

Family dinner - Right (double scarf)

Left view

Friend's birthday celebration 1.0 - 1st wrap (double scarf)

2nd wrap on the same outing
(I re-wrapped it but see how diff?)

Friend's birthday celebration 2.0 (triple scarf)
- 1 for volume, 1 for hold, 1 for style

Several tips to keeping it real :

1) Use a pashmina or wig cap to protect hair from being damaged by your wrap material (if its coarse, such as materials like cotton).

2) Keep the materials light, you don't want achy shoulders or head with heavy stuff.

3) Wrap them all tight and secure but not so tight that you cut off circulation. You don't want to pass out, have migraine, aching shoulders or back now do you?

4) You don't even need any types of pin, just tuck it all in! If it's done properly you can even swing your head without it coming off!

I hope you will enjoy exploring your looks with African head wraps as much as I did! Hopefully next time I'd go out looking like this :

Who knew the after shower wrap style could be so hot?

Sunday 8 April 2012

What maketh a woman - Your Hair?

Funny how we ladies strive to go hairless with other parts of our body (think cream, shave, threading, wax, strips & lasers) but god forbid if we should suggest shaving the head bald! After getting my shave say, around 30 days ago for Bald for Fund, these were what had transpired (doesn't reflect sequence of event) :

- You are so brave! (from supportive attendees during events)

- Thank you so much for doing what you did (from organizer of event and also friends / their family who had brushes with cancer)

- OMG! You a hero(ine), (wo)man! (my friends during gathering)

- You still look cute / good (my darling & friends)

- I love a woman who's bald and daring (coming from a Malaysian malay male custom officer)

- It's good you doing a part for charity, good karma for your parents and your family, living or dead (coming from my aunt, late dad's side) - don't ask me how she knows, unless my mom / sis updates her or she saw it through the papers (i'm assuming here)

- Why did you do it? You crazy?! (from family, friends whatnots)

- Show me your bald head la! (from male friends mostly)

- 'Question mark hovering their head' & weird look & but too "polite" to ask hence they stare~

- You went for prayer is it? Or perhaps assumed I'm a nun when I had my scarf wrapped round my shoulder. Can't ppl differentiate robe or a pashmina? (some random ppl)

- How does it feel? Let me touch! (my girlfriend)

- Itchy or not? (my friends)

- Why you still have white hair 1? (my friends)

Only a shaved head can generate so much attention.. *Attention seekers out there, here's your cue*

Benefits for me :

1) When was the last time you went to a hairdresser without paying and he/she won't harm your life or threaten your family?

2) Less shampoo time

3) Less drying time

4) Don't need to use diffuser anymore

5) Grew stronger hair this time around?

6) Get to fashion myself after Nefertiti (you'll see future post about this ^_^)

Disbenefits for me :

1) I get sick from getting too hot or cold on my scalp so always have cap, beanie & scarves ready

2) Itch easier cos hair growing longer

3) Suddenly my head becomes a petting zoo or just any zoo (being looked at), maybe I should start charging?

Must always have a 'Before' pic, right?

Even though smiling, was afraid blade will cut me. I know, stupid right?

Hand almost numb from holding up my cut up curls, hehehe~

Thank god for his power of concentration, no injury XD

Who says you can't smile or laugh being bald?
Can't you see my bald head's shining with me too?

1st week after shaving. (Yes, i do go out au naturel)

2nd week after
(Can you see the peace sign, awareness ribbon & almost ankh-like symbol?)

3rd week (It grew so fast!)

Ok, I'm not lying, it really grew that fast!

Being bald does have some liberating effects.. My head is lighter, I don't have to worry about bed head, hair products or diffuser (else smelly scalp if left to dry naturally). Also, if i am any flatter on my chest or ass I'd probably pass as a dude. How cool is it to cross dress and travel the world (just like Daniela Sea from The L Word's fame)?

So ladies, does your hair maketh you the woman you are or the woman you are maketh the hair? If anyone should tell you that you are a lesser woman by the existence or the length of your hair, you can always do this :

I was cute until you made me do this~

Also, this video is dedicated to you ladies out there : 


Happy Sunday!

Thursday 22 March 2012

Funds not over, Bald Is Empowering

14 days ago...

16 ladies & 1 man...

Baring it all...

In Bald for Fund..

Benefiting Cancer Patients..

It's... (drum roll)

Bald Is Empowering!!!

(I imagined ads for American Idol or any other reality based shows, e.g. Iron Chef & etc while writing that)

I am grateful for the day that I met Shamaine Ho through Facebook (yes FB, you gave me so much. OK, i promise to love you long time) and lucky to be part of this meaningful cause. Without her, us baldies (for the 'Before' pictures of the 16 ladies, click here) will never get to participate, empowering ourselves and others, enabling sponsors to participate and last but not least : helping cancer patients by encouraging monetary donation from both corporations and public.

Attendance for the Bald for Fund was very encouraging, endless stream of words of support coupled with surprise and admiration for the ones lining up to be shaved. Some laughed, some tear a little and most are just overwhelmed by the loving, positive energies on the floor that day. See for yourself :

Bald For Fund @ A Cut Above, MidValley for MAKNA, NCSM & BCWA

Good music, good food & door gifts.. ooh la la~

Donate, donate, donate!

Thank you encouraging, supportive crowd!

The ladies and their last shot before the final cut~

None of them are the least bit worried or regretted their decision, KUDOS!

There's no turning back, last group photo before snip snip :)

Wondering what's on their mind at that moment~

Mine was : Oh my god, it's so cold!

Look at all the cheery faces! Annie got an Angpau and can't stop smiling!

Have you seen that many bald heads in 1 spot before?

(If you want to see more pictures, go to Bald Is Empowering's Facebook page)

I've never had the chance to thank any of the volunteers on that day but THANK YOU volunteers!! You & Shamaine's hard work made Bald for Fund happened for us baldies ^^

Even if you are not there, I am sure the loving, happy energy is glowing off your monitor screen right now (no, no, not like Poltergeist). Bald for Fund might've happened 14 days ago but let's not let the funds stop now! Cancer patients still need you and you can still donate through Bald is Empowering via Simply Giving (All funds go to MAKNA) up until Saturday, 31st March 2012. Don't worry about the USD 1 charged by PayPal, it's for them to verify your credit card and they will reimburse your USD 1 later. If they failed to do so, you can contact Simply Giving via email : help@simplygiving.com and they will highlight this issue to PayPal on your behalf.

As of 12th march 2012, collection to date has reached RM 76,2350.80. Let's all work together and help Bald Is Empowering achieve their RM 200,000.00 collection mark to help cancer patients! If you are still unsure or worry about the level of transparency practised, go to Bald Is Empowering's website and browse through their Donation List and Beneficiaries for their list of beneficiaries. Hope that helps :)

Before I bid adieu, here's a an interview with TV2's Hello On Two :

Saturday 3 March 2012

BALD Is BOLD : Bald Is Empowering


You know the phrase ‘Your hair is your crowning glory’? So I’d imagine your response would probably be the same with most when told that someone you know is taking ‘em hair to the shavers. Of all the responses, my favorite was my mom’s : “When? What? Your sister is getting married 2 days after and you’re shaving it bald?”. 

LOL! Way to go mom~

As women (not forgetting the men too), we’ve been brought up bearing grand obsession towards our ‘crowning glory’. For example : 

1) The hair is the richest ornament of women – Martin Luther

2) Women…. Who made 'em? God must have been a… genius. Their hair. They say that the hair is everything, you know? Have you ever buried your nose in a mountain of curls, and just wanted to go to sleep forever? – Bo Goldman

3) Hair brings one’s self-image into focus; it is vanity’s proving ground. Hair is terribly personal, a tangle of mysterious prejudices – Shana Alexander

Since it is such a treasured item, I’m taking it all off on 8th March 2012 along with 15 other ladies and 2 other gentlemen (Francis Low & Dennis Lau) in exchange for your donation : 

Amanda Mun

Andrea Au

Ann

Annie Ismeth

Asherra De Alex

Beatrice Leong

Chan Sze Yen

Chew Mee Yin

Ellena Chew

Jayne Eu

Kiruba Devi

Mdm Soo Siew Leng

Nicole Foo

Samantha Lee

Shamaine Ho

Shirley Yeo

Bald Is Empowering’s mission is simple : 
Raise a total of RM200,000 to help the many needy cancer patients in Malaysia. 

Here I sincerely plead for your generosity and for you to open your heart. Spare a few of your precious minutes by drawing out those dollar notes, getting your credit cards on a standby or issuing a check; simply by contributing to Bald Is Empowering in support of this cause : CANCER.

This paragraph taken from Bald is Empowering’s info page says it all :

“Cancer wasn't really a choice for many of our friends and family.

We wept with our loved ones as they face the deterioration of their mental and physical health. And through visitation, we have also seen the many out there who face an even worse enemy; financial challenges. 

None of us are doctors nor are we well off. But we do know that the little that we give will go a long way. By helping those less fortunate than us, in whatever way possible, we aid them in knowing that they are valued by others. Thereby channeling a more positive environment compared to the negative situation that they are in.

We believe this is not only an act of goodness or financial aid but most importantly an act of love in the spirit of community giving and support.”

Brainchild of Shamaine Ho, a mother of 3 and a Workshop & Event Organizer who, since December 2011 has been searching for volunteers willing to part with their hair thus drumming in more support and bring further attention to this meaningful cause.  

You can show your support by : 

1) ‘Like’ Bald Is Empowering’s Facebook page and ‘Share’ it with your friends.

2) Attend the BALD for Fund! event with your friends and family

Event Date : 8/3/2012 (International Women's Day)

Venue         : Mid Valley A Cut Above

3) Make online credit card donation through Simply Giving or go to Bald Is Empowering’s website (under Donate Now’s tab) to find more ways on how to donate

4) Be a volunteer and email them to : info@bald-is-empowering.com

5) Be a sponsor. Give them all the help they may need, not just financially but also in kind by sponsoring and spreading words about this project

Beneficiaries are MAKNA Bursary Program where donations collected between 25th January - 7th March 2012 will directly benefit them and funds received on the 8th March 2012’s Bald for Fund event will go to both National Cancer Society of Malaysia and Breast Cancer Welfare Association

Cicero says, “It is foolish to tear one’s hair in grief, as though sorrow would be made less by baldness”. I would, however, wish to add : 

“Why not exchange it for other’s monetary donation instead?”