Celebrating the Woman of Colour
Blinged-out art, 12 plasma TVs, a grand piano and chocolate in every room! R&B singer Craig David invites Pride to his north London penthouse and shares his passions.
By Cynthia Lawrence.
Photography: Joseph Sinclair (www.josephsinclair.com)
Craig’s album Signed Sealed Delivered is out now. His new single “All Alone Tonight (Stop, Look, Listen)” is out 31 May.
Say “yes” to long strong hair with top tips from Joy Phido, creative director of World of Braiding and Extensions.
1 Chemicals
Limit the use of harsh chemical on your hair. You will notice an improvement in growth if you increase the time between relaxers. There are so many in between treatment (such as Mizani in salon Thermasmooth treatment) that can make re growth smoother for longer. Breakage from relaxer is often cause by the overlapping of the chemical on already relaxed hair and thus weaken the strands. Unless you are competent with using relaxers it is always advisable to consult professionals. Alternatively look for other options to groom hair like Brazilian blow dry, which use Kertain to sleek tresses. Trim hair every 6-8 week to prevent split ends causing additional damage.
2 Moisturise
it is essential to keep hair and scalp well moisturised as afro hair is prone to dryness. This can be achieved in a multitude of way from using protein moisturizing shampoo’s, deep conditioning treatments, hot oil treatment, leave in conditioner, and hydrating hair lotions too. Steam treatments are also recommended to enhance the condition, locking in moisture and reducing breakage.
3 Healthy Eating
Your body breaks down and dissolves healthy foods quicker, utilising the nutrients your body needs. Good foods such as green leafy vegetables, fresh fruit, oily fish rich in Omega 3 and protein, which is found in red meats, are all great aids in the quest for longer hair. Also drink plenty of water, which will cleanse your system of waste, detoxify your body to ensuring a healthier and shinier mane.
4 Vitamin Supplements
Adding supplements to a healthy diet will ensure your hair grows much quicker. By helping to create a healthy scalp that stimulates hair follicles and encourages a good environment for fast growth. Choose supplement rich in, Vitamin A, which is important for over all good health and beneficial to hair follicles, as it keeps the hair root lubricated. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps maintain good circulation, flushes toxins and improved immune system, again aiding with strong hair. Copper helps with pigment and stimulates dormant hair follicles. B-Complex is used to create healthy cells in every part of the body. Zinc aids in cell production, tissue growth, repair and maintenance of oil secreting gland on the scalp. Lastly Vitamin E increases oxygen to improve circulation to the scalp.
5 Sleep
Sleep is so important for achieving healthy hair as it allows the cells in your body to repair and heal itself, so quality sleep is vital. Sleep deprivation is often a result of stress, which can make you susceptible to hair loss. Ideally women need 8 hours of quality sleep per day. Other little thing you can do to encourage growth includes massaging the scalp weekly to stimulate the hair follicles, cutting out smoking and caffeine from your diet and avoid too much heat and over all stress on your hair too.
For more information visit www.worldofbraiding.com
The stresses of modern life and a less-than-ideal diet often conspire to make our digestive tract the weakest link in our body’s defences against illness. But there is a lot you can do to keep your insides healthy. By Sherry Dixon
Skin is on show every day. How it looks can profoundly affect the way we feel about ourselves. If our skin looks good, we feel good, so it’s little wonder that we spend so much time, effort and money on beauty regimes. Yet, just as important is a diet that not only takes into consideration the visible, very top layer of the skin but that also nourishes the layers of cells beneath it. “We are what we eat” is undoubtedly true – food is our best medicine – but what we eat is also reflected in how we look. Healthy people should shine. They have clear skin, glossy hair and sparkling eyes with bright whites. But due to stress and other 21st-century ailments, the digestive tract becomes confused, resulting in toxic overload. So let’s look at two ways to achieve inner cleanliness.
The colon, or large intestine, is an vital part of the digestive system. Populated by billions of friendly bacteria that assist in detoxifying waste, it completes the digestive process and handles our food waste and much other body waste. Poor digestion, yeast overgrowth, spastic colon, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation and diarrhoea are usually accompanied by auto-intoxication, literally “self-poisoning” (the reabsorption of soluble wastes into the bloodstream). This places a heavy burden on the other eliminative organs of the body – the kidneys, skin and lungs. Chronic constipation can lead to toxic overload, causing bloating, headaches, flatulence, fatigue, colitis and skin problems such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. In the longer term, bowel disease is a great risk. Correct function of the colon is a necessity for health. It has been said that colon malfunction can lead to 80 per cent of all diseased states.
If you suffer from any of these complaints, why not consider colonic hydrotherapy?
How it works
This “internal bath”, conducted by a trained therapist, helps cleanse the colon of poisons, gas, accumulated faecal matter and mucus deposits. It’s not a new thing devised for celebrities – the first case was recorded in 1500bc, and it has been used in traditional and naturopathic medicine since then. Filtered water is introduced under gentle gravitational pressure through the rectum into the colon. With special massage techniques, the water begins to soften and cleanse the colon of faecal matter and old deposits, which are piped away with the waste water. The therapist works progressively around the structure of the colon, allowing water alternatively to flow in and release. The whole procedure takes about 40 minutes. The equipment is safe and is sterilized using hospital-approved sterilization solutions.
Most people quickly experience improved mental clarity after colonic hydrotherapy. Some say they get a greater feeling of wellbeing and lightness. Treatment depends on the individual case and advice will be given at the first consultation.
Margie Finchell is a registered colonic therapist. You can contact her at 58b Crawford Street, London W1 (020 7724 1291 and 020 7624 5519) or at The Freed Clinic in Croydon (020 8665 5042).
With warm weather, beautiful coastal scenery, a party atmosphere and upbeat music drifting on the breeze, Jamaica’s Reggae Marathon sounds far more pleasurable than most tests of extreme physical endurance.
International runners looking for a new challenge are invited to join the Reggae Marathon – one of the few full-length marathons in the Caribbean – as it celebrates its tenth year on 4th December 2010.
Definitely one for the early-risers, Reggae Marathon begins at 5.15am to avoid the main heat of the day. The course is situated in Negril and takes runners up and down Jamaica’s scenic coast, beginning and ending at Long Bay Beach Park. Negril is famous for its seven mile beach and is consistently rated among the top beaches in the world, so as the sun rises to reveal white sands and turquoise waters, runners may well be tempted to stray from the course for a cooling dip.
The authentic Jamaican flavour of the Reggae Marathon creates a race atmosphere unlike any other. On Friday 3rd December, the night before the run, a ‘Rasta Pasta Party’ is hosted at the Couples Swept Away Resort in Negril, the marathon’s headquarters, with participants invited along to stock up on carbohydrates and enjoy an exhibition of local arts and crafts. On race day itself, the starter’s horn is accompanied by the raising of flaming bamboo torches in a ritual that has become a signature start to the marathon. Living up to the marathon’s name, live reggae music is played at regular points around the course, spurring on runners, keeping spirits and energy levels high, and keeping them in tune with the fact that they are in the home of Reggae.
Even first-time runners will see the appeal in the Reggae Marathon with the full course of 42 kilometres (km). Those daunted by the full Marathon can enter the Half Marathon (21.5km) or the 10km race which take place alongside the main event.
For more information on Jamaica’s Reggae Marathon, see www.ReggaeMarathon.com.
TRAVEL PACKAGES
For more information ontravel to Jamaica, see www.VisitJamaica.com.
THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL JACKSON AND CIRQUE DU SOLEIL TO DEVELOP MICHAEL JACKSON SHOWS
First arena touring show slated for late 2011
Las Vegas permanent show to open in 2012
Two great forces in entertainment have combined with the announcement of an unprecedented arrangement between The Estate of Michael Jackson, represented by Executors John Branca and John McLain, and Cirque du Soleil for the creation, development, production and promotion of Michael Jackson projects, featuring touring and permanent shows, based on the music and songs of Michael Jackson. Special lifestyle projects, including a nightclub to open with the Las Vegas production, will also be developed.
The first of these projects will be an arena-touring show in which fans will experience the excitement of a Michael Jackson concert, expected to debut in late Fall 2011. That arena show is anticipated to enjoy an extended run in Las Vegas in conjunction with longtime Cirque du Soleil partner MGM MIRAGE. The Las Vegas permanent show, also in partnership with MGM MIRAGE, is expected to open in late 2012. MGM MIRAGE will announce the location and plans for the permanent theatrical venue at a later date.
John Branca, Co-Executor for The Estate of Michael Jackson, commented, “This will not just be a tribute to Michael’s musical genius, but a live entertainment experience that uses the most advanced technology to push every creative boundary as Michael always did. Having attended Cirque du Soleil performances with Michael, I know he was a huge fan. We are excited to be partners with Cirque du Soleil to give Michael’s fans a truly unique way to hear, see and feel Michael’s music.”
Guy Laliberté, Founder of Cirque du Soleil, commented, “Michael Jackson is the King of Pop and an all-time phenomenal artist, both timeless and contemporary. As a creative challenge, this project is the ultimate. Through the use of cutting edge technology, we will produce a Cirque du Soleil experience not only worthy of Michael but unlike any other we have created before. We are also so pleased that our longtime partner MGM MIRAGE has once again joined us in presenting another unique creative experience in Las Vegas. ”
John McClain, Co-Executor for The Estate of Michael Jackson, commented, “There will never be a multi-faceted entrepreneur, humanitarian and innovator like Michael and it is only befitting that this partnership be with Cirque du Soleil. No artist electrified the stage more than Michael did. We expect that his fans will come away from these Cirque du Soleil performances feeling the exhilaration of a Michael Jackson experience and with an even greater appreciation of his legacy.”
Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil added “We are honored and thrilled to be in partnership with the ultimate and most important record selling artist of all time. This association between two international entertainment brands promises to deliver to fans of both Michael and Cirque du Soleil unique artistic experiences”
Bill Hornbuckle, Chief Marketing Officer of MGM MIRAGE said “Las Vegas is known worldwide for its unparalleled entertainment offerings, many of which have been developed by the creative geniuses at Cirque du Soleil. We have been honored to call Cirque our partner for many years and are humbled now by the opportunity to work with them to create a show that will commemorate one of the most legendary forces in entertainment in our lifetime.”
Katherine Jackson, mother of Michael Jackson commented. “Our family is thrilled that Cirque du Soleil will pay tribute to my son in such an important way.”
Days after premiering the video for ‘Window Seat’ — the lead single from her newly released fifth studio album, ‘New Amerykah Part 2 (Return of the Ankh)’ — controversy has revolved around Erykah Badu.
As previously reported, the Grammy Award-winning singer enlisted the help of Creative Control duo Coodie and Chike to direct the clip, guerilla-style. In it, she strips off her clothes as she walks through downtown Dallas, and at the end of the video is naked lying on the street at Dealey Plaza, the historic site where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
The video, which hit the Internet via her Web site, ErykahBadu.com, on March 26 has since been taken down from YouTube by her record label Universal Music Group (Motown).
According to Dallas KXAS, authorities in the “Lone State” are now considering whether to charge the singer with indecent exposure. The 39-year-old ‘On and On’ singer escaped being seen by police the day of the video shoot, but if one witness comes forward, she could face up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
Badu, who performed a secret show in New York over the weekend and one in Los Angeles earlier this week, is taking it all in stride. The mother of three — legally known as Erica Abi Wright — has said that she felt liberated after shedding her clothes.
“I feel like I shed a lot of things, confronted a lot of fears,” she told BET.com. “I hope I spoke for women and men and people who feel trapped under their own coverings who wish to also be liberated.”
Badu will continue making rounds on the talk show circuit. She will appear on’ The Wanda Sykes Show’ April 3, ‘Chelsea Lately’ April 5 and ‘The Mo’Nique Show’ April 6.
Her next live performance will be at Waterfront Theatre in Miami on April 8.
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