CheapThrills

The twists that shocked the nation

Came across this Black hair article a few days ago in the New York Times—you know, discussing good hair, bad hair, wearing hair natural vs. relaxing it chemically. This seems to be a hot topic since Malia Obama’s been wearing her hair in… get ready for it… twists! Shocking! God, it’s like the general public has never been exposed to a normal Black girl wearing normal Black hairstyles. Wonder why?

I work at an ad agency… but I can safely point the finger at advertising for really messing up perceptions of what “normal” hair looks like. Even “normal” Black hair.

Growing up, I never believed I had nice hair. Because my hair never looked like the girls in the Pantene ads. Even after a whole day of washing and blow-drying my hair “straight,” it was still poofy as ever. It didn’t shine and bounce and flow over my shoulders. Even after I convinced my mom to buy a whole bunch of Pantene, it still didn’t look right. On the contrary, the products made my hair brittle and dry.

Thanks a lot, Pantene.

The problem is, we NEVER see normal Black hairstyles in hair product advertising. Even when there’s a woman of color in the ad. It’s mind-boggling. Like this Pantene Relaxed and Natural ad? Most Black women don’t have REAL hair like either one of these chicks. In fact, it’s really hard for me to believe that this is real hair. Those curls are virtually unachievable without hours at the salon. And the straight ‘do looks like a weave. I’m pretty sure it is one.

Give me some real hairstyles and real hair. Whether it’s relaxed, natural, short, long, whatever. Maybe that way the country won’t get all in a tizzy over some damn twists. Geez.

Who won the contest, you ask?

Lindsay did! YAY! She's won a bottle of Perricone Advanced Face Firming Activator. Her memory:

"My favorite memory was baking penis cupcakes as a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood for my community service club. There was a group of 20 of us, baking cupcakes, making penis designs, and frosting them! Not only did it not feel like volunteerwork, but it also got more people interested in community service and Planned Parenthood's cause! How perfect is that?"

But on the real, I don't know if I can say there was one "winning" memory. I loved reading ALL of your submissions - they were so special :) So a huge thank you to everyone who participated!

CONTEST! Tell me a memory, win a fab skin care product

Update: Contest Closed! Stay tuned: I'll announce the winner on Tuesday, June 30th

I think when people look in the mirror, they’re searching for memories. They want to see in their reflection something that makes them feel radiant – whether it’s a memory that makes them smile, smirk, giggle, maybe even blush.

So when the folks at Perricone asked me to host a contest for a bottle of one of their best-selling anti-aging skin care products, Advanced Face Firming Activator, I knew immediately how I’d judge it. Especially after reading this bit from the product description: it will “…reveal a radiant and healthy complexion”.

Here’s the deal:

1. In a comment on this post or in an email to me, tell me a memory that makes your heart race, your face glow, and your eyes light up.
2. I’ll read them all and select a winner (and commenters, feel free to weigh in on your favs as well).
3. Winner will receive a bottle of Perricone’s Advanced Face Firming Activator – worth 120 bucks!

*The contest will end Friday, June 26. And the winner must live in the U.S (for shipping purposes).

Product Details:
Advanced Face Firming Activator
Corrects imperfections for smooth, youthful, radiant skin
With Alpha Lipoic Acid and DMAE
59mL / 2 fl oz

And a user review (because that’s all we trust on the interwebs, right?):
“I use this product every day and I think its amazing for all ages. Ive noticed a difference in [the] brightness of my eyes.”

For the sake of transparency, I haven’t yet tried the product. So if you win, send me a review and I’ll post it to this blog as well.

Can’t wait to read your memories!

(This is my memory. When I was a little girl, I was obsessed with The Wizard Of Oz. So when I was 5 or 6, my mom dressed me up as Dorothy - though Dorothy didn't have a wand... or crown... but whatevs - and we went to a Wizard Of Oz parade in Springfield, Mass.
- sidenote: who knew Wizard Of Oz parades even existed? Such a specific cause for celebration, right? -

Anyway, that day I just knew that I met the REAL Dorothy, Scarecrow, Lion, and the positively dreamy Tin Man... I was in love with the Tin Man and his little funnel cap. Well, they seemed like the real deal to me at the time. So I glowed for weeks and weeks after that. My mom always did have a knack for making my dreams come true.)