Meet the Owner

             Like most girls, Faye Bailey enjoyed styling hair. By the time the Macon, GA native reached the age of 14, however, she took her childhood pastime more seriously. "I was braiding and pressing hair and I knew that I wanted to eventually open a salon," she says. Convincing her mother, a teacher who had 11 other children who were college graduates, however, was a battle. Five years later, her mother won. Bailey enrolled in Mercer University's Stetson School of Business and Economics studying Business Administration. Nevertheless, the call to do hair was too loud.
            After her second year at college, Bailey relocated to Florida, studied at Wilfred Beauty and got married. Then she had two children and worked for Southern Bell for five years before opening her first salon, All Dolled Up and getting her Bachelors of Cosmetology from Dudley's University in North Carolina.
Nineteen years later, she is the owner of two multicultural salons: All Dolled Up Salons I and II in FT Lauderdale and Deerfield, FL respectively and is a sought-after stylist and colonist who has produced noteworthy hair shows in the Ft. Lauderdale area for the past four years. Her shows provide a showcase for local stylists to display there creations while raising money for the community's social causes.
"We call ourselves a team," says The soft spoken Bailey, referring to her tight-knit group of stylists. "The shows are actual productions with dancing, competitions and skits, plus a full-course dinner for attendees. About three to four hundred people attend. We allocate a portion of our profits for a scholarship to a high school student, and we have also given money to the African-American Research Library that's being built here."
That's not all. Bailey has big plans, come next year: All Dolled Up's Ft. Lauderdale location will expand its services to offer spa treatments. Then there are her plans to open two more salons--one in Miami and another in West Palm Beach--plus develop a franchise chain of her salons. Yet instead of taking all the credit, Bailey attributes her success to her husband, children, God and her staff.
         Community involvement is not her only measure of success, however. Known for molding and shaping the careers of young stylists, Bailey offers her staff incentives to help them grow while servicing clients properly. She also provides easy access to financial service companies, gives her staff discounts on seminars and teaches monthly educational clinics.
          "My main objective is to build every stylist that works at my salon," explains the 37-year-old Bailey." They all work for a commission and I like to have everyone on one accord. Most of my staff consists of young women and men who have watched me over the years and decided to come on board. I have one stylist who has been with me for four years.  He used to wash my car. Then he saw what being a stylist could do for him and enrolled in beauty school. I start all my new stylists out shampooing while I train them. Clients then can become familiar with their faces.

         Then I wean them on clients from my clientele base and pay them until they build up a strong list. My main rule of thumb withthem, however, is that they maintain the same professional image and respect for the salon. My motto is to give the customers the best they can receive because they come to us to be pampered. If they cannot follow along with those stipulations, then this is not the salon for them."
       While she has held steadfast to her convictions, over the years it hasn't been easy. "I've always had control over the business aspect of running a Salon, But my biggest challenge has been trying to build a team," she admits." I had to learn how to maintain an atmosphere that is warm, friendly, yet still professional for my staff. This made it easier to have all the stylists focus on being a team because without a team effort, it will not work.

Published By: Alexis Betterson

Using Braids as a Protective Hair Style

Hey Naturalista’s!!! Transitioning? Don’t know what to do with your hair? Want something new? That will be low manipulation? Nothing is working for you? Ready to relax it? STOP RIGHT THERE IN YOUR TRACKS!! DON’T DO IT!!! Why not put your hair away for a few weeks so you don’t have to bother it? Protective styling is your answer!!!! Protective styling is any hairstyle that helps protect the hair from over-manipulation. Also, protective styles protect your hair from extreme weather, both hot and cold, and it prevents the hair from drying out. When you protective style, you are giving your hair a “break.” Many install a protective style so that they can go days, weeks, or a few months without having to do their hair!




1. Box Braids

2. Senegalese Twists

3. Havana/ Marley Twists

4. Kinky Twists

5. Afro Puffy Twists

6. Spring Twists

7. Nubian Twists

Before you install remember to:

1.Wash and deep condition your hair.
2.Moisturize your hair.
3. Detangle your hair.
4. Oil your scalp.

Daily: You must still remember to moisturize your hair: daily and/or at night. You can use a water-based leave-in, such as Oyin Handmade Juices and Berries, to spritz your hair. Don’t oversaturate it because you don’t want your hair to frizz. Also remember to oil your scalp with coconut oil or the oil of your choice.

Night: Sleep with a satin bonnet or, if you hair can’t all fit in a bonnet, with a satin scarf or on a satin pillowcase. It is important!! You want to keep your protective style looking nice.

These styles can last probably up to 2 months. I wouldn’t suggest leaving them in for longer. Leaving protective styles in for a long time can cause damage. And we don’t want that!!

Published by: Alexis Betterson

George Zimmerman receives a Not Guilty in the death of Treyvon Martin

SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — Neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman was cleared of all charges Saturday in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager whose killing unleashed furious debate across the U.S. over racial profiling, self-defense and equal justice.

Zimmerman, 29, blinked and barely smiled when the verdict was announced. He could have been convicted of second-degree murder or manslaughter. But the jury of six women, all but one of them white, reached a verdict of not guilty after deliberating well into the night Saturday.Martin’s mother and father were not in the courtroom when the verdict was read; supporters of his family who had gathered outside yelled “No! No!” upon learning of the not guilty verdict.The jurors considered nearly three weeks of often wildly conflicting testimony over who was the aggressor on the rainy night the 17-year-old was shot while walking through the gated townhouse community where he was staying.

Defense attorneys said the case was classic self-defense, claiming Martin knocked Zimmerman down and was slamming the older man’s head against the concrete sidewalk when Zimmerman fired his gun.

Prosecutors called Zimmerman a liar and portrayed him was a “wannabe cop” vigilante who had grown frustrated by break-ins in his neighborhood committed primarily by young black men. Zimmerman assumed Martin was up to no good and took the law into his own hands, prosecutors said.

State Attorney Angela Corey said after the verdict that she believed second-degree murder was the appropriate charge because Zimmerman’s mindset “fit the bill of second-degree murder.”

“We charged what we believed we could prove,” Corey said.As the verdict drew near, police and city leaders in the Orlando suburb of Sanford and other parts of Florida said they were taking precautions against the possibility of mass protests or unrest in the event of an acquittal.

“There is no party in this case who wants to see any violence,” Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger said immediately after jurors began deliberating. “We have an expectation upon this announcement that our community will continue to act peacefully.”

The verdict came a year and a half after civil rights protesters angrily demanded Zimmerman be prosecuted.

Zimmerman wasn’t arrested for 44 days after the Feb. 26, 2012, shooting as police in Sanford insisted that Florida’s Stand Your Ground law on self-defense prohibited them from bringing charges. Florida gives people wide latitude to use deadly force if they fear death or bodily harm.

Martin’s parents, along with civil rights leaders such as the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, argued that Zimmerman – whose father is white and whose mother is Hispanic – had racially profiled their son. And they accused investigators of dragging their feet because Martin was a black teenager.

Before a special prosecutor assigned to the case ordered Zimmerman’s arrest, thousands of protesters gathered in Sanford, Miami, New York and elsewhere, many wearing hoodies like the one Martin had on the night he died. They also carried Skittles and a can of iced tea, items Martin had in his pocket. President Barack Obama weighed in, saying that if he had a son, “he’d look like Trayvon.”

Despite the racially charged nature of the case, race was barely mentioned at the trial. Even after the verdict, prosecutors said race was not about race.

“This case has never been about race or the right to bear arms,” Corey said. “We believe this case all along was about boundaries, and George Zimmerman exceeded those boundaries.”

One exception was the testimony of Rachel Jeantel, the Miami teen who was talking to Martin by phone moments before he was shot. She said he described being followed by a “creepy-ass cracker” as he walked through the neighborhood.

Jeantel gave some of the trial’s most riveting testimony. She said she overheard Martin demand, “What are you following me for?” and then yell, “Get off! Get off!” before his cellphone went dead.

The jurors had to sort out clashing testimony from 56 witnesses in all, including police, neighbors, friends and family members.

For example, witnesses who got fleeting glimpses of the fight in the darkness gave differing accounts of who was on top. And Martin’s parents and Zimmerman’s parents both claimed that the person heard screaming for help in the background of a neighbor’s 911 call was their son. Numerous other relatives and friends weighed in, too, as the recording was played over and over in court. Zimmerman had cuts and scrapes on his face and the back of his head, but prosecutors suggested the injuries were not serious.

To secure a second-degree murder conviction, prosecutors had to convince the jury that Zimmerman acted with a “depraved” state of mind – that is, with ill will, hatred or spite. Prosecutors said he demonstrated that when he muttered, “F—— punks. These a——-. They always get away” during a call to police as he watched Martin walk through his neighborhood.

To win a manslaughter conviction, prosecutors had to convince the jury only that Zimmerman killed without lawful justification.

Natural vs. Relaxed

A

s more and more Black women discover the beauty of their naturally kinky hair, the feud between relaxed and natural women of Color is growing at an alarming rate.  While some natural ladies feel as if women who choose to relax their hair are betraying their African roots, relaxed ladies feel that they are constantly under attack by the naturals over their choice to process their hair.   It is a silly debate as well as an unfortunate one especially that over the decades African-Americans have had an on-going riot among themselves over such insignificant issues.   Why should it make a difference how my sister decides to wear her hair?   Would the way she decides make her more or less Black?   When you think of it that way, it does sound ridiculous.

Relaxed Women

Black women who choose to relax their hair have the right to do so without being persecuted by their race.   Women of Color choose to relax for many reasons not always conceivable to natural women.  Most commonly, women who relax their hair chooses to do so because they find caring for their hair in the natural state to be a hassle.   This can be because she may not be very well educated on how to care for natural hair or perhaps she may feel the processes involved are too time consuming.   Most of us as little girls grew up having the luxury of a hot comb in our homes and loved the way our hair looked and felt after being pressed.   As adults, some still enjoy having straight hair rather than kinky hair and find heat-straightening methods more tedious.   Relaxers permanently reconstruct the texture of hair making strands straight.   This works for many women because it is a convenient way to maintain the straight texture they prefer easily, without having to compromise styling due to humidity or weather conditions.   Relaxing hair may make it more manageable but it also has its setbacks.   When the bond is broken allowing kinky hair to become straight, it also weakens the hair follicle.   Because of this, relaxed hair is more susceptible to breakage.   By nature straighter hair is less dry and if this is the deciding factor between relaxed and natural, then relaxed wins easily.

Natural Women

Natural women, on the other hand prefer the versatility of styling, being able to revert between curly and straight styles.   In some instances, women who prefer natural styling are at times frowned upon by relaxed women who sometimes jeer at their hair texture referring to it as nappy or rough.   Not all women who choose not to relax their hair are “for the cause,” so to speak.   She may simply desire to rid her hair of chemical processing and avoid the risk of damage that may follow.   She might also find processed hair to be somewhat of a nuisance and more difficult to attain fullness in her styling.   She might find that she can grow and maintain longer lengths with natural hair.  She may have conducted research on sodium hydroxide and its chemical counterparts and decided that relaxing was not for her.  Having natural hair opens doors for endless styling opportunities and overall is a much healthier choice for your hair. However, with curly hair dryness and split ends are imminent.  Rule of thumb, the curlier the follicle, the drier it is.   Naturals find themselves working overtime to maintain the moisture and shine to their naturally dry hair.   Humidity and weather condition like rain and snow, do very little to change the styling composition of natural.   This is yet another plus in choosing to remain natural.

At the end of the day, to think that our sisters are at war with each other over the way she chooses to style her hair is almost inconceivable.   Both natural and relaxed women have preferences, likes and dislikes with their own hair.   Stereotyping within your own race is yet another vice in oppressing the Black race.   We should not allow petty and frankly ignorant issues to divide us further, for we are all related through our African roots.

Published by Alexis Betterson

Do It Yourself Organic Hair Care

Organic hair care products contain natural, plant-based ingredients to cleanse and condition hair without toxic or harmful chemicals. Organic shampoos are safe enough to use daily because they have gentle cleansing agents such as Castile soap, an odorless soap traditionally made from olive oil (see References 5, page 98). This soap comes in solid and liquid form, which you can easily add to homemade recipes, along with herbal infusions. Adding herbs customizes your shampoo specifically for your hair type; for example, chamomile softens and lightens blond hair, sage conditions dark hair, and parsley enhances dull hair (see References 3, page 258). A well-rounded hair care routine should include shampoo, a daily conditioner and an intensive weekly treatment.

Shampoo

1

Place your fresh or dried herbs in a glass or ceramic bowl. Bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil, then pour it over the herbs and let them seep for 20 to 30 minutes.

2

Strain the infusion with a tea strainer, sieve or muslin cloth and discard the herb parts. Pour in the Castile soap, stirring well, then add the cider vinegar.

3

Mix in any other enhancers. Try beer or vodka for shine, aloe vera gel for oily hair or jojoba oil for dry hair. For beer, pour 1 cup into a pan and boil it down to 1/4 cup, then stir it in. To add jojoba oil, pour the oil into the bowl along with 1/4 cup of water and stir well. (See References 1, pages 71 and 72)

4

Pour the mixture into a plastic squeeze bottle, such as an old shampoo bottle, and let it stand overnight. Shake well before using, then pour a small amount into your palm and massage into your scalp. Rinse as usual.

Daily Conditioner

1

Combine the oil of rosemary, almond oil, glycerin and lanolin in the top pan of a double boiler. Warm with low heat, stir gently, then remove from the stove.

2

Beat in the whole egg for normal hair types. For dry hair, beat in only the yolk and leave out the egg white.

3

Use the conditioner right away -- shampoo, then rub the mixture onto your scalp and hair. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and then rinse well with warm water

Weekly Treatment

1

Cut the avocado in half, pull it apart and remove the pit. Cut the remaining avocado into slices and put it into your blender. Add the heavy cream, along with the honey, and blend well.

2

Spoon the moisturizing treatment into a bowl, then wash your hair as normal, but do not condition. Comb the treatment through your wet hair, covering every strand, then pile on the top of your head and secure with a clip.

3

Cover your head with a plastic cap, then wet a towel with hot water. Squeeze out any excess water, and wrap the towel around your head. Let the heat activate the treatment for about 15 minutes, then take the towel and cap off and rinse well 

Things You Will Need

• Measuring cups and spoons
• 4 tbsp. fresh or 2 tbsp. dried herbs
• Nonmetal mixing bowl
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup liquid Castile soap
• Nonmetal spoon
• Strainer
• 1/2 oz. cider vinegar
• Enhancer (2 tbsp. vodka, 1 cup beer, 1/4 cup aloe vera gel or 2 tbsp. jojoba oil)
• Plastic squeeze bottle
• 2 drops oil of rosemary
• 1 tbsp. almond oil
• 1 tbsp. glycerine
• 1 tbsp. lanolin
• 1 egg
• 1 avocado
• 2 tbsp. heavy cream
• 1 tbsp. honey
• Blender

Published By: Alexis Betterson