#neonvmag

IV: michelle german

“its just hair, it will grow back” are the words i repeated to myself over and over again after an unwanted haircut traumatized me, shaking my entire life for approximately 24 hours.  you never really know what you are missing until it’s gone and you better believe, while looking at a stylist “trim” my wet curly fro, i quickly realized, my luscious locs would not look the same post styling. the 3-4 inches that were clipped away felt more like 6-10! and now 1 year later,  i still don’t feel like i have reached by starting point. so lately, i have been in search for more knowledge to help me retain growth and found a couple new hair crushes along the way.

here are hair care practices i will be trying to implement over the next  couple of months… and of course, i’ll check back in with you  guys with results:

I. low manipulation/protective styling to help prevent breakage

II. finger detangling and combing

III. deep conditioning  at every wash ( i already do this one)

IV. minimizing heat

V. washing hair in section

and in the meantime, i will be lusting over all of these gorgeous natural hair queens and be inspired!

stay beat boots beautes

IV: michelle german

health + beauty director

pic credits

cipriana

neffyfrofro

happy president's day!

while so many are observing the holiday today, i'm sure most of you guys still need something to do. my suggestion: purchase a copy of volume II,  and here are V reasons why:

I. the nudity will warm you up, making you forget about the freezing temps outside. this is undeniably hot!

II. you can quiz yourself in fashion knowledge and try to one up your friends after!

III. get some exercise in and that body together for summer while listening to our summer mix. 

IV. let that inner child have some fun today and play some m.a.s.h. with a friend... i know you guys remember m.a.s.h!

V. stimulate your brain and read a short story... don't worry, it has great pics too! 

*bonus*

you can learn how to throw shade and read by catching up with the queens from queenland!

see, neonV can get you through your lame holiday! now click here to go subscribe!

stay beat boots beautes!

IV: michelle german

happy new year folks!!

how many of you have heard the "new year, new me" verbiage that always gets blabbed on january 1st? i'm definitely over new year resolutions but would like to encourage those making a lifestyle change for MMXIV. take your time. set realistic and obtainable goals. the crossword above will help to educate you on some kitchen goodies that may help you along the way. 

IV: michelle german

hey, meet the new lifestyles director of neonV elizabeth lemon @las_estrellas of estrellasbellas + lemonmade. when life gives you lemons--get excited--it only means there is some sweet ish brewing just around the corner. grab a glass, 2014 at neonV will be quite refreshing.  

check out her V autumn/winter obsessions here

                                      +

current crush: "one of these things are not like the others," seems to be a current theme i have been running with for months now. i am very much a woman keen to symmetry, now i am exploring how to interrupt it with unexpected shapes, textures, patterns, etc. dichotomies are my new frenemies.

photo sources:

I: my love affair with the works of color field painter gene davis, i am a colorist + symmetricist so he + i would have gone on a few lunch dates in a past life, is a never ending one.

II. look cheetah is a neutral, so are stripes and tartan print--at least in my world they are.

III: i have collected glitter for years and I have spent four years mastering using them. finally, the glitter technique shows up in sheer perfection in a new series i have hanging/hiding in the studio. have i told you that magic has been brewing there in 2013?!? well, if not this serves as your official notice ;) i cannot wait to share all of the work i have been spending so much time alone with for a year. who knows it may be ready by spring/summer 2014. we artists take our time with things to perfect them. 

I: tanekeya word

editor•in•chief

On December 15, 2012 @neonVmag launched volume I of their printed magazine; I curated an Afrofuturism literature section with three emerging Black Sci-Fi writers. Read their short stories in volume I here + enjoy the digital volume II too. 

"infinite dreams" + nicole d. sconiers is an author + screenwriter who lives in a sunny jungle.

"posers [an excerpt]" + l.m. davis is an author who dreams of a black cat to coddle, while reading a good book in a comfy chair. excerpt reprinted with the permission of l.m. davis © 2012.

"the convention" + rasheedah phillips of afrofuturistaffair is a science fictionist by night who experiments with time order, reverses cause and effect and turns black holes inside out to create worlds.

stay beat boots beautes... tamar surly is!

IV: michelle german