Ameriie Chats with The Glamazons About Her New (Blonde!) Hair, New Album and New Sound

Don't you just love when celebrities and big-time beauty brands get together to give back to the community? Such was the case at the SoftSheen Carson Roots of Nature "Picture of Strength" event which took place last Saturday in Chicago. Hairstylist to the stars (and First Lady Michelle Obama) Johnny Wright, host Niecey Nash and the evening's performer, newly-blonde songstress, Ameriie, got together at the Chicago Illuminating Company for the event, which benefited Chicago Youth Centers.

At the event, attendees received a free family portrait, complimentary hair styling by SoftSheen Carson Celebrity stylists, complimentary makeovers by professional Maybelline New York makeup artists and free product giveaways. Amazing, right? What's even better is that for every attendee, SoftSheen Carson made a donation to Chicago Youth Centers.

Before the event, Ameriie (@itsmeameriie) caught up with yours truly to talk about the SoftSheen Carson event, her new album and that blonde hair! (Above is a picture of Ameriie and I when we first met at my old magazine job when her hair was black - sidenote: don't you love our shoe game?).

Coutura: What made you change your look and go blonde?

Ameriie: I wanted to do it for a long time but at that time, I was dying my hair jet black and was hesitant because platinum blonde is the complete opposite. But I finally went for it, and we dyed it as blonde as we could while keeping my hair healthy. I actually wanted it to be whiter, not too yellow.

Coutura: How have people reacted to the color?

Ameriie: People say to me: do you feel weird? How does it feel? And I say, I feel like me. You can always change your style up. Hair is an accessory. It doesn't have to be the same forever.

Coutura: Did you cut it too? That's always a monumental experience for us women (laughs). What was that like?

Ameriie: I never actually cut my hair. I'll tell you a secret. While people wear weaves to make their hair longer, I actually put in a partial weave to make my hair shorter (laughs).

Coutura:  (Laughs) That's cool, so you're still protecting your hair underneath.

Ameriie: Yeah my hair is really, really long underneath. I'll probably go back to long after this.

Coutura: How do you respond to criticism about your new hair color?

Ameriie: That's to be expected. There are people that tell me "Oh my goodness, I love it so much!" Others say "Oh no, I don't like it all." Anytime you make a major change, that's going to happen. When I first went jet black, for me, it felt too much. But as far as the criticism, that's just life. You can't internalize it or take it personally. There's no need for me to get angry or upset.

Coutura: I hear you. I've always been bold with beauty and fashion choices and I'm like, "You don't have to like it...I like it."

Ameriie: Exactly.

Coutura: What products would you recommend to keep your hair healthy after you color it?

Ameriie: What I like about SoftSheen Carson Roots of Nature is that they use shea butter and green tea extract, which are really cool ingredients. Their stimulating scalp oil is my favorite for keeping your scalp and hair healthy.

Coutura: Your hair is always so beautiful and shiny. What do you do to take care of it?

Ameriie: Satin pillows are a must...or satin bonnets, which aren't always so cute (laughs). But every now and then, I'll sleep with that on. Use a protein treatment when you color your hair. Massage the scalp; don't overload it with oils. Oh, and never use your fingernails when you wash your hair. You can damage your scalp; use your fingertips instead. Take multivitamins, Fish Oil and Vitamin E supplement. I take them everyday.

Coutura: Great tips! So tell me about the new album. How have you evolved? How is it different from your last album?

Ameriie:  It's completely different! It's not a hip hop, R&B, soul album at all. It's called CYMATIKA Volume 1, I'll have other volumes as well.

Cymatika is the study of visual sound. They'll put sand on a plate that is hooked up to wires and with certain sounds, vibration goes through to the plate and creates a geometric shape out of the sand. You'll go from C note to D note and when you change the note, the sand's formation changes. When you go back to C, the sand goes back to its original formation. It's fascinating.

As humans, we're all energy and light and spirit; and sound plays a part in that because sound is simply vibrating energy. That's what this album is about...about life and who we are, not being afraid to be who we are, and not forgetting our spirit.

Coutura: How would you describe the sound of the album?

Ameriie: The album is influenced by new wave and acid house, which I explored in my album "Because I Love It" in 2007, which was released in Europe.

For the fans who heard that, they'll say "Oh, I could see this coming." For fans who loved the first album, they're going to be like "What is this?!" (laughs) But I grew up listening to everything, and this is where I am now. And it feels right for me.

Coutura: Going back to visual sound, I know you recently changed your name (from "Amerie" to "Ameriie"). Is that related at all?

Ameriie: I added an extra "i" because the vibration of it is very positive. But that's just me, it's not related to the album. I've wanted to do that for a while, just like with my hair color. You know, a lot of times we make decisions based on fear and are scared about what other people are going to say. I think once we realize that we should relinquish that fear, anything is possible because there's nothing holding us back. And this music just really reflects me following my passion and letting go of fear and embracing where I'm at right now in my life.

Coutura: So empowering! Speaking of empowerment, I'm sure you're excited for this weekend in Chicago with the Chicago Youth Center and Softsheen-Carson event. Tell us all about it.

Ameriie: It's great because this event, the Softsheen-Carson Roots of Nature "Picture of Strength" event, benefits the Chicago Youth Center (CYC), which has so many amazing programs like one where underprivileged students receive backpacks full of school supplies. Niecey Nash is hosting it, and I'm performing. And for everyone that comes, Softsheen-Carson is going to give a donation to the CYC. There are going to be family portraits and Johnny Wright will be there doing hair for free! A huge treat for the women and their families.

Coutura: Oh, I'm so jealous I can't be there (laughs). Have a fab event!

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Check out some pictures from the SoftSheen Carson Roots of Nature "Picture of Strength" event, which was indeed fabulous, and look out for Ameriie's new CD, CYMATIKA Volume 1 which comes out next Spring and her first single which drops next month. Follow her on Twitter at @itsmeameriie.

Ameriie on the red carpet at the SoftSheen Carson Roots of Nature "Picture of Strength" event

Ameriie, Johnny Wright and Niecey Nash before event

Ameriie performing at the event.

Shop Ameriie's favorite SoftSheen Carson Roots of Nature products below.

SHOP:

More Soft Sheen Carson...

Kisses,

Coutura

GLAM OR SHAM?: Ameriie's Blonde Hair

Another day, another celeb goes blonde (or red). First Mya shocked us all with her new blonde do, and now African-American and Korean beauty, Ameriie, has gone platinum blonde.



The stunningly gorgeous and refreshingly smart singer who recently got married and changed her name (from Amerie to Ameriie), debuted her new 'do at a club over the weekend. While we love blondes over here at The Glamazons (hello...Ferocia!), I have to say I prefer her silky, black hair; it looks natural and compliments her flawless brown skin. What's your call?

Is her new look Glam or Sham?



Kisses,


Coutura


Image Source

Fall Trends! Biker Girls

Hey Glamazons!

The good-girl-gone-bad style Rihanna made famous is moving from the airwaves to the runway. The recipe is to combine equal parts sweetheart and seductress, darling and diva, virgin and vixen, you get the idea. Think leather accented with florals & lace or suede booties covered in metal chains.

Piece to Buy: (Ahem...faux) Leather, Leather, Leather!! A pair of skinny leather pants, a sleek, leather pencil skirt, a motorcycle jacket with zippers, a studded-out bootie. Rock the latter with your floral dresses from summer for the ultimate biker chic look.

Kisses,

Coutura

Nicole Miller Spring 2010 Show with Amber Rose, Ciara and Amerie

Hey Glamazons!

After jetting back to the office to get cover credits and blog for ESSENCE.com, I finally made it back out to the tents for the Nicole Miller show. And take my word for it, it was the right show to attend. Besides the star sightings, which we'll get to later, I was excited to see Nicole Miller venture beyond fitted dresses with rouching.

The collection was still sexy, sleek and streamlined, but with a fresh, sporty turn. Sheer necklines, cut-outs, one-shoulder necklines, color-blocking and vibrant graphic prints added to the new, fashion-forward aesthetic. Additionally, while most designers veered in the direction of soft hues like blush and gray, Miller presented chic, wearable dresses in oceanic tones.

What's more? Instead of relegating herself to dresses, Nicole Miller designed an assortment of sequined miniskirts and shorts (paired with sultry sheer blouses) and a phenomenal pair of harem pants that fit the model like a glove (paired with a sequined tank). P.S. If you read my guide to harem pants this summer, these are the right harem pants to buy! Here are faves plus a video:

Nicole Miller came out at the end of the show.

The front row of the Nicole Miller show proved to be as exciting as the collection itself. Dressed fittingly in black, edgy looks, Ciara, Amber Rose and Amerie looked like they could be a part of the show.

Ciara was sexy and sleek in a Nicole Miller dress. She told me she was excited to see the show since Nicole Miller is always "young, fashionable and fun," which is right up Ciara's alley.

Amber Rose showed up, sans Kanye West, in a form-fitting blazer and leggings accented with a statement link necklace.

Damon Dash made an appearance as well, bopping along to the music and taking a moment to pose with fans.

In over-the-knee boots, a sheer dress and a sleek blazer, Amerie, Ciara and Amber Rose, respectively, made for a fashionable front row.

Kisses,

Coutura

Front Row Photo: Getty Images.

Front Row: BCBGMaxAzria Spring 2010 Collection with Solange, Amerie and Keri Hilson

Hey Glamazons!

Fashion Week is off to a fabulous start. This morning, the Glamazons, along with Keri Hilson, Solange and Amerie, checked out one of the hottest shows at the tents, BCBGMaxAzria. The show's message? The 80's is here to stay. Max Azria blew us away this season with his signature bandaged minidress (usually a staple at Herve Leger) with an exuberant, youthful twist. He experimented with eye-popping graphic prints and vibrant brights from hot pink to apple green. The silhouette was slouchy and comfortable as elegant---and super-flattering---draping ruled. Along with sexy bandaged minis, the asymmetric neckline is back for another season but this time, with racy, sheer cut-outs that are sure to turn heads. Mixed in with the electric neons were sophisticated neutrals like wispy white and gorgeous gray. And he even graced us with a few, floor-length fitted dresses with beautiful, show-stopping prints. 

Check out some blurry pics of our faves (sorry - the models move fast!):

Here's the man of the hour at the end of the show. Such a tremendous talent!

And now for the front row! Sexy starlets, Solange, Keri Hilson and Amerie ruled the front row in glam, fashion-forward looks. We had to fight tons of photographers, reporters, camera crews and bloggers just to get to them! Complete mania but Ferocia and I are up for the challenge!

Solange wore a vintage black jacket with ropes strewn across the front and black sweats with a pop of color on the lips. Her haircut is even more stunning in person. 

Sol-Angel meets Coutura

Keri Hilson rocked a gray BCBG tunic, mini and platforms, a spiky silver necklace and her signature, highlighted haircut. 

And fashion darling, Amerie, was gorgeous in a green BCBG dress, black Gucci booties and a matching clutch. Love that she remembered me from chatting at the office! She dished that she's super excited to see "BCBG, Davidelfin, Mara Hoffman and Fashion's Night Out" tonight. Maybe we'll see her at the FNO events? 

Stay tuned for more. =)

Kisses,

Coutura