July 4, 2019 will be America’s 243 Independence Day, the day Americans celebrate our Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.

The Fourth of July – also known as Independence Day or July 4th – has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

Did you know? John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest. Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826—the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

The tradition of patriotic celebration became even more widespread after the War of 1812, in which the united states again faced Great Britain.  In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday; in 1941, the provision was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees.  So enjoy your day off as we all celebrate our independence, whether at the beach or pool, BBQ or watching fireworks, take a moment to reflect on the great men and women who help in our fight for our independence. 

Pride Month/June

It is Pride Month, I am sure you or someone you know is going to the parade this weekend.  The fun will begin, the parties are happening, the festivals are exciting, the music is rocking and people will be dancing until the sun comes up, but most people don't stop to remember 1969. This Pride that we celebrate came from a hard and scary time that began at an Inn in New York City called Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.

This year marks the 50th anniversary for the Historic Stonewall Riots, (also known as the Stonewall Uprising or Stonewall Rebellion) which began the changes for the LGBTQ community.  On June 28th 1969 a series of spontaneous and sometime violent demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ community against the Police Raid on the Stonewall Inn began the change.

This weekend in St. Petersburg, FL there will be celebrations all weekend.  The parade is truly a fun experience to see people in all their color be able to relax and be who they are.  Everyone will be smiling, laughing and having fun. It is a time for getting to know the people that are standing beside you waiting for the next float to pass by, Uniting as a community.

As you are having fun if you are at the parade or the festival be sure you stop and remember, all of the rights that we have as a community, are all because of the people who stood up and said enough. As we go in to the fun, stop and remember who came before us, who stood up so that you have the rights that you have. Now whether you are gay, straight, not matter your religion or race, you can walk hand in hand down the street and not be arrested.  You can love who you want and even  marry the love of your life all because of this amazing group of New Yorkers who paved the way.

Remember: 

To Chop or not To Chop that is the Question

It feels like every week as we get deeper into summer it gets hotter and hotter. One question we are always asked about this time of the year is "should I chop off my long hair for the summer."  There are benefits for leaving it long and cutting it off, but it all boils down to how do you want your hair to look.  Cutting your hair short is not a process you should rush into.  There are benefits to having short hair but once it is cut it will take it's time growing back. So here are a few reason why and why not Chop it off. 

So to get this ball rolling, lets dive right in to the benefits of cutting your hair.  Most people with long hair at some point in their day put their hair in a ponytail or pull it back which can over time cause breakage.  If you do this on a daily bases you can visibly see a break-line across the back of your head where the band sits. One of the ways to get rid of that line is to cut it short.  

Not only do people with long hair have to deal with breakage there is always the fun loving split ends.  Split ends occurs when the ends of your hair become dry, brittle and frayed.  Exposure to extreme weather or hair styling techniques such as hair drying, straightening and curling with out the proper products can cause split ends.  Of course you can have your stylist dust or trim your hair but one way to get your hair back in a good healthy condition is to take that long hair that is mid back to a long bob (LOB).  It is a hot and trendy look and you get the look of healthy hair.  

Not only do people with long hair have to deal with breakage and ponytails there is the time and effort that goes into your long hair just to leave the house.  With short hair your, getting ready time can be cut in half in most cases.  Just a little instruction from your stylist and you can take your time down to a minute hair style that will make you look like a rock star. 

Now I do have to say that on the benefit of long hair you do have more styling options.  You can wear it down and styled to perfection.  You can braid it with the new fashion braids that I am sure all your friends are rocking, or even throw it up in a sassy up-do for a special occasion.  There are always options.  Now don't get me wrong you can have long hair, still put it up in a ponytail and use flatirons and hair dryers and not get split ends or breakage, you just have to get with your stylist to help you with the products you should be using to help fight against hair damage. 

Bottom line to Chop or not to Chop it is all about you.  Figuratively speaking are you attached to that long hair or are you ready for the new hot sexy short cut.  Don't be defined by your hair, define your hair for who you feel like you are, a ROCK STAR!!!! 

#ubuhairtravels - Summer Hair for the Music Festival Tour

Now that it is hot, hot, hot outside and the Summer Music festivals are even hotter, but do you know what you are going to do with your hair for the the Music Festival scene?  Taking a step back in time to the 70's where pigtails and simple braids were the way to go for every music scene, now you can take that simple retro look with glam twist for the hottest fashion braids and be the music festival rock star that you know you are. 

Every concerts, music festivals, shows and live music events I have been to, one thing I continuously see is people putting their hair up in a bun or ponytail taking it down and putting it back but over and over again because it is hot or it doesn't feel or like right.  Well it is time to bring the old school braid back but with a new infused beach wave easy flow, fashion braid. 

Now that Extensions are so popular especially the new hand tied extension you don't have to worry about doing the new fashion braids with your new long fabulous hair.  Keeping to the new style where fashion braids are loose, you will not have to worry about the braids pulling on your fabulous long hair extensions so they actually go perfect together.  The longer the better, the more fun you can have with your fashion braids.

There are so many things you can do with braids and your stylist can give you tips and show you how to do those fabulous looks at home. If you have to go to a Orchestra Concert or you want to rock out in the music scene this summer a looser braids is the trick. You can take them from Rock Star to Upscale up-do with just a simple twist or pin.  The sky is the limit but our stylist at UBU can show you how to get all your summer concert looks. 

There are so many exciting Music Festivals coming this summer, from Bonnoaroo in Manchester, TN, Firefly in Dover, DE, Float Fest in San Marcos, TX or all the way up to Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL, you are going to see the hottest braid trends, so get on board.  It is Fashion Braids, Braids, Braids this summer season, so take the simple 3 strand braid to the glam braid it can be.  

I know we keep talking about it but where else can you get a great pic of yourself for the #ubuhairtravels contest but at a music festival or concert.  So take your pic, use the (#) #ubuhairtravels and tag the salon and lets see where you and your new hair braids are traveling/rocking out.