Search Results: Michelle Breyer

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The opening of Miss Jessie’s new salon in SoHo was a celebration—a celebration of the amazing journey traveled by sisters Titi and Miko Branch and a celebration of the growing acceptance of waves, curls and kinks.

Family, friends, clients and media gathered Tuesday night to get a peek at the luxurious new salon overlooking Broadway in the heart of bustling SoHo. Those in attendance included A’leila Bundles, Madame CJ Walker’s great-great granddaughter. Walker was an African-American businesswoman, hair-care entrepreneur and philanthropist who pioneered the development of beauty and hair products for black women.

The new salon is an evolution of the salon the sisters first opened 13 years ago in Brooklyn with one thing in mind: to respond to the need for experts in texture in all of its forms. Originally named Curve Salon, they used their savings and did the renovation themselves, right down to stripping the floors.

The salon quickly got people’s attention, with customers flocking from around the country for expertise from Miko, the head stylist.

With the new SoHo salon, the sisters recreated the feel of their original salon in a brownstone Brooklyn, with its high ceilings, chandeliers and wood floors. The focus is on elegant comfort. Even the bathrooms feature chandeliers.

Born to a Japanese mother and African-American father, Titi and Miko spent their early years fighting full heads of textured hair. With the help of their grandmother “Miss Jessie”— a no-nonsense, take-no-prisoners woman who created homemade concoctions to help her granddaughters control their crazy curls. Titi and Miko would watch their grandmother create mixtures using ingredients found in the kitchen, such as eggs and castor oil. Those nourishing treatments evolved into the Miss Jessie’s product line for wavy, curly and kinky hair—Holy Grail products such as Curly Pudding and Baby Buttercreme.

“We would have to go to stores, buy up a bunch of different products and make up our own cocktails using them in ways that they weren’t intended to be used in order to get an end product that would work on a particular client’s hair,” explains Titi “There wasn’t a lot to work with, and we finally realized that we wouldn’t get that perfect solution unless we created it ourselves.”

In 2004, after a year of testing and tweaking, the sisters proudly launched the Miss Jessie’s collection. The first product to hit the shelves was Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding. Six months later, they launched Curly Meringue, followed by Curly Buttercreme and Baby Butttercreme. Today, the Miss Jessie’s line, which includes a full range of shampoos, conditioners, treatments and styling products, is available at a wide range of locations, including CurlMart and Target.

The window-lined front of the salon is dedicated to sales of Miss Jessie’s products, and customers will be able to purchase products seven days a week at the new location.

Services at the salon include the ones that have made it famous, including silkeners, coiling, twistouts and the Balance Cutting Method.

“Wherever we are, we want women to leave the salon feeling beautiful, naturally!,” says Titi Branch.

As Titi and Miko led a champagne toast Wednesday, they acknowledged that their success has been hard fought, which made the night all the sweeter. In 2006, with growth straining the sisters’ relationship, the Brooklyn salon closed and Miko worked out of a salon in Washington, D.C.

“It was very difficult but turned out to be a very necessary experience for us both,” says Miko of her time away. “I cannot pretend like I always knew I was going to come back; for a while, I thought my days working in New York with Titi were over.”

The sisterly bond conquered their conflicts. And in August 2008, Miko returned to New York to reunite with Titi, where they repaired their relationship and rededicated themselves to Miss Jessie’s. The first step was to quietly reopen the long-missed salon on Hancock Street where Curve was founded. The name was changed to the Miss Jessie’s Salon.

“Having the salon is so important to us,” says Miko. “It is where we initially drew our inspiration.”

It was like the scene from “The Wizard of Oz,” the one where Dorothy, the Tin Man, The Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion all get makeovers in the Emerald City.

We ran into Austin curl and color expert Ron King on the plane back from America’s Beauty Show in Chicago. He took one look at us and decided we all needed a color makeover. Ron, a spokesman for L’Oreal Professionnel, is one of a handful of colorists around the country who first previewed INOA—L’Oreal Professionnel’s hot new ammonia-free, professional hair color—before its launch earlier this year. INOA stands for Innovation No Ammonia.

Who were we to turn down such an offer? So NaturallyCurly CEO Crista Bailey, President Michelle Breyer and Vice President of Sales Lori Kerrigan took off early on a Thursday afternoon to meet at Ron’s chic Bo Salon on South Congress.

We got the royal treatment.

Crista’s Perspective

What a treat! I’ve got type 1, straight hair, living in a curly world, and I was in desperate need of something to cover up the gray lurking under my longer brown hair. I was in the need of a cut, a color and something new. I’ve worn the same look for quite a while and needed an update.

I got it and then some.

Ron and his crew get an A-Plus for talent, entertainment and customer service. King chose the perfect INOA color to deepen my brown just a bit to a darker chestnut, and erasing my gray. While waiting on the color to set, they threw in a hand massages by Angela Torres and a microdermabrasion treatment from esthetician Leslie Webber to repair the sun damage caused by dozens of Gulf Coast summers.

Meanwhile, I returned to see Lori’s fabulous rich color and Michelle’s highlights in progress. Next up for me, a cut. Craig Piatti, Ron’s business partner, whisked me into the world of bangs and a shorter, textured cut. This is a world I have not lived in since high school. Even so, he made me want to own a new look and feel, despite the big change from my usual easy, straight ‘do. After the cut, I, too, received INOA, with balayage highlights, and love the little bit of golden brown revealed here and there.

Since the cut, color, highlight and more, I’ve received various compliments and comments about my new look. People at work love the style and color, telling me I look 10 years younger.

Will I keep the bangs? Probably not, to be honest, but the bangs and cut have reminded me that it’s healthy to mix it up—I’ve opened my mind to other “different” cuts in my future.

Do I love the INOA color? Love it. Love it. Would do it again.

I will certainly be visiting Bo Salon again.

Lori’s Perspective

I was thrilled to be treated to color from “The Style King” himself. Ron wanted to give the NaturallyCurly gals a taste of INOA since he is the southwest educator and training professional for the new color system.

He looked at my mousy brown locks, and told me he wanted to go with a warmer, auburn mahogany feel. I was game.

The final result was stunning—better than I expected. It complemented my skin tone. In the Austin sunlight, my hair had a golden auburn hue.

While at the Bo Salon, I got treated like royalty. Angela Torres gave me a makeover using the Ron King cosmetics, including an false lashes—an extra-special touch.

After leaving the Bo Salon and wearing the new ‘do for a few weeks, I noticed the INOA color provoked conversation because so many strangers told me how much they “love my hair.” Thanks to King, his rock star team and the INOA system, I am in love and want to keep my warm auburn look this summer.

Michelle’s Perspective

I got my first taste of INOA at a beauty blogging event in New York City during Fashion Week, and have become a convert. So when Ron said he wanted to lighten up my look using INOA, he didn’t have to twist my arm.

He applied a warmer brown tone, giving me caramel highlights using balliage – painstakingly painting sections of hair like Renoir.

I sipped a glass of chardonnay and read the latest issue of Vogue as I waited for my color to process and watched the transformations of Crista and Lori.

After rinsing my hair, I also was treated to a facial by the amazing Leslie. Then Craig gave me a beautiful Deva cut to give my curls more shape.

He diffused my hair, creating voluminous curls. The color and cut were beautiful—rich and shiny.

Not a bad way to spend a Thursday afternoon!

A decade ago, Random House published “Nappily Ever After,” the first in what was to become a overwhelmingly popular series of books about Venus Johnston Parson.

The books by author Trisha Thomas have come to symbolize the complex relationship between black women and their hair.

“Most of you loved her from the moment you met her,” says Thomas. “Venus tells our story. Who didn’t grow up with hair issues? Right out of the gate we were judged based on our crowning glory. Soon enough we begin to judge ourselves. What our hair is or isn’t soon defines who we are. Venus always gets to the root of the matter and that’s why she’s loved.”

This month, she releases “Un-Nappily in Love,” in which she faces one of her biggest fears. In the process she gains one of the things she thought she’d lost for good.

In the sixth book, the unflappable and always proudly nappy-haired Johnston Parson discovers once again that life with former rap artist, Jake, can’t always be a bed of roses.

The book is getting rave reviews. Publishers Weekly says “Thomas portrays a believable young family tested by real-life concerns and enhanced by the shiny celebrity angle, but it’s her wry humor that keeps this delightful series blooming.”

NaturallyCurly.com talked to Thomas about her latest book and the power of Venus.

NC: How did the “Nappily” series come about?

Thomas: I wrote the first book in the series ten years ago. I wanted to answer the question: Why are we so obsessed with our hair? Why, especially women of color, are we willing to pay just about any amount of money to be what we’re not? The reason the question even came up was because my daughter came home crying from school after being called “nappy head.” I was floored. I couldn’t believe after twenty some odd years, the good hair-bad hair war was still going on from when I was growing up. And was it really going to go on for another twenty, thirty, or fifty years? I started paying attention to all the subtle and not so subtle messages. The TV commercials always touted going from frizzy to straight. Even the main talk shows that were supposed to be empowering women focused on taking a woman’s natural hair and straightening it to make her new and beautiful as if that was the only way to feel good about herself. When would we be happy with our hair? That’s pretty much how the journey began.

NC: Tell me about the latest installment in your series, “Un-Nappily in Love.”?

Thomas: Venus is about to experience The Big One, something I remember it being drilled into my head from elementary school— an earthquake, not the other Big “O.” I think we prepared for earthquakes more than we learned our ABC’s. So when Venus is faced with the biggest challenge she’s ever had, I couldn’t help but remember all those years of training. Not until I was much older did I realize, there is no way you can be prepared for an earthquake. When the foundation you’re standing on is crumbling underneath your feet, and the walls around you are shaking, you pretty much know what to do, run, seek cover, and pray for it to be over. Afterward, you survey the damage and rebuild. This is the metaphor for what Jake and Venus are about to experience in “Un-Nappily In Love.”

NC: What do you think has been the evolution of Venus?

Thomas: I’m so proud of Venus and her growth as a woman, mother, daughter and wife. We have so many roles and it’s hard to do all things for all people. This is the story that shows the evolution of Venus, her willingness to stick through the hard parts, learn from her mistakes, and admit when she’s wrong.

NC: How has hair been a symbol in your books?

Thomas: Venus cutting off her hair was the first real decision she ever made based on what she needed, versus what was expected of her. Maintaining her authenticity throughout the series is what makes Venus, Venus. Taking that first leap was the catalyst to accepting and loving herself and it’s the one thing she falls back on. If nothing else she’s learned you have to be true to yourself. From my own experience, I used to say “yes” a lot when I wanted to say “no” only to suffer with headaches, sleepless nights, and stomach pains. Even though our heads are saying yes, our bodies are crying no. I always tried to keep Venus as real as possible so readers could see it wasn’t the end of the world if you stayed true to your beliefs. I always wanted Venus to do and say what was really on her mind.

NC: Do you relate to Venus? If so, how?

Thomas: I totally relate to Venus. Even when I get emails asking how could Venus do this or that, I can answer honestly because I pretty much learn and grow through Venus.

NC: What message would you like your readers to take away from your books?

Thomas: Satisfaction. Acceptance. I want readers to close the last page and feel good about the journey they just experienced. We all deserve to be appreciative of ourselves. No one ever teaches you how to be happy with you. And strangely enough, you’ll never get satisfaction from anything or anyone if you aren’t happy with yourself first.

I’ve always had straight hair. Not kind of straight hair or slightly wavy hair—really straight hair. It’ll occasionally kink out if I sleep with it or tie it up wet, but other than that, it’s pretty boring. I use a flat iron to get it pin straight for special occasions, but I’ve been lucky enough that I can wear it out naturally sans product for everyday activities. It’s also super thick and pretty healthy because I don’t treat it with a lot of heat or product. So, I guess there are some benefits to it.

My mom always forbade me to do anything with my hair because it was so naturally healthy. So, until I was 19 years old, the most I did with my super straight hair was cut it—even that was every 6 months or so. Needless to say, the routine was pretty monotonous.

A couple of days ago, I was given the opportunity to be a guinea pig and receive the new Pravana Naturceuticals Beach Wave Perm. This isn’t our moms’ ’80s perm. With no thioglycate, a relaxing agent, it’s a lot safer for your hair than the traditional perm. It also works with a Kertain Restructurizing Fusion Serum to protect your hair by infusing keratin and silk amino acids, which also add shine to your locks. The outcome, of course, is the biggest difference. Rather than giving you tightly wound, defined curls, the Beach Wave Perm gives you soft, natural waves. Think effortless, sensual, summery. I was, of course, more than willing!

I was sent to Trashy Roots Salon in Round Rock, Texas, for my makeover. This edgy-chic salon with Barbie-pink walls and skull-numbered wall clocks is one of the few offering the perm, as it’s relatively new. (Salons started offering it February 1, 2010.”>

My stylist and Beach Wave perm expert, Sara Sanchez, walked me through the process. She told me that I was actually a perfect candidate for the perm because there are 2 big factors to consider before you sign up for the service: whether your hair has been highlighted and is healthy enough, and whether your hair is at least shoulder-length. Highlighted hair can be damaged, and not strong enough to take the formula, Sara said. The perm is not a good idea if your hair is too elastic. Also, if your hair is shorter than shoulder-length, it’s almost impossible to roll up, which obviously would make the perm a futile effort. Luckily, my hair was a few inches past shoulder-length and in good condition.

To achieve the soft, natural waves, Sara rolled up my hair in 3 large sections. A traditional perm, she told me, works in 7-9 smaller sections. Additionally, with the Beach Wave, hair is rolled up with sponges rather than perm rollers. How tight the stylist winds the sponges determines how tight the wave will be—giving you some options. Since my hair is so straight, I told Sara to go ahead and make mine tight. Why not? It should be a nice change!

After my shampoo, Sara rolled my hair up in about 30 minutes, after which she saturated my hair with the treatment. While I waited, I was offered some wine—what awesome service! She checked on me after 5 minutes, and then again after another 10. When my hair had finally taken to the treatment, Sara applied the keratin serum and shampooed me. The entire process probably took about 2 hours. She told me that, like with the traditional perm, I had to wait at least 48 hours before shampooing it again, so as not to relax the curl.

During this time, Anna Craig, the owner of Trashy Roots, came in. She walked over and introduced herself. Just as punk-glam as the salon itself, I could definitely see where the inspiration had come from.

After a quick trim, Sara was nice enough to curl my hair with a hot iron and put it up in a simple up-to because I had a formal event to attend that night. I received the star treatment that day!

When I was all finished, Anna graciously sent me home with a goodie bag of Pravana products to keep my snazzy new hair in sparkling condition. The salon also offers spa treatments, waxes, and other hair services. Definitely a cool, rockin’ place to get a new ‘do without having to make a trek downtown!

It’s been a couple of days since I got the perm done, and so far so good. Because I couldn’t wash my hair, my styled hair stayed pretty much in the same shape as when Sara styled it! I was amazed since my hair won’t curl worth a dime, except when I use steamed sponge rollers. After I shampooed my hair with Pravana’s sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, I sprayed some of the leave-in conditioner and Beach Wave Mist I received from Anna. A little scrunch here and a little twirl there—and my look was complete! The best part was that my hair didn’t feel crunchy or sticky—something I was really worried about. The process was easy enough even for my extremely low-maintenance routine. Anna told me the perm should last me about 2-3 months. Perfect for summer! Overall, I’m really happy with hair! Thanks to Anna Craig and Sara Sanchez at Trashy Roots for my new look and my awesome experience!

At Avenue Five Institute, an Austin-based cosmetology school, enrollment has doubled over the past year, said Brandon Martin, president of the school.

Avenue Five isn’t alone. Beauty schools around the country are seeing a surge in enrollment as a growing number of people are being drawn to careers in cosmetology.

This interest is coming from a wide range of people—from young people out of high school to displaced workers from other industries. Also fueling the growth is the record availability of financial aid.

The number of professional salon employees, 1.7 million, greatly outnumbers the number of lawyers across the United States.

“We’re seeing a lot of older students (30 years old and older”> who are finding the need to retrain or pursue a long held dream that they have wanted to accomplish for years and never did until now,” says Jill Kohler, president and founder of Kohler Academy, a cosmetology school in North Scottsdale, Arizona, who has seen a growing number of people enrolling from the banking and real estate industries.

Martin believes the economy has provided people with the opportunity to pursue a career they may always have been interested in.

“Beauty school is not a Plan B anymore.” Martin says. ” For a lot of people, they may have wanted to do it for a long time by their parents told them they had to go to college or they were told it wasn’t a good career. But they realize now that it can be great career that they can be very happy with.”

Many are drawn to the fact that they can have a daily impact on people’s lives. The increased exposure of celebrity stylists through reality shows has contributed to the glamour and allure of the profession.

In a recent British job satisfaction survey, hairstylist ranked No. 1.

“It’s a feel-good industry,” says Walt Hunter, an educator and owner of Salon Professional Academy in North Fort Myers, told the News-Press in April.

At Salon Professional Academy, enrollment has doubled from this time last year.

“We’ve definitely seen growth in enrollments over the past year,” said Jim Cox, executive director of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools.

Cox says he’s talked to a number of schools with record enrollments, with many schools expanding and building larger facilities to accommodate the surge in students.

While the economic downturn may be driving some of this growth, Cox and others in the industry believe perceptions about the industry are changing. Some of this can attributed to the popularity of celebrity stylists like Nick Arrojo and Ted Gibson on “What Not To Wear” and shows like “Tabitha’s Salon Takeover” and “Shear Genius.”

“In the past, we’ve been the red-headed step-child,” says Cox, citing such images as Grease’s “Beauty School Dropout.” “The momentum has really shifted. Now it’s is more accurately portrayed as a cool career.”

To pursue a career in hairstyling, opt for a hairstyling course from a reputed, accredited institution. You can find a detailed director at Beauty School Advisor.

Take a look at the curriculum. Find out if the course provide both theoretical and practical knowledge. Does it cover the techniques and skills required to style hair using appropriate materials and equipment?

Ideally, a hairstyling course begins with teaching the basic fundamentals of hair science, styling and cutting. A step-by-step approach helps in creating a firm foundation and mastering the art of hairstyling. The importance of shape, bone structure and suitability of hairstyles in accordance with one’s personality and preference should be necessarily covered. The program should provide due emphasis on classic cuts and sharpen hairstyling techniques.

After completing a basic hairstyling course, you should be well prepared to work as an entry-level hairstylist.

To hone skills in particular areas, including working with texture and color, stylists often pursue continuing education. Some stylists choose to work as assistants for experienced stylists to sharpen their skills.

And with financial options more abundant than ever, now is an ideal time to pursue a career in beauty school.

Much of the government financial aid has become available to cosmetology students at accredited cosmetology schools, and it is no longer necessary to be enrolled in a traditional four-year university. Also, most accredited cosmetology schools offer financial aid, ranging from grants and scholarships to loans and payment plans. There are even some non-accredited schools that offer grants and scholarships to qualified students.

Some financial aid options for beauty school may include the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study and the Federal Perkins Loan.

“It’s a good time all the way around,” Martin says. “There’s more financial aid then ever to help people enroll in cosmetology school.”

For those who choose a career as a stylist, the benefits can be many.

While other careers may be sensitive to economic ups and downs, the $60 billion cosmetology industry tends to show more economic stability.

One of the benefits of the career is that cosmetologist can easily move into any number of jobs such as esthetician, movie stylist and product sales representative. Even better, cosmetologists can easily set up their own professional salon business out of their homes or elsewhere.

“I’d say the biggest benefit is freedom, hands down,” Kohler says. “You have the freedom to be creative, the freedom to work when you want, the freedom to make as little or as much as you want, the freedom to travel and the freedom to be the best version of yourself.”

What do you do when you find yourself with a beehive on your property, and an abundance of honey and beeswax?

“Most people would make candles, but we didn’t want to do that,” says Amy Rzepka.

Instead, Amy and her husband, David, launched Beecology, a personal-care business with products derived from honey and beeswax. They started with Buzz Balm Super Sting Peppermint Lip Balm, and now the Ohio-based business has 15 hives and millions of bees that produce honey and beeswax for 12 products, ranging from soaps to sulfate-free shampoo. Amy, who along with her two daughters and son, has curly hair, plans to develop some products for curly hair.

We try to make things we all can use,” she says. “I see haircare as a big growth area for us.”

Amy and David Rzepka had no experience with bees when David’s co-worker asked if he could put a beehive at their family farm.

“I said yes, thinking I would bear no responsibility,” he recalls. “But after two weeks, his wife became pregnant and he told me he couldn’t tend to them.”

Despite an abundance of bee stings, David, a builder by trade, soon became fascinated with bee culture and science, attending workshops at the Ohio State University agricultural campus. The Rzepkas also liked the idea of making healthy, natural products.

“We started doing research about which ingredients were good for you and which weren’t,” she says. “That’s how we decided to develop a sulfate-free shampoo.”

Amy, who works in a cooking store and has a major in advertising, says they have no background in chemistry. But they were willing to experiment.

All Beecology products are made in small batches and bottled by the Rzepka family, and they still collect the honey and beeswax from the hives themselves.

Most of the company’s products have come about because of a need within the family. When a daughter had dry skin, they developed a soap for dry skin. Every product is tested on family members before it’s rolled out to the public.

“I always say we’re kid tested and mother approved,” she says. “We test our products on everyone who comes over.”

The products are available primarily online, as well as in a growing number of stores in Ohio.

The Rzepkas wanted to share their sweet success, so they launched Sweetyear.org, the charitable arm of Beecology. SweetYear.org uses the Internet to connect committed consumers and generous corporate donors to charities that best match their lifestyles and principles. SweetYear.org will send a one-pound jar of Bee Organic Honey from Mapleridge Farm to any person in the United States (Continental”> for a $18 donation (plus $10 shipping and handling”> to the charity of your choice in that person’s name.

On each supported consumer product, there is a charity code that you enter on the SweetYear.org website. Once the code is entered and verified, you can select your favorite organization from a list of environmental, health, religious and other charities.

As buzz about their products grow, they plan to expand into a growing number of retailers. And as demand for products grows, they will be getting more bees as well. Any initial trepidation about sharing their space with bees is gone, Amy says.

“We all co-exist nicely,” she says.

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Facts about Bees

• • It takes 8 to 10 pounds of nectar to make one pound of honey.
• • It takes 8 to 10 pounds of honey to make one pound of beeswax.
• • The honey bee has been around for millions of years.
• • Honey bees are vital as pollinators.
• • Bees are the only insect that produces food eaten by man.
• • Honey is the only food that includes all the substances necessary to sustain life, including enzymes, vitamins, minerals and water.
• • The average worker bee products 1/12th teaspoon of honey in her lifetime.
• • A honey bee visits 50 to 100 flowers during a collection trip.
• • A colony of bees consists of 20,000 to 60,000 honey bees and one queen. Worker honey bees are female, live for about six weeks and do all the work.
• • The queen bee can live up to five years and is the only bee that lays eggs.
• • The queen bee mates with only 15 to 20 drones at the beginning of her life. She stores sperm for the rest of her life.

Mary J. Blige is appearing on the Oprah show at 4 p.m. (EDT”> today to announce a very special partnership between her charity, the Foundation for the Advancement of Women (FFAWN”>, and Carol’s Daughter.

In celebration of this partnership, Carol’s Daughter will donate 30 percent of all April 13-14 online sales to FFAWN.

FFAWN was founded by Blige and Steve Stoute almost three years ago to inspire women from all walks of life to reach their individual potential. Through scholarships, grants and programs, FFAWN helps women gain the confidence and skills they need to achieve success.

“Together, our donation will support their scholarships, grants and programs that foster strong self-esteem, career development and personal growth,” said Carol’s Daughter founder Lisa Price.

In the true spirit of beauty by nature, Carol’s Daughter is proud to support FFAWN in their efforts to empower women and instill confidence. Like FFAWN, Carol’s Daughter believes that true beauty comes from within. With their genuinely natural products, they strive everyday to help women look and feel their most beautiful.

FFAWN was chosen as one of the ten nonprofit organizations chosen to be a beneficiary of O, The Oprah Magazine’s “Live Your Best Life” Walk on Sunday May 9th, 2010 in New York City. This walk will be the culmination of a 3-day event in New York City celebration O’s tenth anniversary.

KMS California has released three new products that people with textured hair will want to check out.

Style Boost is a foundation product — you put it on first before layering on your other products. In doing so, it helps hold your style for three times longer.

“It’s a fun, unique product,” says Paige Fadden, who handles media relations for KMS. “A lot of people cocktail it with KMS California’s Molding Paste, and it holds the hair longer,” she says.

Also new from the company is Color Vitality Shine and Shield for color-treated hair. It reduces frizz and offers shine, as well as protects the hair from heat styling. Special ingredients ensure color lasts longer, says Fadden.

Add Volume Body Build Detangler is a two-phase spray. It detangles and pumps up volume. “Spray it in after your shower and comb through with wide-toothed comb,” says Fadden. “It won’t weigh down curls. A lot of the girls in the office who have curly hair use this.

KMS California’s sister company, Goldwell, also has some new releases, in their Dual Senses Sun Reflects collection. After-Sun 60secTreatment is a quick deep treatment. After-Sun Hair & Body Shampoo cleanses and cares for the hair and skin. Leave-in Protect Spray protects hair from the effects of the sun, pool an sea water. And Leave-in Protect Shimmer-Gel gives and intense shimmery shine.

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Tips from Edwin Johnson

On its own, apply Style Boost to wet hair and lightly diffused hair with a dryer. Great curl separation without a “crunchy feel” to the hair. For added softness apply Soft Wax through the hair once dry.

For a softer look with a looser curl/wave, apply style boost first to wet hair, then apply Silk Sheen Shaping Creme over top. Diffuse with a dryer for a soft hold.

For a firmer hold, apply Style Boost first to wet hair, ribbon the hair with your fingers and spray Curl Up Bounce Back Spray to each curl for a firm hold. Diffuse with dryer.

For Volume and big curls, apply Style Boost to wet hair. Distribute evenly with a large tooth comb. Add AddVolume Styling Foam and begin to round brush the hair in workable sub-sections. Create a curl with the round brush and then transfer the curled hair to cool around a velcro roller.

For smooth hair with volume at the roots, apply Style Boost to wet hair at the roots and then spray the ends with Flat Out Hot Pressed Spray. Blow dry with a large flat brush.

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Tips from John Simpson

Prep your hair with dualsenses Sun Reflects Leave-in Protect Spray. Mist over the entire head and wide tooth comb through. This will provide aid in detangling, provide moisture that the curls loose so quickly in the summer, and even help detangle if you are getting out of the water.

Then apply a nickel size amount of DS Sun Reflects Leave-in Protect Shimmer Gel — the perfect foundation to tame the hair against frizz from the humidity and at the same time provide radiant shine!

Tigi’s Curls Rock collection has long been a favorite among those with waves, curls and kinks.

But Tigi, never been a company to rest on its laurels, is always searching ways to improve its products. The company recently unveiled its Catwalk Curlesque collection, which improves and expands upon the successful Curls Rock line.

“We wanted to revamp the line, improving the products and taking other products that work (with texture”> and adding them to the line,” says Carlos Cintron, Tigi’s creative education development director. “The things people loved about Catwalk Curls Rock are still there, but better.”

Designed by Tigi’s international creative director Anthony Mascolo and the Tigi International Creative Team, the Curlesque Curl Collection uses advanced marine biology ingredients—a fusion of kelp, algae, cucumber water, seaweed and sea fennel—to help enhance waves, curls and kinks. This unique combination of ingredients is called the Catwalk Aquacomplex.

“With the Curlesque Collection, we are giving hairdressers the tools to create perfectly formed curls on their clients, and at the same time giving them a retail range with great fragrances, amazing packaging and effective formulas,” Mascolo says.

The Curlesque collection is a part of the company’s strategy to relaunch its entire Catwalk line into different collections. Last year, Tigi introduced the Your Highness Volume collection. Curlesque is the second new collection to launch. Each new collection is divided into three categories that coincide with TIGI Catwalk’s suggested style building system: Prep It, Work It, and Perfect It.

The Curlesque Prep It products include Defining Shampoo, Hydrating Conditioner and Leave-In Conditioner. The Work It products include Curl Amplifier, Lightweight Mousse and Strong Mousse; and Defining Serum. Tigi recommends that the new Defining Serum, its Perfect It product, be added to all of products to enhance the results.

“This new range of curl products is going to give us a complete arsenal for styling, from the tightest curl to loose natural waves,” says Heath Grout, a member of Tigi’s international creative team.

The curl category is especially important to Tigi because Curls Rock has been one of its most popular product lines, and more than 60 percent of the population has wavy, curly or kinky hair, Cintron says.

Too often, Cintron believes curly hair is misunderstood.

“You have to understand the type of texture it is—is it wavy, curly or kinky?” he says. “One size does not treat all. Each type must be treated differently. The right products and the right cut make all the difference.”

Cintron says the Curl Amplifier is his Holy Grail product when it comes to working with texture, and it has only gotten better with the relaunch with the addition of Tigi’s Aquacomplex.

“I can’t do without the amplifer,” he says. “It’s my No. 1 tool for working with curls because it doesn’t leave it crispy or crunchy. It joins everything together and seals the cuticle, leaving beautiful, shiny hair. It’s the same product, but better.”

Cintron provided Curlesque tips for every texture type.

Wavy

Cintron recommends putting Curlesque LIghtweight (for fine to medium hair”> or Strong Mousse (for medium to coarse hair”> into your hand and adding in some Curlesque Defining Serum. Apply it wet hair and comb through with a wide-toothed comb. Then diffuse it for extra volume and texture.

Curly

Cintron recommends using the Curlesque Leave-in Conditioner. Then, if you want to enhance the curl, he suggests using the Curl Amplifier mixed with a few drops of Defining Serum. Then diffuse it. For a looser curl, he says exclude the Amplifier from the mix.

Kinky

For kinkier textures, Cintron likes to mix the Leave-in Conditioner, Ampflier and the Defining Serum. That gives the hair shine and hydration to prevent it from looking dry. It also keeps the ringlets looking soft. He suggests letting kinkier hair types dry naturally because the hair can look unruly if overdried.

The timing is ideal for the launch of Curlesque, says Cintron. Super-straight looks have been replaced by voluptuous textured looks, he says.

“People don’t want to spend a lot of time on their hair,” he says. “They should enjoy their hair. They should work with their texture and have fun with it.”

Hot texture trends for the fall include longer, graduated curly bobs, longer shag shapes and long layers, with a “bit of disconnection.”

For longer hair, especially curly hair, if it’s too uniform, it can look too bushy,” he says. “I like to remove weight so it may be longer here and shorter there. It’s more appealing to the eye rather than looking round.”

No matter what the style or curl type, Curlesque provides the tools to help maximize the potential of waves, curls and kinks.

“Creatively, the new curl collection offers hairdressers endless possibilities to experiment with shape and texture to perfect hair with natural movement,” says Marco Iafrate, a member of Tigi’s international creative team. “The product range is the answer for hair with curl, from its wash and care to the styling and finishing.”

NaturallyCurly and Nappturalite Radio Sunday announced their joint Curly Confidence Contest—a YouTube-based promotion that encourages entrants to post videos explaining why and how they’ve embraced their natural curls.

With the Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo as the backdrop, NaturallyCurly co-founder Michelle Breyer was featured on Sunday’s Nappturalite Radio Show to talk about the web site’s mission as well as to launch the Curly Confidence contest.

Other guests on the radio show included Malaika Cooper, who provided updates from the Expo, and Natural Chica from NaturalChica.com, who recently joined NaturallyCurly as a video blogger. One of the main topics of the show was whether the term “nappy” has positive or negative connotations, and whether that’s changing.

The Nappturalite Radio Show is dedicated to the love of all things related to black natural hair care. It features regular discussions about natural hair trends, interviews with natural hair specialists and the scoop on the best hair-care products. Hosted by Dawn Yerger & co-host Jaye Reliford, the show airs live on BlogTalkRadio (internet radio”> on Sundays at 5 p.m. CST. The episodes can also be listened to and downloaded on iTunes.

Previous guests have included Chris-Tia Donaldson, author of “Thank God I’m Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair”, Charisse Carney-Nunes, author of the children’s book “Nappy” and Del Sandeen, Black Hair Expert on About.com.

Yerger, the creator of the Nappturalite Radio Show, recently transitioned from relaxed to natural hair – doing the “big chop” in November 2009 – and found herself in a whole new world. She decided to document her journey and share the information that she continues to find through the Nappturalite Radio Show.

She is the author of the upcoming book “The Brink: How Women Entrepreneurs Resurrected Their Businesses & How You Can Do the Same.”

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Details about the Curly Confidence Contest

How do your natural kinks, curls, waves or coils help you embrace the entire sum of your beauty? What gives you curly confidence? We want to know!

Here’s how to enter:

1. Record a brief 1-2 minute video about what gives you curly confidence and what makes you feel good about your natural hair. The more creative, the better your chance of winning!
2. Give one of your favorite “curly confidence” tips in your video.
3. Subscribe to the Nappturalite Radio YouTube Channel and the Naturally Curly YouTube channel
4. Post your videos as a response video to the video titled “Curly Confidence Contest!” Be sure to title your video as “Naturally Curly & Nappturalite Radio “Curly Confidence” Contest”.
5. Go to the Curly Confidence Page and fill out the entry box below (Check the “Subscribe to the Nappturalite Radio and the NaturallyCurly.com mailing lists” box so that we can contact you if you win!”>.

Dates

Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 12:00 AM to Monday, May 21, 2010 at 11:59 PM

Prizes

The Grand Prize (1 winner”>: Nappturalite Radio Gift Package – T-shirt, tanktop, mug and tote AND a large NaturallyCurly & CurlStylist notebook, NaturallyCurly comb, NaturallyCurly bag, and a $25.00 gift certificate to Shop.NaturallyCurly.com

First Place (1 winner”>: Nappturalite Radio T-shirt, mug and tote AND a small NaturallyCurly notebook, NaturallyCurly comb, NaturallyCurly bag, and a $15.00 gift certificate to Shop.NaturallyCurly.com

Second Place (1 winner”>: Nappturalite Radio T-shirt and tote AND a NaturallyCurly comb, NaturallyCurly bag, and a $10.00 gift certificate to Shop.NaturallyCurly.com

Runner Up (5 winners”>: Nappturalite Radio T-shirt and choice between tanktop, mug or tote AND a NaturallyCurly comb

Please contact us at nappturalite.radio@gmail.com if you have any questions about the contest.

Good luck, and we can’t wait to see your videos!

^{*Open to US and Canadian residents only.}

One week down and I’m still loving my Brazilian Blowout. My hair is so much softer, and I haven’t had any frizz, despite fog and rain. My curls are more shiny and defined.

Here are some of the differences I’ve noticed.

First, I need less hair product. My hair feels less coarse and a little finer, so I need less conditioner and styling products.

It takes less time to style. I diffuse for about five minutes and I’m good to go. Then I scrunch out any crunch and I have defined curls all day.

My hair is much less frizzy after a workout. I used to have a halo of frizz. Now, it is smooth and shiny, even after a sweaty spin class.

The biggest adjustment has been getting used to having less volume, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. My curls still have a lot of bounce and body, but they occupy less square footage on my head.

Stay tuned!

Ever feel like you can’t be categorized? Your hair isn’t quite curly. But it’s not wavy either.

Now there’s a word for you: Wurly! And you’ve created it right here on NaturallyCurly!

On CurlTalk, one reader identifies herself as a “first-week wurly.” Another says “By the way, the way you describe your hair – 2C-F-iii – is probably accurate for my hair too, since I also seem to have a fine, ‘wurly’ and thick hair thing going on.”

So what is the definition of wurly? It varies, but the general consensus seems to be that it’s:

• Between curly and wavy
• A 2c+ or a 3a-
• Wavy Curls
• Not exactly spirals, and definitely not straight

Just fyi: The official definition is an Australian indigenous shelter made from small branches with leaves still attached.

“I didn’t realize the term “wurly” had really caught on,” says CurlTalker WavyCurly40+. “I hope it has. It’s a very useful word, and I think there’s also a bit of wordplay—it sounds like “whirl,” which to me implies the sort of wacky, inconsistent, changing-shape-and-direction tendencies of this curl pattern.”

“There are a bunch of us in the sometimes-frustrating category,” she adds. “Perhaps we are finally learning to embrace it!”

Wurl Power!

The American Idol competition begins in earnest, now that the field is down to 24. And as always, curls, kinks and waves are well-represented. Enjoy our photo gallery of finalists who rock their texture along with their music.

— Gretchen Heber

Listen to a group of curly girls talk about their hair and you might think you’re in the middle of a support group.

“I requested to have my hair look curly and messy, and instead had my hair chopped to two inches in length,” said one writer on NaturallyCurly.com’s CurlTalk forum.

“I had full breakage on my crown while I stupidly had my curls straightened by my stylist who insisted my ‘horrible’ hair needed taming!” recalled another. “It was such a horrible experience that I didn’t go into a salon again for two years.”

In addition to a slew of nightmarish salon experiences, many have endured childhoods filled with nicknames like Bozo and Frizzball. It’s no wonder that many curly women have a difficult time embracing their curls.

Many women have grown up in families where curlphobia is prevalent. Children may receive negative messages early on about their curls and kinks from aunts, grandmothers and other relatives. Curly or kinky hair in its natural state may be considered “bad hair,” while looser curls or straight hair are praised—a cultural phenomenon that comic Chris Rock addressed in his film “Good Hair.”

“I tell my stylists that when a woman walks in with a head of curly hair, you have a head of hair with a soul,” says New York City stylist Ouidad, known as the “Queen of Curls.” “A woman with straight hair is a body with a head of hair.”

A stylist can play a key role in helping curly clients embrace their texture.

The first thing any stylist should do is to reassure her clients about her hair, and help her see its beauty. Often, someone with curly hair doesn’t even know they have a natural curl pattern until the stylist tells her.

After a consultation to make sure you and your stylist have similar expectations—something especially important with a curly client—the next step is for the stylist to give you a curl-enhancing cut.

Products—and training in how to use them—is a key step in learning to love your curls. This includes shampooing, conditioning and styling products. Be sure you know how to replicate your new look at home.

A good stylist can have a life-altering effect on a curly girl.

“For years, I was asked ‘Is that a bad perm?’ or ‘Sorry, we have to wait for the manager to get back because I don’t know what to do with this,’ and I had to sometimes re-cut my own hair after horrible non-curl-respecting cuts,” recalled one NaturallyCurly.com member. “Finally I found a stylist who knows what to do, how to do it, and is always willing (and able!!”> to change if need be. Finally!”

“Having someone who understands curly/wavy patterns work with my hair, I actually could see my hair’s pattern in a way I never saw it before,” said another NaturallyCurly.com member.

Do you wish more stylists took an interest in working with waves, curls and kinks? We do too.

That’s why the NaturallyCurly and CurlStylist teams were thrilled to team up with Modern Salon to create the first venture of its kind: Texture! Texture! includes information for the consumer and the professional both online and in a special supplement to provide the latest information on how to work with texture.

Our special collaboration launches with a special supplement in the February issue (it will be on stands the first week of February”> of Modern Salon, as well as with continuous content on NaturallyCurly.com, CurlStylist.com and ModernSalon.com. We also are coordinating a live event at America’s Beauty Show on March 28 showcasing some of the top curl experts in the country, including Ouidad, Hair Rules’ Anthony Dickey, Jonathan Torch from Curly Hair Solutions, Titi and Miko Branch from Miss Jessie’s and Mahisha Dellinger from Curls.

The content is rich in tips, insights and inspiration to help stylists best serve clients with curly hair, including innovative products, resources and education to help stylists grow their texture business.

Both Modern Salon and NaturallyCurly believe texture is a trend that’s here to stay.

NaturallyCurly.com recently surveyed our members about stylists’ knowledge in working with curly or textured hair. Then, Modern Salon asked stylists similar questions for comparison. Here’s what “she said” and “you said.”

Expertise

Consumer: Do you consider your stylist a curl expert? 68% yes

Stylist: Do you consider yourself a curl expert? 60% yes

Training

Consumer: Do you know if your stylist has had special curl training? 58% no

Stylist: Do you have special curl training? 66% no

Styling Tips

Consumer: Does your stylist provide training on how to style your hair? 65% yes

Stylist: Do you provide curly hair clients with advice on how to style their hair? 98% yes

Products

Consumer: Do you look to your stylist for product recommendations? 62% yes

Stylist: Do you recommend special products to clients with curly hair? 98% yes

Fast Fact

Consumer: 56% visit the salon every 6-12 weeks (more frequent than national average”>.

Stylist: The majority report that 20% – 50% of their clientele has curly hair (a significant market share”>.

Darcy’s Botanicals is a hobby turned passion. It was born out of entrepreneur Lysandra Taylor’s desire to live a more natural lifestyle, the inspiration of her sister’s natural coils, and the hope that her daughter would grow up feel better about her hair’s natural texture than she had.

Now celebrating its first anniversary, the Georgia-based company sells 25 hair products, including her best selling Madagascar Vanilla Styling Creme—the first product she created. Other standouts include Natural Coils Curling Jelly, Organic Coconut & Aloe Moisture Pudding and new Curl Detangling Milk.

“I absolutely love, love, love what I do,” Taylor says. “I hope that by providing natural and organic products for naturals, curlies, loc wearers and multi-ethnic curls that work, it will make it much easier for us to choose to love and embrace our natural hair.”

Taylor straightened her hair for 20 years. But as she got older, she noticed her hair began to thin and break. Then, when her daughter. Her sister, Olenda Taylor, had gone natural.

“My perception was that it was easier to straighten it,” Taylor says. “But I began to realize that if others could wear their natural, I could find a way to wear my hair natural.”

Becoming pregnant with her daughter, Darcy, was the final kick she needed to begin the transition because she didn’t want to use chemicals.

The challenge, she says, was figuring out how to work with her natural texture. She began visiting natural hair sites, including NaturallyCurly.com, mixing up butters and creams in her kitchen and researching ingredients that would work with her newly natural coils. Taylor gave her creations to her sister and friends to try, and soon people were requesting Taylor’s formulas. They encouraged her to sell her products.

She realized her hobby had become a viable business, and she incorporated in 2004. She spent the next few years learning how to run her business, and last December, she officially launched Darcy’s Botanicals.

Taylor says her business grew quickly, thanks to Etsy.com, a web site dedicated to handmade goods.

“It kind of happened by accident,” Taylor says. “My web designer was late in getting my site up, and I was in a tizzy. I wanted to be open before December, and I heard about Etsy, which got my name out there to a large market of people who want handmade products. It was a blessing in disguise.”

Taylor has developed new products based on customer feedback. Her newest additions, launched Black Friday, are Cleansing Cream and Herbal Scalp Butter. Based on customer requests, she plans to come out with more products for finer, wavier hair types as well as larger sizes of existing products.

“My customers are always emailing me and asking me to create things for them,” Taylor says. “They tell me exactly what they want. And I listen to them. If this is what they want, I want to give it to them. I’m taking a lot of notes, and learning as I go.”

Darcy’s Botanicals sends out samples with every order so customers can try something new.

She continues to research new oils and butters, and “can’t wait for my ximenia oil”— a natural alternative to silicone—to come in.

“I’ve got to have it!” she says. “I feel like a kid in a candy store.”

Known as “The King of Curls,” Joseph Lentini has been a premier hair stylist in the U.S. for more than 30 years. Located in Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, this classically trained master cutter carefully manages the line between cutting-edge and classic, depending on each client’s goals.

Lentini, a Redken-certified colorist, was featured in Allure magazine’s August 2009 issue spotlighting “Star hairstylists from Manhattan to Melrose Place.” The article states: “Lentini…cheerfully suggested removing bulk without transforming our texture, and streamlined our coils until they rippled past our shoulders instead of ballooning above them. Clearly, a little TLC goes a long way.”

Lentini took some time away from his busy schedule to give NaturallyCurly some tips for fun holiday looks.

NC: What’s a quick, fun look for the holiday season?

Joseph: I recommend buying a set of jumbo hot rollers. Divide your hair into six sections and wrap your curls from the root out. Take them out and let your hair cool. You will have a smooth, tousled, glamorous look. Finish it off with the Signacurl Curl Balm for shine and hold.

NC: What is the hot hair color for this time of year?

Joseph: Chocolate cherry is hot this year because of the vampire-mania created by “Twilight.” It looks nice with most skin tones, especially with the right makeup. Jazz it up with some Chanel red lipstick and false eyelashes, and everyone will notice you.

NC: What’s a fun, easy updo for curly hair?

Joseph: I love doing rosettes. You wrap small sections of hair into a pin curls, and you pin them on top of your head with a bobby pin. It looks like little roses. It doesn’t need to be perfect to look good. In fact, the more messy, the sexier it looks.

NC: What are some tips to keep my curls looking their best as I go from one party to another?

Joseph: Start off with Signacurl Curl Juice to define your curls, and throughout the night, use Curl Care reactivator to rejuvenate your curls.

Book a cut and color with Joseph during the month of December and get 20% and a free bottle of Signacurl Curl Juice Hair Lotion

SignaCurl

116 S. 19th St.

Philadelphia, PA.

215-567-1456

www.signacurl.com

When many people think about high fashion, they think of models strutting down the runway with their hair pulled back into tight chignons.

Australian-born stylist Rodney Cutler, Redken’s Brand Ambassador, believes texture can be the ultimate glamorous accessory.

This season, Cutler says curlies can draw inspiration from the collections of such designers as Chris Benz, Luca Luca and Twinkle. In many cases, stylists had to go to extreme measures to create the texture that those with wavy and curly hair come by naturally.

Cutler believes those with waves, curls and kinks can easily achieve high-fashion, wearable looks with the right products and styling tips.

In January, Redken will unveil several new styling products for curly hair, including soft spin 05 curl-enhancing gel for fine hair, new and improved ringlet 07 curl perfecting lotion for medium hair and curl wise 14 curl defining cream for coarse hair. Rounding out Redken’s curl line up is curl force 17 texturizing spray-gel for all hair types. Each product is designed to make it easy to achieve the most fashionable looks at home.

“I believe in embracing what you have, but taking it to the next level,” Cutler says.

One of Cutler’s favorite looks is a hippie-chic style with hair parted down in the middle, with the curls concentrated at the ends, while hair is flatter at the roots. This was a style seen at both the Twinkle and Chris Benz’ Spring/Summer 2010 runway shows.

“The look is feminine, but also a little wild and edgy at the same time,” Cutler says.

Another hot look that was seen at the Luca Luca show is hair that’s “deconstructed,” with a variety of textures. This may mean brushing out the curls for a less-defined look that is “not contrived,” Cutler says.

“Some people may think deconstructed hair looks frizzy, but it has an airiness to it,” he says.

“The key is to create dramatic looks that are touchable,” Cutler says. “It’s about using just a little bit of product to create texture, hold and separation.”

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Luca Luca

Prep hair with Redken Extreme Shampoo and Conditioner

• Step 1 Apply Redken soft spin 05 curl-enhancing gel to towel-dried hair and diffuse.
• Step 2 Scrunch wool shake 08 gel-slush texturizer through out hair to achieve a disheveled texture.

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Chris Benz

Prep hair with Redken Fresh Curls Shampoo and Conditioner

• Step 1 Apply Redken ringlet 07 curl perfecting lotion to towel-dried hair and diffuse-dry, making sure to keep the volume on the ends
• Step 2 Apply Redken glass 01 smoothing serum throughout midshafts and ends to reduce frizz and add shine.
• Step 3 Finish with Redken quick dry 18 instant finishing spray for added all-day control.

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Twinkle

Prep hair with Redken Fresh Curls Shampoo and Conditioner

• Step 1 Apply Redken curl wise 14 curl defining cream to towel-dried hair and diffuse-dry, making sure to keep the volume on the ends.
• Step 2 Set the midshafts and ends with a medium-size curling iron and mist Redken spray starch 15 versatile ironing spray on each section before curling.
• Step 3 Brush the set with a boar bristle brush and mist Redken curl force 17 texturizing spray-gel through the ends for added texture

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Visit your Redken salonfor a customized Redken cocktail.

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