Search Results: Michelle Breyer
As I Am Smoothing Gel
When the As I Am brand for natural hair was launched earlier this year, Joy became the official face of the brand. Joy represents the collective know-how of a number of real life natural-textured women who are highly knowledgeable and experienced in the care and styling of hair. Her mission is to help others embrace their natural hair.
NaturallyCurly wanted to learn more about Joy, and her own hair journey. She was thrilled to share her story in the hopes she could help others accept their coily, kinky texture.
NaturallyCurly: How old are you?
Joy: Joy doesn’t tell her age. I just like to say I’m fully grown, but young at heart.
NC: Have you always embraced your natural texture?
Joy: As a young girl, I did not. Like many African American women, I somehow got the notion in early childhood that certain hairstyles and hair textures are “pretty” and my natural tight-coily texture was not. It would take teams of psychologists and sociologists to unravel all of the reasons why these notions are so entrenched in our culture; however, I am certain that the media and social norms play a major part. At the age of six, my hair was straightened (pressed”> for the first time, and at age 13 or so, I got my first relaxer. Over the years, I attempted to “go natural” a number of times, only to go back to either chemically- or thermal- straightened hair when I could not seem to style it or get a look I was happy with. It’s been a little over two years since I made the decision to be forever natural… to joyously embrace the texture that nature provided.
NC: How would you describe your hair?
Joy: My hair is type 4b, a very typical texture among African descent people. It has a definite coil pattern, configured much like the small springs in retractable ink pens.
NC: What advice would you give women who want to transition?
Joy: I would first say to practice patience. As you grow in your natural texture, the new growth can make styling your hair in its usual style a virtual nightmare. You may be tempted to use a lot of heat to blend the coily with the straight. This is not the best approach because high heat styling can straighten natural coils permanently. Additionally, I have three main things to suggest: (1″> As you transition, It’s a good idea to switch to styles that better match your natural texture, like those created with rod sets, straw sets and braids (that are not too tight”>. In this way, you are coaxing your chemically-treated hair to behave more like your natural texture and not the other way around, (2″> trim your hair gradually if you are not one to go straight to the “big chop.” When you have only 2-3 inches of straight hair left, then go for it! Cut all of the straight portions off, and (3″> begin to “baby” your hair during the transition, just like you will want to do once your hair is fully natural. Use only the gentlest, most hydrating sulfate-free cleansers, deep condition often with a great conditioner, avoiding high-protein conditioners, except perhaps on the relaxed part of your hair (animal protein can harden the hair”>. Avoid styling products that contain alcohol and keep your hair well moisturized with rich emollients.
In my case, I wore weaves for two years as my hair grew out. My stylist would go easy on the underneath cornrows so that my hair would not thin out. I got my weave redone fairly often – every 6 to 8 weeks – and made sure to deep condition my hair well before the next one was sewn in. And I think this is very important… begin to visualize yourself wearing your natural texture – starting now. If you do weave your hair, select textured hair and have it styled attractively so that you can begin to see yourself natural. Weaving is not for everyone. Some would say that wearing weaves defeats the purpose of going natural, in the sense that they fall short of accepting yourself as you are. This, however, is an emotional thing for many women and we’ve got to cut each other a break. Some women will continue to blow dry their hair straight, even after going all natural… others will not. Some will wear weaves and braid extensions as they move away from chemical straighteners… others won’t. Some brave ladies go for the big chop and look and feel absolutely beautiful in a matter of a few minutes… others can’t fathom this idea.
As I Am Coconut CoWash
Let me say here that, aside from the style aspect of wearing natural hair, there are undeniably emotional and even spiritual components involved for many women. I think that anyone who has spent time on websites such as NaturallyCurly.com, CurlyNikki.com and countless other sites and blogs can see that a wonderful sisterhood has developed. I am happy to observe that this connection is overwhelmingly based on mutual respect, understanding, a desire to help, and tolerance of others’ viewpoints and methods. How – and even if – you go natural is ultimately one’s own choice, and whatever the choice, it’s okay.
NC: Are you seeing more women working with their natural texture? Are attitudes changing?
Joy: Yes, indeed, to both questions! Wherever I go, I am seeing more women of all ages rockin’ natural styles. When I encounter another natural sister, often we take the time to compliment each others’ hair and choice. There’s an unspoken “congratulations” in the interchange for the freedom the other is inevitably experiencing because of her choice.
Attitudes are really changing. Most of the shift, however, is occurring in the hearts and minds of the natural women themselves. This is to say that others around us may think it strange and even ill-advised to wear naturally tight, coily hair. We who have decided to go natural, however, have already determined it’s the thing to do. For some, it is a matter of answering questions such as, “Why am I fighting with my hair?”, “ Who determined that only straighter textures are pretty and acceptable?”, “ Why have I internalized that determination?” and “If I believe that a creator purposely and lovingly made me this way, don’t I already have an inherent, unique and divine brand of beauty?” Aside from the metamorphosis taking place as these questions are addressed, there is measure of bravery and boldness involved in wearing natural textured hair, particularly for those of us with type 4 textures. Increasingly, women are saying that “I have the guts and I am enjoying the freedom!”
NC: What products do you use to get your amazing look?
Joy: As the official, trademarked mascot of As I Am, I am of course partial to this brand. Each and every one of the 11 products are on my shelf at home because there is a unique place for each one in my hair care regime, depending upon the style I choose to wear and my hair needs at any particular time. For the pulled back, off-the-face style that I am wearing now in my pix on the site, I use the Coconut CoWash most of the time for cleansing. I always use the Leave-In Conditioner, I deep condition every 3-4 weeks with Hydration Elation Conditioner, and I sleek my edges with the fabulous Smoothing Gel. I love twist outs, so I use the Twist Defining Cream. I also enjoy the wash ‘n go style. For this style, I use the Curling Jelly. When my hair gets a little thirsty, I reach for either the Moisture Milk or DoubleButter Cream. The CocoShea Spray is a superb moisturizer as well.
NC: What do you think women should look for in products for natural hair?
Joy: Ingredients that are gentle and moisturizing. Products that do not contain sulfates and alcohol, for sure. Many natural ladies avoid silicones and none of the As I Am products contain them, however, others still use them. That’s a matter of choice. I want to mention, though, that our R & D chemists assure me that some of the ones used in hair care products these days are easily cleansed from hair and are not as problematic as many believe. Finally, look for products that do what you want and need them to do. If a product hardens or builds up on your hair, don’t use it. If it dries out your hair in any way, get rid of it!
NC: What types of different looks can you get with your hair?
Joy: Bantu Knots: On clean, conditioned damp hair, part hair in neat medium-sized sections, smooth on Twist Defining Cream and gently twist each section until it twines around itself near the scalp. Gently wrap the ends around the base of the knot until they are out of sight. To secure, insert a hair pin through and underneath the knot.
Two-Strand Twists: On clean, conditioned wet or damp hair, apply Twist Defining Cream liberally to small or medium sections. Use less cream when twisting barely damp hair. The wetter the hair, the more Twist Cream you can use. Divide each section in two, and twist one around the other, leaving about ½” – ¾” untwisted at the ends. Twirl the ends around your forefinger and carefully slide your finger down and out of the coil. As you twist, arrange the twists in the places and directions that you ultimately want them positioned in your finished style.
As I Am Twist Defining Cream
Very important: Apply As I Am Leave-In Conditioner liberally before applying Twist Defining Cream. This adds a great finish and prohibits flaking.
Twist-Outs: Two-Strand Twist as described above and when the twists are completely dry, carefully undo the them. You may gently massage along your scalp to obscure the partings. Be careful not to disturb the coiled/curled alignment along the length and ends of the sections. Remember, in the days after your twist-out, your hair also will naturally fill in and become fuller.
To complete your style, you may desire fullness in some or in all areas of your hair. If you opt to separate your twists even further for more volume, take care to handle them very gently. Pulling and separating carelessly will cause the multi-strand coil assemblies to come apart and take on an undefined, frizzy look.
Remember: The more you manipulate your twists, the fuller your hair will get, so separate or finger fluff where you want volume or height. Fluff just a little or not at all where you want closer-to-the-head, flatter areas. Once hair has been fluffed, it won’t return to the original flattened alignment until you re-wet and re-style your hair.
Big Beautiful Afro: Braid or twist barely damp or dry hair. You may want to curl the ends with perm or flex rods for a curlier look. When you remove rods, braids and/or twists, fluff and arrange by hand. You may also gently use a pick to lift the areas near your scalp for shaping.
Ponypuff: Smooth back your hairline, sides and nape areas, and secure with a thin elastic headband. If you want a super smooth perimeter, dampen hair and apply the As I Am Smoothing Gel. The Ponypuff can be done on hair which has been styled via Twist-outs, Knot-Outs, Wash n’ Go and Big Beautiful Afro techniques.
Sleek Wash n’ Go: Cleanse and condition. Apply Leave-In Conditioner liberally and apply As I Am Curling Jelly to soaking wet hair section-by-section, from root to tip. Rake with fingers and allow your defined curls to air dry. Please do not even touch it while wet! This will cause your hair to frizz and lose some of its beautiful definition. It may take a long time to dry but it will look good every step of the way. This, of course, works better when it’s warm outside and you don’t have to worry about exposure to frigidly cold temperatures.
NC: Any words of encouragement for all the women out there who are thinking of going natural?
Joy: Be patient. This is a journey. It takes time to learn what to do for your hair and to get used to a new look. Listen to your hair. For years and years, many of us have fought with our hair, trying to get it to do what it was never meant to do. If it feels and looks dry, give it moisture, which does not necessarily mean oil. If it does not want to hang down and flow, let it be full, free and fabulous all about your head. If it simply doesn’t like a particular product, try another application method or find another product that your hair will love.
Do what you need to do to get where you want to go. Growing out your natural texture is not for the faint of heart. Do what you have to do! If after your latest styling session, your hair looks terrible to you (perhaps you just haven’t got the hang of it all yet”>, wear a pretty head wrap or a graceful pulled back puff or bun with nice earrings and pretty make up. If you need to temporarily wear braided extensions or “somebody else’s” hair, do it until your hair gets adequate care and you get the styling techniques down. Go to a knowledgeable and skilled girlfriend or natural hair shop to get a head start. And finally, surround yourself with positive people who have a more expanded view of beauty. There are plenty of people who will never like anything but straight hair, but increasingly there are more examples than ever of women who are undeniably breathtaking, with confident, serene demeanors, who fiercely display their natural tresses for the whole world to see.
Seek guidance and support. Ask people you know whose natural hair you admire. Visit natural hair sites and blogs. View YouTube videos of experienced naturalists. Visit the As I Am website, and send your questions to me. We all want to help others experience the ”Joy” of natural hair.
Speak beautiful affirmations to yourself and to your hair. I am beautiful As I Am, I am what I was created to be As I Am. I am Confident As I Am. I am free As I Am. My hair curls in perfect little spirals. I may not have gotten it right today, but there is a tomorrow.
A good frizz-fighter is hard to find.
When we opened the box, our initial thought was, “Did somebody get confused when our site said it dealt with all things kinky?”
We’ve seen plenty of “interesting” looking packaging over the years, but Samy’s new Twisted Frizz Control Spray, with its pink cylindrical shape, takes the cake (nice touch on the pink color, marketers”>.
Of course, Tigi Bed Head After Party Smoothing Cream is right up there, too.
Tell us what packaging has caught your eye. Meanwhile, we’ll be spending a little quality time with our, um, “product.”
You know what they say. A good frizz-fighter is hard to find.
Katie Holmes on the red carpet
Katie Holmes in a scene from “The Decision”
NEW YORK, NY — To launch its new hair color, John Frieda wanted to do something truly innovative.
So for the biggest launch in the history of the company, they made the product—Precision Foam Colour—the star of a movie.
On Tuesday night, at a red carpet event at New York’s Lavo nightclub, beauty editors, company executives and celebrities gathered for the premiere of “The Decision,” a short film starring Katie Holmes and the hair color.
The tongue-in-cheek movie asks the question: Is cheating on your colorist worth the risk? Holmes plays Joan Hudson, a high-profile actress who makes the choice to leave her colorist and color her own hair. Ultimately, Hudson finds that John Frieda Precision Foam Colour truly delivers salon precise coverage at home.
A series of online teasers have led up to the debut of the short film, dropping clues as to the identity of the film’s star and the contents of her bag (John Frieda Precision Foam Colour”>.
With its 20 stylist-selected shades and foolproof foam texture, the unprecedented formula ensures effortless application and complete coverage for natural-looking, salon-quality results. Earlier in the day, John Frieda creative color director Nicola Clarke demonstrated the ease of using the new hair color by applying the foam color to her own hair in front of a room full of beauty editors at Hudson Studios.
“Part of what traditionally sets salon color apart from at-home color is the quality of the shades,” explained Clarke. “I worked with John Frieda hair care to create shades that closely reflect what I really use in the salon. There’s a full range of natural, luminous colors for blondes, brunettes and redheads, giving women access to a caliber of color usually found in the salon.”
John Frieda Precision Foam Colour
Watch “The Decision.”
Mother Gothel of Disney’s “Tangled”
Curly girls have been a rarity in Disney movies. So the fact that one of the stars of Disney’s new movie “Tangled” is curly is a major step forward – even if she’s evil. Really evil.
Mother Gothel is the main antagonist of the upcoming CGI animated film, “Tangled.” The Queen of a nearby kingdom was near death and had her guards search for this magical plant to heal her. They find it and the Queen heals, soon giving birth to Rapunzel. The flower’s abilities are in Rapunzel’s magical glowing hair that gives eternal youth. Mother Gothel acquires Rapunzel as a child, stealing her from the royal nursery and hiding her in an inaccessible tower. Gothel lies to Rapunzel about the outside world and everyone in it, imprisoning her in a tower to keep access to the youth-restoring qualities of her hair. The problem is, now Rapunzel’s all grown up, wants out and mama’s not going to have it.
But while Mother Gothel may have her issues, she does have great curls – beautiful black ringlets. The character is voiced by television actress and singer Donna Murphy. According to Pixarplanet.com, creating her long, curly hair wasn’t easy. They had to create and develop special techniques to create her 3b curls.
Maybe Disney’s next curly character will be the heroine. Baby steps.
OnSpeedDating.Com and NaturallyCurly.Com join forces next month to host a “kinky” new singles event from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm on Thursday, December 2, at Gramercy hot spot The Watering Hole.
Whether wavy, curly or kinky, girls with curls will be the mane attraction at this “Curls Gone Wild” speed dating event, where single men ages 25-48 will meet 10-25 curly-haired single women in one night.
“We have an “ask and you shall receive” policy, explains OnSpeedDating.com Co-Founder, Amber Soletti, NaturallyCurly’s dating blogger. “If enough people request a speed dating theme, then we’ll make it happen. It’s funny because the Millionaire Matchmaker, Patti Stanger is so insistent that men want women with straight, sleek hair. Clearly not in NYC since we’re hosting a Curls Gone Wild event, not a “Play It Straight” event.
What is it about curly haired women that make men swoon?
“I’ve always had a thing for curly haired women”, says 35-year-old NY firefighter and resident single, Pedro BIsono. “They’re sexy, confident and I love that they can change their look on any given night. It definitely keeps things interesting.”
“My first curl crush was Jennifer Beals from Flash Dance,” shares resident single David Parnes, 35. “She kind of ruined me for other women, as I now tend to only be attracted to women with curly hair.”
A limited number of tickets (20 for men, 20 for curly-haired women”> will be available for purchase starting Thursday, November 18, exclusively at OnSpeedDating.com for $35 each. Admission price entitles attendees to anywhere from 10 to 20 three-minute “dates”, drink specials and for the curly women in attendance, curly hair care products provided by top hair care brands like HerCut, Miss Jessie’s, Devachan Salon and Deva Spa and Curlisto. BeautyTV will also provide women with free trial memberships to their website, where women can learn from top professional offering tips and tricks for caring for their hair.
“The timing is perfect for this event” says NaturallyCurly.com co-founder Michelle Breyer. “Since all the hype around Patti Stanger’s curl-bashing comments on ‘The Millionaire Matchmaker,” we’ve heard from a number of men about how they love their girlfriends’ and wives’ waves, curls and kinks because it is a part of what makes them who they are. Men are attracted to women who are confident in who they are—whether they have straight hair or ringlets.”
OnSpeedDating.com is an entirely new breed of speed dating. The service offers NYC singles niche events themed around dating deal breakers as well as quirks and fetishes like “Hot for Teacher”, “Date a Democrat”, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, “Inked” for tattooed singles, “Non-Practicing Jew” night, “Have Passport, Will Travel”, “Mr. Right Now” and “Size Matters” for guys and gals with a hankering for height and “Wing Women” for women seeking a partner in crime when they hit the dating scene.
With the promise of at least 10-25 ‘dates’ per event, singles are sure to have their pick of matches.
Learn more about Texture!, a collaboration between CurlStylist, NaturallyCurly and Modern Salon
According to Darby Shields, associate artistic director for ISO, there are two 4-letter words in hairdressing: bangs and perms.
When it comes to perms “We now say ‘body’ or ‘movement’ or ‘texture’,” says Shields.
Whatever you choose to call them—texturizers, waves or perms—the technology has come a long way. Unlike the poodle perms of the past, today’s perms have the ability to deliver sexy, fashion-forward texture without sacrificing the health of your hair. They are definitely not our mothers’ perms.
Demand is on the rise as texture—from beachy waves to curls—has become increasingly fashionable.
The whole process has changed dramatically from the day of strong chemicals, perm rods and end papers.
In 1938, Arnold F. Willatt invented the cold wave, the precursor to the modern perm. It used no machines and no heat. The hair was wrapped on rods and a reduction lotion containing ammonium thioglycolate was applied. This chemical breaks open the disulfide linkages between the polypeptide bonds in the keratin (the protein structure”> in the hair. The disulfide bonds give hair its elasticity, and can be reformed with chemicals. Next, an oxidation lotion was applied, (hydrogen peroxide”>, to close the disulfide bridges again and the hair was reformed to the shape of the rod. The entire process took 6–8 hours at room temperature. These treatments evolved into perms using ammonium thioglycolate, and then sodium thioglycolate, which cut processing time.
And the application also has changed dramatically from the day of perm rods and end papers. Today’s tools are flexible and soft, or no tools at all are used.
“You can make pin curls and process that, if you want,” Sheilds says. “You can do just about anything you want.”
Steve Goddard was working at Redken in 1994—“the day perms died.” He recalls working with chemists to come up with a new type of permanent rave. While talking to a focus group of 12 young stylists, he asked them for feedback on anmes and positioning.
“I started the presentation and notice that they’re all looking at me like I stepped off the moon,” says Goddard, president and founder of Pravana Naturceuticals.
“They all said ‘We don’t do perms,’”Goddard recalled.
Goddard asked, “None of you do perms?”
“None of us do perms,” they replied.
“Absolutely none?” he asked.
“We don’t do them and we don’t want to do them,” the stylists replied.
For the next 14 years, stick straight hair was the trend. But two years ago, he started to notice celebrities wearing soft waves. Goddard started looking and listening, and realized this trend was different than the perm trend that had caught fire in the 1980s. These waves were longer and less defined—beachier.
Goddard decided to create a product that could give women this beachy look—the Pravana Beach Wave. With that mission in mind, he realized he would have to create a formula different than the alkaline waves, which create a firmer, crisper curl than he wanted for this look An acid wave would provide the softness, but wouldn’t be firm enough for longer hair.
“We would lose the wave because of the weight,” he says. “We realized we needed to come up with a hybrid in terms of a wave solution. We developed a wave that uses amino acid technology to replace thioglycolate, giving the firmness of a wave without the crispness and definition.”
In addition to the actual solution, Goddard wanted to create an easy-to-use way to wrap the hair that wouldn’t leave marks The answer was to use wave blocks. Rather than the 70 to 80 rods used for a traditional perm, a stylist can use as few as 18 wave blocks to wrap up the head in a matter of 10 minutes.
“There is so much variety now, and that carries over to the textural spectrum,” Goddard says. “It’s not just about different cuts today. It’s about different textures. It’s our job to find out what people are doing and what they want, and then come up with a way for them to do it easily.”
In 1938, Arnold F. Willatt invented the cold wave, the precursor to the modern perm. It used no machines and no heat. The hair was wrapped on rods and a reduction lotion containing ammonium thioglycolate was applied. This chemical breaks open the disulfide linkages between the polypeptide bonds in the keratin (the protein structure”> in the hair. The disulfide bonds give hair its elasticity, and can be reformed with chemicals. Next, an oxidation lotion was applied, (hydrogen peroxide”>, to close the disulfide bridges again and the hair was reformed to the shape of the rod. The entire process took 6–8 hours at room temperature. These evolved into perms using ammonium thioglycolate, and then sodium thioglycolate.
But stylists still have some image hurdles to overcome to get the word out about this new generation of perms.
“People do come in for perms, but they don’t want to say it,” Shields says. “They may bring in a picture of Taylor Swift or Kate Hudson, and I tell them I can make their hair look like that chemically.”
Shields also having some examples by your chair of the results that can be achieved with texturizers. She suggests wrapping hair pieces with different tools and have them hanging around your station to show the different types of waves and curls you can create.
“It’s a huge opportunity,”says Shields. “Judging from the way people are asking for texture on both coasts, I’m sure it will permeate the rest of the country in short order. To be on the leading edge of that can be a huge advantage. You can really build your business if you become known for this new generation of retexturizers.”
The chemicals being used also are much different, with less ammonia and lower pHs. ISO’s Option Wave, for example, This award-winning professional perm system completely free of thio, the activator found in many traditional perms, and also Damage-free, low ammonia formulation. It uses ISOamine™, an exclusive technology that allows for deeper and more even penetration into the hair’s cortex with minimal swelling of the cuticle. Minimal swelling means hair’s internal and external structures and condition are maintained.
And the application also has changed dramatically from the day of perm rods and end papers. Today’s tools are flexible and soft or no tools.
“You can make pin curls and process that, if you want,” Sheilds says. “You can do just about anything you want.”
A Perm Primer
Root Perm
A savior for those with short, flat hair—the root perm helps add volume at the root of the hair to give lots of body. It’s also perfect for already permed hair that’s looking for a little pick-me-up. Because only the roots are treated, it saves the rest of the lady’s locks from another treatment.
Body Wave Perm
Creating big, bouncy curls as opposed to tight, spring curls – the body wave perm is for curl-lovers who want a more modern curly look. The goal is to inject body and a little curl without adding a ton of ‘poof’ to the hair. Because this perm uses larger perm rods than traditional perms, the length of your client’s hair will determine how curly it will be: the shorter, the curlier.
Weave Perm
Because you’re curling only partial sections of the hair, the weave perm will give your client a fabulous, fusion look with both textured and straight pieces in her hair. She’ll be treated with great versatility by choosing how much of her hair is treated for this modern look.
Stack Perm
Finally a solution for women without layers, the stack perm is made for women who have a one-length cut. The treatment creates soft, layered curls for a natural look and is achieved by the use of differently sized rollers to the middle and bottom sections of the hair. The top is typically left flat to create a more a more natural look.
Acid Perm
While it sounds harsh, the acid perm is actually gentler than the traditional alkaline perm as it has a lower pH level. It is specifically made for those with sensitive, fragile, or damaged hair. This perm will still create beautiful curls without as much damage to the hair follicle.
Exothermic Perm
Referring to the gentle, internal heat that is characteristic of this treatment, the exothermic perm helps speed up the processing time. The heat helps to allow the lotion to absorb quickly into the hair, conditioning and strengthening the cuticle from the inside. Your client will walk out with beautiful, bouncy curls from this innovative treatment.
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.”
For more information, and to find a cosmetology school near you, check out Beauty School Advisor.
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.”
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.”
Carlos Cintron
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.
Have you tried Tigi products? Add your review here.
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.”
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!
Community member blueroses79 shows off her wurly locks
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!
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.
Natural Coils Curling Jelly
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.”
Lysandra Taylor
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.”
Joseph Lentini, SignaCurls
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?
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
If you’ve been on CurlTalk recently, you’ve probably heard the buzz about the Flexi-8.
“It doesn’t pull at hair the way the clips and barrettes did,” Windflower said.
I love my Flexi-8s! Every time I wear one I get several compliments that day,” says Magoo.
The Flexi-8 is a unique, flexible barrette that is especially adept at holding thick, curly and coarse hair. It uses an ingenious, patented locking mechanism to secure it in your hair and comes in a seven sizes and wide variety of styles. It is made out of stainless music wire, which creates enough tension to hold the hair and keeps it lightweight.
The Flexi-8 got its start 17 years ago, says creator John Dorsey. Originally, he created and sold beaded chop sticks, and that evolved into the unique figure-eight design with a sliding, locking pin. He launched his web site eight years ago.
“Friends say I created the Wonder Bra for hair,” says Dorsey. “Nobody had ever done anything like it before.”
Although he did infomercials and got his Flexi-8 into the top chain stores in the United States, craft shows have been the key to the Flexi-8’s success, Dorsey says.
“When people see it, they love it,” Dorsey says. “Now we get most of our business through referrals.”
There 275 different Flexi-8 designs available on the site, and Dorsey says he is always coming up with new designs and styles. He gets the beads from around the world.
“We wanted to create a wide variety of designs to appeal to different tastes,” Dorsey says. “You have to design, design, design. You need to give customers a reason to come back.”
The most popular design is the Celtic knot. Other popular designs include hearts, butterflies and dragonflies.
The Flexi-8’s popularity with the curlies of the world comes from the ability to customize it to different textures. Unlike many hair accessories, which have a one-size-fits-all approach, there is a Flexi-8 for every hair type and length, Dorsey says. The site provides information about how to find the right size for your hair type.
“It bends around the hair and is fitted based on the thickness of the hair,” he says. “It’s almost like a pair of shoes. Hair is such a personal thing for women.”
Now for a limited time, when you buy four Flexi-8s, you get one free.”
Just when you thought you’d heard it all, there’s another twist on curls.
The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne, In., recently featured a photo of Lars Helgeson’s American Bashkir Curly stallion, Mahogany’s Dakota Sunrise, showing off his curly hair.
Yes, there are curly horses. It’s neigh joke! There’s even an International Curly Horse Organization — the equine equivalent of NaturallyCurly.com.
By current scientific breed recognition guidelines, the North American Curly Horse is not a true breed, but rather a coat type. However, the goal of many Curly Horse breeders is to develop real breeds of horses that are curly coated. Many Curly breeders are also just as dedicated to the preservation of the old bloodlines of North American Curly Horses that still exist. ICHO goals are supportive of all these types of breeding programs.
Curlies were first discovered by white men in America in the wild herds of mustangs in Eastern Nevada, at the turn of the 20th century. The Sioux and Crow Indians had Curly horses as early as 1800, though whether these two kinds of Curly horses were related we don’t know. There is also written and pictorial evidence of curly haired horses found at various times in various places around the world — Charles Darwin writes of curly horses in South America, for instance.
The ICHO is undertaking serious research on the Curly gene, to try to discover more about it and its various expressions. There will be pedigree tracking, surveys on traits, etc, to begin learning as much as possible about these mysterious, curly coated, hypoallergenic horses.
Like their human counterparts, Curlies come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and all colors. The winter curls on different individuals can range from crushed-velvet-looking, to Marcelle waves, to tight ringlets, to “French knot” microcurls. Manes and forelocks can be corkscrewed, ringletted, or dreadlocked. Tails may have some wave or curl. The hair in their ears is curly, the whiskers, eyelashes and fetlocks is often curly or wavy. These curls are considered a hallmark of the breed, and most owners would never trim or clip them off.
In summer, Curlies typically shed out to a slick coat, sometimes still appearing slightly wavy. Some Curlies keep strongly curled hair all year round, though not as thick or long, in the summer.
Curlies do not need pampering, but they do need good basic care. Normal grooming is satisfactory for most Curly coats. Combing out the ringletted or corkscrew or dreadlocked manes can cause them to lose their curly look. Some people choose to trim the manes occasionally instead keep them neat. Tails can be brushed and combed in the normal manner. Care must be taken during shedding season, not to pull out too much mane and tail, during grooming.
Unlike their human counterparts, curly horses have a quieter temperament than other horses.
“Some owners compare Curly Horses to mules or asses, in their higher intelligence, and the fact that they think rather than just panic,” according to the ICHO.
I’m not sure being compared to an ass is a good thing, but I’m a curly human.
When Deva invited women to “Do the Deva 3-Step: cleanse, hydrate, style”, hundreds of enthusiastic curlies tried Deva’s botanically-infused, sulfate-free line of curly hair care and they couldn’t wait to share their results.
Curly Girl Challenge winner Jesse Reese.
“Thanks to DevaCurl products, my hair is now healthy, shiny, and full of life, but more importantly, these products have helped me become a self-confident and independent woman,” raves Grand Prize winner Jesse Reese from Boise, ID. When she was given the “constructive” criticism by her college career center that it would be prudent to straighten her hair because curly hair is perceived as unprofessional, Jesse calmly explained that “my hair is a part of who I am and I would never work for an employer who would be so narrow-minded as to not hire someone because of the mere shape of their hair.”
DevaCurl applauds Reese’s extraordinary sense of self and commitment to her curls.
“Jesse personifies the DevaCurl message. It’s simple: Learn to love your curls and set them free,” says Massey, who has been leading the curly girl revolution for years and urging curly-haired women everywhere to put down their “blow-fryers” and straightening irons once and for all.
As the Grand Prize winner, Jesse will travel New York City in September where she will be pampered at the new Devachan Salon and DevaSpa with a “day-cation” of heavenly treatments. While in New York, Jesse will have her hair cut, colored and styled by Massey and be part of a photo shoot for Massey’s new book. This much-anticipated follow-up to her extremely successful first book Curly Girl The Handbook debuts in Spring 2010.
Curly Girl Challenge runner-up Zoraida Cabrera.
Zoraida Cabrera of Charlotte, NC, is one of the two runners up selected and shares, “I felt straight hair was equivalent to beauty and perfection. I would get my hair flat ironed or slicked down with so much gel that my curls were scared to stand up and be curls. The Curly Girl Challenge taught me that with the right products and care, my hair is not only manageable but beautiful. My curls are finally free!”
Curly Girl Challenge runner-up Theresa Berggren.
Theresa Berggren of Ithaca, NY, also selected as a runner-up, writes of her Challenge experience, “I sometimes find it hard to believe this is really ‘my hair’ and I am just now for the first time at 50 finding out that I have really nice curls! People come up to me now and say I look like Taylor Swift. Once, I did an internet search to see who she was—I was very flattered!”
Cabrera and Berggren will both receive $200 worth of DevaCurl products and will have their pictures in Massey’s new book.
DevaCurl would like to thank all the women who joined the Curly Girl Challenge and embraced their curls! It was wonderful to see all those beautiful curls and be a part of so many powerful stories of self-acceptance and curl love — you are all winners in our book! Please continue to share your stories and empower all curly girls. DevaCurl products are available at www.devachansalon.com.
The Winning Entries
Jessie Reese
Q: What did you learn from the Curly Girl Challenge?
Reese: DevaCurl has changed more than my hair—it’s changed my total outlook on life. The DevaCurl practices have become my way of existence. Thanks to DevaCurl products, my hair is now healthy, shiny, and full of life, but more importantly, these products have helped me become a self-confident and independent woman. I have a bank of recollections which contain a plethora of memories (both good and bad”> relating to my hair. After reading the prompt for this essay, one memory in particular stands out. In college I participated in a mock interview with my university’s career center in order to better prepare myself for future job interviews. I had just discovered the product line, and with the help of DevaCurl and my Deva Stylist, Julia, I had never been more excited to be a curly girl. Upon the faux interviews completion I was given some “constructive” criticism which I will never forget. The young man conducting the interview told me that for future interviews it would be prudent of me to straighten my hair because curly hair is unprofessional. I have never in my life been more offended. I calmly explained to him that my hair is a part of who I am, and I would never work for any employer who would be so narrow minded as to not hire someone because of the mere shape of their hair. DevaCurl has helped me love my hair, and has given me the confidence to stand up to people who believe that women must fit a certain mold- and that mold requires straight hair. I am determined to break the mold and show others that curly girls are empowered women and that we are here to stay. We’re girls! We have curls! Get used to it!
Q: How has it changed your hair?
Reese: Before using DevaCurl my curls were simply uninspired. I wore my hair in a ponytail day in and day out in attempt to hide the fact that my hair was different. My entire life I wanted to be like all the other girls whose ponytails swooshed from side to side as they walked and whose hair tumbled down their backs in an orderly manner. Today, thanks to DevaCurl, I’m rocking out to a different tune. As I walk my glossy curls bounce with each step I take. DevaCurl has given my hair that extra polish it needed for me feel comfortable wearing it down. My curls are now an extension of my personality: bubbly and vivacious, and the product line has given me the opportunity to show my hair off to the world. Before stumbling upon DevaCurl I refused to take risks with my hair, but today I let my imagination run wild when it comes to my locks. If you ask any of my friends they will tell you that I am the poster child for DevaCurl products. Whenever I meet someone with curly hair I immediately tell them about the product line and what it has done for me. Nothing makes me happier than to helping a fellow curly girl embrace her hair for what it is- positively beautiful and unique! Thank you from the very bottom of my heart for helping me learn to love and accept my hair. Words cannot even begin to express my sincere gratitude for this product line.
Zoraida Cabrera
Q: What did you learn from the Curly Girl Challenge?
Cabrera: The Curly Girl challenge has taught me to embrace my curls and to set them free. Before this challenge, I felt straight hair was equivalent to beauty and perfection. In order to feel attractive I would get my hair flat ironed or I would have it pulled back and slicked down with so much gel that my curls were scared to stand up and be curls. I have learned that with the right products and proper care my hair is not only manageable but beautiful. After taking this challenge I can honestly say that I love my curls. No more “poo” for me!
Q: How has it changed your hair?
Cabrera:With the DevaCurl products and styling techniques my curls have become more defined and softer. My hair has luster because it is well conditioned and humidity is no longer my archenemy. I enjoy my curls so much now that they haven’t seen a tight bun or a flat iron since I started this challenge. My curls are finally free!
Theresa Berggren
Q: What did you learn from the Curly Girl Challenge?
Berggren: I probably should have waited and had my hair styled professionally for my after shot.;o”> I always fought the natural curl in my hair because it always frizzed, however I have found that conditioning is the key and that I had amazing curls hidden away in all that frizz. It’s all about quality products and knowledge.
Q: How has it changed your hair?
Berggren: People that have known me for years now ask me if I got my hair permed. I tell them “no” but I know some don’t believe me(they have that “yeah sure” look, lol”> Actually I sometimes find it hard to believe this is really “my hair” and I am just now for the first time at 50 finding out that I have really nice curls!! Oh another interesting change is I get people (not tons but a few”> that come up to me now and say “you know who you look like? Taylor Swift!” I didn’t even know who she was, I had to do an internet search to find out. Of course once I did I was very flattered. LOL
NaturallyCurly.com, Temptalia and Basenotes have been named as the three most influential beauty blogs. This is according to Konector’s latest report that ranks the top 50 beauty blogs and bloggers. The report is designed for beauty companies who are using, or thinking of using, blogs and social networks to promote their brands.
“Using blogs for brand promotion is extremely powerful,” says Konector’s Director of Analytics, Brett Norval. “The total combined audience for the top 50 beauty blogs is over 2.8 million visitors a month. That is a huge number, and what’s more, these are decided views. The majority of people accessing these sites have made an active decision to view the page. Not curiosity, not advertising, just genuine interest in the content. Beauty companies can get their brands in front of those targeted consumers from day one. They can then monitor the conversations on a regular basis and gather all the feedback.”
Although the number of visitors is important, it is not the only requirement to make it in to the Konector Top 50 list. “When ranking the blogs we focus on three main criteria — reach, frequency and interaction,” says Norval. “We therefore use our proprietary Online Impact Factor to measure how many people visit a blog, how often they visit that blog and how active they are once they get there. It is very similar to what an advertiser would use to measure the success of a campaign.”
So what separates the top beauty blogs from the others?
“What is most noticeable is that many of the leading blogs focus on a particular topic or target market,” says Konector Director, Kingsley Maunder. “Basenotes, for example, is the online guide to fragrances, Temptalia and Specktra.net for MAC Cosmetics, NaturallyCurly.com for people who battle with frizzy hair. Afrobella, ranked at number seven, has set itself up as the beauty site for African Americans and Viva Woman targets an Asian audience.”
“The top blogs have also mastered the search engine optimization techniques,” continues Norval. “If you type in ‘Beauty Blog’ or ‘Makeup Blog’ into Google you will find Makeup and Beauty Blog at the top of the rankings.
Temptalia also tops the rankings if you search for ‘eye makeup’, ‘how to apply makeup’ or ‘makeup tips’. In addition to this Temptalia also has great content, and that converts visitors into regular readers. Regular readers are key as they denote people that are truly interested and interactive. They have crossed the barrier of ignored content and are actively engaging content.”
Another factor that differentiates the leading blogs from the rest is that the bloggers use all possible means to promote their sites, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. “Beauty is so visual that online videos are perfect,” says Maunder. “A few blogs have shot into the top 50 because the bloggers have mastered YouTube. Pursebuzz.com and xSparkage are two great examples of this, with over 125 thousand and 110 thousand respective YouTube subscribers.”
There are some blogs that one would think should be in the top 50, BellaSugar, The Jet Set Girls and eBeautyDaily for example. Norval explains, “For this particular report we did not include corporate blogs or networks in the Top 50. It is for this reason that sites like TotalBeauty.com, The Beauty Blog Network and the Sugar Network (BellaSugar”> are not included. Another criterion to make the list is that the main focus of the blog has to be beauty, and that is why we did not include successful blogs like Shecky’s, Splendicity (eBeautyDaily”> and The Jet Set Girls. We are accumulating data on these other blogs and fully expect to see them ranked in other industry reports.
So do Konector have any predictions for next year’s top 50 blogs? “We will soon be announcing the list of top 50 beauty bloggers, where we rank the impact that the individual bloggers have on the beauty industry,” says Maunder. “This will give you a better prediction of which blogs will do well next year, but my advice to bloggers is to focus your content and use all social media platforms to get out there in front of your readers. Beauty bloggers who use YouTube will definitely see the benefits, and if they can combine that with other social media networks, then all the better.”
As a child, I can recall the sound of the blowdryer roaring away as my father tried to beat his curly locks into submission. For much of the early ’70s, he sported a frizzy, pouf — not quite curly, but not quite straight.
Over the years, he learned to accept his curls and got a short flattering cut that played them up rather than hiding them.’
These days, men with curls can stop fighting their curls. The trend is toward natural hair — making the most of the texture.
‘Men right now can wear their hair curly much more than they could in the past,’ said Ruth Roche, global artistic director of design for Redken. ‘Just like with women, textured hair has made a comeback.’
Roche adds that ‘women love running their hands through curly hair.’
Men need only look at curly-headed stars like N’Sync’s Justin Timberlake, who has attracted a throngs of adoring female fans. When rumors recently surfaced that Timberlake was thinking about cutting off his curls, some fans went so far as to launch a petition drive to stop him.
Moisturizing shampoos are a must. And although men traditionally have shied away from conditioners, they can make a big difference when used once or twice a week.
At American Crew — the best-selling line of men’s hair products — the trend is toward natural hair. The look gets its inspiration from the ’70s look of stars such as Robert Redford, Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson. This also was a time when actors like Paul Newman, Elliott Gould and Kris Kristofferson let their curls do their thing. The look was natural. ‘We’re focusing on the death of the purposely undone hair — contrived bed head,’ said Kurt Kueffner, vice president of American Crew. ‘We’re going toward a look where the hair isn’t in any way, shape or form forced.’ A good solid haircut and a good shampoo and conditioning regime are key, Kueffner said.
Men with curls also have more options than they had in the past. They can go long or short. ‘Short is still real big,’ said Jon Fishwick, educational director of Giovanni & Pileggi, a Philadelphia hair salon. ‘The kinkier the hair, the shorter they want to keep it.’
A variation on the short look is to cut the sides and back short, while leaving the top a little bit longer — 1 to 2 inches long, Roche said. To play up the texture, she likes to put a strong gel into the hair when it’s wet and let it air dry. For those who want to show off their curls, longer hair can work well.
For long hair—chin length or longer—Roche suggests long layers.
Because curly hair tends to be dryer, it must be handled with care.
Moisturizing shampoos are a must. And although men traditionally have shied away from conditioners, they can make a big difference when used once or twice a week.
Many haircare companies make leave-in conditioners that double as styling aids, which work well in men’s hair. These products include Sebastian Potion 9, Redken Speed Control Smoothing Treatment & Styler and Graham Webb Synchronicity. Frizz-fighting gels and serums also can work well in men’s hair, controlling the curls while leaving hair soft and natural looking. For a natural feel, styling pastes and pomades are good. For a crunchier feel, gels work best.
‘We’re using real subtle products — aerosol sprays, light-hold gels, silicone-based products for shine,’ Kueffner said. ‘In the ’70s, we were trying to get rid of fizzy, flyaway hair. That’s the same goal today. We want hair that looks really, really healthy.’
Apply styling products when the hair is wet, suggests Jarrod Harms, national educational manager for Graham Webb International, which is launching its new Back to Basics Authentic Mens Grooming line this fall.
However men choose to wear your hair, the message is simple:
‘Make the most of the texture that you have,’ Harms said ‘Guys with naturally curly hair already have natural detail. It’s just a matter of activating that.’
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