Search Results: Michelle Breyer

“Tracee Ellis Ross is Big on Big Hair”

That was the headline of the one-page interview about Ross in the Sunday, Jan. 25th issue of the New York Times Magazine section. It would be one thing if it was an interview about style or fashion. But this was supposed to be an interview about Ross and her role on “Black-ish” (her new hit show on ABC”>, her social media presence and her childhood as a daughter of the legendary singer Diana Ross. How many interviews have you read lately with Meryl Streep or Reese Witherspoon where their hair has become the main topic of conversation? “Tell me how your long blonde locks have shaped you as an actress.” “Do you feel like your new bob will limit the number of good roles you’re offered?” With curly/coily girls, our hair always takes center stage.

A sampling of questions in the Ross article included:

Q: You seem very comfortable wearing your hair natural on TV. Is that a new phenomenon for someone who has been in the business for a while, doing both film and TV?

Q: It feels like a very transformative moment for television, to have Viola Davis in “How to Get Away with Murder” removing her wig in one scene, Olivia Pope going natural in “Scandal” in another, and even in movies, like “Beyond the Lights.”

Q: There is a very deep, deep, deep Internet rabbit hole you can go down for natural hair routines and regimens and styles. It’s so incredible.

At one point, Ross says: “Oh, my God, our entire conversation has been about hair, this is hilarious.” Don’t get me wrong. I think Ross has been a very positive, vocal role model when it comes to embracing one’s natural hair texture. She shared the impact of social media to change perceptions of beauty and to help women feel more comfortable about their natural texture. My favorite comment came at the end of the interview, when she talked about the issue of hair not being an ethnic issue. “I don’t think that this is necessarily a mixed-girl or a black-girl conversation. I think it’s a curly-girl conversation.”

It’s no surprise to anyone that I’m a product junkie. I proudly admit it and still get excited about every new box of products that arrives on my desk.

So I was thrilled to get an invitation to the launch party for Living Proof Curls, a new line of four products designed specifically for curls. The line (Curl Conditioning Wash, Curl Detangling Rinse, Curl Defining Styling Cream and Curl Enhancing Styling Mousse”> was three years in the making, created after surveying the curl landscape to find out the key challenges of a curly girl, such as:

• “My curls only look defined when they’re wet.”

• “I can’t get enough frizz protection.”

• “My curls feel crunchy, stiff or sticky.”

• “I can’t touch my hair. Once it’s styled, I have to leave my curls alone.”

• “Even when I shape and tame my curls, the moment I step outside, my curls are under assault.”

I was intrigued.

The Tsunami Test

I watched with curiosity as they performed the “Tsunami” test. They hung two identical ringlets on the wall – one styled with Living Proof Curl and one with an unnamed competitor’s product. Then they took a spray bottle and spritzed the curls seven times until they were soaked. Over the course of a few minutes, the Living Proof curl looked relatively unscathed while the other curl began to droop and lose its shape. It was definitely the most unique presentation I’ve ever seen at a product launch.

Stylists Ward Stegerhoek and Tim Rogers brought out four models styled with Living Proof Curl products. The models’ hair ranged from barely wavy to curly-coily. While each style was beautiful, what was most impressive was how the stylists were able to run their hands through their hair – and in one case actually brush it – without destroying the style. If you’ve ever run a brush through your curls you can appreciate how unusual this is. In some cases, the more the hair was touched and fluffed, the better it looked.

Extended Curl Memory Technology

Living Proof was founded as technology based company, so I wanted to talk to Eric Spengler, Living Proof’s chief commercialization officer and senior vice president of research and development for Living Proof. He said the Curl line really evolved out the company’s first No-Frizz products – one for curls and one for straight hair. While the results were good, he said they realize they weren’t addressing the key concerns of curly girls. Over the next three years, they began planning a line for curls. The goal was to get to the root of the problem to find the solution. They wanted to determine why people with curly and wavy hair weren’t getting results they were satisfied with.

The products contain Extended Curl Memory Technology, a patented formula of the company’s Healthy Hair Molecule that blends polymers and emollients with a time-released marine extract. The technology was created to repel humidity, smooth the cuticle and hold without crunch. Spengler said they tested the products by placing tresses in a humidity chamber (77 degrees and 75 percent humidity”>. The Living Proof tresses held its shape, Spengler said. The Curl line is designed to work with Living Proof’s other products, such as its leave-in conditioners, Perfect Hair Day, and Restore Mask Treatment.

My Review

All of these claims sounded impressive. But the proof is in the pudding. How would Living Proof Curl work in my hair? The Curl Conditioning Wash is super moisturizing but still left my hair feeling clean. The Detangling Rinse is really unique, with a gel consistency that has a lot of slip. I used the Curl Enhancing Styling Mousse in my hair because it has more hold. I got defined curls that I could fluff up to get the volume I like. They were touchable, not crunchy. And best of all, even when I walked outside into a New York City rain storm, my curls didn’t budge.

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This post is sponsored by Living Proof.

I was shocked and deeply saddened today when I heard that Titi Branch died. I have known Titi, who co-founded the Miss Jessie’s line with her sister Miko, since the early days of NaturallyCurly. She was an incredible woman and a spirited, passionate entrepreneur. Over the years, over many cups of coffee and glasses of wine, we forged a friendship. I can vividly remember the first time we met in person. She was hard to miss, walking into the restaurant with her amazing head of caramel curls and her gorgeous smile. I have such respect for what she and Miko built. Together, they were key pioneers that helped create the natural hair industry.

Titi and Miko opened their salon 17 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 an 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.

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.

Titi, you will be deeply missed. You left us too young.

Watch this touching tribute to Titi on Miss Jessie’s YouTube channel:

Like a chef, chemist Emily Reed from John Paul Mitchell Systems is always experimenting with new ingredients that can help solve a problem. She’s always looking for new ways to create concoctions that can bring something new and different to the haircare market.

“Nobody needs another shampoo just for the sake of having another shampoo,” says Kristin Firrell, vice president of product development for John Paul Mitchell Systems.

Paul Mitchell wanted to create a product that would help prevent the fading that comes from frequent shampooing, heat styling and the sun. So Reed said she was very intrigued in April when she started hearing a lot of buzz about quinoa, especially its potential benefits for colored hair. They had looked at a variety of different ingredients, but quinoa stood out. She got a sample within a week and began testing it. She was very excited about what she discovered.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.”>, pronounced KEEN-WAH, which has gained popularity as a tasty super-food, has been found to have benefits for haircare. It offers a unique combination of molecular weight amino acids offering enhanced penetration for along with creating a protective barrier for greater repair, hydration, and shine.

Quinoa protein is characterized as being more like an animal protein, than a vegetable protein, due to its amino acid profile. Considered to be a complete protein, it contains all 8 of the essential amino acids with the highest level of protein among grains. High levels of Cysteine, Cystine, Lysine, Methionine, Tryptophane and Tyrosine greatly enhance its ability to assist in the repair, protection, and conditioning of both hair and skin.

Unlike the rest of the proteins that will each offer protection, repair, or moisturization, quinoa protein will offer all of these attributes through enhanced hair penetration and substantivity for increased damage repair and cuticle protection.

For those reasons, Reed said quinoa was the perfect ingredient for Ultimate Color Repair from Paul Mitchell: a three-part, sulfate-free system that locks in hair color and reverses the signs of damage. In addition to quinoa, the product also containshea butter, jojoba and soybean oil. They combine to keep color protect color up to nine weeks while protecting from thermal damage.

“If you want to know a woman, touch her hair. That’s where she keeps all her hurts, all her joy, all her pain, all her life. It’s right there.”

Those words of wisdom come from ‘da Kink in My Hair, a play by Trey Anthony. And this theme was a natural fit for DevaCurl’s upcoming Curls Night Out, a nationwide tour kicking off 7 p.m. June 17th at the Liberty Theater in Tyler, Texas with the event. The night will combine entertainment, inspiration and education, featuring curly celebrites, stylists and curlies.

Curls Night Out will feature real-life stories by local curly women – and men – from Texas. “The Curly Monologues” portion of the show provides a dynamic way for people to relate and connect, says Walsh.

‘Da Kink in My Hair,” set in a Caribbean hair salon, gives gives voice to black women who tell their unforgettable stories in a kaleidoscope of drumming, singing and dance. It is a testament to the challenges and triumphs in the lives of contemporary black women, many of who are immigrants to North America from the Caribbean. Mixing laughter and tears, revelation and inspiration, the unapologetically intense stories of each woman is woven together in this powerful piece. The play has since been adapted into a Canadian television sitcom. Based on the play of the same name.

If you want to know a woman, touch her hair. That’s where she keeps all her hurts, all her joy, all her pain, all her life.

Playwright Anthony, who splits her time between Toronto and Atlanta, said the play came out of her frustration with the lack of substantive roles for black women. As an actress, she was sick of being cast in stereotypical roles like “Crackhead No. 1 or Baby Momma No 2.”

“I loved theater, but felt it wasn’t spreading to women of my generation,” Anthony says. “I wanted black women – and all women – to see themselves in non-stereotypical roles.”

A lot of the monologues were autobiographical. Anthony’s aunt was a hairdresser, and she grew up in the salon. My uncle used to say “you can learn a lot about women by the state of her hair. It’s a metaphor for what’s going on in her life.”

The play debuted in 2001 in Toronto and took on a life of its own. It has since played in theaters around the world, selling out at every venue. It was adapted for TV in 2007. Anthony attributes her play’s success to the fact it has resonated with a wide range of women, transcending race, creed, sexuality and religion.

“People connect with theses women’s stories,” Anthony says. “It just keeps going and going.”

Anthony was approached by DevaCurl President Colin Walsh, and it seemed “meant to be.” “Our whole play is about hair and how black women deal with their hair.

Anthony hopes the collaboration with DevaCurl will provide a launching pad for a North American tour of her play.

The excerpts from ‘Da Kink in My Hair” will join presentations by Michelle Breyer, co-founder and president of NaturallyCurly.com; Shai Amiel, world-renowned celebrity “Curl Doctor;” Dr. Lew Losconey, motivational speaker with a phD in Psycurlogy; and Stevie Jo Rosenbalm, a Top-20 finalist on the latest season of The Voice.

Tickets are $20, and can be purchased at www.curlsnightout.com. DevaCurl will host two more Curls Night Out events in the fall, and will move to 10 to 15 cities in 2015. The tour will culminate in a huge curl gathering – a “curlapalooza” – where thousands of curlies will be able to celebrate and connect.

Written by NaturallyCurly Co-Founder Michelle Breyer for her blog, The Curly Connection.

Last week, we were thrilled to see that the NaturallyCurly Texture Typing℠ System ranked first on BuzzFeed’s list of essential tools for the curly girl! Stylists and curlies chimed in about how helpful the chart has been for them as they learn to work with their own and other’s texture – a daunting task for many curlies, coilies and wavies.

“I use this all the time for helping others to get a sense of their ‘Curl Identity’” said curl expert Scott Musgrave, who heads up an international group curl stylists called Curly Hair Artistry.

From the first days of NaturallyCurly – when it was still a hobby we did in our spare time – we talked in terms of texture. Not skin color. Not ethnic background. TEXTURE. All the nuances of curls, coils and waves, and how that effected our product selections, hair style options, and general haircare regimen.

NaturallyCurly’s Texture Typing℠ System evolved out of Andre Walker’s 1-2-3-4 system of typing hair. Our community demanded more detail – there were big differences between 2cs and 3as, and what worked for a 4a might not work for a 4b, etc. So, our Texture Typing℠ System became a way for people to relate to one another and understand the more granular aspects of their hair.

Texture typing has had its share of controversy:

“You see, the thing about hair typing is that it forces us to sort, segregate and file in relation to the differences. As human history can attest, the minute individuals or characteristics are classified, feelings of ‘the other’ come into play.” – Kurly Kichana

Imani Dawson, founder of TribeCalledCurl notes:

“Hair typing as it exists today is divisive and ultimately destructive because it emphasizes one “type” of curl texture over another. It also provides limited information; just because your hair looks like someone else’s doesn’t mean it’ll respond to products similarly. Here are some important factors that the current hair system doesn’t take into account: porosity, strand size, and density. Curl pattern is the LEAST helpful in terms of caring for your natural hair, and figuring out which products work best.”

The Texture Typing℠ System was never meant to be divisive. It was designed to be a tool to empower and educate women about how to work with their natural hair. We’ve seen few examples of how the Texture Typing℠ System has segregated our readers, and in fact we offer more comprehensive information about porosity, density, width and length. If anything, it has enabled women to bond over their common interest in their curls, coils and waves. Friendships have been forged between women of all different background, ages and ethnicities, and yes, textures.

But when it comes to choosing products, styles or a stylist, they may need a little more help to narrow down the myriad of options. That’s where the NaturallyCurly Texture Typing℠ System can be most valuable – to educate and open up the conversation, not divide.

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For more curly hair industry insights, check out Michelle’s blog.

Written by NaturallyCurly Co-Founder Michelle Breyer for her blog, The Curly Connection

PHOTO: MIT RESEARCHERS JAMES MILLER AND PEDRO REIS

Growing up, I always envied the silky-haired girls with ponytails that swished. Darcy Waterman, a girl on my high school track team, had a long sleak sun-streaked ponytail that cascaded down her back, swinging from side to side as she jogged effortlessly in front of me. That ponytail mocked me. My puff of a ponytail was immobile – like a bonsai tree on top of my head.

Little did I know that the difference in our two ponytails was something being studied by scientists around the world who were trying to tease out the physics of curly hair.

Curly girls know first hand how challenging their coils and ringlets can be. The complexities of curls, coils and waves also challenged the film and computer animators who tried to recreate them.

Most of the heroes and villains in animated films had hair that was extremely rigid straight hair, swinging to and fro. It was rare to see an animated character with bouncy, curly hair, since computer animators didn’t have a simple mathematical means for describing it.S o it was was big news when scientists last month announced they had created the first detailed model of a 3D strand of curly hair was recently created – something  that had vexed film animators for decades.

Researchers at MIT, in Cambridge, Mass., and the Université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie (UPMC”> built their model using flexible rods to examine varying degrees of curliness.

“Our work doesn’t deal with the collisions of all the hairs on a head, which is a very important effect for animators to control a hairstyle,” study co-author Pedro Reis, an assistant professor in MIT’s department of civil and environmental engineering, said in a statement. “But it characterizes all the different degrees of curliness of a hair and describes mathematically how the properties of the curl change along the arc length of a hair.”

Using lab experimentation, computer simulation, and theory, the team identified the main parameters for curly hair and simplified them into two dimensionless parameters for curvature (relating to the ratio of curvature and length”> and weight (relating to the ratio of weight and stiffness”>. Given curvature, length, weight, and stiffness, their model will predict the shape of a hair, steel pipe, or Internet cable suspended under its own weight.

As a strand of hair curls up from the bottom, its 2-D hook grows larger until it reaches a point where it becomes unstable under its own weight and falls out of plane to become a 3-D helix. Reis and co-authors describe the 3-D curl as a localized helix, where only a portion of the strand is curled, or a global helix, if the curliness extends the entire length up to the head.

A curl can change phase — from 2-D to 3-D local helix to 3-D global helix, and back again — if its parameters change. Because a strand of hair is weighted from the bottom by gravity, the top of the strand has more weight under it than the tip, which has none. Thus, if the weight on a hair is too great for its innate curliness, the curl will fail and become either straight or helical, depending on the strand’s length and stiffness.

For the curvature study, Miller created flexible, thin rods using molds as small as a bottle of Tabasco sauce and as large as the columns in MIT’s Lobby 7 (about a meter in diameter”>. He injected a rubber-like material inside hollow flexible tubing wrapped around these molds. Once the rubber material cured and the tubing was cut away, Miller and Reis had flexible polyvinyl thin rods whose natural curvature was based on the size of the object around which they had been wrapped.

“One of the key issues was how to handle the distribution of intrinsic curliness found in real hair,” reis said.

They were able to focus in detail on the properties of a single curly hair under gravity.

“The fact that I am bald and worked on this problem for several years became a nice running joke in our lab,” Reis says. “But joking aside, for me the importance of the work is being able to take the intrinsic natural curvature of rods into account for this class of problems, which can dramatically affect their mechanical behavior. Curvature can delay undesirable instability that happens at higher loads or torsion, and this is an effect that engineers need to be able to understand and predict.”

In addition to helping animators create more realistic curls, this technology also also could be used by engineers to predict the curve that long steel pipes, tubing, and cable develop after being coiled around a spool for transport. In the field, these materials often act like a stubborn garden hose whose intrinsic curves make it behave in unpredictable ways. In engineering terminology, these items — and hair — are all examples of a slender, flexible rod.

This work was funded by the National Science Foundation, Schlumberger, the MIT-France Program, and a Battelle-MIT postdoctoral fellowship.

WRITTEN BY MICHELLE BREYER ON HER BLOG, THECURLYCONNECTION

Amanda Crawford will never forget the sight of her 8-year-old daughter Deborah-Ann coming off the school bus in tears. The second-grader had been viciously teased about her coily hair.

“They told her she had horse hair,” Crawford said. “When your kid struggles with something that’s such a part of who she is, it’s incredibly painful.”

Crawford said her daughter – who is biracial – already was unhappy about her hair, which didn’t look like either mother’s curly hair or the straight hair of most of her schoolmates. She usually wore it back in a ponytail, slicked down with gel in an attempt to control it.

Her mom took to the Internet, and found our NaturallyCurly Facebook page. She showed her daughter examples of women with gorgeous natural hairstyles  Deborah-Ann asked her mom to post a picture of her on the Facebook page. Crawford posted the picture, along with the story about the teasing she got about her hair.

The response was overwhelming – and life changing.

That picture got nearly 33,000 likes, 1,400 shares and 4,800 comments – the most ever for a NaturallyCurly Facebook post. People posted words of support, photos of their own daughters and positive comments about Deborah-Ann’s hair.

“I was crying,” Crawford said. “I read a lot of the comments to her and she was so tickled. She’s turned it around and is so much more confident. She loves her hair and wears it down now. She realizes her hair is beautiful just the way it is.”

You would think acting in two of the hottest shows on TV, directing her first feature film and writing a book would fill up a woman’s time.

But for Tanya Wright – Deputy Kenya Jones on “True Blood” and Crystal on “Orange is the New Black” – her passion for natural hair has become an obsession.

Wright is raising money for a project called HAIRiette of Harlem, a 10-episode interactive series co-created by the community. It is about HAIRiette ARMS, an actress who discovers herself via her relationship with her hair – something Wright knows all about.

“I have been working for HAIRiette of HARLEM for the last two years, and it was time to share her with the rest of the world,” says Wright.

The interactive series is about the life and times of HAIRiette ARMS, an actress who discovers herself via her relationship with her hair! At its core, this entertaining series with multi-cultural characters is designed to create a healthy awareness and esteem of women with textured hair. The show – which will launch online in April and on TV in July – will shoot in Harlem at the HAIRiette of HARLEM salon. It will also travel to hair shows, expos, film festivals, meet ups, churches, etc.

WHEN: April, 2014 (website launch”>; July, 2014 (series premiere!”>

In conjunction with the series, she also is launching her HAIRiette haircare line. The shea-and- olive- oil- based HAIRiette haircare line is designed to meet the needs of naturally textured hair (moisture/hydration, frizz, shine”>.

The fundraising campaign kicks off Feb. 19th on RocketHub.com, when Wright will appear on a New York morning show alongside The Actor’s Fund, which will receive a portion of the proceeds of every bottle of the hair-care line sold. She hopes to raise $50,000 in 50 days.

“I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about doing a fundraising campaign,” Wright says. “It is by far the most vulnerable thing I’ve ever done! But it was clear it was the best way to launch the project. The series is co-created by the community, so it seemed only right that we would fund it together too!”

Wright’s natural hair obsession really took off four years ago,

“There was something gnawing at me,” she recalls. “I didn’t feel like I had control over my life. I became fixated on one thing: my hair. Somehow, I thought if I could get control over my hair, maybe I could get control over my life! I always felt the curly mass atop my head gave me a Raggedy Ann sort of look. My hair was massive, cottony and swelled like a Chia pet whenever water/humidity got anywhere near it, which was pretty much every day.”

After reading a book called “Curly Like Me” by Terri LaFleur, she became obsessed with YouTube hair tutorials and read every article, blog and book that had anything to do with naturally textured hair.

She started mixing hair potions (shea butter and olive oil were her ingredients of choice”>, and created a fictional character named HAIRiette. She began writing a book – “I found God in My Hair: 98 Spiritual Principles I learned from My Relationship with…My Hair!” – which she recently completed.

“I tied the books to the hair products to my alter ego, and put it under one umbrella – HAIRiette of HARLEM,” Wright explains. “This project was made in loving celebration and gratitude for my natural hair. Cause we’ve come a long way, Baby!”

To take part in the series, check out HAIRiette of Harlem here. 

SheaMoisture, a curly staple for his haircare products, has expanded into makeup.

The award-winning hair and skin care brand unveiled “A Better Way to Beautiful” Cosmetics Collection during Fashion Week at the Korto Momolu Fall/Winter 2014 Collection . Celebrity makeup artist Jackie Gomez and celebrity hair stylist and SheaMoisture beauty ambassador Diane C. Bailey will create trend-setting runway looks for the show.

Momolu, a “Project Runway” All-Star who was awarded as “fan favorite” and finished the Bravo hit show’s fifth season as first runner-up, will debut her sophisticated and military-inspired “Urban Coup” collection at Fashion Week. The collection pays tribute to the increasing strength and precision of women’s wear in the fashion industry, and will present a parade of fresh cuts and silhouettes to compliment the modern woman’s lifestyle.

“A Better Way to Beautiful” launches this spring exclusively at Target stores. The makeup is shea butter-based with certified organic and natural ingredients, and features palettes in two sizes that may be customized. The paraben-free collection includes cc cream, lip stain, lip gloss, wet/dry eye shadow, mineral blush and other offerings, with a range of on-trend vibrant, classic and nude shades that suit all skin tones.

“I can’t think of a more authentic brand to help bring about my vision for the fall/winter 2014 collection. SheaMoisture’s celebration of community, culture and dedication to global beauty and wellness inspires me tremendously as an artist, as a woman and as a Liberian. I am honored to have their continued support,” says designer Momolu.

NaturallyCurly’s Co-Founder Michelle Breyer feels that “with enormous brand equity among consumers (they won numerous Editor’s Choice and Best of the BestAwards on TextureMedia”> it’s brilliant to launch a makeup line now.” 

Breyer blogged that “at this rate, expect the SheaMoisture empire to continue to grow and confound the largest players in the beauty industry, giving the Goliaths a run for their money.”

PHOTO BY @STYLENBEAUTYDOC

PHOTO BY RICHARD BURBRIDGE

Makeup artist Sonia Kashuk says she was blessed with the “craziest, kookiest curly hair.”

Because my hair was so daunting I didn’t really know what to do with it, I began tying it up on top of my head,” Kashuk says.

Her wild curly bun has become the signature look she’s worn for 30 years.

“As I get a little older, and I pull my hair a little tighter,” Kashuk says “it’s an instant face lift. It is what it is.”

Kashuk’s no-nonsense approach to her hair can also be seen in the makeup line she created for Target – a line that celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. She wanted to bring high-end cosmetics and accessories directly from manufacturer to store – a luxury product at an affordable price.

Kashuk took time away from her busy schedule to talk with NaturallyCurly about her hair, her makeup and makeup tips for curly girls.

NaturallyCurly: As a curly girl, have you always loved your curls or has it taken time?

Kashuk: As a kid, my mother couldn’t deal with it. I always had my hair short. My mom had five children, so it was one less thing for her to worry about. I’m definitely the curliest of all my siblings. I got the crazy, curly corkscrew hair. It was not until my late teens that I finally grew out my hair. I’d never had long hair. It became a whole different ballgame.

People have always said “You have the coolest hair.” I’m glad I’ve got hair on my head, but you always want what you don’t have. I see these girls with pretty, silky hair and I think that would be amazing. But my hair takes approximately three minutes. I don’t wear it differently if I’m wearing sweats or going to a black-tie affair.

NC: Do you ever straighten it?

Kashuk: I think that when I see myself blown out, it’s like ‘Who is that person?’ I’m so used to volume and bigness. I’m one of those curly haired girls that goes crazy when my hair is smooth. I want to be more natural. I just think if you’re born with this crazy, curly hair, it all looks better the way it’s supposed to. It’s about finding that comfort zone”

NC: What are your favorite hair products?

Kashuk: I’m a huge Oribe fan, especially the Supershine Moisturizing Cream and the Signature Moisture Masque. I wash my hair once a week and condition it once a day. My hair also loves the Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil. It’s hard to find products that aren’t drying. I can’t stand if anything makes it feel crunchy. It has to appear totally natural.

NC: Do you ever wear your hair down?

Kashuk: Not too often. It’s like a whole other living being.

NC: How often do you get it cut?

Kashuk: My last haircut was in July. You have to cut it like it’s a piece of sculpture.

As soon as someone comes to give me a blunt end, I know they don’t understand curly hair. It’s very low maintenance for me. My deal is I don’t deal.

NC: Tell me about your bun.

Kashuk: I don’t like it if looks too perfect. I like it to look free form and sculptural. I actually prefer when there are a lot of layers so different pieces come out differently. It’s like a giant spider on top of my head.

NC: What are some tips you have for curly girls when it comes to makeup?

Kashuk: It so depends. If you wear your hair curly and it’s covering your face, you may want to have a stronger eye or a stronger lip so a feature stands out. Other than that, when I pull my hair up I feel it makes my face more taut and pulls my eyes up. That’s a very good thing. I can either wear makeup. Or if you’re exposing your whole face, you can go for a strong smokey eye, with a soft and neutral lip color.

We used to always say do one feature. But now there’s that old classic showgirl face with a strong eye and strong lip. It’s a lot more of a makeup statement. If you want to be a little softer look, you can do that if the eye or lip is the focus. We can each look at our face and know what our strongest feature is. It’s all about being in your comfort zone.

NC: Are there things girls should girls should be doing differently than straight-haired women when it comes to makeup?

Kashuk: Not really. It’s no different. The only difference is that curly hair can be so big and overwhelming that you can get lost in it all.

NC: What are your makeup must haves?

Kashuk: I always have some foundation. I love our Perfecting Foundation. We just released a Stick Foundation. I also love bronzer, like our Illuminating Bronzer. I also like to have a great blush and lip color. My whole line is about wearable color. I always say we’re on trend, but not trendy.

PICTURED: MICHELLE BREYER (LEFT”> AND HER STRAIGHT-HAIRED SISTER (RIGHT”>

Erica:

Hi NaturallyCurly,

I am a Jewish young woman who has been using your website NaturallyCurly.com for some time.   My hair is mixed texture and definitely has a few types of kink.  It’s been very interesting to discover that my hair type is not included in the current texture typing system.  I think that talking about Jewish hair and its related issues and history could be a valuable contribution to the natural hair conversation.

Because NaturallyCurly.com has been such a valuable resource for me on this journey I wanted to touch base with TextureMedia first. Perhaps you could give me some guidance on how to start talking about Jewish hair?  Or perhaps we can figure out how to work on the conversation together?

Any and all thoughts are appreciated and I thank you for your time.

Best,

Erica

NaturallyCurly:

Hi Erica,

Thank you so much for your message. Love this topic, I actually started the site 15 years ago because growing up curly I was similarly  frustrated by the dearth of information on curly hair, the lack of conversations happening around curls and the scarcity of curl-specific products and stylists who understood how to work with curls and kinks. After 15 years in the industry my insight would be that there’s no such thing as Jewish hair. Some Jews, depending upon their background, have kinky or curly hair. Some have straight hair.

I think there are definitely issues related to how some Jewish women feel about their hair. I know when I went away to Jewish camp in the summer, I was so envious of the girls who had the long, silky hair. Some of us did have Jew ‘Fros. There are Jews from Eastern Europen and Jews from Spain. I have an Orthodox Jewish cousin with stick straight blonde hair. My own sister has totally straight hair, and I always envied her feathered Farrah Fawcett hair growing up.

Because two siblings with the same parents, in the same immediate family can have completely different curl patterns and hair textures (much less porosity, density, width etc”>, we found other ways to describe our hair besides ethnicity or race.

We’ve found that the most comprehensive way of identifying curl pattern is to use the Texture Typing system, but I get that you feel your hair type isn’t included in the Texture Typing system. More often than not, curlies have multiple curl patterns and hair textures on their head, so while your hair is not likely to fall entirely under one curl pattern, it is at least a jumping off point to understanding the products and regimen that’ll work best for you.

We’d love to open up the conversation to our readers in the comment section too. Curly community, weigh in!

Best,

Michelle

MORE: WHAT IS YOUR TEXTURE TYPE? TAKE THE QUIZ

Chanel Schenck is an African-American woman with curly-coily hair. When she looks for hair care products, you won’t find her in the ethnic hair care aisle. She gravitates toward brands like Paul Mitchell, L’Oréal Paris and Aussie for her cleansers, conditioners and styling products when she shops at Walmart or Ulta.

“I really don’t buy anything in the ethnic hair care section because it doesn’t really help my hair,” says Schenck, who lives in Jesup, Georgia.

This purchasing trend is slowly changing the way hair care products are being sold, with a movement by both brands and some key retailers away from shelves dedicated to “ethnic” products. This trend has been led by curly and coily-haired consumers, as well as the growing number of brands that sell products specifically for their hair types. It also has been spearheaded by organizations such as NaturallyCurly.com, which has focused on hair texture rather than skin color since the social media company was founded 15 years ago.

“Since day one, we always talked in terms of texture type, and how best to embrace curls, coils and waves,” says Michelle Breyer, president and co-founder of TextureMedia, which includes NaturallyCurly, CurlyNikki, CurlMart, CurlStylist andTextureTrends. NaturallyCurly’s 1.6 million unique monthly visitors include a wide range of ages and ethnicities, and use the nine category texture typing system—from 2a to 4c—to find the best products and stylists for their hair.

“It doesn’t matter what color you are; it’s about what texture you have,” said Mahisha Dellinger, creator of the CURLS line of products. “So many people of different ethnicities buy my products. Obviously the lines are blurred.”

This trend has been fueled further by plummeting relaxer sales as more consumers embrace their natural hair texture. According to Wave III of TextureTrends‘ market insights report, 90% of women are more likely to wear their natural texture than they were five years ago. “The new general market dictates that hair care be categorized by hair type and concern rather than ethnicity,” says Richelieu Dennis, founder and CEO of Sundial Brands, which owns the SheaMoisture brand. “America’s increased blending of cultures means that millions, whose backgrounds defy simple categorization, need efficacious products for their curls, coils and waves.”

TextureTrends‘ research supports this: All texture types include a variety of ethnicities, with an increasing number of people identifying themselves as multi-racial.

Helping lead the charge are retailers like Ricky’s, a New York-based beauty supply chain, and Target, a mass retailer with more than 1,900 stores in the U.S. and Canada. Since 2008, Target has partnered with some of the top brands for textured hair, adding SheaMoisture to its shelves in 2008, Miss Jessie’s in 2010, Mixed Chicks in 2012 and Camille Rose in 2013. The retailer now carries a number of favorites among the curly and coily consumers—multi-racial consumers who span all ethnicities.

“We monitor guest feedback, census data and market research to help us identify multicultural trends,” says Courtney Foster, spokeswoman for Target. “In response to increasing demand by our guests, Target is committed to growing this category and expanding beauty aisles with a differentiated product mix that appeals to a wide range of guests. We understand that every guest is unique, so we strive to offer differentiated and relevant beauty solutions that meet the needs of all guests and provide solutions for specific hair needs, but not make distinctions about ethnicities in doing so.”

Sundial’s Dennis said it makes business sense to merchandise and market this way, as 65% of the world has textured hair. He notes that his brand worked closely with Target when they first went into the store to help them understand this new textured-hair space, as well as to create the education and engagement around it that would appeal to this new, inclusive general market. “Women and men from all walks of life have textured hair, and placing hair care for textured hair in an ‘ethnic hair’ section creates confusion for consumers who feel that they can’t use these products because they’re not a particular ethnicity,” Dennis says. “Making the section about hair type and concerns supports a more therapeutic, results-oriented, less myopic approach that’s all about hair care needs.”

Usage of hair products for textured hair supports this strategy. The TextureTrends report finds brands that might once have been considered ethnic products—such as Carol’s Daughter, Organic Roots Stimulator, Miss Jessie’s and As I Am—are now used by women with wavy, curly and coily hair of all ethnicities.

Dennis believes there will come a time when the ethnic hair sections of stores may be phased out altogether. To many consumers, especially younger consumers who are increasingly wearing their hair in natural styles, these ethnic aisles are viewed as a dinosaur, selling relaxers and products that cater to straightened hair. “We believe eventually, all hair care will be segmented according to hair type rather than the color of one’s skin,” Dennis says.

This is a no-brainer for Marsha Coulton, the African-American creator of the Curl Junkie line of hair care products. “It’s how it should have been in the beginning,” says Coulton. “It should always have been about solutions rather than segregated—something I always found offensive. I shouldn’t have to search for the right products.”

Coulton notes she believes there may be resistance to the phasing out of ethnic hair care sections because it’s the way it’s been done for generations. “It’s a daunting task to rethink it,” she explains. “You’re changing an entire mindset about product placement.”

Among those who believe this is Sam Ennon, who heads up BOBSA, a leading trade association for black-owned beauty supply stores, salons, barbershops and training institutions. He doesn’t think the black consumer is the same customer as the curly/coily customer. “The ethnic sections of stores won’t disappear,” he says. “You’re still going to need black stores that carry all of the other products. You can’t integrate all those products into the general market.”

But many brands, retailers and consumers believe integration of products for textured hair is inevitable. “It opens up products to all customers because there’s no stigma attached,” says Coulton. “This is not about being black and white. It’s about breaking down barriers as more people embrace their natural texture and texture becomes mainstream.”

Michelle Breyer is the president and co-founder of TextureMedia, Inc. Find more information on TextureTrends here.

Musician Valerie June may rock a head of dreadlocks. But her music is more “organic moonshine roots” than Reggae – something that often surprises people who hear her perform.

Born Valerie June Hockett, the Tennesee native said her sound combines such genres as gospel, country, folk, bluegrass and the blues. On her new album Pushin’ Against a Stone, June is making a name for herself with music fans around the world. The album, her fourth, was inspired by her struggles to make it in life.

She says “Some days it’s a good thing to have, like a best friend, and sometimes it’s your worst enemy. In the case of this record, I had so many friends helping me move the stone.” Those friends include such legendary producers as Dan Auerbach and fellow musicians like Booker T. Jones.

NaturallyCurly caught up with June during her recent trip through Austin for ACL Fest. We talked to her about her music, and of course her trademark hair.

NC: How did you come up with “organic moonshine roots music” to describe your music?

June: It’s a whimsical name for my music. I want people to come in with a question in their mind. I want them to say ‘What is that?’ Then when you come in, they can be open to what I do. It’s the way to keep their mind open.

NC: It sounds like it’s been a busy year for you. I just heard an interview with on NPR and read an article about you in the New York Times Magazine.

June: It has been a busy year. I’ve been in Europe most of the year, and at home for five weeks – five minutes here, two minutes there. A lot has changed in that sense. I’m on the road all the time. It’s all good. I work hard to play hard, I guess.

NC: How do people react when you first started performing? With your dreadlocks, do they expect the voice they hear?

June: When people see me, they have a misconception of who I am. I do it all the time myself. It’s just human. Even when I walk down the street. A lot of brothers will look at me and say “rasta.” (On stage”>, I can’t really see their reaction because I usually sing with my eyes closed. I get into the moment and let it go and don’t even think about that.

NC: So let’s talk about your hair. Tell us about your dreads.

June: I did my hair this way because I don’t want to spend a lot of time on my hair, and I don’t want to use a lot of things on my hair. I used to perm my hair every two weeks=. I burned my scalp off. I would spend hours on my hair. I was ready to do something where I could just wake up and go. I decided to get dreads. I just wanted an easy lifestyle.

NC: How do you care for your dreads?

June: When I’m on the road, I wash it very little. I usually wash it when I have a day off and I’m going to be in the hotel. I love to use Pantene Truly Natural Shampoo. I’ve tried a lot of shampoos and this is the best. Other shampoos make my hair sticky and rough. I also use basic oils on my scalp. I’ll pick up some coconut or olive oil, drench my hair before I wash it and let it sit there. When I wash out the oil, it leaves in enough that it’s not greasy but it’s still moisturized.

Photos Courtesy Of Instagram

Jessicurl welcomes the newest member of its family – Spiralicious Styling Gel – exclusively on CurlMart during the month of October. Jessicurl enlisted the help of Naturallycurly’s audience to name the new stronger-hold gel, nine years after our community came up with the name for Confident Coils Styling Potion.

We talked to Jessicurl founder Jessica McGuinty about the naming contest and the new gel, which has become her new Holy Grail product for her red corkscrew curls.

NC: What was the response to the naming contest?

Jess: Over 1,700 individual people responded. And since most of them used all three entries, that adds up to roughly 5,000 entries. OMG, eh?? We were hoping for a good response to the contest, and I’d say we got it.

NC: I heard some people actually thought you were naming a child. Any good names?

Jess: Yeah, that was pretty funny. I often joke around and call my products my “children” so it just seemed like a funny extension of that to call this the “Name Jess’s New Baby” contest. Well, I guess some people didn’t read the full description of the contest, because quite a few suggested human names. My favorite was Hannah. I’ve always loved that name – for a daughter though, not a hair gel. Ultimately, we did not name the new gel Hannah.

NC: Was it hard to choose a winner?

Jess: There were several we really liked and would have been happy with, so that was cool. Clearly, whatever we chose had to be something that wasn’t already in use, so that was one of the largest criteria we used when selecting the winner.

NC: What were you looking for in a name?

Jess: We wanted something fun and cute that would fit in with the rest of the Jessicurl family!

NC:. So, drum roll please, what’s the name of the new gel?

Jess: Spiralicious Styling Gel! (Apologies to anyone named Hannah”>.

NC: What are some of the attributes of the new gel?

Jess: It’s much thicker than any of our other styling products and provides stronger hold. Don’t fear the hold though, because your curls will still be touchably soft! (Whether you let people touch them is up to you”>. It also has amazing frizz control. CRAZY frizz control in fact. So it’s a really unique product in that it will hold your curls and keep them frizz free, but doesn’t make them all ramen-noodley.

NC: How do you use the gel? Do you cocktail it with other products?

Jess: Personally I do cocktail it with Rockin’ Ringlets, yes. Rockin’ Ringlets gives that added curl enhancement, so if you’re currently using that, you’ll want to continue to. Spiralicious plays very nicely with it! For curlies with tighter curls who don’t need a curl enhancer, it can be used alone for hold, definition and frizz control.

15 Lessons I’ve Learned About the Curly World!

It seems like a lifetime ago that NaturallyCurly was born at a brunch after multiple mimosas and a lifetime of curl frustration. Back in 1998, there were no resources for curly girls like us – few curl savvy stylists, a handful of products and virtually no curly role models (thank you Bernadette Peters for being a pioneer!”> Magazines all but ignored curls and coils, even in issues dedicated to hair. We were breaking new ground with a site dedicated to all things curly, enduring cynics who couldn’t understand why we would possibly create a web site all about curls. Fifteen years later, it’s fun to reflect on some of the most memorable things I’ve learned on this curly journey.

Pictured: Co-founders Michelle Breyer and Gretchen Heber

1. People with curly/coily hair truly have a bond

   On a recent trip, I was taking pictures of a curly mom and daughter I saw on the street. My father asked if anyone ever refuses or thinks it’s weird. I can honestly say, after 15 years and thousands of photos, only a handful of women have ever said no when I’ve asked to photograph them. In fact, we usually end up in a long conversation about our hair, the products we use, the bad haircuts we’ve had, etc. I’ve stayed in touch with a number people I’ve met on the street. That probably wouldn’t happen if a straight-haired woman walked up to random straight-haired people to take their photo. “Wow, your hair is so straight. What products do you use to make it so straight? Was it tough growing up with straight hair?” Being curly creates an instant connection. We’ve fought the same battles.

2. Some people just don’t get it

   I still have people laugh when I tell them what I do or comment that curly hair is “in” right now. They don’t understand how much a part of our identity our curls, coils and waves are to who we are. Whether we straighten them, cut them or braid them, our hair has shapes who we are.

3. Most stylists are afraid of curly/coily hair

   And it’s not their fault. Until I started NaturallyCurly, I never knew that beauty schools don’t teach students how to work with texture. It was true 15 years ago, and unfortunately, it’s still true today. Thankfully there are a number of stylists who go the extra mile to learn how to work with coils and curls.

4. Products don’t have to be expensive to be good

   Over the past 15 years, it’s been wonderful to see all the amazing products that are now on the market for curly/coily hair. And some of my favorite products are now available on drugstore shelves for less than $10.

5. Parents play a huge role in how their curly kids feel about their hair – often for generations

   They pick up on all the negative messages, whether it’s talking about about bad versus good hair or telling the hairstylist to “do something with this mess.”

6. We’ve made great strides, but there’s still a long way to go

   There are still people in the beauty industry who see texture as a niche. They don’t truly understand that 60% of the population has curls, coils or waves, and they need a wide variety of products. As I’ve said before, curls aren’t in or out from one season to the next.

7. Even with the best products and stylists, curly hair is still a daily adventure

   It always amuses me that I can use the same product and style my hair the exact same way every day, and when I walk into the office, I’ll have people ask me if I got my hair cut or what I did differently. It’s one of the frustrations and joys of having curly hair. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to terms with the fact that my hair is unpredictable.

8. In searching for curl-savvy stylists, I’ve learned to identify the red flags

   For example, don’t get your hair cut by someone who doesn’t have a diffuser at their station. They may say they know how to cut curly hair, but I need to see that diffuser to give me confidence that they truly do walk the walk.

9. How you wear your hair is a personal choice

   There are a lot of people who think that if you choose to straighten your hair or alter the texture in any way, you’re a traitor to your fellow curlies and coilies. While I never wear my hair straight, I support those who do choose to blow out their curls or flat iron them. It’s all about options.

10. At the end of the day, I’m lost without styling product

    Even with the best cut, my curls need some kind of styling cream or gel to define them.

11. We’re growing

    I don’t know whether there are actually more curlies in the world or more women are choosing to wear their hair curly, coily and wavy. But the world seems to have more texture today than it had back in 1998.

12. Curlies truly do have their own language

    We’ve had numerous companies tell us they have scoured CurlTalk to learn the lingo so they can talk in a way that the audience understands. We talk in sounds and verbs of their own making. We poo and pineapple and plop. We type our curls by pattern, porosity and density.

13. Curlies are passionate about their products

    We’ve tried to explain to large companies the anguish they have inflicted by discontinuing a “Holy Grail” product. We’ve seen some sought-after discontinued styling products selling for $75 or more on eBay.

14. Ten hairs together make a curl. Ten curls apart make frizz

15. Passion truly can change an industry

    Over the past 15 years, I’ve watched curly entrepreneurs like myself help shout out to the world that curls are a force to be reckoned with. I’ve seen mixtresses create products in their kitchen that have become the gold standard in the texture category.  They were frustrated by a lack of products for their hair, so they created their own. It has truly been a grass-roots movement. We have helped the world understand that curls and coils are a category that must be taken seriously, not a passing trend or a political statement.

Renee Bhagwandeen was tricked into auditioning for the 20th cycle of America’s Next Top Model. But the trick paid off, and the South Florida model got a coveted spot on the cast. Bhagwandeen is no newcomer to the world of modeling. She has graced the covers of numerous magazines and competed twice in the Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe pageant.

One of Bhagwandeen’s most distinctive features are her long, 3B curls – curls she is often asked to straighten for modeling jobs. NaturallyCurly spoke with the 24-year-old model about the show, her curls and industry attitudes about texture.

NC: Were you a big fan of America’s Next Top Model?

Renee: I watched every episode 100 times. I was a big fan of the show, Tyra and the judges. I actually didn’t audition because I didn’t think I would ever get on. A friend who is an agent submitted my application. He tricked me into going to the audition, and told me on the way to there. It was actually the first time Tyra was ever at a casting! I found out I’d made it to the second round of castings around Christmas, and found out I had made it on the cast shortly after that. Taping began in February.

NC: What was the biggest surprise about the show?

Renee: I didn’t know there would be guys on this show. It’s the first season they’ve ever had guys. I’m used to being around a lot of women. I’m a girl’s girl. I didn’t think it would be fun to be around boys at all. But it was actually pretty cool. I felt like it was a family.

NC: Were there any romances between the models?

Renee: I can’t say yet, but you never know. Maybe.

NC: How do stylists react to your hair when you show up on set?

Renee: From my experience before as a model, I was used to them straightening my hair for jobs. Usually 99 percent of stylists had no idea how to do my hair. They pretend they do and then they damage it even more. I was lucky because there was a guy on ANTM who specialized in working with curly hair.

NC: What did they do to you during the Makeover show?

Renee: I actually have never chemically relaxed my hair before. But I got tricked into doing it for the makeover. My hair straightens easily, but they didn’t expect it because it’s so long and curly. They said they were doing a sugar cane deep conditioner but it ended up being a smoothing treatment. It kind of ruined my curls. I was definitely upset about that. Now I’m going through the process of getting rid of the heat damage and getting rid of the treatment. If I would have known, I wouldn’t have done that.

NC: So it sounds like you’ve felt pressure to straighten your curls to get modeling jobs.

Renee: When I first started modeling, my agent said I would be more marketable with straight hair. I started modeling in Miami for a lot of commercial jobs and they liked my curly hair. In fashion, they preferred it straight. Now, I have no idea what they’re going to do with my hair now. Definitely more people prefer muy hair straight. Some just don’t understand the curly girl. It sucks!

NC: You’re from Trinidad-Tobago. Are attitudes about natural hair different than they are in the United States?

Renee: In Trinidad, known for having a diverse mix of people, you see curls everywhere. I have one grandfather who had blonde hair and blue eyes and one who was African-Asian. Caribbeans are very multicultural.

NC: What’s your current haircare routine?

Renee: On mornings when I’m not working, put coconut oil in my hair – just a little bit. Then I put it in bun or braid. At the end of the day, I let it out. The braid keeps the curls in. I don’t do it every day – I usually do it on Monday and Friday

Don’t do this every morning. Monday. By Friday, wash it with conditioner. Usually conditioners I use Aussie Moist. A friend just gave me some leave-in conditioner from Catwalk Curlesque Leave-in Conditioner and the Curlesque mousse

NC: Your hair must go through so much being styled for shoots. Do you have any tips for deep treating damaged or heat styled hair?

Renee: I do an egg and coconut oil or jojoba oil masque. I mix it and leave it in my hair for a few hours. If I do have to go somewhere, I leave in the egg put in jojoba oil so it smells good and put it in a bun. The longer I leave it in, the more of a difference it makes.

NC: What are our current favorite products?

Renee: I love Aussie Moist conditioner. And a friend just gave me TIGI Catwalk Curlesque products and I love the Leave-In Conditioner and Mousse.

NC: What are your working on now?

Renee: I’m modeling and I’m working on a project I’m working on that I can’t really talk about – an organizational system for models. It’s coming out next month. Right now I’ve been modeling. And I’m getting ready for a trip South Africa. I just want to travel. I don’t have a husband or kids. I want to see where I want to live – Where can I make the most impact.

NC: How can our readers follow you?

Renee: You can go to my website

You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter handle is @ReneeBigtime.

You can watch her on America’s Next Top Model on Friday nights on The CW Network.

It was 11 years ago that CurlTalker Jessica McGuinty began selling her homemade flaxseed gel to fellow curlies on the message board.

Rockin’ Ringlets Styling Potion became the first in Jessicurl’s popular product portfolio, with many of the products becoming “Holy Grail” staples for curlies worldwide.

Based on demand from customers – including NaturallyCurly co-founder Michelle Breyer – Jessicurl now is launching a strong-hold gel. NaturallyCurly members have helped test the new gel, and Jessicurl would love your help in naming it.

Fun fact: Confident Coils Styling Potion, which launched nine years ago, was named by NaturallyCurly members!

As she celebrates her 11th anniversary, we interviewed Jessica:

• NaturallyCurly: Tell me about how you developed your first product, Rockin’ Ringlets, on CurlTalk?

Jessica:  It was totally an accident! I had been a CurlTalk member for a while, and like all the other members, was always trying different products trying to get my hair to do what I wanted. (Reduce frizz, have good curl definition but also not feel gross if someone touches it…”>

Somewhere along the way I found a recipe for hair gel made out of flax seeds. I thought, “Well, that sure would rock – just make my OWN hair gel?! Not be dependent on the beauty industry?”

I played with that for a few days but it really didn’t wow me, so I put in some other ingredients that I knew were good for curly hair. One day I did my hair and it looked liked I’d always wanted! I was so stoked. I excitedly went back to my curlfriends on CurlTalk to share the recipe for my miracle concoction. They were like, “Uh… yeah. I don’t want to do that. Can’t I just buy some from you?” So, I agreed to start a business and sell what is now Rockin’ Ringlets, because the CurlTalk members forced me to.

• NaturallyCurly: How have you gotten ideas for your other products?

Jessica:  Jessicurl’s products have been the result of customer demand, but is also usually something I need personally as well, because I hold myself up as the hardest to please customer. We’re clearly a very customer-centric company (the customers forced me into business, after all”> so when they say they want something, we do our best to provide it. Not long after Rockin’ Ringlets, Gelebration Spray and Awe Inspiraling Spray came out, I was getting emails asking for a moisturizing conditioner that’s not greasy or full of silicones. I was like, “I know! I need that too!” So I got to work mixing and came out with not one, but three conditioners: Aloeba, Too Shea and the ever-popular Deep Conditioning Treatment.

Then it was, “Hey Jess, we love your conditioners, but it sure would be nice to have a cleanser that’s sulfate-free and doesn’t make my hair all puffy for three days after I use it.” I was like, “I KNOW! I need that too!” So I got to work and came out with Hair Cleaning Cream. Needless to say, I take a LOT of showers when I’m developing a new product, testing each and every batch.

Gentle Lather Shampoo, Confident Coils and this new yet-to-be named product have all been the same. The customers tell me they want it, I agree, and I get at it.

• NaturallyCurly: What and when was the last product you launched?

Jessica:  The last product we launched was Confident Coils Styling Solution in 2004, so it’s been a while!

• NaturallyCurly: What led you to develop this new gel?

Jessica:  Customer demand, and also our friends at NaturallyCurly.com telling us loud and clear that we should do it. The drum beat for a Jessicurl styling product with more hold got so loud, it was clear that now was the time to do it. The funny thing is that this time, I personally didn’t feel like *I* needed it, but now? I can’t live without it.

• NaturallyCurly: What were you hoping to achieve with the new gel?

Jessica:  I really wanted to create something that would provide the additional hold customers are asking for, but that wouldn’t dry out the hair or make it feel crunchy all day. Most gels (this included”> tend to dry crunchy, and that’s ok. That initial crunch is what contributes to the hold throughout the day. But if you can’t scrunch that crunch out, you have a problem. This scrunches out really easily and leaves your curls FEELING really nice and soft – but it holds. It’s amazing. And the frizz control on this stuff is awesome. Of course, there are no silicones, waxes, or petroleum, per our ingredients philosophy.

• NaturallyCurly: How would you describe the new gel?

Jessica:  It’s much thicker than Confident Coils and quite jelly-like in consistency. It’s white-ish in color but it’s not a cream. It’s a stronger hold but it’s not so super sticky that you can’t easily apply it through your hair. It will come in the same bottles that our other products come in.

• NaturallyCurly: NaturallyCurly members helped come up with the name for Confident Coils. We’re thrilled that you are harnessing the community again to name thenew gel. What type of name are you looking for?

Jessica:  I’m SO stoked to get the NaturallyCurly community in on this again! It’s just a no-brainer to me, given our history together. So many of our names are so cute (Rockin’ Ringlets Styling Potion, Confident Coils Styling Solution, etc”> that I’d love for it to be something that fits in with those. Let’s get cute and creative with this and see what we can come up with, eh? I can’t WAIT to see what the winning entry is!! I know Annette Gaynes, who named Confident Coils, is getting her thinking cap back on, so that’s exciting! To enter, go to: http://namejessicurlproduct.questionpro.com

• NaturallyCurly: When and where will the new gel be available?

Jessica:  The launch date is Oct 1, when it will become available exclusively at CurlMart for the month of October. After that it will be available at Jessicurl.com and everywhere else Jessicurl products are available, including CurlMart, of course.