Search Results: Nikki Walton

By Nikki Walton · Updated May 28, 2024

The beautiful and talented Laura Izibor is “On the Couch!” Finally, right? This gorgeous and accomplished recording artist has opened for many big hitters, including Aretha Franklin, India.Arie, Estelle, Maxwell and John Legend. I caught up with her in the studio and she dished on her flawless natural curls—in the most amazing accent. It’s not every day you talk to a Black woman with an Irish accent. Dope.

Her Hair Story

I’m mixed race—my mother is white and my father, Nigerian. My mother did an unbelievably good job considering I was her first child with thick, kinky, afro hair. To this day, she she likes me to keep it natural and hates when I do anything to it. I so appreciate that about her today, but when I was little, I thought it was unfair. Growing up I was made to wear it natural, and I really wasn’t fond of it because there weren’t many kids that looked like me at all. So I would keep it back in a really tight bun, which would somewhat pull it straight. I never wore it out.

When I became a pre-teen, around 12 or 13, I tried to embrace my hair and accept my individuality, and I began wearing my hair out and wild. But then, like that India.Arie song, I went and got it relaxed. I was about 13 and wore it relaxed for a couple of years. It dried my hair out terribly and was very difficult to maintain, so while growing out the relaxer, I got braids.

Around 16, I regretfully went down the Jheri Curl path, not knowing that I actually had my own curls. My hair was just dead from all the years I tortured it, and there was no discernible curl pattern. So, yes, I got a Jheri Curl and I wore it for like a year. Then I came to New York around 17 and met a friend who is still one of my dearest friends today. She’s from the Bronx and she just straight up said, “Girl, what are you doing with your hair?’ I was like, “What? What you talking about?” She said, “You need to get that grease out of your head! Come with me.” So we set a date and she washed my hair and gave me a leave-in conditioner, saying, “Here’s a leave-in conditioner. You already have a curl! This will help you moisturize and define it.”

I was shocked, amazed, and forever grateful. I didn’t know I had curls! What a surprise! From that day on I banished the grease, locked the Jheri Curl away, and just started rocking different variations of my natural hair. Sometimes I’d brush it out, or sometimes I’d define it. I love my hair now, and the millions of the things I can do with it.

Her Favorite Products

I don’t even know what I use, I just change all the time. I always use some sort of moisturizing leave-in conditioner while my hair is wet to lock in the curls. It’s so cool—when I wet my hair, I get itty bitty little curls, like baby curls. Then I apply any leave-in conditioner, and either put the diffuser to it, or walk out the door and let it dry naturally. Very simple. I’m not one for spending a lot of time, and I don’t braid or twist my hair. Any curl you see is just my hair. A lot of people don’t understand that you can actually do that —that you can put something moisturizing in your hair to hold on to your curls.

I’ve heard from many hairdressers that it’s healthy to change your products now and again. And I do just that. But I find myself coming back to Miss Jessie’s and Aveda. I love Aveda. They have a great styling creme which is nice for definition and hold. When I’m in a good hair cycle, I do my best to nurture my hair regularly and do lots of conditioning treatments. That’s pretty rare, though!

Her Hair Regimen

When I’m in a full blown promotion tour, I wash my hair every 3-4 days to keep the curls fresh. But other than that, like when I’m home or on holiday, I don’t wash it often—maybe once a week, if that. For me, washing as often as every 3 days wears my hair down and leaves me with split ends. Sometimes it’s best when I just leave it alone.

Sleeping With Her Hair

I don’t worry about it. I know, I’m awful. I try to sleep in bonnets and scarves, but when I wake up the next morning, it’s on the other side of the room. They drive me crazy, and in my sleep, I somehow yank them off and throw them across the room. I like the idea of a silk head wrap, and when I’m being good, I’ll use one with great results.

On Being Curly

The versatility. I think it’s nice that we can go back and forth. It’s kind of hard to create the curly look if you don’t have curls, but those of us with curly hair can easily wear it straight, and then rock curls the next day. That versatility is priceless! I go back and forth with my look. Last year I wore it straight a lot, and also bunned quite a bit. Curly hair is beautiful, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

By Nikki Walton · Updated May 28, 2024

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with one half of the dynamic duo that is Dead Prez. Known for their revolutionary and political lyrics, I was still pleasantly surprised when I first heard “The Beauty Within.” A remix of B.o.B.’s “Nothing on You,” it was released on Mother’s Day 2010, and celebrates the beauty of black women, and (drum roll please”> natural hair.

I shared the video a couple of weeks back and the response was unanimously positive. It made such an impact on our community, that I thought it only fitting to reach out to the artists with YOUR questions. Stic.Man, officially the realest, took some time out of his touring schedule to let us pick his brain.

SweetDrk1: In a world full of lace fronts, what motivated you to dedicate the song to natural women?

Stic.Man: So many things motivated this song. In essence, we were trying to give a salute, give support, and give energy to women who have self-love and confidence. It’s for the women who know that taking care of themselves naturally, only enhances their beauty. As opposed to buying into the culture of putting all types of chemicals in the hair, and doing a million different things trying to be something else; something other than what we are.

I grew up in a household with the lady who “fixed the naps.” Very Madam CJ Walker [laughs]. She was a very popular cosmetologist in my hometown. Women came to her for their perms and relaxers and whatnot. So growing up, it wasn’t unusual for me to hear, “Let me fix that kitchen,” or “That hair is a mess; let me do something to it.”

As I grew and began learning about figures such as Malcolm X and our struggle in general, I became reflective about that whole process and way of thinking. Then one day, my niece came home from school in tears. She had a head full of healthy, natural hair that her mother kept in braids and twists. Unfortunately, because of her un-straightened hair, the kids in her class were picking on her. My mom told her, “Don’t worry what they say…just believe in yourself.”

I remember pulling my mom to the side and asking her, “Where do you think she hears that stuff more? Even more than at school?” That’s what you say all day, that’s what her mom tells her all the time: “Come here, let me do something to that hair!” I told you that little story because that day, my mom and my sister went natural. And they’ve been natural ever since—my niece is now 22! So I’ve just been around it, and culturally, it’s a big deal for our sisters, and many women, to appreciate their beauty as they’re made by nature. So I wanted to support that.

Terra D: What kind of impact did you want this song to make?

That’s a good question. We created this song to support and motivate that sister who is dating somebody with the mentality, “I don’t like all that nappy short hair,” or the sister who thinks the blonde Beyonce wig is what beauty is. So the impact I want it to have is to show our women that all the brothers definitely don’t see it like that. I just want it to give encouragement and to say that the status quo is not everybody’s opinion, and what matters most is the way you feel on the inside.

I’m not trying to judge sisters who have relaxers, or those who are into creative styles that may not be natural. I’m not trying to play one against the other. I feel like our community psychologically has been traumatized, and made to not appreciate our skin, our culture, our hair, our body type, shapes, lips, noses, ass, you name it! We have to really take a step back and appreciate these things. So that you can say, “I’m me, and I’m unique, and I’m fresh, and I’m fly!”

JasmineA: Your interview with Nikki comes on the heels of the highly publicized Psychology Today article where the “scientific” conclusion is that black women are less attractive than other races. What are your thoughts about that?

I missed that, but it sounds like bunk. I’m biased as a black man. To me there is no finer, more beautiful, more dynamic, more whole woman, than the African woman in all shapes and forms. I’m not saying it to be cliche, but Africa is the mother of all the women, of all the men. Attractiveness is definitely in the eye of the beholder. An Asian man probably thinks Asian women are most beautiful, while a white man prefers white women. I think when you talk about beauty in terms of symmetry, in terms of longevity; look at a black woman’s skin, features, and beauty over time—it’s hands down! I’m not trying to make it a racist thing, but white people don’t age well. There ain’t no way in the world you can’t tell me that the black woman isn’t the dopest being you’ve seen on the planet. But like I said, I’m biased. I was born from a black woman, and I’m married to a black woman. I’m probably not the most objective person to answer this question.

JasmineA: Stic.Man, how did your wife receive the song “The Beauty Within?” Is she natural?

Is my wife natural? She is the epitome of that song. Totally. She even got me focusing on health. When I met her, she was natural. She’s part Creole and her hair has a looser wave—kinky, but wavy. I remember her making it very, very clear to me, “You know this is not a relaxer.” She was just really adamant: “I’m a black woman, I’m natural, I don’t eat this, I don’t eat that, I’m in the gym.” She’s a warrior with her natural self! She is now a holistic health counselor and has a website, Nattral. She’s in full support of the song. Even more than in support, she’s the inspiration for the song. Her, and sisters like her around the world.

TerraD: Do you have any advice for the men, to help continue to uplift black women?

We have to look at the women in our lives—our mates, our friends, our associates, mothers, aunts—as really our comrades. I always say teamwork makes the dream work. We have to see that when we tear each other down, it’s really just fear—that fake pimp, machismo stuff that we hide behind. It’s counterproductive, and we have to see ourselves as team members and give support and words. I think women respond well to words and compliments. But they respond even more so to seeing those actions of support. And the respect that’s shown when you speak highly of each other—when you keep your word, when you don’t try to think for a woman—that speaks volumes. We need to encourage our women to have their own voice, and rather than trying to being their boss, be their teammate and encourage their development. As men we can do this. We can support, teach, listen and learn. Above all, we need to have that compassion for the mothers of our family. We have to see our mates as our sisters and our friends, and more than just our lovers.

CN: Tell us about the video.

It’s funny. “The Beauty Within” video, the one you’re referring to that’s floating around the web, is actually an unauthorized version of the video that we shot a year ago. We decided to shelve it. So yeah, what you saw was some shots of some footage put together by another director. It wasn’t up to par, and it was released without permission. It still has a good vibe to it, but it was definitely a violation on the internal [laughs]. My guy Shannon McCollum, an awesome photographer and videographer, just shot the official video, and it’s AMAZING! I’ll be sure to get that over to you when it’s available.

CN: What are you working on right now? Anything you want to share with the CN community?

I’d like for y’all to check out “Baby Fat” on my new album “The Workout”. It’s featuring my wife rapping for the first time. Also, a dope, dope, dope natural sister named Maimouna Youssef is singing the hook, and another really strong, revolutionary natural hair stylist and MC, named Ife Jie. They helped me out on that song, which is dedicated to health and fitness. That particular song is to inspire and to salute women who have given birth to life and are trying to get their bodies back in shape, because they want to, not for society. So I would love to hear some feedback from the women of CurlyNikki on that record, and the album in general. You can check it out at SticRBG.com.

Got questions for celebs? Want to participate in the next Community Interview? Email me at Nikki@curlynikki.com using “celeb interviewer” as the subject line, and I’ll be sure to contact you the next time I’ve got a VIP On the Couch!

By Nikki Walton · Updated May 28, 2024

Hola Chicas,

You can either take your socks off now, or I can knock ’em off for ya…

It’s official. As of last night, I’ve henna’ed two months in a row! Can you believe it?!

But as with everything else in my life, things are not the same. Now that Gia has been set loose upon the world, I’ve had to cut corners. Gone are the days that I could jump in the shower three times (pre-application, pre-deep treatment, post-deep treatment”> for one henna hair color session. The soundtrack that Boogie graces the house with when she feels “forgotten”, is well, shrill and unpleasant. I’ve gotta get in and get out, and so below, you’ll find instructions for my shortened henna treatment.

Nikki’s Quick Henna Hair Color Treatment

6 hours total (or more if you leave in overnight”>

Whip it up and apply (1 hour”>

1. Bring 2 cups of water to nearly boiling and remove from heat.
2. Pick your acid. Either add a tablespoon of orange juice or Apple Cider Vinegar to the water, or my personal favorite, steep a couple of bags of green tea.
3. In a plastic container or glass bowl, mix the slightly acidic water with 200g of Jamila henna powder.
4. Mix in a tablespoon (or more”> of honey. The end result should look like thick mashed potatoes or cake batter.
5. Cover and proceed to the bathroom.
6. Gently detangle dry hair with fingers (you can follow up with a wide-toothed comb if you like”>.
7. Twist detangled sections (I usually end up with 10″>.
8. Put on a pair of plastic gloves and clip all of the twists out of the way, except for the one you want to work with. I always start in the back and work to the front.
9. Remove the twist, and apply henna in a smooshing motion. Layer it on thick like cake batter.
10. Repeat with the other twists.
11. Gather henna filled hair and don a plastic baggie, placing stretched out cotton balls around the outer edge for comfort and to prevent drippies. Finally, throw on a pretty silk scarf so you don’t scare your roommate or significant other.

Apply heat source and allow to marinate (4 hours or more”>

1. Sit under a hooded dryer or rock your micro heat cap on and off for the next four hours.
2. OR, you can go to sleep and allow your body heat to warm things up for 8-10 hours.

Rinse and apply DT (1 hour or more”>

1. Run bath water and kneel over tub, dunking your head. Gently massage your hair and work the henna loose. Allow the water stream from the tub faucet to run through your hair, rinsing it clean. Apply a slippery conditioner, run your head back under the water stream. Repeat until your hair is henna free.
2. Wring your hair and apply a moisturizing deep treatment in sections.
3. Don a plastic baggie and apply heat source for 15-30 minutes.
4. Finally, hop in the shower, rinse thoroughly, and style as usual!

Remember, four hours is the minimum amount of time that henna must be left in for you to reap the color and strengthening benefits. In fact, some argue that any longer than 4 hours is pointless because you’re already saturated at that point. In an ideal world, if you plan to do a quick treatment, you would allow the henna mix to sit and release for a few hours prior to application. But if you’re flying by the seat of your pants like me, just getting the opportunity to henna is better than nothing! That’s why I use the heat… to help it penetrate better.

Although I love the abbreviated version, applying and rinsing in the same day feels like a ridiculous amount of work. So, last night, I followed the above steps, only I started around 8pm, and left the henna dye in overnight. Then I woke up and continued the process. Makes life a little easier, and will probably be my routine from here on out.

Pros of the 4-Hour Treatment:

– Nearly the same results with much less time involved

– Fewer (if any”> drippies since you’re applying to dry hair

Cons of the 4 Hour Treatment :

– Harder to rinse (it’s not as melted and pliable as it would be after sitting on your head for 10 hours”>

– Time consuming–applying and rinsing, deep treating, and styling all in one day!

I plan to do the 4 hour treatment only if I’m short on time, or have weekend plans. My new henna hair color routine is basically identical to the old one (following the steps above”>, only I’ll be applying the henna to dry hair, and skipping the multiple showers.

Later Gators!

Nik

By Nikki Walton · Updated May 28, 2024

This post originally appeared on our sister site, CurlyNikki.com and references CurlyNikki community members. We loved these ideas so much, we wanted to bring them to the NaturallyCurly audience as well! Way to graduate, curlies!

Curly hair that fits under a cap!
Curly Twists
Low Puff

Janetta of birdiztheword writes:

I graduate in like 2 weeks! OMG! I want my Inbetweeny Fro to be the most fabulous it has ever been since the chop! No joke, my hair has to be F-L-Y. I’m positive it’s going to feel like Satan’s armpits outside so I need something that will hold up to the heat (at least until after post-ceremony pics are taken”>. Did I mention how glad I am the ceremony is INDOORS? [my fro goes out to all of you curlies that have to sit outside =( ] I’m thinking something stretched and luscious! Graduation caps are fugly as it is and I feel like I can subtract some of the ugly if my hair looks amazing, lol. Not to mention, all of the photo proof! I don’t want one of those “What the hell was I thinking?!” moments afterwards. Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. Any Ideas?!!

Jamila of College Curlies responds:

I will definitely be wearing my hair in a curly style! I’ve only straightened my hair three times, all of which I felt out of sorts and (no diss to my straight girls out there”>…regular. Here are some options for graduation pics and for the big day:

Cap in hand. If you want to rock the curly style and are afraid of cap head, have the photographer take pictures of you holding your cap in your hands (as opposed to actually on your head”>. This might not be the most desirable option, but in 20 years I’d rather look back and see the person I was at the time, than risk damaging my hair and not feeling like myself!

Twist it up. You can certainly find a protective style a few days before photo time that is easy to maintain and small enough to fit under the cap, like the curlies in these pictures did here or in this natural hair YouTube video. You could try curly twists or mini twists, which can be styled all kinds of ways throughout the week.

Rod/Flexi-Rod Set. This will create small, tight curls that will last for a few days. If you have thick hair, it might help with consistency and make your curls smaller and easier to manage.

Low Puff. Depending on how long your hair is, you could pull it back into a low puff so that it sits right under your cap.

Accessorize! Bring a few headbands, flowers, and bobby pins in case your hair gets fussed up during the photo session, or under the cap during the ceremony. Always good to have these on deck!

YouTube has great natural hair style tutorials. I think these are particularly fabulous.

By Nikki Walton · Published April 1, 2011

It’s a lot easier to damage your hair than it is to repair it. But with the right tools and hair remedies, you can reverse the damage you have done over your life and get back on track to having the perfect curls you have always wanted. So, instead of looking for split ends or thinking about how dehydrated your curls are, read on and find out ways to bring your curls back to life!

1. Hair Rinses

To be specific, vinegar and beer rinses for your hair! Beer is wonderful to use to replenish the moisture in your hair, while vinegar works wonders for shine. When doing either rinse, simply coat your hair with them and let sit for a few minutes. When ready, rinse your hair with cold water. Not only is cold water good for rinsing the hair, but it will also help get rid of the smell!

2. Hair Oils

Oils are great for styling and finishing your hair while also making your hair feel and look healthier. Oils help condition and moisturize your scalp, promoting hair growth. You can also do hot oil treatments by taking your favorite oil, like coconut oil, and heating it in a plastic bag. Once heated, apply the oil and wrap your hair in a shower cap. Allow the oil to do its magic for about 10-15 minutes, then rinse. You will be well on your way to healthy locks!

3. Deep Conditioners

Moisture is needed for healthy and manageable curly hair, so if you are lacking moisture, look for a good conditioner. Deep conditioners and hair oils are also great for keeping away frizz, detangling curls and repairing damaged curly hair.

4. A Good Haircut

Sometimes, what your curls need most is simply a good haircut. Often during a transition to natural hair, there is nothing that good products can do unless you cut off your damaged curly hair. For some, it means going for a big chop and for others it just means getting rid of a few inches. No matter which one you do, it will be liberating and you will be on your way to the curls you have been dreaming of. Do you have any other methods or products you use to repair damaged curly hair?

By Nikki Walton · Updated May 28, 2024

“I embraced the poof.” – Tanika Ray

Tanika Ray, TV host and pop culture specialist extraordinaire, is On the Couch! She dishes on how she came to discover her curls, her different “hair phases,” and how she’s wearing her hair today.

CN: Your hair is stunning! Have you always been a curly girl?

TR: As a kid, I would wash and go—I think because I grew up in Los Angeles. The only pressure to get a perm was from my mother, who was from Ohio. Other than that, I was in the pool almost every other day so it didn’t make sense to spend much time on my hair. That’s actually where all of my dreams kind of came to life. [Laughter] It was like this little magical world under there, and I felt like the Little Mermaid, or Diana Ross! I used to love swimming, and my hair was really, really long, I mean I was probably sitting on it at the time, and I loved to get it wet, and feel it move with the water.

I’ll never forget the first time I saw Diana Ross on television. I was like, “Oh my gosh, that’s what I look like!” I embraced the poof and I embraced the largeness of it all. I think that’s when I discovered the power of my hair.

CN: That’s so cool! For me, when I saw her daughter Tracee, I wanted her hair, which definitely inspired me to start experimenting with my curls.

TR: What’s funny is that when I was young, I never knew my hair was curly. My mom doesn’t have the same hair that I have. My dad’s hair is very straight, and my mom has very coarse hair. So the combination of the two made my hair. My mom was old school and only knew that when you get out of the shower, you comb or brush your hair. She never knew that that would disrupt the curl pattern. So for a long time I didn’t even know I had curly hair, until I was a preteen and took control over my locks. I got really lazy one day and didn’t do anything to it and was like, are those curls? Wow, that’s kinda cool. And realized the magic of NEVER EVER brushing your hair outside of the shower.

When I started high school, I remember my hairstylist, who had been trimming and conditioning my hair since I was 3, said, “You know, your edges are a little rough. How about we start a little mild relaxer on your edges, just the new growth?” I allowed her to do it, but after a while, of course, my whole head was permed, because new growth becomes your length as it grows out. My hair didn’t curl up as much as it used to, but I was okay with it because it was actually a little easier to manage. It was straight with a slight wave and I rocked it like that for a while. So much so that folks thought my hair was naturally straight. I had a lot of people in my head at the time. They would say things like, “It’s so pretty straight,” or “I like it better that way”… you know all the pressures you get from people who are conditioned that black women should wear their hair a certain way.

“Big and curly… this is me!” – Tanika Ray

So I did that for a while—I even went to college that way. And then I got sick of putting chemicals on my head. But I did want to experiment with color. And I knew with my type of hair, perm and color was a dangerous combination. It wasn’t worth me having hair break off, or me living in the hair salon to keep it conditioned. It’s not my favorite place to be. I’m going to be perfectly honest, I feel like there’s another way to spend 8 hours of your day than sitting in the hair salon. And this hair salon was social central. She would do 3 people at once, so you’d sit, and you’d talk, and it was your whole Saturday! I loved being outside, I wanted to do things, I wanted to go see my boyfriend… whatever it was, I didn’t want to be stuck in the hair salon all day. So I had to pick one or the other. And I picked hair color over perming.

CN: Did you transition out of the relaxer, or big chop?

TR: I went through a transition where I was kind of sick of the hair thing. Everybody else was like “your hair is so pretty,” “so long,” it became everybody else’s thing, versus mine. It became the thing that everyone wanted to talk about except for me. It became the thing that everybody put so much pressure on me about, and at the end of the day, I was like, it’s just hair. I realized that I had to take my hair power back… reclaim it. So I chopped it all off. I don’t know if you’ve ever been short before, but there is nothing like a woman finding her beauty, her self-esteem, and her sexuality, sans hair, and I loved it. It was powerful.

I cut it to like about an inch and a half, and rocked a really short ‘do for a while… for nearly 8 years. I’ve always been interested in hairstyles that I could visualize and clearly describe but according to hairstylists are a little tricky to execute. I went to all the top black salons in L.A. and said, “I want a short, cute, rock ‘n roll, spiky ‘do.” Most of all, I wanted it be low maintenance. Can you believe I was turned away?! Every hair salon was like, “No, no, you gotta get a perm, gotta do this, gotta blow dry it, gotta use a curling iron.” It seemed so daunting, and I all I wanted was a cute, spiky ‘do—I wanted to wash, let it get spiky, and go. I wanted to be like 30 seconds, in and out of my bathroom. So I finally succumbed, and returned to the relaxer, thinking it would be easier. And let me tell you, I hated it! Hated it, hated it, hated it! It was so stringy and thin. The perm was too strong, and proved too much for my poor strands. I actually shared this on the “Today Show.” We were talking about worst hair styles, and that was the picture I showed—with my hair short, really, really straight, and spiky. On top of it damaging my hair, it still was too much work, and wasn’t the easy wash and wear style I was hoping for. It was time to move on.

CN: So you decided to stop perming and grow it out?

TR: I’m a curly girl, I know this… I always knew this. It just sucked that once I was out of the short, straight hair phase, that I had to wait for my hair to grow back out. I wanted to just snap my fingers and have my curls back. But you have to be willing to be patient enough to go through a year and a half of bad hair days, and just embrace it and work with what you have. And eventually, it will evolve into something beautiful! Big and curly… this is me! And luckily as the perm grew out, my curls came back in. And that’s the hair that you saw me on “Extra” with.

Tanika Ray with a blow-out

Then I found the right person to cut it. A Japanese phenom who is really great with razor cuts. My other stylist was about maintenance. So she would trim the ends, and he would cut it for the shape. He kept it choppy, no two strands were the same length, and it worked wonders. That is the only way to rock your fro—disheveled, asymmetrical, and choppy! I’m no “perfect fro” girl. His cuts changed my life! So fierce!

I rocked my hair like this for 6-7 years and I loved it. It got blonder and blonder and at some point, I got bored, even though I got so much love, especially from the sistas, which was so unexpected, and so appreciated. It was an amazing hair style, but you just can’t keep doing the same thing over and over. I was ready to grow my hair out, and that’s what I did! And maybe I’ll go back to that style one day.

CN: How do you feel about the natural hair movement?

TR: I love that so many people are experimenting with their natural hair because they’ve seen me on a television show, or Kim Coles, who I love and who just went natural, or any of the other natural hair celebs. I love that we’re inspiring each other to go outside of the box and know that you can look beautiful and at your best, without listening to the masses saying you have to be or look a certain way. So the natural hair movement thrills me to no end—we are empowering each other, rooting each other on and celebrating the results.

CN: How are you wearing your hair today?

TR: These days I’m wet-setting my hair. I’m working on a couple of projects and wanted versatility. I love embracing a more glam look but refuse to use heat in the form of curling irons and blow dryers if at all possible. I’m frequenting Dominican Hair salons. They have mastered the wet-set and my hair is looking awesome, awesome awesome!!!! It seems that wet-setting my hair is the healthiest way to preserve my hair color and health. I’m so excited to hear what the viewers will have to say about my hair when the shows air. Stay tuned! All I can say is that I’m having a total blast with my new projects and I can’t wait for everyone to see them and my hair!

CN: Tell me how you style your hair when you’re not working?

TR: I wash and go as often as I can. If I’m not working, I am “hair in a bun.” I’m talking right out of the shower, put a little product in it, Moroccanoil, Aveda Be Curly, roll it up in a bun to generate those curls, and put it on top of my head and go. That’s kind of my everyday look. And it can be chic from time to time, with the right earrings and lip gloss! [Laughter]. In the winter, I love letting my hair dry this way. Sometimes I’ll wash my hair the night before and sleep with my hair in the high bun, and in the morning when I let it down, it’s gorgeous. This technique works for me because it straightens the back and the sides so that the curls hang a little looser. It’s little tips like this that I’ve picked up along the way that really help. For the most part if I’m not working, I am curly wash and go. I’m talking the easiest possible process ever.

CN: I heard you say you like Moroccanoil and Aveda Be Curly. Any other must-haves?

TR: Another must have is Living Proof. It seems to lock in the curl and keep the frizz down. I really like it. It’s not too expensive, so you can experiment with it. I recommend everyone try it at least once. Which reminds me—us curly girls, we’re all so different. What works for some doesn’t work for all. No two curlies are alike! And it’s so funny, when we see each other, even complete strangers will touch each others’ hair and share product tips. It’s an easy conversation that will perk up our day!

Follow Tanika Ray on Twitter @tanikaray.

By Nikki Walton · Published March 13, 2011

Janet Hubert speaks her mind.

This, by far, was one of the most awesome interviews ever! Rarely do you see someone really speak their mind… without the publicists, the lawyers, the in-betweens, etc. Although I may not agree with everything she says, I totally respect and admire her candor. The honesty was refreshing and her willingness to push the envelope… amazing. I think it will definitely open up some discussion. So read, enjoy and weigh in! Oh, and grab your iPod and allow Kanye and Jay’s H.A.M. to play softly in the background, ’cause if this interview had a theme song, that would be it!

CurlyNikki: First things first, thank you for agreeing to the interview!

Janet Huber: No problem. I always like to do things that are connected to natural hair. I’m getting tired of this whole phenomenon that is black hair; it’s very misunderstood.

CN: So what’s your hair story?

JH: Being a little dark-skinned girl growing up, at the time that I grew up, definitely brought its challenge. I was always that little colored girl running from the rain. And I was extremely active: I rode horses, I was a cheerleader, I danced, I swam. I did it all. So getting my hair pressed was often a waste of time. But it was the thing to do… to have your hair fried. Every two weeks like clockwork, suffering through the burning of the ears, the heat . . . gosh, it still gives me nightmares! And it was always my fault when my mother burned my ear! I remember I’d put spoons over them, to no avail.

I actually had a fixation with Veronica Lake when I was a little girl. I always wore my hair pressed to death over one eye. That deep swag over one eye… the Page Boy. I loved the Page Boy when I was a little girl!

CN: Hilarious, ’cause I did that too. Only I was channeling Aaliyah.

JH: Fast forward a bit to the late ‘60s, early ‘70s—once I left high school—I got my first perm and hated it. Absolutely hated it. My hair is thick and fine, and has three very different textures. So when they’d apply the perm to the back of my head, by the time they got to the top, it was time to rinse it out of the back. No matter what I did, no matter what they tried, no matter how much conditioning was applied, it would start to fall out. After a certain point, it would just start to break off. Plus, like I said, I was active. I sweat a lot, and sweating is one of the biggest enemies of perm, because it’s salt. Add to that the chlorine from the pool, and my hair was a wreck. It would grow to a certain point, and I would cut it. I started over countless times.

CN: Besides your experimentation with relaxers, what other hair adventures did you have?

JH: I’ve always played with my hair and done a lot of different things. In the ‘80s, when I was in CATS, and whenever I was dancing, it was always braided up. Then, somewhere in Ohio, I got a bad Jheri Curl. [Laughter]

Janet knew that “the no hair thing wasn’t for me.”

I think I was on the road doing Bob Fosse’s Dancin’. Somehow I got it in my mind that I wanted a Jheri Curl so I headed to the salon. And Lord have mercy! I got back to the theater, and all of my hair just started coming out. I mean literally falling to the floor. The company manager looked at me and said, “your hair looks horrendous.” I concurred. So I went to a barbershop in the next town, I believe it was Baltimore, and had my head shaved bald! Imagine my completely bald head, totally buffed-out body, 5 pairs of lashes… when I walked out on the stage, people would gasp—they thought I was Grace Jones! I had this long, linear body, huge eyes which were accented with the biggest false lashes, and muscles galore! [Laughter]

On top of that, people began calling me ‘sir’. So I kept a big pair of earrings on and always wore makeup. To be honest, I actually developed a bit of a complex with that whole issue. I was like, wow, people think I’m a dude! So I knew that the no hair thing wasn’t for me. Plus, I liked changing my hair, and I’m a hat queen.

Anyway, fast forward… my hair began growing back out. But get this, the roots had dis-attached! My scalp was so damaged that I had a slight case of alopecia. I had to apply steroid drops on my scalp for about 6 months. And when my hair finally grew, it came in completely straight. I looked like some sort of hideous little fuzz head!

CN: Good grief! I’ve heard many a hair horror story in my day, but this one takes the cake. Did that end your foray with chemicals?

JH: Actually, no. After that, I went back and got another perm. We tried perming it in small sections, but that didn’t work either. Fell out nonetheless. It was during that time when I finally did “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” I wore a press and curl. People didn’t know that! I was often asked how I achieved the body… the bounce. Well, there you go! It wasn’t a perm, it was a press. The stylist on the set was great. She would straighten it and bump the ends. But the whole time I was on the show, I wanted to showcase my natural hair. In the third season, I had plans for Vivian to go natural, plans of wearing my curly hair on air. Vivian was going to find her Blackness! If I had actually come back to the show, I wanted to have an episode where I could wear my hair natural.

So after I left the show, that was it. I was done with heat. Pressing your hair breaks it down, just like any other process. And so there would be sections that, after washing, wouldn’t go back kinky. Sections of it would completely go dead straight. So for the last 20 years, I’ve barely even put a blow dryer to it.

Oh yeah, I had dreads for 2 years. And, boy, was that an interesting process. I had them on Dennis Leary’s show “The Job.” I do love them, my son now has them, but they were just a bit too dull for me. They’re dull no matter what you use… the light just doesn’t bounce off of them, the beauty doesn’t transfer well to camera. Also, there wasn’t enough versatility for me. I have to be able to comb my bush. To feel the bush! I always admire them on others, but they’re not for me. If I ever do them again, I’ll definitely get Sister Locks. Because mine were thick and lumpy!

Janet says Hollywood is like “weave city.”

CN: So in the years post “Fresh Prince,” you’ve worn your natural texture. Do you think this has had any influence on your career?

JH: I’ve grown tired of the bullshit in Hollywood. It’s like weave city there. I’ve always had a real attitude about who I am, and have always loved my natural hair. And everybody doesn’t appreciate that. If somebody wants to do my hair for a show, it’s going to have to be a wig. When I did “One Life to Live,” I allowed them to press out the front of it, and I didn’t even want them to do that. Then I tried the weave thing and hated that… it felt like I had a dog on my head. I could not stand it. I think I had a weave for a day. I took a seam ripper and ripped the threads out, which took out half of my hair. So I shaved my head again!

So I’ve never been afraid of not having hair or having hair. I think we’re beautiful no matter what we do. My natural story is that I love my hair. I absolutely will not press my hair for anybody’s job. That’s just it. If you want to hire Janet Hubert, you’re going to have to take her as she is, or put a wig on it. Period.

And I understand that it’s a part of the process as an actress. But, in this era of the blonde thing, which I abhor, it makes it very hard. I absolutely find it so sad that the bluest eye is upon us. And I feel so sad when I see a black woman with blonde hair… sad that it has come to this. Also, there are too many black men trying to tell our stories about our hair. Too many comments and too much negativity associated with us as black women. The whole funny thing about wearing a weave and “don’t’ touch my hair”… I hated the movie “Good Hair.” I thought it was an unbelievable insult to black women and I just don’t understand why people feel that they can make a joke out of us all the time. I’m a little tired of it. I consider our hair beautiful, no matter how you choose to wear it. But it’s when women feel that they have to have this hair… that it’s the hair that makes them beautiful, that’s the problem. I can’t even go into a store and find a black wig anymore!

I went to the local beauty store recently and asked the woman there if she had “this wig in black.” Her response was, “Oh, no—everybody likes the blonde hair!” And she was looking at my hair and asked, “Is that all your hair?” And instead of taking my answer, she put her hands in my head to see if she could feel tracks… because I had this giant bush. And I said to her, “Excuse me, but I do not know you, and I don’t know where your hands have been. You did not have permission to put your hands in my head.” It’s funny that even with natural hair, people still don’t think it’s your hair.

CN: You don’t know whether to be flattered or offended.

JH: Exactly! Anyway, you asked me about my natural hair and work. I know I probably lost a few jobs by not pressing my hair. I remember going on an audition back in the day for Dark and Lovely. Didn’t happen. And I also have to share my disappointment in the hair books, in the magazines, even “Essence,” where we’re told to love our natural selves, but they have more straight hair in those magazine than you can shake a finger at. We have never been accepted as beautiful by the masses with natural hair.

Janet Hubert loves her natural hair! And who can blame her? It’s fabulous!

CN: Tell me about your hair today.

JH: I love the two-strand twist. That’s my experience with my hair now. I mostly do my hair myself, but Derrick Scurry, who is amazing, does my twists from time to time. My hair has a real curl pattern! I love that! And what’s interesting is that you will not find your natural hair until you leave it alone long enough to let it heal. And I feel that as my hair has healed, it has found itself. And unless you do that, it’s going to keep doing crazy stuff.

CN: That’s great advice for transitioners and big choppers alike. Your hair 2 months post-relaxer, or two months post big chop, is not what it’s going to be two years from now.

JH: You’re right! It will be absolutely different. And you are going to love it. It will become very sacred to you… just like locks. People feel very sacred about their locks. I have three textures in my head. My hair is a jungle in the middle, loose in the front, and I always say I have Mother Africa in the back! I didn’t know this until I left it alone.

CN: I’m in the same boat! My hair is loose in the front and tight in the back.

JH: That’s funny. The similarities. Now that I’m graying I’m amazed at how strong and resilient it is. As the aging process hits, it’s a whole other thing to deal with. Especially if you’re in the business. Because age is so frowned upon. We’re almost invisible. But at least for me, my natural hair defines and separates me from the crowd of weave wearers.

The beautiful part about having natural hair is that for three weeks solid, I don’t touch it!

The thing that people don’t understand is that our hair is very dry and sucks up moisture. I usually just two-strand twist it and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. I love Miss Jessie’s Baby Buttercreme. I use a combo of Miss Jessie’s, Aveda, and Nexxus Humectress for moisture, and combine Vitapointe and Miss Jessie’s for shine. My routine is simple and I don’t stray from my products. I hate that I can’t find Miss Jessie’s in my local beauty supply. The Chinese and Korean owners don’t believe it will sell because it is so expensive. My thoughts are that if you are going to sell to us, at least provide us with some options, and some quality products… don’t make assumptions based on stereotypes. I usually end up ordering online.

When I want something a little special, I’ll take the twists and rod them for a curly look. Or, if I don’t have time for that, I’ll chiney bump [bantu knots] big sections of my two strand twists. I take a few, wrap it around and knot them. When you release them, you have a gorgeous curl. Instant!

CN: Do you only wear the twists, or do you wear twist-outs as well?

JH: What I do is wear the twists for about 2 weeks and then I’ll release them and wear it like that for a while. Then sometimes, I’ll get in the shower and just let the water run through my twist-out. I don’t comb it all, and just watch what happens. It swells up, I get my real curl pattern with all the separated sections, and I’m left with this fabulous bush. People ask me what I do to it. Easy… let the water hit and let it grow—it’s like chia hair!

CN: How often do you re-moisturize?

JH: Every three days with the mix of products I mentioned before. I also grease my scalp. I’m a firm believer in greasing the scalp. I know that’s old school, but I’m sorry, I’ve got to do it! I suffer from a dry scalp condition, that if I don’t use something, it will turn white, peel, and flake. It’s like psoriasis. A lot of us have this dry scalp pattern. No matter how much oil you use, your scalp just starts lifting and peeling. It’s called seborrhea. And because my hair is so thick, it tends to make it worse. It will stop your hair from growing because your scalp is irritated. Also, because you’re not touching your scalp for long periods of time, your scalp gets tender. So every 3 to 4 days, I’ll take my fingers and give myself a good scalp massage.

So as you can see, my routine is simple. It’s not a lot of work when you really think about it. Every three weeks I wash and start over, I keep it moisturized in the meantime, and when I want something special, I can chiney bump it or rod set it. Or just let it be!

“Wearing your natural hair doesn’t make you blacker than anyone else.”

CN: What do you think of the natural hair movement?

JH: I recently went out to NYC on business. On the West Coast you see more weaves, but on the East Coast you see lots of gorgeous natural hair. Everybody damn near had natural hair and I said “Look at this, ladies! Did you ever think we would get to this point?!” It’s become very accepted, especially for commercials. It’s almost become the thing!

CN: I agree! Although some might say that it’s only one type of curly featured in the majority of these commercials.

JH: I know what you mean. This whole dark-skinned, light-skinned thing has got to go! We’re beautiful no matter what! We can’t control what Madison Avenue deems as beautiful. But what makes me sad is that the dark-skinned woman has never been idolized, not in music videos, TV shows, movies, nothing. It’s not “white” Madison Avenue that’s doing it, it’s us! Take a moment and think about the actresses that are working. They all look alike! That’s us… it’s on our hands. I for one, was replaced by a lighter-skinned black actress. The same thing happened on “My Wife and Kids.” It’s sad, but it happens, and it needs to change.

I subscribe to the ‘If you want Janet Hubert, this is what you get’ (doctrine”>. I’ve had my time. I’ve had my time in the sun and I’m cool. What you see is what you get. Some people are shocked when they see me and I have this big bushy head of hair. And they’re like wow, you’re a natural girl! And I’m like, “Why wouldn’t I be?” I’m no longer living up to others’ expectations of me; I’m living up to my own expectations.

CN: You always looked so regal! You’re gorgeous. But with the bush, you’re stunning. I love it!

JH: Thanks! I think my hair defines my beauty. No, better yet, it accents me. I think my natural hair is much more beautiful that my straight hair. It was so fine when I wore it pressed. Now it is thick and wild, and truly is my crown and glory! I consider it gorgeous, and if you don’t like it, you can bite me!

CN: What would you tell a woman who has yet to embrace her natural hair?

JH: That’s a very interesting question. Wearing your natural hair doesn’t make you blacker than anyone else. It doesn’t make you better than anyone else. It just makes you want to be who you are. I say give your natural hair a chance. I know it feels like it is a lot of work, and it is, but it’s worth it. When you look in the mirror and you see that kink… it’s powerful. It’s where you started—it’s the hair you came out of the womb with. And yes, we can change it. I say embrace it because it can and will change. It’s much more versatile than any other hair. You can always go back! It’s wonderful because it is like the weather—it can change. Give it a chance, be patient, play with it! Work with it. You can do so much with it.

One day, after all the frustration, you will look in the mirror and say, “I’m digging this.” And if you keep pressing it, fighting with it, blowing out, bumping it, etc. you’ll never know what it is capable of. The least that you do to your hair, the better it is. I don’t believe our hair was meant to be combed. My little ends are so curly that when you comb them too much, they start to break no matter what you do. Our hair is very strong, but very fragile too. Don’t beat it to death. It’s not that deep.

I used to say to my ex-husband my hair is kinky so that if you fall to your death, you have something to grab. [Laughter]

CN: What are you working on? What do we have to look forward to?

JH: I’m actually talking to some people about putting together a pilot for a talk show. I really feel like there is a generation of people who are forgotten. I also don’t particularly like the role models who are representing us. So I’m really anxious to put my hat in the ring and see what happens.

The “Life After” piece for TV1 was phenomenal, and I’m very glad I did it. It was very freeing. I also have my children’s series—I am partnering with an animation company called Cosmic Toast. They are going to be animating “J.G. and The B.C. Kids”. The book is out right now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It’s about bringing book smart and street smart kids together to make life smart kids. Also I’m sure you and your readers would like to know that J.G. is very strong and she, too, has natural hair. She has dreads. And she is beautiful.

We’re going to be creating more stuff and get this thing out nationwide. And hopefully folks will support it. We don’t support one another and it’s a tough sale to bring something positive about children. I’ve had to do it completely by myself. I’ve gone to many companies… Spike Lee, Allen Houston, the so-called “black power” players, and it’s very sad. I’m on my own. But it’s okay. J.G. is my passion. Bringing a consciousness to the whole bullying thing is my mission. It’s cool to be smart and I want kids to really realize that!

For more info, check out JanetHubert.com.

More curl reading:

5 Natural Hair Tips

10 Habit of Girls with Perfect Curls

By Nikki Walton · Updated May 28, 2024

Turn off that phone for some down time

Grow-Out Challenge routine

Like Kim Coles, for me, the Grow-Out Challenge will encompass more than just hair. During this six-month journey, I will challenge myself to:

1. Compartmentalize my life and learn to be present.

2. Eat healthier, minimally processed foods, and resume my regular workout routine.

3. Achieve the BIGGEST hair I can—keeping more strands and retaining length.

Break, break down

Part 1. The blog has grown to monumental proportions, and while I greatly enjoy keeping you dolls abreast on all things curly, sometimes I find myself a bit distracted from real life. That, plus my psychotherapy career, managing a household, and living with a man who is currently dissertating (sweet baby Jesus give me strength”>… let’s just say the plate is full. Did I mention we’ll probably be relocating this year? Oh, and I still have to fulfill the renewal requirements for my therapy license. So yeah. Dayum.

I notice that even when I put the computer down and turn off my cell (which I HAVE to do or else I compulsively check it every 5 minutes”>, my mind is still on work. I can be out with Gene and Gia, or enjoying a stolen moment alone, and find myself stressing over that interview I haven’t transcribed yet, or worried if Ms. X really was suicidal yesterday. I’m juggling a lot, but I know that there must be some schedule, some routine that I can develop that will allow me to be successful at what I do, while enjoying the present. Still figuring it out…

Part 2. For the first time in my life, I’m truly thankful for my petite stature… my chicken legs. Thankful that I was predisposed to lose that baby weight, which I think was mostly water. However, according to the results of my last two physicals, my cholesterol is a teeny bit high. What can I say? I love bacon, it’s good for me.

While pregnant (out of fear of gaining excessively”>, I walked 3 miles daily, and ate rather healthfully… save for the occasional strawberry pancakes. I gained 40 pounds, and now, at 5 months post-partum, have lost 42 pounds. YAY! Now that I’m back down and feeling like Nikki, many of my old habits have returned. When I say old habits, I don’t mean habits from 2001. Long before I became preggers I had changed my lifestyle… eating whole grains, avoiding fried foods, sodas, sugary sweets, and drinking lots and lots of water. My problem is, I’ll go hard and jump on the wagon for 2 weeks, only to fall off head first.

Stay away from fatty, fried foods

My weakness—fried things with cheese. Oh, and cakes, cookies, and pies.

When I was pregnant, I felt guilty for eating fatty, sugary things and could convince myself to opt for something healthier but still filling. Now that it’s just me, I find myself in line at Popeye’s, Mayflower, and our local soul food establishment multiple times weekly. Mmm… fried okra. I eat a lot of fast food because I can’t fry things myself out of fear of being popped by grease.

I’m also a fair weather exerciser—I only walk in the spring and fall because I hate the heat, hate the cold, and hate the treadmill.

All of that to say, during these 6 months, I’m off the stuff. Fried stuff… except for once a week. Other than that, it’s the Trader Joe’s freezer section for me. I’m eating oatmeal and fruit smoothies for breakfast, packing lunch, and cooking dinner. And starting today, I’m walking again.

Part 3. I’m still losing hair by the fist-fulls. The strands that have managed to hang on are dry and, at times, crunchy. I’m trimming tomorrow and officially starting my Grow Out Challenge routine. My goal is not for longer hair (I’m comfortable at my current length”>, but for greater volume. A chin to shoulder length bob is my ideal length and frames my face well.

Detangle dry hair in sections with fingers first, following up with the Tangle Teezer. Twist each section as I go to keep hair from re-tangling

Wash in twists with Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo

Deep condition (in twists”> with MYHoneyChild Olive You, Jessicurl Weekly Deep Conditioner, or Curl Junkie Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment and my micro heat cap for 30 minutes

Stick to a healthy diet

Rinse (hair still in twists”> and air dry for 15-20 minutes

Divide bigger twists into smaller twists using KeraCare Leave-in or CURLS Milkshake. This step stretches my natural curl to prevent fairy knots

Seal the ends with shea butter

Air dry overnight

Free-form curly bun (using a Goody Ouchless band”> until Friday

On weekends, I’ll dry Twist-n-Curl if I have plans (detangling with my fingers and the Tangle Teezer, using CURLS Curl Souffle to set”>, wear it out for 2-3 days, and then bun again

I’ll repeat the bun/Twist-n-Curl routine twice before re-washing. My hair will be bunned 90% of the time

When bunning, I will either:

Loosen the bun, apply shea to edges, and tie with a scarf, or –

Remove the bun, moisturize, re-bun, apply shea to my edges, and tie down with a scarf

When wearing it out –pineapple and sleep on satin

Drink at least 64 oz of water (I add a little cranberry juice”>

Eat a healthy, balanced diet

Take Rainbow Light Prenatal One, Slow Release Iron, Sublingual Liquid B Complex, and my birth control

Henna gloss

In the words of my late English teacher, this note is starting to get verbose, and I’ve had more than a few glasses of wine. I’ll check in soon!

Later Gators,

Nik

Besides healthy hair, what else will you be working on during the Kim Coles Grow-Out Challenge?

By Nikki Walton · Updated May 28, 2024

Women are constantly being told different tips that we want to believe will work, but rarely do. However, we have put together a list of 5 tips that might seem wacky but are proven to work wonders.

1. Heat your eyelash curler: If you have stick-straight eyelashes one of the best ways to curl them is to heat your eyelash curler with a hair dryer for 5-8 seconds. Heating it will act like a curling iron and that paired with waterproof mascara (which dries faster”> will give you perfect eyelashes.
2. Freeze your eyeliner: Do you have issues with you eyeliner crumbling the second you attempt to put it on? If you are thinking, “Yes! Every morning!” then this trick is just for you. Fifteen minutes before you begin to put on your makeup, stick your eyeliner in the freezer, and when you are ready to apply, it will go on easier than ever.
3. Shave with conditioner: If you run out of shaving cream, grab conditioner instead of soap for your backup. The conditioner will soften the hair making shaving much easier and it will also leave your legs silky smooth. Also remember that the thicker the conditioner the less you need to use so you won’t feel like you are wasting it.

4. Beer and vinegar rinses: While these might not be the most pleasant rinses, both are very beneficial for your hair. A good rinse with beer will help replenish the moisture in your hair while vinegar works wonders for shine. With both, simply coat your hair in them and let it sit for a few minutes. When ready rinse your hair with cold water, which will also help get rid of the smell.
5. Use an ice cube a day to keep the fat, acne and wrinkles away. It’s OK to admit that this doesn’t sound fun, but if it will keep fat cells, acne and wrinkles under control, it is well worth it. Before you go to bed, grab an ice cube and massage it over your face. By no means is it the most comfortable thing, but you will get used to it. Use it until it melts and go to bed knowing you are on the road to preventing three things that are simply annoying.

By Nikki Walton · Updated May 28, 2024

Grammy award winning singer, songwriter, poet, and actress Chrisette Michele is On The Couch… again! In an exclusive interview, she dishes on her experiences thus far, her favorite products, styles, and future hair plans. The best part is that she answers YOUR questions!

CurlyNikki: How long has it been since your Big Chop?

Chrisette Michele: It’s been six months now.

CN: Did this Big Chop differ at all from your first two?

CM: It’s totally different because now people have a lot more to say about natural hair, than when I did it the first time. In college, half of the brown skin girls had natural hair because we didn’t feel like going to get perms and they cost too much money. But now that I’m older, it kind of means a lot more to wear my hair natural again.

CN: What are your must-have products? Have these changed since you first BC’ed 6 months ago?

CM: I’ve changed them a lot. When I first started, it was DevaCurl and Mixed Chicks, and I loved both of them. But then Carol’s Daughter had me come and do an autograph signing at the store, and they gifted me with a whole bunch of stuff. One thing that they gave me was the Hair Milk and their Hair Balm, and when I tell you that this stuff is like no other… [laughter]

It gets your hair so soft! I have very hard, angry curls, and they can feel like razor blades to my fingers unless I really treat them really, really, really nice. Oh, and the packaging of the Hair Milk is so cute! It looks like a little milk bottle, and it makes you feel happy when you’re using it.

You know what else is really good? Shu Uemura has a curly girls shampoo and conditioner. It’s the kind of product you’d buy at like a Saks Fifth Avenue or Bergdorf Goodman, and I while I’d much prefer to use products that aren’t fifty dollars a bottle, this stuff is the truth. My mom had some in her shower, and I totally stole it. The shampoo and conditioner makes your hair actually feel silky and curly. And yeah, and I don’t have silky hair!

CN: What styles have you experimented with? Are you still the main person caring for your hair?

CM: I’m still the only person caring for it. And I’ve been doing a lot of comb twists lately. Before every photo shoot, I’ll do a set of comb twists and then pull them apart right after makeup is done.

CN: So comb twists have become your staple style?

CM: Yeah, lately. My hair is now, a whole entire two inches… you can’t tell because it shrinks to my head, but it is growing!

CN: Rocking short hair, do you find it necessary to ‘doll up’ your look? If so, what are your favorite accessories?

CM: I always have a pair of earrings on and for me, I like button earrings… big, fun ones. BCBG and Aldo have been really, really kind in giving me big, juicy, delicious earrings.

Oh, and of course red lips too!

CN: What are the plans for your hair this go round?

CM: I’m definitely going to grow it out… but I have no idea what I’m going to look like! I think I’m going to cut it into a shape where it’s longer at the top and a little shorter on the sides.

CN: Oh, that’s so cute! I love that! What about color? The color you have now is gorgeous! Is that natural?

CM: I like my natural dark brown color, and it gets a little reddish brown in the summer time when the sun hits it. I love how full it looks when it’s dark.

CN: It’s gorgeous dark. Your hair looks so luscious in the pictures I’ve seen lately.

CM: Thank you. I had to fight to get that color, everyone wanted me to keep it blond.

CN: When you color, what brand do you use?

CM: Color is such a touchy subject, because when you sit down at the salon, they’re telling you what they think, and it’s like this whole court, you know? Everybody has an opinion. Honestly, I really enjoy going to CVS and getting a box of whatever my stylist thinks is a good brand. But I’ll tell you the truth, Dark and Lovely has been the easiest go-to hair box that I’ve ever used. I’ve been surprised, pleasantly surprised, because my hair has held up extremely well, maintained it’s beautiful curl pattern, and hasn’t broken off.

CN: you use box color for the blond as well?

CM: Yeah, I sure did.

CN: Tell us about your new album, Let Freedom Reign!

CM: I was in church on a Friday night at a youth service, and one of my close friends, Anthony, was singing. He started free styling and the words that came out of his mouth were, ‘let freedom reign.’ Have you ever had an epiphany… when something just hits you and you don’t know why? I really decided to just stay with those words, and let them guide me through this album. So, every song that you hear comes from a very free place. Especially the title track that is both political and emotional. It is definitely an album about letting freedom be the forefront of our decisions.

Curly Nikki Community Questions:

CN Reader: Has your personal style been influenced by your natural journey?

CM: Actually, I’ve been able to express myself even better now because my hair doesn’t take up so much space! Before, with that cut I had, I couldn’t be extravagant with my outfits, because my hair was doing so much! Now that my hair is just simple, natural, I can really express myself with fashion more and you guys will really see that over the next few months.

CN Reader: Has your definition of self beauty changed?

CM: Yes, it’s totally changed, and it’s hard for me to admit that because I’ve always wanted to be able to say, ‘being relaxed is the same… I just decided to cut my hair’. But no. I feel more beautiful than I’ve ever felt, and I feel more honest than I’ve ever felt in my life.

CN Reader: Do you feel as connected to the natural world as much as the natural world has embraced you?

CM: I’m afraid of the natural world! [laughter]

I really am, and that’s the honest truth! I feel like I am supposed to be like an activist now and although I have many ideas of what I think should happen in the brown skin community—upward mobility, taking advantage of scholarships, and doing what I call “checking the box”—I’m nervous, you know. A lot of times when I do interviews with my natural sisters, I’m like, oh God, is she gonna ask me what I think about Barack Obama’s stance on Medicaid?! I’m afraid.

There are a few different schools of beliefs in the online natural hair world. I like to think that Curly Nikki is one of the more tolerant communities. We’re not really political.

And that’s why I appreciate it. I simply feel beautiful when I visit your site. I don’t feel like I have to take a stance on anything, I can be myself, and I can be honest. My hair is just curly, and we’re all just excited about our hair!

CN Reader: I’ve been a huge fan of Chrisette from day one, and I was super psyched when she came for Spelman’s homecoming! I loved seeing her rock her TWA in person, and I would just like to know, “when you look in the mirror every morning, how do you feel about yourself and how does your TWA play into those feelings?”

CM: My hand is literally in my head all day. When your hair is relaxed and fixed in a way that needs to be left alone, you don’t touch it… no one else is allowed to touch it… your boyfriend can’t touch it. Now, everyone is in my hair all the time, and I just feel more free and more open. I’m much more comfortable with people being in my space. I believe that you can see that with my smile when I look in the mirror.

CN Reader: Recently, Chrisette criticized Ricky Rozay, more well-known as Rick Ross, for walking out of the Soul Train Awards after having lost his category to Eminem. One of the many things she mentioned in her open letter was how surprised and dismayed she was to see that hip hop had become so fickle and immature. She recently did a track with Rick Rozay and although I love her vocals on the track, I don’t get why she would work with an artist that is so demeaning and disrespectful towards women. So my questions in regard to her collaboration efforts are: Why do you choose to work with certain artists? And do you consider their image and the content of their music before working with them?

CM: Well, long story short, because that is a multifaceted question—when I did tracks with Jeezy, Naz and The Roots, I got to listen to the lyrics before the song came out. I got to listen to the lyrics before I even did the hook, so I was able to write a song or a hook based on what I listened to.

When I did my song with Rick Ross, I wrote the hook before anything was on the track. Then he sent the track to Drake, Drake did his version, and then Rick Ross did his lyrics on top of that. The track was then leaked on the Internet, and that was before I had agreed to any of the lyrics. The song picked up steam on the Internet, and as you guys know, the internet now holds a big place in how our music is placed on the radio. From there, the song went to radio before it was officially made a single by the record label, and became number 26 without any record promotion at all. And that’s when I was asked if I was okay with the record. After it was already on the billboard charts. So by this time, it would be kind of crazy of me to pull out.

I could have pulled out, and your reader is absolutely right, and I totally validate everything that she said. Some of the lyrics on the song are very confrontational and very demeaning, and it is a little bit scary when I look at the fact that I’m on that record. And it is something that I regret at the end of the day. But, I will say that there is love and positivity needed in every genre of music, and Rick Ross in real life, and in person, is a beautiful human being, and I thought that’s who I was working with when we did that record. So, I can’t take anything away from him as a person, although there are things that he says that I don’t agree with. So yeah, that’s the back story, and I totally understand what your reader was saying.

CN Reader: Have you had other celebrities talk to you about going natural and caring for natural hair?

CM: Whenever we see each other! We’re just like everyday girls— ‘ooh girl I love your hair, where did you get it done, what products did you use?!’ Me and Solange were actually on tour together. When I went out on tour with Maxwell, that’s when she cut her hair, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, it looks amazing, I’m totally cutting my hair too!’ We all talk all the time!

CN:Finally, is there anything you’d like to say to the CurlyNikki community?

CM: One thing I’m really proud of with the CurlyNikki community especially, is that we celebrate every part of us. It’s not just about our hair, it seems like we’re a very non-judgmental group of people, a group of people who are really free spirited, and are not taking ourselves too seriously. We don’t seem to be an angry group of people, we don’t seem to be down on any body else, we’re just on the come up! We know that we’re beautiful, and we know that there is a place for us in this incredible place we call America. And that’s what Let Freedom Reign is really all about. Embracing who you are and finding your niche in this society. And there is a place for us.