Ok, so here’s the deal – just go the 411 from Naturally Curly.com that Lorraine Massey – author of Curly Girl is in the process of writing a follow up to Curly  Girl – called Curly Girl 2.  Well for this new book, she is searching for 3 more curlies to feature – so no matter if you are young or old – male or female as long as you have curly, wavy or kinky hair and a great story – Lorraine Massey might be looking for you. Enter the Deva Curly Girl Challenge on Naturally Curly.com and you can win a trip to NYC for a 2 night stay and a day of total beauty at Devachan Salon where you will be styled by Lorraine Massey and featured in her new book.

After the jump, find out how to enter and what you win… Read the rest of this entry

YES, I’m a product junkie like everyone else.  I love to experiment with the latest and greatest lines to hit the market.  Plus I just love saying – yup I’ve tried that!  Well, since starting this hair journey I have come across so many things that I’m itching to get my hands on – so I’ve started to compile a list of goodies and hopefully I will get to them all before the fall.  The good thing I will have tons to share about my product experiences but the bad thing – my bathroom will continued to be rammed with more and more stuff.  If you’ve tried any of these products please let me know your thoughts…or if you have any other product suggestions let a sista’ know.

CURLISTA’s Want List!

Curlformers - a revolutionary curling system

Mason Pearson Brush – its expensive but I’ve always wanted one – should last a life time

DevaSun Dyer and Fuser - created by Lorraine Massey author of Curly Girl – hoping it will quickly dry my fragile curls

Hot Air Brush – just want to try this out and see if it will actually straighten out my roots

Moroccan Oil - I really want to try Aragon oil but its mui expesnsivo – Morrocan oil is supposed to be the next best thing

Mixed Chicks - the creators of the line are super cute and their hair looks fab – wanna see what it will do for my locks

Blended Beauty - on my one and only trip to Honey Fig – the owner highly recommended this line – must try it out

Hair Rules- after watching the infomercial and some clips with the creator Dickey – I must try this line.

Oyin Hand Made – one of the curly girls on youtube raves about this line and plus its made with honey – should be sweet!

Just read this really great article posted by Amy Graff of  The Mommy Files where Lorraine Massey – author of  Curly Girl – dishes on all things curly.  In the article Lorraine reveals how she came up with her popular ‘no poo’ routine and confesses her mane has never looked better since.

Here’s Lorraine’s 7 tips to going “No Poo”:

1) Pick the right conditioner. Massey says that reading the labels of conditioners is key, but this can be confusing since so many ingredients just add to the thickness, fragrance, or look of the product itself and have no benefit for the hair. “I suggest that you avoid conditioners with silicones–this means no products with ingredients whose names end in -one,” Massey says. “Although they do add temporary shine, I find they weigh down hair.” So what ingredients should you look for? Massey says every conditioner should contain at least one ingredient from the following four categories:

• Emmollients–shea butter, vegetable oils, wheat germ, olive or walnut oils.
• Proteins–Wheat, wheat germ, soy protein.
• Humectants–Panthenol, vegetable glycerine, sorbitol.
• Moisturizers–Amino acids and aloe vera.

2) Remove buildup with lemon. “More clarifying and cleansing than any shampoo, this moisturizing and neutralizing tonic adds shine to your hair and removes buildup,” Massey says. “It’s especially good for very dry or damaged hair. Combine juice of large lemon with your usual amount of conditioner, then rinse through hair thoroughly.” Baking soda also does the trick. Use 1 tablespoon baking soda and mix it with 1 cup warm water; wash your hair with the mixture in the shower.

3) Exfoliate your scalp. If you’re recovering from a longtime addiction to shampoo, your scalp will probably feel itchy a couple of days after you stop using it. Massey says an exfoliating mixture scrubbed on the scalp in the shower can help. Recipe: 1 tablespoon brown sugar or quinoa and 3 tablespoons conditioner. “We know that exfoliating is good for improving the condition of your skin,” she says. “Since your scalp is also skin, give it a special exfoliating treatment once a week or so. Exfoliating will slough off any dead skin cells or conditioner buildup, making your scalp healthier and reviving any itchiness.” Also Massey says, “Don’t always think an itch means your dirty; it’s your skins way of talking and telling you to ‘move me.’”

4) Revive hair with a spritz of lavender. If you decide to skip a shower one morning, you can spritz your hair with a combination of water and lavender essential oil. Recipe: 1/2 gallon water, 5 drops pure–not synthetic–lavender essential oil; three spray bottles. “Lavender has cleansing properties,” Massey says. “This quick mist not only makes your hair smell like a lavender field in Provence, it’s also indispensible for cleansing and reviving your curls.”

5) Don’t overbrush. “Give up the myth that brushing one hundred strokes a night is good for your hair and donate your hairbrush to someone who needs it, maybe your cat or dog,” Massey says. “Brushing can damage the cuticle of curly hair and rob it of its sheen.”

6) Avoid blow-drying. “A daily blow-dry damages hair, but if the weather is frigid, and you’re in a rush to leave the house, you can use a blow-dryer with a diffuser, a travel hair dryer, on the “low” setting, or the DevaFuser,” Massey says. “Dry slowly to protect your hair from frizzing, singeing or getting blow-fried.”

7) Keep your hands out of your hair.  Is your hair greasy? Massey says that a lot of that grease is coming from your hands. Also, if you’ve got a lot of frizz it’s probably because you are twirling your curls too much. “Do not disturb curls!” Massey says.

*thanks to Amy Graff for the post

Honestly, I’m all about embracing my curly self – but after seeing this hot hot picture of Tia Mowry Hardict in this fierce bob with fringe  and I’m like I want that cut.  Houda – this is what you need to be doing.  Anyhow, Tia and her twin sis Tamera Mowry hit up a TV Guide Sexy Stars in Hollywood this week looking pure fab!  Both are starring in sitcoms – Tia continues to work it out on  “The Game” – while Tamera stars in the new ABC Family channel show called ‘Roommates’.    I wish these two would surprise us one day by rocking their naturally curly texture on the RC…i guess a gal can hope.

Jill’s living her life like it’s golden on the April/May cover of Heart & Soul magazine.  In full on curly mode -- the R&B diva and new mom-to-be sports a slim fitting white dress with a printed cardi wrap.  Sexy mama! Ms Scott and her drummer fiance Lil’ John Roberts are expecting a baby boy next month.  Congratulations John  & Jill.  Enjoy Golden!

Last month I outlined some of the principals of Lorraine Massey’s Curly Girl routine  and  I have to say that I have really embraced the CG regimen and really enjoy the results.  I don’t follow CG routine to a tee – however I have come up with my own modified version and I suggest you do the same – do what works for you. 

Here’s what I do…

Beginning

To begin the routine they suggest to cleanse hair as normal to remove non-water soluble products like cones from your hair.  I think I used something from the Mizani line.  It also suggest getting a trim – I didn’t (but my cuz Cher ended up giving me a mini-chop last night). 

Implementing

Brushing –  CG says not too – but I do.  I love my Denman brush – I not only love the way it sounds when it goes through my hair but I also think it creates the best clumps of curls.  I don’t think I will be giving it up anytime soon. 

No Poo – I’ve given up shampoo.  I do miss the lather but its harmful, so I don’t want any part of it.  But, it is important to clarify once or twice a month so I’m on the look out for sulfate-free lines or everyday kitchen items like Apple Cider Vinegar, etc

Co-wash – Love it.  I co-wash weekly and my hair totally drinks up the conditioner.  My hair is more manageable and is so much softer.  I really think its starting to change my hair for the better.  I look forward to experiment with different conditioning products and see which ones I love best.  So far I’ve tried Aussie Moist, L’Oreal Everpure, Tresemme for Curls, Pantene Curl, Ojon, Mizani, and Herbal Essence.  I also make sure to deep condition weekly – my faves include Wen DT, Kerastase (my fave), and Jessicurl WDT.

Products – I’m a prod junkie so this is my favorite part.  There’s a lot of great lines on the market, unfortunately most are only available in the States.  Hopefully that will change soon.  Current faves include Kinky Curly Custard in combination with Knot Today and Miss Jessie’s Meringue and Quick Curls.  I’m looking forward to trying so much more…

Plopping - I haven’t used this method yet.  I scrunch using paper towels or t-shirts to remove the drippies.  I either air dry, diffuse or sit under a hooded dryer.  I wish I had the Deva Sun Dryer and diffuser or one of those hooded dryers I used to sit under when I lived back at home.

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You know what – I love me some Oprah.  I have been watching her for years and thanks to my pvr I get to watch her everynight when I come home from work.  Anyhow, for the longest time Ms Winfrey has been all about texture when it comes to her hair – wig, weave or whatever she did it – was looking good.  However, in the last couple of weeks Oprah’s changed it up with a sleek flat do – thoughts?

Kimora and Russell really created some beautiful children.  Ming and Aoki appear in the latest Baby Phat ad – absolutely adorable.  Their hair is gorge but must be crazy to maintain.  All I can think of is KNOTS and lots of them.  Well at least Kimora has lots of help – Russell is paying her $62 000 in child support per month!   Can’t wait to see the pics of her baby with new hubby Djimon Honsu when its born later on this year.  Life in the fab lane is definitely agreeing with  Mrs Honsu.

Last week I posted the  Hair Evolution of Tracee Ellis Ross.  I’m loving her curls and her style – she’s officially on my hair envy list!  Anyhow, I’m sure I’m not the only one to be inspired by her mane attraction so I found an old article where she discusses her hair routine and I thought it might be resourceful to repost:

Tracee’s hair has been a major topic of interest since she first appeared as Joan in Girlfriends.  Essence Magazine interviewed the lovely star about her tresses and asked for “secrets”.

She told Essence when she goes to the beach or the pool she utilizes the opportunity to deep condition her hair before she swims.

Tracee specifically mentioned JF Lazartique Shea Butter and Rene Furterer Karite as two of the deep conditioners she applies to her hair after a shampoo but before exposing her strands to chlorine, salt or sun.

In Jolie Magazine Tracee shared a variety of hair secrets.  When she wants to wear her hair in its “natural” curl pattern, she told Jolie she uses Aveda’s Cherry Almond Bark and Deep Penetrating Revitalizer conditioners.

She also relies on Denman brushes.  Besides Aveda she alternates with Mixed Girls and applies their Leave-in Conditioner to her hair when it is wet.

When she uses heat on her hair she uses Kerastase conditioning products and blow dries with a blow dryer that is a combo of ceramic and ionic.   She also uses curling irons that have the same ceramic and ionic combination which does not damage her hair or ruin her natural curl pattern.

Tracee told Jolie Magazine “my hair is actually in better condition then where it started”.  She noted “I wash my hair with shampoo and then conditioner and then I put stuff in it once I’ve blow it out.  My hair’s like glass.  I’m like WHAT! Yes, hair’s brilliant”.

In an interview with Black Hair and Braids, Tracee noted “I wash my hair once a week”.  She uses different shampoos which include Aveda Shampure (once a month) that she couples with Rene Furterer Vinegar Rinse.  She also uses Goldwell’s Conditioning Shampoo.

Steam is another of her secrets.  She reported she goes to a Korean day spa and filles her hair up with Goldwell Kerasilk Conditioner.  She goes into the steam room.  If she can’t get to the steam room, she uses a heat cap.  Tracee told Black Hair “with Kerasilk, your hair will not curl up.  My hair gets so soft that it doesn’t curl up, so I have to use another conditioner.

When she wants her best hair, she uses a Denman D-4 rubber brush.  She separate her hair into six sections in order to brush it out, starting at the bottom to prevent breakage.  She does this in the shower.  She mixes Aveda Cherry Almond Bark with Deep Penetrating and then shakes her hair so the curls can find each other.

She puts her hair up with a big clip.  She leaves the conditioner in for awhile.  Then she turns cold water on low pressure because the high pressure will break up the curls that just found each other.  The low pressure cold water keeps it shine and keeps the curl.

***The best advice Tracee gives for hair care advice?  Condition, condition and condition and stay away from alcohol-based products.  It just dries your hair out.

Yikes, yikes, yike, yikes – the issue of interracial dating will never die.  Disney’s first African American Princess Tiana is the latest to fall victim to the never ending controversy.  Starring in her first animated feature ‘The Princess and the Frog’ due out later on this year – Tiana’s love interest has just been revealed and gasp – he looks white!

Find out how he looks after the jump… Read the rest of this entry