Are you a weave wearer?  Well have you ever wondered who’s hair your wearing?  Well there is a new doc called Hair India that’s showing at Hot Docs (April 30th -- May 10th) in Toronto that might reveal the answers.  Take a look:

DOC SYNOPSIS

India has always been praised for her idyllic standard of beauty, from women’s saris to her skin and hair. But now, even she has undergone a Western makeover. Hair India takes outsourcing to a new level in this fascinating exposé of a lucrative Indian export: hair. It begins in West Bengal where a young girl donates her hair to the temple. The hair is then sorted by an assembly line of women (with the sound of their bangles keeping rhythm), and sold to Great Lengths, an Italian company that sells the plaits as hair extensions to wealthy women around the world. Along the way, we meet the players, from the hair donors and dealers to Sangreeta, who represents the modern Indian working woman and the Westernization of India’s beauty standards. Hair India effortlessly illustrates how globalization, marketing of vanity, and traditional rituals can all contribute to create a lucrative enterprise. Karina Rotenstein.

Okay, so I’m watching Oprah’s Friday’s Live – and Oprah decides to clear up the hair rumours.  If you’ve been watching Oprah lately you’ve probably noticed that she’s been wearing her hair straight.  Well apparently a lot of people (including me) assumed it was a weave.  WELL ITS NOT!  Here’s the picture proof – Oprah sans make up but with a head full of long and fabulous hair.  WOW!  She’s my new hair idol.  This is what her hair looks like before she does her press and curl.  Her hair must be all kinds of strong to endure all that heat styling amd the hot lights.  You go Oprah!

***update: I’ve been tweeting with some tweeps on twitter and some people still don’t believe its her hair. Take the poll or leave a comment and tell us what you think.

So I’m really loving this new song “Longely” by singer-songwriger Ayo.  She’s already taken Europe by storm and now her music is slowly making its way across the pond to North America.  Banana Republic even featured her on their 2009 Spring-Summer campaign.  Her soulful sound reminds me of Sade (gee, will she ever make a comeback -- love her!) infused with a lil’ island flavour.

Born in Cologne, Germany -- her mother was a Romanian gypsy, her father a DJ from Nigeria.  In Yourba, her name means Joy.  Currently living in Manhattan, Ayo is married to Afro-German reggae artist Patrice.  The couple are parents to a baby boy named Nile.

Anyhow, I’m digging her -- loving her afro and the whole euro boho thing she has going on. If you want to check her out live, visit her website for a complete list of tour dates.  In the meantime check our her single ‘Lonely’.

Zoe Saldana is simply gorgeous!  I’ve been such a fan of this latina mami ever since I first saw her in Drumline.  She’s been in a bunch of movies ever since – including Pirates of the Carribean, Guess Who,  and Vantage Point.  Next month, expect to see evern more of Zoe when she stars as Uhura in the highly anticipated Star Trek feature. 

Born in Jersey, to a Dominican father and a Puerto Rican mother – the 30-something actress is effortlessly chic.  What I like best is she has her mane game on point – mixing it up and wearing it in different ways.  And whether she is wearing a weave (a lot of people think she is) or not – her hair is always – silky, shiny, long, dark and beautiful.  What more could a could a girl want?

I’m ready to add to my must try list - Root Control is my latest want.  I had totally forgotten about this product but just recently rediscovered it.  I’m pretty sure I first saw it on the Tyra Banks show (fast forward to 04;30).  Even though I haven’t tried it, this seems like the perfect tool for anyone who has kinky hair and likes smooth roots when rocking certain styles.  Plus you won’t get burned!  If you have time, check out the video and find out exactly how root control works – the results are pretty impressive.

Product Description

Root Control, the other tool, is a tool designed to allow quick, safe and effective straightening and styling of all types of hair. It is great for touching up hairlines and roots in between blowdries. It can also be used to redirect cowlicks and style bangs. Its combination of ceramic barrel and double comb allow you to style the hair yet keep the heated element away from the scalp.

Product Specifications:

• Dual Styling / Pressing Combs
• Ceramic Heating Barrel
• Hi-tech Electronic Circuitry
• Instant Heat Up and Recovery
• Advanced LCD Digital Programming
• Up to 430 degrees Fahrenheit Pro High-Heat
• High Grade Ultra Smooth Ceramic Surface Reduces Chemical Build Up
  and is Easy to Clean
• Rubberized Two Tone Housing
• 9ft. European Jacketed Line Cord
• Heat Resistant Storage Pouch with Embroidered Logo

Looking to make a lil’ extra cash? Or maybe you are in the market for your next weave…

Well  I was reading this story about this new website Hair Trader where you can literally sell your hair to the bidding masses.  And in this dump of an economy some long hair ladies are cashing in – one person made close to $3 000 USD for her healthy virgin hair.  Hair Trader has been dubbed the craigslist of hair selling and recently has noted a steady spike in users.  A spokespersons for Hair Trader told CBS11 that there listings for African American hair and there is demand for “kinky” hair.  So for all you curlistas – if you are looking to make a buck or two and are willing to part with your kinky curly hair – get your cutting shears out and sell that hair.

So I was noodling around on the net researching hair stuff (as usual) and I came across another great glossary of ingredients list that I thought it would be useful to share with Curlista readers.  As stated in a previous post, it’s a really good exercise to go through the ingredient list of your fave hair care prods to see what they are doing to your hair. When I get some time, I will update my original list and include these terms as well

Glossary of Ingredients

Acetamide MEA – Water soluble conditioning agent compatible with anionic and nonanionic systems as opposed to quaternary surfactants compatible only with cationics, adds shine.
Alcohol – A general term for organic ingredients that contain the OH (hydroxyl) group. Alcohols differ substantially in their properties ranging from water soluble solvents like isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, ethyl alcohol (used by breweries, the only drinkable alcohol) through moisturizing agents like glycerine or propylene glycol to fatty alcohols like cetyl alcohol and sugars (multi alcohols).
Algae Extract – Extracted from seaweed and pondscum, rich in minerals, algae extract is claimed to prevent wrinkles, very moisturizing.
Algal Polysaccharides – Extract from red marine algae gathered off the Hawaiian coast known for its moisturizing potential and lubricity.
Allantoin – Water soluble crystal known for its ability to help heal wounds and skin ulcers and to stimulate the growth of healthy tissue.
AMP (Aminoethyl Propanol) – An organic pH adjuster used to maximize the effects of styling products.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate – The ammonium salt of lauryl sulfate derived from the natural coconut alcohols, it is a mild anionic surfactant widely used at acidic (mild) pH values.
Amphoteric Surfactants – Those in which the active molecule bears both positive and negative charges. Their properties depend upon th pH of the system and they may behave like anionics or cationics. Some of the finest amphoterics are used in shampoo systems formulated for dry or chemically treated hair due to their mildness and light conditioning properties.
Annatto Extract – A food grade vegetable dye from a tropical tree, yellow to orange.
Annionic Surfactants – Those in which the active molecule bears a negative electric charge. These surfactants are primarily used as cleansing agents in relatively mild shampoos for oily or normal to oily hair.
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ok, so I was on Twiter tonight and Cassie Ventura posted some pics of her new hair do’.  Interesting, Fierce and Brave come to mind. What do you think – take the poll?  She has a new single featuring Puffy (her rumoured man) called ‘Must Be Love” – so expect to see a lot more of this ‘ish.  I wonder how many copy cats will start rocking Cassie’s look?  Time will only tell…

…the bomb!

Last week I posted my Curlista Wants These List and at the top of the product pile – CURLFORMERS.  They are sold at Sally Beauty Supply Stores in Toronto – so last week Friday I decided to take a trip to the one in Malvern.  I was shocked at the price tag – $82.99 – WHAT!!!!!  On the US site they were $59 USD and I thought that was expensive.  The sales girl tried to talk me out of buying them because of the price – but I bought them anyway.  Sally has a 90 day return policy – so if they didn’t work I knew that I could return them.

PRODUCTS I USED:

CoWashed with WEN, then to deep-condish I used a mixture of WEN Re-moist hydrating mask, Jessicurl WDT, and Kerastase Oleo Relax (slept with this overnight)  and in the AM I rinsed my hair with cold water.  I used two pumps of WEN as a leave-in, WEN Fig Oils to lock in moisture and Knot Today to prep and detangle the hair before setting with the curlformers.  Once they were all in, I let my hair air dry – but I would have used a hood dryer if I was short on time.

WHY I LIKE THEM:

First of all, I have perfect ringlet curls!  They are soft, shiny and did I mention they are perfect.  Secondly, for any transitioning gals or fellow curlistas – Curlformers give amazing grip and tension at the root – which is great for anyone who has kinky hair.  Therefore there is no need to have to flat iron or blow out your roots!  Lastly, they are easy to use  once you get the hang of it – it took me less than an hour to put them in and I know I will get faster the more I used them

THE CONS:

The biggest con – THEY ARE EXPENSIVE!  I think the results are great and if you are looking to invest in your hair and like this sort of style then I think the pros outweigh the cons – get them.  I bought the starter kit – but they do sell the needle and various sized packages of Curlformers at a lower cost.  The other con – I found it was hard to tell if my hair had dried or not without pulling them out – luckily it had.

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Multi-talented singer/songwriter/actor Jill Scott has become quite the “it” girl lately – gracing a variety of magazine covers and a starring role in HBO’s new series “The No. 1 Lady’s Detective Agency”.  Not only is this three time grammy winner’s professional life in check – but her personal life is definitely shaping up nicely.  Engaged to her drummer Lil John, the pair are expecting a baby boy later on this month.  Congrats!

Over the years, Jill has shown us an array of different looks.  With her flawless skin and her figure flattering fashions, she’s clearly comfortable with who she is.  And when it comes to hair – she does it all – rocking it natural, weaves, hair pieces, braids – you name she looks like she’ll try.  Anyhow, as promised in an earlier post this week here is the hair evolution of Jill Scott.