Some of Hollywood’s finest were out and about this weekend at the MTV Movie Awards and at Spike TV’s 2009 “Guys Choice” Awards – all I can say is two things – wow MTV you really did Em wrong (youtube it) and Hallee B 40 is the new 20!  Looking good lady.

Photos courtesy Getty Images/Jason Merritt

Ok, so I tried Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Smoothing Gellie to define my curls and to my shock and surprise it worked.  Like seriously – I’m really surprised.  I’ve tried some other lines (KCCC and Miss Jessie Pudding and Meringue) and so far this one is the best!  Very easy to apply – I cowashed my hair, applied a leave conditioner and then sectioned my hair.  It says its best applied to wet hair so I made sure that have a spray bottle on hand.  I started from the right hand side – squeezed out a nickel size amount and then smoothed and then raked the product into my hair.  Instantly my curls were defined and stretched and looking lucsious.  I followed the same method for my entire head.

WHAT I LIKED:

I like that it was easy to apply and manipulate the product on my locks.  I also liked that I didn’t need a lot of product and that by spraying some water I was able to distribute it even more.  I also like that my hair didn’t shrink up as much as with other products.  Mind you, my hair did shrink but not as much.  Best of all, it didnt take forever and half to dry – honestly with some other curl defining products I find that it can take forever for my hair to dry.  With CJ – I applied, diffused for like 5-10 minutes and then let air dry.  Within like 4 hours I was almost completely dry.

WHAT I DIDNT LIKE:

Next time I will make sure to layer in a moisturizing product when using the Smoothing Gellie.  I felt my curls were a little parched once they were dry.

MY RESULTS:

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

Crunch no more! This creamy and moisturizing styling gel is formulated to help get rid of frizzies and smooth your fabulous curls. Rich in shine enhancing Broccoli seed oil and herbal extracts, this “Gellie” gives your hair definition and bounce without the hard hold/crunch. Honey and Aloe Vera are added for their moisturizing and shine enhancing properties. Adding water after application, “activates” the gellie even further and helps smooth and seal the hair shaft for added shine and swing. This moisturizing, glycerin free gel has a light to medium hold and is best for fine to normal hair types. It is not a traditional clear gel, it’s creamy texture is due to the Broccoli seed oil content. Lightly scented with a delicious tropical Mango-Coconut-Papaya scent. Give everyone curl envy!

DIRECTIONS:

Best applied to wet hair. Apply generously to hair, section by section, smoothing through curls with your fingers. Use more water to help distribute and activate product (don’t skip this step!), then scrunch/blot with a towel and allow to air-dry or use a diffuser. I have found that this gel works best with a small amount of Curl Assurance leave-in or styling water beneath it or on top (depending on your preference). You can also apply this gel to dry hair to define curls and smooth frizzies.

I’m such a Product Junkie!  Seriously, I feel like I’m hard core.  Luckily for me, living in Toronto most of the lines that the US ladies rave about are not readily available here – which is a complete bummer!  Yah, I said bummer.  We do have one store here in Toronto called HoneyFig (such a sophisticated store – love the whole colour scheme) that does carry a small variety of products that I really like (or want to try) – so this weekend I made my trek down to their store to stock up on some old favorites and check out some new stuff.  I spent about 45-50 minutes in the store testing out various products – they recently added CurlyJunky and Qhemet Biologics to the store.  After much thought and consultation with the sales girl (sorry, but I forget her name) I decided to take home the following:

• Miss Jessies Stretch Silkening Creme
• Blended Beauty Herbal Reconditioner
• Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream
• Oyin Honey Hemp Conditioner
• Curly Junkie Curl Assurance
• Sample of Curl Junkie Aloe Fix
• Sample of Curls Gels’C

I know – it’s alot – but I figure my hair deserves it.  Plus, I’m a junkie what you do expect! Unfortunately, they didn’t have JessiCurl WDT in stock, so I will probably have to quickly go in and grab it when they get more in stock.  And I mean quickly go in, because my wallet can not afford another hair spree.   Anyhow, if you are in Canada and are looking to get your hands on some natural products – make sure the hit up HoneyFig either in person (Yonge Street store) or online.  In the coming months, I believe they are having an open house event as well – so stay tuned for that.  And with so many products to try, I will have tons of product reviews – stay tuned.

This weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting up with a group of Natural Bellas for a night of laughs, food and good conversation.  And I must say, I had such a great time!  Kudos to Mona for organizing everything!  I have to admit I wasn’t sure what to expect of the night – especially since I didn’t know anyone – I had met Mona on the NaturallyCurly forum and PM’d her to say that I was interested in attending her gathering.  But right from the jump, everyone was so warm and personable.  Pretty much the only thing we discussed all night was hair – we shared stories on transitioning, our must have hair products and tools, the hype behind certain overpriced product lines, our favorite YouTubers, and lots more.  It was such a positive night and I hope that Toronto Natural Bellas will meet again in the coming months.  And maybe we will get even more Bellas to join the gang.  Anyhow, check out some pics from the event.

I have to admit that I’m not exactly a fan of the Tyra Banks show, but she will be delving into an interesting topic tomorrow (Tuesday) on Good Hair.  The debate over what is considered “good hair” never seems to excape the black community and tomorrow Tyra will take a stab at the never ending conversation.  And apparently, its not an issue that just plagues the black community.  I’m sure tomorrow’s show will get people very heated.

Read the preview and check out the promo:

Do you have that “good hair?” In the African-American community, “good hair” often refers to hair that’s not kinky, coarse or short. Tyra talks to women from within the community to investigate the effects their hair has on their self-esteem and more. Later, we’ll even meet little girls and their moms who all have different opinions on “good hair.”

Just because I get so many request for more info on this movie, I decided to post the new hi-def full length trailer of The Princess and the Frog. 

Yay, summer programming is about to begin (I can’t wait for BB)!  And with ANTM finale quickly approaching, we’ll get to meet a new crop of model wannabes when cycle 3 of Canada’s Next Top Model premieres on May 26th at 8 pm ET.  I’m hoping these Canuck ladies can bring it!  And I’m glad to see that the show included some girls of colour!

Jay Manuel is back as host and Jeanne Beker of Fashion Television fame, supermodel Yasmin Warsame and Montreal photog Mike Ruiz join him on the judging panel.  Nole Marin (remember him from ANTM) well he’s back for a second go as creative director on CNTM.  This years Top Model winner will receive a $100K beauty contract with P&G Beauty, a modeling contract with Elmer Olsen Model Management and an editorial spread in Fashion Magazine.  Take a look at the fierceness:

Remember to watch CNTM Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CTV (Premiere 05/26)

    -   Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Star! and FashionTelevision

    -   Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV

    -   Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on 'A'

This weekend I was checking out some of my favorite YouTubers and stumbled upon Teri of TightlyCurly.  It looks like she has joined the masses and created her very own YouTube channel.  If you are naturally curly and don’t know who Teri is -- I suggest you check out her site and find out.  She has amazingly long and I mean long defined curly hair and on her site she describes exactly how she manages her curls with her Conditioner Only method.  And in her first YouTube vid she descibes how she defines each and everyone of her curls.   I’ve yet to try the conditioner only method -- I’m doubtful it will work on my hair -- but for the sake of experimenting with a variety of techniques I will try it out and post my results.   Anyhow, check out her vid…

I’ve been frustrated lately with the legnth of my hair.  I feel like its not growing!  I plan on starting or joining a grow out challenge in the next few weeks and get my hair on a serious hair growth routine.  Let me know if you are interested and we can post your routine and results on Curlista.  Anyhow, there is a new book available called Grow It: How To Grow Afro-Textured Hair to Maximum Lengths in the Shortest Time written by Chicoro.  I haven’t read the book myself but the reviews are good – saying that the book doesn’t push a particular product but focuses more on process.  As for the author Chicoro – she’s a member of the longhaircareforum and her long waist length hair is absolutely gorgeous.  Can’t wait to get my hair on this one.  Hopefully they’re selling it at Chapters.

Mrs Jay Z is a cover girl – AGAIN!  With her tour continuing throughout the summer it will be another Beyonce filled season.  This month she covers two magazines (so far) German Glamour and Marie Claire (June 2009).