Sunday, January 31, 2010

OOOH MIK YOU DA BESTEST!

Today I want to take just a minute to talk about the client-stylist relationship and the impact that it has on the success of your naturally kinky, curly or wavy hair. In one of my previous blogs, “Do You Really Have Money To Blow? ”, I talked about the importance of consulting your stylist about your hair goals and what products to use on your naturally kinky, curly or wavy hair. Although the latter is extremely important, it is also important that you feel good about your naturally kinky, curly, or wavy hair on your way to the salon, while you are in the chair and when you leave. Your stylist should ultimately know you well enough to know your swagger, what is acceptable at your workplace, and what you may be doing that weekend in case they need to fine tune your cuteness. If your stylist loves what they do as I do, this relationship will be established, nurtured and maintained at the highest level, leaving you feeling like they have been doing your hair for a lifetime.

Now as for me and my clients, I love em’. Every last one of them is special to me, whether it is the first time I am doing your hair or whether we go all the way back to the house. Whether I transitioned you from relaxed to natural and back again (you know who you are) or we’ve loved and nurtured every kinky or curly strand together from sandy brown comb-coils to a funky 33 Finger Chunk (est.1976) highlighted honey glazed-copper mohawk with flexi rods. I just LOVE IT! (Sorry, just got good to me for a minute) When my clients leave my chair, I want each one of them to feel like, OOOH MIK YOU DA BESTEST and that I just made your hair rock! I may not be the best stylist for everyone everywhere, but I am for my clients and I always strive to give them my best me. They love me and I love them (my relaxer babies the same). Remember to always use your gifts because they were chosen just for you, but most importantly, to live, to love and to be free naturally.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Sweat It Out!

Now I know we all have set those New Year’s resolution goals of getting in to that bathing suit this summer, that killer dress for your class reunion or that pair of go get em’ jeans that we wish had a little more stretch, but you just can’t seem to get your workout on like you really need to. You’re constantly worried about your hair looking tore at the gym or at work the next day. Well I want to help you guys reach those goals without worrying so much about that naturally kinky or curly hair you’ve got. If you are completely natural, go with curly or wavy styles that blend right in with your naturally kinky or curly wave pattern, so as your hair begins to shrink when you sweat, you will still be cute. These styles consist of two-strand twists, three-strand twists, finger coils and rod sets. This would not be the time for you to decide to do something extra brilliant, like, get your naturally kinky or curly hair flat ironed for the first time in 2 years. If you are at the beginning stages of the relaxed to natural transition or just not quite ready for the big chop, try styles that camouflage your new growth. For example, twist sets and rods sets. While these styles often required more drying time, they require less day to day maintenance. All you will need is a satin bonnet at night (yes you will look the Big Bad Wolf in the Little Red Riding Hood, but you will thank me later) and a good daily moisturizer. I suggest Miss Jessies Curly/Baby Buttercreme or 33 Fingers Silk. Finally, drink lots of water while you SWEAT IT OUT and take a hair, skin and nail vitamin, such as, Biotin (you can purchase at any drugstore) or Perfectil (www.perfectil.com). Remember to love your whole self, even while you work out those kinks and curves, but most importantly to live, to love, and to be free naturally.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Say Something Baby!

Today I want to talk about self esteem and naturally kinky or curly hair. I want to talk about what it makes us feel like and why what others think about our hair shouldn’t matter. Let me say this, I like to be cute ALL the time. When I wake up and my naturally curly hair is all smashed into my head, Cute. When I get out of the shower and I haven’t even styled it yet, Cute. Finally, when I am all dressed up in my go get em’ jeans and my makeup is fabulous (as my lil sis would say), Cute. This cute is about how you look, but it’s more about how you feel about you from the inside out. All through the day your hair should speak to your spirit, good things, it should SAY SOMETHING BABY! No matter what your hair is saying at any given point in your day, embrace it, own it, rock it, and love it. Be cute for yourself everyday and your self esteem will speak volumes to your boss, your coworkers, your mama, and your man (or the one you are trying to get). Whether every curl is perfectly coiled or you are fighting the frizzy afro of life, remember to love your naturally kinky or curly hair, but most importantly, to live, to love, and to be free naturally.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Natural or Not?

I get asked this question at least twice a day from all of you that are trying to decide what is best for yourselves, your kids, or another family member. Should you free yourself by allowing your naturally kinky or curly hair to shine through or should you relax your new growth just one more time? Well guys, professionally there is no right answer. If your stylist is doing her job by staying educated and continuing to educate you, by providing you with the most thorough and efficient chemical services, your hair can be relaxed and grow down your back. Now notice I said PROFESSIONALLY. That means making regular salon visits and following the hair regimen that you and your stylist believe is best for you. It is essential for you to commit to these two things for you to ever have the hair you desire. Be CONSISTENT! Trust me your hair will look like it.

Now let’s talk about what I think personally. PERSONALLY it has a lot to do with common sense. Yes I said COMMON SENSE! If your hair is dry, brittle, and tremendously shedding, a light should be dim, slowly growing brighter with each stroke of your hair brush. If you have no edges from relentless weaving (quick weaving wins #1 damage award) and/or braiding and you are experiencing female patterned baldness (and you are not over 35) from chemically over processing your hair, you should be blinded by the light! Come on, you don’t need one more minute of confirmation, you are in denial. Relaxers my friend are simply not a good, healthy choice for you. Make an appointment with a dermatologist immediately and don’t get one more chemical treatment until these issues are resolved. This is the best choice for you, whether you are NATURAL or NOT. Remember you are not your hair, whether it is naturally kinky, curly, or chemically straightened hair. Instead, your hair is a beautiful extension of your authenticity. Remember to always make smart, healthy choices, but most importantly, remember to live, to love, and to be free naturally.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Do You Really Have Money To Blow?

This is for all my product junkies out there, as I like to call you. You know who you are (you're smiling right now), my girls with every product on the market under the sink. These products range from new and old to inexpensive and top of the line. Your under the sink basket consists of anything and everything from Pantene for Women of Color (#1 under the sink pick) to Mixed Chicks. Let me ask you, do you have money to blow? If your answer is No, then let me stop you and save you some money in 2010. Spend your money wisely, invest in a consultation. It is essential in learning about your naturally kinky or curly hair and what products are best for you. Yes I said for you! Not your sister, not your girlfriend and definitely not that coworker that is a down low kitchen beautician. YOU! Consultations should cost you about $25-$50, depending on the salon, the level of expertise, and how detailed your consultation is. This consultation will get you on your way with the why, the how to, and the where to buy. It will also give you an opportunity to ask questions and talk about the concerns you have with your naturally kinky or curly hair. This is especially beneficial for those of you who don’t like to frequent the salon. A successful consultation puts you on the same page with your stylist and establishes an open line of communication. SUPPORT! So the next time you see that commercial, or that ad in Essence magazine, write that product down and bring it with you to your consultation appointment and ask away. Remember to love your hair as much as you love yourself, but most important to live, to love, and to be free naturally.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Free From The Hair That Binds

At the start of a new year, we always make those promises to ourselves to do things we have never done, or to complete tasks we have all started before. Well I say free yourself! Transition that hair all the way this time, let go of anything prohibiting you from being naturally you. You are not your beautiful hair, instead you are naturally beautiful. Let go of those straggly ends hanging on for that final chop. Set yourself free by embracing every kinky curly strand. Trust me you will feel better and be better because of it.


If you have been struggling with the how to of transitioning to natural hair, let me say this, "Condition, condition, condition!" This will be essential in your success of having healthy hair throughout the transition. However, if you are already naturally kinky or curly, it will make the difference in your curls being shiny and silky as opposed to dry and brittle. Shiny, silky curls grow long and luscious. Dry, brittle curls break and you will never see the benefits of being natural. This month treat yourself to a steam treatment using Miss Jessies Rapid Recovery Treatment or Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner. Remember to be patient, but most important to live, to love, and be free naturally.