RIP Michel Jackson
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Michael was the originator of so many things- pop music, dances, fashion, and even more important to me, the curl. My mom used to duplicate this very look on my hair as a kid. Michael you will be missed. 
CNN Talks Black Hair
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One of my loyal readers, Pru sent me this link to an article that CNN ran yesterday. The article is parts of CNN's "Being Black in America" series. Basically, it exposes some of the issues black women (and men) face and how something so simple as a hairstyle can create sometimes false presumptions. I must say many of the points in the article were very valid and I am sure we have all experienced some of these situations.
Here's an excerpt:
"It's not about hair per se, it's about what hair means, particularly for
black women in terms of racial identity, identity based on gender and ideas
about power," she said. "On one level, hair matters because race matters in our
society. For black people, our hair has been infused with these racial
politics."
Banks points to the ideas, which continue to linger, that if a black woman straightens her hair she is "selling out the race" and/or "embracing the white standard of beauty" while women who wear their hair in natural styles are "blacker than thou."
"When we think about that, there is no other racial or ethnic group in which those ideas come to bear on someone's politics," said Banks, who gathered data for her book by traveling to black hair salons across the country. "No one is saying that about white women, Asian women or Latino women."
Read More. And come back and tell me what you think.
Meet Vlogger Kabrina M.
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On what inspired her to start a Youtube channel
I started a Youtube vlog because I could not find very many vloggers who have my hair type. Also, Youtube's Richeau, a hair product junkie, really inspired me. She has vlogged about all the curly hair products ever invented! Her hair type is similar to mine.
On going natural
I have been natural for the past 8 years or so. The term "natural" is so funny to me, because I don't think of my hair as "natural", but just as my hair. I think I feel this way because I still had curly hair even after it was permed. I have no desire to relax my hair again. It is totally pointless, and damaging. I never had a big chop; I just let my curls grow out, and back in 2005 I had my first layered hair cut and had maybe 7 or 8 inches cut, but I still had lots of hair.
On her hair idols
Some of my hair idols are Amel Larrieux, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Erykah Badu. I love Amel's flowing curls, Tracee's oingy boingy curls, and E.Badu's sense of "whatever..." when it comes to her various styles. Out of these three, I must say that Tracee Ellis Ross is my most revered idol. Her hair type is very similar to my own, and did I mention that people say we look alike? Well, you be the judge.
About her stylist
My hair stylist is Robert Young. He is the owner of Robert Young Salon in
Houston, TX. Call the "shop" at 713-782-1088. He is the only one there whom I
trust to cut this hair. I have a layered hair cut, but beyond that, I don't know
how to describe it! He has been cutting my hair for the past couple of years.
On Miss Jessie's
I first purchased Miss Jessie's products in February of this year. I am still new to this idea of "high end" curly hair products. I used to get most of my hair products from Wal-Mart!
My favorite Miss Jessie's product is Curly Meringue. It provides great hold and really moisturizes my curls.
On other products
Mixed Chicks is another of my favorite products. It is very lightweight and is great for "big" hair. Before applying Mixed Chicks Leave in Conditioner, I like to use Extra Virgin Olive Oil to give my hair a little extra moisture.
One piece of advice
To all the natural haired ladies out there, I must say that we all have to be proud of the hair that God gave us. For years, I detested my hair. Bone straight was the look I longed for. It seemed so much easier to manage. People constantly admired my hair, but I didn't understand why. It took a little growing up and a lot more self-acceptance to just say," I will not fight my hair anymore." I appreciate the fact that I can wash it and go, or I can wear it straight. It is definitely one of my defining physical traits, and it has gotten me much attention on Youtube!
Thanks Kabrina M. your hair is fabulous! Visit and Subscribe to Kabrina's Youtube Channel
New Product O The Day: Ouidad's Double Detangler
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For those who just have to use a comb to detangle. The double detangler is designed to easily slide through curls without ripping and tugging. $24 Ouidad.com
Letters To Urbancurlz: Curly Girlies
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"I just heard about Urbancurlz today and read a letter from distressed mom who permed daughters hair. My ‘Anglo’ daughter in law does an excellent job caring for her three daughters who all have different textures of hair. The oldest, 5, has particularly curly and frizzy hair. It really does look cute worn “loose” but mom also puts it in poni tails. Anyway, do you have a suggestion for a product that will tame the frizzies when she wears it loose. Also, run a bunch of picture of girls with this curly, cute, frizzy hair so our girls can see how other little ones look and learn to loooovvvve their hair and not only want it straight (flat ironed) like their mom’s. Thanks for any suggestions." -GwenC
Hi Gwen,
I can probably shed a little light on the ponytail trap. As a mom to a 3- year old with really curly hair --who loves to wear it "down" as she calls it-detangling is a nightmare. So, as much as I hate to do it, I also have to resort to ponytails for her hair. Ponytails are the easier, less painful styling option to wearing the hair out. And when done properly (not too tight or pulling) can be a very good option for little curlies.
Wearing their hair out on a daily basis can sometimes prove to be a nightmare because curly hair is easily tangled. I've seen a lot of child actresses and models with their hair out so I too once thought this would be a great option, but after the first day...well let's just say...nightmare.
But, ponytails aren't the only solution. Two strand twists are a happy medium for my daughter and I. They prevent the hair from tangling and after a few days I unravel them to allow her to have that "down" look she desires at 3 (side eye :) .
As for products, no need to run out and break the bank on products marketed to little curlies. Conditioner is my little guilty secret. I dilute conditioner and water (1:1) in a spray bottle and use this as a detangler and leave-in. Right now, I am using Totally Twisted by Herbal Essences, but there is no method to the madness, your daughter in law should be able to use most any cheapy conditioner to tame the hair.
Although, if you want to invest in a hair care line, Blended Beauty has a great line as well as Curl Junkie. My daughters and I loves these two lines.
The following are a few pictures I found online of curly girlies:
Click photo to enlarge
Steep vs. Cheap: Foam Stylers
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Ojon Conditioning Volumizing Foam $22 Sephora
Proclaim Foaming Wrap Lotion $5 Sally's Beauty
Why use foaming lotions? Foam lotions are a great way to add volume and shine. They provide a lightweight hold that can define curls without build-up and without the crunch. They can eliminate frizz and combat humidity. Most of them are alcohol free and fast drying.
Do you know of any other good foam stylers?
Revive Curls with Kinky Curly Spiral Spritz
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Good tips...have to look into this Kinky Curly Spiral Spritz. Subscribe to CoilKinksCurls.
Thanks, Pru
Trend Alert: Blue Streaks
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Trendsetter Kelis
Lil Scrappy's MomMy soon to be 16 year old is asking for blue hair! (wide eye) IDK, what do you think? Is blue hair the next thing? Should women over 25 be banned from this look? Do you think a streak or two of this may look cute in curly hair? Is this a good look at any age? You tell me, the jury is still out on this one.
Tip of The Day: Locking in Curl Texture
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"Your natural texture is prettiest when wet. So applying styling product to towel-dried hair is a big mistake. When it's wet, apply your fixative styling products—so the texture stays that way. Don't touch until it's dry [because you will disturb the] curl pattern! Wavy, curly and kinky hair textures have a lot more in common than not. The major difference is that kinky textures need styling products considerably heavier in viscosity than wavy textures. With a little self control, what you see wet is how your curl will set!" -Anthony Dickey, Hair Rules
I've couldn't have said this better. Eutopia, this is for you! Read more of Anthony Dickey's tips and suggestions at AmberMag.
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