Why You Need To Chronicle Your Curls

Why You Need To Chronicle Your Curls

Comparing Curly Hair Growth

On the left: My curly mane in 2009/2010. Note the straight piece in the front. On right: My curly mane in 2012.

You’ve done the big chop or transitioned into having natural hair. Now what? Aside from picking up a few essential tools (click here for a listing), there is one thing you should immediately do—pull out your camera and strike your best pose. It’s time to document your hair!

If you’ve read my hair story (click here for details), you’ll know that I grew out my heat damaged strands a few years ago. In doing so, I placed myself on a no flat iron diet (my curls were scrawny enough!) and cut off several inches of damaged ends. I also spent a lot of time looking at my curly mane. No, it wasn’t a “fairest of them all” moment. I was adjusting to seeing myself without straight tresses and analyzing my curls. I could see the front and sides, but I couldn’t see the back of my head. Plus, I wanted to see my hair as other people saw it, so I picked up a camera.

Documenting your hair journey through photos or videos is one of the most important things that you can do. It can help you to:

  1. Remember the products that worked for you. I hope that you don’t go down the deep, dark path that is product junkism (guilty, hangs head in shame). Should you make that wrong turn, your photos will help you to know which products are winners and which can join the collection under your bathroom sink.
  2. Nail down a routine. As you try new styles and products, you may lose track of what’s actually working for you. Your photos/video will serve as a guide towards establishing healthy hair habits and lock down the right products and techniques for you.camera
  3. Obtain a true view. It’s one thing to look in a mirror and completely another to see your hair on camera and/or animated on film. With a record, you’ll know how your curls stack up against itself through different seasons and over periods of time.
  4. Monitor health and identify setbacks. Before the summer, I spent several months straightening my hair … Yes, I relapsed a bit (guilty, hangs head in shame … again). As a result, I had to trim a few inches of split and knotted ends. By looking at my pics, I can see how excessive straightening dried out my hair and prevented me from gaining my desired length (see attached photo). Now I can adjust my routine as needed.
  5. Stay motivated. If it weren’t for taking photos, I would believe that my hair hasn’t progressed much over the past 3 years. Fortunately, this blog has forced me to revisit my collection of images. Gone are the highlights I once had (When did they grow out?), and hello length! For the longest time, I’ve been doing the dance between feeling as if my hair is growing (I’m on a quest for length) and completely writing it off as stubbornly fixed at another length. Seeing these improvements, I know how far I’ve come and how close I can be to my hair goal—waist length tresses (crossing fingers)!

    Hair Length Comparison

    On left: My curly mane in May 2012, with ragged ends. On right: My curly mane with fresh ends in July 2012.

With commuting, work, family, school, and hopefully play, our lives are full. You may believe that this leaves little room for photo shoots. I completely understand. Please understand that you don’t need to devote a lot of time to this, especially if you are taking photos for your own safekeeping.

When trying a new product or ’do, take a quick snap or two from your camera/camera phone. That’s all you need. You don’t even need to face the camera, as the focus is on your hair  … unless you want to ham it up, of course!

Capture the moment now and reflect on them later. Who knows, like our fave bloggers and vloggers, your documentary may inspire someone else. At the very least, it will allow you to monitor the evolution of your curly mane.

Are you chronicling your curls? If so, in what form?

Product Battle: Quick Curls vs. Hair Rules

Product Battle: Quick Curls vs. Hair Rules

The hardest battle you’re ever going to fight is the battle to be just you.” ~ Dr. Leo F. Buscaglia

Throughout the years, epic battles have been fought among great contenders. These battles continue to be waged through generations, in our personal lives, and even on the top of our heads. Today, in the spirit of the Olympics, I’m waging a war between my current go-to products for wash and gos (not counting my recent love of aloe vera gel), so you can compare and place your bets.hair-rules-kinky-curling-creamMiss Jessie's Quick Curls

In this corner, we have Hair Rules Kinky Curling Cream, a product that I’ve recently rediscovered. Hair Rules was one of many products sitting patiently under my bathroom sink, waiting to move up the ranks. These last few months, the styler has had an impressive showing. It is often toted as a product for 4c natural hair types.

In the opposite corner, we have Miss Jessie’s Quick Curls, a product I have been using for the last year. Initially dismissed as a product for looser textured gals, Quick Curls has proven itself as effective for my Afro texture. For the past year, it has held steady, with reliable results.

Both natural hair products will be reviewed and measured according to My Curly Mane’s criteria. A full point will be given for successful completion of each category. A half point will be given for satisfactory results. The categories are: price, ingredients, scent, application, look, feel, and the wild card—ability to produce second day hair. Scores can range from 0 to 7 (perfect) points.

Let’s get ready to battle!

 

1. Price

  • Kinky Curling Cream = $20 for an 8 oz. bottle
  • Quick Curls = $32 for an 8 oz. bottle

These two stylers are neck and neck when it comes to prices, which may be a little steep for some budgetnistas. Kinky Curling Cream requires you to use the product in the shower for best results, which may cause product waste down the drain (with my clumsiness it does!). Therefore, a 16 oz. bottle of Kinky Curling Cream can be equivalent to an 8 oz. bottle of Quick Curls.

Points: Both contenders are somewhat equally priced and worthy, pound for pound, of a half point.

Kinky Curling Cream
Point = 0.5/ Total = 0.5

Quick Curls
Point = 0.5/Total = 0.5

2. Ingredients

I have to admit. I haven’t always been good with monitoring ingredients. This blog and my revived health consciousness is forcing me to pay attention to what I’m putting on my head. While being more attentive, I recognize that my hair, perhaps like yours, is a very naughty girl. It tends to like many a “bad” things. My advice is to pay attention to how your hair reacts to products containing mineral oil aka paraffinum liquidum.

Both Kinky Curling Cream and Quick Curls contain mineral oil. The battle is still waging on whether mineral oil helps or harms your hair. It can either seal moisture into your hair or dry it out.

When using either natural hair care product, I clarify/shampoo my hair between applications to avoid the buildup of mineral oil, which has to be shampooed to be removed. This puts me in a cycle where I need to put more moisture (conditioner, leave in conditioner, water, oils/butters, etc.) back into my hair. In addition, both products  contain hydrolyzed wheat protein (careful if you’re protein sensitive).

On left: My hair with Miss Jessie’s Quick Curls. On right: My hair with Hair Rules Kinky Curly Cream. Both products define my natural hair.

  • Hair Rules Kinky Curling Cream contains honey and glycerin, humectants that may work with or against your hair, depending on the weather. It also contains: water, mineral oil, C13-16 isoparaffin, butylene glycol, glycerin, C18-21 alkane, carbomer, triethanolamine, hydrolyzed wheat protein, crambe abyssinica seed oil, honey, hedychium coronarium (awapuhi) root extract, cymbopogon schoenanthus (lemongrass) extract, humulus lupulus (hops) extract, olea europaea (olive fruit) oil, coix lacryma-jobi seed extract, PPG-26-buteth-26, dimethicone, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, fragrance, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, DMDM hydantoin, disodium EDTA, idodpropynyl butylcarbamate. This product is free of paraben.
  • Miss Jessie’s Quick Curls contains silicones, which can reduce frizz but needs to be shampooed to be removed, or it will cause build up.It also contains: Water, parafffinum liquidum, VP/DMAPA acrylates copolymer, polyquaternium-37, cyclopentasiloxane, grape seed extract, nettle extract, alfalfa extract, betula alba leaf extract, lavender extract, borago officinalis extract, fennel fruit extract, ginger root extract, laminum album flower extract, chestnut extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, sunflower seed extract, matricaria flower extract, linseed seed extract, rosa gallica flower extract, silybum marianum extract, viola tricolor extract, punica granatum extract, honeysuckle flower extract, bergamont fruit extract, apricot kernel extract, hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, PG-propyl silanetriol, fragrance, polyquaternium-11, propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, cyclohexasiloxane, PPG-5-ceteth-20, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, ceteareth-10, propylene glycol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, disodium EDTA, PPG-1-trideceth-6, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, DMDM hydantoin, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, yellow 10, green 5. This product is free of paraben, glycerin, and sulfate.

Points: Since I don’t have too much trouble with either product’s ingredient, they both land a light punch. I’m going to award both contenders a half point.

Kinky Curling Cream
Point = 0.5/ Total = 1

Quick Curls

Point = 0.5/Total = 1

On left: First day results using Miss Jessie’s Quick Curls (tight, full, and shrunken curls that can be stretched with heat for length). On right: First day results using Hair Rules Kinky Curly Cream (fat, soft, and short curls).

3. Scent

  • With its grape and honey blend, Kinky Curling Cream smells so good; you’ll want to eat it. It’s not that it smells edible; it’s just that its aroma appeals to my sweet tooth. Kinky Curling Cream tends to fade into a subtle fragrance. There isn’t too much of a lingering scent when blow drying.
  • Quick Curls has a strong scent, a citrusy mix with a floral punch! When first applying this product, you will surely be able to smell it from a distance. I’ve had family members walk by my room as I’m doing my hair and compliment my “perfume”! If you use a hair dryer, you will up the ante, resulting in a slight chemical aroma. While Quick Curls has a pleasant smell, its strength should be noted, particularly if you prefer the smell of the other products you are layering onto your hair.

Points: I appreciate both products’ knockout scent and will award each a full point. The two are neck and neck.

Kinky Curling Cream
Point = 1/ Total = 2

Quick Curls
Point = 1/Total = 2

4. Application

  • As I mentioned prior, Kinky Curling Cream must be applied in the shower for best results. This may result in the wasted product. It should be noted that the product has a thick consistency, so it takes a bit of raking and smoothing before it absorbs into the hair. I’m also able to skip a leave-in (yes, I actually skip the addition of a leave-in), and I still get great results.
  • Quick Curls is used out of the shower and has a lighter consistency, so it can be easily raked and smoothed into the hair. It can also be used with my Silicon Mix Leave-in Conditioner, without products reacting thus far. Perhaps it’s because they both contain mineral oil!

Blame it on the honey or the glycerin, but Kinky Curling Cream takes much longer to dry with a hand held dryer. In fact, at 10-15 minutes, it’s double the drying time when compared to Quick Curls.

Points: Kinky Curling Cream comes up slightly short and gets a half point. Quick Curls lands the hook and gets the edge with a full point.

Kinky Curling Cream
Point = 0.5/ Total = 2.5

Quick Curls
Point = 1/Total = 3

On left: Second day hair results using Quick Curls (full, elongated, tight curls). On right: Second day hair results using Hair Rules (big, fat, and short curls).

5. Look

  • Kinky Curling Cream

Pros: It delivers fat, fluffy curls. My SO prefers when I use this product for wash and gos. I’m convinced that it’s because it transforms my hair into a softer pillow for him to sleep on! The overall look is quite nice.

Cons: It can look a little frizzy and dull, as if my hair is in need of a sheen spray or glosser. Kinky Curling Cream also creates more shrinkage, even when stretching the hair with heat.

  • Quick Curls

Pros: Skinny, shiny, thicker, defined, and elongated curls. My hair gets lots of shine.

Cons: My hair can look a little frizzy.

Points: Based on the positive comments I’ve recently received using this product, Kinky Curling Cream comes in as the ultimate showman. It gets a full point. Quick Curls gets a half point.

Kinky Curling Cream
Point = 1/ Total = 3.5

Quick Curls
Point = 0.5/Total = 3.5

6. Moisture & Feel

  • Kinky Curling Cream: My hair feels soft and light weight.
  • Quick Curls – You can feel the product on your hair. It can also dry a bit stiff, but nothing that a little oil can’t fix.

Points: Kinky Curling Cream swings, uppercuts, and gets the edge with a full point. Quick Curls gets a half point.

Kinky Curling Cream
Point = 1/ Total = 4.5

Quick Curls
Point = 0.5/Total = 4

7. Wild Card/Tie Breaker: Second day hair

It’s a phenomenon that only few stylers are able to help a curlie achieve second day hair. Let’s see how our contenders stack up.

  • For Kinky Curling Cream, second day hair is a hit or miss due to the product’s light hold. When it works, my hair looks great. When it doesn’t (due to extreme weather or product’s light hold) my hair looks like an undefined poof ball. It may be the look you’re going for, but I prefer some definition. I’ve been unable to consistently sustain this look, but I’ll keep trying.
  • Quick Curls’ secret move is its ability to keep on giving. I always get big, elongated, and fluffy 2nd day hair. If I’m sleeping sexy and protecting my hair, I’m even able to get equally good results on the 3rd day!

 Points: Kinky Curling Cream gets a half point. Quick Curls lands the jab and gets a full point.

Kinky Curling Cream
Point = 0.5/ Total = 5

Quick Curls
Point = 1/Total = 5

And the winner is: A tie! Both products deliver and receive 5 out of 7 points. It comes down to the look you are seeking–elongated and tight curls vs. short and full curls. We’ll have to conduct a rematch. Better yet, help me to select a winner by submitting your results. Share your experiences and/or battle with either products by commenting below.

 

Hair Hall of Fame: Supermodels Roshumba & Gail, First Inductees

Hair Hall of Fame: Supermodels Roshumba & Gail, First Inductees

Gail O’Neill and Roshumba Williams

From left, Gail O’Neill and Roshumba Williams model in the July 2012 issue of Essence magazine.

I was in the middle of whipping up my favorite pasta dish when I took a moment to flip through this month’s Essence magazine. I stopped mid page turn and gasped as I curlspotted two of my favorite supermodels from the 90’s–Roshumba Williams and Gail O’Neill.

Growing up, I admired Roshumba’s long legs, toned body, and of course, her afro. Roshumba was the only model I knew with short, natural hair, and she wore it well. In the Sports Illustrated swimsuit specials that aired on TV, you could easily spot Roshumba with her delicious, chocolate complexion and bone structure. She didn’t need long, flowing hair to be sexy. She just was, and her afro was an accessory to her beauty rather than the central piece of it.

Where Roshumba caught me at afro, Gail’s long, natural hair had me at a loss for words. Whether straight or curly, it looked full and healthy. On her own, Gail is stunning, but her hair amplifies her beauty. I always looked forward to seeing her in magazines because she was so striking and a good model. She was one of the rare examples of real, naturally curly, black hair.

In my previous post on the return of MTV’s House of Style, I mentioned that we are past the era of the supermodel. While we do have well-known models whom we can even call supermodels, it isn’t like before. Supermodels were revered, so much so that we regular un-super humans knew them by first name.

While the period has passed, let’s honor both ladies. For their contributions to fashion as black models who proudly displayed their natural hair, I am happy to announce that Roshumba Williams and Gail O’Neill are the first inductees into My Curly Mane’s Hair Hall of Fame!

 

Photos of Roshumba Williams and her afro

Photos of Gail O’Neill and her long, natural hair (a short haired pic is included)

 

The Return of MTV’s House of Style

The Return of MTV’s House of Style

Cindy Crawford interviews model Linda Evangelista backstage at the Giorgio di Sant’ Angelo show in 1990.
Photo: MTV

Turn back the clocks to circa 1990. I’m wearing “my uniform” consisting of black jeans and a navy blue top. It was my uniform because I wore it nearly every day. Blame it on wearing school uniforms as a child or just plain comfort, but that was the extent of my external fashion.

While I wasn’t outwardly styled, internally I-loved-fashion. I couldn’t get enough of Vogue, Ebony, InStyle, etc. You name it, and I had to read it. I also had to watch it all: Videofashion, Fashion Television (loved it!), Style with the highly intelligent and posh Elsa Klensch, and the biggie–MTV’s House of Style. Yes, that of which was memorably hosted by Cindy Crawford.

Well, we’re in for good news. Word on the street is that House of Style is making a comeback this fall! I am really excited about this. I know that there have been previous attempts to revive the show, but now, with a new generation of young trendsetters, perhaps this one will work.

Israeli model and curlie Esti Mamo

But who will host it? We are past the era of the supermodel (I knew them all!). Wait. Moment of silence. Resume. Given this, I anticipate that the host will be either a Victoria’s Secret model or an actress/personality known for her fashion styling. I’m placing my bet on either Adriana Lima,  Gisele Bundchen, or Kendall Kardashian. More K love? Of course, you know that I would root for any curly girl. Hey, hair and fashion go hand in hand! I suggest Israeli model Esti Mamo or U.S. model Chanel Iman.

“There’s a lot of thinking that’s going into figuring this role out, when this announcement will be, and who the type of person is who we want to be the face of [the show],” says Sophia Rai, vice president of digital production at MTV.

We’ll just have to wait and see when the host is revealed at the MTV Movie Awards on September 6. Stay tuned! To get you warmed up, MTV is airing a documentary on the show which will air on August 7. Let’s check out the trailer and look back at a classic episode of MTV’s House of Style.

Below: The trailer for the MTV documentary on House of Style. I watched every episode!
Below: From the archives–an early episode of House of Style. Look at how young Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Veronia Webb, and Linda Evangelista were! Baby models. They’re all still gorgeous. Miss the supermodel era. Sigh.
CurlSpotting: Kelis

CurlSpotting: Kelis

We all know that her milkshake brings all the boys to the yard, but what’s the secret to singer Kelis’ curls?

Her luscious, thick curly mane is as easily identifiable as her vocal sounds. From the bold, “look at me” colors to the fluffy coils, Kelis may be in Hair Hall of Fame territory.

I spotted Kelis’ curls … or better yet, her fluffy waves during the July 13th episode of Fashion Police (video below). While I miss her textured, curly strands, I was digging her new ‘do. It appeared to be the result of a rollerset, flipped out and curled ala Judy Jetson. There may also be some “magic hair” involved. An apparent lover of colors, Kelis stylized the look with violet highlights.

I personally like the look but believe that her natural curls are more flattering. It’s her signature. A little over a decade ago, when I was hooked on hair color (the brighter the better), I can’t tell you what I would have done for the blond and pink colored curls she once sported.

On a side note, I have always loved Kelis’ eccentric music and eclectic style. When she first arrived on the scene, it was deemed too far out for some, but little did we know that Kelis was just ahead of her time–pre-Gaga, Nicki, and Katie (I knew it!). I am still a fan of her video for “Caught Out There.” She may have been screaming “I hate you so much right now,” but I was thinking “I love your curly mane!”

You may also remember her uber long, straightened (and perhaps also magically enhanced) hair in “Get Along With You.” That video is reminiscent of  Madonna’s “Bedtime Stories” with a Tim Burton flare. It ventures into Tool (remember that band?) territory and always reminds me of my absolute favorite artist and the director of the soundtrack of my life, Bjork. So it was no surprise to find Kelis sharing pictures of her hanging out with Bjork during her interview with Fashion Police’s Joan Rivers.

Check out the video below and let me know your thoughts on Kelis’ new look.


Kelis on Fashion Police 07.13.2012