by Nay | Aug 2, 2012 | Hair-raising
It’s the news that has done laps across the globe, leaving hurrr everywhere standing on end–Oprah is revealing her natural hair in the September issue of O magazine!
Love, love Oprah (and miss her talk show), so I am not jumping on the hair-hating bandwagon. How can you ridicule “The Big O” when she has come so far in her life and inspired so many? Nope, sir. Not I.
I am curious as to how she typically styles her curly mane and hope that she shares her secrets (visualizes pinning down Oprah’s stylist Andre Walker, with a blow dryer in hand). I’m referring to her actual routine … and not the ones the editors creatively drafted for her. I want to know every plait and potion that she uses. I want to know every twist and finger twirl. I want to know every … what’s that? I’m not an Oprah nut … no, really, I’m not (hums silently to self).
I’m just happy that she is supporting #teamnatural by showing comfort in her skin, as she has done in years past. Now, of course, other celebs are stepping up and revealing that they too have natural hair. Sigh. I just hope that this isn’t going to be viewed as another trend of the week and instead as a way to educate the public about natural hair.
The next issue of O hits newsstands on August 7. In the meanwhile, what are your thoughts of the cover photo, featuring Oprah’s hair?
by Nay | Aug 2, 2012 | Hair-raising
Open your eyes; look within. Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?” ~ Bob Marley
Snoop Dogg embraces Rastafarians, becomes Snoop Lion.
When you say Snoop Dogg, most people conjure up images of smoke … (we’ll keep it PC for the kids!), “Dropping It Like It’s Hot,” or if you’re like me, his shiny natural hair. So, you can imagine my surprise upon hearing that our “old G” has been reborn as “Snoop Lion.” Yes … Snoop … Lion, as in the Rastafarian reference to the Lion of Judah.
During a 35-day retreat in Jamaica, Snoop fell in love with the island (Can you blame him? 😉 ) and Rastafari. He visited a rasta temple where he was given the Ethiopian name Berhane, meaning “light of the world.” Moved by his experience and “tired of hip hop,” Snoop believes that he is “Bob Marley reincarnated.”
Pauses. Scratches head. Bob Marley reincarnated??!!
Apparently the Marleys agree, as Bob Marley’s son, Rohan, gave Snoop his blessing. Snoop (eh, em) Lion will chronicle his spiritual development and experience in an upcoming reggae album called Reincarnated.
“Reggae was calling … it’s a breath of fresh air,” he said. “Rap isn’t challenging; it’s not appealing.” Snoop went on to name legendary reggae artists Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff as other influencers.
I’m happy to have JA on the map and, most importantly, in a positive light. I just hope that this isn’t another gimmick or Hollywood ploy to cash in on my bredren!
I understand that the island can inspire you. Snoop isn’t alone. James Bond creator and author, Ian Fleming, used his Jamaican retreat, Goldeneye, as a backdrop in his novels.
And the music–majestic. I may be totally biased, but have you seen how people act in a club once the music switches to reggae? LOL. Blame it on the drums and bass.
Bob Marley’s quote on life
Given the greatness that is Bob, the beauty of finding spirituality, and the Cali-coolness of Snoop, I’ll give this one a pass … for now. I just wonder if this is the end of Snoop’s curly mane or if he will lock it up in dreads and stuff them into his tam the way a true rasta man does.
Him a turn dread fi fashion, a fi dem, a fi we? 😉
Only time will tell. For now, let’s congratulate Snoop on his turn in life and apparent newfound relationship with Jah. Let’s also remember a few lessons from Bob, a man who remained true to himself and his beliefs, regardless of however controversial and rejected they may have been. From Paul McCartney to the Fugees and No Doubt, Bob continues to leave his mark 31 years after his death! Let’s do the same. Live a life worth living and shape generations to come.
Click here to read more about Snoop Dogg’s transformation to Snoop Lion.
In case you’ve been deprived (say it isn’t so!) or just want to celebrate all that is Bob, don’t forget to catch his “Rock Doc” (and locks) on VH1 this Sunday!
UPDATED: The documentary premieres on Saturday, 8-4-12!
One Love.
by Nay | Jul 31, 2012 | Nay's Curly Mane, Newly Natural, Tips, Uncategorized
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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)!
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?
by Nay | Jul 27, 2012 | Product Battle, Products
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.
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
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.
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.
by Nay | Jul 26, 2012 | Hair Hall of Fame, Uncategorized
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)
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