Bald

It is that time of year again when I seriously consider shaving my head. 

Even typing this seems like a betrayal of the hair gods because it took so long for my hair to grow. However, sometimes I just get the urge to chop it all off, down to the scalp, which is funny, because one of my most traumatic experiences as a kid was a hair stylist telling me that I needed to cut my hair to a fade and start over again after a series of bad home relaxers. 

This girl, with whom I went to college, cut her hair all the way off. She is now totally bald and wears her makeup super pretty. If social media is telling the truth, it looks like she spends her spare time going to cocktail parties and dancing with her husband. With my luck, I will cut off all my hair and still be unmotivated, taking to the bed. I am also afraid that I have hotdog neck, and that can't be hidden if I shave my head. 

Truth be told, my hair is now one of my better qualities, and it has been a struggle getting here. I think that my desire to shave it sometimes comes from my desire for something new. What is newer than going bald? I don't know, just something to think about. 

Get Your Twist on with Jane Carter Solution Curl Defining Cream

I have used a lot of products to twist my hair in the past. A few of my favorites have been the Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream, the Fro Butter with Peppermint Oil, and the All Natural Pudding Souffle from EDEN BodyWorks. However, my latest favorite product for twisting is the Jane Carter Curl Defining Cream. 

I have read a lot of blog posts on Jane Carter Solution over the years, and they have a lot of fans that are in love with the products because they are 98% natural. I am a new fan of the Curl Defining Cream because it is light and it does not leave a residue on your hair. It also plays nice with other products because the cream is so light and it absorbs into the hair. I feel that this is great for spring and summer, because there is nothing worse than using a heavy product in the summer. And because it is absorbent, you don't have to worry about product dripping which we all can agree is not sexy. 

Because the product is a curl defining cream, I find that my curls are very defined once I take my hair down, which helps my look last a little longer than usual. All us naturals know that that is greatly appreciated!

Learn more about this product and other Jane Carter Solution products here.

Get The Look: Tori Kelly at the Grammy's

THE LOOK: A modern interpretation of old Hollywood style

INSPIRATION: Celebrity hairstylist Nikki Providence was inspired by Kelly's one shoulder green dress.  "I wanted to let her natural texture shine through a classic pincurl set,” she said.

How To Get The Look:

• Nikki started with clean wet hair, and prepped the roots with John Frieda Frizz Ease® Curl Reviver Mousse and sprayed 12 sprays of the John Frieda Frizz Ease® Go Curlier™ Heat-Activated Spray throughout the hair.
• Then she used a wide-tooth comb to shape the front and sides into sculpted waves, clipping each section into position.
• She twisted the remainder of the hair in 2-inch sections and dried her with a diffuser before taking the clips out.
• Nikki used her hands to smooth and sculpt the final shape, applying a thin coat of John Frieda Frizz Ease® Secret Weapon® Touch-Up Crème on her hands to make sure her fingers glided over the hair for a final touch of smoothness.
• Then she used a 3/4 inch curling iron to touch up any areas that needed extra hold or curl.
• She finished off the look with John Frieda Frizz Ease® KeraFLEX™ Flexible Hold Hairspray.

#MeandJohn

#FrizzFreeHairGoals

Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: JohnFriedaUS

Review: Dove Quench Absolute Shampoo and Conditioner

Many curly girls say that the hardest thing about having curls is finding the right hair style, but for me, the hardest thing about being a girl with curls has been finding the right products. Fans of this blog will tell you that I have essentially tried everything and that I have my favorites. I am now adding the new Dove Quench Absolute Shampoo and Conditioner to this list.

First and foremost, I have been a fan of Dove soap for years! Sadly, my skin is too sensitive to use fancy, scented soaps. However, when I heard that they were coming out with not only a hair care line, but one with products for textured hair, I was skeptical. I was also wrong. I am in LOVE with their shampoo and conditioner. I am a sucker for products that smell good, and these products smell amazing! Combined, I found the shampoo and conditioner to cleanse my hair without stripping it. After towel drying,  my fro was soft and fluffy.While twisting my hair once it dried, I also found that my hair was detangled and easier to manage. 

The Dove Quench Absolute Creme Serum is also a great product. I use it as a daily leave-in conditioner. It is very light and doesn't weigh down the hair. It also doesn't leave a residue like other serums that I have tried and it isn't oily. It is great for when you just want to pull your hair back and go without a lot of fuss. My aunt has also become a big fan of the serum. We are sharing a jar, lol. Her hair is very course and she is a product junkie, trying any and everything she hears about on Youtube vlogs. She also tends to overuse products on her hair. However,we have found that the Quench Creme Serum is all she needs. It elongates her hair and leaves it looking full. WE ARE FANS!

Check out this adorable, touching commercial about embracing your curls. 

The Edge Challenge: Bosley Professional Strength Healthy Hair Moisture Masque

When I turned 30 last year, I noticed two things: my first gray hair and that my edges were starting to get tinky from years of wearing my fro in an INCREDIBLY TIGHT up puff. I can go completely gray if I must, but the diminishing edge issue is a deal breaker. You should have seen me the other day, I was losing it, thinking of the women in my life when I was a kid whose hair lines stared in the middle of their heads! Who can forget that lunch lady that created baby hairs to cover her hair loss by geling the hair from the back of her head to the front?! I mean, I was literally biting my nails in panic! A few days later, it was like the edge angles had heard my cries, and I was sent the Bosley Professional Healthy Hair Moisture Masque to review.

I had heard of Bosley from the commercials but really didn't think it was for me. I mean, I am not going bald. But after reading the ingredients, there is some good stuff in their products that I feel my hair needs like mango, Shea, and avocado butters. It is also contains red wine extract and is safe for color treated hair. So I am putting the masque to the challenge of edge rescue. It is all about preventative measures after all before I wake up at 33 with a Little Edie Beale Grey Gardens situation on my hands...not that Edie wasn't fly!  Stay tuned for the results! 

Drew Barrymore as Little Edie Beale from HBO's 'Grey Gardens. 

Dana Goes To Tracy Reese!

One of the best times to visit New York is during fashion week! The hustle and bustle is in overdrive and the energy is electric. Lucky for me, I got a chance to attend the Tracy Reese show and even got in on some backstage access.

I was so excited to learn that lead Hair Stylist Bok-Hee was using my favorite hair care line, SheaMoisture, to help create the looks. Boh-Kee said she wanted to go for a transparent and airy look. She said when collaborating with Tracy on the look, she thought of a girl in a desert who was "beautifully tired yet natural."

 Boh-Kee working her magic

Boh-Kee and her team used SheaMoisture's new professional line along with some of their staples to get the models ready for the runway. First, they used SheaMoisture Professional Curl Leave-In Conditioner to prep the hair. Then, the front hairline was sectioned off and the remaining hair was pulled back into a low chignon using SheaMoisture Professional Blow Dry Cream!  The team used SheaMoisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Texture Spray on the front of the hair, then teased it to create the airy look. Finally, the whole head was finished using SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Mist.

Now the models are ready for the runway!

Tracy Reese's show was nothing short of awesome! The collection was full of color, florals and sequins. I loved that the pieces were very wearable for even the everyday woman like myself. Wide legged pants, shift dresses and rain ponchos were some of the items that danced down the runway. The shoes had funky chunky heels and were designed by Sarah Jessica Parker who was also spotted in the front row. Andre Leon Tally, SNL's Sasheer Zamata and celeb stylist June Ambrose were also in attendance!

*Dana Norman is the BG Contributor for New York

*Photo Credit: Dana Norman

Get the Look: Hair from the SS16 Derek Lam Show

INSPIRATION:    The hair complements the Spring/Summer 2016 Collection – a little undone with texture and ease.

LOOK:                   “The I don't care, but I do.”

GET THE LOOK:

Part the hair to the side (a bit off center or how the hair naturally falls).

To prep the hair, add 1-2 pumps of PHYTO PHYTOKeratine Extreme Exceptional Cream to hair. Blow dry with the new BaBylissPRO® Rapido. Do not brush. 

Straighten hair with BaBylissPRO® Nano Titanium™ 1” Ultra-Thin Flatiron.

Then, using the BaBylissPRO® Nano Titanium™ 1” Spring Curling Iron, wrap hair once around the barrel, then pull the iron down to create a wave without volume. Rake the hair back and create a top section with partings on either side.

Combine two oils: PHYTO Huile Supreme Rich Smoothing Oil and PHYTO Huile Soyeuse Lightweight Hydrating Oil. Twist hair into a bun at the crown. Let the hair set for ten minutes then un-do bun. Tousle and run fingers through hair to create a piecey, un-coiffed look. 

Finish with PHYTO Professional Phytolaque Soie Light Hold Hairspray for shine and control.     

DIY Try: Raw Honey Hair Mask

Dry Scalp is a huge, annoying issue. And thanks to Youbeauty expert Julie Ricevuto, you can handle it without spending tons of money on salon visits and hair products. Actually, all you need is a little honey.
Raw Honey Hair Mask
Why It Works: Raw honey is naturally moisturizing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory, and conducive to healing. This mask is super hydrating, so it’s a great option in the summer when the source of your dandruff is an overly dry, irritated scalp.
How To Use It: Mix two tablespoons coconut or olive oil with 1 tablespoon honey and heat in the microwave for a few seconds until warm enough to spread easily. Massage the mixture onto your scalp, then cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes to an hour. Rinse well, and enjoy not just a soothed, flake-free scalp, but gorgeously soft, shiny hair as a result.

Design Essentials for Galia Lahav

GALIA LAHAV at New York Bridal Fashion Week - Spring 2015 Bridal & Evening Collections from Noir Tribe Media on Vimeo.

 

 

 The Design Essentials Styling Team, led by Michelle Swiney, styled the hair for this year's Spring 2015 Galia Lahav Presentation Bridal Fashion Show. Waves, curls, braids- Design Essentials did that! Check out the video from the presentation and get a better look a the elegant, classic dos that the team put together.

Coming Soon

Stay tuned this month: 1 head, 6 products.

FeFe Hair

Me on Friday

My friend FeFe

 

So Friday was a really good hair day. I don't want to be obnoxious about it, but I get really excited when my hair acts right. I event texted my friend FeFe to let her know that I was coming up on my hair game and coming for her spot. My hair is almost as long as hers now. High five for hair growth! Admittedly, I am way too excited about this.

New Orleans Ya'll: Wrap Up

The N.O. has community gardens now, I'm down!

Streetcar fresh!

Lunch at Daisy Dukes: sirloin, gumbo, friend green tomatoes, and a biscuit. 

Relle and Kiki.

On Campus!

At the club. 

Smooth N' Shinge Go Pro Gro Launch Weekend begins!

Swag Bag!

 

 Breakfast.

Me and celeb stylist Larry Sims.

Go Pro Gro products.

Larry explaining the products.

Getting my hair did. 

On the way to dinner.

Last dinner of the weekend. 

The new homie Amy!

 

I had so much fun in New Orleans. I visited for the Smooth N' Shine Go Pro Gro Launch Weekend, but arrived a few days early to make a vaykay out of it. The highlights: I got to see my college friends and visit my revamped campus, met some cool journalists, hung out with celeb stylist Larry Sims, learned a lot about the new Go Pro Gro products, and made new friends...and ate so good!

Good Bad Hair Day

I love my hair, even when it is obviously a ridiculous hot mess:) #nappyroots

Hairfinity Photo Shoot

Me and Keshia Knight Pulliam at the Hairfinity photo shoot.

 Keshia and Hairfinity creator Tymeka Lawrence.

Keshia with the product.

The press! Ray Cornelius (@raycornelius), Arkeedah McCormick (@itsarkeedah),  and Julian Lark (@kontrolmag).

 

Thursday, I got to attend the press conference with Keshia Knight Pulliam at the Hairfinity photo shoot. She is the new face of the product. Hairfinity is this cool vitamin that makes your hair grow. Now, I know that there are a ton of those on the market right now, but I got to meet the owner, Tymeka Lawrence, and they have a really cool history. She started the company trying to deal with her own thinning issues and got tons of followers with little to no advertising. There testimonials are impressive, and the bottle is cute:)