Music on the pages

Each post has music, to silence the music click on the lower left hand corner of the slide show and a small mute button should appear! Sorry for the inconvenience people Enjoy!!!

Before You Take That Dip!!!!

Well it's every girls favorite time of the year, SUMMERTIME! Many of you may be working overtime to get that perfect Coke bottle for the Teeny Weeney yellow polka dot bikini, trying every diet on the market to loose that junk in the trunk(which isn't really going anywhere), rushing to get that manicure and pedicure, and even waxing places you didn't even know existed! Well what's left? Bathing suit? Check! Towel? Check! Sunscreen? Check! Lip Gloss? Check! Cute shades? Check! WAIT,WAIT,WAIT!!!! You mean to tell me you put all this energy into going to the pool and you didn't stop to think about protecting your hair? Wrong answer DIVAS!!!! Protecting the hair on your head from UV Rays, Pollen,Chlorine, and Salt Water should be number one on your list! How do you do this? Well.... I'm glad you asked :)

First thing you want to do is do an assessment on your locks. Is your hair relaxed, texturized, colored, natural, braided, or weaved? If you answerd yes to any one of these conditions then you must pay close attention. Prior to sitting out in the sun,taking a dip, or chilling out at the park, you should find a protective product to condition your hair appropriately for the environment. If you will be sitting in the sun,look for a protective spray that has spf 15+, taking a dip, then section your hair in four and run leave in conditioner from the scalp to ends, going to be active in a park find a nice hat or scarf to protect your face and hair from the pollen.

Now that you've enjoyed your day out and about you must go a step further and reassess your hair's condition. If you participated in water activities a warm to cool rinse of the leave-in conditioner is great then shampoo with a clarifying shampoo to detoxify the hair and recondition with cool water, thus locking in the moisture,and sealing the cuticle. WARNING: If you have color treated hair or chemical processed hair look for sulfate free products and stay away from clarifying shampoos which tend to strip the color and cause split ends. If you were chilling in the sun add a moisturizer to the ends and midshaft of the hair and lightly oil the scalp. If you wore a scarf or hat, take it off and comb out your hair and gently massage the scalp.

At the end of the weekend go and support your local stylist! Don't be shy about disclosing your weekly activities. Ask them if they have any summertime specials for deep conditions, hydrating treatments, and any product recommendations for your daily use. This will help you cut down your spending at the local beauty supply on products "they" say are "good, good!"

Yesterday, I spent three hours at the local acquatics center and of course they had major pool treatments going on, so I came prepared. My hair was pretreated with Mizani's conditioning shampoo for textured hair and combed thoroughly into a ponytail. Once I got home, I immediately rinsed my hair out, then proceeded to use Aveda's Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Damage Remedy Shampoo. As I conditioned my hair I used Miss Jessie's Super Sweetback conditioner and gave myself a 30 minute hydrating treatment, which left my curls refreshed and soft. I then sectioned my hair in four and combed it through with Curly pudding and coiled about eight strands in each section. I sat under the hooded dryer for about an hour ( I have really thick hair) and went to sleep with a satin bonnet on. This morning I pulled the coils apart about three times and I have a head full of fresh spiral curls! You can do this too!!!! I'm amazed at what my hair can do. I can definetly tesify that four years ago my hair was lazy and would not do the simpliest things, but with patience, practice and the right products I CAN DO ALL THINGS TO MY HAIR WITH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME!!!!! Had to get that in Saints :) Love to all you Naturalistas and Sistas taking care of your CROWN and GLORY!

PS.Quick Tips for Hair Styles:
Braids-Pull into a ponytail when swimming and rinse thorughly with light shampoos to avoid matting and breakage, grease scalp.
Weaves-Condition the tracks, because it's still real hair and can be damaged, swim with a cap if possible.
Natural Cornrolls- rinse hair with warm water air dry and grease scalp.
Natural Twists-rinse with warm water gently ring out and twirl the ends
Afro-You a wide tooth comb, or pick after conditioning and let air dry
Relaxed Hair- Deep condition before and after swimming and gently towel dry, then comb with wide tooth comb smooth and air dry, style as desired.
Texturized Hair- condition before and after swimming, towl blot and follow up with hair moisturizer, or curl activator use a rat tail comb for small smooth waves on short hair.Use a blowdryer with diffuser on cool air for long hair and scrunch.

Meet the Creator, Stylist,and Visionary of CULTURE MEETS COUTURE BEAUTY BOUTIQUE

The Revolution of the Big Chop: Reclaiming Your Texture

I'm going to assume you've all watched the scene in Waiting to Exhale, when Angela Basset snatched the shears from her stylist and just cuts her hair! Everyone else is left looking astonished, while Angela sits there with a smirk of satisfaction on her face. I too, have been there! Just needing to peel away at the layers of superficial assumptions of who I am, all because of the length and relaxed texture of my hair!
November 18,2006 at the Clip Joint in Fayetteville, NC there I sat ready to be liberated of all the baggage my Crown of Glory had seen throughout the past six years. There were split ends from basic training to Iraq, toxic waste from bad relationships, strands of shame of my Natural Nubian, tresses of frustration because my hair was doing the Macy Gray. It was time! Time for a REVOLUTION, THE BIG CHOP! I had to take back what the devil stole! I was confident and ready to stand tall with 3 inches of virgin texture of my own Kinky, Curly ,Wavy hair! I closed my eyes and counted to three and I RECLAIMED MY TEXTURE....
Reclaiming my texture was not easy, but hey somebody had to do it! I was liberated from the "creamy crack," and on my way to the road of redemption. The road was crowded, but I soon traveled all by my lonesome. I never expected to be the poster child in the community for the Natural Movement, but I answered the call.
Welcome to the "Revolution" if you haven't noticed it has been televised and many people of all colors and ethnicity are desperate to look the part. I welcome the brave and confident to take challenge of the big chop and set yourselves free! Don't get caught up in the "I wanna look like this person and that person syndrome either!" Embrace what the good Lord gave you and keep it moving!
I invite you all to share your revolution stories, so we can be inspired!!!

Straight Curly Tools for Success!!!

I'M TALKING HAIR BIZ TO YOU BABY!!!

     Now everytime you go into the local beauty supply you are drawn into the hype of the latest and greatest right? Well it's time to get focused whether you are straight or curly. The tools featured above will help you maintain your crown and glory without the Heartache and PAIN!!! There have been many concerns regarding products and how to use them and of course we will get to that, but first you must make sure you have the proper tools in order to be successful!
     I have carefully selected some of the best and most trustworthy appliances that I use in my salon. If you're a penny pincher you may need to save up, but if you enjoy making a purchase and having a warranty, then please invest!

Tools for Hair Success

1. Wide tooth detangling comb- use while the hair is wet saturated with conditioner.
2. Double detangling-  use on wet or dry hair for faster and smoother comb out process
3. Small and large combs- for long and short hair, child or adult
4. Rat tail comb- use on curly hair with cream to smooth hair, use for coiling, or twisting, and sectioning.
5. Paddle Brush- use for paddle blow-drying on loose wavy hair and relaxed hair.Great for wrapping
6. Denman brush- use with blow-dryer with nozzle for smooth results, and use on wet hair to elongate the curl and encourage a plump curl.
7. Ceramic round brush- Everyone raves about the Dominican Blowout, but quite frankly ladies you can achieve this with a ceramic roundbrush and blow-dryer with nozzle.
8. Alligator hair clips-excellent sectioning while detangling and haircutting, no slip and sturdy.
9. Magnet rollers- will glide against the hair and not pullout any as the hair sets.
10. Flexi rods- will provide a perfect curl every time if you utilize the right products.
11. Single prong clips- use to secure magnet rollers, or set your pins curls.
12. Ceramic blow-dryer- offers intense heat  and cool burst for straight styles with less damage.
13. Cermaic marcel iron- offers intense heat with barrel styling in less time
14. Ceramic domed platform iron- cuts out the risk of burning hair with the marcel oven and (platform) allows you to style hair from wet to dry!
15. Ceramic 1" flatiron for color treated hair- can be used with natural hair doesn't really affect the curl pattern and protects elasticity.
16. Ceramic 2" flatiron- great for bumping straight hair, or curling long tresses.
17. Spray bottle- KEEP HAIR MOIST WHILE BLOW -DRYING! THIS HELPS TO PREVENT FRIZZ! KEEP HAIR DAMP WHILE FINGER STYLING HELPS TO SPREAD PRODUCT EVENLY FOR A CONSISTENT LOOK!

     Of course there are plenty of tools and products I can recommend, but these happen to be in my personal arsenal of hair tools for success!  Please take your time acquiring them so you won't be overwhelmed, but do get into the swing of things your hair is depending on you!
     Just think if Momma had all these tools you would have been hooked up all the time, never had headaches on picture day, and the entire neighborhood would have known that your hair was truly flowing down your back like the "Boricuas" and you weren't just making it up!HAHAHAHA
      That's all for now i'll holla! :)

Miss Jessie's Original...The Best Darn Everything!

I'M TALKING HAIR BIZ TO YOU BABY!!!

     For two years I heard about the “curly crack,” and I could not get my hands on it because I was overseas in Iraq! As soon as I returned to the states I was on a mission to find this coveted Miss Jessie’s, but there was one problem, no one had it and I was not willing to make the splurge online! Finally, I was released from my military obligation and I moved to Atlanta!!! YAY!!!! I was going to the hair MECCA, I surely would have no problem getting my hands on this product right? WRONG! I had to search and search, but finally I found URBAN BELLA HAIR APOTHOPCARY. I loved this place, not only did they offer consultations, but they had more than one brand for the curly, kinky, wavy Naturalista!!! It was about time! I could get my “curl crack” and keep it moving!
     Miss Jessie’s Original is an awesome Brand! Titi and Miko Branch have really gone out of their way to bring great emulsions of plants, nuts, and oils to encourage curly, wavy, and kinky hair to become smooth, plump, and elongated! There is a wide assortment of products to choose from to address any type of hair! It has been my experience with these products that less is more and a spray bottle filled with water can really take the product to the next level. Whether you are doing wet or dry twist-out, braid-out, coiling, shingling or even rod setting the results are phenomenal. If you are new to the natural revolution my suggestion is to go to a professional and get a consultation so you will know exactly what product will be most beneficial to your hair and the desired style. These products are priced for the target audience that doesn’t mind splurging for a luxury hair product. If you are a consumer who is looking for a product that will be convenient for wash and go, you definitely want to do your research before making the purchase, as these rich emulsions take a little while to absorb into the hair and you don’t want anyone walking up to you saying, “excuse me, but you have something white in your hair!” Overall, the product line does address many of you Naturalistas concerns, but remember in order to get the total benefit of the products you must have the appropriate shape/haircut, so see a professional stylist first!

Miss Jessie’s Original Website: www.missjessies.com Check them out!
For the ultimate service visit them in Manhattan, NY.

Welcome to Straight Curly Every Girl's Dream! My goals are to educate, inspire, motivate, and coach you through your transition of chemical processed hair back to the natural state! Embrace what the Lord gave you and stop trying to look like everyone else! If you are natural already and just need product information, or recommendation I'm here for YOU! Need a new stylist and you're in GEORGIA, HOLLA!?!

This forum is a friendly place where curlistas from all over can just let our hair down! I look forward to your questions, stories, and pictures.

PS. I love to Network, so if you have a business that I could benefit from please feel free to send me an email.