Deck Your Curls

The holidays are a delightful time of year. With cold crisp air (even in Texas), twinkling lights, and decorations everywhere, the season is festive and fun. The perfect time to try a curly updo is now. For your New Year's Celebration try a new style. Every great curly hair style starts with well defined, hydrated curls. Take some time for yourself before you rush off to that party, and find a fabulous holiday look. Visit Naturallycurly.com, peruse 'Strictly Curls' by Nicole Siri (a 'how to' book with different looks to try) or check out Chapter 15 (Wed-locks and Updos for Special Occasions) in 'The Curly Girl Handbook' by Lorraine Massey for great party looks with step by step instructions. If you are feeling creative and adventurous, design your own unique style. It's easy!! Grab a hair tie, a pretty clip or barrette and lots of bobby pins. Start by loosely pulling all or part of your hair up or back and secure it in place with your clip, barrette or pony tail holder. Position loose curls in a pleasing arrangement, anchoring in place with bobby pins as you go. Create curly cheer with festive, flirty styles. Make it your New Year's Resolution to try new styles and be adventurous with your curls -- it's win, win! No danger in trying an updo or a new style -- it's not like the months and even years it takes to correct a bad cut. Have a good time and celebrate your curls!

Discover Where You Are Going

Having a life worth living takes patience, time and lots of learning. We are usually in a hurry to arrive at a destination, often at the expense of the journey. Whether it is with hair, career, marriage, children, becoming fixated on the final result robs us of the joy of the journey. When I started cosmetology school, my hair was finally where I wanted it. (Note: at the time I did not realize this. It's only in looking back on the pictures that I can see.) The process had taken about three years, well, really much longer because I first had to discover the look I wanted. Discovering what you want is just as much a part of the process as anything else. Sometimes eliminating what won't work first is necessary. Before realizing I wanted to attend cosmetology school and help others embrace their natural waves and curls, I attended manicuring school and paralegal school. Although I have never worked as a paralegal or a manicurist, my education has been very valuable. Nothing is ever wasted. Feeling like I still hadn't found what I was looking for, I embarked on a voyage of self discovery. After reading an article in Fast Company magazine about make-up artist Bobby Brown, I began to contemplate this question: 'If today were your birthday and you could do anything you want, what would it be?'  According to the article, Bobby Brown was home from college venting to her mother about how much she hated school. Her mother asked her that question, and Bobby Brown replied, 'Probably go to the mall and play with the make-up at a department store.' Her mother told her she could probably pursue a degree in theatrical make-up.  So, she did.

What are your dreams and goals? What do you hope to accomplish in your life? What is your desire for your hair? Are you in transition? Is your hair in transition? Embrace your life and all aspects of it!!! It is yours and nobody else can live it or determine where you are going or what you will become. Remember it is never too late to make a change and be what you might have been.

Beauty Don't Cost a Thing

“Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.”

 Sophia Loren

“Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart”

 Kahlil Gibran

Almost everyone has heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what do you do when you come face to face with the mirror and don't like what you see? Knowing who you are gives you confidence in all you do.  Since true beauty and grace come from within; they must be developed in the heart. Fretting about life will hinder grace. Worrying about what clothes to wear, how hair, face and nails look will prevent beauty from revealing herself.

Promoting healthy skin, hair and nails requires both internal and external pampering.  A balanced approach to life is necessary to look your best. The mother that has no time to care for herself denies her family her best. The business woman that doesn't enjoy relaxing, nourishing meals deprives her body. When life is only about duty and getting things done, it is not worth the trouble.

Buying one more product will not solve your problems. Conditioning your hair will not reverse the damage done. While many products are fabulous, and I have my favorites, they are not the end all to being beautiful or having great hair. The most important factor is YOU! Being educated on the best way to care for youself is only part of it. Applying that knowlege on a regular basis is necessary.

Today's To Do List
Slow down
Enjoy the outdoors
Set mood lighting
Breath
Acknowledge your surroundings
Savor your meals
Dance to your favorite song
Laugh
Flip through a magazine
Read a book
Soak in a warm bath
Release your worries

Eliminate ALL Bad Hair Days (BHD)!!

When I was in high school, I bought my mom a mug  that says, ’Bad Hair Day’ with a cartoon character that has crazy red hair and looks frazzled. While I find the mug humorous, I do not find BHD’s a laughing matter. Bad hair leaves one with feelings of not being good enough, not having it together and wanting to crawl back in bed and hope for a better day tomorrow. Crawling back into bed is hardly ever an option, so compensation is necessary…pony tails, buns, caps, hats, scarves…all kinds of cover up tactics are employed. BHD’s do draw out creativity! Do you believe that you can eliminate BHD’s and replace them not only  with good hair days, but FABULOUS hair days? Yes, effort is required, well more like a little bit of pampering. Isn’t pampering yourself today, better than scrambling tomorrow?

Hydration is key for fabulous hair every day. The first commandment to curly hair is: MOISTURE, MOISTURE, MOISTURE. The hydration factor isn‘t exclusive to curly hair, all hair needs the right balance of moisture. It is vital to having healthy hair. Eliminating dry hair prevents split ends, allowing hair to grow without breaking, and leaves hair shiny, bouncy and beautiful.

With the winter months upon us, hydration is more important than ever. Applying lotions and potions to the hair and body for added moisture can seem like a full time job, especially during the colder months, but a little daily effort will save time and money in the long run. Plus you will have the security of waking up to hair and skin that looks magnificent all the time. Hydration routines are about pampering yourself a little at a time and transforming dry, dull hair into shiny, silky hair

Moisture Tips

Try one or all of these great ideas.

1.  Add a few drops of olive oil to your daily conditioning routine.
2.  Use a deep conditioning treatment weekly.
     DevaCurl Heaven in Hair offers an amazing moisture boost.
3.  Treat hair with mayonnaise or an avocado and mayonnaise mixture.
4.  Cocktail a silicone free shine serum like DevaCurl MirrorCurl with conditioner or gel.
5.  Prepare a honey based conditioner. Check out recipes at NaturallyCurly.
6.  Ask your stylist about a conditioning treatment the next time you at the salon.
7.  Avoid excessive and direct heat and  by all means lay the flat iron down.

Looking your best each and every day is about making time for you. Whether it is a few minutes each day, weekly home spa therapy or conditioning services at the salon, you are worth it. Celebrate every day and reward yourself  with tenderness, kindness and lots of pampering.