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.

Join the Curlvolution!!!!

A curlvolution is beginning. Can you hear the sound of it? Today is a new day, a green day, a call to be naturally beautiful. Hiding from the true nature of your hair has got to go. Lorraine Massey, author of The Curly Girl Handbook says, "Set your curls free an the rest will follow." My hair was straight until I was 12, or so I thought. I just hadn't embraced my natural wave and found my inner curl. I had long hair with no layers. With my mother as my stylist, I wore my hair slicked back into a tight ponytail or French braid every single day for about three years. My mom was no joke with the brush, and she was clueless with her own curls. My grandmother tried to beat my mom's hair into submission with short haircuts and abuse (of the hair, not her daughter).

My curl journey actually began at the age of eight with a perm. My parents left me with my grandmother, and she permed my hair. It was a beautiful experience, and I was excited to see my hair in curly perfection. Shortly after my perm, my father played hair dresser and cut my hair off into a bob. My curls went from 'Fame' to 'Saturday Night Live'. My dad started calling me Roseanne, Roseannandanna. Other than a trim, I was not allowed to get another haircut until I was 12.  Four years after my traumatic hair experience I armed myself with a photo of a long layered cut and marched into a salon, looking forward  to a new do. The stylist worked her magic and layered my hair, which instantly sprung up into bouncy curls. I was ecstatic. I had always wanted curly hair. My mom's gorgeous halo of curls was my focus, so my newly curled coif was sweet perfection to me. Thus began my curlvelotion and a new way of thinking. Scrunching, diffusing and conditioning were my new buzz words... Scarves were my new accessories adding more drama to my curls. I tied them around long, loose ponytails, high bouncy ponytails and around my head for flare. No longer being stretched to the max, my hair sprung to life.  Embark on an experience that will not only change your hair but will change your life. Start your curlvelotion TODAY!!!

Ten Curly Commandments

I. Moisture! Moisture! Moisture!

Don’t skimp on the conditioner and leave a little in. Add a few drops of Olive Oil to the formula for extra moisture. Once a month have a deep conditioning treatment.

II. Avoid Detergents

Be aware of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in your shampoo. It is the same ingredient found in Dishwashing Liquid and Laundry Detergent. Most shampoos are drying and difficult to rinse out. Choose a non-lathering cleanser that conditions. Cleanse your hair no more than 3 times a week.

III. Cold Water Rinse

A cold water rinse protects your hair by sealing the cuticle which prevents damage and adds shine.

IV. Style Wet

Distribute styling products evenly throughout your hair, and manipulate your curls while they are still wet from the rinse. 

V. Remove Excess Water 

Scrunch hair with a t-shirt, microfiber towel or paper towels. Do not use a terry-cloth towel.

VI. Air Dry

Avoid heat. Use a diffuser or air dry your hair. Do not touch while drying.

VII. Love Me Tender

Never treat your curls unkindly. Avoid brushes and combs. Remove tangles by working conditioner through hair, gently combing with fingers.

VIII. Live in Luxury

Sleep on a satin pillow case or in a satin head wrap. Cotton removes moisture and causes frizz.

IX. Let It Be

Give your hair a rest from time to time. Products, manipulation and maintenance tire. Let your hair lounge when you do.

X. Love! Love! Love!

Embrace your natural beauty and love your locks. You are unique, and so is your hair. Learn how to make your halo look its best naturally.

www.thecurlytree.com

NO SUDS REQUIRED!!!

Why is it that hair is so frequently talked about? Could it be because the head and hair encompass so much of life's disciplines. Mathematics, physics, chemistry, psychology, art, and history to name a few. On the surface it's not easy to see. Consider all that is involved for a brief second. Look at the life force behind hair. The bible states that the number of hairs on each head is known, and Samson lost his might when his hair was cut. Throughout history hair has played a central roll in society. So what's the big deal? Well, it's the crowning glory, topping off the body, providing a halo for the face, either dragging it down or lifting it up. One's mood and confidence can be shattered or secured depending on the look and condition of one's hair and that changes daily. Great looking hair is possible with education, maintenance, and  a fabulous haircut. After a great cut moisture is key for hair to look its best. Shampoos remove the natural oil from the scalp and hair, dehydrating it, all in the name of cleanliness. Friction and the flush of water are required to cleanse ~ no harsh chemicals necessary. DevaCurl has an amazing vehicle to facilitate the cleansing process ~ NO-POO a zero-lather conditioning cleanser. Containing no sulfates or parabens, it is a botanically infused cleanser that conditions rather than strips. Lorraine Massey, author of The Curly Girl Handbook and co-founder of Devachan Salon in New York City, discovered the drying effects of shampoo by observing her own hair. She realized that her hair looked terrible right after washing it and fabulous by the third day, so she experimented. She cleansed her hair with conditioner, finding a gentle, non-drying way of removing dirt. That discovery lead to the creation of NO-POO, expelling the SHAM and removing the crap. Suds are not necessary to clean anything; however, we have become accustom to them, and they make us feel good. (More on SUDS and the creation of them later). In the meantime, take the poo out of your hair care routine and discover a new CLEAN.