BRE FROM ANTM HAS BC'D!!!

Remember Bre from Top Model??? "I'm one of the 3 baddest Bs in America" Bre!!?!? Well she's jumped on the BC train and looks FLAWLESS!! I mean simply gorgeous, not like she wasn't anway. I absolutely love it...it might just give me the boost I need to BC...hmmmmmm let me sleep on that. Anyways...here's her new look:

GORGEOUS!!

Check out the full interview here.

WOOT WOOT!!!

A WHOPPING THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SHOWED UP TO THE PRODUCT SWAPPING PARTY!!

It was one of the most powerful sessions ever!! Big ups to Monica, Bianca, and Eryana at Kinky Curly Straight Salon for hosting this event!! We learned about reading labels, discussed our woes, encouraged/empowered one another to invest in ourselves and our communities, etc... too much to name, but let's just say we had a blast!

THANKS AGAIN CLEVELAND!!!

TRANSITIONAL STYLE: TWISTS

Hey Transitioners {and Naturalites}, are you tired of being bothered with your hair during these hot and humid summer months?? Why not go carefree for the summer and opt for some TWISTS!!

Senegalese Twists:

Kinky Twists:


Nothing against micro braids, but I don't have the time nor the energy to spend another 8 hours taking them things out. Plus, my edges ALWAYS seem to be FRIED when they come out...I'm going for some Senegalese Twists this summer. I consider it protective since, I'm getting my ends trimmed before I get them. I REFUSE to be on vacay and have to worry about my hair {24 days and counting} . TALK ABOUT FREEDOM!! They're bigger than micros and just as versatile. *superexcited*


What are your summer styling options??

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

Sometimes I truly wonder how what I put in my body affects my hair. I used to take vitamin supplements that contained Biotin because my hair was really fragile (from all those relaxers and heat I suspect) and I wanted my hair to be stronger. I will say I found them to work quite efficiently, but anyone who knows me knows that I don't do well with pills, so what other options do I have?? I did some digging and found this nifty little guide, not sure how accurate it is, but I think it's a start.

Vitamin A - Promotes normal growth, healthy teeth, nails, hair, bones, glands. Essential for night vision. Found in fish liver oils, dairy products, liver, dark green/yellow vegetables, pumpkin.

Vitamin B-1 (Thiamin) - It is essential for healthy growth of hair, skin, muscles, brain and nervous system. Is useful in times of stress and have also been used to treat fatigue, irritability, and depression. Found in green vegetables, corn , potatoes, oats, rice plums, raisins, nuts, yeast, ham.

Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin) - Prevents dandruff and helps with the absorption of iron. Found in liver, cheese, milk, eggs, avocados, green/yellow vegetables, grains, nuts.

Vitamin B-3 (Niacin) - Produces blood flow to the follicle to produce hair growth. Found in lean meats, liver, poultry, fish, cheese nuts, prunes, potatoes.

Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid) - Produces hair growth and stimulation of new growth. Found in beef, chicken, liver, eggs, salmon, clams, royal jelly, rice, avocados, grains, nuts.

Vitamin B-12 (Cyanocobalimin) - Stimulates hair growth. Found in beef, liver, egg yolks, crab, clams, sardines, salmon, oysters, herring.

Biotin Vitamin H (Biotin) - Thickens the hair strand. Found in peanut butter mushrooms brown rice, bulgur, oats, beef liver, royal jelly, nuts, egg yolks, chicken, soybeans, sardines, yeast, milk.

Folic Acid (Part of B-Complex) - Cell renewal to grow hair. Found in liver, grains, nuts, yeast, dates, oranges, green leafy vegetables, brown rice.

Adjust your diets accordingly! Hope this helps you on your journey to healthy Natural Hair!!

WHAT TYPE OF NATURAL ARE YOU? Part 3

I know I know...I've been gone for a minute, but I'm back for us TYPE 4 SISTERS! This is near and dear to MY heart because LAWD KNOWS this hair ain't nothing to play with :)

Type 4 hair

- Kinky, or very tight curl or zig-zag pattern

- Quite fine, it is wiry and delicate

- Has fewer cuticle layers than any other hair type, which means that it has less natural protection from the damage you inflict by combing, brushing, curling, blow-drying and straightening it

- Known to shrink up to 75% of the actual hair length

- The driest hair type, thus it is more prone to breakage

Subtypes

4a: Tightly coiled hair that, when stretched, has an "S" pattern, much like curly hair. It tends to have more moisture than 4b; has a definite curl pattern

4b: Has a "Z" pattern, less of a defined curl pattern. Instead of curling or coiling, the hair bends in sharp angles like the letter "Z"; has a cotton-like feel

Tips for Type 4s

- Use styling creams, butters and oils

- Detangle hair with a lot of conditioner in your hair and use a comb or detangling brush

- Let hair air dry or use a hood dryer

- Do not use a brush or comb on your dry curls

- Reduce tangles by sleeping on a satin pillowcase or wrap hair in a satin cap

- Add moisture, daily - dry hair breaks

- Avoid mineral, and petrolatum oil and heavy waxes.

Our hair point of Reference:

4a:

**IHEARTJILL**

4b:

EVENT: PRODUCT SWAPPING PARTY

DOES UNDERNEATH YOUR BATHROOM SINK LOOK LIKE THIS???

OR

DO YOU HAVE A PANTRY OF PRODUCTS LIKE THIS THAT YOU PROBABLY WON'T EVER USE AGAIN FROM YOUR "TRIAL AND ERROR" PHASE??

WELL WE HAVE TEAMED UP WITH KINKYCURLYSTRAIGHT SALON TO HAVE A

PRODUCT SWAPPING PARTY!!!!!

*CHEERS*

BRING YOUR GENTLY USED PRODUCTS IE. GELS, POOS, CONDITIONERS, ETC.. AND TRADE WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

I'M ALL ABOUT SAVING MONEY, SO WHY WASTE IT, WHEN YOU CAN RECYCLE!!!

IT ALL GOES DOWN JUNE 25 FROM 7-9PM AT KCS SALON (4160 MAYFIELD ROAD, SOUTH EUCLID, OH 44121)

INTRODUCING: KINKYCURLYSTRAIGHT, THE SALON

Hey ALL, I'm so refreshed from my trip to Vegas so why not get my Salon Spotlight on, LOL!! I plan to highlight salons around the city who cater to us Natural-lites.

So let's get started...FIRST UP IS KinkyCurlyStraight, The Salon.

I interviewed Monica Green, who is the CEO/Co-Founder of KinkyCurlyStraight, The Salon. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Marketing from Central State University, an M.B.A. from David Myers University, and is a licensed managerial cosmetologist and instructor.



How long have you been in the beauty industry? What made you get started?

I've been in this industry for 26 years. It's a natural gift, I love making people feel great about themselves. Hair is an expression and it makes women feel better about themselves.

How did you decide to incorporate Relaxer Free hair/Natural hair into the mix?

As a cosmetologist, I could see how relaxers were taking a toll on black hair. Over time, there is no way to sustain the hair. As a businesswoman, timing is important. You see a problem you find a solution. So when I see hair problems such as thinning, I see going Natural as a solution.


What separates your salon from others in the City?

We are a client oriented salon. We are commission based so there is more of a team environment here. Everyone works together towards a common goal. We strive to be the leading resource to transitioners.

Does your staff offer consultations to potential or existing customers?

Yes, absolutely! That is our main way of communicating with existing or potential clients about their hair goals.

What types of styles does your staff specialize in?

We specialize in all phases of healthy hair.

What steps does your staff take to educate your clients on the benefits of wearing natural hair and on home maintenance?

We have an event known as the Natural Hair Love Train where stylists Bianca and Erryana give women advice, tips, and discussion on how to maintain their natural hair.

We also plan to give our clients "prescriptions." Everyone's hair is different so we plan to give our recommendations on products, maintenance tips, etc.. so women can properly care for their hair.

What are the Natural hair trends you currently love?

I do not like to use the term "trend," I prefer the term Expressions. Hair is an expression - creativity of the mind, there's no limit to what you can do. There's twist-outs, braid-outs, ponytails. The sky is the limit.

In general, what would you like people to know about KCS?

We are truly here to serve. We strive to be a safe haven for ALL women. We have a warm inviting environment and we truly genuinely care.

Thanks Monica!! Looking forward to the Product Swapping party!!! Ladies go check them out. I know I will....