What a Curly Girl REALLY Wants for Christmas

Christmas is right around the corner, and this year for me seems a little different.  I've been so preoccupied with so much going on the last half of the year that I really haven't put much thought into what I want for Christmas.  I know the season really isn't about gifts and presents, but I'm gonna have a little fun here.  To start, I never would've imagined 2011 finishing with me being a blogger, let alone having gotten to experience some of the awesome things I have.  I am so incredibly thankful for every blessing I've had this year, starting this blog and receiving so much love and support is a big one.  So in the spirit of me being a blogger, curly girl and self-professed product junkie, here are a few things I'd LOVE for Santa to bring me...I promise I was a good girl this year ;)

My Ultimate Christmas List :)

Huetiful Steamer
May not be completely necessary to the health of my hair but I definitely want to try it!  Check them out for yourselves here.












Anita Grant Rhassoul Block

I've written about my love for Anita Grant's products before and I am absolutely, positively in love with her Rhassoul Deep Conditioning Treatment.  My hair ALWAYS feels in it's best condition after completing once of these treatments.  I would be willing to spend the almost $100 on a block of this yummy goodness BUT if I had a Santa to bring it to me I would not complain ;)

Every Qhemet Biologics product known to man

Believe it or not, this is the one brand that I have yet to try.  I know right!?!  I've been waiting in unbridled anticipation for the December sale they announced prior

A giftcard to Curl Mart

Now there isn't much that I can't get at Curlmart so what's there's not much of a better gift option to feed my product junky habit!  From Oyin Handmade to Curl Junkie, Darcy's Botanicals to Jane Carter Solutions...there are pretty much options to suit whatever mood I happen to be in.  Or I'd be satisfied with Santa just getting me 4 products or so ;)

A gift card to Etsy
...so I know that it doesn't exist but wouldn't it be cool if there were a universal gift card that can be used with any Etsy store?  Can you say I'd buy ALL my favorite handmade jewelry and accessories in a heartbeat!  I've been eyeing some great pieces so that would be great if Santa could make that happen!


1 hr long photo shoot
Well this is almost coming true :) I'm going to be part of the Natural Resources Salon new portfolio next week which includes styling and pictures...this will be my first salon styling in over 5 years and I'm super geeked.  I mean REALLY pumped!!

Floor to ceiling shelf to store all my products
Like I really need this...I don't have the space but if I lived in a perfect world I would have a shelf system set up for all of my products, arranged by type of course! That way it'd be easier to find products and compare different brands.

4GB of additional RAM for my laptop
As I do more on my blog, taking more pictures and video, it makes me wish I would've opted for more RAM on my laptop...oh well!

The latest & greatest Photoshop software

I'm trying to learn more about the graphic design aspect & photography so I'd LOVE to have an official version of Photoshop oh, and a class to teach me how to use it!  My Christmas gift to myself was a new camera (Nikon S8200) so I'm going to take some time learning that, but I'd love to step up my Photoshop game as well.

A lifetime supply of ouchless headbands

My favorite accessory when I don't feel like accessorizing.  These things are lifesavers but I can NEVER find the round ones without the non slip back.  I can't stand the grips, plus the rounds ones seem to slide easier on my hair.  AND when they stretch out I can double them up for an even cuter style.

...and a lifetime supply of plastic activator caps
Why activator caps?  They serve many functions from hot oil treatments to pre-poos to deep conditioning to rhassoul to henna...get it?  Many uses from a simple product.  They're super cheap, but if Santa loved me he'd keep them in stock at all times ;)

.......and a lifetime supply of plastic gloves
Plastic gloves come in handy for rhassoul/henna treatments.  Trust me you do NOT want to try henna without gloves, that is unless you want red hands lol!

AND a bottle of Peach Ciroc ;)

I don't think much needs to be said for this except if you love peach, and love vodka then you've GOT to try it!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that Santa was good to you!

Curly Hair Care: Essential Hair Tips- Natural Hair

It always makes me smile to see my name on CurlyNikki.com...here's another article for you. Enjoy!!


Curly Nikki Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Essential Hair Tips- Natural Hair: by Lisa Michelle via NaturallyCurly.com Your natural hair is beautiful, versatile and stylish, but it can take a bit of effort and lots of...

Jill Scott Hairstyle Rocks VH1 Divas

Jill Scott graced the stage Monday December 19th during the VH1’s Divas Celebrate Soul show with flawless performances and a stunning new hairstyle.  This year Divas brought recognition to some of the top soul cities in the world and highlighted their influences on the music industry.  Jill, a Philadelphia native, captivated the crowd with her stunning ballad “Hear My Call”, where she controlled the stage with ethereal grace and elegance.  The soulful songstress performed several times during the evening but it was her natural style and flair that stole the show. 

A hot new style trend was revealed during the Divas showcase.  Never afraid of changing up her style, Jill Scott combined classic and chic into one of the most unique styles of the evening.  She flaunted shaved sides with two strand twists rolled up into a bold up-do.  I say this was a fabulous style and she pulled it off wonderfully!  Confidence radiated on her face and through all of her powerful performances.  This signature style is sure to generate a buzz throughout the natural hair community.

If you aren’t afraid to brave the clippers, this style will definitely set you apart in the crowd!  You can add extensions to the middle section to create the volume that Jill has achieved.  For those who don’t want to drastically cut their hair you don’t have to be left out of style.  You can recreate this look with flat twists on the sides going towards the back, then flat twist the back up towards the crown.  Tuck, roll, and pin the hair in place on top of your head.  If you’re rocking a twistout you can even leave the top loose, creating a textured, structured up-do.  Thank you Jill Scott for giving us impeccable style inspiration!  Happy styling!

My Nzuri Weekend Wrap Up!

The Houston natural hair scene finished 2011 with a bang…a big Nzuri bang!  The Reliant Center was transformed December 10 & 11 into a full blown production of the most impressive kind.  From the fashion shows to pageants, live action styling to hands-on tutorials, expert led workshops to in-depth panels, the Nzuri Natural Hair, Health and Beauty Expo was more than just a hair show.  The atmosphere was one of a family reunion, like a community of kindred spirits with common bonds.  Nzuri was far more than a hair show, it was a show stopping event of the highest caliber.

Icons in the Hair Care Industry

There was no better way to kick off a fun-filled weekend than with a pre party to get everyone pumped for the spectacular affair coming to Houston.  The Just “Froing Off” Pre Event Gala was hosted by the Curls brand and offered great ambiance, yummy food and good company.  This was a perfect opportunity to meet & mingle with some of the elite guests before the Nzuri expo.

Miss Jessie’s did a phenomenal job as the primary sponsor of the Nzuri Expo.  Taking their place front and center, the Miss Jessie’s booth set the tone for what was to come.  The DJ was spinning great music and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement the entire time.  Patrons were greeted with swag bags filled with yummy samples and promotional items from Miss Jessie’s as well as other vendors. 

I think many were not even expecting the two gorgeous faces of Miss Jessie’s founders, Titi and Miko interacting with the crowd, but it was certainly a pleasant surprise to me!  The ladies so graciously held not one but two stage presentations discussing everything from natural hair styling tips to how the Miss Jessie’s line originated.  They even took the time to pose for pictures with attendees!  It felt like a very personal experience even though there were well over 8,000 people in attendance. 

It’s a Family Affair

Nzuri brought out a wide variety of people to the Reliant Center. Of course there were beautiful natural curls, braids and locs everywhere you turned, but there were also plenty of natural supporters in the building too.  The event was not just geared towards naturalistas, but it was truly an event to bring the entire family together.  Significant others were there offering support to one another, children were there in high numbers enjoying the festivities, and even boyfriends tagged along with their natural girlfriends to see what all the fuss was about!

There were many options for everyone to be a participant in the activities offered at the Nzuri Expo.  Macy’s sponsored not one but two fashions shows on the main stage that really got the crowd moving.  Talk about a great combination of fabulous fashion and fabulous hair!  We were also treated to an extra special presentation of the littlest natural girls and boys.  The Little Miss Happy Headed and the Little Mr. Handsome Man Pageants truly stole the show.  It was heartwarming to see the spirit, enthusiasm and pride in these young naturals!

Knowledge is Power

Even amidst all the entertainment, there was still no shortage of pertinent information during this exciting weekend event.  The coordinators for the Nzuri Expo made sure to feed your mind as well.  They brought in the powerhouse brands of Miss Jessie’s and Jane Carter, Felicia Leatherwood (celebrity stylist of Jill Scott), Isis Brantley (celebrity stylist of Erykah Badu), and featured salons like The Damn Salon out of Atlanta and Houston Based salon Zayd’s Naturally Natural.  These professionals shared a wealth of styling tips and tricks and offered inspiration for new styles too! 

Patrons were able participate in various hair, health and beauty workshops ranging from traction alopecia to the eco chic beauty revolution.  I particularly enjoyed the “I Can’t Workout Because of My Hair!” workshop led by Sporty Afros founders Whitney Patterson and Alexandria Williams.  The topic was quite engaging as most women face this very issue when deciding to go natural.  Being fit and being natural can go hand in hand!  I also had the distinct honor of being a participant on the Blogger Speak panel with Ms. BeautifulBrwnBabyDol and a host of other super cool bloggers.  The Bloggersphere offered a chance for bloggers and readers to connect on a more personal level.  As Cassidy of NaturalSelection.com so eloquently described, “it brings the online offline”.

Shopping Galore!

I shouldn’t even tell you how good the vendors were at this year’s expo, it might just make you jealous!  From t-shirts to hot shorts, hair ties to scarves, purses to products…pretty much anything you can think of was for sale and at great prices!  I picked up some great “Good Hair” earrings from ChariT’s Inspirational Creations and a cute “Curly Girl” tee from The Urban Rose.  This event was the perfect opportunity for shoppers to pick up some unique, handcrafted pieces, no matter if you were shopping for Christmas gifts or just shopping for the heck of it. 

Product junkies shopped til their hearts were content at Nzuri.  Jane Carter of Jane Carter Solution was there in person giving product demonstrations and recommendations.  She even worked some magic in my hair!  I got to meet Pam Jenkins of Koils by Nature and pick up some wonderfully scented Sweet Almond Joy hair and body butter.  Both Zayd’s Naturally Natural salon and The Damn Salon launched their new product lines at the Nzuri expo.  There were products for everyone and I can’t wait to try them all!

Bigger and Better for 2012

The natural hair community in Houston and beyond was well represented over the duration of the event.  People came from far and wide to experience the southern hospitality offered by the great state of Texas.  Nzuri welcomed people from Atlanta, New York, California and even the UK during the Expo.  After the initial tallies came in, it is estimated that well over 8,000 people attended the Nzuri Natural Hair, Health and Beauty Expo.  That is a spectacular turnout and is indicative of the amount of time and effort that went into planning such an impressive event.  You don’t want to miss out on all the fun next year; it can only be bigger and better for 2012!

Transitioning Hair Tips You Can't Live Without

For those of you who are transitioning...keep your head up!!

Transitioning Hair Tips You Can't Live Without

Lisa Michelle :)

Big Chop Tips You Can’t Live Without

A little bit of advice from yours truly regarding your Big Chop...just a few tips. What are some tips/advice you'd give to someone considering a BC or recently BCd? Thanks for checking it out :)

Big Chop Tips You Can’t Live Without

Lisa Michelle

OMG!! What a weekend!

I know I've been MIA for the past couple weeks but I promise it was worth it!! This weekend I got to be part of the biggest natural hair event in Texas.  Well LISA how big was it you say?  Well over 8,000 attendees!!!  Let me say this again....OVER 8,000 ATTENDEES!!!  The Nzuri Natural Hair, Health & Beauty Expo was truly more than a "hair show", it was a true production of the highest caliber.  I had the honor and the pleasure of being part of the first Blogosphere with a group of great ladies.  So not only was this my first big natural hair event, I actually was a participant in all the festivities!  How cool is that!!

Check out my logo! Will be working on a new one in 2012 :)

Esteemed members of the Blogosphere

I can't even begin to describe the feeling of the entire weekend...I lost myself a few times lol!  There's something to be said about the natural hair community, and especially when you're talking about the sheer number of patrons to the Reliant Center over this two day event.  No disturbances, no foolishness, no fighting...when is the last time you heard of this many people of color without incident?  It was a fellowship, a family reunion if you will, and it was really effortless to network with everyone from attendees to vendors and speakers.  Everyone was accessible!

In all the excitement I managed to lose my camera but alas luck was on my side...my camera was in a bag...in the ticket office...and found by the some great honest people!  Another reason to be thankful...there are still decent people in the world :)  With that being said I'm going to wrap up this quick post with a few words to sum up my experience at the Nzuri Expo...

HUMBLE 

POWERHOUSES

EPIC

ANTICIPATION

EXCITEMENT

INVOLVED

CHIC

FAMILY

UNIQUE

BLESSED

That's all I got for you right now, stay tuned for more pics and videos...I will do my best to have everything posted by this weekend.

Lisa Michelle

Curly Hair Care: Dry Flexi-Rod Set and Maintenance

I really want to try this style...like seriously! I will be picking me up some Flexi-Rods soon!! Thanks for sharing :)

(ps...no it's not Felxi-Rod Set...I'm sure they'll fix it soon)

Curly Nikki Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Dry Felxi-Rod Set and Maintenance: via Shamiamglam I was discouraged when my first flexi-rod set lasted ONE DAY. But I vowed to try it again once the weather was cooler. *...

It's the First of the Month!!

I'm about to hit the sack, but I couldn't let the day go by without posting on December 1st...the first day of the last month of the year.  It's amazing how fast this year has gone by...and dare I say I'm almost glad to see 2012 come?!?  This isn't a long post, nor really hair related, but just a quick drop of what's on my brain.  I lost my grandmother last month.  I'm not questioning God because he has done so much for me, and he's done so much for her, but that was one thing I know that's purely selfish in my heart.  You never want to see someone go whom you care about. 

Needless to say it's been a whirlwind these last few months and I thank you so much for riding with me.  I promise to post more on here, and I'll be doing more style tutorial videos AND product videos.  I will keep you all posted as I start getting in products from my Black Friday binge weekend.  What can I say, I partook in a bit of internet retail therapy ;)  I'll have to make another post with all the purchases I made because I do NOT have the energy tonight.

Just a reminder the Nzuri show is NEXT WEEKEND and I almost cannot contain myself.  I'll post more tomorrow, but I have a few tickets I'm giving away for those in the Houston area.  If you would be available to attend the show and want a chance to win free tickets post on my Facebook page what city you're representing.  I'll message winners on Sunday.  And please be considerate, if you aren't in the area or won't be able to attend please refrain from posting.  I want to see my THoM smiling faces :)

Things That Suck and Rock About Natural Hair

I think Ms. ShatterProofGlassDolls Tanecia hit the proverbial nail on the head with this article. Very honest. Gotta love it!

Curly Nikki Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Things That Suck and Rock About Natural Hair: by Taneica of ShatterProofGlassDolls Ok, before y’all attempt to tie me up with silk scarves, draw your afro picks and scalp me, hear me o...

Curly Hair Care: Keeping a Natural Hair Journal

This is something I never did...I guess you can say my blog is my journal now! However, if you're early in your journey you have an opportunity to record all of your successes and failures at the very moment they occur. This not only gives you something to go back and see your progress, but will give you and others encouragement to continue on.

Anyone else keep a journal or document their journey?

Curly Nikki Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Keeping a Natural Hair Journal: by Tasha Swearingen of NaturallyCurly A natural hair journal is a log of the condition of your hair and scalp. You can log your entries d...

Curly Hair Care: Moisture & Protein- Finding the Right Balance

This is a great article! There's so much science behind curly hair it isn't even funny AT ALL!! This is why I stress taking the time to learn your hair...you'll know when something isn't quite right before anyone else will :)

Curly Nikki Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Moisture & Protein- Finding the Right Balance: by Shelli of Hairscapades via The Science of Black Hair The unique relationship that exists between the protein and moisture balances wi...

Giving THANKS Giveaway

You have an opportunity to win this DOPE CROCHET original, fabulous, handmade, one of a kind scarf, perfect for any winter wardrobe!! Just follow these simple rules for entry into the giveaway:

- LIKE This Hair of Mine and Dope Crochet pages
- COMMENT on my wall what you are THANKFUL for
- And get an EXTRA entry for tweeting the following
"I just entered the This Hair Of Mine Thanksgiving Giveaway with @BigHairBrwnEyes and @DopeCrochet #naturalhair #crochet"

The giveaway is open for US residents until 11:59pm CST December 3rd, 2011.

Show your support this holiday season...I know you want this scarf for your wardrobe!! Enter today :)

SALE ALERT!!! CURLMART.COM

Curlmart.com is offering 25% OFF until tomorrow!!! They're calling it GRAY FRIDAY!! Enter code GRAY25 to receive your discount and remember, shipping is free for purchases of $60 or over!!

Curly Nikki Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: CurlMart's Biggest Sale Ever!: For 2 days only CurlMart is offering the BIGGEST DISCOUNT EVER - 25% OFF your entire order. Don't miss out on this exclusive gray friday of...

Curly Hair Care: Warning – 6 Natural Hair Warnings

These are GOOD warnings!! Read on my dear THoM readers, read on :)

Curly Nikki Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Warning – 6 Natural Hair Warnings: by Tammy Goodson of CurlyChics So you’re ready to go natural. You’ve grown bored with your relaxer and impatient with the current state ...

Houston's Natural Hair Scene is Flourishing!!

If you live in the Houston and surrounding areas you may have noticed an increase in Natural hair events and activities around town.  Not just that, but Natural hair salons and community groups are becoming more and more active as well.  In fact, I see more proud naturals walking around than I think I’ve ever seen before!  With all the city has to offer a curly girl, it’s a great time and place to be natural!

Uncle Funky’s Daughter recently hosted the Do What Comes Naturally workshop created to encourage the natural lifestyle and empower people to pursue their passions.  From the live demonstrations, vision board and art stations, free makeovers and lots of clothing and jewelry vendors, this event brought out hundreds of attendees to celebrate what being natural is truly about.  Tonya & Ray Reed opened the Uncle Funky’s Daughter Salon & Boutique in 2003 and both the salon and the brand have flourished.  They have received numerous national accolades and have most recently been spotted within the pages of Redbook, Juicy Ebony and Essence magazines.  I definitely look forward to more events like this from the Uncle Funky’s Daughter crew. 

Another top salon in the Houston area recently hosted their first of three Naturally Live series on Livestream.  Natural Resources Salon has been a staple in the Houston natural hair scene for the past 10 years, providing healthy hair care and maintenance for new and veteran naturals alike.  The first topics covered during the Livestream included “The Basics of Natural Hair Care & Going Natural in Corporate America”, areas that encouraged lots of dialog amongst the Livestream, Facebook and Twitter followers.  December 13^th will be the next event in the series and will cover “Healthy Product Ingredients to Look for & Holiday Style Ideas”; the session runs from 7:00p-8:30p CST and you can tune in at www.livestream.com/naturalresourcessalon.

Last but certainly not least, Houston will be home to the largest natural hair expo in Texas!  The Nzuri Natural Hair, Health & Beauty Showcase will take over Reliant center on December 10^th & 11^th and will prove to be an event you do NOT want to miss.  How can you go wrong with Miss Jessie’s leading the way as the key sponsor, world record holder for the largest Afro Aevin Dugas emceeing, numerous workshops and discussions including the awesome Bloggersphere panel, the Little Miss Happy Headed pageant for the young girls, two fashion shows sponsored by Macys, and lots and lots of vendors to get your shop on.  Still need another reason to make sure you are in the building?  Well how about tickets start at only $10 a day with kids 12 & under completely FREE!  What a way to round out the year!  You can find more information at www.naturalhairshowcase.com and you can purchase tickets directly through the This Hair of Mine link.

2011 is going out with a serious bang, and I hope we can keep this momentum going through 2012.  Natural Resources Salon will start it off strong by hosting their last Livestream series covering the topics of “The Big Chop & Fresh Natural Cuts and Shapes for the New Year” on January 17, 2012. I have a feeling 2012 will continue to be strong for the natural hair community in Houston.

Naturally Live!!

Last night I took part in the first of three Livestream series put on by Tameka, co-owner of Natural Resources Salon.  Y'all know I already LOVE what they do at the salon.  I had the pleasure of visiting them with the Nappy Love Houston meetup group last month and I was beyond impressed.  Since I've been natural I've been nervous about the idea of even entering a salon for fear that they wouldn't know what to do with my hair but trust me, Natural Resources will be my salon when I get to chance to make my appointment.  It's something about the open, honest and caring atmosphere they exude...they really do care about the HEALTH of your hair, not the length and they're not out to just get your money like I've seen other salons do. 

I digress lol!!  The Livestream started kinda shaky, there was an echo and we had a hard time hearing Tameka and the ladies.  The chat side was cutting up...that was actually fun interacting with people from across the states that tuned in.  Once the audio was fixed (I don't think it took more than 5 minutes) we were in business.  Tameka and the panel tackled the basics of natural hair care, going natural in corporate America, did several style demonstrations, and answered questions from the livestream attendees.  Sounds like a lot, but it was all done in a little more than an hour.  The ladies on the panel offered pretty candid answers to each topic which was refreshing to hear.  When it came to the topic of wearing your natural hair in the corporate world the Livestreamers really lit up at the question.  Many ladies felt they shouldn't have to change their for work, others mentioned they would wear their hair flat ironed for the interview then show up with the fro on the first day...they cracked me up!! Shout out to Misha, MarciaD, GPink26, Simplylici, Tiff, Plutofigaro, ARS, Kiapharm, Kdw4jc, Breanna and the other ladies that kept the Livestream so interesting!  And thanks to the all the ladies that kept it interactive by asking good questions, and thanks Tameka for answering them!!

What really struck me was when they played MY VIDEO from the Nappy Love Houston meet up...Tameka demonstrated several quick and easy styles, all taking well under 5 minutes to construct! If you missed it, I'll post it again for your viewing pleasure :)  Talk about proud mama...I was glad I had captured those moments at the salon and that they really were super easy to recreate.  I've actually done several of the styles myself and with great success!  Thanks Tameka for expanding my hairstyle arsenal!  All in all, I can't wait for the next session.  Was it perfect?  Not quite but it got better as the stream went on!  Was it genuine?  Absolutely!!  For those who chose to cut out before the end I'm almost positive I'll see y'all back on Dec 13th...try to give it a chance next time, you might pick up something worthwhile!  To Tameka, Natural Resources Salon, and the media crew I love the concept of the Livestream to connect and interact across the US.  My suggestions for the next time are pretty simple (I think) turn the mics off on the laptop when someone is typing (because we could hear EVERYTHING in the salon) if using a camcorder mount it on a tripod with a swivel (it was kinda crazy with the video swinging from person to person...I think it was a laptop webcam?) I don't know how feasible it would be to have mics, but sometimes it was hard to hear the panel while speaking, maybe allotting a bit more time at the end for questions would be helpful and maybe have a wider range of lengths represented on the panel (it was refreshing to see Naturals with longer hair, but a lot of ladies were new to being natural or had recently done their BC, and wanted to know more of the basics and styling for TWAs).

All in all I think it was a great experience...thanks Natural Resources, can't wait til the next one!!

Curly Hair Care: Castor Oil for Healthy Natural Hair Growth

I'm giving you guys the word on Castor Oil straight from CurlyNikki.com! I love me some JBCO...it's thick, works as a great sealer, and helps keep my ends fresh.

Do you use castor oil in your regimen?

Curly Nikki Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Castor Oil for Healthy Natural Hair Growth: By Dr. Phoenyx Austin of DrPhoenyx.com Ok ladies- last week we chatted a bit about one of my favorite essential oils- peppermint oil. Now ...

I made it to CurlyNikki.com!!!

Hey THoM family! I wanted to share with you my story that is currently on CurlyNikki.com as part of the 15 Days of Giving Thanks! I am SO happy right now, and I know I'm blessed!! Sometimes you just have to take the time to say "Thank You" to those who may know it, but haven't heard it in a while

I've been fortunate to not only have a supportive mother, father, brother and sister, but my extended family has been awesome too. We're rallying around my 87 year old grandmother at her time of need and while it's a sad time for all, it's also a time to thank God for all he has provided us with. 87 years of life, 13 living children and a whole crew of grand (and beyond) kids is a blessing indeed!

As my blog goes, words cannot express how thankful I am to have such wonderful readers! I may be new and small in numbers, but the spirit of THoM cannot be contained! Big things have come, are coming, and will continue to come. I am thankful and grateful for your continued support!

Curly Nikki Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: 15 Days of Giving Thanks- Lisa: Lisa writes: It may sound like something so trivial to some, but I am thankful every single day for my supportive family. I know quite a...

Are You Livestreaming?

Tonight starting at 7pm CST Natural Resources Salon will be hosting the first of three livestream series to "educate women on natural hair."  For those who don't know, I was a visitor and soon to be client at Natural Resources Salon, where they truly have your best interest at heart.  Tamika Fletcher is an awesome ambassador to the natural hair community and Natural Resources Salon is the perfect place to have your hair taken care of, whether it needs to be nurtured back to health or just pampered by the ultimate salon experience. 

The focus for tonight will be The Basics of Natural Hair Care & Going Natural in Corporate America. You do not want to miss this awesome series, especially if you are fresh on your natural hair journey or just want a professional's expertise.  You can click the picture below to take you to their livestream site so you can be part of this event.  There will be 2 more topics to be discussed in future events on December 13th and January 17th, 2012.  RSVP today HERE!  I will do a rundown in case you missed it, but I hope you can tune in.  Support our natural hair salons and small businesses, they truly mean a lot to our community!

Lisa Michelle

Happy 11:11:11:11

I hope you all had a great 11/11/11 at 11:11pm (since I missed 11:11am!)

I'm posting a TON of good stuff on my Facebook page so please make sure you join there as well.  I haven't made a video in a while but I figure I'll start with the ones I still need to edit lol!!

I'm really trying to get the word out about the Nzuri Natural Hair, Health & Beauty Showcase coming to Houston on December 10th & 11th!! I will be one of a handful of bloggers taking part in the first Nzuri Blogosphere :) GO THIS HAIR OF MINE!!! It's going to be so much fun, I can't even put it into words right now.  None other than BeautifulBrwnBabyDol herself is coordinating this fantastic experience so even if there weren't anything else, the chance to meet her is enough for me!  Please buy your tickets from my link, I appreciate your support!!

Buy your tickets HERE!!

As always, I so appreciate all of the support you've shown me through This Hair of Mine!! I love hearing the stories of triumph and success, trial and error, love and joy!  Natural hair is a beautiful thing :)

I'll leave you with a pic of my first attempt at a logo, hope you enjoy!

Lisa Michelle

Do What Comes Naturally!!

I had the absolute pleasure of attending the Do What Comes Naturally workshop held on November 6^th in Houston, Texas.  This event was coordinated by none other than Uncle Funky’s Daughter, one of the premier natural hair salons in the Houston area.  Established in 2003, they are a sustainable and chemical free salon, offering services to cultivate and pamper your curls.  This event, done in an ever so Funky fashion, aimed to “empower women to free themselves, embrace their natural beauty and follow their passion.”  I’d say they accomplished their mission!

Heading into the private art room

Conversing around the art displays

The Rice Hotel provided the perfect backdrop for this cultured event celebrating natural freedom.  Upon entry to the building we were greeted by lovely hostesses and directed up a grand staircase to enjoy all of the activities of the evening.  There was a space set up with art installations from local artists and there were also tasty hors d’oeuvres and beverages being served.  Next, we were welcomed into a vast meeting area where there were numerous tables, activity stations, vendor booths for us to visit.  They had even created a boutique area for us to shop!  You may not know, but Uncle Funky’s Daughter is not only a salon but a chic boutique where it’s easy to find all things fashionable.  We were invited to peruse the many tables and racks stocked with all sorts of clothes and accessories as we conversed among ourselves about how fantastic the fashions were.  I mean, who doesn’t like shopping!  All this and I haven’t even made it to the good stuff yet!

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Attendees browsing in the boutique area

The spacious main gathering area is packed!

Being the host and primary sponsoring brand, Uncle Funky’s Daughter had a major presence throughout the building.  They had a large area set up offering their top products like Curly Magic and their signature tee shirts.  I even picked up a shirt with the theme of the night, “Do What Comes Naturally”.  As I went around the room, I viewed many of the patrons interacting with the vendors.  I bought a pair of handcrafted earrings from ChariT’s Inspirational Creations, the Lamik Beauty team offered free mini makeovers and beauty consultations, Green Seed Vegan kept the green drink shots coming, and I stood in line for a good 20 minutes for my fabulously free Minx manicure by Queen Minx.  I also booked an appointment to have my eyebrows pampered after having a free consultation at the Eyebrow Energy booth.  Many visitors also took the time to create artistic paintings and vision boards at those interactive stations.  We even got to be part of the Supernatural Power Photo shoot, capturing individual personalities with our very own natural signature phrases.  And that’s STILL not all!

Uncle Funky's Daughter!

Lamik Beauty with free mini makeovers

Queen Minx table with free manicures

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Artistic painting class

ChariT's Inspirational Creations

Eyebrow Energy doing free consultations

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Tonya doing a Curly Magic demo

Tonya Reed, co-founder of Uncle Funky’s Daughter, showed us how to use their top products during several product demonstrations on a few different types of hair.  She took the time to answer questions from us in the audience and, believe me, there were many!  Most of the ladies watching the demo primarily wanted to know what types and how much product to use while styling and how to maintain the style.  Tonya was very helpful and informative, and we all appreciated her candor. After the demonstration we were then energized by a few quick Zumba sessions which really got the crowd moving! 

I really enjoyed this event!  All types of naturals were represented, from the newly natural to veterans, from 2c to 4c, short hair, long hair, locs, and all things in between!  I especially loved seeing all the different hair styles and fashions of the attendees.  It was a joy networking and meeting new people, and generally just seeing people enjoy themselves.  If you ever have an opportunity to attend a natural hair or health expo don’t pass it up; it really is an awakening experience.  Events like these encourage people be free, be themselves, be healthy, and to “Do What Comes Naturally”. 

Yes...those are what you think they are!

 Tonya  & Ray Reed, pictured with Nnete of 97.9 on the left and Tonya's lovely mother on the right

Nnete (L) ME!! Tonya Reed (R)

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My quick self portrait on the way out :)

Did you miss the Do What Comes Naturally event?  You still have an opportunity to attend the largest natural hair event in Texas, which is coming to Houston on December 10^th and 11^th, 2011.  The Nzuri Natural Hair, Health & Beauty Showcase, sponsored by Miss Jessie’s, is going to be a phenomenal event to include: workshops featuring some of the top natural hair stylists, fashion shows and competitions for both stylists and attendees, an opportunity to meet the world’s largest afro record holder Aevin Dugas, interact with the Blogosphere featuring several natural hair bloggers (including myself!), and even a Little Miss Happy Headed pageant for young natural girls!   Of course you’ll also have lots and lots of vendors to shop from and did I mention the first 500 attendees will receive a free swag bag?  So mark your calendars and get your tickets early, they’re just $10 for adults and kids 13 & under are FREE!  You can buy your tickets right HERE from This Hair of Mine! Hope to see you there!


Lisa Michelle
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Enjoying my new Uncle Funky shirt!