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 :)