Have you seen Mizani’s Natural Curl Key? Far less complicated the previous hair typing systems, this chart was a breath of fresh air. The chart goes into detail on each hair type to describe typical texture, growth pattern, body/volume, elasticity and porosity. It also lists specific product recommendations from their line if you’re interested.
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| source: Mizani |
Meet Lee Waddell from Houston, Texas.
Lee’s hair care regimen regimen…
I wash every 3 days, platting 4-6 braids every night with light moisturizer. I deep condition every two-three weeks. I deep condition with hot olive oil, beneath a plastic shower cap, wrapped in a big towel. Regular olive oil, like from the cooking aisle in the grocery store. I don’t ever comb my hair dry… only true root to tip combing and detangling occurs during my regular washing, during the conditioning, combing from tip to root, in small increments. I braid it after after I’ve combed the conditioner through, and rinse while it’s braided. Air dry over night, and voila! I really don’t get it trimmed… I probably should, eh? Very rarely, if ever do I use heat and if I do, it is a blow dryer/diffuser on a low, cool setting.
Favorite products…
Soft Sheen Carson Green Tea & Shea Butter Moisturizer.
Favorite salon…
Uncle Funky’s Daughter in Houston, TX.
Favorite hair style…
Down with a side part.
Link to Lee…
www.msleewaddell.com (up, but under construction)
Photo by J and R Studios.
Meet Leanora from Pennsylvania.
Being natural…
I have worn my hair natural for most of my life. There are only a few times I remember getting a relaxer, maybe 4 times total. When I was in 8th grade I had my cut my hair to shoulder length to get rid of my dead ends and the relaxed hair.
Hair care regimen…
I wash my hair twice a week and I deep condition it once a week. I don’t get trims on a regular basis, I just cut split ends out when I see them.
On heat…
I used to flat iron my hair ALL the time in high school because I didn’t like my curly hair . So I bought an expensive flat iron. I loved it and it worked really well. The summer I graduated was really hot and flat ironing my hair was getting to be to much because my hair would frizz up. I decided to wear it curly. To my surprise, my hair was almost as straight as it was before I washed it. My hair had limp loose curls, not tight kinky curls like I have before. I purchased different curling shampoos and I stayed away from the flat iron for a long time. It’s been about 2 1/2 years and I have my curls back (thank God) and now I only straighten my hair on occasions.
On color…
I don’t use any color on my hair and I don’t plan to anytime soon.
Favorite products…
I love using Mixed Chicks products, Paul Mitchell’s Smoothing Super Skinny Shampoo, Conditioner and Smoothing Serum. The styling aids I use are Aquage Curl Defining Creme, Defining Gel and Silkening Oil Treatment. I learned that most of the products for curly hair sold in drugs stores don’t work for my hair. I tried just about everything when I was going through my hair crisis. I’m a licenced cosmetologist for I get my hair products from Cosmo Prof (except for Mixed Chicks, I buy that online).
Favorite style…
I like to wear my hair out and wild or with one side slicked over and the other side wild and curly.
Leanora’s links…
Leanora on FaceBook
Leanora’s online portfolio
Photo by Shannon Williams
the womb.
Hair care regimen:
I condition my hair once a week-NO SHAMPOO! Shampoo has a lot of harsh chemicals that extract the oils from the scalp and hair! As african american women, we need those oils. SAY NO TO SHAMPOO! I put oil in my hair and sometimes an organic leave in conditioner.
Favorite Products:
I’m down with anything organic but read the labels hun cuz they can call it organic when only one ingredient is organic! Try: Intelligent Nutrients (They’re certified by the USDA).
Hair tips:
Favorite place to get hair stuff:
I gotta be honest, I get my sh** from Barneys but I WOULDN’T RECOMMEND IT! Way over priced, you can go to Trader Joes or something and get some great organic products for cheap, sun.
Favorite hair style:
I like to braid the sides up funky and rock the frofoehawk 
Personal style:
Jimi Hendrix meets Kanye West — fashionably eclectic. Must have a “Habibi” scarf, stunner shades and Dunk hi’s!
Favorite places to shop:
I’ m a window shopper. I go to all the cliché places but ladies heres a tip- DONT SLEEP ON THE MEN’S SECTION. It’s usually cheaper since men dont shop as much! YAY!
Where you can find Kalae…
Meet Keshia Waldron, an ambitious young woman going after her dreams.
On being natural…
Honestly when it comes to hair I don’t like for it to be a hassle for me. If my face shape was one where I can rock short hair I would of chopped it off a long time ago. Natural styles are not typically common so I think wearing it natural makes me an individual because in my hometown of Harrisburg, PA I haven’t seen any females rocking a fro.
Favorite products…
Organics By Africa’s Best and shea butter
Hair secrets/tips…
I think washing your hair every other week and keeping it moisturized by using products with shea butter will help, personally I use Organics by Africa’s Best it really helps to soften my hair.
Favorite hair style..
I just love to change it up. I’m curious to see how many ways my fro can be styled.
On style…
When it comes to style I like being different. Trends are all good but I don’t like to walk down the street and see like 10 different people wearing the same thing I am. I’m a big fan of color and just unique pieces. I Iove Wet Seal, Forever21, and this store in my local mall called Blush. I have to have heels I love stilettos!!!
Keshia’s links…
www.modelmayhem.com/keshiawaldron
www.myspace.com/officiallykeshia
Photos by…
Jordan Beckham Photography
Meet Kadeja also know as Miss Earth Pennsylvania. She is actress/(role)model/entrepreneur who has been natural her whole life.
On being natural…
I’ve always been natural but I just started wearing my hair down within the last two years.
I wash and condition my hair every three days and get a trim every six months
I love “Smooth Down” by Redken. I use their shampoo, conditioner and serum.
My top secrets would be… don’t swim a lot (if you do, use a heavy leave in conditioner after), drink lots of water and get a trim every three or six months, oh and stay natural, heat damages your hair.
Favorite hair style…
I love wearing my hair BIG AND CURLY, just wild!
I would say my style is very hippie chic, comfortable and upscale casual. Urban Outfitters and vintage stores are my favorite, anything different and original. Shoes and purses are my addiction.
Links…
Meet Jessica from Alabama.
On being natural…
I have had my hair natural all my life and I love it! I am mixed and use to be picked on about my hair and more so of course I tried a perm in an effort to fit in. That was probably about ten years ago and it did not “take”.
Jessica’s hair care regimen…I wash my hair about every two weeks, or when it gets dirty. I might do a hot oil treatment about every two weeks, but I put conditioner in my hair about 2 to 3 times a week. My hair tends to get dry conditioning and moisturizers help a lot. I have to admit I don’t trim my hair as often as I should so I really can’t tell you how often I trim my hair. I use flat irons every now and then. Heat is not good for hair, but every so often I need a little break and straighten it out. I get my ends trimmed then most of the time. I’m scared to get them trimmed when it’s curly. I feel you can see the split ends better when it’s straight.
On dye and coloring…
I have had my hair colored once and that was about 2 years ago.
Favorite hair care products…
My favorite hair products are Wave Nuvo Moisturizer and Pro Growth Oil. I don’t really have a favorite shampoo. I havent found one that works well on my hair. If I use gel, I use Pro Style. My favorite places to buy hair products are those hair stores like Beauty and Beyond and other beauty supply stores. I love theses stores they not only have many hair products they have everything!
Favorite hair style…
My favorite style is just out curly however it falls: free, big and wild.
Jessica’s Links…
Makeup artist: Porsha Davis
More info on how to book Jessica Lynch through her online portfolio.
Meet actor/singer Jazz Testolini.
On her hair care regimen…
Hair tips…
Jazz on her personal style…
Leave questions and comments for Jazz in the comments.
Meet Jay Marie from Beaverton, Oregon. She wore her hair in a natural state until she was 12 years old. “I permed it and absolutely hated it, so ever since then, I have been natural”, says Jay Marie.
What made me decide to go natural was me just becoming more comfortable with myself and after I conformed to the straight hair that everyone has, I did not like being the same. Different and unique is where I feel most comfortable.
Her hair care regimen…
I condition every day, shampoo once or twice a week. I’m trying to let my hair grow out, so I have not cut it for sometime now.
Favorite hair products…
My favorite way to wear my hair is down, possibly straightening my bang or pulling it back in a head band. It’s simple quick and easy. I usually just let it air dry so my hair doesn’t frizz due to the heat, then blow dry it A LITTLE so I dont have wet hair, then use a straightener to flatten the curls a little so that my hair isn’t out-of-control-huge to the point where I can’t maintain it.
On style…
A hooper (basketball player) + Kanye West and Rhianna or someone who makes sweats and simple clothing look abnormally normal and unique.
Favorite place to shop…
TOP SECRET Anywhere that you can buy things that no body has, not expensive designer stuff all the time, but pieces you can put together to create as your own.
Wardrobe must-haves…